Black Lake

Nestling in the heart of the Delamere Forest, Black Lake is haven for dragonflies and damselflies, from the impressive hawkers, to delicate darters and the chaser dragonflies. The lake is a small pool and associated bog lying in a natural depression in the land. An example of early ‘schwingmoor’ or floating bog development, over half of the pool is covered by a delicate sphagnum ‘raft’.  On the outer most regions of the raft, associated bog flora is dominant above the carpet of sphagnum, with scattered saplings and young trees found throughout.  These invasive trees become waterlogged as they increase in weight, when they eventually fall through the sphagnum raft and die.  This natural process helps prevent the bog from becoming woodland. Why not take a few moments to sit on the edge of the pool and look out for some of Black Lake’s aerial acrobats?
 

PLEASE NOTE: As some of our reserves are in remote or rural locations, Sat Nav and postcodes may not be accurate or immediate proximity to the reserve entrance.

Reserve details
Trust Website: 
http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
0.40
Short Description: 
A small pool and associated bog with a variety of insects and spiders.
Smartphone Description: 
Black Lake is a small pool & associated bog lying in a natural depression. It shows a good example of floating bog development ('schwingmoor') and has a variety of insects & spiders. The surrounding Delamere Forest is rich in woodland birds.
Location
Address: 
Within Delamere Forest, south of the Chester to Manchester railway
Town: 
Delamere
County: 
Cheshire
Postcode: 
WA6 6NB
Grid ref: 
SJ 537 709
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
Picnic area
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Access is limited, but may be possible for those with suitable mobility assisted equipment
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park at Barnesbridge Gate Car Park (SJ 537 709)
Walking information: 
Please keep to margin of reserve as the Sphagnum raft that covers a large part of the lake is very delicate & there is deep water beneath
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01948 820728
Photos
Photo: 
Black Lake
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve