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Testwood Lakes is a series of lakes and meadows in the Test Valley. There are 3 lakes and a scrape that attract wildfowl such as Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall and Wigeon during the winter. In summer Oystercatcher & Little Ringed Plover breed and it is hoped that Lapwing and Redshank will also breed soon. Regular passage waders include Common & Green Sandpipers, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit, and a White-rumped Sandpiper was also recorded in 2004. Little Egrets and Grey Herons are also usually present. Since Testwood Lakes was developed as a nature reserve by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust it has begun to attract more wildlife. The tern raft is used by breeding Gulls in summer and as a fishing point for Cormorants in winter. Common Terns are regular visitors in summer and hopefully in a few years time they will be breeding. Testwood Lakes is one of the best sites in England to see Kingfishers - anyone who doesn't see one is very unlucky. In winter flocks of Siskins, Goldfinches and sometimes Redpolls feed in the trees, where Treecreepers can be seen amongst tit flocks as well. Other breeders include Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Great Spotted, Green & (apparently) Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny & Little Owls, Bullfinch and the commoner warblers. Peregrines often wander from their breeding sites at the end of the river Test, and Hobbies are also possibility, but will probably have come from the other direction. The meadows around the Lakes are full of interesting flora in the summer which attracts lots of butterflies. | Testwood Lakes is a series of lakes and meadows in the Test Valley. There are 3 lakes and a scrape that attract wildfowl such as Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall and Wigeon during the winter. In summer Oystercatcher & Little Ringed Plover breed and it is hoped that Lapwing and Redshank will also breed soon. Regular passage waders include Common & Green Sandpipers, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit, and a White-rumped Sandpiper was also recorded in 2004. Little Egrets and Grey Herons are also usually present. Since Testwood Lakes was developed as a nature reserve by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust it has begun to attract more wildlife. The tern raft is used by breeding Gulls in summer and as a fishing point for Cormorants in winter. Common Terns are regular visitors in summer and hopefully in a few years time they will be breeding. Testwood Lakes is one of the best sites in England to see Kingfishers - anyone who doesn't see one is very unlucky. In winter flocks of Siskins, Goldfinches and sometimes Redpolls feed in the trees, where Treecreepers can be seen amongst tit flocks as well. Other breeders include Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Great Spotted, Green & (apparently) Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny & Little Owls, Bullfinch and the commoner warblers. Peregrines often wander from their breeding sites at the end of the river Test, and Hobbies are also possibility, but will probably have come from the other direction. The meadows around the Lakes are full of interesting flora in the summer which attracts lots of butterflies. | ||
Revision as of 17:35, 25 April 2007
Testwood Lakes is a series of lakes and meadows in the Test Valley. There are 3 lakes and a scrape that attract wildfowl such as Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall and Wigeon during the winter. In summer Oystercatcher & Little Ringed Plover breed and it is hoped that Lapwing and Redshank will also breed soon. Regular passage waders include Common & Green Sandpipers, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit, and a White-rumped Sandpiper was also recorded in 2004. Little Egrets and Grey Herons are also usually present. Since Testwood Lakes was developed as a nature reserve by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust it has begun to attract more wildlife. The tern raft is used by breeding Gulls in summer and as a fishing point for Cormorants in winter. Common Terns are regular visitors in summer and hopefully in a few years time they will be breeding. Testwood Lakes is one of the best sites in England to see Kingfishers - anyone who doesn't see one is very unlucky. In winter flocks of Siskins, Goldfinches and sometimes Redpolls feed in the trees, where Treecreepers can be seen amongst tit flocks as well. Other breeders include Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Great Spotted, Green & (apparently) Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny & Little Owls, Bullfinch and the commoner warblers. Peregrines often wander from their breeding sites at the end of the river Test, and Hobbies are also possibility, but will probably have come from the other direction. The meadows around the Lakes are full of interesting flora in the summer which attracts lots of butterflies.
Reviews
teamsaint's review
Pros
- Little Egrets
- good views of kestrels
- flocks of siskins
Cons
- bird numbers quite low
