Reservoirs: Carsington Water
Reservoirs such as Severn Trent Water's Carsington Water are a major feature of the Peak District landscape. Their presence creates a large wetland habitat, which supports a range of species that can be viewed from purpose-built wildlife centres and bird hides.
The open water provides year-round habitat for fish such as rudd and brown trout and birds such as gulls, kingfishers and great crested grebes, as well as a winter feeding ground for wildfowl species including wigeon, teal, pochard and gadwall. Snipe and water rail inhabit the fringes of the reservoir, whilst shingle areas provide ideal nesting conditions for little ringed plovers. These birds feed on mudflats around the edges of the reservoir alongside other waders such as redshank, curlew and lapwing.
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Swallows, swifts, sand and house martins all hunt over the water in spring, catching insects such as mayflies, which lay their eggs in the reservoir and surrounding ponds. Other species found in and around the reservoir include large numbers of toads, frogs and newts; many bat species and water voles.
Planned reedbeds and pond scrapes will increase Carsington Water's biodiversity. Already well over 200 bird species have been recorded; with rare visitors including black throated divers, red-legged phalaropes and ospreys. |
