LADYWALK NR
Woodland, wader scrapes and a riverside walk
Agood variety of birds can be found here at any time of the year, and it’s a reserve where both Willow and Marsh Tits still occur. Passage waders make use of the new scrape areas, while this is also a good site in winter for Bitterns. Rarities over the years, include Lesser Yellowlegs, Ring-necked Duck and Alpine Swift.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 The car park has feeders, so worth a check. Brambling appear in influx years. Ringnecked Parakeets are now regular at the reserve. Peregrines often can be seen sitting on nearby pylons.
2 From the car park follow the path northwards to the feeding station. This is an excellent place to see woodland birds at close quarters. Good numbers of finches utilise the feeders, sometimes joined by a Brambling with visits from Siskin and redpolls. Great Spotted Woodpeckers also visit the feeders but Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are now very scarce on the reserve. Both Marsh and Willow Tits may be seen. Muntjac Deer are also present.
3 The raised Riverwalk hide gives good views across the main pool. Good numbers of Lapwing are present with Snipe and Jack Snipe seen in winter. Redshanks bred in 2021. Good numbers of ducks include Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal and Shelduck. Little Egrets and Great White Egrets occur. Cetti’s Warblers sing nearby. Watch the skies for a passage Marsh Harrier or Osprey in spring and autumn.
4 The River Tame attracts Goosander (which have also taken a liking to breeding in owl nestboxes!), Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Green Sandpiper and good numbers of breeding warblers in surrounds from spring onwards. Sand Martins also nest along the river.
5 Hide B at the northern end is good for Reed Bunting, Willow and Marsh Tits. The Bittern hide is aptly named, and has hosted birds in the past although not guaranteed, Water Rail are far more obliging, with the chance of a Green Sandpiper or two and Snipe. Low water levels attract a good variety of passage waders.