Places to see birds

Upton Warren

Probably the best birdwatching site in Worcestershire, the Christopher Cadbury Reserve at Upton Warren is owned by the WWT with access restricted to members only. It lies on the A38 midway between Bromsgrove and Droitwich and covers some 60 acres.

The reserve consists of two parts, the Moors Pool to the north and the flashes to the south. The pools all owe their existence to past underground brine extraction which has caused subsidence and consequent flooding. The Moors Pool is a shallow freshwater lake formed on previous agricultural land, and now one of the largest lakes in the county. The flashes are saline, receiving brine from underground seepage. The salt levels are high in places, forming a habit unique in Worcestershire.

There is bird interest all year round. Numbers are never spectacular, but there is always variety. Interesting breeding species include Common Tern, Cetti's Warbler, Little Ringed Plover, and for the last three years Avocet. There is always interest in winter with Water Rails being visible from the Moors feeding station along with regular Tree Sparrow and Brambling. Bittern now also regularly winter. There is always the chance of unusual birds on migration, with spring highlights in 2005 including Little Tern and Black Redstart. Occasional rarities turn up, for example Least Sandpiper and Laughing Gull in past years.