Little Britain Lake

From Londonbirders

Little Britain Lake, Cowley (OS Ref.TQ049813), was a gravel pit until the 1930's when gravel extraction ceased. On the extreme western edge of Greater London, it was incorrectly included in "Where to Watch Birds in Beds., Berks., Bucks., Herts. and Oxon" - it's in the old county of Middlesex. That book was less than complimentary about the lake - a bit unfair, I think.

Access arrangements: by car from Packet Boat Lane, off High Road, Cowley Peachey (A408) or from Old Mill Lane, off Iver Lane (B470). Buses stop on the High Road near the Paddington Packet Boat pub and a quarter mile walk down Packet Boat Lane takes you to the lake. Recent improvements sensitively carried out by the London Borough of Hillingdon ensure that visitors can easily walk around the lake and have good views.

The lake sits between the rivers Colne and Frays.

There is a small heronry on the islands and reasonable numbers of winter wildfowl can be expected (including Gadwall and Shoveler). Great Crested Grebe breed most years and Little Grebe is occasionally seen in the winter. Kingfisher can be seen on most visits. Ring-necked Parakeets are always around.

The local group, Friends of Little Britain Lake, have built a hide and in partnership with the Council carried out wild flower planting.

Roger A Dewey