This recently-created reserve occupies former gravel pits, on the Packington Estate. Extraction of sand and gravel from approximately 75 acres started in 1995 and has now been completed. Two large pools which resulted each have a number of islands, and attract both wildfowl and waders.
The Birmingham — London railway line and final approach to Birmingham Airport pass the rear of the reserve, adding extra interest, or causing disturbance, according to one's personal point-of-view.
Marsh Lane Nature Reserve 
is at Berkswell and lies adjacent to and in the flood plain of the River Blythe (which meets the Tame at our Ladywalk Reserve, in North Warwickshire), off the A452 (through a signposted lorry park), between the A45 and Balsall Common (Grid reference: SP2180 )
Road map .
A key is required, available to permit holders only. Day permits can be obtained from the Golf Shop, three miles away, at:
Stonebridge Golf Centre
Somers Road (off Hampton Lane)
Meriden
CV7 7HF
Tel: 01676 522442
(Grid reference: SP2284 )
On a recent visit, a deposit of £25 (since raised to £33) was demanded for the key, plus the names, home addresses and phone numbers of every member of the party.
Annual permits are also available, from Packington Estate.
Public footpaths link the site to other sites, including Bradnocks Marsh.
Bus 194 (Coventry — Solihull) passes nearby.
The reserve has on-site parking, four hides and a busy feeding station.
Refreshments may be obtained from the Golf shop.
Since 1995, the site total has climbed to over 150.
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Stock Dove, Little Owl, Willow Tit plus Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Cormorant are regular visitors.
Little Ringed Plover and Common Tern, plus most common species of warbler including Grasshopper.
Passage waders in April / May and August/ September, including Avocet, Knot, Spotted Redshank,Turnstone and Temminck's Stint.
Hobby and Buzzard breed locally.
Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Siskin and Redpoll.
Spoonbill and up to six Little Egrets.
Marsh and Hen Harrier, Osprey.
Up to three Black Necked Grebes were recorded in the spring of 2000.
Ornithology in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire & the West Midlands county, since 1929.
Fetched from http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/westmidlands/marshlane.htm on Friday 03 September 2010 07:36:07
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