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
Wednesday 15th July – 6.00pm
Wednesday 12th August – 6.00pm
Wednesday 9th September – 6.00pm
Saturday 3rd October – 2.00pm
Saturday 7th November – 2.00pm
Saturday 5th December – 2.00pm
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.
AGRICULTURAL TRACK CONSTRUCTION WORKS
Work has commenced on the construction of an agricultural track into Siden Wood field.
The contractors will be using the car park adjacent to the pumping station/mobile phone mast and, as parking will be limited, it would be helpful if members could avoid parking there for the duration of the works, which is due to be completed around the 15th August.
Thank you and apologies for any inconvenience.
A452 KENILWORTH ROAD CLOSURE – SATURDAY 1st AUGUST
Following the installation of the contraflow on the new southbound carriageway of the A452, work is required to complete the work which will include vegetation clearance, constructing a new footpath near the Lincoln Farm Truck Stop, removing a temporary plant crossing on the verge of the southbound carriageway as well as kerb improvements.
The A452 will be closed from 6.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday 1st August between the Bradnocks Marsh Roundabout and Meriden Roundabout. A fully signposted diversion route will be in place.
NOCMIG RECORDER
The Nocmig recorder on Car Park Pool picked up a Common Sandpiper going over at 22.44 on the 2nd, and 03.22 on the 3rd, and then on the 4th, a Tawny Owl was heard at 00.10. An early calling Hobby at 04.50 on the 4th was possibly after moths as the species will catch these as early morning prey. A Common Sandpiper was heard at 03.50 on the 5th, and again at 22.30 and a Hobby was heard at 04.50 on the 5th.
A Common Sandpiper was picked up at 22.30 on the 8th and at 22.40 on the 9th, a Green Sandpiper at 03.50 on the 9th and a Barn Owl at 00.30 on the 11th.
On the 10th, a roost of 298 Starlings was counted going into the Reedbed.
29th July 2026
Sunny, hot, light south-westerly.
The Little Egret count was broken again this morning with 17 present, along with seven Herons. There were 13 Little Grebes, plus a brood of two new individuals in front of Railway Pool.
Waders included three Common Sandpipers, four Little Ringed Plovers and the Wigeon was still present.
The Black-headed Gull count in the early afternoon had reached 142. A Kingfisher was seen on the Reedbed and insects included a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in the Buddleia at the end of the Dragonfly Pond, and three Migrant Hawkers.
Heron – Photograph by Bob Breach
28th July 2026
Sunny spells, light south-westerly.
Geese numbers had increased significantly since the 25th with 225 Greylags and 52 Canadas, plus a single Canada/Greylag hybrid.
The first returning Wigeon was present, and there were 61 Gadwall, two Shoveler, 215 Mallard, 33 Teal and eight Tufteds.
Herons included a Great White Egret, a new record count of Little Egrets (15), and five Herons with other interest today provided by 20 Moorhen, a single Oystercatcher, four Little Ringed Plovers, three Common Sandpipers, two adult Common Terns, three Egyptian Geese, a colour-ringed Black Headed Gull which was a returning bird.
A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was present on the Concrete Road, and a female Emerald was seen again on the Dragonfly Pond. Two Ruddy Darters were resting or feeding on the path to Car Park Hide.
27th July 2026
Overcast, cloud breaking up at lunchtime, fresh westerly.
Ten Swifts flew over Siden Hill Wood, presumably on their way back, and a Dunlin was a new arrival.
The Mallard count had increased to 203, and there was also an increase in Gadwall to 52. Other counts included a Shoveler, 34 Teal, 14 Little Grebes, 10 Little Egrets, four Herons, three Oystercatchers, two adults and one juvenile Little Ringed Plover plus the chick, three Common Sandpipers, a female Kestrel, a Willow Warbler on the Causeway, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth behind the Car Park feeders, and a male Red-veined Darter in the same place.
26th July 2026
No records.
25th July 2026
Sunny, light westerly.
Graham’s counts today were as follows: Four Mute Swans with seven cygnets, two Canadas, 111 Greylag, two Shoveler, 25 Gadwall and two broods, 184 Mallard, 25 Teal, seven Tufteds and four broods, five Cormorants, 10 Little Grebes, 10 Little Egrets, four Herons, 14 Moorhen, 60 Coot, four Oystercatchers, 35 adult Lapwing and the four fledged juveniles, a single adult Little Ringed Plover with the chick, a single Common Sandpiper, 94 Black-headed Gulls and five Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
The female Common Emerald was again seen around the Dragonfly Pond, where there was also a Painted Lady.
24th July 2026
Sunny, light north-westerly.
A female Common Emerald on the Dragonfly Pond was noteworthy, and the Little Egret count is increasing by the day with 11 today. There were also two Green Sandpipers.
