Astonfields Balancing Lakes facts for kids

Astonfields Balancing Lakes is a special place for nature found on the edge of Stafford, a town in Staffordshire, England. It's known as a local nature reserve, which means it's protected because of its important wildlife.

The main reason these lakes were built was to help stop floods. But over time, they have also become a fantastic home for many different plants and animals. The whole area is about 4 hectares, which is like 10 football fields! It's even called a "Grade 1 Site of Biological Importance" because it's so important for nature.

Why Were the Lakes Built?

The land where the lakes are now used to be wet meadows. These "balancing lakes" were created to protect Stafford from flooding. The first lake, in the north, was built in the late 1970s. The second one, in the south, was added in 1990. They work by holding extra water when there's a lot of rain, stopping it from flooding homes and businesses.

Exploring the Area

Right next to the northern part of the lakes, you can find an old railway line. This used to be the Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway, but now it's a popular route for cycling and walking.

On the western side of the lakes is the Astonfields Industrial Estate. This area used to be a salt works. They would take salty water from underground to get the salt. Even today, you can still find some of the salt-rich waste from those old days.

Wildlife at the Lakes

The lakes are now very important for wildlife. The people who look after the site work hard to protect and improve it for nature.

The Northern Lake

The northern lake has a lot of open water. It also has some plants growing in and around it. This open water is great for different kinds of waterfowl and other birds.

The Southern Lake

The southern lake is quite different. It doesn't have much open water. Instead, it has a big area of reed beds. These are like tall grasses that grow in wet places. There's also a small area of salt marsh. A salt marsh is a special kind of wetland where the soil has a lot of salt.

These areas provide a home for unique birds like the water rail and the snipe. These birds love to hide in the reeds and wet areas.

Around the Edges

Along the edges of the lakes, you'll find hedgerows and small areas of woodland. These provide even more habitats for wildlife. Many different kinds of warblers, which are small songbirds, live here. You can also spot many other species of birds and small animals enjoying these green spaces.