Located just beyond north-west Watford, where the Gade Valley opens up towards the landscaped grounds of the Grove Estate, this canal-side area includes a number of ponds which are accessible via public footpaths. A map is available here.
Running north from the Grove Mill on the Grand Union canal, this riverside walk includes some interesting habitat on the fringes of the Grove Estate. Patches of woodland along the canal banks attract a range of species, with Siskins and occasional Redpolls particularly drawn to the alders at "The Wharfs". Some nice scrub can be found on the south embankment of the A41-M25 link road, often holding various finches and Reed Bunting. But the main attraction is the various pools on the west side of the canal, along with the small fen north of the link road bridge, where waterfowl, occasional waders and other water-side dwellers can usually be located. The nature of the area has actually been rather variable over the last few years, due to extensive development work. In preparation for the new golf course on the estate major landscaping activity has been undertaken, including the creation of a large pool near the A41-M25 link road bridge over the canal. In 2002 the areas around the pool and on the main island were essentially bare attracting a number of common wildfowl species to breed, but willows and other trees have since been planted, completely transforming the character of the area. Most of the scrub-type habitat on the margins of the estate has been eliminated, to the short-term detriment of certain species, though others seem to have survived despite drastic change - e.g. Bullfinches still frequent the base of the old canal-side hawthorn hedge even after it had been severely cut back. Another problem is disturbance, which is inevitable due to the intensive maintenance of the golf course area and the attraction of the canal for fishermen. So as a general rule, as early a start as possible is recommended for bird-watching purposes. |  |
For a quick visit to the main pool, the best place to park is in the old Hempstead Road running parallel with the main Hempstead Road, the A411, at the path opposite The Wharfs. This is at TQ088991 and can be reached via Courtlands Drive (no access at the NW end). From here, take the path through to the main road, cross over and follow a narrow footpath down between the houses to the white footbridge bridge. Turning right, the large pool is about 300m on the left.
For a more complete visit, it is best to park at the Grove Mill itself near the canal bridge on Mill Lane at TQ088986. Parking is limited here due to competition with fishermen, but is always possible if you arrive early enough. Take the tow-path north from here.
Another entrance is the public footpath running east from Langleybury Lane which takes you past Heath Wood TQ078992. There is always room for a couple of cars here at the exit of the track.
Finally, it is possible to approach the site along the canal path from the north, parking for example at Langleybury TQ080005.
One of the delights of the last couple of years has been the breeding Little Grebes. In summer these are found on the large pool whilst in winter they prefer the adjacent canal and branches of the River Gade. Grey Heron, Mute Swan and Cormorant are also present year round, the latter often seen at dawn in flight up and down the valley, occasionally dropping off to perch in the ultimate pinnacles of tall riverside trees or to fish in the canal or on the main pool. Kestrels are fairly frequent hunting over the grassland areas, with a maximum of four birds seen together. Tawny Owls can be found at dusk downstream of the Grove Mill bridge, with a juvenile bird seen in the canal-side trees in summer 2003. Kingfishers are also regularly seen along the canal at any time of year and sometimes fish in the main pool.
Stock Doves are common in the neighbouring woodland and often seen overhead. The larger woodpeckers are fairly frequent and Grey Wagtails are normally prominent with at least one pair breeding. Long-tailed Tits are regular in the canal-bank hedges. Goldfinch is another very characteristic species present throughout the year, with several often at The Wharfs or on the embankment along the north of the large pool where Linnets are often found too. Bullfinch is equally regular, particularly in the hedge east of the main pool, but usually just a single pair of birds.A nice bird to see when it gets cold is Common Snipe which has in the past couple of years been very regular on the east side of the island in the main pool. There is normally a good congregation of the commoner gull species around the ponds or roosting on the golf course. Winter is also the best time to see some of the less common duck species, e.g. Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall. The usual winter thrushes can be found most regularly in the canal-side hawthorns, for example at the estate road bridge. Meadow Pipits can often be found feeding in the long grass on the edges of the golf course.
Regularly breeding waterfowl include Mallard (several pairs), Mute Swan (a pair at a traditional site at the fen), Canada Goose, Moorhen and Coot; Tufted Duck is also present in summer and may attempt to breed.
Warblers species are represented by a few pairs of Common Whitethroat - most densely congregated in the scrub along the A41-M25 link road embankment, a number of regular Blackcap and Chiffchaff territories in canal-side trees and Sedge Warbler normally holds territory at the large pool and at the fen. An addition in 2004 has been Willow Warbler, with a couple of territorial birds including one appropriately in the new areas of willows. Spotted Flycatcher has been seen on occasion both in the large trees at the Grove Mill itself and at The Wharfs, but appears not to be a regular breeder. Likewise, Lesser Whitethroat has also been seen in the canal-side hawthorn hedges in spring, but does not apparently breed.
Common Terns are quite often seen fishing along the canal. Skylark breeds regularly at the southern end of the golf course and can be heard in song to the NE over Leavesden airfield. Groups of House Martins are frequently seen feeding high over the Grove Mill trees - these birds breed in a local housing estate. A pair of Reed Buntings have normally held territory at the large pool and have successfully fledged young in recent years.This is the best time of year to see wader species in the area with both Green and Common Sandpipers occurring on and off between August and October and occasional Lapwings. Warbler numbers rise, with Chiffchaffs often well into double figures, and Meadow Pipits are regular both overhead and feeding on the estate.
Less regular spring visitors have included Great Crested Grebe, a male Mandarin, hunting Hobby, Ringed Plover and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
In autumn, Red Kite, Common Buzzard and Curlew have seen over the neighbouring Leavesden airfield.Personal note - this area was my local patch during the few years when I lived in nearby Leavesden Green, and I spent many happy hours there observing this "ordinary" birdlife; however, I moved away to the Edinburgh area in June 2004. I hope these birds continue to get the attention they deserve and would like to hear of any further observations (steve_extra@yahoo.com).
