WAGGON WHEEL LANE PITS
Plenty of wildfowl and waders… and a challenge!
These are essentially private pools accessed from the Severn Way footpath, although the landowner seems fairly tolerant of the number of birders visiting the site. Bordering the River Severn and near to the larger Camp Lane gravel pits, a good list of birds have been recorded over the years. Plenty of winter wildfowl and passage waders in season drop in… but what of the challenge? Over the last few winters, a female American Wigeon has arrived with the Wigeon flock. As the Wigeon flock builds into the hundreds, it may take a bit of patience and a scope to pick out the finer characteristics of
our American bird, but once you do, you will be well pleased with yourself! Good numbers of diving ducks over-winter, with the chance of Scaup and the odd Goldeneye or Smew turning up. Scarcer geese, such as Pink-footed or White-fronted, have been recorded, while two Egyptian Geese have taken a liking to the area. Passage waders have included Bar-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Sanderling, while a Whiterumped Sandpiper graced the pools one recent autumn, although the area is now succumbing to Willow growth and so the passage waders may diminish over the years. Terns pass through the area during spring and autumn migration and may include Black and Sandwich, while Little Gull is fairly regular. Hobbies hawk over the area during summer, while passage pipits may include the odd Water Pipit and a few Yellow Wagtails pass through. A great little spot to visit where anything may turn up at any time of the year.