Sandwell Valley RSPB reserve

Sandwell Valley RSPB reserve lies on the eastern and northern edges of Forge Mill Lake, a storm-water basin formed by a bend in the River Tame. The reserve sits between the West Midlands conurbation and the edges of Birmingham, Walsall and West Bromwich, close to the M5, M6 and A34. It shares the lake with Sandwell Valley Country Park and is reached from Tanhouse Avenue or via paths from the car park at Forge Mill Farm on Park Lane. A study centre stands near the lake, replacing the visitor centre destroyed by fire in 2010. The site was once a landfill but has been planted with native trees and shrubs to create varied habitats. The reserve is important for its work with school parties and for the bird hide built on stilts with a drawbridge over the lake. One island lies directly in front of the hide, while large screens give views across the wetland edges. Gates designed by artist Tim Tolkien mark the entrance, and a lost carpet by Greg Poole once decorated the old centre. The lake and smaller pools attract waterfowl and migrating birds, drawing birdwatchers to see species such as goosander, lapwings, snipe and little ringed plover. Raptors including buzzards hunt over the slopes, and warblers like sedge, reed and grasshopper warblers breed in summer. Visitors find a network of paths crossing the reserve, leading to the hide, screens and lake shores. The growing biodiversity brings wildlife close to the paths, and summer brings common tern, oystercatcher and many warblers. Winter brings wigeon, teal, goldeneye and water rail, with numbers rising at times. Ring-necked parakeets are often seen, while lapwings breed each year despite some losses to predators. The surroundings mix woodland, wetland and open water within easy reach of the motorways and nearby towns.