Description
The Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve at Upton Warren may be small but it boasts a wide variety of birds, particularly waders. It's divided into two parts by a boating lake, with the Moors Pool to the north and The Flashes to the south, with 2 branches of the River Salwarpe running through it.
The Flashes has breeding Klyde and wintering Storspove, plus many more species that might show up on spring and autumn passage. Regulars include Mudderklire, Svaleklire, Stor Præstekrave, Almindelig Ryle, Hvidklire and Stor Kobbersneppe. Rarer species include Brushane, Sandløber, Stenvender, Lille Kobbersneppe, Småspove, Tinksmed Dværgryle and Krumnæbbet Ryle. Even Amerikansk Dværgryle, Amerikansk Svømmesneppe, Odinshane, Stylteløber, Stribet Ryle, Temmincksryle and Sort Ibis have occurred. A pair of Skægmejse were seen in November 2019. A Vandrefalk is often present and may be seen perching on one of the radio masts.
The Moors Pool attracts more wildfowl and has breeding Fjordterne, Strandskade, Rørsanger, Sivsanger, Cettisanger and Rørspurv. Lærkefalk is present in summer and passage may bring Rørhøg, Fiskeørn and Sortterne, while one or two Rørdrum might appear in winter.
Both areas have breeding Lille Præstekrave, Vibe and Rødben, as well as Dobbeltbekkasin and Enkeltbekkasin in winter. Also, the Hættemåge roosts may feature a Sorthovedet Måge or a Dværgmåge and have even hosted Lattermåge and Præriemåge in the past.
Details
Access
By car: Take the M5 and leave at junction 5, taking the A38 going north through Wychbold and the village of Upton Warren. When you reach the roundabout, take the third exit into the two car parks by the boating lake (signposted Aztec Adventure).
The Flashes car park (on the right) closes at 8 p.m. in summer and 4 p.m. in winter. The Moors car park is always open. Permits costing £3 per person, are required for entry into the reserve for non-members of the Wildlife Trust, and these can be bought from the cafe by the boating lake. The entrance to the Flashes is at the other end of the lake and the entrance for the Moors Pool is further up the A38.
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