Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

Bedfont Lake supports a large population of breeding reed warblers in its extensive reed beds, as well as common tern and pochard. Both lakes are important for migrating and over-wintering wildfowl and wading birds. These regularly include nationally scarce species such as bittern and smew. Other residents include skylark, green and great Spotted Woodpeckers, great crested grebe, kestrel, ring-necked parakeet, grey heron, cormorant, kingfisher and chiffchaff.The site is also important for its insects. A good range of dragonflies and damselflies can be found in the lakes, while created wildflower meadows support strong populations of butterflies, including common blue and small heath. There are a number of nationally rare bees and wasps, as well as several nationally scarce wetland moths, including the obscure wainscot and goat moth.The specially-protected water vole has recently been introduced. Bats are seen regularly foraging over the lakes, and bat boxes on trees have successfully hosted up to three species of pipistrelle bats.

Facilities

Information (at the Information Centre, where an Education Ranger leads school and other group visits, and organises events); orienteering course; a trim trail; horse riding; playground; nature trail.