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
Wednesday 13th August – 6pm
Tuesday 9th September – 6pm
Saturday 11th October – 2pm
Saturday 8th November – 2pm
Saturday 6th December – 2pm
TREE WORKS
The Tame Valley Wetlands Partnership are undertaking work week commencing 7th July to remove a fallen Poplar tree and will then install the woody material within the river as part of our ongoing restoration work.
MARSH LANE MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Marsh Lane membership was due for renewal on 1st July but, to date, a number of members are yet to indicate if they wish to renew. If you do wish to renew your membership could you please make the necessary payment and return the annual permit request form either by post to Bernice Finnerty, Packington Estate Enterprises Limited, Packington Hall, Packington Park, Meriden, Coventry, CV7 7HF or email to bernice@packingtonestate.co.uk Upon receipt of payment and the form, your new permit will then be issued. If you require another copy of the permit request form please contact Bernice on 01676 526711.
RIVER BLYTHE CONSERVATION WORKS
The Tame Valley Wetlands Partnership will be starting conservation work on the River Blythe on Friday 18th July and continuing into next week. This is mostly along the boundary with Railway Pool but extending a little down towards Car Park Pool. There should not be any disturbance to the pools, but apologies if there is.
30th July 2025
Sunny spells, increasingly fresh northerly.
The waders this morning were similar to yesterday with two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, two Common Sandpipers, at least three Green Sandpipers and five Oystercatchers.
Two Hobbies were again present, although I am not sure that either of them have been seen well enough to confirm whether they are adults or juveniles.
The Swan Goose was back with the mixed Greylags and Canadas, together with a Canada/Greylag hybrid.
A Great White Egret was joined this morning by four Little Egrets and five Herons, there was a single Great Crested Grebe and just 14 Little Grebes, plus still the part-grown birds on Car Park Pool and the Reedbed.
In the evening a juvenile, and very vocal Green Woodpecker, was on the path by Railway Hide, and in increasingly blustery conditions around 19.00 at least four House Martins were feeding over the central streamline.
29th July 2025
Showery all day, westerly.
The Great White Egret was back on Car Park Pool this morning with a single Little Egret and two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, whilst on Railway Pool there were two Green Sandpipers and a fledged Water Rail in the north-west corner, a Common Sandpiper on the gravel bar with a second bird seen later in the morning.
As the morning unfolded an eclipse drake Garganey was found on the same gravel bar before relocating to Car Park Pool, but could not be found in the early evening.
There was plenty of action at River Hide with warblers carrying food backwards and forwards with Reed Warblers the most active, but also Sedge and Chiffchaff. A juvenile Song Thrush and two juvenile Blackbirds were gorging themselves on the blackberries, whilst a juvenile Wren and Whitethroat hopped about just in front of the hide.
On the Causeway, there were plenty of Reed Warblers calling and what was presumably a juvenile Goldcrest deep in the blackthorn.
Across the pools there were at least 22 Teal, 23 Black-headed Gulls and a juvenile Herring Gull, whilst the two part grown Dabchicks were still on the Reedbed, but again without parental attention. Some hirundine passage during the morning included 15 Sand Martins and four House Martins. There was a juvenile Grey Wagtail on the margins of Railway Pool and still two Oystercatchers present.
28th July 2025
High cloud, sunny intervals, north westerly.
Birds on view first thing today included three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers on the far shore of Car Park Pool, and a Green Sandpiper which put in a brief appearance on the same pool but then probably flew back to the river. There were two Common Sandpipers on Railway Pool and some initial hirundine passage saw eight House Martins move south over Siden Hill Wood and six Sand Martins through Car Park Pool.
The Swan Goose was back on Car Park Pool with the mixed Greylags and Canadas and a Linnet flew over low towards the Causeway.
Other counts during the morning were six Little Egrets, six Herons, 24 Little Grebe (18 adults and six juveniles), five Oystercatchers, a Raven over and a Water Rail on Railway Pool.
27th July 2025
Overcast, light north-westerly, sunny evening.
The only birds making the log today were a Great White Egret, Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher.
26th July 2025
Overcast, drizzle, light north-westerly.
Courtesy of Graham and Dave today’s counts were five adult and 10 young Mute Swans, 45 Canadas, a Canada/Greylag hybrid, 57 Greylags, 43 Gadwall and five broods, all well grown now, 96 Mallard, 13 Teal, 10 Tufteds, five Cormorants, one Great Crested Grebe, 20 Little Grebes, a Great White Egret, seven Little Egrets, five Herons, eight Moorhen, 62 Coot, a Water Rail in the Reedbed, five Lapwing, three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, five adults and a fledged juvenile Oystercatcher, three Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 31 Black-headed Gulls, seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a single Herring Gull, a Ring-necked Parakeet in Siden Hill Wood, one Raven, three Swifts, seven House Martins and 10 Sand Martins through or over.
