The Cotswold Water Park

On Saturday 7th June 2008, the new bird hides at Cleveland Lakes (68a/74) were opened to the public for the first time. 

The diggers have left, the hammering has stopped, the mud has dried up ( well, nearly!), the newly planted reeds are growing well and the only sound near the new hide is that of songbirds and the young herons screeching as they make trial flights around the island. The Reed Hide is now officially open to the public and it looks spectacular!!! Feedback from local birders suggest they agree with us too. The placement of the second hide, relocated from lake 68a and now overlooking Lake 74, also gives fantastic views of the waterbirds using the lake.

This project, a major part of the ALSF-funded project has been the collaborative work of Stroud-based designer Helen Shackleton and engineer Lloyd Turner. The “Reed Hide” is an octagonal structure of wood, rammed earth, and woven hazel, incorporating bat boxes in the extraordinary roof, and decorated internally with murals of the water birds that can be found locally.

The hides are accessible from Railway Bridge car park (just off the Spine Road), walking along the old railway line (Sustrans Route 45)  or from Waterhay car park, along the Thames Path. 

Please keep sending the wildlife sightings to the blog, new log books will be placed in the new hides.

Any queries, please let me know. Gareth Harris, Biodiversity Officer, Cotswold Water Park Society.