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Photo by Pam_m
The Flashes Pool at Upton Warren

[edit] Overview

CHRISTOPHER CADBURY WETLAND RESERVE AT UPTON WARREN WORCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

The reserve that covers 65 acres (26 hectares) is in two distinct parts - The Moors Pools and The Flashes Pools - each with their own access arrangements. The pools owe their existence to past underground brine extraction, which has caused subsidence and consequent flooding.

The Moors Pools which form the northern part of the reserve are freshwater lakes formed on previous agricultural land. They attract a lot of Wildfowl and are also home to a wide variety of other bird species.

The Flashes Pools form the southern part of the reserve. These are saline, receiving brine from underground seepage.

Upton Warren is a must see reserve if you are in or by this area.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Photo by Sy V
Moors Pool at Upton Warren

The ever changing seasons bring a great chance of a rare wader. Peregrine are regularly seen throughout the year perching on the adjacent radio masts at the Flashes. Little Owl are also often viewed on the barn roofs in the adjacent fields. Bittern are often seen on the moors pool from as early as July this year (2009) through till March.

[edit] Rarities

Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, European Bee-eater, Black-winged Stilt, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Black-necked Grebe, Gannet

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Great Bittern, Grey Heron, Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Water Rail, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon,Water Rail, Pied Avocet, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Northern Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Barn Owl, Common Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Eurasian Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Chaffinch, Brambling, Eurasian Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Reed Bunting,

[edit] Other Wildlife

Insects are abundant on the Moors Pools. The ruddy darter frequents these pools along with the southern and brown hawker dragonflies. Banded demoiselles and blue tailed damselflies skim the surface of the pool. Several species of Butterfly have been noted at both sites. Small copper, Green-veined White, Small tortoiseshell, Peacock and Gatekeeper to name a few.

Throughout each season there is an abundance of Flora at both sites.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

Photo by Sy V
View from the Eastern Moors Pool Hide

[edit] Access and Facilities

The entrance to the Moors Pool is on the A38 Droitwich to Bromsgrove road about 450m north of the Swan Inn at Upton Warren.

Access to the Flashes Pools is from the sailing centre car park about 200m south west of the Swan Inn. Walk round the south west bank of the sailing pool to this part of the reserve.

There are several well maintained bird-watching hides on both reserves.

Wildlife Trust members should carry their membership card, and non-members must obtain a permit either from the Trust offices at Lower Smite Farm or from the Outdoor Education Centre for which a charge is made. The charge is £3 per day either from the Sailing centre or wardens on site. (all money goes to the up-keep of the reserve - usually buying new equipment a £600 strimmer was bought from the proceeds in October 2009), Group visits are by arrangement only with the WWT.

Nearby toilet and refreshments at BP Garage, although there are toilets inside the Sailing Centre's Reception area, if you can find a member of staff (with knowledge of the combination) to open the main door. The Swan Inn and Webbs garden centre opposite the sailing centre also has toilets and eating facilities.

Grid Ref: SO936677 (Moors Pools)
Grid Ref: SO932673 (Flashes Pools)

[edit] Contact Details

For further information on this, or any other Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) reserve, please contact: WWT,
Lower Smite Farm,
Smite Hill,
Hindlip,
Worcester,
WR3 8SZ.
Phone 01905 754919,
Fax 01905 755868,
Email [enquiries@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org]

[edit] External Links

• Upton Warren: Birdforum Local Patch thread
• Worcs Wildlife Trust; Upton Warren
• The Birds of Upton Warren
• Upton Warren on Streetmap

Content and images originally posted by timmyjones

[edit] Reviews

jackied's review

There are 2 main pools, one fresh water where the majority of the ducks can be found and one brine which the wading birds like. some good birds turn up on migration and ducks and geese winter, mainly Canada Geese. Over the last few years Avocets have bred here. Bitterns can be found in winter.

Pros

• Always something to see

Cons

• No wheelchair access

Arthur John's review

I have been going for three years now and never tire of the place. Although I have visited many reserves, few have as much to offer.

Pros

• often surprising visitors
• anything can turn up

Cons

• none

ajkwba's review

Range of habitats, up to date records books kept

Pros

• Easy access
• BITTERN

Cons

• Limited parking at Moors Pools