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Staunton Harold Reservoir

Derbyshire/Leicestershire  >  United Kingdom

Staunton Harold Reservoir is on the Derbyshire and Leicestershire border.

Added* by Baz Willmott
Most recent update 8 Temmuz 2024

Description

Staunton Harold Reservoir is one of those reservoirs where you can just do a quick 1 hour visit, to a full days birdwatching. A car is essential for this large site due to multiple start points and because some birds may be at distance a telescope is also essential.

(*1) (press STAR on map), the large car park (fee payable) near the reservoir dam (NOTE it is no longer permissible to walk on top of the dam - Police will be called if you do so) is one of the best places to see Ağaç serçesi, along with İspinoz, Saka, Mavi Baştankara, Büyük baþtankara, Çam baştankarası and Sıvacı. On the water expect to see Bahri, Küçük batağan, Sakarmeke, Sutavuðu, Karabatak. Yeşilbaş, Tepeli patka, Fiyu and Çamurcun can sometimes be seen here but they sometimes favour quieter parts of the reservoir.

(*2), Ticknall Arm, Tarla ardıcı and Kızıl ardıç can be found in trees and grass areas near footpaths and car park (free) here. On the water Çamurcun and Fiyu favour this area, in recent times a Buz Dalgýcý was found here as well.

(*3), Calke Car Park (free) Area. Another place to see Ağaç serçesi, with Sarı kirazkuşu, Çam baştankarası, Mavi Baştankara, Büyük baþtankara, İspinoz and Saka. On the shoreline is a bird hide (facing North), a walk further West takes you over a boardwalk, look out overhead for Şahin, Atmaca and Kerkenez in this area.

(*4), Dimminsdale Area. Walk to the bridge from the nearby car park (free), from the bridge parapet look for Tepeli patka, Çamurcun and Fiyu often gather here, look through flocks carefully a Halkalı Patka was seen here recently. Also Gri balýkçýl and Küçük ak balýkçýl are often seen in this area.

Details

Access

South of the City of Derby the Derby Southern Bypass runs East to West. Leave this road at Junction 3 onto Bonnie Prince Roundabout, take exit signed Swadlincote/Melbourne A514, continue on A514. The road eventually becomes B587 in Stanton By Bridge, continue on B587, at next junction turn Left signed Coleorton/Ashby/Staunton Harold Reservoir. At next junction turn Right signed Coleorton/Ashby/Staunton Harold Reservoir, continue and turn Right at Staunton Harold Reservoir (brown sign) into Calke Road. This road leads to large National Trust Car Park (fee payable).

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Forest , Wetland , Lake , River , Grassland

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Autumn migration , Spring migration

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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