Blashford Lakes - Download

(Verse)

Blashford Lakes lies near Ringwood in Hampshire,

On the edge of the New Forest National Park in southern England.

Long ago this land was worked for gravel and stone,

Deep pits were dug into the ground.

When the quarry work finished the pits filled with water,

Rain and groundwater formed the lakes.

Nature slowly returned to the quiet land,

Now the reserve covers about one hundred and fifty hectares.

(Pre-Chorus)

Woodland and wetlands spread across the ground,

Grasslands and ponds bring wildlife around.

The land is protected and carefully managed,

By the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

(Chorus)

Blashford Lakes, shining in the sun,

Wild birds gather when the cold winds come.

From northern Europe across the sea,

Winter birds arrive to rest and feed.

Thousands of ducks drift over the water,

Turning the lakes into living waves of feathers.

(Verse)

Gravel trails wind all around the lakes,

Nearly eight kilometres of paths to explore.

Bird hides stand beside the water’s edge,

Quiet places to watch wildlife.

One of the biggest lakes is called Ibsley Water,

A wide open lake where birds gather together.

Sometimes a bright blue Common Kingfisher flashes past,

Flying fast and low above the water.

(Pre-Chorus)

When winter freezes lakes in the north,

Many birds travel south to survive.

Blashford Lakes becomes a safe resting place,

For migrating birds through the cold months.

(Chorus)

Blashford Lakes, shining in the sun,

Wild birds gather when the cold winds come.

Common Goldeneye and Goosander dive deep for fish,

Eurasian Wigeon and Tufted Duck float in flocks.

Across the water the birds drift together,

Resting safely on the winter lakes.

(Bridge)

Spring arrives and the reserve grows louder,

Birdsong echoes through the woodland trees.

Sand Martin flocks chase insects over the water,

Twisting and turning through the air.

Common Tern colonies nest on floating rafts,

Diving down to catch small fish.

(Verse)

Summer brings dragonflies over the ponds,

Bright wings shining in the sunlight.

More than twenty species live around the lakes,

Hunting insects through the reeds.

The lakes, woodland and grassland together,

Create rich habitats for wildlife.

(Chorus)

Blashford Lakes, changing through the year,

Every season brings new life here.

Spring brings nests and birdsong in the trees,

Summer fills the air with dragonflies.

Autumn brings migrants passing through,

Winter brings flocks resting on the lakes.

(Outro)

Blashford Lakes began as gravel pits in the ground,

But nature slowly reclaimed the land.

Today it is one of southern England’s great wildlife sites,

A place where birds and people share the landscape.