Witney Lake and Country Park
📍 Witney
🌿 Nature Reserves
💷 Free
⏰ 2 - 3 hours
👣 Gentle exploration
☕ No café
May 2026 · Nature Aventures · Nature Reserves
A gentle, slow 4 mile walk looking out for water voles, snipes and caterpillars.
After visiting Cogges Manor Farm one morning, we set off for a circular walk round Witney Lake and Country Park. I was expecting the lake to be the star of the show, but we were captivated by the magic of River Windrush.
The bank is COVERED in water vole holes, so we went very slowly, stopping often to listen out for a plop of water (we did a couple of times!)
Then, Little Leopard called me over, pointing with excitement to a small rodent scurrying around on the other side of the river. My camera only picked up a blur, so it's hard to tell for sure if it was a water vole, but we hope so!
We continued strolling down towards the lake slowly. A tree was covered in a web, a closer look and we saw caterpillars growing inside them. I think they will grow into spindle ermine moths.
We also saw lots of tracks and scuffed ground, Little Leopard hypothesised that they were caused by a badger digging for earthworms.
As we walked over the bridge, to join the circular route around the lake, we heard a loud splashing sound. Looking down at the water, something was jumping around in it. We wondered if it could be a water vole, or an otter. Every couple of minutes it would splash, and then retreat again, too quick for us to get a good look (or photo) of it.
It seems likely that it was a fish, surfacing suddenly to eat some of the many insects flying just above the river.
As we walked around the lake, we were on the look out for otters and snipes in particular, but we saw very few birds in general, and definitely no otters. But, the evening was approaching, and Little Leopard's patience was disappearing, and having taken a gratuitous age to reach the lake, we hurried round at a quicker pace than was ideal for wildlife spotting.
We reached the country park by walking from Cogges Manor Farm, the lake can also be easily reached by walking from Witney (5-10 minute walk).
I've seen others say that there's a free car park by the entrance of the Ducklington Lake, (OX29 7TP). But the official council advice is to park in town and walk the 10 mins to the lake.
Nature Notes
Snipe
The secretive wetland bird with a zigzag flight
Snipes are small wading birds that live in marshes, wetlands, and damp grasslands
When startled, a snipe suddenly bursts into the air in a fast zigzag flight to confuse predators
Their long sensitive beaks can detect worms and insects hidden beneath soft ground
During courtship displays, the wind rushing through their tail feathers creates a strange drumming sound
The word “sniper” is believed to come from hunters trying to shoot these quick and unpredictable birds
Spindle Ermine Moths
The tiny moth that wraps trees in silk
Spindle ermine moths are small white moths with black spots that emerge during summer
Their caterpillars live together in large silky webs that can completely cover shrubs and branches
They feed mainly on spindle trees but rarely cause lasting damage to healthy plants
The webs help protect the caterpillars from predators while they grow and feed together
Water Voles
Britain’s fastest declining mammal
Often mistaken for rats, but they have rounder faces and furry tails.
Live beside slow-moving rivers, streams and ponds.
Excellent swimmers that can stay underwater for several minutes.
They dig burrows into riverbanks with underwater entrances.
Threatened by habitat loss and invasive American mink.
A gorgeous amble next to the river windrush, spotting lots of wildlife.
Address: Walk from Witney
Parking: Witney Town (5-10 min walk)
Opening Hours: Always open
Entry Fee: Free
Website: witney-tc.gov.uk
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