Owned by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, the 27-hectare reserve is named after Christopher Cadbury, who retired from the family chocolate business to dedicate the remainder of his life to wildlife conservation. Much of the land was purchased by Christopher, who also contributed to funding various developments and improvements.
The reserve has a range of wetland habitats, including The Moors pools in the north, freshwater lakes that were once agricultural land. Breeding birds at the pools include common terns, black-headed gulls, oystercatchers, and lapwings. In winter, you may spot common snipe, jack snipe, water rail, and a variety of ducks, including teals and tufted ducks. The surrounding reedbeds provide a home for reed, sedge, and Cetti’s warblers, with the latter known to breed here.
At the southern end of the reserve lie The Flashes, saline pools formed after brine extraction caused subsidence. These pools attract a remarkable variety of birds. Little ringed plovers, avocets, kingfishers, moorhens, coots, and redshanks are regular breeders in the area. During spring and autumn, green and common sandpipers, dunlins, greenshanks, and black-tailed godwits pass through. Scarcer species have included ruffs, sanderlings, turnstones, bar-tailed godwits, whimbrels, wood sandpipers, and spotted redshanks. Even rarer waders such as Wilson’s phalarope, black-winged stilt, and Temminck’s stint have also been recorded.
In summer, hobbies can be seen soaring overhead, while marsh harriers and ospreys pass through during autumn and winter migration. Peregrine falcons are regular hunters, often watching for prey from nearby radio masts.
Throughout the reserve, several feeding stations attract a variety of species, including reed buntings, bullfinches, and greenfinches. In winter, bramblings, siskins, and redpolls are also common visitors.
There are seven bird hides scattered around the reserve, allowing visitors to get a closer look at the wildlife without disturbing it. Wheelchair access is available to the hobby hide and two hides at The Moors via a stoned track. At The Flashes, there is a boardwalk and a further hide accessible by steps. Be aware that boardwalks, paths, and bridges can become muddy and slippery after rain.
The Boat Shack café offers a range of snacks, light meals, and hot and cold drinks, and it’s also where you can purchase a day permit to access the reserve. There are toilets available in the café too.
The reserve has two car parks; one at The Moors, which is open year-round, and one at The Flashes, with seasonal opening hours. Cycling is not permitted on the nature reserve, but you are welcome to push your bike to the hide, provided you do not block access.
Please note, dogs are not allowed on the reserve.
