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 3 January – 2.00pm
Saturday 31 January – 2.00pm
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.
22nd December 2025
Misty start, dull and overcast, dry. Light east/north easterly.
An early morning highlight was a Bittern seen in the Reedbed and 12 Goosanders (eight female and four male) were on Car Park Pool, presumably having roosted overnight. Later in the morning a Green Sandpiper flew over the Car Park.
A further highlight was the brief appearance of three Pintails (two male and a female) on Car Park Pool before flying off south. Other sightings were Raven, an adult Great Black–backed Gull, presumed to be the long-staying bird, 18 Fieldfare and 35 Redwing, most of which were on the Flood Plain.
Finally, continuing the recent run of sightings for this species, a male House Sparrow was again at the Car Park feeders.
21st December 2025
Dull and overcast, dry. Light east/north easterly.
Records in the logbook included two Egyptian Geese, 10 Common Gulls, nine Common Snipe, a female Stonechat around the Dragonfly Pond and 15 Redwing and two Fieldfares on the Flood Plain.
20th December 2025
Misty start, generally overcast, some sunny intervals. Turning colder, dry. Light easterly.
The usual Saturday counts by Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlan produced the following:
Three Mute Swans, 142 Canada Geese, 98 Greylag Geese, Canada x Greylag hybrid, 49 Shoveler, 17 Gadwall, 332 Wigeon, 79 Mallard, 132 Teal, one male Pochard, 16 Tufted Ducks, 48 Cormorants, three Little Grebes, two Moorhens, 17 Coot, Water Rail (Reedbed) 123 Lapwing, 18 Common Snipe, male Goosander, 159 Black–headed Gulls, 10 Common Gulls, up to six Herring Gulls, three Lesser Black–backed Gulls and two adult Great Black-backed Gulls which flew towards Bradnocks Marsh mid-morning.
Away from the pools, records included a pair of Stonechats again around the Dragonfly Pond, 17 Fieldfare and 23 Redwing along the Old Road, two Mistle Thrushes by the entrance gate cottages and along the Railway Embankment were Nuthatch (with another in Siden Hill Wood), Goldcrest and a party of up to 10 Long–tailed Tits.
Probably the most surprising record of the day was the party of four House Sparrows (two male and two female) seen at the Car Park feeders. A small population has existed at Patrick Farm for many years but the species is generally sedentary and records on the Reserve itself have been few and far between. Aside from the recent records, singles were logged in 2023 and 2024 but, prior to that, the previous record (and the most recent involving more than a single bird) was back in 2017.
19th December 2025
Cloudy, occasional brighter spells., dry and mild. Fresh south-westerly. Severe flooding with river flowing into both pools.
An overwintering Green Sandpiper, probably the same individual as recorded on several recent occasions, was at the flash north of Patrick Farm and two Mistle Thrushes were at the same location. The Bittern was again seen, and photographed, in the Reedbed.
Elsewhere, a House Sparrow was again seen at the Car Park feeders, a pair of Stonechats was in the Dragonfly Pond area and both Nuthatch and Jay were logged from Siden Hill Wood. The pools were sparsely populated as most of the wildfowl and gulls had relocated to the Flood Plain, although records included up to five Little Grebes, 18 Common Snipe and 150+ Wigeon.
Bittern – Photograph by Jason Lewis
18th December 2025
Overcast start then rain, becoming heavy, mild. Light south-westerly. Flooding at Patrick Bridge
Twenty-three Goosanders (13 male and 10 female) were on Car Park Pool early on, having presumably roosted overnight. Another early sighting was Bittern on the Reedbed Pool.
Elsewhere, a female Stonechat was around the Dragonfly Pond, Cetti’s Warbler was heard both by the small pool in the Car Park and from Reedbed Hide, and the flock of Collared Doves around the Car Park feeders had increased to ten. A Peregrine went over Oak Hide and Water Rail was seen in the North Causeway Bay.
17th December 2025
Cloudy and overcast, some light rain. Moderate southerly.
As usual, the Car Park feeders were busy and an hour’s observation saw: 13 Chaffinch, nine Greenfinch, three Reed Buntings, six Blue Tits, two Great Tits, two Stock Doves and singles of Dunnock, Robin and Great Spotted Woodpecker (male).
