A walk in the Kingfisher Country Park from Hay Mills to Bordesley Green on Easter Sunday 2021

This was an Easter Sunday walk in the Kingfisher Country Park. Starting from the Coventry Road in Hay Mills. And walking as far as Bordesley Green (not far from Stechford). The Cole Valley Route in Hay Barn Recreation Ground, Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground, Sycamores Recreation Ground and Bordesley Green Recreation Ground. Sadly was a lot of litter to see along the River Cole.

The Kingfisher Country Park starts in Birmingham from the Coventry Road in Hay Mills. Not far from Small Heath and Haybarnes Circus. This is part of the Cole Valley Route that walkers and cyclists alike can use. Sadly as soon as we got here on Easter Sunday 2021 (Sunday 4th April 2021) I could see litter, rubbish and fly-tipping all over the place (it was not nice to see how people treat our City and wonderful open spaces).

The walk was through four recreation grounds that follow the River Cole.

Hay Barn Recreation Ground starts at the Coventry Road in Hay Mills and ends at Hob Moor Road.

Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground starts at Hob Moor Road and ends at Yardley Green Road in Bordesley Green.

Sycamores Recreation Ground starts at Yardley Green Road and ends at Bordesley Green East.

Bordesley Green Recreation Ground starts at Bordesley Green East and ends at Eastfield Road (you can see the West Coast Mainline to the far end with Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway trains going by).

 

Hay Barn Recreation Ground

Starting at the Coventry Road in Hay Mills, there is this map of the entire Kingfisher Country Park from Hay Mills towards Chelmsley Wood in Solihull. Sadly other maps like this in the country park had graffiti on them.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hay Barn RG KCP (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Project Kingfisher sign showing signs of past vandalism. It mentions that riding off road bikes with City Council parkland is illegal. I later saw an idiot riding a petrol powered dirt bike around Bordesley Green Recreation Ground in circles, all over the grass. Plus last Christmas was idiots riding bikes in the part in Shard End.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hay Barn RG KCP (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Earlier we first had views of the River Cole from the Berkeley Play Park.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/R Cole BPP KCP (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

But was no footbridge to cross over the River Cole at this point, but later found a footbridge further up in the Hay Barn Recreation Ground.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/R Cole BPP KCP (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From the Haymills Old Bridge dated 1903 on Coventry Road, with the River Cole below. A cyclist from Just Eat in orange stopped on the path on the left.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/R Cole Haymills (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The correct form of bikes, a couple riding bicycles along the Cole Valley Route. This is how it should be done!

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hay Barn RG KCP (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Daffodils to the left of the main path.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hay Barn RG KCP (Apr 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

When we first got to the Kingfisher Country Park, we were near the Berkeley Play Park, and walked down to the Coventry Road. While on the Cole Valley Route in the Hay Barn Recreation Ground, spotted this footbridge over the River Cole which we later used as an exit from the park on the walk back to the car.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Fbridge HBRG KCP (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the footbridge over the River Cole. Which we crossed at the end of the walk heading back to the starting point on Berkeley Road.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Fbridge HBRG KCP (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Further on in the Hay Barn Recreation Ground is this open field, running towards Hob Moor Road.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hay Barn RG KCP (Apr 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The path continues alongside the River Cole towards Hob Moor Road.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/R Cole Hob Moor HBRG KCP (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Getting close to Hob Moor Road, the bridge is almost in view.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/R Cole Hob Moor HBRG KCP (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Hob Moor Road Bridge over the River Cole.

dndimg alt="Hay Barn Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/R Cole Hob Moor HBRG KCP (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground

Now at Hob Moor Road, and into the Newbridge Recreation Ground. Several wooden bollards here. Plus a fingerpost / direction sign on the Cole Valley Cycle Route along the River Cole. The name of the area comes from Newbridge Farm, which used to be located at this site near the river.

dndimg alt="Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Newbridge Farm RG KCP (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From here, you can cycle left to the City Centre and Small Heath, or right towards Stechford. (Note the sign has an extra "t" which is incorrect).

dndimg alt="Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Newbridge Farm RG KCP (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The path in Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground curves to the right, already signs of litter on both sides of the path!

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The path heads straight towards Yardley Green Road.

dndimg alt="Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Newbridge Farm RG KCP (Apr 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Some green areas, so you have plenty of space for the 2 metre social distancing rule, while on your walk (to overtake some slow people).

dndimg alt="Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Newbridge Farm RG KCP (Apr 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Getting close to Yardley Green Road, the path curves to the left.

dndimg alt="Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Newbridge Farm RG KCP (Apr 2021) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bollards and another fingerpost at Yardley Green Road. Also a gate on the right where the lawn is.

dndimg alt="Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Newbridge Farm RG KCP (Apr 2021) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Interesting bridge on Yardley Green Road to the right of here. With a separate pedestrian footbridge. Was quiet on the Easter Sunday, but I gather in normal times there could be a lot of cars driving down here.

dndimg alt="Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Yardley Green Rd Bridge (Apr 2021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Sycamores Recreation Ground

From Yardley Green Road in Bordesley Green, we next enter the Sycamores Recreation Ground. More bollards here. Sometimes the Kingfisher Country Park is also called Project Kingfisher.

