Doxey Marshes is a 150 hectares (370 acres) nature reserve located within two miles of Stafford town centre, and is managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wet grassland habitat and its breeding wading birds and wildfowl, it is particularly noted for its populations of breeding snipe.
Doxey Marshes lies within the floodplain of the River Sow and periodically it breaches its banks and subjects the marshes to flooding. Wading birds love the shallow pools and muddy edges this flooding leaves behind as a source of food. In the autumn and spring during the migration period, Doxey has attracted a variety of rare birds in recent years including river warbler (inset) , marsh warbler, purple heron, cattle egret, spoonbill, European bee-eater and bluethroat (see videos).
Main picture: Pete Hanley
We highly recommend the publications below to compliment your visit to this Region.
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