The History & The Mission

Brandon Marsh has been watched for birds and other wildlife for more than 50 years and for 40 of those years has been managed by a team of volunteers with two principal objectives underpinning all activities.
In 1968 a small group of birdwatchers (with consent of the quarry owners) formed Brandon Marsh Conservation Group.
'Their Mission' - To prevent the Marsh from becoming a wood'.
In 1973 that same group ensured that the Marsh was notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its importance for breeding and passage birds. This required the managers to 'maintain and enhance appropriate habitat for the benefit of birds'. In 1986 the group was renamed Brandon Marsh Voluntary Conservation Team and became part of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
The group produces and maintains the Reserve Management Plan and has been responsible for saving the largest reedbed in Warwickshire, doubling the size of the major pool, creating two new pools, creating a 10 hectare reedbed and managing a small woodland.
In addition the group is also responsible for the compilation and publication of the Brandon Marsh Annual Report.

About The Reserve

RESERVE MAP

Map reference: SP3875

Brandon Marsh is a 228 acre nature reserve (SSSI -Site of Special Scientific Interest) lying on the banks of the River Avon and to the south-east of Coventry. It consists of a number of pools surrounded by scrub and woodland. It provides good birdwatching opportunities all year round, with wildfowl in the winter, breeding warblers in the summer, and plenty of passage birds in spring and autumn. Birds that can currently be seen include Cetti's Warbler, Kingfisher, Water Rail and we are lucky enough to have Bittern on site which are viewed regularly.

Brandon Marsh Nature Centre is the headquarters of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and as such has excellent facilities including displays about the reserve, a tea room and shop. The reserve also has 7 bird-hides strategically placed within the grounds for all round views of the pools. The Trust holds several Open Days each year at which we offer Guided Walks.

An excellent Guide to Brandon Marsh can be found Here, and will tell you all you need to know about the reserve. The online sightings page is particularly helpful if you’re planning a trip in the near future.

The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust website for Brandon Marsh can be located Here. The reserve itself is easily accessible by road, as it is just off the A45 to the south-east of Coventry. From the Toll-Bar Island where the A45 and A46 meet, follow the A45 away from Coventry for about 200 metres, then turn left just after a 'Texaco' filling station into Brandon Lane. The Nature Centre is about 1 mile along on the right hand side. Just follow the brown Tourist Signs for Nature Centre.

There is a small admission charge for non members of the Wildlife Trusts.

Become A Member

The Brandon Marsh Voluntary Conservation Team

Below is an extract taken from one of our newest members blogs entitled 'Time Well Spent'

"Just prior to Christmas I was lucky enough to discover a group of individuals who give up their time every Thursday and spend the daylight hours maintaining the excellent Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve.
Located on the banks of the River Avon near Coventry the group is known as The Brandon Marsh Voluntary Conservation Team. I decided to give it a go and join up and I have not been disappointed! Every Thursday since mid December I've reported for duty and given up my time along with the other members to tend the woods & marshes of the reserve. I've met some wonderful people over the weeks and have been literally inspired by the commitment, enthusiasm and determination of the members.
I was shocked by one member today who informed me that he was just about to turn 70. Another of the long term members & founders of the team is an amazing 82 years young. Looking at the before and after photographs of the reserve over a pot of tea, after a day out working on the reserve and seeing it first hand, its plain to see what an astonishing difference the team have made over the years.
For example, extra land, once a quarry landfill and partly scrub covered, has been leased to the Trust by Coventry City Council and has been planted to create the 10 hectare Newlands reedbed. This has allowed species such as Bittern, Cetti's Warbler and Barn Owl, the latter of which bred last year in the newly placed Owl boxes, to flourish. I joined with an open mind and with the intention of learning at least 3 new things every visit. I've already lost count.
Being an enthusiastic birdwatcher I also join a number of the members every Tuesday for a trek around the reserve and have so far been lucky enough to see Bittern and Water Rail, two species not on my Life List. Over the weeks I've re-established my love of bird watching and wildlife and thanks to other members can now identify more bird species by call. This post is a thank you to the team for allowing me to be a part and actually being able to make a difference".
The team meets every Thursday at the reserve around 9.15am. If you would like to join us and help in one of our conservation activities then please contact the
Hon. Secretary kenbond@parsons-mail.com for more information. You really can Make A Difference!