Several small lakes, originally ironstone pits, on the north-western outskirts of Westbury near the railway station, where wetland and other species can be seen.
You can park in small laybys on Frogmore Road alongside Frogmore Pond (ST867522). The two largest lakes are Frogmore Pond and Station Pond, the latter of which adjoins the approach road to the railway station. There are smaller ponds towards the Sewage Works in Slag Lane.
The Ponds are well used by anglers and, in the case of Station Pond, a sailing club but they nevertheless attract a good range of species. In winter, wildfowl including Tufted Duck, Pochard and occasionally Goosander, Shoveler and other species arrive. Gulls wash and roost at the ponds and the flock has included Mediterranean and Yellow Legged Gulls and Kittiwake. Kingfisher and Little Grebe are usually present and Great Northern Diver has been recorded.
The Ponds are a good area to look for early migrants and, in summer, Common Terns stop by on passage and Black Terns have been recorded. Great Crested Grebes are regular breeders. With it’s scrubby railway embankments, it is a good area for warblers including Lesser Whitethroat and sometimes Nightingale. A search of the area around the Sewage Works can be rewarding. Wintering Chiffchaff can often be found there and Firecrest has been recorded.
