Brandon Marsh

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 [cite web |url= http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2002/07/31/warwickshire-s-beauty-could-be-wiped-out-92746-12079169/|title= Warwickshire's beauty could be wiped out|accessdate=2008-06-07 |publisher= Coventry Evening Telegraph|date= 31 July 2002] . The convert|228|acre|km2|sing=on 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 [cite web |url=http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/reserves/brandon-marsh-sssi.htm |title= Brandon Marsh SSSI |accessdate=2008-06-07 |publisher= Warwickshire Wildlife Trust] [cite web |url= http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/pages.nsf/Links/BC9C44BB2EBD421E802573E50045A31D/$file/r08cm003+append+4+part1.pdf|title= Hydrological & Hydrogeological Assessment|accessdate=2008-06-07 |publisher= Warwickshire County Council|date= 4 February 2008] .

History

The Brandon Marsh Conservation Group was formed in 1968 [cite web |url= http://www.brandonbirding.co.uk/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=2|title= Brandon Marsh history|accessdate=2008-06-07 |publisher= Brandon Birding] , 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.

Visitor centre

The Visitor Centre at Brandon Marsh was opened in 1998 by Sir David Attenborough. [cite web |url= http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on-coventry-warwickshire/days-out-midlands-uk/2008/05/23/get-close-to-nature-at-brandon-marsh-92746-20965216/|title= Get close to nature at Brandon Marsh|accessdate=2008-06-07 |publisher= Coventry Evening Telegraph |date= 23 May 2008] 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. [cite web |url=http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/Brandon/thanks.htm
title= Brandon Marsh Nature Centre |accessdate=2008-06-07 |publisher= Warwickshire wildlife Trust]

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. [cite web |url= http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136021 |title= Cetti's warbler|accessdate=2008-06-07 |publisher= Birdguides|] Other notable species seen here include Bittern and Bearded Tit. As well as birds, the reserve also harbours otters [cite web|url=http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/adopt/Adopt%20a%20Species-Warks.pdf|title = Adopt a species in Warwickshire|accessdate=2008-06-07|publisher=Warwickshire Wildlife Trust] and many species of Dragonfly and other insects.

References

External links

* [http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/Brandon/centre.htm Warwickshire Wildlife Trust page for Brandon Marsh]
* [http://www.brandonbirding.co.uk/index.asp The Unofficial Guide to Brandon Marsh]
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/brandonmarshnaturereserve Flickr Photo Site for Brandon Marsh]