West Midland Bird Club

ROTTON PARK RESERVOIR [1].

By W. E. GROVES.

The birds seen at this reservoir have been the subject of notes in the Reports of 1936 and 1939. It has been emphasised that it is the nearest water to the centre of the city,-1½ miles, and that it abuts on a manufacturing district. It is this consideration that gives particular interest to the bird life to be found there. Extensive draining under war conditions has entirely altered the character of the site. The normal bed of the reservoir is now covered with grasses, sedges, etc., and is intersected with several small streams fringed with water plants. Between these streams are large areas of persicaria, goosefoot, bur-marigold, etc.

The reduction of the water area to a few acres generally excludes the ducks which have been of outstanding interest to the bird-watcher in the winter of recent years. A number of Mallard have however been seen when the ground was free from visitors, and Black headed Gulls are still faithful to the little water left to them.

This transformation has proved attractive to many birds which would probably have passed on under usual conditions. Yellow Wagtails have been numerous, particularly in juveniles in the autumn. Large flocks of Linnets feed on the seeds of various plants and many Skylarks and Meadow Pipits are present during the winter months.

Except in the driest weather the ground is bogey and Snipe pay more attention to it. Early in Jan. 1942 three Jack Snipe were put up from the rough grass,-the first time that this winter visitor has been noted at the reservoir.

In the 1939 Report it was stated that the number of species that had been seen at this reservoir was 53. This has now been increased to 58 by the addition of Wheatear. Spotted Flycatcher, Ringed Plover, White Wagtail and Jack Snipe.