Overview

Managed to provide a mixture of wetland habitats, including Phragmites reed beds & grasses with coppiced low scrub, 2 Hides overlooking scrapes where the water depth is artificially controlled to provide year round shallow water.

Being set between two rivers, Lavell’s is easily and quite regularly flooded, but under the Environment Agency’s support, a sluice situated in front of Teal Hide, provides some protection from flash flooding during the breeding season and allows excess water to drain into the Lodden, when water levels subside.

Lavell’s Lake has a rich biodiversity, but the key focus is birds and in particular wetland birds, such as dabbling ducks, waders, herons/Bittern/egrets, rails and crakes and reed dwelling passerines. Two public hides have been built by F.O.L.L, overlooking shallow our artificially created ‘Teal’ & ‘Tern’ scrapes, both provide some of the closest views possible of numerous shy and secretive species.

Teal Scrape was formed in 1984 and is currently undergoing work to rid ourselves of Crassula Helmsi, an invasive weed that spreads so fast that it chokes most other plant life out and covers exposed mud, which of course degrades the appeal to birds and no doubt other aquatic life.

When we are free of invasive weeds, Teal Scrape is to be expanded and an extensive expansion of Phragmites reed beds will then proceed, both within the scrape and on the adjacent main island.

Tern Scrape was formed in 1987 to counter the problems and disturbance to Teal scrape, when the Lodden path was put in. Tern Scrape is quite a lot larger and has a more open aspect, Phragmites reed and Reed Mace established more quickly here and as a result, waders and reed dwelling species have thrived.

Facilities

DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON THEIR LEADS AT ALL TIMES

Lavell’s has its own car park opposite Black Swan Sailing Club and Golf Course.

Tern Hide and Scrape

At the East end of Lavell’s and just a 5 minute walk from the car park. Tern Hide can seat about 8 people and is positioned very close to Tern Scrape, which is an area of shallow water, exposed mud fringed with Phragmites Reed and Reed Mace. The scrape provides excellent habitats for waders, dabbling ducks, rails & crakes, herons, warblers and buntings. There is also a shingle island for nesting terns and a main island where a Phragmites reed bed is under an expansion programme, but already attracts 1 or more Bitterns throughout the winter.

The grass meadow to the right of Tern Scrape is a no public access area.

Teal Hide and Scrape

At the West end adjacent to the Lodden River, Teal Hide can seat about 10 people and overlooks a more boggy habitat fringed with dense willow scrub and some mixed reed beds, due to be expanded and turned into Phragmites Reed bed. This habitat currently appeals to dabbling ducks, rails, herons, warblers and buntings.

The footpaths between the hides are sided by dense varying height vegetation and boggy areas. Paths lead to the River Lodden footpath and access to Sandford Lake and the rest of Dinton Pastures.