Explore the Rich Biodiversity of Castle Lake
CASTLE LAKE CONSERVATION GROUP
Castle Lake is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a unique glimpse into the diverse ecosystems that thrive in this remarkable wetland area.
The Story of Castle Lake
Our Conservation Mission
Preserving Nature for Future Generations
The Castle Lake Conservation Group is dedicated to safeguarding the natural environment of Castle Lake. Our mission focuses on enhancing biodiversity, protecting habitats, and promoting sustainable practices. We aim to educate the public on the importance of conservation and inspire community involvement in preserving this precious ecosystem.
Through our initiatives, we strive to maintain the ecological balance of Castle Lake, ensuring it remains a sanctuary for wildlife and a place of learning and enjoyment for all. By fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world, we hope to cultivate a sense of responsibility and stewardship among visitors and residents alike.
Discover Castle Lake's Unique Features
Vibrant Birdlife
Castle Lake is home to an impressive variety of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. With 183 species recorded, visitors can enjoy sightings of both common and rare birds throughout the year.
Rich Flora
The lake’s surrounding grasslands boast a diverse array of plant life, providing a lush habitat for many species. This rich flora contributes to the ecological significance of Castle Lake.
Diverse Fauna
From dragonflies to newts, the fauna at Castle Lake is as varied as it is fascinating. The wetland environment supports a wide range of wildlife, offering endless exploration opportunities for nature enthusiasts.
Castle Lake by the Numbers
Castle Lake is a treasure trove of biodiversity, offering a unique glimpse into the natural world.
Registered Key Holders
Meters Above Sea Level
Years Since First Formed
Meters Maximum Depth
A VIEWING HIDE!
DURHAM BIRD CLUB
Durham Bird Club has developed Castle Lake to attract a wide range of bird species with the addition of breeding islands, scrapes, wet ditches, reed beds and hedgerow systems.
The surrounding pasture is primarily grazed throughout the year with fields also cut for silage, although in within the last 20 years, these fields have also been cultivated for cereal and root vegetable production. Some fields, for example ‘Castle Field’ to the north of the site, also include areas of exposed limestone rock because of historical quarrying activities and the existence of ruined buildings. This provides suitable habitat for specialist flora associated with magnesian limestone. The old ‘deer park’ wall, albeit in need of substantial restoration, neatly surrounds the land tenure.
This ancient wall is full of nooks and crannies amongst the crumbling masonry, offering an interesting habitat for invertebrates, small mammals and birds, interspersed with scattered scrub and individual hawthorn. A modern sewage water treatment works serving Bishop Middleham is now situated in the central north-west corner, and amongst the water treatment facilities are cut grassland and occasional shrubs.
A butterfly and dragonfly survey of this site in 2010 concluded that the sewage treatment works had little environmental value, especially with regards to botanical interest, owing to the mown grassland of the main operational zone and the heavy grazing taking place in the site’s redundant area (Eales, 2010).