25th July 2025
Sunny, warm, hint of a light westerly.
After a few days of overcast weather, it was a pleasure to be out this morning in increasingly warm sunny weather.
The three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers from yesterday were still on Car Park Pool with an adult on Railway Pool. Single Common Sandpipers were on each of the pools and a Green Sandpiper was again on the muddy shoreline in the north-west corner of Railway Pool. There were also at least two Oystercatchers still.
A Great White Egret was feeding in the increasingly shallow water on the far side of Car Park Pool and there were four Little Egrets in total. The pair of Common Terns again appeared with one of them trying to tempt the other with a fish.
A Sparrowhawk came in around the Car Park area, no doubt targeting the feeders and it, or another, was later thermalling over Siden Hill Wood. At least one Hobby was seen around the Car Park about 09.30.
A single House Martin and two Swallows went south with at least 20 Sand Martins (including one party of 14).
An adult Water Rail showed well in the channels to the North Causeway Bay Hide and there were at least five Reed Warblers in the area, including young birds.
A double-figure count of Common Blues were seen on the path side between Car Park and the Causeway and then again between the gate to Oak Hide and the hide itself.
What sounded like a House Sparrow was calling in the Car Park Copse but refused to show. However, Linnets which have been scarce, were seen and heard both in the Causeway and over the Car Park.
Additional news today from the afternoon came in the shape of not one, but two Hobbies which were perched in trees on the far side of Car Park Pool. There were two Green Sandpipers and four Oystercatchers and 22 Little Grebes, with still two chicks, one on Car Park Pool and two on the Reedbed.
In addition to the Common Blue butterflies there were also three Red Admirals.
Plants of note included Red Bartsia (path sides), Perforate St. John’s-wort (other side of field gate in the path side fence opposite the Back Gate) and clumps of False Mayweed on the path near Oak Hide.
24th July 2025
Overcast with heavy showers in the afternoon.
A Dunlin was a brief visitor to Car Park Pool this morning but had left by 08.30. One adult and three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were joined by two Common Sandpipers and a Green Sandpiper.
23rd July 2025
Mostly overcast, fresh north westerly.
Little Ringed Plovers were back on site with five juveniles and an adult, all on the west shore of Car Park Pool and only visible from River Hide. Meantime, on Railway Pool there were singles of Green and Common Sandpiper, both enjoying the muddy shoreline in the north-west corner and they were joined by a fledged juvenile Water Rail.
Three Oystercatchers were flying around vocally and there were still 50 or so Lapwings.
On the Reedbed Pool two juvenile Dabchicks were present but there was no sign of any adults. Reed Warblers were vocal at the west end of the Causeway and family parties of Chiffchaff were noted by the record box and by River Hide.
Othe birds of note today comprised 21 Little Grebe, one Great Crested Grebe, a Canada/Greylag hybrid, 19 Teal, four Little Egrets, four Herons and 20 Sand Martins and a House Martin all going through to the south.
The now regular pair of Common Terns appeared again, whilst either overhead or around the Flood Plain there were two Ravens and 38 Rook. A Kingfisher again showed well in the Reedbed, and a Water Rail was heard in the reeds under the rather dilapidated looking Sand Martin wall. Three Swifts went over south in the evening
22nd July 2025
Mostly overcast, fresh northerly.
There was no sign of any Little Ringed Plovers this morning, but there were still four Oystercatchers on site along with singles of Green and Common Sandpiper.
The Bittern was disturbed from just under the Reedbed Hide and flew to the far end of the pool where, unsurprisingly, it disappeared.
Two Common Terns were a pleasant surprise and there were 18 Little Grebes this morning, together with two additional broods of a single and two youngsters.
21st July 2025
Sunny spells, heavy thundery showers.
The Little Ringed Plover count initially started at six and increased to at least 10 by the evening with five adults and five juveniles. There were also two Common Sandpipers and at least one Green Sandpiper whilst the Little Grebe count, which has fluctuated by the day, stood at 26 plus three broods, one on Car Park Pool, one on Railway Pool and at least one juvenile still in the Reedbed.
The Bittern gave one of its brief views in the Reedbed, and at least five Oystercatchers were moving between the pools at the Flood Plain.
In the evening, a male Sparrowhawk flew low over the Causeway calling persistently and landed in the Old Road hedges where it continued to call.
