Pitsford Reservoir
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This gem of a reserve is a haven for wildfowl and migrating waders |
Pitsford Reservoir was built to supply Northampton with water in 1955. Four main streams enter the reserve and their valleys form large bays of shallow water. During winter these provide excellent feeding and sheltering areas for wildfowl. As the water level drops in summer, stretches of mud offer feeding areas for migrating waders. These areas are quickly colonised by unusual plants not found elsewhere on the reserve. For example, orange foxtail, mudwort and golden dock. On the waterside fringes, celery-leaved buttercup and beds of water mint add to the interest.
The most conspicuous wildlife here is the birdlife. The whole reservoir was designated a SSSI in 1970, principally because of the large numbers of wildfowl. In winter up to 10,000 birds can be seen, including wigeon, gadwall, pintail and teal. Over 25 species of duck have been recorded as well as three species of diver and five of grebe. The scrub areas attract winter flocks of thrushes to their berry crop and over 60 species of bird are known to breed here in spring and summer, varying in size from heron to the tiny goldcrest.
A feeding station ensures a good chance of seeing tree sparrow and many other small birds attracted to the seeds. The diversity of habitats provides food and shelter in spring for a huge range of migrant songbirds.
The wealth of plants provide food and shelter for a range of mammals including harvest mouce, badger and brown hare – look out for their distinctive tracks in the mud. In summer the reserve comes alive with an enormous range of invertebrates, some in vast numbers. Common blue and emerald damselflies are the most numerous and distinctive.
Birds: Tree sparrow, thrushes, goldeneye, smew, goosander |
Plants: Cuckooflower, pignut, snake’s-head fritillary Insects: Orange tip, comma and small tortoiseshell butterflies Birds: Swallow, martins, chiffchaff, willow warbler, heron, coot Mammals: Badger |
Insects: Dragonflies, damselflies, six-spot burnet, narrow-bordered five-spot burnet and chimney sweeper moths, white letter hairstreak butterfly, wetland ground beetles Reptiles: Grass snake Birds: Common tern, great crested grebe, warblers |
Plants: Fruits of crab apple, blackthorn, hawthorn, honeysuckle, wild roses Insects: Bush-cricket Birds: Migrant waders |