Croxall Lakes Nature Reserve

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You don't need to be a keen bird watcher to enjoy a walk around Croxall Lakes in Staffordshire, but it certainly helps.

This almost hidden gem of a nature reserve has been created from an old quarry that long ago gave up its contents of sand and gravel.
It now features two large lakes situated at the merger of three rivers, the Trent and its tributaries, the Tame and the Mease.

Now forming part of a much larger area of restored wetlands in the Trent Valley flood plain, Croxall Lakes is home to a large variety of wintering and breeding birds.

On the day that I visited there were flocks of house martins swooping overhead picking off insects near the first of the two lakes close by to the entrance.

But on the actual bodies of water themselves I spotted a pair of swans, a grebe, a heron, coots, plus various types of duck and goose - not bad for one shortish visit.








Croxall Lakes is very much an ongoing restoration project with the creation of shallows, reedbeds and artificial islands to provide vital nesting areas for breeding.

There is a path of sorts which you can easily follow in and around the lakes but watch out for the rabbit holes which also seem a feature of the nature reserve.

You will also find part of the walk fenced off as cattle have in the past been brought to the site to graze.

To help keep a more careful watch on the birdlife, the reserve has two wooden viewing hides, one on each of the lakes, giving you great views over the water.

Visitors will also spot an unusual wooden sculpture beside the main, 26 acre lake.

Known as the Trent Valley Noon Column, this English oak obelisk has a narrow slit cut in it which allows the sun to shine through for 10-15 minutes around midday during both midsummer and midwinter.

Unfortunately, when I was there it was too cloudy to see even a glimpse of the sun, but good reason to go back, not that one is needed.

#animals_wildlife
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