Car Park Pool held an Egyptian Goose, Little Egret, Lesser Black–backed Gull, Great Black–backed Gull, 14 Black–headed Gulls, eight Common Gulls and eight Common Snipe. Two Ravens went over and the field to the left of the hide produced Green Woodpecker and Pheasant.
Sunrise over Reedbed Pool – Photograph by Steve Pattison
16th December 2025
Wet start; light cloud and brighter later. Light north-westerly.
The party of Collared Doves was back at the Car Park feeders again, with the count up to nine this time. Elsewhere, two Water Rails were recorded, one in the Reedbed and one in the North Causeway Bay, a Song Thrush was in song by the Car Park, Kingfisher was photographed on Reedbed Pool, six Skylark went over and the pools held a male Pochard, 40 Cormorants, a pair of Goosanders, three Egyptian Geese and the regular adult Great Black–backed Gull.
15th December 2025
Persistent rain, overcast. Moderate southerly.
The highlight of the day was the early morning sighting of two Bitterns on Reedbed Pool. The first has seemingly been around for some weeks but it remains to be seen whether the second is a passing visitor or another overwintering bird.
Other records included the party of Collared Doves, eight this time, which has become a regular sight around the Car Park feeders. The same location also saw a visit from a male House Sparrow, a very rare record for the main Reserve and probably a wanderer from the small population at Patrick Farm.
14th December 2025
Light cloud, dry, mild. Moderate SW, gusty at times
No records.
13th December 2025
Misty start, sunny intervals, mild. Light southerly.
Thanks to Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlan for their regular Saturday count:
Three juvenile Mute Swans, 94 Canada Geese, 110 Greylag Geese, Canada x Greylag hybrid, 14 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 261 Wigeon, male Pintail, 27 Mallard, 136 Teal, six Pochard (three male and three female), 10 Tufted Ducks, 47 Cormorants, two Little Grebes, Grey Heron, two Little Egrets, 27 Coot, 82 Lapwing, six Common Snipe, 67 Black–headed Gulls, 17 Common Gulls, two Herring Gulls, two Lesser Black–backed Gulls, adult Great Black-backed Gull, Water Rail (North Causeway Bay), two Stonechats (male and female on the Flood Plain), 20 Fieldfares along the Old Road and lastly, a Fox taking an interest around Car Park Pool.
Pintail – Photograph by Mark Waring
12th December 2025
Persistent/heavy rain a.m. then brightening p.m. with occasional sunny intervals. Light westerly.
Gulls included six Common, 10 Herring and six Lesser Black–backed. Other records were 22 Shoveler, both male and female Goosander, five Pochard (three male and two female) and four Moorhens.
11th December 2025
Sunny intervals, mild. Light to moderate south-westerly.
The Bittern again put in an early morning appearance in the Reedbed, and a Kingfisher was also seen there later in the day. Elsewhere there were plenty of logbook entries from across the Reserve, including Red Kite over, Peregrine, the regular adult Great Black–backed Gull, Song Thrush and, as has become increasingly common of late, a party of Collared Doves, eight this time, around the Car Park Feeders.
10th December 2025
Sunny intervals, mild. Light to moderate SW
A count around the pools produced the following: 294 Canada Geese, two Canada x Greylag hybrids, 171 Greylag Geese, 21 Shoveler, five Pochard (three male and two female), seven Egyptian Geese, two male Goosanders and five Little Grebes. Other records included Raven and two Stonechats, a male by the Dragonfly Pond and a female on the HS2 fence on the Flood Plain.
9th December 2025
Heavy rain a.m., overcast. Fresh south-westerly, gusty at times. (Storm Bram)
Storm Bram brought heavy showers and blustery winds during the morning. Nevertheless, logbook entries included two male Pochard, 43 Gadwall, 225 Teal on the Pools, 40 Redwing and a Raven over. Mistle Thrush was again recorded, with one seen in the oaks to the left of Car Park Hide.
8th December 2025
Sunny start, showers from midday. Light south-westerly.
