College Lake Wildlife Centre

[Regan]

This is a site run by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust. However it is just in Buckinghamshire on the border with Hertfordshire, don't ask me how that works out! It is near the Tring reservoirs and consists of a large lake, wet meadow and marsh areas. There are also small woods and neighbouring arable farmland. It is not a large site but has a good number of hides.

As expected it attracts a good number of wildfow; mute swans, canada & greylag geese, mallards. teal, pochard, tufted duck, gadwall, wigeon, coot and moorhen were all present when I went. There was also a impressive list of birds seen there( far too many for me to type out), I also saw the sand martin nests ready for this years occupants to arrive.

The guy who put me on to it has also seen short-ear & little owl, peregrine falcon and osprey there.

Ihave only been once but will make it a regular haunt from now on. It is situated in Bulbourne to get there take the A41 by-pass towards Tring. Ignore the first turn off ( if heading North) and take the second to Tring. This puts you on the Bulbourne Road, just past the Wyevale garden centre, over the Canal Bridge about a quarter of a mile on the left. There is a £2 fee for non-wildlife trust members, there are information centres.

[oldbaldman]

Went to it Monday and they are CLOSED Mondays. Doh!

Will be going back as it was recommended by another birder I met at Pagham on the weekend.

Also at Winslow plenty of Hobbys at the reed bed end/side of the reservoir according to a friend of mine who lives out that way.

obm

[Imace]

If you look across the lake from the carpark you will see a large hide sort of in a field on the hill. Thats the best place to see the birds of prey as they tend to land on the fence posts to scan the field. A great place and you can get a cup of tea and a bite to eat. I go there regular as its close to home. The BBOWT has a lot of great places but College Lake is the Flagship. Worth joining as it was only £30 for husband and wife. http://www.bbowt.org.uk/

[oldbaldman]

So they have a restaurant/cafe? Excellent.

obm

[oldbaldman]

Anyone free today (Tuesday 17th) and would like to meet out here somewhere? Late afternoon, say 1400ish.

dave

[oldbaldman]

or tomorrow sunday 4th november.

nowt to do at home so a day out watching birds, wildlife and drinking coffee would be good.

dave

[oldbaldman]

Got here at last. Beautfiul site. Nice hides and not too busy. V cold tho and I could not stay long as my son had to go home early.

Well worth a visit and I am going back soon. Sorry, no details of birds seen, but was not there long enough.

dave

[jason hodges]

still some red crested pochard about as well as usual ducks herons and little and great crested grebes

[jason hodges]

does anyone know whats about in bucks at the moment .this would be a good place to start getting the word out.any info please

[jason hodges]

seen at college lake today 5 redshank few snipe,70+golden plover,kingfisher,linnet,reed bunting,house and sand martins,swallow, no ringed plover today though

[Ashley beolens]

If you are after news from bucks, try joining either the bucks bird or north bucks bird groups on yahoo, most news will then be delivered to your inbox.

Having said that, yesterday a great white egret was seen in filght over collage lake, heading north east after being seen at wilstone previously I believe. And a Hoopoe was reported at sherington, near Newport Pagnell, but could not be relocated.

[jason hodges]

thanks ill try that

[changer400]

If you are after news from bucks, try joining either the bucks bird or north bucks bird groups on yahoo, most news will then be delivered to your inbox.

Having said that, yesterday a great white egret was seen in filght over collage lake, heading north east after being seen at wilstone previously I believe. And a Hoopoe was reported at sherington, near Newport Pagnell, but could not be relocated.

Here are the links

NBBR@yahoogroups.com
Bucksbirders@yahoogroups.com

Cheers

Simon

[jason hodges]

thanks very much changer

[Ashley beolens]

Just be careful on NBBR or you will get multiple posts from "Changer" :)

[jason hodges]

thanks ashley.good to see your an lfc supporter too.6th euro cup on the way.

[oldbaldman]

Bucks Bird Club is useful to look at.

http://www.bucksbirdclub.co.uk/

dave

[jason hodges]

thanks ill check it out

[Janieb]

Great views of a hobby at this site last weekend.