dndimg alt="Sycamores Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sycamores RG KCP (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Beyond the Project Kingfisher sign (missing fingerposts?) the path curves to the right, then beyond to the left.

dndimg alt="Sycamores Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sycamores RG KCP (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading on the path in the Sycamores Recreation Ground, it now turns to the left before turning to the right.

dndimg alt="Sycamores Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sycamores RG KCP (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A distant cyclist up ahead, the odd piece of litter on the lawn on both sides of the path.

dndimg alt="Sycamores Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sycamores RG KCP (Apr 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bordesley Green East is now in view, as the path curves to the left.

dndimg alt="Sycamores Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sycamores RG KCP (Apr 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The River Cole is visible again on the right, as is the Bordesley Green East Bridge.

dndimg alt="Sycamores Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sycamores RG KCP (Apr 2021) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At Bordesley Green East, more bollards. This is a busy dual carriageway road. Turned right and headed to the pelican crossing traffic lights.

dndimg alt="Sycamores Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sycamores RG KCP (Apr 2021) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bordesley Green Recreation Ground

Starting at Bordesley Green East, we enter the Bordesley Green Recreation Ground after crossing over at the lights. This area was the former site of Batchelors Farm.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Many families enjoying the sunshine and sitting on the lawn. Sadly the litter problem here was quite bad to see.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The path curves around the Recreation Ground. While here, kept seeing an idiot riding a dirt bike around the ground in circles. Tyre tracks were visible in the grass. Other signs of burnt out former off road bikes were along the path.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The path curves in an S shape as we passed these bushes to the right.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Not too visible here, but in the distance is the West Coast Mainline. Stechford Station is to the far right of here.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bits of rubbish on both sides of the path, and sometimes on the path.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The path is good to walk on though, was even the odd dog walker and cyclist here.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Getting close to the end of the path, a man riding a bike in orange.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

End of the path at Eastfield Road. Litter was really bad around here, plus graffiti on the wall on the right. Turned back from here towards Hay Mills.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Green Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Green RG KCP (Apr 2021) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Babbs Mill Lake in the Kingfisher Country Park

A Christmas Day morning walk on Friday 25th December 2020 around Babbs Mill Lake. Located in Kingshurst, Solihull within Babbs Mill Jubilee Park. Which is now a satellite park of the Kingfisher Country Park, which stretches from East Birmingham into North Solihull. The lake and park was named after the nearby Babbs Mill, which dates to the 18th Century.

Babbs Mill Lake

Heading towards Kingshurst in Solihull on Christmas Day, 25th December 2020, for a walk past Babbs Mill Lake. The lake is man-made and is near the River Cole. It is located within the Kingfisher Country Park. But the local park it is within is now called the Babbs Mill Jubilee Park, which was formed in 1977 during the Queen's Silver Jubilee year. It was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2002. The Kingfisher Country Park was declared in 2004, and was a joint venture between Birmingham and Solihull.

 

Babbs Mill Lake is named after Babbs Mill, which still survives to this day. It is a Grade II listed building dating to the 18th Century. It was named after the miller, John Babb, who died in 1651.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill KCP 25122020.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

First views of Babbs Mill Lake. We started the walk from the car park near Fordbridge Road.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Island in the middle of the lake, seems like a lot of birds goes there.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

First view of the morning winter sun. This was not a sunrise or sunset, but the sun was pretty low in the sky.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A ramp going off into the lake towards the geese and swans.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At the end of the ramp was quite a lot of Canada geese. With the bright morning sunshine making it a bit dark here.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake geese" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 Canada geese.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Too the right was a lot of gulls on the railing. This was close to some picnic benches, where I saw pigeons on them as well.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake gulls" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 gulls.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More of the morning sunburst off centre to the right.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Then off centre to the left.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A line of four trees making nice shadows with the sun behind to the left.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A newly laid footpath curves around the lake to the right.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The path doesn't seem quite finished. Plus was another section with unfinished tarmac. But saw the odd graffiti tag that will need removing by the local Council.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Can't get enough of that sunburst! Wow!

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sunburst to the left of the lake.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sunburst to the right.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We only went around two sides of the lake. Was a muddy path after this.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The lake from the muddy path.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We turned back, and instead headed up the path towards Shard End (leading to Packington Avenue). The Birmingham / Solihull border is somewhere to the left of here.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later walking back to the car park, got a few more shots, including the sunburst again.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The sun was now directly behind that line of trees, making incredible shadows!

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Coming back saw a couple of Domestic geese near the lake, got this shot of one on the grass.

dndimg alt="Babbs Mill Lake Domestic goose" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Babbs Mill Lake KCP 25122020 Domestic goose.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I didn't see any herons around Babbs Mill Lake, but later saw one coming into land near the Cole Valley Route in the Kingfisher Country Park. Not far from Packington Avenue in Shard End. This area is probably part of the Norman Chamberlain Local Nature Reserve.

dndimg alt="Heron Kingfisher Country Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Heron Cole Valley Route KCP 25122020 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I only managed to get two photos of it, this second zoom in came out a bit better. But would have been nice to see it near the lake.

dndimg alt="Heron Kingfisher Country Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Heron Cole Valley Route KCP 25122020 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown