JURD’S LAKE Woodland vestiges of the picturesque

Jurd’s Lake was part of the picturesque grounds of Weston Grove House, the former estate of Southampton MP William Chamberlayne in the 19th Century.

Today it is an area of established woodland, with pleasant flowery glades to explore. You may even find broad-leaved helleborine during the early summer.

The small lake and reed beds are a unique habitat. Willow warblers have previously nested here. Through careful landscape managernent a variety of butterflies can be found including purple hairstreak, small skipper and six spot burnet moth.

Himalayan balsam is widely found in the area, spread along the stream. The seed heads explode firing their seeds distances of over 20 feet. Although it looks attractive the fast-growing plant competes with native species and the shallow roots errode the stream bank.

SPECIES TO LOOK OUT FOR • Broad-leaved helleborine (ochid) • Purple hairstreak (butterfly) • Six spot burnet (moth)

Did You Know? Not all moths fly at night. There are several day flying moths including thesiz spot burnet moth.