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.
31st March 2026
Sunny spells, fresh north-westerly.
An early Common Sandpiper was present on site for the morning only, and a Sand Martin went over to the north early on. Other birds noted today were two Canada/Greylag hybrids, three Shelduck, the lingering female Pintail, eight Oystercatchers, five Little Ringed Plovers, five Redshank, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, eight Herring Gulls, four Goosanders, 11 Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and a Raven.
The thinning of the Back Gate compounds over the last few days is to open them up and effectively coppice the various plants. Hopefully the revitalised shrubs will be to the liking of the wildlife generally and warblers specifically. It was becoming very dark in places. Further, some of the willows along the ditch line behind the compounds have died and will be felled. Thanks to Richard Waite and team.
30th March 2026
Sunny spells, showers, strong blustery north-westerly.
Three more Sand Martins appeared today and there were four Little Ringed Plovers on site, two on the Car Park and two on the Flood Plain. A female Pintail continues to linger.
A ringing session in the Back Gate area yielded 18 birds of nine species. This included two Cetti’s Warblers, a new female and a re-trapped male from 2024. In addition, two male Treecreepers were ringed, along with a male Chiffchaff, two Long-tailed Tits, two Wrens, two Blackcaps, a colour-ringed Blackbird, a Dunnock, one Great Tit, three Blue Tits and a male Reed Bunting.
29th March 2026
No records.
28th March 2026
Sunny spells, showers, blustery westerly.
A second Blackcap must have arrived overnight, as there were two today, one in the Back Gate Copse and one on the Central Stream. A Sand Martin put in a brief appearance and, despite the blustery weather, there was a Peacock butterfly by the Car Park Gates.
Other counts today, care of Graham and Dave, were two Mute Swans, 16 Canadas, 26 Greylag, three Shelduck, a pair of Shoveler, 19 Gadwall, 36 Wigeon, 12 Mallard, a female Pintail, five Teal, 26 Tufteds, four female Goosanders, 16 Cormorants, six Little Grebes, a Heron, six Little Egrets, four Moorhen, 19 Coot, eight Oystercatchers, five Little Ringed Plovers, of which four were on the Flood Plain and one on Car Park Pool, three Redshank, 14 Lapwing, seven Snipe, 1,080 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Red Kite over.
27th March 2026
Overcast, showers, fresh south-westerly.
The first Wheatear of the spring, a male, was present briefly on the Flood Plain this morning, but quickly moved on. There were also five Little Ringed Plovers on the muddy area there, and two more on Car Park Pool.
Other migrants included a Blackcap along the central streamline, and most of the Chiffchaffs now appear to be on site.
Other birds making the log were two Shelduck, a female Pintail, three Goosanders, three Redshank, one Common Gull, eight Herring Gulls, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, six Moorhen, four Little Grebes, a Raven and a pair of Pheasants.
Lastly, and unusually, there was a Red-legged Partridge around the Car Park and wandering into the Crop Field this morning.
Red-legged Partridge – Photograph by Jason Lewis
26th March 2026
Not a great deal of change, with just the female Pintail and female Goosander on site, and four House Sparrows at the feeders.
25th March 2026
Sunny spells, blustery north-westerly, cold, occasional showers.
There were two Little Ringed Plovers back on the Flood Plain this morning, and two more Sand Martins went through. Two male Pintails continue to linger and there were six Little Egrets on site.
24th March 2026
Overcast and breezy from the south-west.
Only the second Sand Martin of the year appeared briefly over Car Park Pool at 09.00, whilst on the pools there were five Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover and 12 Oystercatchers. There were still quite a few lingering Wigeon which were joined by a female Pintail, three Shelduck, 30 Gadwall and three female Goosanders.
Common Gulls have not been making the log very much recently, but there was a single bird today. A single House Sparrow was present in the thick hedge by the entrance gates, and another one along by the Concrete Road. In the Back Gate Copse, there were a pair of Treecreepers, and a Raven went over there. Two singing Goldcrests were competing against each other on the streamline just south of the crossing. Eight Stock Doves were present in a single flock.
23rd March 2026
Little Ringed Plovers seem to be favouring the very muddy Flood Plain at the moment, and there were at least three present this afternoon, along with four Pied Wagtails.
On the pools, there were three Goosanders, a female Pintail and a female Pochard.
22nd March 2026
Hazy sun, still.
21st March 2026
Sunny, still.
