Brandon Marsh
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| Brandon Marsh SSSI | |
|---|---|
| Area of Search | United Kingdom |
| Grid Reference | SP385755 |
| Interest | Wildlife |
| Area | West Midlands |
| Notification | 1973 |
Brandon Marsh is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and nature reserve in Warwickshire, England. It is situated close to the city of Coventry, near the village of Brandon.
The reserve is also the headquarters of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust[1]. The 228-acre site, formerly used for sand and gravel quarrying, is owned by LaFarge Industries and is leased to the Trust on a 99-year lease at a peppercorn amount of £1 a year[2][3].
Contents |
[edit] History
The Brandon Marsh Conservation Group was formed in 1968[4], and by 1973 the site had been confirmed as an SSSI. In 1981 Warwickshire Wildlife Trust came to the agreement mentioned above with Lafarge, leading to the creation of the nature reserve.
[edit] Visitor centre
The Visitor Centre at Brandon Marsh was opened in 1998 by Sir David Attenborough. [5] It cost over £600,000 to build and was mainly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with support from Lafarge through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and an appeal to Trust members. The Centre is open to the public 7 days a week - see the Trust website for access details. The centre also houses an Education Centre catering for school visits, the Barn Conference Centre, Badgers Tea Room and a Gift Shop.[6]
[edit] Nature reserve
The nature reserve itself is a large expanse of wetland and pools. There are a number of bird hides in place to observe the wildlife. Large numbers of bird species are resident or passage migrants here, including many ducks, geese and waders. It was the first recorded breeding site in the region for Cetti's Warbler.[7]Other notable species seen here include Bittern and Bearded Tit. As well as birds, the reserve also harbours otters [8] and many species of Dragonfly and other insects.
[edit] References
- ^ Warwickshire's beauty could be wiped out. Coventry Evening Telegraph (31 July 2002). Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Brandon Marsh SSSI. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Hydrological & Hydrogeological Assessment. Warwickshire County Council (4 February 2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Brandon Marsh history. Brandon Birding. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Get close to nature at Brandon Marsh. Coventry Evening Telegraph (23 May 2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Brandon Marsh Nature Centre. Warwickshire wildlife Trust. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Cetti's warbler. Birdguides. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Adopt a species in Warwickshire. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
