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Overview:
Located in the Severn Valley just to the north-west of Worcester the Grimley area encompases a wide variety of habitats which include wetlands, mature and damp woodlands, rough grassland and scrub, arable fields and horse paddocks. This coupled with the area being directly on the Severn Valley migration route means a wide range of bird species have been recorded and this has lead to a growing number of observers visiting the area.
Access:
Access is from the A443 Worcester to Tenbury Wells road, following signs to Grimley and on entering the village turn right opposite the phonebox on to Camp Lane and continue for c.1/3 mile.
Birdlife:
The main focus of attention, Grimley new workings is the largest wetland in the area and hosts nesting Common Tern, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Redshank. In addition it is the county stronghold for breeding Gadwall. Passage periods see an increase in the variety of waders with Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Green and Common Sandpipers, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit being regular in occurence. Scarcer waders noted at these times have included Sanderling, Knot, Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper and Little Stint while Pectoral Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint, Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover have been recorded on rare occasions.
Wildfowl are also prominent at this site with annual records of Garganey, birds often lingering for several weeks during the autumn while Pintail are scarce but regular in the autumn and winter along with the occasional Goldeneye and Goosander. Rarer species have included Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup, Smew, Ferruginous Duck and the first county record of Lesser Scaup.
Osprey are more or less annual on spring or autumn passage although they rarely linger and Black Tern is being noted with increasing frequency albeit in small numbers. Little Egret have become annual visitors during July and August with as many as four birds being present. The site is a regular stop over for White and Yellow Wagtails, mostly in the spring, while Whinchat and Wheatear often favour the surrounding fences. Stonechats are also regular on passage and are increasingly present thoughout the winter months.
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