Doxey Marshes is located in the north-west suburbs of Stafford and is Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s largest nature reserve, comprising 300 acres of grazing marsh, swamp, subsidence pools, reedbeds and running water. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wet grassland habitat and its breeding wading birds and wildfowl.
Being situated within the floodplain of the River Sow, the marshes are periodically subjected to flooding and the shallow pools and muddy edges that are left behind after periods of flooding prove attractive as a source of food to a wide variety of waders and wildfowl. During the spring and autumn migration period, Doxey Marshes can attract all kinds of interesting migratory bird species.
Some areas of the nature reserve are managed to protect these birds from disturbance. This is particularly important during the breeding season as wading birds nest on the ground and can easily be disturbed. There is a hide and three viewing platforms over looking the ponds and scrapes. The reserve is within easy walking distance of Stafford town centre while the main car park is situated at the north end of the reserve off Wootton Drive, accessed via the A5013 Eccleshall Road.
