KINGSBURY WATER PARK

A rich mix of wildfowl and migrants throughout the seasons

The large Tame Valley Wetlands complex offer some of the best birdwatching in the West Midlands. Kingsbury Water Park was once the hub of Warwickshire birdwatching and hosted a spectacular array of scarce species. With gravel extraction slowly coming to an end in the area, further wetlands were created to the north on a larger scale, now known as Middleton Lakes.

The emphasis of birdwatching has now shifted by and large away from the Kingsbury complex, but this site still produces a fine array of species attracted to the many bodies of open water, some of which are used for water sports.

Winter brings a few Goldeneye to the pools and large numbers of common wildfowl including a chance of a Smew. Spring and autumn brings passage terns and Little Gull, while good numbers of waders pass through if water levels are favourable.

Hobbies are regular from spring with the occasional Marsh Harrier or Osprey passing over. Barn Owl are resident in the area, being joined by Short-eared Owl hunting over grasslands most winters, and the large Canada Goose and Greylag flocks may entice a Brent or Pink-footed Goose. Not so many rarities as in its heyday, but notable species have included Gull-billed and White-winged Black Terns and a recent Dusky Warbler (or possibly two), being the first records for Warwickshire, and a Wryneck along the adjacent canal. Hemlingford Water in the busier part of the park is good for tern and Little Gull passage, so is worth a check.