The full count of birds today, care of Graham and Dave, was as follows: 17 Canadas, 20 Greylags, two Shelduck, 11 Shoveler, 33 Gadwall, 187 Wigeon, a female Pintail, 11 Mallard, 18 Teal, 30 Tufted, two pairs of Goosanders, 20 Cormorants, three Little Grebes, seven Little Egrets, two Herons, three Moorhen, 27 Coot, nine Oystercatchers, 16 Lapwing, six Little Ringed Plovers (two on Car Park Pool and four on the Flood Plain), two Snipe, three Redshank, 1,060 Black-headed Gulls, a Herring Gull, nine Chiffchaff and three Peacock butterflies.
Eight attended the afternoon work party. The hides were all swept and some tidying up of the Car Park Pool islands was done in advance of the returning Terns.
Meantime, four initially, and seven subsequently, continued with the Alder removal from the Reedbed with an estimated 200 dug up.
The work party was rewarded with a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker all afternoon, and a very vocal Green Woodpecker.
20th March 2026
Misty start lifting to thin cloud and hazy sun.
The first Great White Egret of the month was seen feeding around the pools in Lower Siden this morning. A Raven flew over and the female Pintail joined a pair of Goosanders on the pools.
Two Lesser Redpolls fed in the Alders along the Old Road, with a Kingfisher seen from the Reedbed and five Little Egrets were spread across the pools.
19th March 2026
Sunny, warm, light southerly.
Just one Peacock made the log today, whilst a female Pintail reappeared and joined a female Goosander on Car Park Pool. There were again three Redshanks, two Shelduck, four Little Egrets and four House Sparrows.
18th March 2026
Sunny, warm, light southerly.
In increasingly balmy conditions a few early butterflies were seen, including two Peacocks, two male Brimstones and a Small Tortoiseshell.
Overhead, a Red Kite joined seven Buzzards in the air, with the former seen later towards Berkswell.
Other birds making the log were three Shelduck, two Great Crested Grebes, nine Oystercatchers, two Redshank, five Moorhen, three Goosanders, and a Canada/Greylag hybrid.
17th March 2026
Sunny spells, fresh southerly.
Great-crested Grebes were displaying on Car Park Pool this morning and were also seen nest building.
In the morning there were five Goosanders on Car Park Pool, but in the evening 12 came into roost.
Also, in the evening approximately 220 Starlings roosted in the Reedbed at 18.16. I wonder how many evenings this flock has appeared as coverage is sadly thin at this time.
Waders in the evening included a Little Ringed Plover briefly, two Redshank and eight Oystercatchers, and other birds making the log were the female Pintail, Kingfisher, both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, the latter drumming near River Hide, two Snipe, three Common Gulls, 31 Cormorants, two Little Egrets, at least three singing Chiffchaff, 10 Stock Doves, approximately 50 Jackdaws, five Crows and a Rook. Lastly, five House Sparrows were present on the feeders, but no Swans were seen.
Lapwing – Photograph by Alastair Robertson
16th March 2026
Sunny spells, fresh south-westerly.
The first-winter White-fronted Goose was back on Car Park Pool this morning, joining 207 Wigeon. The latter included the green colour-ringed F2. A female Pintail was also present, along with a pair of Goosanders, and on the margins of the pools there were eight Oystercatchers, a single Redshank and 12 Snipe.
Only two pairs of Little Grebes could be found, and hopefully more will soon be present as this is below the carrying capacity of the Reserve.
Lastly, a flock of 15 returning Redwing were feeding around Patrick Farm.
15th March 2026
Sunny intervals, fresh south-westerly.
The first-winter White-fronted Goose was seen on Car Park Pool this morning briefly, and then later on the Flood Plain opposite Car Park Hide.
The first Sand Martin of the year flew through in the afternoon’s squally showers with the weather deteriorating, turning cloudy and cold. A pair of Redshanks were calling and feeding together on the Car Park Pool islands and under the feeders, there were at least nine Reed Buntings and 10 Chaffinches with two Stock Doves. Twelve Greenfinches exchanged position on the feeders.
14th March 2026
Sunny spells, fresh north-westerly, continuing flooding at Patrick Bridge.
The full count by Graham and Dave today included four Mute Swans, 19 Canadas, 17 Greylags, two Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 194 Wigeon, six Mallard, 37 Teal, 16 Tufteds, 37 Cormorants, four Little Grebes, four Little Egrets, four Moorhen, 14 Coot, nine Oystercatchers, 17 Lapwing, 1200 Black-headed Gulls, one Common Gull, four Herring Gulls, seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Mistle Thrush which flew from the east side of the river over to Siden Hill Wood, seven House Sparrows and two Redwings.
Cormorant – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
13th March 2026
Sunny spells, strong south-westerly, cold, flooding on the Flood Plain. Some overnight rain precipitated the flooding on the Flood Plain but there was nothing particularly of note on the floods, however the second Little Ringed Plover of the year flew through.
