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England West Midlands

Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus ŠMike Lane http://www.nature-photography.co.uk/

Birdwatching in the Birmingham and West Midland Area.

The County of West Midlands being landlocked and far from the sea is not high on birder`s lists of places to visit. However, over two million people live and work in this great county. What`s more, millions more have to visit to both work and play. So if you have time on your hands and want to go birding in the West Midlands here are a few places to visit.

Please note that the expanding West Midlands Bird Club website now has pages for the various branches thus:
Local pages for:
Birmingham: http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/birmingham and Solihull: http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/solihull

top sites

Edgbaston Reservoir

(SP056847)About 2 miles from Birmingham City centre this 64-acre canal feeder reservoir is surrounded by the urban sprawl of Birmingham. Yet it can prove to be a lifesaver to the birdwatcher trapped by business meetings. Birds to be seen include common water, park and garden birds, with waders and terns on passage. A large gull roost can also be found. Timing - Mid week is best, as this is a popular boating and recreational area. Once again try to avoid the human disturbance by arriving early morning or evening. Access - Easily accessible by public transport from Birmingham city centre.

Saltwells Wood

A mixed habitat reserve (62 acres);which is part of the Blackbrook Valley with deciduous woodland, streams, canal towpath, farmland, heathland , reservoir and claypits. The woods and claypits have been declared a site of special scientific importance. (SSSI) and were made the first nature reserve in the West Midlands. This is a good site for wetland and woodland birds. For those wishing to mix business and pleasure the reserve can be found at the rear of the Enormous Merry Hill Shopping Centre. There is a visitor centre in the middle of the woods where an excellent display of the local birds, mammals and flowers can be found. Although mostly easy walking there are parts that require one to be reasonably fit. Timing - Once again try to avoid the human disturbance by arriving early morning or late afternoon. Access - Easily accessible by public transport from Birmingham and other /West Midland Town centres.

Sandwell Valley Country Park

(SP031914)1000 acres of open space between Birmingham and West Bromwich crossed by the M5/6 motorway link. The area to the west of the motorway is the best for birdwatching with a mixture of woodland, scrub and rough grassland surrounded by untended hedges. The addition of small pools make this a haven for birdlife with all of the common woodland and farmland birds available. Timing - Once again try to avoid the human disturbance by arriving early morning or late afternoon. Access - Easily accessible by public transport from Birmingham/West Bromwich city centre or from junction 7 of the M6 and/or junction 1 M5.

Sandwell Valley RSPB Nature Reserve

(SP032914)The first ever Urban RSPB reserve. 25 acres at the eastern end of the 1000 acre expanse of Sandwell Valley (more later). A warm welcome awaits you at a recently refurbished visitor centre built with children and education in mind. The reserve covers the eastern end of a balancing lake and has two small man made islands which attract nesting gulls, a small marsh area great for snipe, fields and hedgerows for the more common farmland birds. The whole area covered by the valley is good for birds at any time of the year, but especially at passage time, when almost anything can be seen. Grasshopper warblers have been known to breed, while kingfishers are resident. Lapwings, Reed and Sedge warblers often attempt to breed and sometimes succeed. Late summer and autumn bring a wide selection of the common waders. Timing - An early morning or late afternoon visit is best, either before or after the inevitable dog walkers. Access - Easily accessible by public transport from Birmingham city centre or from junction 7 of the M6 and/or junction 1 M5.

Sutton Park

(SP090960)Sutton Park is Birmingham`s largest park, covering 2,400 acres consisting of woodlands, heathlands and wetlands. The entire park was recently designated a National Nature Reserve by English Nature, Sutton Park Visitor Centre, Sutton Park, Park Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 2YT, Tel: 0121 355 6370

contributor

Andy Mabbett
Additional Material
(Webmaster, West Midland Bird Club)
andy@pigsonthewing.org.uk
http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

John Bailey
johnbailey@beeb.net

county recorder

Tim Hextell
39 Windermere Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9RQ
0121 551 9997
west-mids-recorder@westmidlandbirdclub.com

numbers

Number of bird species:263

useful reading

The New Birds of the West Midlands

- covering Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and the former West Midlands County - Graham Harrison and Janet Harrison 496 pages, colour photos, line drawings, maps. West Midlands Bird Club 2005
ISBN: 0950788120
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Where to Watch Birds in West Midlands

Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the Former West Midlands - F Gribble, G Harrison, H Griffiths, J Winsper and S Coney Series: WHERE TO WATCH BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE: HELM SERIES 312 pages, 53 maps, 24 line drawings. Christopher Helm due June 2007
ISBN: 9780713664195
Buy this book from NHBS.com

useful information

Proact

Coordinator: Bevan Craddock (Salop, Staffs., Warks., West Midlands and Worcs.)
Members: 0
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team
Contact your coordinator via mailto:info@proact-campaigns.net

clubs

Friends of Edgbaston Reservoir

http://www.fer.org.uk/
At the 11th AGM of Friends of Edgbaston Reservoir held in February 2001 it was agreed that the Friends should attempt to maintain a web site linked to other related local sites. This is the embryo...

