Much of the site was, until its acquisition by the RSPB in 2007, a gravel quarry, operated by Hanson Aggregates.[1] The site was formerly referred to, in birding literature, as Fishers Mill- (Warwickshire),[5] Drayton Bassett- (Staffordshire)[5] and Dosthill- (to the East) -Lakes, -Pools, -Pits or -Gravel Pits.[6]
The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal runs through the reserve,[1] West of the river and roughly parallel to it. It separates the flooded and re-modelled former gravel pits to the East from an area of ancient woodland and former agricultural fields. The canal is crossed by Fishers Mill Bridge, on the county border. A public bridleway also runs through the Western half of the reserve, roughly east–west, as does a stream, Langley Brook, which rises in Sutton Coldfield and flows into the Tame on the reserve.
South of the main pools, is an area of meadowland.[7] A smaller meadow near the visitor carpark is set aside for children's play.[3][7]
Some pools East of the river (sometimes known as Dosthill North[8]) are also part of the reserve,[7] and a public right of way to them and the nearby village of Dosthill, in Staffordshire, also exists, although the public bridge over the river collapsed and is awaiting replacement.
There are four established walking trails, varying from 500 m to 3 km (1.9 mi) in length,[9] with three purpose-built viewing platforms and a viewing screen.[9] The RSPB plans to erect a bird hide at the northern end of the reserve,[9] and later to provide a visitor centre.[4]
The quarry was redeveloped as a reserve in conjunction with Hanson[4] and Staffordshire County Council.[6] Islands and spits were created in the former gravel pits.[4] Ten hectares of Willow were removed[4] and the edges of pools re-profiled to a gentle slope of 1:30, instead of the 1:3 used during quarrying,[4] to provide greater areas of mud and thus appeal to wading birds. The large meadow is grazed by a herd of English Longhorn cattle,[4] ensuring ideal conditions for nesting skylarks and wild flowers.[7]
Even before the establishment of the reserve, the gravel pits were known for their attraction to breeding, passage migrant and vagrant birds.[5] In the latter category, a least sandpiper and a pectoral sandpiper visited for overlapping periods in May 2002.[5] More recently, the reserve has been visited by rarities including glossy ibis,[4]cattle egret,[4] and great white egret.[4]
Otters are also present,[3] as are a total of over 1,000 other animal plant and fungus species.[4]
^ abMabbett, Andy (28 March 2009). . West Midland Bird Club. Archived from the original on 20 November 2009. Retrieved 11 September 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ abc"Seasonal highlights". RSPB. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RSPB Middleton Lakes.
Official website
January 10, 2023
middleton, lakes, rspb, reserve, hectares, acres, nature, reserve, formally, opened, 2011, created, royal, society, protection, birds, middleton, warwickshire, england, just, south, tamworth, northern, part, reserve, lies, staffordshire, reserve, only, minutes. Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve is a 160 hectares 400 acres nature reserve 1 formally opened on 19 May 2011 2 1 created and run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 1 at Middleton Warwickshire England 1 just south of Tamworth 3 The Northern part of the reserve lies in Staffordshire 1 yet the reserve is only a few minutes from the outskirts of Birmingham 4 Middleton LakesLocationMiddleton Warwickshire EnglandCoordinates52 35 19 N 1 42 14 W 52 5885 N 1 7038 W 52 5885 1 7038 Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve nominal location Coordinates 52 35 19 N 1 42 14 W 52 5885 N 1 7038 W 52 5885 1 7038 Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve nominal location Area160 hectares 400 acres Created19 May 2011 2011 05 19 Operated byRSPBWebsitewww wbr rspb wbr org wbr uk wbr middletonlakesMuch of the site was until its acquisition by the RSPB in 2007 a gravel quarry operated by Hanson Aggregates 1 The site was formerly referred to in birding literature as Fishers Mill Warwickshire 5 Drayton Bassett Staffordshire 5 and Dosthill to the East Lakes Pools Pits or Gravel Pits 6 Contents 1 Layout 2 Management 3 Wildlife 4 Features 5 References 6 External linksLayout EditThe reserve lies to the rear of Middleton Hall 4 whose catering and toilet facilities are available to reserve visitors 4 The River Tame flows Northwards through the reserve 1 some miles downstream from RSPB Sandwell Valley and not far from the West Midland Bird Club s Ladywalk Reserve and Kingsbury Water Park The water ends up via the Trent and Humber in the North Sea The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal runs through the reserve 1 West of the river and roughly parallel to it It separates the flooded and re modelled former gravel pits to the East from an area