Warblers on show included Sedge by Oak Hide and River Hide, a Whitethroat by Oak Hide, plenty of Chiffchaffs with seemingly fledged young, whilst on the Flood Plain, in the evening, there were over 400 Jackdaws including a number of young birds.
At 17.45 five Swifts, ten Sand Martins and a Swallow dropped in to feed over the pools for about 15 minutes before moving off. A Mistle Thrush flew from Siden towards the Tip Field and in the distance, to the north, at least 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were moving east to west, presumably to roost.
20th July 2025
Wet overnight and into the morning, light southerly.
A lively morning despite periodic rain yielded seven Little Ringed Plovers (three juveniles and four adults), two Common Sandpipers and a Green Sandpiper, plus at least four Oystercatchers. The post-breeding flocks of Lapwing totalling 56 included the three fledged young on Railway Pool.
Fledged Mallard broods included a two and eight on Car Park and a five plus five on Railway Pool with at least three Gadwall broods of 10, three and three, all on Railway Pool. So far Gadwall broods are lower than normal and there don’t appear to have been any Tufteds at all.
Only 16 Dabchicks were visible today but there could have been more hidden away, and there were two Great Crested Grebes.
Black-headed Gull numbers were down to just six.
Plenty of warbler activity included a Garden Warbler around the Car Park with a Tit flock, at least two Chiffchaffs by River Hide, family parties of Reed Warbler either side of the Causeway, at least five juvenile Blackcaps and two juvenile Whitethroats and a Willow Warbler in partial song in the cherry plums just below Railway Hide, and three other juvenile Blackcaps spread across the Reserve. A Sedge Warbler was carrying through by Oak Hide.
Other birds of note included a Kingfisher on Railway Pool, a flock of 15 House Martins and a Sand Martin briefly at 09.23 and a Buzzard and Mistle Thrush in Siden Hill Wood.
In the afternoon, and despite the continuing heavy showers, a Kingfisher showed well from the Reedbed Hide, a Muntjac barked and was seen in the same area, a Water Rail showed well from the North Causeway Hide, and a Song Thrush was collecting food in the Car Park area with other birds still in song on the Central Stream and back gate area.
The good spring has meant that fruits on the various shrubs are developing well and cherry plums are ripening in a number of places, particularly on the path just below Railway Hide which was probably the attraction for the warblers there. There are two different types of plum bushes, one with yellow fruit and one with the more traditional purple, and both are ripening and are edible. Rowans are well developed and are already attracting the thrushes and early blackberries are colouring well in various places across the Reserve. Sloe berries are also colouring from the dark green when they are unripe to the deep purple as they ripen.
Song Thrush – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
19th July 2025
Overcast, rain.
The full count of birds today, courtesy of Graham and Dave, were as follows: 16 Mute Swans, two Canadas, 43 Greylag, 25 Gadwall and at least three broods, 86 Mallard, a female Wigeon, 26 Teal, nine Tufteds, eight Cormorants, a single Great Crested Grebe, 22 Little Grebes and still the single new juvenile on Car Park Pool, one Heron, four Little Egrets, 17 Moorhen, 62 Coot, three Oystercatchers, only seven Lapwing, four juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, a single Common Sandpiper, nine Black-headed Gulls, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Common Terns rather surprisingly after the last record in June, a Water Rail in the south-west corner of Car Park Pool, a Kingfisher in flight over Car Park Pool, at least 10 Sand Martins and finally a pair of Bullfinches by Railway Hide.
In the afternoon both Bittern and Hobby were seen from the Reedbed Hide, with Whitethroat and Blackcap in front of Railway Hide.
18th July 2025
Sunny spells.
The first Common Emerald for some time was seen around the Dragonfly Pool this morning, and a Small Copper fed on the approach to Oak Hide in the location that seems to be favoured by this species.
The Little Grebe numbers had fallen to 19, Oystercatcher numbers had risen to six with a pair mating and nest making on Railway Pool, surely too late for them to start breeding now. There was a single Common Sandpiper, a Water Rail heard from the Reedbed, a Kingfisher over Car Park Pool and at least four Gadwall broods, but no Tufted broods, as of yet, surprisingly.
17th July 2025
Morning drizzle, clearing pm.
There was little to trouble the writers in the log today with just a Sparrowhawk over the Reedbed, a Little Ringed Plover on Railway and two Green Sandpipers, one on each pool.
16th July 2025
Overcast with occasional sunny spells, fresh north-westerly.
An impressive 29 Little Grebes today included 21 adults, eight juveniles and two broods, a new single on Car Park Pool and still three on Reedbed. The Little Grebe count was the highest since the record of 36 in August and September 2005.
