Cotswold Water Park

Leader Colin Greenfield

Pit 74 Cleveland Lakes: Twitchers Gate and Pit 201 The Old Railway Line
2nd August 2026. Start 8.30am (duration 2-3 hrs).
Depending on parking availability, park at Twitchers Gate

An opportunity to explore part of the considerable Cotswold Water Park area, which has over
150 man-made lakes of various types from gravel scrapes to extensive reedbeds. The
central location and the variety of habitats provide an important stop off point for migrating
birds, during both spring and autumn. It is said that anything can turn up, so this is our
opportunity to put that to the test.

The target will be to find interesting breeding birds, and birds starting their migration,
probably waders at this time of year.

We will start at Rixon Gate, known as Twitchers Gate, found off Friday’s Ham Lane. After
scanning lake 74 (Cleveland Lake), we will head along a minor road towards the old railway
line to a couple of more recent pits that have attracted some good birds, such as Yellow
Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper and Temminck’s Stint back in the spring.
After surveying these pits, we can then return along the minor road back to Twitchers Gate.
Note, there is limited parking near to Cleveland Lakes. If space is limited parking may need
to be found further from our start point. This will depend on the number of cars and parking
space on the day.

Possible birds: Bittern, Hobby, Egyptian Geese, Red Crested Pochard, Cattle, Little and
Great White Egrets, Sandpipers (Common, Green).