Little Egret – Photograph by Steve Pattison
23rd July 2026
Sunny intervals, warm, slight northerly.
A reasonable selection of birds today included two Oystercatchers, 40 adult Lapwing and the four fledged youngsters, a Green Sandpiper (which flew through Car Park Pool late morning), a single Common Sandpiper and an adult Little Ringed Plover and the growing chick.
A Hobby was hunting the Reedbed during the morning, and a Kestrel was seen north along the Old Road. The latter species has rarely been recorded in the log over the last few months.
Wildfowl included four Shoveler on Railway Pool and a total of 18 Teal. There were at least six Little Egrets, and a Swallow went south over Car Park Pool.
22nd July 2026
Overcast, still, clearing to warm, sunny weather later.
Two Oystercatchers, four fledged Lapwing chicks, a single adult Little Ringed Plover with a 10-day old chick and two Common Sandpipers comprised the waders, whilst an adult and four recently fledged juvenile Pied Wagtails were being fed in the Marsh. Two mewing juvenile Buzzards were present on Lower Siden Hill hide, with an adult perched nearby.
21st July 2026
A smart adult Hobby was perched in one of the dead alders along the steamline near the large oak between 07.00 and 08.00 at least.
Plenty of warblers were present in the Crop Oaks and along the Causeway with at least three Willow Warblers together, including one in song, a Garden Warbler with food, three Reed Warblers and at least three Goldfinches.
At Oak Hide, there were two Whitethroats and a juvenile Greenfinch and, in front of Oak Hide, a Moorhen was making a new nest whilst feeding two new young. A family party of four juvenile Crows were causing some anguish to the Lapwings and Little Ringed Plovers. A Raven went over, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard or seen on the streamline, and there were at least two Reed Warblers in the large willow on Railway Pool at the west end of the Causeway.
Later in the day, a juvenile Grey Wagtail was present below Railway Hide, there were six Shoveler, an increasing number of Mallard with 182 today, an early Snipe below Railway Hide, and a Weasel on the Old Road.
A moulting Peregrine also went over.
20th July 2026
Sunny and warm after some light overnight cloud.
Two Clouded Yellow butterflies were present in front of Car Park Hide this morning, the first of the year, and a Hobby was seen later in the morning. Meantime, after diligent searching by John Hunt, two White-letter Hairstreaks were found in the wych elms in Siden Hill Wood, at the top of the path to the lower hide.
Subsequent bird records included 13 Little Grebes, a Great White Egret, six Oystercatchers, a fledged juvenile Little Ringed Plover, the four Lapwing chicks, a single Common Tern, and a single Hobby. Two juvenile Whitethroats were seen along the Concrete Road and a Brown Argus by the Dragonfly Pond itself.
19th July 2026
Sunny spells, some cloud, cooler north-easterly.
On Car Park Pool this morning there was an adult Little Ringed Plover, a Great White Egret early on, whilst on Railway Pool there were nine Little Egrets, the young Little Ringed Plover chick and two adults, and four Lapwing youngsters.
At least one juvenile Cetti’s Warbler could be heard from River Hide, and another one was audible in the big willow at the west end of the Causeway on Railway Pool, along with a new fledged Blackcap. There were also Sedge and Reed Warblers, both by River Hide, and along the Causeway.
Eleven Swifts and two House Martins moved north over Siden Hill Wood at 08.30, and a Sand Martin went south over Car Park Pool. Two juvenile Green Woodpeckers were present in front of Oak Hide, feeding on the island, and another, presumably a different bird from a different pair, was present on Car Park Pool.
18th July 2026
Sunny spells.
The pair of Little Ringed Plovers, with the slowly growing chick, were visible on Railway Pool today from River Hide, but not from Oak Hide. The parents are highly protective, and the youngster spends quite a lot of time within the vegetation, away from the shoreline.
The four Lapwing chicks were still present along with 11 adults, and there were still six Oystercatchers. A Common Sandpiper flitted between the Reserve and the river.
Other bird counts today were four Mute Swans and seven cygnets, 16 Canadas, 39 Greylags, 19 Gadwall and two broods, 145 Mallard and one brood, 26 Teal, seven Tufteds and five broods, five Cormorants, seven adult and five juvenile Little Grebes (most of these juveniles are from off-site), 10 Little Egrets, a Great White Egret, six Herons, 18 Moorhen and 55 Coot.
Despite all the resident Black-headed Gulls leaving site, there was a slow increase in post-breeding numbers, with birds presumably from elsewhere, and 49 were counted today. There were also two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A Kingfisher was seen on Railway Pool and there were three juvenile Cetti’s, audible and seen from River Hide on the Railway Pool side.
