2006 proved to be an excellent breeding season for the birds at Wood Lane.  In particular the lapwings whose population has seriously declined in most parts of Shropshire over recent years successfully fledged 15 young and the little ringed plover, a summer visitor from Africa, nested on the gravel island and fledged 2 young.  Increased numbers of tree sparrows have also been noted.

A pair of great crested grebe nested at Wood Lane for the first time. As soon as nest building was observed the area around the nest was fenced off to prevent disturbance and they successfully hatched and reared 2 young.
One of the main highlights of the year occurred mid morning on 26th May when 4 avocets were seen approaching the Reserve.  The birds actually landed and remained until mid afternoon when a very aggressive male shelduck which had been attacking them at intervals throughout the day finally ensured their departure.  Mobile telephones and pagers soon had ornithologists arriving to observe the first sighting of avocets in Shropshire.
Another first for the Reserve was the visit by a willow tit bringing the total of bird species recorded since June 1999 to 171.

Wood Lane is probably the best curlew roosting site in Shropshire and the numbers visiting this year showed a welcomed increased.  The peak of 120 occurred on 8th August compared to a peak of 98 in 2005.
During the Meres and Mosses festival visitors enjoyed spectacular flying displays by the hundreds of mallard, greylag and Canada geese arriving and leaving the Reserve.  The record numbers of these species is attributed to part of an adjacent corn field which caught fire during harvesting operations and grain left after the fire providing the great attraction to the birds.  As would be expected as soon as the field was ploughed the numbers of visiting birds decreased dramatically.

A good selection of butterflies and dragonflies has been present and interesting mammal sightings included a badger and a brown hare.

The various varieties of orchids found at Wood Lane always provide an attraction to the visiting public.  Although not as many as in previous years the rarer bee orchid made an appearance during June.
Visitors to the Reserve included people from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

For more information please visit www.woodlanereserve.co.uk