A Monday count around the Reserve yielded the following:
Four Egyptian Geese, two male Pochard, 11 Tufted Ducks, Grey Wagtail by the cattle feeder, a pair of Stonechats on the HS2 Flood Plain fence, a male Goosander, Bittern in the Reedbed, the regular adult Great Black–backed Gull and 68 Cormorants – still just shy of the Dec record of 69!
The overwintering Green Sandpiper was again present on the flash north of Patrick Farm and two Mistle Thrushes were noted in the same area.
7th December 2025
Overcast start, rain from midday. Moderate south-westerly.
Collared Doves have been much in evidence of late and seven were again present around the Car Park. Other records of note included Kingfisher in the Reedbed, Water Rail in the North Causeway Bay and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers over River Hide. Finally, around 40 Redwing were present along the Causeway and in the Back Gate Copse.
6th December 2025
Sunny spells and showers a.m., overcast p.m. Fresh south-westerly.
Many thanks to the five who attended the work party during the afternoon. The main task was to cut back the bramble thickets to the west of Railway Hide, just in from the shoreline, and excellent progress was made.
The regular Saturday morning count by Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlan produced:
Four juvenile Mute Swans, 108 Canada Geese, 107 Greylag Geese, 14 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 307 Wigeon, 48 Mallard, 101 Teal, three Pochard (male), six Tufted Ducks (three male and three female), 48 Cormorants, Little Grebe, two Grey Herons, Little Egret, Moorhen, 18 Coot, 33 Lapwing, Common Snipe, 70 Black–headed Gulls, four Common Gulls, three Herring Gulls, Lesser Black–backed Gull, two Stonechats (male and female around Dragonfly Pond), two Egyptian Geese, 13 Fieldfares (including five over HS2 workings), six Collared Doves (Corrie Farm), 24 Rooks and two Siskins.
5th December 2025
Bright morning then overcast with persistent rain from mid-afternoon. Light south-westerly, freshening later.
A Friday morning count by Graham Rowling yielded the following:
Three Egyptian Geese, 17 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 67 Cormorant (just shy of the Dec record of 69), Pochard (two male and one female), 11 Common Gulls, the adult Great Black–backed Gull, 10 Mute Swans, two Water Rails (Reedbed and North Causeway Bay), eight Skylarks (HS2 workings), a total of four Stonechats (male and female Dragonfly Pond and male and female HS2 Flood Plain fence), six House Sparrows (Patrick Farm), Green Sandpiper (Patrick Farm flash), Goosander (male and female), 13 Redwings and, finally, a single Fieldfare.
Redwing – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
4th December 2025
Overcast with rain on and off throughout the day. Light south-westerly.
A female Stonechat was again seen around the Dragonfly Pond with a Song Thrush noted in the Car Park. Other records from the feeders included seven Collared Doves and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker.
3rd December 2025
Misty start then sunny intervals. Light southerly.
Mistle Thrush can be fairly elusive at Marsh Lane so a record from the Car Park was notable, as was the presence of six Collared Doves at the feeders. Also recorded were two Egyptian Geese, four Goosanders (one male and three female) and eight Common Gulls.
2nd December 2025
Sunny intervals, dry, light south-westerly. Flooding by Patrick Bridge
What was presumably yesterday’s Green Sandpiper was again on the flash by Patrick Farm and a female Stonechat was present around the Dragonfly Pond.
Gulls were also in evidence with six Common, three Herring, five Lesser Black–backed and the Great Black–backed. Other entries included Pochard (two male), three female Goosanders and a Water Rail in the North Causeway Bay.
Late morning, a Buzzard was photographed feeding on a carcass on the Flood Plain and, coincidentally, another, one of four recorded in the log, was photographed on a different carcass, possibly a Canada Goose, in front of Oak Hide during the afternoon.
1st December 2025
Intermittent showers, some heavy. Mild. Moderate south-westerly.
Despite the inclement weather, log entries from around the site included a fair variety of Gulls with three Common, eight Herring, seven Lesser Black–backed and what was presumably the ‘resident’ Great Black–backed. Other species noted were Pochard (three male), 48 Gadwall, 52 Cormorants and 15 Shoveler. The Crop Field held a small flock of seven Linnets and, last but not least, an overwintering Green Sandpiper was on the flash to the north of Patrick Farm.