Here at Aztec Adventure Upton Warren, we're lucky to be surrounded by more than just great water - we're nestled right next to one of Worcestershire's most treasured natural habitats. To mark World Wildlife Day, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve at Upton Warren, right on our doorstep.

A Reserve Like No Other

Upton Warren is home to Worcestershire's premier birdwatching reserve, and it's easy to see why. Covering 27 hectares, the reserve is made up of two distinct areas - The Flashes and The Moors - each offering a different and remarkable wildlife experience. It is operated by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

The Flashes: A Rare Inland Saltmarsh

The pools at The Flashes owe their existence to past underground brine extraction, which caused subsidence and flooding. These saline pools receive brine from underground seepage, and the salt-tolerant plants that thrive here form a rare inland salt marsh. It's a truly unique ecosystem - and one you won't find just anywhere in the UK.

The Flashes are remarkable for the breeding and passage waders that can be spotted here, including little ringed plover, avocet, lapwing, and redshank. Spring and autumn passages regularly bring green and common sandpiper, dunlin, and greenshank. 

The Moors: Freshwater Lakes Teeming with Life

The Moors pools are freshwater lakes formed on previously agricultural land. The great expanse of water attracts a wide range of birds, including breeding common tern, oystercatcher, and lapwing, while reed and sedge warblers can be heard singing from the reed beds throughout summer. 

Hobby can be spotted throughout summer, while spring and autumn passages can bring marsh harrier and osprey. In winter, water rail, common snipe, and jack snipe become easier to see. 

Beyond the Birds

It's not just about birdwatching. Summer is also brilliant for insects - ruddy darter dragonflies frequent the pools alongside southern and brown hawker dragonflies, while banded demoiselles and blue-tailed damselflies skim the water's surface. Keep your eyes peeled for the European otter too, which has been recorded at the reserve.

Come for the activities, stay for the wildlife

After a session on the water with us, why not take a stroll over to the reserve? The site is open all year round and features seven bird hides, with wheelchair-accessible options available. Non-members can purchase a day permit for just £5 online or from The Boatshack on the day.

This World Wildlife Day, we're reminded that adventure and nature go hand in hand. Whether you're paddling on our lake or watching an osprey drift over The Moors, Upton Warren is a place that reconnects you with the wild - and that's something worth celebrating.

Find out more about the Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve here.