Wood Lane

There has been a report of dead Black Headed Gulls at Wood Lane, we suspect it could be avian flu. The main reason being that it seems to particularly prevalent in Black Headed Gulls, there are cases fairly close by and while we don’t have numbers we believe there is more than one dead bird. This has been reported to DEFRA.

The risk to the public is very low as people are not mixing with birds on the site, however please do not pick up any dead birds due to the risk of infection.

Use the hides and paths to view birds as we have many ground nesting birds which will be disturbed, and do not attempt to reach the nesting areas or islands.

A working quarry site owned by Tudor Griffiths, with managed pools which have become a haven for birds.

Location

South of Ellesmere on the Colemere Road
Ellesmere
Shropshire
SY12 0HY

OS Map Reference

SJ 42499 32959
What3Words: caused.surfaces.crate
A static map of Wood Lane

Know before you go

Size
15 hectares
z

Entry fee

No
P

Parking information

Tudor Griffiths car park for fishing and the nature reserve is on the right on the road between the crossroads with the A528 (Ellesmere-Shrewsbury) and Colemere.

Grazing animals

None

Access

Accessibility: Green

Entrances are all open or gates. Bird hides are fully accessible, but require entrance code. Generally hard flat surfaces with the odd muddy spot.

This is part of a working quarry, so vehicles will occasionally cross tracks.

Dogs

No dogs permitted
i

Facilities

Bird hides
Accessible trails

When to visit

Opening times

Open 24hrs

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

One of the best bird-watching sites in Shropshire, Wood Lane Nature Reserve has been developed in recent years on worked-out industrial land, Tudor Griffiths Group’s old sand and gravel workings near Ellesmere. Several large lagoons with islands and surrounding wetland make up the reserve, which is surrounded here by a working landscape with mountainous heaps of sand providing a backdrop – and also the perfect nesting opportunity for hundreds of pairs of sand martins- 500 pairs have been known!

More than 180 species of birds have been recorded at Wood Lane since the nature reserve was established in 1999. Pumps control the water levels, so that optimum amounts of mud and water are available for wading birds such as greenshank and curlew; islands have been created for safe roosting; hundreds of trees have been planted and scores of nest boxes installed. Birds such as godwit and whimbrel, drop in to feed up on their migration journeys in spring and autumn.

The reserve is a rare and much valued haven for breeding lapwing, tree sparrow and yellow hammer, while little ringed plover is another speciality. There are around 40 breeding bird species on the reserve.

There are two large hides facing the lagoons and school groups regularly visit. We welcome group visits to Wood Lane but please book in advance with Ellie Larkham on EllieL@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk  

A permit is required to access the bird hides- please apply using the form below.

Getting to Wood Lane

From the A528, just south of Ellesmere, take the Colemere road at the Spunhill crossroads. The car park is ¾ mile down on the right.  

Contact us

Location map

Apply for a permit to access Wood Lane bird hides

Become a member and support our work

The vital work we do for nature depends on the support of people who care about the future of Shropshire's wildlife and wild places.

Become a member