|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Newton
Lake Newton Lake at SJ595958 is owned by Legh Estates, and was constructed in 1853/54 by Thomas Legh, Lord of the Manor, Lord Newton. It was formed by building a strong embankment across the valley through which Newton Brook flowed. This brook was in turn filled by both Millingford and Eccars brooks. As the valley filled with water, a lake of about 6.47 hectares was formed. At the southwest of the lake is Willow Park, a very pleasant area of mature trees and grassy areas, overlooked by the nearby St Peters Church. To the northwest of the site are fields that stop at the busy M6 motorway. The entire east bank of the lake is private, whilst at the southern end, below the dam, extensive management and landscaping work has been carried out. Newton Brook leaves the southwestern corner of the lake. St Helens Ranger Service patrols and monitors both areas. Access There are numerous access points to both main sites. The best one for the lake is off Southworth Road at the southern end, whilst the park is reached by entrances at each side of St Peters Church on Newton-le-Willows High Street. Limited parking may be found in surrounding roads but do not park in the church car park. It is possible to walk up the whole length of Newton Lakes west bank and on under the M6 motorway if desired. Birds The lake attracts a good variety of water birds, which include Mute Swan, Grey Heron and occasionally, Kingfisher. In winter the northern end of the lake, which is partially silted, attracts large numbers of Teal. Their number has exceeded 200 in recent years, by far the biggest concentration of this species in St Helens. Tufted Duck, Pochard and occasionally Goldeneye also visit the lake in winter and Grey Wagtails can be seen at this time on the stretch of Newton Brook. The lake has attracted locally uncommon species such as Pintail and the introduced Ruddy Duck has bred here in the 1980s. A Great Northern Diver was also apparently shot here at the end of the 19th century. The wooded areas of Willow Park attract most of the common woodland birds as well as Nuthatch and, on occasions, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. For more information contact the St Helens Ranger Service. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
Bird List Map |
 |
||||||||||||||||||