Four Common Gulls and 12 Herring Gulls were counted, along with 11 Lesser Black-backs and there were also two female Goosanders.
12th March 2026
No records.
11th March 2026
Sunny spells, blustery westerly.
A number of Frogs were seen to be spawning in the South-West Pond, away from the predation of various Herons. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were recorded, and the Oystercatcher count today had increased to 11 with birds presumably jockeying for position on the emerging island as the water level drops.
Other counts included three Shelduck, the drake Pochard, six Goosanders, 69 Greylags, four Little Egrets, just a single Redshank, 43 Cormorants, 19 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall and six Little Grebes.
Little Grebe – Photograph by Steve Pattison
10th March 2026
Sunny spells, fresh south-westerly.
Chiffchaffs continued to increase with at least five in song today, but still only one Redshank. The female Pintail was present along with a male Pochard, a booming Bittern, a single Grey Wagtail, and a Raven over.
9th March 2026
Misty, lifting to overcast, light south-westerly.
A female Brambling was a new arrival today at the Car Park feeders. Three Goosanders came in to roost, and a single Egyptian Goose joined the female Pintail and 40 Cormorants on the pools.
The colour-ringed Lapwing, BR30, was on Car Park Pool with the bird having previously been ringed at the Reserve.
8th March 2026
Overcast, light easterly.
The female Pintail was back on Car Park Pool today, and at least four Chiffchaffs were in song with birds at the Back Gate, along the streamline and two along the Old Road. A single Lesser Redpoll was feeding by River Hide, and a Water Rail was heard from the Reedbed. A first-winter drake Goosander was present for some of the morning, along with two Shelduck. Regular Bittern activity includes birds predating Frogs in the North Causeway Bay area. Later in the day there were five Siskins on the Central Streamline, and 15 – 20 Chaffinches and five Reed Buntings were feeding below the Crop Oaks, along with four Stock Doves.
7th March 2026
Overcast, light easterly.
Birds of note included a Red Kite again, this time over Patrick Farm, a Raven in Siden Hill Wood, 18 Fieldfares by Patrick Farm, a single Redwing on the Old Road, along with four Lesser Redpolls.
Graham and Dave’s full count today included two Mutes, 21 Canadas, a Canada/Greylag hybrid, three Greylags, a Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 195 Wigeon, 14 Mallard, 12 Teal, 39 Tufted, five Goosanders, 31 Cormorants, a single Little Grebe, two Herons, three Little Egrets, three Moorhen, 23 Coot, eight Oystercatchers, 30 Lapwing, a single Redshank, at least 650 Black-headed Gulls, four Common Gulls, a single Herring Gull and four Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
6th March 2026
Overcast, early drizzle, fresh north-westerly.
The first Little Ringed Plover of the year was seen briefly on Railway Pool this morning (the earliest ever date) before departing and 19 Snipe were flushed as a result of the removal of the sluice valves to reduce the level in the pools.
A pair of Mistle Thrushes flew from the Old Road to Siden Hill Wood and at dusk, 11 Goosanders came in to roost. There was also a Fieldfare attempting to roost by the Car Park.
5th March 2026
Cool start, but sunny with a southerly breeze.
Early butterflies today comprised at least one Brimstone and a Peacock and three Cetti’s Warblers were in song.
A Red Kite flew over, and the rather elusive female Pintail was back on the pools. At least three Chiffchaff’s were in song and there was a Redshank on site.
Brimstone – Photograph by Paul Casey
Peacock – Photograph by Mark Waring
4th March 2026
Sunny after misty start, light south-easterly.
This is the prime time for displaying Buzzards, and nine in the air together over the Flood Plain was a marked sign of display and territory forming.
There were at least two singing Chiffchaff today, one in the Back Gate Copse and one on the Causeway, and there seems to have been an early arrival of this species this year. Despite the attentions of various Herons, at least 30 Frogs were visible in the North Causeway Bay with spawn already visible.
On the pools, a Kingfisher was seen on the Reedbed, there were a pair of Great Crested Grebes, 31 Gadwall, two Shelduck, a drake Pochard, a pair of Goosander and eight Oystercatchers.
3rd March 2026
Overcast, light north-easterly.
A Red Kite floated over the Car Park during the morning, and a Mistle Thrush was in the Oak north of Car Park Hide again. A single Lesser Redpoll fed in the Alders along the Central Stream, and on the pools two pairs of Goosander joined 30 Tufted, 20 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 76 Greylags and a pair of Shelduck. Waders included the regular eight Oystercatchers and five Snipe. Numbers of the latter have been poor this winter, although as is usual with this species, many of the birds are out of sight.
A Chiffchaff sang in the Back Gate Copse, and four Little Egrets were feeding around the margins.
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.