An application for funds to the Heritage Lottery Fund was approved and
major works commenced to re-profile the pool and add a large public hide with
access for disabled birdwatchers (see photograph).A brief introduction to the Reserve
Originally a large pool in a field, probably formed when the railway embankment on the north side was built and impeded natural drainage. The land to the east was eventually quarried for the sand and gravel deposits and waste water was pumped from the excavations into the pool. When the quarry closed the main workings were re-profiled to form the present day trout pool to the south-east and Venus Pool gradually returned to a more natural condition.
The site was acquired by the SOS and work commenced to improve the habitat for wildfowl and wading birds. Two brick hides were built to allow members of the SOS to watch the birds in reasonable comfort and the number of visitors began to increase.
An application for funds to the Heritage Lottery Fund was approved and
major works commenced to re-profile the pool and add a large public hide with
access for disabled birdwatchers (see photograph).
A car park was constructed together with paths to the hides (the older brick hides are still reserved for SOS members).
A fourth hide was erected to overlook a feeding site within the area of willow scrub. This small hide has proved to be an excellent viewing point to see some of the smaller birds including Tree Sparrow, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk. This hide was purchased with funds from the legacy of of Mrs Lena Dunkley, an active member of the Society.
Additional land was purchased to include the fields around the pool and these are being managed to produce an area of marsh and a grassy meadow. The fifth hide has been erected on the north side of the site and is still being developed.
Views from the north hide (in May) and across the pool looking south-east from the meadow (in June)
The most recent purchase, again funded largely by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has added the field to the south of the reserve which will be managed to produce a variety of habitats that will attract birds to the area.
A view from the new field (May 2003) looking north across the pool with Haughmond Hill in the distance.
This field has been planted with a mixture including a strip of Quinoa down towards the hedge and a strip of cereals which will provide food for birds this coming winter although a flock of Tree Sparrows is already busy sampling the crop. The thistles that have come up in the fallow strip are already attracting a good flock of Goldfinches (30+ on 24/8/03).
The green strip at the edge of the field, especially at the bottom of the slope by the hedge has attracted Painted Lady butterflies in some numbers (50+ on 24/8/03)
Above - The "Butterfly Path" (leading to the path down to the north hide) and a couple of the Painted Ladies that graced the walk on 24/8/03.
The "wild bird seed" mixture which includes quinoa and fat hen is already attracting finches and sparrows.
Autumn 2003 will be remembered for the colours as the leaves changed from green through red, yellow and brown. The picture below looks across the pool towards the Wrekin
With the late summer cut complete the meadows take a rest and we look forward to the new growth next Spring. The development of these meadows has been mentioned in an article British Wildlife by Ian Trueman and Peter Millett (Creating wild-flower meadows by strewing green hay British Wildlife Vol.15 No.1 October 2003)
The walk along the top hedge (below) was also full of autumn colour, the quinoa had set seed and was already attracting flocks of Tree Sparrow.
In the autumn the hedgerows and crops attract flocks of finches and buntings as illustrated below (photo's taken 18th November 2005 by Jim Almond).
Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow (above) and Lesser Redpoll (below) at Venus Pool (Jim Almond)
