Berrylands

[Za]

I frequently pass through Berrylands which is next to Surbiton in Surrey on the train and there is a lake of sorts there (possibly an old gravel pit or similar)which always has a lot of assorted waterfowl, a few waders, and several herons, the surrounds to the lake have always been very long grass and brambles, I have never seen anyone near the lake.
Today I noticed that the was a digger at one side which has cleared an area and there is a brand new hide, and what seems to be a wall full of nest holes for sandmartins.
All very good so far, the downside is that it borders some sort of sewage plant and the smells that come from that are almost enough to make you ill, I cannot see anyone using the hide without a gasmask, or at the very least a face mask!

Does anyone from the Surrey area know anything about this project ?

[Wild-Woman]

Hmmm. Sounds interesting. Perhaps once you're in the hide it won't be so bad?

[riggy]

and sewage works can attract a lot of birds especially gulls and wagtails so not to bad if you can cope with the smell

[Hawk Roosting]

IIRC Kingston Council have been trying for some time to open up the Hogsmill here so that the Hogsmill Walk can continue along the river bank instead of diverting past the sewage works and onto Lower Marsh Lane/Villiers Road. Maybe what you've seen is to do with this?

There are contact details here if you want to find out.

(edit: I walked that stretch of the Hogsmill - it forms part of the London Loop - last year: you can read about it here)

[Za]

I went down today to have a look at the new hide and sandmartin wall, but unfortunately there is no access yet, it seems to be a Thames Water site and there is a big locked gate, so I assume its still a work in progress, there are also a couple of floating cages full of plants in the lake which I would imagine are something to do with water quality.
Here are a few pictures of the site taken from the train station platform, all I saw there today were hundreds of gulls and two coots, but there are regularly several duck species on the lake, and there is a heronry nearby I think as there are usually half a dozen herons hanging around.






Looks promising for anyone in that area of Surrey, and its less than half an hour by train from Waterloo as well.
Za

[aeshna5]

I remember there was a Wood Sandpiper there for a while last summer. I've only passed it on the train.

[Adam Cheeseman]

If it's Thames Water I imagine it will be membership access only such as at Kempton.

Cheers,

Adam

[Za]

I get my water from them, does that entitle me to membership?
Za