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.
Work Party Dates
August 9th – 6pm
Link to West Midland Bird Ringing Group: https://www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk/
Updates
23rd July – Photographs added
23rd, 29th and 31st July – Photographs added
17th, 18th and 23rd – Photographs added
16th July – Photographs added
1st, 3rd and 9th July – Photographs added
31st July 2022
Rain overnight clearing a.m. then largely sunny & warm. Light SW turning to NW
Dry Pool – Photograph by Arthur Owens
A Great White Egret made a brief appearance on Railway Pool, first seen around 1030 and leaving to the north at 1105. Seven Little Ringed Plover, all juveniles, was an excellent count for this species and a quick review of previous annual reports suggests that, subject to confirmation, this is the highest count since 2015.
Raptors were also in evidence with a Hobby over around 1230, the first for a while, and both Sparrowhawk and Kestrel from Car Park Hide, the latter seen to catch prey right next to the hide.
Elsewhere across the Reserve, records included Cetti’s Warblers from both the Marsh and the North Causeway, Green and Common Sandpiper, and two Ravens over.
Juvenile Whitethroat from Causeway Hide, overlooking Car Park Pool – Photograph by Arthur Owens
30th July 2022
Generally overcast with occasional light showers; fresh SW
The day’s highlight was undoubtedly the report that one of the Marsh Lane Common Terns (C66), ringed as a chick in 2021, had been recovered in Morocco (3392 km) on July 12th. See the BTO report attached below and also the West Midland Ringing Group Twitter account (@RingersWm) for more details:
On the Reserve, the regular Saturday count, combined with other records in the log, yielded the following:
One hundred and one Greylag Geese, a Greylag x Canada Goose hybrid, 51 Canada Geese, 11 Mute Swans, 19 Gadwall + 18 ducklings (five broods), 29 Mallard, 10 Teal, 12 Tufted Ducks + 25 ducklings (eight broods), three Little Grebes (two adults, one juvenile) , seven Little Egrets, four Grey Herons, three Cormorants, 14 Moorhen, 39 Coot, 12 Lapwing, 93 Black–headed Gulls, six Lesser Black–backed Gulls, 10 Common Terns (seven adults, three juveniles), four Little Ringed Plover juveniles, three Green Sandpipers, two juvenile Water Rails (North Causeway) and a sighting of the Kingfisher.
Other records away from the pools were Cetti’s Warbler around the North Causeway Bay area, up to 12 Swallows near Patrick Bridge and 20 Rooks on the Flood Plain.
29th July 2022
Overcast with sunny intervals, warm p.m. Light S/SE
There were again sightings of Water Rail from the North Causeway Hide with a maximum count of three – an adult and two juveniles. Other records around the Reserve included two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper in flight over Dragonfly Pond, Lesser Whitethroat on the Railway Embankment, a female Goosander on the river bank and Raven over.
Following photographs are by Alan Rich
Female Kestrel from Car Park Hide
Juvenile Water Rail from the North Causeway
Reed Warbler from the North Causeway
The following photographs are all from Bob Breach
Moorhen Family from Oak Hide
Red-eyed Dragonfly on Dragonfly Pond
Mating Red-eyed Damselflies – Dragonfly Pond
28th July 2022
Mostly overcast; light SE
The reinstatement of the channels in the North Causeway Bay has certainly led to more sightings of Water Rail there with a juvenile again recorded. An adult bird was also seen but from River Hide.
Other records included Common Tern C59 on Car Park Pool, juvenile and adult Little Grebes and, in terms of butterflies, both Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood.
27th July 2022
Mostly overcast, sunny spells, occasional light showers. Light SE
The Kingfisher again put in an appearance; this time seen flying north across Car Park Pool. Juveniles of several species were in evidence: two Common Terns (eight adults also), two Little Ringed Plovers, six Egyptian Geese (+ two adults) and singles of both Barn Owl and Water Rail.
Other records included the first returning Snipe, a Green Sandpiper on Car Park Pool and two Treecreepers along the Old Road, one by the DragonFly Pond and the other by Patrick’s Farm. The only butterfly noted in the log was a Painted Lady in the Crop Field.
26th July 2022
Overcast, drizzly, after light overnight rain. Light northerly wind.
Three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were visible from Oak Hide along with a single Little Egret. A Bullfinch called, briefly, from just below Railway Hide, the first recorded for some weeks.
