In spite of the water activities (skiing and jet-skiing) on this lake it is still the best of the lakes for the more unusual species. It can be viewed from the Dorchester bypass (A423) and, although the view is somewhat restricted by the trees fringing the waters edge, most of the water can be seen by moving to the various gaps between the trees.

The summer months are normally fairly unproductive, especially with the increase in waterborne activities. Hobby and Common Tern are frequent visitors and can be seen along with the normal residents such as Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen together with the local House Martins, Swallows and Swifts in the air above the water. Sand Martins can occasionally be seen but unfortunately no suitable breeding sites are present so they have not stayed to breed in recent years.

From the middle of August it is worth searching the waterline at the southern end of the lake and the recently constructed earth bund separating the water skiers from the jet-skiers for the first of the returning waders. Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Dunlin are the most likely but almost anything is possible. Unfortunately, unless water levels are very low, the area is not very attractive for waders so most only make fleeting visits. From mid-August migrating Terns visit Queenford, the first arrivals, Common Terns, probably originating from a local breeding site such as Farmoor. A little later Terns from further afield frequently visit the site, mainly Common and Black but sometimes Arctic and, in the past Little Tern, Sandwich Tern and Little Gull have been seen.

Autumn and on in to winter is the best time for Queenford. It is not unusual to see 15 species on the water although you would be lucky to see all of them on a single visit. More unusual species that have been seen on this water include Great Northern Diver, Slavonian, Black-necked and Red-necked Grebe, Shelduck, Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Shag, Bewicks Swan, White-fronted Goose, American Wigeon, Ferruginous Duck, Scaup, Smew and Ruddy Duck. Winter is also a good time to scan the gull roost. Yellow-legged Gulls often turn up and Mediterranean Gulls from time to time. Glaucous and Iceland Gulls have also been recorded.

Spring sees the departure of most of the water birds but migrating Common and Black Terns are annual and Arctic, Little and Sandwich Terns sometimes occur. This is also a "refuelling stop" for large numbers of Sand and House Martins, Swallows and Swift with a chance of Hobby or perhaps even Osprey. It is also worthwhile, at this time of the year, to look along the muddy fringes of the lake, especially if the water level is low, for migrating waders. The grassy banks occasionally hold good numbers of migrating Yellow Wagtails at this time of the year.