RABBIT ACTIVITY
As regular visitors will have noticed, rabbit activity is causing holes on the hard core tracks and whilst we try and in-fill them, please be aware that the tracks are more uneven than normal as a result of the rabbit diggings.
TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN
Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of the railway bridge which accesses the Marsh Lane Nature Reserve car park, to the west of Siden Hill Wood. The gate is going to be locked overnight. Solihull Council have deemed this has become necessary due to frequent problems of anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and other forms of environmental crime at Bradnocks Marsh.
The closing/opening times will be as follows:
- 1st April – 30th September 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- 1st October – 31st March 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Link to West Midland Bird Ringing Group: https://www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk/
WORK PARTY DATES 2026
Saturday 21 February – 2.00pm
Saturday 21 March – 2.00pm
Tuesday 21 April – 6.00pm
Tuesday 19 May – 6.00pm
Tuesday 16 June – 6.00pm
MARSH LANE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
Starting from March/April 2026, and lasting about 9 months, there will be amended traffic arrangements on the A452/Kenilworth Road. These relate to the alterations that are taking place whereby the dual carriageway will rise over the forthcoming (God only knows when!) HS2 and a new junction with Marsh Lane is being formed. Use of the new section will commence shortly.
At that junction, a roundabout is due to be constructed and, in due course, Marsh Lane will be accessed off that roundabout. In the meantime, some lane closures will take place, but Marsh Lane and the Lorry Park will always be accessible. Signposting will hopefully mention the Nature Reserve but if not follow the signs for the Lorry Park.
HS2 WORKS – A452 KENILWORTH ROAD
Please note there will be a temporary closure of lane one on the northbound carriageway of the A452 between the Bradnock’s Marsh roundabout and the Meriden roundabout. The closure will start on Monday 26 January 2026 until Friday 20 February 2026 to enable utility works to be undertaken on the verge.
CLOSURE OF THE B4102, MERIDEN ROAD – MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2026
As part of ongoing works to construct the River Blythe Viaduct, the Meriden Road will be closed from Monday 23rd February to Sunday 8th March 2026. The road closure will be in place between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, with a signposted diversion route in place throughout the closure as shown below. The work is programmed for two weeks but, if it progresses well, the road will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
CORMORANT, RED 9J
A Cormorant, Red 9J, seen on Car Park Pool on 2nd February was ringed as a nestling at Vogelmeer in the coastal dunes south of Bloemendaal, the Netherlands, on 16th June 2025 and was seen there again on 7th August. There have been no other reports.
8th February 2026
Dry, some sun.
Eight Reed Buntings could be seen perching in the top of the reeds in the Reedbed, with a further two, with at least six Chaffinches coming down to the grain under the crop Oaks. Yesterday, apparently, there was a mixed flock of 40 birds, a mixture of Chaffinches, Linnets and Reed Buntings. At least five Song Thrushes were singing away, two either side of the cottages, one north and one south of the Car Park and one by the Central Stream. A Green Woodpecker called regularly from the Central Stream Alders.
7th February 2026
Initially overcast with rain, clearing to sunny spells, light south easterly. River Blythe flowing into Railway Pool.
A good selection of birds, despite the flooding, included 40 Redwing and seven Fieldfares on the Flood Plain, 34 Lesser Redpolls in the Back Gate Alders, seven Siskins on the Central Streamline, six males and a female House Sparrow at the Car Park feeders, two Mistle Thrushes in the Oaks left of Car Park Hide, a Skylark on the Tip Field and five Collared Doves, with four in the Crop Field Oaks and one at Patrick Farm.
The wildfowl counts, care of Graham and Dave, were 30 Mutes, 50 Canadas, 44 Greylags, eight Shoveler, 13 Gadwall, 105 Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 57 Teal, three drake Pochard, 44 Tufteds, five Goosander, 47 Cormorants, two Little Egrets, two Little Grebes, a Water Rail in the Reedbed, one Moorhen, 20 Coot, 134 Lapwing, a notable increase to six Oystercatchers, just a single Snipe, 85 Black-headed Gulls, six Common Gulls, six Herring Gulls, 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the adult Greater Black-backed Gull.
Fieldfare – Photograph by Alastair Robertson
6th February 2026
Overcast, rain, fresh easterly, extensive flooding at Patrick Bridge.
It was unsurprising that much of the Flood Plain was under water after yesterday’s heavy rain.
There were seven male House Sparrows at the Car Park feeders, 175 Lapwing across the pools, along with three Oystercatchers, a female Goosander, six Pochard. A Raven went over.
5th February 2026
Wet all day.
Two Bitterns were visible from the Reedbed screens in the early morning, and seven Goosanders roosted, two males and a female.
Only two Oystercatchers were seen first thing.
4th February 2026
Overcast, light easterly.
Not a great deal of change today, but of the three Oystercatchers, a pair were already mating on Car Park Pool.
3rdFebruary 2026
Overcast, light showers, fresh north-easterly.
A Shelduck joined three drake Pochard, three Oystercatchers and 53 Cormorants on the pools, whilst a pair of Stonechats were present on the HS2 Flood Plain fences. Four Collared Doves comprised two at Patrick Farm and two at the Car Park feeders.
2nd February 2026
Dull, 6°, light breeze.
Twelve Goosanders roosted on Car Park Pool overnight, five males and seven females, and Oystercatchers continued to arrive with three present on Railway Pool this morning. A Bittern was also seen at dawn on the Reedbed.
Other counts today included over 200 Wigeon, 36 Tufted Ducks, 10 Shoveler, seven Pochard, 120 Lapwing, 20 Teal and a pair of Mute Swans in courtship display around the Causeway. Other birds making the log were four Egyptian Geese, a Swan Goose, 51 Cormorants including a Dutch ringed bird, and an unringed male Stonechat on the Flood Plain.
Visitors to the feeders included at least three Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, and Nuthatch.
1st February 2026
Overcast, some light drizzle, but generally calm.
The elusive pair of Stonechats were again present at the Dragonfly Pond this morning, and the Bittern flew across the Reedbed from right to left at 10.15. Early dawn is still the best time.
A Peregrine flew over, there was a single Litle Egret on Railway Pool, and Oystercatcher numbers have doubled, with a pair now on Car Park Pool.
Three Pochard and 26 Tufteds were the other birds making the log.