Brandon Marsh

Brandon Marsh is a nature reserve in Warwickshire beside the River Avon, a few miles east of Coventry. The 92-hectare site mixes flooded gravel pits, fen, scrubland, reedbeds and woodland, habitats uncommon in the local area. It belongs to LaFarge Industries but is run by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust as its headquarters. The reserve matters because it shelters 237 bird species, over 500 plants and more than 570 fungi. In 2009 alone 148 species were seen, including a first Warwickshire record of woodchat shrike. A nest box scheme produced 352 fledglings in 2009, and otters have been present continuously in one year. Dragonflies, butterflies and moths also thrive here, with 16, 24 and 220 species recorded respectively. Seven hides overlook eight main pools where terns, lapwings and redshanks breed on islands and rafts. Central Marsh holds dense reed, willow and alder that support insects and birds such as siskin and redpoll. Grebe Pool hosts great crested grebes, while Goose Pool and Swallow Pool show the reserve’s changing waters. A reedbed of 25 hectares at Newlands is pumped to expand habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.