RSPB - Birmingham Members Group

http://www.rspb-birmingham.org.uk
This is the NEW Birmingham RSPB Members Group site. Created by mark.g-designs. We hope that you will find this site interesting and informative, if you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail John Bailey (Group Leader). We will bring to you news of forthcoming attractions including field trips, indoor meetings, guided walks and fundraising events. We shall also have links to other sites of interest including our sponsors. We welcome all new members to any or all of our events.

RSPB - Walsall Members Group

http://www.rspb-walsall.org.uk/
The RSPB Walsall Members Group was formed in 1968 and is one of the oldest groups in the country. Funds raised by group activities and sales of RSPB goods have allowed the group to contribute to various RSPB appeals and especially to support the local reserve at Sandwell Valley. The group also tries to encourage membership recruitment to the Society and to support youth activities. Membership is free to RSPB members. The group organises a programme of indoor meetings (all welcome!) and field trips.

West Midland Bird Club

http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com
e-mail: secretary@westmidlandbirdclub.com The West Midland Bird Club offers the widest range of indoor and field meetings for its members. Probably more than any other provincial bird club in the whole of the UK.

Wildlife Trust for Birmingham & the Black Country

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/urbanwt/
Previously known as the Urban Wildlife Trust, we are the only charity in Birmingham and the Black Country dedicated to safeguarding the future well being of the area`s wildlife.

museums

Birmingham University - Ornithology Graduate Certificate & Msc

http://www.ornithology.bham.ac.uk
University of Birmingham CertHE and DipHE courses in Ornithology are now upgraded and we are now recruiting for a new Part-time Graduate Certificate Ornithology course and a new Part-time MSc in Ornithology. The MSc is unique within Europe. We have also established a Centre for Ornithology and the courses are now run by Graham Martin from the new Centre. As before the courses are part-time taught at weekends and are open to people of all ages. Full details of the courses are now available on the web site - there is a link to courses from the home page that gives a lot of information...

reserves

Harborne Nature Reserve

http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/harborne/index.htm
Situated less than three miles from Birmingham city centre, Harborne Nature Reserve is comprised of two areas, totalling approximately nine acres of disused allotments forming part of Pereira Road/ Westfield Road allotments...

Marsh Lane Nature Reserve

http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/westmidlands/marshlane.htm
This recently-created reserve occupies former gravel pits, on the Packington Estate. Extraction of sand and gravel from approximately 75 acres started in 1995 and has now been completed. Two large pools which resulted each have a number of islands, and attract both wildfowl and waders...

Sandwell Valley

http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/westmidlands/sandwell/
The area now known as Sandwell Valley is actually part of the Tame Valley, and was formerly made up of woodland, farmland and the Hamstead and Jubilee Collieries. After the closure of the mine, the building of the M5 and the diversion of a stretch of river to create flood defences, the area was landscaped for various amenities such as golf, sailing and walking. The main area of interest to birders lies to the east of the motorway and is made up of the RSPB`s Sandwell Valley Reserve and the adjacent country park owned by Sandwell Council. The reserve contains marsh and reedbed and one end of Forge Mill Lake. There is a visitors centre and a nature trail with viewing screens...

Wren`s Nest Nature Reserve

http://www.dudley.gov.uk/tourism/parks/natureres.htm#BUCKPOOL%20AND%20FENS%20POOLS
To the north of the Reserve, the Ash woodlands on Mons Hill are home to birds like Nuthatch and Long-tailed Tits...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you cant find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page give them a try!

tour operators

Mercia Birding Tours

http://www.merciatours.com/merciabirdingtours/
Mercia Birding Tours specialises in offering birding tours and days out, for U.K. residents and visitors alike. Although based in the English Midlands/Birmingham area, we can arrange personally guided trips to all parts of the country. All abilities catered for!

places to stay

Featherstone Farm Hotel - Wolverhampton

http://www.featherstonefarm.co.uk/
Featherstone Farm Hotel is a small, high class, country house hotel only one mile from Junction 11 on the M6, or Junction 1 on the M54, but nevertheless set in 5 acres of unspoiled countryside. Luxury restaurant specialising in Indian cuisine set in a luxury 16th century barn on-site.