There seems to have been a recent fledging of Reed Warblers as young birds were being fed to the south of Oak Hide, behind Oak Hide, in the streamline bushes and along the Causeway. Two Whitethroats were also present in the scrub by Oak Hide and a Chiffchaff called from the south-west pond.
25th July 2022
Mostly overcast, brisk south-westerly wind.
The Causeway channels yielded three juvenile Water Rails this morning together with both adults and just goes to show what can remain hidden. There was also a female Goosander on Railway Pool. A sub-adult Peregrine was photographed eating a Lapwing which it had caught over Car Park Pool and it continued to consume this whilst being dive bombed by the Common Terns.
Sub-adult Peregrine Falcon with Lapwing Kill – Photograph taken from Car Park Hide by Mark Waring
Other birds making the log were a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, four Teal and six Little Egrets.
24th July 2022
Warm with sunny spells and occasional showers, southerly wind.
A single Green Sandpiper and two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were visible from Oak Hide this morning and a Kingfisher was seen from there as well. Five Little Egrets were spread across the pools and another large corvid flock on the Flood Plain, of about 700 birds, included 30 Rooks and at least 50 Crows. A Kestrel hunted the north end of the Reserve and two Linnets went over.
23rd July 2022
Overcast, fresh, southerly wind.
A Redshank was present all day with a Green Sandpiper and the juvenile Water Rail was visible occasionally in the Causeway channels. A Lesser Whitethroat showed well behind Railway Hide and a Cetti’s Warbler could be heard along the north shore of Car Park Pool. This species has become quiet over the last few weeks.
A Kingfisher roved around the Pools for some time, showing well, before heading off north towards Patrick Bridge with a fish.
Other counts today included: five Mute Swans, 116 Greylags, a Greylag / Canada Hybrid, 31 Canadas, three Shoveler, 40 Mallard, 17 Gadwall and eight broods, 11 Teal, 19 Tufted Duck and ten broods, three Cormorants, five Little Egrets, three Herons, six Little Grebe but only one chick was visible on Railway Pool, 18 Moorhens, 35 Coot, 50 Lapwing, an Oystercatcher, a Redshank, 175 Black-headed Gulls, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, seven adult Common Terns and five chicks; whilst in the evening, three Swifts appeared at 9 pm and a small group of about 20 Sand Martins came in to roost shortly after. There were still 400 corvids around Siden Hill Wood and the Flood Plain at dusk.
Car Park at Dusk – Photograph by Nick Barlow
Essex Skipper – Car Park Area – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
Barn Owl – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
Juvenile Green Woodpecker – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
22nd July 2022
Overcast, light showers, easterly wind, with the showers continuing throughout the night.
With a slight turn to the east, a summer plumaged Dunlin was present on Railway Pool in the morning before flying off north. A Kingfisher showed well on the posts in front of Oak Hide. Juvenile or family parties comprised Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest on the Streamline, Greenfinch on the Causeway, Blackcap by the Car Park and Great Spotted Woodpecker on the Oak Hide feeders.
A Common Sandpiper appeared briefly on Car Park Pool but they do move backwards and forwards from the River. Lastly, there was a Treecreeper in a roving Tit flock around the Car Park area.
21st July 2022
Overcast, fresh north-westerly wind.
Noticeably quieter today with a male Emerald Damselfly around the Dragonfly Pond, probably being the highlight.
20th July 2022
Sunny intervals, but mostly high cloud, cooler.
Today’s highlight was a flock of seven summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits which were not there at 9 am but were present by 10 am and washed and preened before flying off south at 10.30. There were also two Green Sandpipers, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Kingfisher, five Little Egrets and five Common Tern chicks can now be seen.
Black-tailed Godwit – Car Park Pool – Photograph by John Hunt
19th July 2022
Very hot 38 degrees (29.5 degrees centigrade at 08.45), light southerly wind.
Slightly more of note today, despite the heat. There was a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and three Oystercatchers on Car Park Pool and two juvenile Barn Owls were visible along the Central Streamline. Six Little Egrets were spread across the Pools, together with the family party of Egyptian Geese.
A new brood of two Little Grebes were present on Railway Pool and butterflies included a male Common Blue and a single Marbled White still, whilst the male Broad-bodied Chaser showed well in the cleared Causeway channels.
