News

24th August 2010 - Dead swan reported on the mud at the far side of the pool in front of the Shelduck Hide.

18th July 2010 - Alan Heath observed 9 Crossbills flying over towards the west at 10.30am.  They may have landed in the conifers by the quarry yard.  This is a new species for Wood Lane.

8th July 2010 - 5 rats reported near middle gate.

9th June 2010 - Common Tern reported diving/fishing at Wood Lane.

26th May 2010   -  Ten lapwing chicks reported at Wood Lane.

20th May 2010 - Great Crested Grebe have 4 young at Wood Lane.  (Hatched on 17th/18th May 2010)

13th May 2010 - Mink reported 

9th May 2010 -  Bar-tailed Godwit reported by Alan Heath to be in a private area of Wood Lane but viewable through gap in the hedge c300m further along road from the reserve entrance.  Also in same area a Black-tailed Godwit with colour ring.

13th April 2010 - Great Crested Grebe reported building a new nest.  First nest failed with eggs failed.

2nd April 2010 - Chilean Speckled Teal (escape) reported at Wood Lane by Paul Burgess.

27th March 2010 - 1 dunlin and 2 little ringed plovers reported.  Great Crested Grebe reported with two eggs.

25th March 2010 - 20 sand martin and 12 redshank reported.

24th March 2010 - 1 redshank reported.

23rd March 2010 - 12 black-tailed godwit reported.

21st March 2010 - 5 sand martin reported

20th March 2010 - 2 sand martin reported (first sighting for 2010)

5th December 2009 -  Caspian Gull reported at Wood Lane by Paul Burgess.
 
20th November 2009 - 1st winter Glaucous Gull reported at Wood Lane (Reported by Paul Burgess)

11th November 2009 - Record number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (1,000) reported at Wood Lane by Brian Purslow.

30th October 2009 - Hottentot Teal reported at Wood Lane by M. Cole & Len Cassidy

20th October 2009 - 2 polecats reported at Wood Lane by Brian Purslow

20th August 2009 - 2 Common Cranes reported at Wood Lane (Brian Purslow)

14th August 2009 - 4 Common Cranes reported at Wood Lane (John Hawkins)

1st August 2009 - Sand Martin ringing took place. Ringing totals 15 new birds and 21 retraps (including 1 Spanish ringed bird and 1 juvenile control. 

30th/31st July 2009 - 2 Common Cranes reported at Wood Lane.

19th July 2009 - Sand Martin ringing took place. Ringing totals 44 new birds and 47 retraps (including 1 Spanish ringed bird and 1 juvenile control i,e, a recently fledged young ringed at another site but subsequently captured at Wood Lane also one House Martin.

5th July 2009  Stoats reported playing in front of  the Shelduck hide.

4th July 2009 - Stoat reported by Brian Powis

5th July 2009 - Sand Martin ringing took place.  Ringing totals 165 new birds  and 21 retraps.  

4th July 2009 -  Two Little Ringed plover with two juveniles reported.

1st July 2009 - Due to mobility problems Stan Horton is unable to continue writing the monthly Wood Lane diary.  Stan started writing the diary for the Oswestry Advertiser in October 2002 and later that year for the Wood Lane Nature Reserve website.  Stan's monthly diaries gave readers a  detailed account of the natural history associated with Wood Lane  and the surrounding countryside.  Over the years many favourable comments have been received about the diaries from readers in the U.K. and overseas.  On behalf of the many readers we wish to thank Stan for a job well done.  

May 2009 - Report received of a carrion crow taking a lapwing chick.

1st May 2009

John Hawkins reports that two common cranes were reported to Bird Guides on 24th March 2009.  No information on this sighting in the hide record books.

30th April 2009

Little Ringed Plover reported mating.

13th April 2009 - 2 Great Crested Grebe reported with 4 young

10th April 2009

Great Crested Grebe reported with 2 young,  Three eggs still remaining.  (Report by John Hawkins)

March 2009

The Nature Reserve Warden is extremely sorry about the hunt recently riding through the reserve.  The hunt did not have permission from the landowner.  The Shropshire Wildlife Trust have been advised  and will be writing a letter of complaint to the hunt.  If anyone witnesses a repeat visit by the hunt please contact John Hawkins (Nature Reserve Warden) as soon as possible Tel. No. 01691 690264 

16th March 2009

Great Crested Grebe reported with 4 eggs.

13th January 2009

The Nature Reserve Warden is extremely sorry about the hunt recently riding through the reserve.  The hunt did not have permission from the landowner.  The Shropshire Wildlife Trust have been advised  and will be writing a letter of complaint to the hunt.  If anyone witnesses a repeat visit by the hunt please contact John Hawkins (Nature Reserve Warden) as soon as possible Tel. No. 01691 690264 

8th January 2009 - Three water rails reported.

7th January 2009 -  Water Rail reported carrying small dead bird in its bill.  Another water rail following just in front of the 'Lapwing' hide

19th December 2008

Shropshire Wildlife Trust hosted a very intimate Christmas get together at the Wood Lane Forest School area.  John Hawkins got a roaring fire going to keep out the winter winds. Wood Lane volunteers were joined by Peter Mold and Tony Williams from Tudor Griffiths who have supported the reserve avidly for many years. Sara Bellis and Helen Trotman presented Tony, who’s retiring in January, with a gift from all at the wildlife trust in recognition of all his hard work.