There are still Red-veined Darters about, with one seen on the path to Car Park Hide, a Ruddy Darter was present around the Dragonfly Pond, a Southern Hawker in a similar location, and a Painted Lady by River Hide.
17th July 2026
Sunny spells, still.
A good count of Common Blue butterflies was made today by Graham Rowling, with at least 20 present along with a Painted Lady, and Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers are also plentiful.
On the bird front, there was a Great White Egret, singles of Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper, four Oystercatchers, four nearly fledged Lapwing chicks, 21 Moorhen and two relatively new broods (four on the Reedbed and five in the Marsh), seven Little Egrets, seven Herons, and an increasing number of Teal, with a total today of 20.
16th July 2026
Cloud to begin with, soon brightening to sunny spells, remaining warm.
The only records in the book today were of a single Great White Egret with six Little Egrets.
15th July 2026
Overcast start, brightening to sunny spells, light north-easterly.
After the morning cloud had retreated back towards the North Sea coast, it was another warm day.
Two Common Terns, two Little Ringed Plovers and eight Oystercatchers were the principal waders, with the family party of four Lapwings still present. Earlier in the week the chicks had moved onto the island in front of Oak Hide to avoid a Fox marauding in the Marsh but were back again on the edge of the Marsh today. Three Cetti’s Warblers were present around the Dragonfly Pond and calling young were heard in the evening from the reeds to the right of Oak Hide.
Also in the evening, a Grey Wagtail went over, and a Whitethroat was present by Oak Hide.
Insects included an impressive 115 Gatekeepers, two Painted Ladies and a Lesser Stag Beetle on the Central Streamline, probably a new species for the Reserve.
Only three attended the work party in the evening, but the views out of Railway Hide were significantly improved by strimming the vegetation on all sides. The area around the Back Gate was cleared on the roadside, the ringing rides by the Back Gate were opened up and ragwort was pulled from the areas which hopefully will be cut for hay later in the season.
Lesser Stag Beetle – Photograph by Graham Rowling
14th July 2026
Sunny spells, light north-easterly.
Today’s highlight was a male Ruff on Railway Pool, moulting but still with plenty of black in the white ruff. Five Oystercatchers, six Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper were the other waders.
The Ruff was elusive in the channels and could not be found later. However, around lunchtime, an adult Little Ringed Plover, with a newly hatched chick, was visible on the island in front of Oak Hide.
Other counts today included the first Bittern record (from the Reedbed) for some weeks, together with 32 Teal, nine Little Egrets, six Herons, a single Great Crested Grebe, three Swifts, five House Martins and five Sand Martins, and a juvenile Stock Dove in the Tawny Owl box in the Back Gate Copse. Red-veined Darters are still visible around Car Park Hide, there was a Southern Hawker on the Causeway, and two Painted Ladies on the path to Car Park Hide.
Ruff – Photograph by Alastair Robertson
13th July 2026
Overcast, fresh north-easterly.
The three Great White Egrets were back this morning, two on Car Park Pool and one on Railway, along with 12 Little Egrets.
The two juvenile Redshanks have been replaced by an adult, but there are only two Little Ringed Plovers. The four Lapwing chicks are getting close to fledging.
A dead Water Shrew was present outside the North Causeway Bay hide, and amongst the many butterflies were two Painted Ladies.
12th July 2026
No records.
11th July 2026
Sunny, hot, light easterly.
Despite the hot weather, there remain good displays of flowers with the yellow Lady’s Bedstraw producing a fine display, particularly on the approaches to Car Park Hide. The flowers are also giving off a slight perfume. In amongst them are Black Knapweed, the white Yarrow and some Red Bartsia.
A more complete count of birds today, care of Graham Rowling, yielded five Mute Swans and seven cygnets, 13 Canadas, 45 Greylags, two Egyptian Geese, 16 Gadwall and three broods, 140 Mallard and one brood, 13 Teal, 10 Tufteds and three broods, five Cormorants, six Herons, eight Little Egrets, three adult and three juvenile Little Grebes, 14 Moorhen, 53 Coot, two Little Ringed Plovers, four Oystercatchers, 49 Lapwing and the family party of four, still two juvenile Redshanks, 17 Black-headed Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Kingfisher on Railway Pool.
10th July 2026
Sunny, hot and still.
Two Great White Egrets were present this morning, along with 10 Little Egrets and six Herons. Wader numbers were down with just four Oystercatchers, three Little Ringed Plovers and the two juvenile Redshanks. A male Roe Deer was disturbed from the Back Gate Copse.
9th July 2026
No records.
8th July 2026
Sunny, light westerly, hot, still 32° at 19.30.
There was a new brood of nine Gadwall on Car Park Pool this morning, and there were nine Little Ringed Plovers at least, although birds are quite difficult to see in amongst the channels on Railway Pool.