18th July 2022
Hot, at least 36 degrees, light southerly wind.
In increasing temperatures, the gorse seeds could be heard popping and flowers have gone over quickly with Lady’s Bedstraw (by the Car Park) with some Yarrow there too, being some of the few flowers that have not gone over. The fine show of Common Centaury by the South-west Pond went over quickly in the hot weather, and the Rowans were wilting around the Car Park.
Wilting Rowan by the Car Park – Photograph by Nick Barlow
Lady’s Bedstraw by the Car Park – Photograph by Nick Barlow
Needless to say there was not a great deal of difference on the Pools with six Little Egrets, 13 Common Terns and at least two chicks and the family of Egyptian Geese still.
In the evening, between 8.30 and 9.45, 110 Sand Martins congregated before going to roost in the Reedbed about 9.25. Three Swifts appeared briefly and a juvenile Buzzard could be heard mewing in Siden Hill Wood. There was still a single Oystercatcher. Adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, in the failing light, were still trying to predate young Tufted Ducks in two broods on Car Park Pool.
Three Migrant Hawkers appeared along the Causeway, between 600 and 800 mixed Corvids were present at dusk around the Flood Plain in Siden Hill Wood and a Muntjac could be heard barking to the rear of Oak Hide.
17th July 2022
Warm, hazy sunshine, light southerly wind.
Whitethroats were particularly active this morning with an adult and two young feeding in the Guelder Rose by Railway Hide and then another adult with two young further west in the scrub towards the river. A juvenile was present by Oak Hide and an adult by River Hide.
Miscellaneous other records included a male Sparrowhawk in the Crop Field Oaks, a Buzzard there as well as a Treecreeper, a juvenile Robin west of Railway Hide, a Green Woodpecker around Car Park Pool and presumably the same one along the Central Streamline, and at least four Little Egrets.
Marsh Lane looking very dry – Photograph by Nick Barlow
Yarrow by the Car Park – Photograph by Nick Barlow
16th July 2022
Sunny, light north-westerly wind, hot.
Today’s counts comprised nine Mute Swans, 27 Canadas, 38 Greylags, the family party of Egyptian Geese, two Shoveler (which were new in), 18 Gadwall and 26 ducklings from five broods, 24 Mallard, nine Teal, 17 Tufted and 39 ducklings from 11 broods, six Little Egrets, a Heron, three Cormorants, four Little Grebes, one Great Crested Grebe, eight Moorhen, 40 Coot, three Oystercatchers, 23 Lapwing, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 200 Black-headed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, ten adult Common Terns and at least two chicks and, lastly, a female Broad-bodied Chaser which was visible in the Causeway channels.
As the Black-headed Gulls had begun to thin out, they have started dispersing and one ringed in June this year has already made Limerick City, Ireland, where it was seen earlier today.
Grey Heron from Dragonfly Pond – Photograph by Ray Allen
Common Blue Damselfly – from Dragonfly Pond – Photograph by Ray Allen
15th July 2022
Sunny spells, fresh south-westerly wind.
With the clearing of the channels in the North Causeway Bay, it became possible today to see that Water Rails have bred there again, with a two week old chick seen. A new brood of Little Grebes was present on Railway Pool, visible from River Hide. One adult and three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were present on the margins of Car Park Pool and six Little Egrets were spread across the pools. 12 adult Common Terns and four chicks were visible from Car Park Hide and there was a brood of Tufted Ducks comprising four Tufted and seven Gadwall (egg dumping no doubt responsible).
14th July 2022
During the morning an adult and juvenile Little Ringed Plover were present on the Car Park Pool margins and there were at least four Little Egrets plus 12 Common Terns and two chicks. A Garden Warbler showed from Railway Hide around the newly cleared vegetation.
In the early evening John Coakley kindly organised a walk to look for Purple Hairstreak butterflies and 44 were seen between the Car Park and the South-west Pond before an increasing northerly breeze reduced activity. In addition, three Black-tailed Godwits and a Green Sandpiper were present on Car Park Pool but they had gone by late evening.
The first Sand Martin, in advance of the roost, arrived at 8.50 pm and by 9.40 the flock had increased to 70 when they stopped flying around and disappeared into the Reedbed, together with five Starlings. At least 15 Swifts were present at around 9 to 9.30 pm but they disappeared after. 600 Corvids, principally Jackdaws, were in flight over the flood plain at dusk and headed off south over Siden Hill Wood. Lastly a Kestrel was also present at dusk.
