Adjacent to the centre is a 14ha. nature reserve, the site of a former sand and gravel quarry. It includes a range of post-industrial landscape features such as former settling ponds, a shallow reservoir, embankments and tracks. This has resulted in a developing mosaic of habitats: woodland, scrub, small areas of flower-rich grassland, reedbeds and shallow open water.

WGRT has a working relationship with the West Midlands Bird Club and the local RSPB group. The WMBC organise an annual Bioblitz in the summer, a ‘Nestbox and open nest breeding birds’ survey, a ‘Birds heard and seen’ report and have supported WGRT to put in an additional wildlife pond and infrastructure such as gates and steps onto the reserve.

The local RSPB group conduct ‘Breeding season bird surveys’ and regular volunteer conservation work parties. The site has a long history of bird ringing and there is an active Wildgoose ringing group, whose reports can be found in the ecological data section.



The reserve is managed by WGRT staff, our students and volunteers, supported by community and volunteer group work parties. The focus of the management work is to maintain and enhance the range of habitats, which will continue to support a correspondingly wide variety of wildlife species.