In addition, there were two Common Sandpipers, one juvenile Redshank, still the family party of four Lapwings in front of Oak Hide, three Oystercatchers, four Little Egrets and five Herons.
In the evening 40 Starlings were flying around the Reserve, probably in advance of roosting in the Reedbed. A Whitethroat was present by Oak Hide, and young Robins were seen by the Car Park and on the stream crossing.
7th July 2026
Sunny, light north-westerly.
Waders included eight adults and five juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, and still six Oystercatchers.
Other counts included 17 Teal, eight Little Egrets, five Herons, an impressive 157 Mallard, whilst insects included a Hummingbird Hawk-moth at the start of the Causeway, a Brown Argus butterfly between the Causeway and Oak Hide, a male Red-veined Darter quartering in front of Car Park Hide and two Ruddy Darters.
6th July 2026
Sunny spells, light westerly, increasingly warm. There were fewer Little Ringed Plovers today, just five adults and five juveniles, but Lapwing numbers had increased to 30 with the brood of four still in the Marsh, but no sign of the other single. There were nine Oystercatchers, still the two juvenile Redshanks, a single Green Sandpiper, and the first returning Snipe of the ‘autumn’ below Railway Hide.
A Hobby put in an appearance and there were eight Little Egrets, 15 Teal, 12 Moorhen, six Little Grebes and one adult Common Tern and, on the insect side, a Red-veined Darter, two Ruddy Darters, a Purple Hairstreak and two Small Coppers.
In the afternoon, three Great White Egrets flew in, possibly a family party.
5th July 2026
No records.
4th July 2026
Sunny intervals, brisk westerly, clouding over by 11.00am.
Some wader passage today included a Curlew which arrived at 10.45, preceded by two juvenile Redshanks which may have been the same birds from Earlswood earlier in the day.
At least 17 Little Ringed Plovers included nine adults and eight juveniles split between the two pools, but birds on Railway Pool are often difficult to see, hiding in the channels between the islands. There were also six Oystercatchers, and singles of Green and Common Sandpiper. There were 14 adult Lapwings and still the brood of four in front of Oak Hide, and an additional new single. Just one Common Tern was present, an adult, and there were six Little Egrets.
A few birds continue to sing, associated with second broods and these included a Whitethroat by the South-West Pond, and a Garden Warbler in the Car Park. There was a freshly fledged juvenile Blackcap near the Railway Arches on Railway Pool. A Green Woodpecker was particularly vocal along the river opposite Oak Hide.
There was a female Broad-bodied Chaser seen along the Causeway.
3rd July 2026
Sunny spells, light southerly.
Additional Tufted broods have hatched over the last day or so, and in addition to the five on Car Park Pool, there was a new brood of nine there, together with broods of nine and five on Railway Pool. The Teal count reached 15 and there were two relatively new Gadwall broods of three and four on Railway Pool. The four Lapwing chicks were present in the Marsh, there was an impressive total of 11 Little Ringed Plovers and nine Oystercatchers, and there was also a Great White Egret present, along with nine Little Egrets.
2nd July 2026
Blustery north-westerly from overnight into this morning, occasional sunny intervals, increasingly warm.
Four Little Ringed Plovers were present, along with three Oystercatchers, the Lapwing family, and 14 Teal. Three Sand Martins fed briefly over Car Park Pool, possibly early departing birds, and there was a fledged Stock Dove in the Car Park. Two Skylarks were heard, one flying west low over the Reserve in song, with another singing to the east.
There was a Painted Lady by the Car Park and a Red Admiral along the Causeway.
As the day unfolded, a Green Sandpiper appeared on Railway, and a Hobby went over the Central Stream. Little Egrets increased to four and there were a total of 37 adult Lapwings.
At least six Whitethroats flitted between Oak and Railway Hide, probably broods from the pairs from the South-West Pond and below Railway Hide.
Two Purple Hairstreaks were visible in the Oaks north of the Old Road, there were a total of six Red Admirals, four Commas, at least two Gatekeepers, four Peacocks and two Brown Hawker Dragonflies.
Gatekeeper – Photograph by Paul Casey
1st July 2026
Overcast with bright sunny spells, light north-easterly.
Wildfowl counts today, care of Graham Rowling and John Hunt, were 124 Mallard, 25 Gadwall, 14 Teal, 20 Tufteds and a brood of five, six Mute Swans and three broods still, nine Cormorants, two Lapwing broods of four on Railway Pool and a new and additional single there, 10 Little Ringed Plovers (six adults and four juveniles), two Green Sandpipers, six Oystercatchers, just a single Common Tern, 47 Rook on the Flood Plain with 220 Jackdaws; and the first Purple Hairstreak of the year was found in the Oaks north of the Car Park on the Old Road.