Biodiversity
As well as numerous bird species, the park is home to a multitude of animals.
Biodiversity
As well as numerous bird species, the park is home to a multitude of animals.From bats in the Grand Bridge to bees in the ancient woodland, we have an array of biodiversity within our Estate.
Our Rural Team does a great job of encouraging biodiversity in the park and whilst we do have to protect some of our trees from certain types of foraging, we are proud to have so many species living at Blenheim.
Site of Special Scientific Interest - The Lake and Queen Pool
Masterminded by world renowned landscape architect, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the Serpentine Lake was one of his signature features. The Lake and Queen Pool are home to many wildlife species, from birds to water voles, some of which are incredibly rare. Queen Elizabeth Island in the Queen Pool is another wildlife haven, one of only three breeding locations in Oxfordshire for the Grey Heron. A lake dredge was recently conducted to save the Queen Pool from silt build up.
Site of Special Scientific Interest - High Park
On the western edge of our Estate is High Park, an ancient wood-pasture with a history as long and complex as any other part of the Estate. It has also been recognised as one of the most biodiverse locations in the UK and is home to more than 2,800 separate species.
Bats in the Grand Bridge
Our iconic Grand Bridge which sits between our Lake and Queen Pool is home to some bat species, including the rare barbastelle, the range-restricted lesser horseshoe bat and maternity sites for Daubenton’s bat. All UK bat species, their breeding sites and resting places, are fully protected by law and so it is vital we can find out as much as possible about their movements and habits in order to safeguard them.
Blenheim’s Wild Honeybee Population
In recent years, we have conducted a number of biodiversity studies on the Blenheim Estate. We have discovered the presence of hundreds of different species including over 40 colonies of wild bees. Finding this many colonies in one place is very rare – some of the species were believed to have disappeared from the UK entirely before now.