Ravenwing
Well-known member
Cofton Reservoir lies in the area between Cofton Park, the Lickeys and Upper Bittell Reservoir. Its environs are now owned by Cofton Conservation Ltd which is made up of local residents, some interested nature and ecological groups and a local fishing club. The reservoir is closed to the public but much of it can be viewed from the footpath over the weir at its North East end. The reservoir flows over this weir to a couple of small ponds which again can only really currently be viewed from the footpath. This will be the source of water when they open up the Arrow as it flows through the old Longbridge car plant site. The reservoir was drained three years ago to repair the valves and it has only been full again since the end of 2011. I have lived in the area for over three years and in that time I have seen 59 species of bird in the area, 12 on the water and the rest either overhead or in the trees and gardens around the reservoir. I hope that, as the environment becomes re-established, a few other species, particularly summer birds, will start to show up. The only downside is that sometimes the fishermen scare off some birds but the fish attract others!
The birds that I have seen on the water are: Mallard (plus hybrids), Tufted Duck, Teal (only when the reservoir was part full), Goosander, Canada Goose (plus a few hybrids), Black-Headed Gull (the roost can exceed 200 some days), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot and Grey Herron.
As there seems to be some interest I will try to update this thread on a regular basis, Alex
The birds that I have seen on the water are: Mallard (plus hybrids), Tufted Duck, Teal (only when the reservoir was part full), Goosander, Canada Goose (plus a few hybrids), Black-Headed Gull (the roost can exceed 200 some days), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot and Grey Herron.
As there seems to be some interest I will try to update this thread on a regular basis, Alex