Wood Lane Nature Reserve

Managed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Wood Lane Nature Reserve occupies part of a working quarry owned by the Tudor Griffiths Group. While quarrying continues at one end of the site, the disused area has been transformed into a thriving nature reserve with several large lagoons with islands, surrounded by wetlands and framed by towering heaps of sand and gravel. Since its establishment in 1999, the reserve has recorded over 180 bird species.

Water levels are carefully managed using pumps to create the ideal conditions for wading birds, such as greenshanks, curlews, godwits, whimbrels, dunlins, green sandpipers, and little stints, which use the site as a stopover during spring and autumn migration.

The reserve’s sand piles provide an excellent nesting habitat for sand martins, with colonies of up to 500 pairs making their home here. Breeding waterfowl and waders include shelducks, lapwings, and little-ringed plovers, while the elusive water rail can sometimes be spotted feeding beneath the seed feeders. Visitors may also catch a glimpse of the dazzling blue flash of a kingfisher darting along the water’s edge.

Hundreds of trees have been planted across the reserve, creating a habitat for species such as long-tailed tits, treecreepers, chiffchaffs, tree sparrows, willow warblers, and blackcaps, and nest boxes have been installed to provide safe breeding sites. Birds of prey, including red kites, buzzards, goshawks, and sparrowhawks, can often be seen hunting overhead.

Ospreys have occasionally been observed fishing in the lagoons, and nest platforms have been erected in hopes of encouraging them to stay. Other rare visitors to the reserve include spoonbills, pectoral sandpipers, great grey shrikes, and turtle doves.

Two large bird hides provide excellent viewing opportunities, allowing visitors to observe the wildlife up close without disturbance. Both are fully accessible but require a permit and entrance code. The reserve haswell-maintained paths that are mostly flat and firm, though some areas can become muddy. Visitors should be mindful that vehicles accessing the active quarry may occasionally cross the tracks.

Please note, dogs are not allowed on the reserve.