FAIRLANDS VALLEY PARK
A great green oasis in the midst of town
This park in Stevenage may at first glance appear to be an unlikely birdwatching location; however, it is in fact a little gem. The park attracts rare passage migrants, breeding Tawny Owls, woodpeckers and terns to the three lakes and surrounding woodland/ grassland. Due to the nature of the site, early morning visits are highly recommended. ABIGAIL HAMILTON-THOMPSON
WHERE TO WATCH
1 The northernmost lake is called the Environmental Lake, and is the best out of the three for birdwatching due to its quieter location and being less likely to be used for human activity. Look out here for Goldeneye, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Great Crested and Little Grebes, Teal, and Little Ringed Plover in spring and summer. The river feeding the lake attracts the shy Kingfisher.
2 The middle lake, Millennium, is sometimes home to radio controlled boats. Here in amongst the geese and swans look out for further grebes, and terns. Barnacle Geese have been seen briefly stopping over, and a number of these wildfowl (from the feral East Anglian population) have chosen to breed here ever since these lakes were constructed in 1972. The southernmost lake is predominantly used for watersports but seems to attract gulls, including Little Gulls, and the distinctive Caspian Gull has been recorded as having visited the site.
3 The surrounding trees attract species more suited to farmland, due to Stevenage comprising of a number of neighbourhoods with woods and green areas between. Here watch out for breeding Tawny Owls, Mistle Thrush, Goldfinch, Redwing and Siskin, as well as large flocks of Woodpigeon.