Swanpool

Swanpool is a small lake behind a shingle bar, separating it from the beach of the same name, near Falmouth, on the South Coast of Cornwall, UK. It is between Maenporth and Gyllyngvase, on the South West Coast Path.There was formerly a mine extending beneath the lagoon. [cite web|url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-919.html|title=Swanpool Mine|publisher=Mindat.org|accessdate=2008-07-31] .

Nature reserve

The pool is a Nature Reserve [ [http://swanpool.org.uk/ Swanpool Local Nature Reserve website] ] . It is of scientific importance as it is one of the few locations that has the perfect salinity for the growth of the trembling sea mat ("Victorella pavida"), a really exciting bryozoan [ [http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Victorellapavida.htm Marine life information network website: "Victorella pavida"] ] . Some other species of fauna and flora at Swanpool are:
*Mallard duck
*Moorhen
*Mute Swan
*Coot
*Water Rail
*Kingfisher
*Little Grebe
*Siskin
*Tufted Duck
*Lady’s Smock or Cuckoo Flower
*Yellow Flag Iris The swan family sometimes enjoy an outing on the sea, when the surf is low.

wanvale nature reserve

There is also a small Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve called Swanvale which runs from the northern end of Swanpool lake towards the town. It comprises mostly willow carr, which provides shelter for many small birds and mammals.

Visitor facilities

Swanpool Beach is a useful training ground for surfers, with a beach café, the Three Mackerel Restaurant [ [http://www.thethreemackerel.com/ Three Mackerel Restaurant website] ] , car-parking (charged) and a public lavatory. Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1.

External links

[http://swanpool.org.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=36 Swanpool Management Plan 2001-2006 (pdf format)] .
[http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturereserves/Nature_reserves_Cornwall_Wildlife_Trust/Cornwall_Wildlife_Trust_Swanvale_nature_reserve_Falmouth.htm Swanvale nature reserve at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's website]

References