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 7th November – 2.00pm
Saturday 12th December – 2.00pm (Please note change of date)
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.
4th November 2026
Overcast, breezy from the north-east.
The Whooper Swans stayed overnight and the Nocmig recorder picked them up departing at 05.50, before first light.
A drake Pintail was new in, along with a sub-adult Yellow-legged Gull, 18 Herring, 16 Lesser Black-backs and three Common. The adult Greater Black-backed was also present. Other wildfowl counts included 62 Teal, eight Pochard, 10 Tufted, whilst the Grey Wagtail and 86 Fieldfares went south. Fifty Redwings included 40 birds over, and at least 10 around the Car Park clump where they were coming to Hawthorn berries. Also of note was a count of 11 Reed Buntings in the Car Park area. A flock of 13 Long-tailed Tits worked their way along the Railway Embankment, and other birds comprised Kestrel, Black-tailed Godwit, six Chaffinches around the feeders, and at least 40 Linnets and 40 Starlings on the weedy embankment of the new A452. Over 10 Rooks were feeding in the Flood Plain.
3rd November 2026
North-easterly, some sunny intervals.
Both the Brent Goose and the Black-tailed Godwit made the log, but more interest came in the afternoon when four adult Whooper Swans appeared on Car Park Pool and were present until dusk. Two pairs of Stonechats were also seen on the loop through Siden Hill Wood, with a pair in Lower Siden, and another pair on the fences opposite the phone mast.
2nd November 2026
Sunny spells, light north-easterly.
The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was present early on, and the Black-tailed Godwit continued its long stay. Thrushes included 28 Fieldfares and five Redwing, and two more Siskins and a Grey Wagtail also went over. A pair of Stonechats were present on the Flood Plain.
1st November 2026
Sunny intervals after an overcast start and end to the day. North-easterly.
Two Egyptian Geese were present in the morning along with two drake Pochard, and a Water Rail called from the Reedbed. A further large gull count included seven Common, 27 Herring and 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Other bits and pieces making the log were Kestrel, Grey Wagtail, 13 Rooks on the Flood Plain, 75 Lapwing and three Redwings.
Water Rail – Photograph by Steve Pattison
