@import "../../wmbc-style.css"; Home West Midlands sites Sandwell Valley West Midland Bird Club Sandwell Valley (West Midlands County) Introduction Location Access Facilities ... Nearby Introduction The area now known as Sandwell Valley is actually part of the Tame Valley, and was formerly made up of woodland, farmland and the Hamstead and Jubilee Collieries. After the closure of the mine, the building of the M5 and the diversion of a stretch of river to create flood defences, the area was landscaped for various amenities such as golf, sailing and walking. The main area of interest to birders lies to the east of the motorway and is made up of the RSPB's Sandwell Valley Reserve and the adjacent country park owned by Sandwell Council. The reserve contains marsh and reedbed and one end of Forge Mill Lake. There is a visitors centre and a nature trail with viewing screens. Forge Mill Lake extends into the country park, and the river Tame runs alongside it. The Beacon Way footpath can be followed southwest from here along the edge of the golf course, and across Forge Lane to Swan Pool. South of Swan Pool are Priory Wood (with the remains of the Benedictine Sandwell Priory) and the Icehouse pools. Although the country park is a popular amenity it is usually fairly quiet during the winter, even at weekends. During the summer an early morning or weekday visit would be advisable to miss the crowds. While there are fewer birds of interest about between the two passage periods, early summer warblers in the reedbed provide plenty of interest. In mid and late summer many local birders turn their attention to the large variety of butterflies and dragonflies found in the Valley. | |
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