WOOD LANE

One of the best bird-watching sites in Shropshire, Wood Lane Nature Reserve has been developed over recent years on a disused industrial site, Tudor Griffiths Group's old sand and gravel workings.

Several large lagoons with islands and surrounding rough grassland make up the reserve, which is surrounded here by a working landscape with mountainous heaps of sand providing a backdrop - and also the perfect nesting opportunity for hundreds of pairs of sand martins. Landfill and quarrying activities take place adjacent to the reserve.

Best known for its long-legged water birds, spring and autumn visitors include greenshank, redshank, whimbrel, dunlin, green sandpiper and little stint.

It has also become a favoured place for breeding lapwing and little ringed plover. Lapwings have suffered a severe decline in Shropshire over the last 15 years so their continued presence at Wood Land is particularly encouraging.
 

Tree sparrow, another bird teetering on the edge of extinction, can also be found here and many of them have taken advantage of the nest boxes found around the reserve.

Just occasionally, ospreys swoop down on Wood Lane to catch their supper. To tempt them to stay longer, the Trust has put up platforms on electricity poles - ideal nesting sites, should two of them ever take a fancy to each other here!

There are two large hides facing the lagoons and school groups regularly visit, thanks to an arrangement with the Tudor Griffiths Group.

To apply for a Bird Hide Permit - complete this form.

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