Marsh Lane Nature Reserve at Berkswell (between Solihull and Coventry) lies adjacent to and in the flood plain of the River Blythe, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It opened to permit holders on the 1st of July 2001.

RMC Aggregates Western, originally part of the RMC Group and now CEMEX, started the extraction of sand and gravel from approximately 75 acres in 1995 and the gravel extraction has now been completed. The land is split by the former line of the old Kenilworth Road, now a public footpath and the nature reserve has been formed from the quarried land between the old road and the river itself.

Since conclusion of the quarrying in 1999, the land has been reinstated by RMC Aggregates Western and the owners, Packington Estates. It now consists of two main pools together with woodland, grassland, ponds and some agricultural land.

The two main pools have been shaped and include a number of islands which, since formation, have attracted a wide range of breeding and passage waders. Four hides have been constructed which, between them, give excellent views of all the pools and islands. The hides are linked by hard paths and there is a car park within the site’s locked gates. Disabled visitors should find the site suitable for them. The paths are made of planings and are reasonably compact but wheelchair visitors may need some aid. Within the hides, seats can be unhinged or moved to allow wheelchair access to the blinds.

Since the quarrying started, the site list had increased to 177 by April 2005. Birds of note in this time include Hoopoe, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Kite and Spoonbill. Little Egrets occur annually, as does Osprey. Buzzards and Hobby are regular and Marsh and Hen Harrier have also been recorded. Most passage waders have been seen including Avocet, Knot, Spotted Redshank, Turnstone and Temminck’s Stint. Up to three Black Necked Grebes were recorded in the spring of 2000. In winter, over 340 Wigeon, 850 Golden Plover and 1000 Lapwing are regularly present.

There is an established feeding station to which Willow Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker are daily visitors. A 5 acre field has been set aside to provide food and cover for finches and buntings in Winter with flocks over 100 Yellowhammers and 30 Reed Buntings and up to 80 Linnets.

There is a good network of footpaths linking the site with other attractive areas of countryside, including Bradnocks Marsh.

Packington Estate Enterprises Limited

Registered in England No. 2377594

Registered Office:

Packington Hall, Meriden, Warwickshire, CV7 7HF