Bentley PrioryAccess to Bentley Priory is best by parking in Warren Lane T Q 161
935 next to Stanmore cricket ground, crossing the A 4140 into Priory
Drive (private road) to the entrance to the reserve. The reserve was
originally the house and grounds of Bentley Priory built in 1775. In
the second World War the house was used by the RAF as an operations
center and the Battle of Britain was planned there. There is a map
showing the main features as you enter the reserve. The bird list
includes buzzard, spotted flycatcher, bullfinch, great spotted
woodpecker, green woodpecker and stock dove. Summer brings
whitethroat, garden warbler, blackcap, willow warbler and chiffchaff
whilst winter brings redpoll, siskin, fieldfare, redwing and goldcrest.
Summerhouse lake is good for mandarin and,in winter, goosander, smew
have been seen but rarely. Since 2008 ring necked parakeet have been
present on the reserve.
Allow 2 to 3 hours to cover the reserve.
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