 

From left: Rosie Rees, Helen Trotman, Brian Purslow, Tony Williams, John Hawkins, Sara Bellis

13th December 2008 - Record number of Siskin reported at Wood Lane.  Conservative estimate given as 50 but possibly 70 or more.  (Reported by Brian Purslow)

11th December 2009 - Barn Owl reported by Tony Williams.

7th December 2008 - 3 Waxwings in the main car park at Ellesmere.  

8th November 2008 -  Cattle Egret reported by John Hawkins (Possibly 2).  This is a new species for Wood Lane.

21st October 2008 - Mink reported

18th October 2008 - Mink reported

16th October 2008 - Possible Yellow Legged Gull reported by Len Cassidy and J. Weaver.  Lighter mantle than LBB Gull.  Flatter head - very little streaking. Distinct yellow legs.  Yellow beak with large red spot.

2nd October 2008 -  Note by B.D. Parker "Sparrowhawk took Great Spotted Woodpecker off the nuts at the Lapwing hide.  I rushed out and saved it - both birds flew off (The Sparrowhawk will have to find its dinner elsewhere!)

21st September 2008 - Dead otter reported near the 40 mph sign entering Ellesmere from the Shrewsbury direction.

27th Jul 2008 - 1 mink sighted adjacent to the 'Shelduck' hide.

27th July 2008 - Ringing took place. Totals - Sand Martin 49 + 26 retraps, 2 juv. goldfinch, 1 juv. linnet, 1 magpie, 1 kestrel retrap/control.

13th July 2008 - Ringing of the sand martins took place.  110 new birds + 26 retraps.

29th June 2008 - Reports suggest that the late nesting pair of Great Crested Grebe now have 2 young.

20th June 2008 - Numerous common orchids and 3 bee orchids reported in the vicinity of the Lapwing hide.

19th June 2008 - Great Crested Grebe nest with 4 eggs reported.

14th June 2008 - Tufted Duck reported with 8 young

13th June 2008 -  Mute Swan numbers  increased to a total of 21

9th June 2008 - Record number of Mute Swans (x15) recorded at Wood Lane.

16th May 2008 - Record number of Great Crested Grebe recorded at Wood Lane.  5 Adult birds plus 4 young.

10th May 2008 - The first lapwing this year with young  (x2) reported.

21st April 2008 - 4 young Great Crested Grebe confirmed. (See below)

 

20th April 2008 - Report indicates the possibility of 4 young Great Crested Grebe.

19th April 2008 - First Willow Warbler of the tear reported by John Morris.

16th April 2008 -  Sightings included Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail, 

16th April 2008 - Brian Powis reported 3 Great Crested Grebe young.

16th April 2008 - First Mallard young of 2008 reported.  Mother plus 11 young.

13th April 2008 - First moorhen young of 2008 reported on the Trout Pool.

12th April 2008 - John Hawkins reports that water levels now back to normal after the flooding.

12th April 2008 - Great Crested Grebe have hatched.  One young sighted but possibly more.

11th April 2008 - Water pumps now in action to reduce the water level.

 

10th April 2008 - Due to water pumping problems the area in front of the Lapwing hide is flooded.

7th April 2008 - 4 swallows reported by John Hawkins.  The first swallow sighting at Wood Lane  in 2007 was on 28th March 2008.

1st April 2008 - 1 Knot reported. Only 3 reports of a knot prior to this sighting.  The previous report was 4/2/2007

29th  March 2008 - The first sighting this year of a Little Ringed Plover.  One day later than in 2007.

22nd March 2008 - Barn Owl reported near to the Wood Lane Nature Reserve.

There is an article in the March edition of the 'Shropshire Life' magazine , written by John Hughes, about the Wood Lane Nature Reserve.

22nd March 2008 - The first sighting this year of sand martins.   Two days later than in 2007.

1st March 2008 - 4 jack snipe reported.

29th February 2008 - Stoat reported.

28th January 2008 -  The first Forest School was held at the Wood Lane Nature Reserve with pupils from Kinnerley Primary school

21st February 2008 - John Hawkins interviews by Radio Shropshire about Wood Lane.

17th February 2008 - Lock to the 'Lapwing' hide found smashed

12th February 2008 - A Common Blue Damselfly reported by Marian, Michael & Frank.

18th January 2008 -  Birds sounds page now complete.  The purpose is to assist those unfamiliar with bird sounds to identify some of the birds that visit the Wood Lane Nature Reserve.  Many thanks to Heather Myers for allowing the use of her excellent sound recordings.

11th January 2008  - As of the above date 1,016 permits have been issued for access to the hides.  

9th January 2008 

A team of 14 volunteers from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust assisted by machinery from the Tudor Griffiths Group constructed a bank designed to attract kingfishers to nest at the Wood Lane Nature Reserve.  The new bank incorporates drainage pipes for nesting holes.  Kingfishers are regularly sighted visiting the pools.