There was another superb sunset shown in the photograph below, taken looking north from Car Park Hide.
Photograph by Nick Barlow
13th July 2022
Sunny spells, fresh north-westerly wind.
A Kingfisher was hunting around the edge of the Reedbed this morning and a juvenile Peregrine went over. Three Great Crested Grebes were present on Car Park Pool and other counts included four Little Ringed Plovers (three adults and a juvenile), five Oystercatchers, six Little Egrets, eight Teal and the Egyptian Geese family.
Despite the wind, there were five Marbled Whites, at least 70 Gatekeepers and 30 Ringlets.
In the evening, five attended the Work Party and spent most of the time clearing vegetation from around the Hides to improve views. Thank you to all who attended. During the evening, 11 Oystercatchers flew around in vocal display, five Dunlin flew through calling and, at dusk, at least 80 Sand Martins arrived to roost in the Reedbed. A Common Sandpiper could be heard calling, probably having fed on the river and arriving on the car park pool islands to roost. In the setting sun, a Noctule Bat came out of Siden Hill Wood at 9.45 pm and flew out across the flood plain. Lastly a Barn Owl flew over the Car Park and off towards Berkswell. The sunset was magnificent.
Looking north from the Car Park – photograph by Nick Barlow
12th July 2022
High cloud throughout the day, generally warm.
An adult and juvenile Little Ringed Plover, together with a Common Sandpiper, were present on the margins of Car Park Pool and its islands this morning, with at least ten adult Terns and two chicks. A single Sand Martin and a Grey Wagtail went south with the latter low over the Reedbed at 7.40 am. Juvenile Whitethroats were present behind Oak Hide and around the South-west Pond where Chiffchaff was still in song.
Additional counts today comprised four Oystercatchers, seven Teal, eight Mute Swans plus a well grown cygnet from off site, 11 Gadwall broods of 52 ducklings and the same number of Tufted broods with 63 ducklings.
11th July 2022
Sunny and Hot.
Aside from five Little Egrets, seven Teal and a Common Sandpiper the only other interest in the log book came from a pair of Broad-bodied Chasers around the Pool below Railway Hide.
Separately, an early morning ringing session with nets along the Causeway and in the Reedbed yielded five Reed Warblers (three juveniles), five Sand Martins (two juveniles), two juvenile Garden Warblers and singles of Robin and Sedge Warbler, both adults. The Sand Martins were part of a roost of approximately 100 birds which included a few juvenile Swallows.
10th July 2022
Mostly sunny and warm.
On the pools today there were two Egyptian Geese, plus their six goslings, four Little Egrets, an adult Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper.
Two Purple Hairstreaks were seen in the Oaks along the Old Road although the best time to see these is early morning or after 6 pm when they are much more active.
9th July 2022
Sunny, fresh north-westerly wind.
Today’s counts comprised 12 Mute Swans, 34 Canadas, 120 Greylags, the pair of Egyptian Geese and six goslings, 17 Gadwall and six broods of 30 ducklings, 26 Mallard, a Teal, 17 Tufted and 33 ducklings in nine broods, one Great Crested Grebe, nine Little Grebes (seven adults and two juveniles from on site), four Little Egrets (one adult and three juveniles comparted to five adults yesterday), two Herons, nine Cormorants, eight Moorhen, 37 Coot, 18 Lapwing, six Oystercatchers, a single Little Ringed Plover, two Common Sandpipers, 400 Black-headed Gulls (150 adults and 250 juveniles), six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 12 adult Common Terns and now three chicks and two Swifts over.
A White-letter Hairstreak was visible in the Wych Elm opposite the RDAC at the north end of the Old Road and Purple Hairstreaks were visible in the oaks on the Old Road and one north of the Car Park. However, looking for these can be a thankless task during the heat of the day as they clearly prefer the evening.
Of the dragonflies, a male Broad-bodied Chaser showed well in front of Railway Hide.
Four-spotted Chaser – Dragonfly Pond – Photograph by Ray Allen
8th July 2022
Sunny, light north-westerly wind.
