GLAMORGAN ROATH PARK LAKE
A hidden treasure in the capital city of Wales
Amile from the centre of Cardiff is the Grade 1 listed historic Roath Park, with fine trees including 12 champion trees, flower beds, greenhouses, circular footpath, explorer trail for children and, most importantly, a lake of 30 acres with several islets. A fine memorial lighthouse to Captain Scott of the Antarctic stands at the southern end, which with its rowing boats and pedalos is always busy, while the northern end is less disturbed for the waterfowl.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
The circular footpath extends for about a mile and the choice of where to start often depends on where you are able to park – hopefully it is an early morning visit and you are on the east bank. Gulls, as always, often dominate the lake, mainly Black-headed, Herring and
Lesser-Black-backed Gulls among which Mediterranean and Yellowlegged Gulls are often seen, while Iceland, Little, Mediterranean and Ring-billed Gulls have been spotted by patient observers.
2
Canada Geese are very much in evidence – they first nested in 1982. There are Greylag Geese and around 80 Mute Swans and Mallards. Tufted Ducks are resident, with up to 120 or so between October and February being joined by up to 20 Pochard. Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall are regular visitors, while Goldeneye make an occasional appearance. Do not be confused by sightings of Wood Duck, Mandarin, Red-crested Pochard and others – these are pinioned having been ‘introduced’.
3
Moorhens and Coots are resident, with several hundred of the latter present throughout the winter. Great Crested and Little Grebes can be seen year round, although only a couple of pairs of each remain to breed, the broods of the former quite a spectacle in summer.
4
Cormorants and Grey Herons use the trees on the small island while the feeder stream often has a Grey Wagtail in residence; Kingfishers are occasionally reported. The woodlands can prove a tranquil area, the haunt of resident Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper, Coal, Blue, and Great Tits and the possibility of summer visiting Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs deciding to over winter.