A NUCLEAR power station is proving the preferred location for rare breeds this spring.

A record number of bird species have been recorded at Oldbury Power Station, including the Spoonbill, of which there are only 50 pairs in the UK, and the Waxwing, which has less than 100 birds in the country.

A total of 151 different bird species have been recorded at Oldbury in the past 12 months by local birdwatchers.

Matthew Castle, head of environment at Oldbury, said: "Over the past few years we have been constantly striving to improve the diversity of species found around the site.

"We have worked hard to maintain and improve the habitats we have which include orchards, ponds, silt lagoons and hedgerows and we are pleased that our hard work is paying off."

The site is spread over 175 acres and has its own two-kilometre nature trail, which links with the Severn Way public footpath, attracting many visitors each year and providing a natural habitat for a wide range of birds and other wildlife.

Many birds are resident at Oldbury all year including Cormorant, Curlew, Heron, Shelduck, Buzzard, Moorhen and the Peregrine Falcons but there are many species which are only seen a few times each year or just once in a year including Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Little Ringed Plover, Woodcock, Arctic and Great Skua.

A website dedicated to recording the bird life and wildlife around Oldbury site can be found at www.phazelwood.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/OPS.htm