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 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.
HS2 WORKS – A452 KENILWORTH ROAD
Please note there is a temporary closure of lane one on the northbound carriageway of the A452 between the Bradnock’s Marsh roundabout and the Meriden roundabout. This was originally in place until Friday 20 February, but due to recent adverse weather conditions impacting the work, the temporary closure has been extended until 6.00pm on Friday 6 March.
CLOSURE OF THE B4102, MERIDEN ROAD – MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2026
As part of ongoing works to construct the River Blythe Viaduct, the Meriden Road will be closed from Monday 23rd February to Sunday 8th March 2026. The road closure will be in place between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, with a signposted diversion route in place throughout the closure as shown below. The work is programmed for two weeks but, if it progresses well, the road will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
CORMORANT, RED 9J
A Cormorant, Red 9J, seen on Car Park Pool on 2nd February was ringed as a nestling at Vogelmeer in the coastal dunes south of Bloemendaal, the Netherlands, on 16th June 2025 and was seen there again on 7th August. There have been no other reports.
2nd March 2026
Bright but overcast in the morning, sunny in the afternoon, south westerly.
The Bittern was again showing well in the North Causeway Bay predating Frogs. A Red Kite circled high over the north part of the Flood Plain at about 09.15 and there was a singing Chiffchaff near to the Car Park gates, and a Cetti’s Warbler seen around the Car Park pond.
Turnover of large gulls saw eight Herring and five Lesser Black-backed come into Car Park Pool to wash and preen around 09.00 but they soon moved on. There were four House Sparrows in the thorns by the Car Park feeders.
1st March 2026
Sunny intervals, blustery south-westerly, no records.