Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The fairly narrow, steep banks along the southern and northern margins of the lake support a mix of tall herbs, willow scrub and wet marginal vegetation. The latter is particularly diverse and includes great willowherb, water forget-me-not, gypsywort, yellow iris, great reedmace, brooklime, great pond-sedge, reed sweet-grass and others. The lake includes two wooded islands, one dominated by alder and the other by aspen. The small eastern extension of the lake, beyond an ornate bridge, is potentially good for aquatic invertebrates. A variety of dragonflies and common waterfowl are present. Kingfishers are seen frequently and may breed. The lake is also an important feeding site for bats, with large numbers of pipistrelles and smaller numbers of noctules and Daubenton's bats regularly seen throughout the summer. The surrounding woodland includes abundant sycamore and oak, with English elm and areas of holly. Its southern margin is formed by a very impressive treeline of willows and poplars. Breeding birds in the woodland include goldcrest.

Facilities

Fishing