HABITAT MANAGEMENT
When the reservoir was created in 1975 a narrow strip of land, with an area of 500 acres (200 hectares) was set aside at the western end as a nature reserve. In addition, three large lagoons were created, with the facility to be able to control water levels. This ensures that there is suitable habitat for a wide variety of waders and wildfowl throughout the year
Views of Lagoon 1 (above) and Lagoon 2 (below)
In Lagoon 1, in front of the Visitor Centre, and Lagoon 2, immediately to the north, water levels are fairly shallow and are attractive to wilfowl such as Tufted Duck, Coot and Goosander
There are extensive muddy banks, with small islands and
channels which are used by waders, terns, etc. both as prime feeding
areas
and also for breeding.
Lagoon 3 from Shoveler Hide
Lagoon 3, further north, has much deeper water and attracts
large numbers of diving ducks. However,
along its edge is a large Phragmites reed bed which hosts an
important Reed Warbler colony. Careful management is being carried
out in order to encourage the Phragmites growth and to extend the
area of the reed bed.
Click here
for details of an extension to the reed bed.
Another view of Lagoon 3, taken from the reed bed looking south towards
Lax Hill
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Around the edges of the lagoons are areas of willow scrub and young plantations which were established when the reservoir was built and are managed by coppicing on a regular basis to ensure attractive habitats for warblers and other passerines. |
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Parts of the reserve contain original habitats dating back to the farmland which pre-dates the reservoir. There ancient hay meadows and hedges which are centuries old. These are managed in the traditional way which helps to encourage species of wild flowers, butterflies and dragonflies that are rare elsewhere. |
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This picture shows part of the management regime for some of these meadows. After the hay has been taken off, the Bird Fair moves in briefly, followed in September by the sheep. |
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There are also small areas of ancient woodland, in particular on Lax Hill and at Gibbet Gorse on the Lyndon part of the reserve. Some of these areas are now regularly coppiced. |
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On the edges of Lagoon III there is a growing area of reeds, greatly enlarged by a major project in 2000. Click here for details. Along the edge of the reeds there is a line of pollarded willows which is regularly cut. |
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Rough grassland provides another important habitat and sheep and cattle graze these areas. Traditional hedge-laying is carried out to confine the grazing stock. Details here. |
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Below is a newly cleared pond, west of Laxhill.
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The willows, which used to choke the pond were left as a massive logpile - excellent habitat for wildlife.
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Many of the management tasks are carried out by volunteers, supervised by reserve staff. Whether it is forage harvesting, coppicing, hedging, or reedbed management, the reserve provides opportunities for active conservation work all year round. If you are interested in learning these skills - please get in touch |
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Lagoon 3 in summer |
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