Another link in a growing chain of wetland reserves
The Trent Valley and floodplain, from Alrewas up through Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, is a major migration flyway, as well as providing vital floodplain habitat, and Tucklesholme is a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust reserve based around old gravel workings. It’s small enough to offer a relaxed couple of hours birding, while its position on the flyway means anything can turn up.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
From the car park, you can scan the southern lake. Expect the commoner wildfowl, Shelducks, Black-headed Gulls, plus the likes of Common and Arctic Terns on passage, but check carefully for more unusual visitors, such as Ospreys passing through.
2 The viewing screens along the west edge offer good views of the shingly areas of the shore. Little Ringed Plovers are present in spring and summer, Common and Green Sandpipers drop in on passage, and while Oystercatchers and Lapwings are the likeliest of the other waders, check for other species in spring and autumn.
3
It’s hoped the reedbed in the northern lake will be the largest in the Trent Valley, so check for Reed and Sedge Warblers in summer, Water Rail and Moorhen, plus more unusual visitors such as Marsh Harrier as it develops.
4 The grassland and scrub areas are good for Sky Lark in spring and summer, plus wagtails, Linnet and Goldfinch, and warblers such as Whitethroat and Blackcap, and perhaps even a chance of Grasshopper Warbler.
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: DE13 8EN
GRID REF: SK 207 182
MAPS: OS Explorer 245, OS Landranger 128
PARKING: There is a large car park, with a height barrier. Locked in the evenings, so check closing time at gate
TERRAIN: Wide, flat paths on the reserve, but can be puddly in wet weather
ACCESS: Year-round, all hours on foot
FACILITIES: Nothing on site, but all you need is on the nearby A38, or in Burton
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Don’t forget the river itself – take a short walk to check it for gulls, herons and egrets, and wildfowl
TARGET BIRDS SPRING/SUMMER ● Sky Lark
● Little Ringed Plover ● Oystercatcher ● Lapwing ● Shelduck ● Common Sandpiper ● Osprey ● Blackcap ● Green Sandpiper ● Linnet ● Whitethroat
AUTUMN/WINTER ● Lapwing ● Black-headed Gull ● Buzzard
● Grey Heron ● Kestrel
● Snipe