Overview
Southill Lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with a shoreline of about 1.4km. It lies within Southill Park, which is largely private. Part of the lake is fringed by a narrow reedbed, the northern edge is wall-lined, but otherwise it is surrounded by trees. There is a small tree-covered island, which holds a declining Grey Heronry, whilst in recent years up to three pairs of Little Egrets have bred. Also notable are good numbers of breeding Little Grebes, and in most years a few breeding pairs of Great Crested Grebes. The lake supports a range of the more common breeding wildfowl, including Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Tufted Duck, Mandarin Duck and, in 2025 for the first time there, breeding Gadwall. Other breeders include Egyptian Geese (in the surrounding woodland), an occasional single pair of Oystercatchers, and regular Grey Wagtails. The reedbed holds a few pairs of breeding Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler, and in 2025 for the first time, a Cetti’s Warbler held territory there. Apart from the Oystercatchers, and sometimes wintering Woodcocks in the surrounding woodland, it is poor for waders, but in years when the water level drops then Common and Green Sandpiper have occurred in the autumn. Regular winter visitors include small numbers of Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon and Cormorant. Scarcer species that have occurred include White-fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Garganey, Red-crested Pochard, Goosander, Lapwing, Curlew, Whimbrel, Water Rail, Shag, Arctic Tern, Little Gull, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Hobby and Grasshopper Warbler.
Access
There is no public access to the lake, although during the winter some limited viewing may be possible from the road that runs between Old Warden and Southill village.
Parking
No official parking available
Birds
Year Round
Mute SwanCanada GooseGreylag GooseMandarin DuckEgyptian GoosePochardTufted DuckGadwallMallardLittle GrebeGreat Crested GrebeMoorhenCootCormorantGrey HeronRed KiteBuzzardKingfisherRavenGrey WagtailSpring
TealCommon TernSedge WarblerReed WarblerChiffchaffBlackcapWhitethroatReed BuntingSummer
OystercatcherCommon TernLittle EgretHobbySedge WarblerReed WarblerGarden WarblerBlackcapWhitethroatReed BuntingAutumn
ShovelerCommon SandpiperGreen SandpiperLittle EgretGarden WarblerBlackcapWhitethroatWinter
ShovelerTealRedpollRarities: American Purple Gallinule; Tundra Bean Goose; Red-throated Diver; Goshawk; Montagu’s Harrier
