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Blackwell Lake Nature Reserve

Somerset  >  United Kingdom

Blackwell Lake is between Blackwell and Nailsea in North Somerset.

Added* by Baz Willmott
Most recent update 24 October 2022

Description

The lake is managed by Wessex Water, constructed in the 1970's as a 'balancing' pond to store surface water run off from local housing estates, the area at times can be busy to the point of being heavily used by the public and is a typical town park, unsurprisingly Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard are on the parks bird list, but the occasional sightings of Water Rail, Eurasian Wigeon, Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe tend to draw birdwatchers. The Bristol Ornithological Club have regular field trips to the site, due to sightings of Great Bittern and Red-necked Phalarope in the past.

As well as the lake, with island and two viewing platforms, there are areas of mature trees and grassland, it is surrounded on two sides by farmland and to the North by housing and South by the Bristol to Exeter rail line, the rail station is just to the South of the reserve.

Details

Access

The closest main road is the A370 to the South, that runs from junction 21 of the M5 motorway signed to Congresbury. At Congresbury continue on A370 following signs to Backwell. In Backwell turn Left at crossroads (traffic lights) signed Nailsea, after passing under railway arch (narrow- light controlled), pass railway car park (Fee Payable). The reserve car park is just on the Left opposite a long stone wall.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , City/village , Agriculture , Lake

Conditions

Flat , Wet

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring migration , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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