Waders today, aside from the regular Lapwing flock, included three Little Ringed Plovers, three Oystercatchers and a Common Sandpiper. Forty Sand Martins fed over the pools, there were five Little Egrets and four Herons, whilst on the Flood Plain there were 30 Rooks with at least 400 Jackdaws.
In the afternoon a Brown Argus butterfly was seen between Oak Hide and the South-West Pond and a Hobby hawked over the pools.
15th July 2025
Overcast, breezy, south-westerly.
Yet another jump in Little Grebes saw a total of 24 today, with 16 adults and 8 juveniles and a new brood of three on the Reedbed.
Waders included four Little Ringed Plovers, three Oystercatchers and a Green Sandpiper. The three Oystercatchers comprised two adults and the perennially demanding juvenile.
Twelve Sand Martins fed over the pools before drifting south, and a Mistle Thrush flew over Car Park Pool towards Siden Hill Wood. Collared Doves were seen at the Car Park feeders which, thanks to a new feeder itself designed to exclude Jackdaws, means that the nuts are lasting longer.
A Tawny Owl was put in the log but with no location, a Fox was seen by Railway Hide and there were Froglets noted in a number of places.
14th July 2025
Sunny spells, fresh southerly.
A Red Kite drifted over during the late morning, and a Painted Lady butterfly showed well behind Car Park Hide. Dabchick numbers increased to 17.
13th July 2025
Cooler, misty start, warming up as the sun broke through.
A progressive increase in Dabchicks saw a count of 16 today, whilst waders included singles each of Green Sandpiper and Redshank, two Oystercatchers and two Little Ringed Plovers. Green Woodpeckers were vocal and active around Railway Pool.
In the afternoon a Water Rail called from the North Causeway Bay.
Green Woodpecker – Photograph by Steve Pattison
12th July 2025
Sunny, light easterly, warm.
A good selection of birds today started with a Great White Egret on Car Park Pool initially, and subsequently on Railway Pool, with at least six Little Egrets.
The turnover in Little Ringed Plovers produced three adults and a juvenile today, along with six Oystercatchers, 45 Lapwing and at least two juveniles, but the number of Black-headed Gulls continues to fall with just 39.
A Bittern was seen briefly in the Reedbed, and other birds of note included 15 Rooks on the Flood Plain in amongst hundreds of Jackdaws. Insects included three Common Blue butterflies, a Holly Blue and a Small Copper.
Song is beginning to tail off, but a Willow Warbler was singing along the Causeway this morning, and there was scattered song from Blackcap, Blackbird and Wren
11th July 2025
No records.
10th July 2025
Sunny, still and hot.
A Greenshank was seen briefly on Car Park Pool this morning before flying off at 06.50. In addition, there was a single Green Sandpiper and six Oystercatchers.
A Great White Egret joined six Little Egrets on the pool margins, whilst insects included a smart Small Copper on the path to Car Park Hide, a male Ruddy Darter on the Reedbed and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth by Car Park Hide.
9th July 2025
Sunny spells, light northerly.
Interest on the insect front today included an Essex Skipper on the path to Car Park Hide, a Dusky Sallow Moth in the Car Park itself and a Great Diving Beetle seen from the Causeway, presumably on the Reedbed as there is no visible water in the
North Causeway Bay at the moment.
A steady increase in Little Grebes is taking place with 14 today, 13 adults and a juvenile, but only a single Great Crested Grebe. Ducks included the long-staying female Wigeon and three Shoveler, whilst waders comprised four Little Ringed Plovers (two adults, two juveniles), two adult Oystercatchers and three juvenile well grown Lapwing chicks on Railway Pool.
A Water Rail was heard from the North Causeway Bay and a Kingfisher showed on and off throughout the morning, fishing from the Reedbed.
Four Blackbirds together on the path to River Hide may have been a family party.
Kingfisher with Minnow – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
8th July 2025
It was a relatively cooler start this morning with a nip in the north-westerly wind. As the sun rose and gained some height the temperatures rapidly increased and it turned into a beautifully warm day with temperatures still at 18° at 21.00 as a full moon rose.
At 07.30 there were 15 Sand Martins (at least) around Car Park Hide with five Swifts over Siden Hill Wood, but all rapidly moved on and were presumably birds heading south.
Two adult and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover fed on the margins of Railway Pool until 08.30 when they flew off. It is possible that the juvenile relocated to Car Park Pool later in the morning, and there was an adult back on Railway Pool at 21.00.
Oystercatchers were vocal all day with birds in display flight, and the now fledged juvenile being fed by adults on Car Park Pool.
At least three nearly fledged Lapwing chicks were visible on the Railway Pool margins, with possibly a fourth out of sight judging by the alarm calls of a parent well away from one of the other birds.
