Doxey Marshes

A wetland oasis near the centre of Stafford and one of the county's best bird watching sites!

 

Highlights

  • Take an early morning walk in pring to discover the magic of a wetland dawn chorus

  • Look and listen for Lapwing performing their tumbling display flight over the pasture in Spring, whilst calling out 'pee-wit'

  • Keep an eye out for migrating birds as the reserve is well known for attracting lots of passage species and even the odd rarity!

  • Visit in the winter months to see large flocks of waterfowl including Wigeon and Teal


Birds Galore!

Doxey Marshes is a fantastic place to discover birds with over 200 species recorded and over 80 breeding species.  The reserve is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its nationally important populations of Lapwing, Snipe and Redshank.

The reserve also attracts many rare birds every year, including the first ever Cattle Egret and River Warbler to be recorded in the Midlands region!

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Bittern (left)  are attracted to the reserve in winter, whilst Grasshopper Warbler (right) arrive in summer to breed


Not Just Birds!

Although well known as a great bird watching location, Doxey Marshes is also home to regionally significant populations of Otter, Harvest Mouse and Water Shrew.  The reserve is also home to a vast array of wetland plants, including the biggest area of Reed-sweet Grass in the Midlands.  In Spring the pastures are carpeted with flowers such as Lady’s Smock, Buttercup and Ragged Robin.

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Otter (left) and Harvest Mice (right) are regularly recorded on the reserve


Water, water everywhere

The reserve forms part of the River Sow floodplain so is naturally a wet area and will occasionally flood.  Most of the large pools on the reserve, known locally as flashes, have formed as a result of subsidence from brine extraction in the 1950s.  These flashes are a great place to find many species of water bird including Tufted Duck, Goosander and Great Crested Grebe.

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Doxey Marshes is a true wetland oasis, peppered with subsidence pools known as 'flashes' (right)

 

Mud, Mud Glorious Mud

Across the reserve are numerous muddy depressions known as scrapes.  These were created to encourage wetland birds such as Lapwing and Redshank to breed, as well as providing feeding points for migrating birds.

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We've dug new scrapes across the open pasture to provide feeding areas for birds such as Redshank (right)

 

How to get there

Directions

Map Icon Reserve Map & Directions

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Bike icon Find a local cycle route

car icon Directions below

 

There are several routes into Doxey Marshes.

On foot from the town, walk to Sainsburys and follow the River Sow against the flow and you will reach the Marshes after about 10 minutes walking.

The reserve is accessed just off the A513, Eccleshall road off Junction 14 on the M6


Entrance grid reference:      SJ 903 250

Nearest Post Code:        ST16 1PU

Parking & Access

By car there are several parking options;

Park at Sainsbury's and follow the directions above

Park on the car park behind Focus on the Greyfriars Industrial Estate and walk on to the reserve from the far corner of the car park onto the cycleway, turn left and access the reserve through the kissing gate by the river

Park by the play park at the end of Creswell Farm Drive / Wooton Drive

 

Reserve Status

Want to know more about nature reserve designations?  Just click the icon below

SSSI icon Doxey &Tillington Marshes

Size icon 260 acres / 105 hectares

 

 

Other Reserves Nearby

Whilst you're in the area, why not explore a few more of our reserves?

Radford Icon Radford Meadows - 2.5 miles

Allimore Icon Allimore Green - 5 miles

Pasturefields Icon Pasturefields - 8.5 miles


Do’s & Dont’s

Dog Walking

Dogs and their owners are welcome to visit Doxey Marshes, but should observe on-site instructions for the on-lead, off-lead and no dog zones across the reserve.

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These zones have been allocated to prevent disturbance to wildlife in sensitive areas, but still allow dogs to roam freely and under control in less sensitive areas.

 

Fishing

Anglers are allowed to fish the waters of Doxey Marshes once they have purchased an annual or day permit from Bates Fishing Tackle & Gun Shop in Stafford town centre.

Full details are provided with the permit.  Anglers must provide a passport sized photo before purchasing their permit (excludes day permits)

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