"Swillbrook
Lakes
The Lower
Mill Estate boundary is just in front of you, and beyond it
lies Swillbrook Lakes. This is an important nature
conservation site run by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust,
supporting a wide range of wildlife.
From April onwards summer bird visitors can be seen,
starting with the chiffchaff and followed by sand martins
and swallows darting acrobatically in search of winged
insects. The willow scrub is soon alive with birds, such as
sedge warblers, reed warblers and blackcaps.
On the water, great crested grebes are familiar figures,
patrolling the lakes alongside coot and mallard. From
October onwards they are joined by over-wintering ducks,
including gadwall, pochard and even the striking goosander.
Dragonflies and damselflies are abundant here from
midsummer, with 13 species buzzing and hawking over the
lake edges. Some will fall prey to the moustachioed hobby
that scouts this area in the late summer, when the feeding
is at its best.
Plants are abundant around Swillbrook Lakes too. A whole
range of flowers can be found at the water’s edge
such as damp-loving gypsywort, southern marsh orchid and
common spotted orchid as well as water mint.
To your left, along the edge of the estate is an important
area for nightingales. Listen out for their song as they
perch in the hedgerow, specially managed as habitat for
these rarely seen birds.
Larger mammals are present here too. In the early morning
you might glimpse a badger ambling home to its sett on the
edge of Howell’s Mere.
Facts
& Figures
• If you wish to visit Swillbrook
Lakes, please keep your dog on a lead at all times.
•
The public right of
way lies to the right and left of this sign, along the edge
of Lower Mill Estate.
•
Residents may use the
footpath behind where you are standing as part of a
circular walk around Howell’s
Mere."
Call 01380 831113 / 07711
116293
Email mark@fostercopy.com
