Darland's Lake Nature Reserve facts for kids
Darland's Lake Nature Reserve is a special place for nature south of Totteridge Village in Barnet, England. The London Borough of Barnet owns this reserve. For many years, it was looked after by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Since 2017, a new group called the Darlands Conservation Trust has managed the reserve. This trust was started by the London Wildlife Trust and local people. In 2020, they began a project to raise money to help keep the lake from drying up.
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History of Darland's Lake
The land where Darland's Lake is today was once part of a large estate called Copped Hall. This estate was very old, dating back to the 1500s.
In 1780, a man named William Manning MP lived there. An MP is a Member of Parliament, someone who helps make laws for the country. His son, Cardinal Manning, a very important church leader, was born at this estate.
Darland's Lake was not always there naturally. It was created on purpose as a beautiful "ornamental lake." This happened by building a dam across a stream called Folly Brook. It is thought that William Manning's wife, Mary, planned the lake. She might have even gotten advice from a famous landscape designer named Humphry Repton.
What Makes Darland's Lake Special?
Darland's Lake is quite shallow, meaning it's not very deep. It has many areas filled with tall reeds, which are like water plants. The reserve also includes peaceful woodland areas.
This nature reserve is home to many different kinds of animals. Lots of birds come here to nest and raise their young. You might also spot eighteen different types of mammals. These include small, quick animals like stoats and weasels.
The reserve is also important for other creatures. You can find grass snakes here, which are harmless. Many different amphibians, like frogs and newts, live in and around the water. The reserve also has a good variety of fungi and tiny creatures called invertebrates, like insects and spiders.
Protecting the Reserve
Both Folly Brook and Darland's Lake Nature Reserve are recognized as very important for nature. They are called a "Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade 1." This means they are top-priority places for protecting wildlife in the local area.
Darland's Lake used to be a "Site of Special Scientific Interest." This is a very high level of protection. However, this special status was removed. This happened when it was found that some of the rarest plants there had been brought in by people, not grown naturally.
Even so, Darland's Lake is still a valuable natural spot. In 1997, a report called Nature Conservation in Barnet said it should be a "Local Nature Reserve." It is the only one of seven such sites that the local council has not yet given this official status.
Visiting Darland's Lake
You can visit Darland's Lake Nature Reserve by following a path from The Close in Totteridge Village. There is also another path from Southover. This path follows Folly Brook all the way to the lake.
