RSPB reserve celebrates 25 years

But more importantly it is a haven for birds like lapwings, sandpipers and kestrels, as well as hoards of binocular-wielding enthusiasts, some known as 'twitchers'

The 'major twitch' of the last 25 years was a Great Snipe in 1995. The bird, which likes marshland and is usually spotted in Russia, was spotted by one of the volunteers and the revelation attracted bird watchers from around the country.

The RSPB charity took over the site in May 1984 and it was officially opened by Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis in 1985, when she was pregnant with her now pop star daughter Sophie Ellis Bextor.

In the same year Mastermind host Magnus Magnusson visited to open the disabled-access part of the centre and following in his footsteps was another Blue Peter star Simon Groom and the famous dog Goldie, when they launched the Blue Peter green annual in the late 80s.

"I think the former site manager was a bit canny and organised as many different openings as he could to get all these celebrities over," said site manager Lee Copplestone. It's a really lovely place to be and watch what's happening. It's changed a lot throughout the years and we've got this super hide, which fits in a whole group of children."

The centre, which is the size 16 football pitches, is in the heart of Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve and can be accessed off Tanhouse Avenue in Great Barr.

Lee says the strength of the site lies in the fact that it is a nature haven in the middle of one of the country's most built-up areas. Based on the site of the former Hamstead Colliery, is has been transformed into one of the area's top nature haunts.

"You can be out there in this beautiful place and you will hear the Albion fans cheering when they score because it's so close," he said. Lee added: "We've got some breeding oyster catchers which people say look like magpies with carrots in their mouths because they've got these big orange beaks.

"And we've got seven breeding lapwings out on the lake which we all get quite excited about.

"For us it's not about getting a lot of rare species in, it's about getting these beautiful birds that you can watch and learn about. We've got a bird table, which we call the feeding station, right outside the window so people can watch as they fly down. There are also web cams in two of our nesting boxes. At the moment we've got 11 blue tit eggs which are about about to hatch."

None of the original members of staff still work at the centre but Lee, aged 50, from Sutton Coldfield, has worked their since 2000.

A wildlife discovery party will be held on May 17 to mark the occasion from 2pm. There will also be an attempt to build a giant bird's nest. Call on 0121 357 7395.