Hewell Park Lake

Also within

Worcestershire County

Condition (Natural England)

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Area, 21.28 ha. 52.6 ac. Description A shallow artificial lake surrounded by ornamental woodland lying in the grounds of Hewell Grange. The lake margin has extensive areas of reed Phragmites australis particularly in its northern section. A narrow fringe of alder Alnus glutinosa occurs along the south west and north east banks. These margins also contain vigorous colonies of the locally distributed sweet flag Acorus calamus and yellow loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris. The woodlands surrounding the lake are mainly 19th century plantings and have some fine specimen trees within them. The ground flora, although only moderately rich does include the violet helleborine Epipactis purpurata. This wood is an important resource for birds. The open canopy provides a particularly good habitat for woodpecker and all three British species are known to have bred. Sparrow hawks Accipiter nisus are also found here. The lake also has considerable ornithological importance in a local context. The reed beds support one of the largest colonies of reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus in Worcestershire. The lake and its margins provide attractive breeding habitats for a number of waterfowl, particularly the great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus. The island which is dominated by the white willow Salix alba provides an important refuge for bird life on the lake. The lake is also interesting for its amphibians and reptiles. The eastern margin of the lake is noted for grass snakes Natrix natrix.

Species mentioned