Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve facts for kids

Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve is a huge 160 hectares (400 acres) nature reserve. It was officially opened on 19 May 2011. The RSPB created and runs this special place. You can find it near Middleton, Warwickshire, England, just south of Tamworth. Part of the reserve is even in Staffordshire, but it's only a short drive from Birmingham.

Before the RSPB bought the land in 2007, much of it was a gravel quarry. A company called Hanson Aggregates used to dig for gravel here. People used to call this area by different names, like Fishers Mill Lakes or Drayton Bassett Pits.

Exploring Middleton Lakes

The reserve is located behind Middleton Hall. Visitors can use the cafe and toilets at the Hall. The River Tame flows north through the reserve. This river eventually reaches the North Sea!

The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal also runs through the reserve. It's west of the river and goes in the same direction. This canal separates the old gravel pits, which are now flooded, from an area of ancient woodland and old farm fields. You can cross the canal at Fishers Mill Bridge. A public path for horses and walkers also goes through the western part of the reserve. A small stream called Langley Brook flows into the River Tame here too.

South of the main water areas, there's a big meadow. There's also a smaller meadow near the car park just for kids to play in!

Some other water areas, east of the river, are also part of the reserve. You can walk to them and the nearby village of Dosthill.

Walking Trails and Views

Middleton Lakes has four walking trails for you to explore. They range from 500 meters to 3 km (1.9 mi) long. There are three special viewing platforms and a viewing screen. These spots are great for watching wildlife. The RSPB plans to build a bird hide at the north end of the reserve. They also hope to add a visitor centre later on.

You can get to the reserve by car from Bodymoor Heath Lane. This is near Aston Villa's training ground.

How the Reserve is Cared For

Turning the old quarry into a nature reserve was a big project. The RSPB worked with Hanson and Staffordshire County Council. They created islands and land strips in the former gravel pits. They also removed a lot of Willow trees.

The edges of the water areas were reshaped to be very gentle slopes. This creates more muddy areas, which are perfect for wading birds to find food. A herd of English Longhorn cattle grazes in the large meadow. Their grazing helps keep the grass short. This creates ideal conditions for skylarks to nest and for wild flowers to grow.

Amazing Wildlife

Middleton Lakes is a very important place for birds, especially in winter. Many wildfowl (like ducks and geese) spend the winter here. You might see common pochards, tufted ducks, and even smews.

Other cool birds you might spot include the lesser spotted woodpecker, Eurasian bittern, and barn owl. Keep an eye out for short-eared owls, little egrets, and marsh harriers too! The Cetti's warbler also lives here.

Grey herons have a special nesting place called a heronry near the play meadow. Up to 100 herons can be seen there!

Even before it became a reserve, the gravel pits were known for attracting many birds. Rare birds sometimes visit, like the least sandpiper and pectoral sandpiper. More recently, birds like the glossy ibis, cattle egret, and great white egret have been seen here.

It's not just birds! Otters also live at Middleton Lakes. In total, over 1,000 different kinds of animals, plants, and fungi have been found here.

The RSPB hopes to attract even more birds to breed at the reserve. They want to see more bearded reedlings, northern lapwings, common redshanks, and common snipes nesting here.