CHARD RESERVOIR

By Dave Helliar

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MAP REFERENCES

O.S. Landranger 193 Taunton & Lyme Regis

O.S. Pathfinder ST 20/30 Chard

O.S. Pathfinder ST 21/31 Ilminster

INTRODUCTION

Chard Reservoir and it's surrounding woodland & meadows attract many species of birds (164 species recorded to date) and although not known for major rarities it has, over the years, had it's share of scarce County birds. The reserve rewards the patient observer.

ACCESS

The visitor car park (ST337093) is located near the southern end of the reserve, at the end of Oaklands Avenue and is sign-posted from the A30 Crewkerne Road east of Chard town centre. There is space for about 15 cars plus a cycle rack. Footpaths from the car park provide access to the bird hide located at the southend of the reservoir and a circular walk through the meadows & woodland on the eastern edge of the reserve returns to the car park via Paintmoor Lane, crossing open fields past Paintmoor Plantation (often muddy!) & back to Touches Lane (a distance of approx. 2 miles).

Please note: The woodland section is closed to the public from 1st March to 30th June each year to avoid disturbance to breeding birds.

The bird hide is usually unlocked from early morning until dusk throughout the year.

SPECIES TO BE SEEN

Good numbers of great-crested grebes are present all year & several pairs breed. Grey herons & cormorants are common and occasionally little egrets are noted. Wintering wildfowl include teal, tufted duck, pochard & shoveler plus wigeon, scaup, goldeneye, goosander & smew are possible during colder weather. 

Tufted Duck © Nigel Milbourne 2004

A drake ring-necked duck was recently added to the reservoir List. Several species of gull congregate on the water to bathe before flying to the south coast to roost and can include Mediterranean. Tern passage has, in recent years, become more irregular but usually black, arctic & common are noted in small numbers. Water levels are usually dropped by late summer and exposed mud can attract passage waders. Common & green sandpipers are annual, very occasionally greenshank, wood sandpiper, ruff & little stint put in an appearance. Buzzard & sparrowhawk breed nearby. Peregrine & the occasional hobby can be seen overhead. Star bird of prey, however, is the osprey, which is annual at Chard and usually several are noted on migration in spring & autumn. One juvenile bird stayed for 26 days during Sept / Oct 1996. A welcome sight & sound is the kingfisher noted throughout the year, but more noticeable during the winter. A variety of species inhabit the surrounding mixed woodland. Five species of tit, nuthatch, treecreeper, jay and three species of woodpecker can be seen; although lesser spotted woodpecker is very elusive. The once resident willow tit has not been recorded since 1994. The two small reedbeds hold breeding reed warbler & usually one or two pairs of reed bunting. Water rails over-winter but are more often heard than seen. There are two records of over-wintering bittern. Cetti's warbler has yet to gain a foothold at Chard although a bird has over-wintered.

TIMING

The Reservoir is worth a visit at any time of year, although winter, especially if there is a big freeze, can be superb with a good variety of waterfowl. Species noted can change from day to day and therefore regular observation can pay dividends. Chard reservoir is unusual in the fact that water levels can be lowered on demand & hopefully by late July / August there should be good amounts of muddy shoreline exposed, oblivious to the prevailing weather conditions.

OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST

Fungi are well represented in the woodland areas. Many species of Butterflies & Moths are recorded in and around the meadows. Bats are regularly recorded feeding over the water and meadows and include Noctule, Natterer's, Pipistrelle and Daubenton's plus (possibly) Whiskered. When water levels are low foxes are often seen along the shoreline.

WEBSITES

1. Kevin Harris has a superb site listing the latest sightings, updated almost daily. Click here.

2. Historical Bird Records dating back to 1910. Click here.

3. South Somerset County Council Website. Click here.