Bedfont Lakes Country Park

BillyPilgrim · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 08:05 PM

Just wondered if anyone is familiar with this place and is it any good for bird photography?

I'm on a training course all next week at the nearby SAP training centre and as it is so close I thought I'd take my camera and maybe pay a visit during the lunch breaks.

Any info would be much appreciated.

Kev-B · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 09:59 PM

Hi Billy ..

I used to live very close to Bedfont Lakes until 5 years ago ..

The actual Nature Reserve is an enclosed space surrounded by a chain link fence (in fact I think I still have a key for it somewhere) ..

The "Reserve" is only open at certain times .. so I'd advise checking either at the Site office, immediately as you enter the car park .. or via the London Borough of Hounslow Council website .. I've also included the link for you ... Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Friends of Bedfont Lakes Country Park : Home Page

As I recall there are only 2 hides .. and sadly, they're often in a state of disrepair (a constant war of attrition with local yobs) ..

The opportunities for photography weren't great when I used to visit .. but my info is a bit out of date, so things might have improved ..

Good luck anyway ..

Bye for now ..

Kev ..

BillyPilgrim · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 12:00 AM

Cheers Kev,

I was down there in March of this year and had a look around. Didn't see much of note apart from the Parakeets, which we don't get up north so at least there was something different. Although they did keep their distance.

It did seem a bit odd though. A sort of mixture between a jogging park and nature reserve. So I wasn't sure if I was in the correct spot. Which is why I asked on here. I've also emailed the 'Friends of Bedfont' so I may get some info from them.

I suppose when you consider the location, about a mile from Heathrow, its not too bad a place. Its certainly a better alternative to having lunch with a bunch of strangers at the training centre!

If I was in the right place I think I found the 2 hides. No chains to bar the way though but the hides were a bit in the open-air? The front was there and maybe a seat or two but no enclosure. No sign of vandalism though so something may have changed for the better.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 04:51 AM

Send a pm to Adam Cheeseman who regularly posts on WAB as I think he is a local ranger + is very familiar with the site. He certainly does some ringing there.

It can produce some good birds- usually wintering Bittern, Smew + commoner duck,winter thrushes, etc.

BillyPilgrim · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

It can produce some good birds- usually wintering Bittern, Smew + commoner duck,winter thrushes, etc.

Cheers, a Bittern would do nicely

A bit early for that though I would have thought!

Adam Cheeseman · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 03:07 PM

Our first Bittern for this winter was seen on 31st August.

Please feel free to PM me Billy, or pop into the info centre at the Clockhouse Lane entrance, not the Bedfont Road entrance. I will gladly point you in the right direction. We do get a lot of wildlife photographers coming in and some contribute to our image database.

Look forward to hearing from you or meeting you.

Cheers,

Adam
Ecology and Education Officer
Bedfont Lakes Country Park

Jason Green · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 04:02 PM

I've heard of Bedfont Lakes CP on here quite often - but had no idea it was a London Borough!!

I've just found http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/bedfontl.pdf - the first image looks quite pretty

aeshna5 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

I've heard of Bedfont Lakes CP on here quite often - but had no idea it was a London Borough!!

I've just found http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/bedfontl.pdf - the first image looks quite pretty

I saw my first UK Red-veined Darters there soon after the site opened, probably early 90's.

Adam Cheeseman · #9 (**permalink**) 16-10-2008, 08:38 PM

Unfortunately, none of the current websites do us justice. Been watching Kingfishers today and listening to the Water Rails squealing, and had 40 Gadwall and a Wigeon on South Lake. For anyone of a birding bent you can expect to see between 40-50 species in a day according to the time of year.
Site list of 156 species.

I lead a fungi foray at the weekend that found 3 new species for the site taking us up to about 110 species.

Our higher plants total around 350 species recorded.

We have nearly 300 moth species on site including 12 types of Wainscot, and a breeding colony of Goat Moth, and we have one of the only known regular communal roost sites in England for Nathusius' Pipistrelle bat - the other being in Lincolnshire.

If anyone would like any other info I can send it through if they wish, just drop me a PM.

Cheers,

Adam