About the reserve

Water wildlife

This tranquil Buckinghamshire reserve is a delightful place to watch wintering wildfowl such as mallard, tufted duck and pochard.

Its large 'lake' was created by clay extraction for the brick industry. Later, part of the site was a municipal rubbish tip. Steep banks were carefully sculpted to form shallows in front of two bird hides while the creation of three floating raft islands have enabled common terns and waterfowl to nest away from local foxes. There are also kingfishers here. In winter, a lucky birdwatcher might see bittern, smew, scaup, goldeneye, goosander and glaucous gull.

Listen out for chiffchaffs, blackcaps and willow warblers. Dense reedbeds have been planted at the shallower, northern end of the lake, and a small pond has been created to attract frogs and other amphibians.

Flowery scrubland

The scrubby area around the lake contains a surprising range of wild flowers, including delicate orchids. The flowers support a range of butterflies including the grizzled skipper and green hairstreak. 

Please note that swimming and fishing are not permitted at this nature reserve.