Today, we walked the five miles around Clumber Lake. The lake was created by damming the River Poulter in 1772 and took fifteen years to complete.
![](http://homeschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/duckdam.jpg)
The overflow runs over the dam and back into the river course. Despite the torrent of water, the ducks seemed to like the dam, too!
![](http://homeschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/damlake.jpg)
On the other side of the bridge over the dam sits Clumber Lake.
![](http://homeschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/swan.jpg)
Out on the water, we saw a mute swan with two cygnets.
![](http://homeschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nest.jpg)
Nearby, a coot was sitting on its nest. In this photo, the island of twigs raised well above the water can just be seen in the distance.
![](http://homeschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cootchick.jpg)
A little further round the lake, we saw a couple of pairs of coots with their chicks. The chicks had not yet developed their distinctive white beaks.
![](http://homeschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_20210630_112811101_HDR.jpg)
Our exciting find of the day was a mallard wing feather with its striking iridescent patch.
Having found Grandma and Grandpa sitting on one of their favourite benches, we completed our visit with a well-earned picnic and hot chocolate.