Warren Villas
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Wetland plants and wildfowl are among the attractions of this small 'lake', set next to the River Ivel |
This delightful reserve is a wonderful place to watch wintering wildfowl such as tufted duck, pochard and the ubiquitous mallard. The lake and islands were formed in 1989 when the site was restored after gravel extraction.
More recently, small ponds have been added to increase the range of wildlife using the site. Walk around the margins of the lake and peer through the fringe of willow and reeds developing around the edge, to see secretive views of the birds at ease on the water. Further on, groups of planted trees and shrubs offer shelter from harsh winter winds.
In summer, the large island offers secluded cover for ground nesting birds and floating rafts provide a platform for common terns to breed. Colourful dragonflies emerge from the water in summer to hunt insects over the grassland. Look out for black-tailed skimmer, four-spotted chaser, migrant and brown hawker, and emporer dragonflies.
Birds: Pochard, tufted duck, teal, shoveler, wigeon, snipe |
Birds: Great crested grebe, willow warbler, whitethroat, cuckoo |
Plants: Purple-loosestrife Amphibians: Newts Reptiles: Grass snake Birds: Common tern, whitethroat, reed bunting Insects: Dragonflies and damselflies |
Birds: Siskin, pochard, tufted duck, kingfisher, water rail |