wolfbirder
Well-known member
Just got back from two superb hours birding at this little known or visited English nature reserve, near newport, shropshire but just inside the staffs boundary. I got there at 2.45pm, Buzzard, kestrel and Gt Sp Woodpecker were seen on the short walk to the hide. No wintering Hen Harrier this year sadly!
The wintering Bittern was the first bird seen from the hide, flying across the mere as it so often does. Many gulls, and ducks were on the water - coot, wigeon, teal, mallard, goldeneye, moorhen, shoveler, tufted duck. There is a feeder directly in front of the hide visited constantly by tits and finches, including both Marsh & willow tit. The sound of water rails is infrequent but regular.
Just before dark the excitement builds for a two-three week period late nov - early dec, which is the short period the starling roost occurs here. Initially small then larger flocks of starlings arrive from over the horizon, and form an ever increasing sized swarm over the mere. I would estimate between 50-100,000 birds in total. They create strange shapes as the raptors go in - today just several sparrowhawks were having a go, but I have also seen single peregrine and merlin on previous visits. After twenty minutes of circling they funnel in to the reedbed, pusued by and within by the sparrowhawks that clearly work in unison. Today was strange as there were no casualties from what I could see, and eventually everything went quiet. But it was breathtaking.
During this twenty minute spell, the resident barn owl had shown well to the right of the hide, and an amazing count of 16 water rails flew low across the mere from one side of the reedbed to the other, only a few yards in front of us.I think they had been disturbed by something as they looked a little nervous. Mink and otter have bee seen here.
There were undoubtedly more than 16.
A kingfisher flashed past and a woodcock was overhead as i walked back. Pheasants are everywhere, brightening up the landscape with there gaudy colours.
Aqualate is a beautiful place, very atmospheric and on such a perfect crisp winters day there can be few places that are better.
This was not twitching for rarities as I have been preoccupied with all year, this was birdwatching at its best.
Access is off the A41 near newport, taking the A518 east alongside mere park garden centre. The reserve is not signposted at all so follow these directions. About a mile along the A518 is Aqualate Park on your left but this is a private stately home, and the couple of private entrances are gated. About another half mile along the A518 you cross a small brick bridge, and to the right is Coley Mill which is just converted farm buildings. There is nowhere good to park except a muddy pull off to the left a few hundred yards after this small bridge. The public footpath to the reserve is back at the small bridge, but you need wellies as this takes you across marshy fields (often late in the day good for wintering SE Owl). Follow the path straight across this field, through two gates and the single hide overlooking the mere is on the left.
An alternative place to park is to carry on along the A518 for another half mile approx and take the first left turn (signposted Sutton). Follow this for about a mile, the lane is straight and then curves left. Park by the small English Nature sign by the double gates on the left, trying to leave access to either gate if possible. The short obvious path takes you over the small wooded hill and straight on to the single hide, which is on the right about 100 yards after emerging from the small wood itself. The woods have Lesser Sp Woodpecker but you need to be lucky, indeed the woods can appear lifeless. The single hide is modern and spacious and provides great views over the mere and reedbed, and starling roost!
Many people are awestruck by the beautiful wilderness of this place, considering its middle england after all! Wrap up warm, bring a flask, and at this time of year, with crisp still conditions, on a mid to late afternoon, and you should enjoy an english safari of your very own!
The wintering Bittern was the first bird seen from the hide, flying across the mere as it so often does. Many gulls, and ducks were on the water - coot, wigeon, teal, mallard, goldeneye, moorhen, shoveler, tufted duck. There is a feeder directly in front of the hide visited constantly by tits and finches, including both Marsh & willow tit. The sound of water rails is infrequent but regular.
Just before dark the excitement builds for a two-three week period late nov - early dec, which is the short period the starling roost occurs here. Initially small then larger flocks of starlings arrive from over the horizon, and form an ever increasing sized swarm over the mere. I would estimate between 50-100,000 birds in total. They create strange shapes as the raptors go in - today just several sparrowhawks were having a go, but I have also seen single peregrine and merlin on previous visits. After twenty minutes of circling they funnel in to the reedbed, pusued by and within by the sparrowhawks that clearly work in unison. Today was strange as there were no casualties from what I could see, and eventually everything went quiet. But it was breathtaking.
During this twenty minute spell, the resident barn owl had shown well to the right of the hide, and an amazing count of 16 water rails flew low across the mere from one side of the reedbed to the other, only a few yards in front of us.I think they had been disturbed by something as they looked a little nervous. Mink and otter have bee seen here.
There were undoubtedly more than 16.
A kingfisher flashed past and a woodcock was overhead as i walked back. Pheasants are everywhere, brightening up the landscape with there gaudy colours.
Aqualate is a beautiful place, very atmospheric and on such a perfect crisp winters day there can be few places that are better.
This was not twitching for rarities as I have been preoccupied with all year, this was birdwatching at its best.
Access is off the A41 near newport, taking the A518 east alongside mere park garden centre. The reserve is not signposted at all so follow these directions. About a mile along the A518 is Aqualate Park on your left but this is a private stately home, and the couple of private entrances are gated. About another half mile along the A518 you cross a small brick bridge, and to the right is Coley Mill which is just converted farm buildings. There is nowhere good to park except a muddy pull off to the left a few hundred yards after this small bridge. The public footpath to the reserve is back at the small bridge, but you need wellies as this takes you across marshy fields (often late in the day good for wintering SE Owl). Follow the path straight across this field, through two gates and the single hide overlooking the mere is on the left.
An alternative place to park is to carry on along the A518 for another half mile approx and take the first left turn (signposted Sutton). Follow this for about a mile, the lane is straight and then curves left. Park by the small English Nature sign by the double gates on the left, trying to leave access to either gate if possible. The short obvious path takes you over the small wooded hill and straight on to the single hide, which is on the right about 100 yards after emerging from the small wood itself. The woods have Lesser Sp Woodpecker but you need to be lucky, indeed the woods can appear lifeless. The single hide is modern and spacious and provides great views over the mere and reedbed, and starling roost!
Many people are awestruck by the beautiful wilderness of this place, considering its middle england after all! Wrap up warm, bring a flask, and at this time of year, with crisp still conditions, on a mid to late afternoon, and you should enjoy an english safari of your very own!
