A50 from Stone A518 Blithfield is situated approximately one mile to the west of Abbotts Bromley in . Access is possible via several B5013 A515 roads around the site, with car parking available to Permit Holders at both ends of the Causeway, near the dam at the Abbotts south end, and at the Education Centre near Stansley Wood, as well as other points around the site. Permit Holders may B romley S tafford walk the entire perimeter of the reservoir and use a key (available from Engineer’s Office) to access via car as marked on A51 B5234 the map. Non-Permit holders are able to bird-watch from the

f Newton public areas only (the Causeway, and along a stretch of A513 See ro B5013 m Watery Lane ). Permit Holders are requested to main map H B5014 ix carry their permit at all times when visiting o n the reserve. R ugeley

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A51 B A460 lithe r r B o e o v i k R L ichfield C annock Newton Shallows Hide Newtonhurst r Farm te Long H k xe n to Plantation a The Cliffs Hide t B Forward U H y t Hide m s Dimsdale o a r Shallows fr u Stansley H B h

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he A Reach Hide a e Plantations 0

t f i Tad Bay

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o H e o l H t st P (Reserve area) B e New Dairy R Broompits Hide

w B House Farm e H s Stansley Wood

u Stansley

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Old Oak i Bay Barn Farm Hide R Duckley

a y e Plantation Log Hide l D H k c Blithfield u Ringers' Hall D S Hut H A S d Beech Tree m Wood Hide a Warren Plantations s k P t n o a n B

ll R a e s t a 3 B a 1 c 0 5

e 5 Y Y B h e 0 1 K a S t 4 Admaston sa K B l i t h f i e l d ll L C a u s an P e w a y WP e Abbot’s a S t Bromley t e e ry e S L ane e n n from w a f o Watery Lane L ro o St. Stephen’s ne (n m Bay t La a d r r a Hill Bay Po ro n L e i L w d c K s h a ) A f P o ie n o 5 e Portfields 1 ld G 5 P S Portfields Bay St. Stephen’s “Mickledale” Hill Farm S Mickledale S Bay sailing clubhouse S c Ten Acre a Bay r Engineers’ c r Entrance Point Office o Gull Hide f K H t Access Point (key required) L Fishermans’ a P Car Parking Quarters n e H Bird-watching Hide P T S Shelter ** K ** Access Keys can be obtained (on production of your permit) from the Engineer’s Office - a small administrative fee will be 0 1/2 mile required for this. from Newlands Lane from Lichfield-Abbots 0 500 metres Bromley Road (B6014) How to ‘work’ the site: Blithfield’s large size and long streches of shoreline means that you have lots of options! The north side of the reservoir is perhaps a good starting point and parking near to the Education Centre will allow you to drop down easily into either arm for a view into both Tad and Blithe Bays where many of the ducks and waders congregate, and from there a walk round Beech Tree Point would make a good circuit if you only have a short time available. A telescope is essential for viewing the distant birds and allows inspection of any bird flocks without disturbing them. A start from either end of the Causeway enables coverage of the open-water areas and would be the ideal place to start a day’s birding if you do have the time to walk the entire site.

Design and production by Andy Lawrence Blithfield - A West Midland Bird Club Reserve