Ferry Meadows Country Park
by George Walthew
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PBC Where to Watch Birds Ferry Meadows Country Park by George Walthew |
| Sightings for past week: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past month: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past year: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
Ferry Meadows Country Park is an area of nearly 200 hectares which lies in a bend of the River Nene at Milton Ferry Bridge (hence it's name). It is part of a much larger area (around 1000 hectares in total also managed from Ferry Meadows) known as Nene Park which stretches along the River Nene from Peterborough town centre out to Wansford on the A1, some 6 miles away.
Originally arable farmland with riverside meadows, the lakes were formed by extraction of gravel which started in 1972 and had ended by 1978. As well as the lakes other habitats have been created: a 16 hectare nature reserve, numerous tree belts, and grasslands with varying management regimes.
Although heavily used by the general public, it is still one of the best sites for birds in the Peterborough area with nearly 200 species of birds recorded there. Although, no longer important for waders and wildfowl (but still capable of producing surprises), it is still a good site for smaller birds which are more tolerant of disturbance.
The nature reserve is one of the best places in the area to see the elusive Water Rail, as well as Siskins and Redpolls which frequent the alders in winter. Kingfishers can also be seen on most visits to the lakes if you are prepared to spend some time and Cormorants and Herons are always about. The two woods, Lynch Wood and Bluebell Wood, hold the usual woodland birds including Marsh Tit, and Nuthatch and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker should be looked for in Bluebell Wood.
The park is at it's best in spring when early morning visits can be very rewarding for passage migrants. The River Nene forms a natural flyway inland from the coast and the lakes often draw passing birds down.
As well as the main car park at the visitor centre, you can also drive round to the watersports centre car park at Gunwade Lake. Other points of access are from Bluebell Bridge, parking at Thorpe Wood Golf Course car park; and Milton Ferry Bridge, parking in the car park by the bridge after leaving the A47 for Castor village at Love's Hill. You can also walk in along Goldie Lane after parking in the lay-by by the bus stop near Orton Longueville school on the A605.
Click here for a report on the PBC visits to Ferry
Meadows on 22 & 27 April 1999
Click here for a report on the PBC mini bird race at Ferry
Meadows on 11 May 1999
