The
Porter Brook, although flowing freely between the many old trees of the park, is dammed and forms two ponds, home of ducks and feral pigeons. The first pond, situated to the West of the park has an island. There is no access to the island. Like all the ponds along the Porter Valley, the ponds in the park are old mill ponds and retain their races that once drove a water wheel. In Endcliffe Park these have been semi-blocked to achieve an attractive waterfall effect. Endcliffe Park and many of the other parks and public spaces along the
Porter Brook, are a re-claimed, pre-steam-age industrial landscape. These days the ponds act as wildlife refuges, especially the island in the larger pond, with
mallard,
moorhen and
coot resident, joined by a flock of
black-headed gulls each winter. The ponds also enjoy frequent visits from
grey herons and
kingfishers throughout the year. The
Porter Brook itself supports many more species, including the territories of
dippers in its higher reaches.
Grey wagtails frequently feed on insects just above the brook all along its length and are usually first glimpsed as a flash of bright canary yellow when strolling along those paths of Endcliffe Park that follow the course of the Brook. ==Special designations==