There was plenty of warbler activity with Whitethroat by Railway Hide, Chiffchaff by the South-West Pond and Sedge Warbler by River Hide all carrying food. Fledged Wrens were present by the South-West Pond and behind Railway Hide. Calling from multiple spots just north of the central stream almost certainly indicated a family party of Cetti’s Warblers.
A Water Rail was heard from the North Causeway Bay.
Wildfowl include six Mute Swans and 11 cygnets, two Canadas, 58 Greylags, three Shoveler, 20 Gadwall and three broods, 87 Mallard and four broods, seven Teal, nine Tufted Ducks, but as yet no young, 11 Cormorant, two Great Crested Grebes, eight Little Grebes (six adults and two juveniles), three Herons, five Little Egrets, 11 Moorhens, 57 Coot, 39 Lapwing, 37 Black-headed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 18 Rooks on the Flood Plain.
There were plenty of butterflies seen today including a number of Commas, a Migrant Hawker was using the Concrete Road as a hunting ground, and there were at least four Small Red-eyed Damselflies on the Dragonfly Pond itself.
Five attended the work party in the evening. The edges of the paths and some of the hedges were cut back and visibility from the North Causeway Hide and Railway Hide were also improved.
All the hides were swept as well. Thank you to all those who attended.
7th July 2025
Cool northerly wind, initially 12°.
In the cooler start to the day there were 25 Sand Martins and House Martins over Car Park Pool and a juvenile female Peregrine, along with a Buzzard, was also seen. Three adult and a single juvenile Little Ringed Plover frequented the margins of Railway Pool along with three Oystercatchers and four Little Egrets. The Little Ringed Plovers are starting to migrate and are one of the earliest waders to migrate.
Ripening Blackthorn Berries – Photograph by Nick Barlow
6th July 2025
Heavy showers, light northerly.
Seven adult Little Ringed Plovers was a good count today, all on Railway Pool, and a Common Snipe was present there as well. A Kingfisher was seen on Car Park Pool, along with a single Wigeon and two Little Egrets.
In the heavy showers 40 Sand Martins were brought low over Car Park Pool, along with two House Martins and two Swifts.
A Sparrowhawk took food into Siden Hill Wood and there were three Whitethroats in front of Railway and what was presumably a family party of four Sedge Warblers by Oak Hide.
5th July 2025
Overcast, a relatively fresh south-westerly.
A Kingfisher was again using some of the stems in the Reedbed for hunting this morning, and an early returning Common Snipe was seen from Railway Hide. There were three Little Egrets, four Teal and two Shoveler, and 20 juvenile Black-headed Gulls were present on Car Park Pool. At least 20 Sand Martins included 12 over Railway and eight over the Old Road.
275 Jackdaws, 30 Carrion Crows and five Rooks were feeding on a very dry Flood Plain.
Whitethroat and Green Woodpecker showed well in front of Railway Hide in the afternoon.
4th July 2025
Initially overcast with sunny intervals, southerly.
No records.
3rd July 2025
Sunny, but after a cooler, dewy start.
Both a male and a female Wigeon were amongst the moulting wildfowl on Car Park Pool today, with nine Teal spread between the pools. The pair of Oystercatchers and the fledged young were also on Car Park Pool along with a Common Sandpiper, whilst in front of Oak Hide at least one pair of Lapwing and two now well grown chicks were present.
A Grey Wagtail flew over the Causeway going south, low, a Ring-necked Parakeet was heard calling from Siden Hill Wood and a Red Admiral was present around the Car Park.
As the morning unfolded, a Green Sandpiper was found on Railway Pool and a pair of Bullfinches by the South-West Pond. Fifteen Sand Martins that flew over are likely to be early departing birds. Last, but not least, the elusive Bittern was seen on the Reedbed Pool late morning.
2nd July 2025
Warm, overcast start, clearing to warm but brisk south-westerly.
A pair of Little Grebes have formed a nest in front of Oak Hide but the other two nests that were reported earlier in June are not now visible. A flock of 40 Lapwings had formed on Car Park Pool and there is still some song from birds participating in second broods such as Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Wren and Song Thrush.
Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars – Photograph by Arthur Owens
1st July 2025
Sunny and hot.
A flock of three Great White Egrets appeared on Car Park Pool this morning having been previously seen at Earlswood earlier in the day. It would appear from the photographs that of the three, two were juveniles and one was an adult. They are extremely difficult to tell once they have matured, but apparently a black tip to the bill indicates juvenile status, but I am very happy to be corrected by those with better knowledge.
A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was still present on Railway Pool, as were the four Lapwing chicks.