which is also scheduled. Further Middle Bronze Age cremations, a possible pond barrow, and two large ring ditches have been found on the opposite side of the small Day Brook valley. A large, regionally significant Mesolithic flint scatter, with some topologically late artifacts, is also present c.150m south west of Coate Stone Circle. Six stone circles were recorded in the 18th/19th and early 20th centuries, all in the Coate area, and possibly linked, at least in part, by avenues of large sarsen stones. The remains of one of the stone circles probably still lies at the bottom of Coate Water. Other relevant archaeology listed on the Wiltshire and Swindon Historic Environment Records includes the Coate Mound, excavated with very little record in the earlier 20th century, which is spatially associated with the Mesolithic artifact scatter. Other ancient finds and sites occur in the area south to Badbury Wick, and across the Day Brook valley, in later periods. This includes obscure Neolithic activity, Middle Bronze Age farming, a Mid-late Bronze Age enclosed settlement at Badbury Wick, unenclosed Middle Iron Age buildings, a small Roman settlement, and a deserted medieval village. Ecology An area of 51.1 hectares of the lake and its margins has been notified as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, mainly for its breeding bird populations. Part of the site is also a local nature reserve. Coate Water is a notable site for birds. The following rare-in-Wiltshire species have been recorded there: Bearded tit – a pair in October 1982 Black-crowned night heron – adults in April 1978 and May 1990 Black-throated diver – a non-breeding plumaged adult in February 1978 Black Swan - one in February 2018 Eurasian spoonbill – two adults in April 1978 European shag – one in September 1993 Grey phalarope – two juveniles in October 1987 Little auk – one in January 1984 Northern fulmar – one in June 1978 Purple heron – a first-summer bird in May 1981 Red-necked grebe – an adult in March/April 1995 Red-throated diver – a juvenile in March 1979 Ring-necked duck – a first-winter male in January 1998 Rock pipit – one in March 1976 Slavonian grebe – one in January 1982 Warblers Barred warbler – one in September 1980 Savi's warbler – one in May 1965 Yellow-browed warbler – one in September 1988 Activities Organisations based at the lake include Swindon Rowing Club and Coate Water