Most of today’s interest was focussed on insects with the Dragonfly Pond particularly busy with at least 30 Black-tailed Skimmers there, together with a male Ruddy Darter and a Small Red-eyed Damselfly. Two Brown Hawkers included one at the Dragonfly Pond and one at the Old Road and there was a relatively late male Brimstone around the car park. Holly Blue showed well on the Old Road and there were still plenty of Marbled Whites on the wing, together with Ringlets and Meadow Browns.
A Kingfisher flew north over Car Park Pool this morning and, in the late afternoon, there were five Little Egrets there. Some warblers are still in song with a Reed Warbler singing near the top gate, along with a Chiffchaff with a number of Blackcaps continuing to warble away.
In the evening, a Purple Hairstreak walk from the Car Park, down to the South-west Pond yielded 59 Purple Hairstreaks along with two Essex Skippers, one Small Skipper and two Coppers.
7th July 2022
No records.
6th July 2022
Sunny spells, fresh north-westerly wind.
The first Purple Hairstreak of the year was as usual found on the Old Road Oaks this morning.
There was still seven Oystercatchers on site, as vocal as ever. This total comprised five adults and two juveniles with the latter being green ringed A23 and A30 which were back having not been seen since mid-June.
There are now at least two Common Tern chicks visible from Car Park Hide. Yesterday’s adult and juvenile Little Ringed Plover was still present on Railway Pool and there was a single Great Crested Grebe on Car Park Pool.
5th July 2022
Initially sunny but quickly clouding over and a cool north-westerly wind arose.
The first migrant juvenile Little Ringed Plover was present, with an adult, in front of Railway Hide and aside from Oystercatchers and Lapwings (no sign of any chicks) a Redshank and a Common Sandpiper were other waders making the log book.
As the cloud arrived, 14 Swifts and six Sand Martins appeared over the car park.
One of the pairs of Common Terns has a chick on the Car Park Pool islands. Six Teal, the family party of Egyptian Geese and Great Crested Grebe completed the records.
4th July 2022
Sunny spells, strong south-westerly wind
Vocal groups of Oystercatchers continue to call over or on the pools with six adults and two juveniles today. The pair of Little Ringed Plovers mostly prefer the Car Park Pool islands.
Oddly, a pair of Egyptian Geese and two young were present in front of Oak Hide.
Three female Teal, eight Common Terns, nine Tufted and six Gadwall broods made up the other records.
3rd July 2022
Mostly overcast with some showers, occasional sunny intervals, north-easterly wind.
Two Ravens flew over Siden Hill Wood, presumably a different pair than the one with the four youngsters of yesterday.
Eight Oystercatchers included two juveniles, of which one was the green colour-ringed bird. There were still two adult Little Ringed Plovers and other bits and pieces included a Sparrowhawk, a Treecreeper (the latter on the Old Road), two Skylarks on the Tip Field, a family party of Wrens by the car park gate and the vocal Cetti’s Warbler by the stream crossing and later on Railway Pool.
Meadow Brown along the Causeway – photograph by Mike Pugh
2nd July 2022
Overcast, raining at times.
A Red Kite flew over Siden Hill Wood towards Hampton in Arden at 11.30 and six Ravens over the floodplain probably represented a pair with four young.
Three Oystercatchers, nine Lapwings, two Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper were the waders on show.
Other counts comprised 11 Mute Swans, 24 Canadas, 29 Greylags, the two Egyptian Geese and six goslings, 16 Gadwall and three broods, 17 Mallard, 27 Tufted and seven broods, four Little Grebes which included three adults and a juvenile, plus a chick on Railway Pool, one Great Crested Grebe, nine Cormorants, one Little Egret, ten Moorhen, 18 Coot, 650 Black–headed Gulls (approximately 150 adults and 500 juveniles), five Lesser Black–backs and seven Common Terns.
1st July 2022
Cool, south-westerly wind, sunny intervals after overnight rain.
A small increase in Teal saw eight today. At least five, probably six Oystercatchers were very vocal around the pools and there was still two Little Ringed Plovers.
25 Swifts and four Sand Martins favoured the north end of Car Park Pool and the Peregrine put in a number of appearances today.
In front of Railway Hide there was at least one young Lapwing still whilst, on Car Park Pool, the pair of Egyptian Geese and six young were present.
There is still some warbler song with a Cetti’s singing on the Causeway, a Whitethroat in front of Railway Hide and Blackcaps along the Old Road.
Egyptian Goose – Photograph by Tony Burbery
