Swillbrook Lakes
Welcome to Swillbrook Lakes
Managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, this site is owned by The Hills Group
which has shown a commitment to maintain the site for nature conservation.
Swillbrook Lakes is a striking example of a site created by man's activities.
It was bereft of life thirty years ago, but is now a haven for all kinds of
wildlife. Like Clattinger Farm, there were once riverside meadows here, but the
site became one of the first sand and gravel quarries to be dug in the 1960s.
Because machinery was not as efficient then, and the gravel beds here are
thinner than elsewhere in the area, the site was not worked to the edges. After
quarrying was completed most of the area was left untouched until Wiltshire
Wildlife Trust began managing the site as a nature reserve.
Plants have recolonised the reserve naturally, creating the wildflower
grasslands, willow scrub, marsh and reedbeds. Dragonflies and birds followed.
Swillbrook Lakes is now one of the most important nature conservation sites in
the Cotswold Water Park.
Wildlife on the reserve
Summer bird visitors begin to throng the lakes in April. The first warbler to
arrive is likely to be the chiffchaff, with sand martins and swallows following
soon after. By May a cacaphony of birds inhabits the willow scrub - sedge
warblers with their scratchy songs competing with reed warblers, blackcaps and
willow warblers. From the thick hedges the best songster of them all, the
nightingale, sings day and night. Water birds such as the great crested grebe,
coot and mallard all nest around the lakes.
Towards the end of summer hobbys gather to take advantage of the abundant
dragonflies, sand martins and swallows that make up their diet. Ducks begin to
arrive in October to overwinter in the Water Park. The drakes have finished
moulting and are looking at their dazzling best to attract a mate. Mallard and
gadwall are regular visitors, while wigeon are easily detected by their
whistling calls. Pochard, tufted duck and goldeneye can be seen diving in the
deeper areas. Less frequently seen are the striking goosanders and pintail.
But birdlife is not the only interest here. In summer a whole range of flowers
can be found along the water's edge such as damp-loving gypsywort, southern
marsh and common spotted orchids, and water mint. Under the water are the rare
stoneworts, simple plants that use the calcium in the water to build their
skeleton, hence the name.
From midsummer onwards dragonflies and damselflies appear. These lakes are home
to 13 species.
The delicate damselflies
don't fly far but are found in huge numbers. The bright common blue is one of
the most numerous, but also look out for the blue tailed and emerald
damselflies. The big, fast dragonflies can be seen hawking above the surface of
the lakes and along the hedgerows. There is the powder-blue black-tailed
skimmer, the brown-winged brown hawker and the bright blue and green southern
hawker.
Wetlands such as Swillbrook Lakes are extremely important, particularly as they
are in such short supply in Wiltshire.
Future plans for the nature reserve involve ensuring that the wonderful range
of habitats is maintained to prevent the whole area from reverting to willow
scrub. It is this variety that enables the many different plants and animals to
thrive. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust also plans to improve visitor access to
the nature reserve, in particular for disabled people.
Other information
Location: Swillbrook Lakes are also known as Lakes 46 and 48 of
Cotswolds Water Park. From the A419 Swindon to Cirencester road turn left
signposted Cotswolds Water Park. After the Keynes Country Park turning take
next left, signed Minety. The stile entrance is on the left, Clattinger Farm is
opposite. There is parking for several cars beside the road, at OS map ref
SU017 938, OS map Landrangers 173 and 163.
Best times to visit: May and June for summer migrant birds; October to
March for wintering wildfowl.
Habitats: Large expanses of open water, marshy edges, reedbeds and
hedgerows.
Specialities of the reserve: One of the best sites in the Cotswolds
Water Park for breeding and overwintering birds, and dragonflies.
Shelter on the reserve: None
Nearest public telephone: Main street of Somerford Keynes
Nearest public toilets: Keynes Country Park
Nearest hospital casualty department: Cirencester Hospital. Tel 01285
655711.
Nearby nature reserves:Adjacent to Clattinger Farm. The reserve is to
the north of the Braydon Forest area where the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has a
number of woodland and meadow reserves.
This reserve has received support from the following:
Gloucester Wildlife Trust
Hills Group
Cotswolds Group
English Nature