LOS Fieldtrip to RSPB Middleton Lakes - 2nd March 2025 In Search of Woodpeckers! After reading a Facebook post 12 months prior, I decided on RSPB Middleton Lakes being our venue for early March as the lure of seeing Great Spotted, Green and the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was too great to pass by. In the week up to the field trip, I had seen confirmation that Lesser Spotted was again present and had been photographed on two occasions in trees by the car park. As this was a new reserve to us what else it had to offer was unknown but gave us license to explore, not that we need it. Our first wildlife encounter was a salute to 3 Red Deer feeding right at the side of the M6 Toll Road. A nice start to the day.
The reserve we later found out is quite new, approximately 1 minute from Aston Villa’s training ground, which you pass and near to the controversial HS2. As we entered the car park, which was almost full, we saw many scopes and binoculars trained at the nearby oak trees and many cameras at the ready. Alas, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had not been seen this morning though there was a moment of excitement as two woodpeckers appeared, one landing in the car park trees, a raise of the binoculars soon had it in view and confirmed as a Great Spotted. That was one of the three woodpeckers on site, so a good start to the day. As we spent the next 30 minutes in the car park scouring the trees it soon became apparent there was a nearby heronry by the amount a birds going to and fro. The car park did also produce several birds including Raven, Pied Wagtail and Chaffinch.
Just after 10am our group of 10, enjoying the blue skies and sunshine headed into the reserve, our first view point was a platform overlooking a small pond with, to the right, a set of feeders positioned over the water allowing the grateful waterfowl to mop up any spillage from the hoards of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit and Chaffinch. To the right was the heronry with several birds present, some seemingly sat on eggs and about 10 nests were visible. We later found out a tree containing about 50 nests had toppled the week previous in calm conditions, no doubt weakened by the recent storms, nonetheless a massive blow for the Grey Herons, Great White and Little Egrets given the breeding season was very much underway. We did hear the shrill of a Little Grebe calling from within the reeds on the far side of the pond.
Continuing on our amble we headed along a path with a wooded strip containing a Wild Garlic carpet to our left and a briskly flowing stream which looked ideal for Kingfisher, and much larger pond to our right. A few Redwings were feeding under the fallen leaves and we were quickly greeted by several vocal Nuthatches that gave great views down to a few feet. Many birds were in song, spring was in full flow, others flitting about the branches as we made our way along the path. We next came across a raised platform which is the only view point over the larger pond however, this was taped off due to repairs being needed to some rotting boards. This gave us the opportunity to place a little feed down which the tit flock soon appreciated and a close by Cetti’s Warbler blasted out its approval though this venerable skulker remained elusive. Continuing along the path the raucous calls of Rooks filled the air and it quickly became apparent they were in their rookery. As we exited the wooded area we were flanked by farmland on our left, another habitat, and a wet embankment with sparse trees to the right leading up to the canal running parallel. This area produced Pheasants, Wren and Reed Bunting.
As the group came together on the canal bridge over the Fazeley and Birmingham Canal, it was stated Treecreeper and Goldcrest had been seen at the edges of the wood and were added to the days tally. Dropping down from the bridge the view opened out to reveal a large reed lined lake, several ducks were seen including Teal, Tufted Duck and Shoveler. A Great Crested Grebe caught the eye hunting to our right before a pair of Egyptian Geese gave great views as they flew by, possibly heading towards the farmland to feed for the day. We headed left, walking parallel with the canal and ears quickly pricked up as an unfamiliar calling goose headed from whence we came. Rear views of the bird had Brent being muted however, binoculars soon had the red breast of a Red-breasted Goose within view. A likely escapee that was associating with several Canada Geese but who cares, a smart looking striking bird nonetheless.
We continued along the path and passed a second lake where Little Egret was seen and a distant Buzzard. On reaching the third and furthest lake a quick scan added Gadwall, Goldeneye, Wigeon and Lapwing to the days tally. We continued along the path between lakes 2 and 3 before entering the only hide on site that overlooked Lake 3. Two Little Egret were feeding to the left, a single Oystercatcher was spotted behind the feeding Wigeon in front and a pair of Shelduck was to the left. Those who had brought lunch with them began to tuck in as the rest headed back to the car park for some well-earned sustenance and the chance to scan the trees yet again for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. As a few ate lunch sat on benches at the side of a meadow, we were treated to excellent views of a hunting Barn Owl just as others within the group were returning from a nearby café.
As we headed back into the reserve Greenfinch was first heard calling then seen at the top of the tallest nearby tree. After again crossing the canal we this time went right heading anti-clockwise around the first lake where we came upon a metal bridge that would take us across the River Tame to another yet another even larger reed lined lake. As with the other lakes seated screens provided the viewing points and we were quickly rewarded by not one but two Great White Egrets. One of our group informed us that a Chiffchaff was feeding in the trees behind the screen, this bird was very clean looking and gave excellent views. We also saw a Comma butterfly in this area, no doubt awakened from its winter sleep by the warming spring sun.
On returning back across the river we entered into conversation with one of the RSPB workers on site who gave us the history of the site along with the best places to see the various birds, all noted for our next visit. After a short while we headed back towards the car park and chatted with the RSPB warden as we went. On passing between lakes 1 and 2 a Kingfisher darted from the near bank around a tree and out of sight just as quickly as it was seen. The warden had told us of two booming male Bittern on site and of 3 and 5 young fledged in the previous two years, a few yards further along the path and either someone was blowing across the top of an empty glass bottle in the reeds or we had been treated to a booming Bittern.
As we continued around Lake 1, several passerines were perched at the top of some nearby small trees, the light was poor so identifying them was not easy, a couple of shots with the camera revealed these to be Linnets. As the light was fading and the temperature dropping, we headed back to the car park. On passing the heronry three Little Egrets and one Great White Egret had joined the many Grey Herons. Whilst at the car park watching many Little Egrets heading towards the heronry and discussing the days sightings we quickly had a fly over from the last bird of the day, and a fitting one at that given the excellent day that had been had. A Peregrine Falcon!!
59 species on our maiden visit was fitting for a well-managed reserve that has many different habitats and the chance of throwing up many different birds. We will be back as after all we only ticked off one of the three present woodpeckers but do have greater knowledge for our next visit. I hope to see you on the next field trip
Photographs and article by Keith WilliamsL.O.S. Fieldtrips Officer
The Birds of Liverpool Bay