of ancient woodland and former agricultural fields The canal is crossed by Fishers Mill Bridge on the county border A public bridleway also runs through the Western half of the reserve roughly east west as does a stream Langley Brook which rises in Sutton Coldfield and flows into the Tame on the reserve South of the main pools is an area of meadowland 7 A smaller meadow near the visitor carpark is set aside for children s play 3 7 Some pools East of the river sometimes known as Dosthill North 8 are also part of the reserve 7 and a public right of way to them and the nearby village of Dosthill in Staffordshire also exists although the public bridge over the river collapsed and is awaiting replacement There are four established walking trails varying from 500 m to 3 km 1 9 mi in length 9 with three purpose built viewing platforms and a viewing screen 9 The RSPB plans to erect a bird hide at the northern end of the reserve 9 and later to provide a visitor centre 4 Vehicular access for visitors is from Bodymoor Heath Lane alongside Aston Villa s Bodymoor Heath Training Ground some distance south of the reserve 7 Management EditThe quarry was redeveloped as a reserve in conjunction with Hanson 4 and Staffordshire County Council 6 Islands and spits were created in the former gravel pits 4 Ten hectares of Willow were removed 4 and the edges of pools re profiled to a gentle slope of 1 30 instead of the 1 3 used during quarrying 4 to provide greater areas of mud and thus appeal to wading birds The large meadow is grazed by a herd of English Longhorn cattle 4 ensuring ideal conditions for nesting skylarks and wild flowers 7 Wildlife EditThe area is regionally important for overwintering wildfowl such as common pochard tufted duck and smew 3 Other notable bird species include lesser spotted woodpecker 4 Eurasian bittern 4 barn owl 4 10 short eared owl 11 little egret 4 marsh harrier 11 and Cetti s warbler 10 Grey herons breed in a heronry near the play meadow 7 10 with up to 100 individuals present 11 Even before the establishment of the reserve the gravel pits were known for their attraction to breeding passage migrant and vagrant birds 5 In the latter category a least sandpiper and a pectoral sandpiper visited for overlapping periods in May 2002 5 More recently the reserve has been visited by rarities including glossy ibis 4 cattle egret 4 and great white egret 4 Otters are also present 3 as are a total of over 1 000 other animal plant and fungus species 4 The RSPB s targets include attracting bearded reedling northern lapwing common redshank and common snipe to breed or to do so in greater numbers 4 Features EditMap all coordinates using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML Point Coordinates links to map amp photo sources NotesFishers Mill Bridge 52 35 15 N 1 42 20 W 52 587568 N 1 705529 W 52 587568 1 705529 Fishers Mill Bridge Staffordshire Warwickshire borderMain pools 52 35 33 N 1 42 11 W 52 5925 N 1 7031 W 52 5925 1 7031 Main pools Staffordshire WarwickshireDosthill North pools 52 35 35 N 1 41 46 W 52 5931 N 1 6960 W 52 5931 1 6960 Dosthill North pools StaffordshireMeadow 52 34 56 N 1 42 07 W 52 58233 N 1 70199 W 52 58233 1 70199 Meadow WarwickshirePlay meadow 52 34 55 N 1 42 51 W 52 58188 N 1 714270 W 52 58188 1 714270 Play meadow WarwickshireAccess from Bodymoor Heath Lane 52 34 03 N 1 43 05 W 52 567397 N 1 718134 W 52 567397 1 718134 Access from Bodymoor Heath Lane WarwickshireVewpoint planned bird hide 52 35 49 N 1 42 04 W 52 59695 N 1 70100 W 52 59695 1 70100 Vewpoint planned bird hide StaffordshireReferences Edit a b c d e f g h Middleton Lakes RSPB 15 June 2009 Retrieved 11 September 2009 New reserve at Middleton Lakes opening today http www rspb org uk reserves guide m middletonlakes about aspx RSPBMidlands a b c d About Middleton Lakes RSPB Retrieved 19 May 2011 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Merritt Matt May 2011 Great Middleton Bird Watching 25 5 32 35 ISSN 0269 1434 a b c d Harrison Graham Harrison Janet 2005 The New Birds of the West Midlands West Midland Bird Club ISBN 0 9507881 2 0 Archived from the original on 23 January 2009 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint unfit URL link a b Mabbett Andy 28 March 2009 Birds in Staffordshire West Midland Bird Club Archived from the original on 20 November 2009 Retrieved 11 September 2009 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link a b c d e f RSPB reserve trail guide Harrison Graham et al 2007 Where to Watch Birds in the West Midlands 3rd ed Helm ISBN 978 0 7136 6419 5 a b c The RSPB Middleton Lakes Facilities RSPB Retrieved 19 May 2011 a b c Star species RSPB Retrieved 19 May 2011 a b c Seasonal highlights RSPB Retrieved 19 May 2011 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to RSPB Middleton Lakes Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve amp oldid 1118020372, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
