Brent Reservoir

From Londonbirders

Revision as of 14:27, 24 July 2006

Map: [1] Website: http://www.brentres.com

A large reservoir with natural banks lying adjacent to the North Circular Road in Neasden. The main point of access is off West Hendon Broadway NW9 along Cool Oak Lane. You can park just before the bridge which crosses the reservoir or there is a car park at the top of Woodfield Park. For access using public transport there is Hendon rail station on Thameslink which is a 10 minute walk (closest to the hides) or Wembley Park underground station and then bus 297 or 182 to Blackbird Hill and walk along Birchen Grove (for the Dam end).

There is open access to all of the reservoir although a key is required to access the hides. There are two hides overlooking East Marsh (follow the footpath which starts by the sailing base car park by the bridge) and one in the North Marsh (follow the footpath on the other side of the bridge). There's also a raised platform near the latter hide.

The reservoir was completed in 1840 and the birdlife has been recorded since then (in fact it was 'birded' i.e. birds were shot during its construction). With such a long history inevitably it has an impressive list of rarities, such as the UK's first Iberian Chiffchaff in 1972. Other rarities include White-rumped Sandpiper, Hume's Warbler, Lesser Scaup, Blue-winged Teal and Great White Egret.

The site was designated an SSSI for its breeding wetland birds such as Great Crested Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Common Tern.

Pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying at Brent Res, photo by Andrew Self

There is an active conservation group from whom a key for the hides is obtainable, telephone 020 8447 1810).