Watermead Country Park

Details


Wildlife Highlights

This is an excellent site for waterfowl and a winter hotspot for goosander and other migrants such as smew. Kingfishers and water rail are frequently seen. The rough grassland areas are also very good for insects.

Total species seen at this site: 176

Description

Watermead Country Park is a 140-hectare site that is nearly two miles long and as its name suggests it is a wetland area with over 12 lakes and smaller ponds. The Park is developing one of the largest reedbed areas in the Midlands and has five birdhides, including a 2-storey hide. Running through the Park are the River Soar and Grand Union Canal which provide an essential corridor for wildlife. It has a good network of suraced paths.

Latest Images

Latest Records

Common Name Latin Name Date Recorded Recorded By
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 29/02/2012 Mark Skevington
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 29/02/2012 Rod Baker
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 29/02/2012 Mark Skevington
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 29/02/2012 Mark Skevington
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 25/02/2012 Mark Skevington
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 19/02/2012 Mark Skevington
Bittern Botaurus stellaris 14/02/2012 Rod Baker
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 12/02/2012 David Nicholls
Mandarin Aix galericulata 12/02/2012 David Nicholls
Shoveller Anas clypeata 12/02/2012 David Nicholls
Shoveller Anas clypeata 12/02/2012 David Nicholls
Teal Anas crecca 12/02/2012 David Nicholls
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 12/02/2012 David Nicholls
Gadwall Anas strepera 12/02/2012 David Nicholls
Greylag Goose Anser anser 12/02/2012 David Nicholls

Getting There

Access to the northern part of Watermead Country Park is off Fillingate: follow signs for 'Watermead Country Park North' from the A46 to reach the car park (£1.50 fee) at SK 606 106. From here it is possible to walk south to Birstall, or alternatively park in the car park at the end of Meadow Lane in Birstall (SK 602 096).

Further Information

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society

Managed By

Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council (southern section)

Latest Images

Species List


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Group Common Name Latin Name Last Seen
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Bees, Wasps, Ants Oak Marble Gall Wasp Andricus kollari 07/11/2008
Bees, Wasps, Ants Hairy-footed Flower Bee Anthophora plumipes 20/04/2007
Bees, Wasps, Ants Rubytail Wasp Chrysis ignita 14/07/2007
Beetles 10 Spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata 25/06/2010
Beetles Water Ladybird Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata 25/06/2010
Beetles Raspberry Beetle Byturus tomentosus 31/05/2010
Beetles Cream Spot Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata 31/05/2010
Beetles Donacia vulgaris 25/06/2010
Beetles Galerucella sagittariae 29/05/2009
Beetles Grammoptera ruficornis 29/05/2009
Beetles Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis 29/05/2009
Beetles Common Malachite Beetle Malachius bipustulatus 31/05/2010
Beetles Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva 14/07/2007
Beetles Sphaeroderma testaceum 14/07/2007
Birds Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 09/06/2011
Birds Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 21/01/2006
Birds Mandarin Aix galericulata 12/02/2012
Birds Pintail Anas acuta 24/02/2011
Birds Shoveller Anas clypeata 12/02/2012
Birds Teal Anas crecca 12/02/2012
Birds Wigeon Anas penelope 20/01/2005
Birds Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 12/02/2012
Birds Gadwall Anas strepera 12/02/2012
Birds Greylag Goose Anser anser 12/02/2012
Birds Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 13/01/2006
Birds Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 24/02/2011
Birds Scaup Aythya marila 07/04/2008
Birds Bittern Botaurus stellaris 14/02/2012
Birds Canada Goose Branta canadensis 20/01/2005
Birds Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret 03/03/2006