The Cottage

http://www.guestaccom.co.uk/372.htm
A charming cottage with beautifully decorated bedrooms. Well located 2 1 /2 miles from the NEC, Birmingham airport and Station. Close to famous Midlands golfing venues. High standards and a very warm welcome. Three diamonds RAC/AA/ETC. Private car park. No smoking in dining room.

mailing lists

WMBC-WestMidlands

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WMBC-WestMidlands
To post to list:WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com
List contact:WMBC-WestMidlands-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:WMBC-WestMidlands-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This mailing list is for discussion of birds and birding in the English county of The West Midlands, especially notable sightings and site reports, and the activities there, of the West Midland Bird Club (WMBC)

BLOG

BLOG - Black Country Birders

http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/blackcountry
Birding diary from the midlands, UK

BLOG - Brightside Birding - Kay Donaghy

http://brightsidebirding.blogspot.com/
I'm a 31 year old female birder from Selly Oak, Birmingham. Most of my free time is spent out birding with my partner Max at various sites around Worcs, Warks, Staffs and West Mids.

BLOG - Martyn Yapp - Blurred Birding

http://alrewasbirder.spaces.live.com
Firstly, a warm welcome to first time viewers of my blog, stick with it, it might get better, you never can tell. Blurred Birding aims to provide the viewer with the ultimate non-technical blurred snapshot of general birding and includes anything that gets my attention.

BLOG - Stuart Collins - Alrewas Birder

http://alrewasbirder.spaces.live.com
Diary of birding on local patch and of trips away

Clive & Sheila's Garden Bird Webcam

http://www.mygardenbirds.co.uk/
Welcome to mygardenbirds.co.uk; a webcam and general information site based in a typical urban garden on the western edge of the Black Country in central England...

Coventry Birder

http://www.coventrybirder.co.uk/
I am foremost a birder but on my travels I try and take as many images as I can. For the last two years I have been a digiscoper but from late Nov 2006 I purchased a new DSLR set up...

Gulls in the West Midlands Region

http://www.deanar.btinternet.co.uk/
This is a personal website which presents data and images relating to gulls in the West Midlands Region (the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the metropolitan county of the West Midlands).

Paul Miller`s City Garden Website

http://members.aol.com/pmiller461/website/homepage.htm
There are plenty of web sites dedicated to birding for birdwatchers (see my links page for just a sample). There are also sources of information for people with large gardens and a favourable location. My view is that most people`s experience of birds is through a pane of glass from the dining room or kitchen. As most people live in urban locations I thought I`d share my experiences of encouraging birds into a typical urban garden.

West Midland Birding

http://www.thomas1976.freeserve.co.uk/
Welcome to West Midland Birding, my new web page dedicated to birdwatching. This website describes some of the best birdwatching sites in the West Midlands area. A description is given of how to find them and which birds you are likely to see at different times of the year.

West Midlands County Birding

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/SNDRSDAS/MYHOMEPAGE/NEWSLETTER.HTML
Basically a place to see the latest news for the county...

artists

Bird Carvings by Teresinha Roberts

http://www.birdcarver.co.uk
Teresinha Roberts carves ducks, geese and swans in lime and other hardwoods. The natural movement and rhythm of the birds is reflected in each unique piece and is a result of careful study in the wild

Birds in Particular

http://www.deanar.btinternet.co.uk/
A selection of bird photographs from the West Midlands region and others - especially gulls...

Photographer - Larry Corbett

http://www.larrycorbett.com
I have a great passion for photographing our native and introduced British flora and fauna and often find that there is so much to photograph in Britain`s countryside that I rarely need to travel abroad in search of new subject matter...

Photographer - Mike Lane

http://www.nature-photography.co.uk.
Welcome to my web site. I`m a full time wildlife photographer specialising in birds and mammals. Although I get to travel to foreign lands a great deal, my main love is British wildlife. I get far more satisfaction photographing humble wrens and chaffinches than exotic parrots in distant rain forests. 90% Birds!

Photographer - Pete Walkden

http://petewalkdensbirdphotography.fotopic.net/
Welcome to my collection of photographs of our feathered friends, birds. I started to occasionally photograph birds back in 2005, but have become more interested in the hobby late in 2006, and now seem to look for any excuse to go out with the camera...

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