Where is the Reserve?
At the end of Ragley Mill Lane in Alcester - follow the sign where the Lane joins
Birmingham Road by the Grammar School. It's owned by Stratford on Avon District
Council, who created it with English Nature in 1993, and manage it with the help
of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and local volunteer wardens.
What's on the Reserve?
The River Arrow runs beside it, and water-loving birds you can see include grey wagtails
and - if you're lucky! - the wonderful kingfisher. There's also a pond (which used
to be part of the water supply to the mill) with wild ducks and moorhens, as well
as frogs, newts and lots of insects like water boatmen and diving beetles.
There are lovely old oak trees, willows, ancient hawthorns, and plants like the impressive
butterbur, the strange-looking cuckoo pint and the rare small teasel. Wrens and other
birds nest in the trees, and beautiful butterflies can be seen in spring and summer.
The pasture at the town end of the reserve has meadow flowers including red common
sorrell, white yarrow and bird's-foot trefoil.
We hope that otters might one day find their way on to the reserve now that the river
is much cleaner than it used to be.
What do the Friends do?
Working closely with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, the Friend
s provide support
to the Reserve by promoting community involvement, helping with management and routine
maintenance, and raising funds for the conservation and promotion of the Reserve.
Friends can help on the monthly working parties on the Reserve - jobs include planting
trees, clearing brambles, and clearing litter, so there is usually some- thing to
suit everyone (it's not compulsory; only if you want!). You’ll also receive the newsletter
to keep you in the picture about what is happening on the Reserve - what there is
to see, and behind the scenes. There are meetings and other events throughout the
year.
Please join us! We've got adult, junior, family and corporate membership, so there's
something to suit everyone. Click on the link below for a membership form - fill
it in and send it with your subscription to the membership secretary. You'll get
the a membership card in your name, the current newsletter and information on any
activities we're planning.
