These two flooded gravel pits comprise separate but almost adjacent Local Nature Reserves, both owned by Three Valleys Water and managed by the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Together these support an enormous number of wetland birds, making it a site of great ornithological importance. Springwell’s reedbed is one of the largest in London. There is free access to both reserves.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Springwell and Stocker's Lakes
Borough: Hillingdon
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 42.65 ha
Description
Wildlife
The site supports a range of wintering waterfowl, including important numbers of coot, tufted duck, gadwall, shoveler, teal and pochard, and is of lesser significance for goosander, goldeneye and smew. The Springwell reedbed is also used in winter by roosting corn buntings (one of the few London sites where they do this) and wagtails. Over 60 species of breeding birds are present, including common tern (on specially constructed rafts), grey heron, reed bunting, and reed and sedge warblers.Reedswamp is the dominant habitat in Springwell, with common reed the most widespread plant. Greater and lesser pond sedges dominate in certain areas and there are also several small alder-willow woodlands in the site. Here the locally rare plant large bittercress is to be found. Other wetland plants include the uncommon meadow-rue and meadowsweet.The site also supports water voles and there are increasingly regular signs of otters in the vicinity. The site has large and diverse populations of fish.Facilities
Information; car parking; cycle paths; fishing; waymarked walking route.
Male goldeneye © Mike Waite
View of Springwell Lake © Stuart Colgate
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