Short birdwatching visit · Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Wood Lane Nature Reserve
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Passage waders in spring and autumn; reserve bird seasons otherwise unstated
- Headline birds
- Whimbrel · Greenshank · Curlew
- Parking
- Use Tudor Griffiths’ shared fishing and reserve car park on Colemere Road.
- Hides
- Two lagoon hides require an advance permit and entrance code.
- Step-free
- Not stated by the operator
Colemere Road, south of Ellesmere · SY12 0HY
Wood Lane’s managed lagoons occupy former sand and gravel workings near Ellesmere. Islands and varying water levels provide feeding and resting places for waders, with Greenshank, Curlew and passage Whimbrel named by the Trust. Plan this visit in advance: the two lagoon hides need a permit and entrance code, and the operator warns that a posted permit can take fourteen days to arrive. Use the authorised reserve route and watching facilities. The surrounding quarry remains a working landscape, with occasional vehicle crossings, so follow local instructions and keep away from operational areas.
Birds and seasons
- Whimbrel · Headline bird — Spring and autumn passage Source for Whimbrel
- Greenshank · Headline bird — Season not stated Source for Greenshank
- Curlew · Headline bird — Season not stated Source for Curlew
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Two lagoon hides require an advance permit and entrance code.
- Paths
- Generally hard, flat surfaces can have muddy patches and working-vehicle crossings.
- Toilets
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Parking
- Use Tudor Griffiths’ shared fishing and reserve car park on Colemere Road.
- Dogs
- Dogs are not permitted.
- Access notes
- The Trust describes the hides as accessible, with open entrances or gates.
- Step-free access
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
Getting there: Take Colemere Road from the Spunhill crossroads on the A528 south of Ellesmere. The car park is three-quarters of a mile along on the right; arrange the hide permit before travel.
More visitor context
Apply to Shropshire Wildlife Trust for the hide permit before travelling; posted permits can take fourteen days.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Stiperstones National Nature Reserve · 22.3 straight-line miles
- Coed Cilygroeslwyd Nature Reserve · 23.1 straight-line miles
- Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve · 23.8 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Dee Estuary - Burton Mere Wetlands, 26.1 miles away in a straight line.
- Charles Sinker Fields · 4.6 miles in a straight line
- Bickley Hall Farm · 11.2 miles in a straight line
- Haughmond Hill · 13.6 miles in a straight line