Priory Country Park

Overview

A 300-acre park with diverse habitats including water bodies, reed beds, grassland, and mature trees. 62 bird species breed here. There is an interpretive Visitor Centre near the Barker’s Lane entrance, a cafe, toilets and two hides. 

The History of the Site

The park has been farmed since Roman times and the area where it now stands was previously water meadow. Gravel extraction occurred between the two world wars and after world war two, thus forming the lakes. The site was developed by North Beds Borough Council between 1978 and 1984 along with the Countryside Commission for passive recreations! 

Habitat

Varied with mature trees, bushes, scrub, reed beds, grassland and water bodies Since 1972, a total of 212 birds have been recorded in the park, 62 breeding.

The best time to visit is before 10 am, before the park gets too busy. Daily records are kept and it would be helpful if all records of interesting species, large numbers, breeding or migration could be passed on to either one of the wardens at the Visitor Centre or directly.

Red Necked Grebe – Steve Blain

Access

Priory Country Park is situated 1.5 miles (2km) east of Bedford (TL0749). The site covers 300 acres adjacent to the River Great Ouse. The park is open to cars from 5 am to 9 pm. 

Parking

There are two parking areas – one from Barkers Lane (TL072494), the other at the former Cardington Mill (TL079489), which is approached via the Business Park.

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Birds

In Spring: You can find eight species of warbler in the reeds, coppice or scrub.

Rarities

Spring

Arctic and Black Terns or Little Gull may be seen after a north/north-easterly wind. Osprey occasionally are seen on passage. Common Scoter, Curlew, Whimbrel, Godwits, Red-necked Phalarope, Caspian, Little and Sandwich Terns have passed through and there is always the unexpected delight of seeing a Whinchat, Redstart or Wheatear. The largest flock of Avocet seen in the county also passed over during rain in late March and Shelduck visit regularly. 

Autumn

Gannet, Pomarine Skua, Ferruginous Duck, Grey Phalarope, Yellow-browed Warbler and Bearded Tit .

Winter

Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, Slavonian, Black-necked and Red-necked Grebes, Shag, Bewick’s and Whooper Swans, Pink-footed, White-fronted and Brent Geese, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Smew, Red-breasted Merganser, Bittern, Great Grey Shrike and Snow Bunting

More extreme  rarities have included  Purple Sandpiper Woodchat Shrike, Grey-headed Wagtail, Bee-eater, Ring-necked Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked and Grey Phalarope, Pomarine Skua, Little Auk, Black-throated Diver, Fulmar, Gannet, Red-backed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike and Snow Bunting