MONKMOOR POOL

Urban meets wild at Monkmoor, a wetland reserve which lies in a meander of the River Severn next to the Shrewsbury bypass. This is Severn Trent's sewage treatment works and the final settling lagoon, a wonderful place that attracts huge numbers of wintering ducks and geese; in summer swallows, sand martins and house martins. Look out for snipe, kingfishers and if you are lucky, the skulking water rail.

Lots of trees and shrubs planted around the lagoon give shelter and food for small birds and an island has been created for ducks to graze.

There is a fantastically cosy bird hide, complete with carpet (allegedly to muffle the sound of heavy boots on wooden boards) and the walls are covered in pictures.

Excellent views of Haughmond Hill.