Overview
This site is a mature, tree-lined lake in the Ivel Valley and is the result of gravel extraction in the 1960s. It rose to prominence for birding from the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, by which time the trees surrounding the lake matured to obscure the view from all but a third of the lake. Since then, the site has largely been ignored by birdwatchers. The owners, the Zwetsloot family have been ringing wildfowl on Blunham Lake for many years and counts of wildfowl have been supplied to the BNHS. In fact some of the UK’s highest counts of ringed Pochard came from this site. Since 2000, the site has benefited from more regular visits from birdwatchers in the winter, thanks to considerably improved viewing conditions; as the trees have grown, the under-story has died and several more mature trees have blown over. It is now possible to view most of the lake, albeit from a number of vantage points, from October to March.
Wholly accurate counts are problematic but almost achievable! Bird records since 2000 have revealed that this is, on average, the best site for Gadwall (peak count of 306, January 2009), and is a reasonably regular site for Smew, with birds recorded most winters since 2003 (max four). Good numbers of Wigeon winter here and Pintail occur most years. May 2016
Blunham Lake – Steve BlainAccess
From Blunham village, cross the River Ivel by the weir and take the footpath to your left, along the east side of the river for approximately 50 metres. Just before reaching the “kissing gate”, turn right and follow the path between the paddocks. Pass through another “kissing gate” and over a small stream. You are now on a track that runs parallel to the southern edge of the lake, which is on your left. There are various points along this track from which parts of the lake can be seen. This track can also be accessed from Sandy by following the old railway line (now a cycle track – Route 51) west , until a metalled roadway heads north between the fields to the lake. A part of the lake can also be viewed from a position further north along the riverside path.
Parking
Roadside parking available in Park Lane near St Edmund & St James Church in Blunham.
Birds
Gadwall (peak count 306, 2009),
