Wildlife around the lake.
Open water, regenerating woodland, stream and wet ground bring together a remarkable mix of habitats in a small area. Kingfishers flash across the water, herons work the margins, trout move below the surface and dragonflies patrol the sunny edges. Beyond the lake, the woodland has its own quieter life.
Water
Kingfishers, herons, trout and rudd.
Margins
Dragonflies, frogs, orchids and wet-ground life.
Woodland
Birds, slow worms, invertebrates and bees.
Kingfishers
Kingfishers are regular around the lake, moving quickly between familiar stretches of water. The first phone photograph finally came during the August eclipse.
Great spotted woodpecker
A great spotted woodpecker joined the growing woodland record in March. The red under-tail and bold black-and-white plumage made this one particularly satisfying to catch on camera.
A short film of the sighting will be added here when it joins the photo archive.
Old trees in young woodland
Most of the woodland appears to be no more than about sixty years old, having regenerated after the clay workings. The exceptions matter: the old oak on the raised remnant, large southern boundary beeches, an old ash and possibly older sweet chestnut, laurel and grey willow.
The smaller record
Some of the best finds are easy to walk past. Dragonflies, frogs, slow worms, orchids, bees and other invertebrates all form part of the growing record. The sunny banks, damp ground and lake margins can be every bit as interesting as the open water.
Wildlife survey
If you are visiting, your sightings can become part of the story too. Tick what you recognise on the wildlife survey - common species are just as welcome as unusual ones. Over time, those observations will build a fuller picture of life around the lake.
Stay among the woodland and water
Guests can stay on the site in the yurt, Vintage Tent or small-scale woodland camping, with the lake and wildlife around them throughout the visit. See nature stays near the Eden Project at Ennal’s Pool.
Cameras
Fixed cameras will add another view of the lake, catching the wildlife that appears when nobody is standing there watching.