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Description
Grafham Water is a reservoir that was created in 1965 to provide people with drinking water. It was immediately colonised by wildlife. The nature reserve surrounds the western side of the reservoir and contains ancient and plantation woodlands, grasslands and wetland habitats such as reedbeds, willow and open water.
Grafham Water is one of the prime bird watching sites in England. With nine miles of shoreline, and around 170 species of bird recorded each year, there is always something to see. There are several bird hides in the nature reserve, three of which offer views over the 18 hectare designated bird sanctuary. This provides a refuge for waterfowl by preventing boat and foot access within its margins. In winter, look out for vast mixed flocks of (Κοινή) Φαλαρίδα, (Ευρωπαϊκό) Κιρκίρι, (Ευρασιατική) Χουλιαρόπαπια, Μαυροκέφαλη Πάπια and Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι.
One of the hides overlooks the lagoons on the southern side of the reservoir. This habitat offers sheltered islands and insect-rich mudflats enjoyed by ground nesting birds and foraging waders such as Κοκκινοσκέλης, (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι and Δασότρυγγας. Visit in early spring for a chance to see (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αβοκέτα, which has occasionally successfully bred here in recent years. (Ευρασιατικός) Ήταυρος have made occasional visits in harsh winters as other water bodies freeze over. The lagoons also support several reed beds, which are used for nesting by many songbirds including: (Μεγάλο) Καλαμοτσίχλονο, Σχοινοποταμίδα, Καλαμοποταμίδα and (Ευρωπαϊκό) Ψευταηδόνι.
Details
Access
Access points via entrances at Mander car park in the village of Perry and at the Hill Farm car park, Church Road, near the village of Grafham. Surfaced cycle track around reservoir. Surfaced paths to Mander Hide & Valley Creek Hide. Other paths more awkward. Reserve open at all times. Car parks 8am to dusk.