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Birds
The reservoir and its vicinity attract a wide variety of birds, from ducks, to warblers and finches. Different times of year and even different times of day each reveal a new mix of birds. The reservoir repays patient watching as birds come and go throughout the day.
There is a bird hide at the south end which gives a good view across nearly all the open water.
Grebes
The Great Crested Grebe is a favourite water bird which is always (or nearly always) present and breeds here. Strangely the Little Grebe or Dabchick while common in similar water elsewhere is fairly irregular at Chard.Herons and Cormorants
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Grey Heron and Cormorant are two more common birds which you would be very unlucky to miss. There have been up to 31 Grey Herons present on the reservoir at one time. Bittern is a very rare winter visitor, but Little Egrets are becoming regular here as they are elsewhere with exceptionally 32 having been seen together. |  |
Geese
Canada Geese often visit in some numbers, occasionally bringing an exotic along with them like Bar-headed Goose.Ducks
The ubiquitous Mallard makes itself at home, helped along by left over sandwiches. In fact you're likely to almost fall over these duck as you approach the duck feeding station. The wilder species of duck make an appearance in the autumn/winter period with Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Pochard all regular.
Birds of Prey
Buzzards are the biggest
and commonest birds of prey around here. They breed nearby and may
often be seen over the marginal trees. Sparrowhawk is the other
bird of prey seen most often in and around the trees surrounding the water.
The Kestrel is sometimes seen in the surrounding fields and the
Hobby and Peregrine are a more unusual sight, but do
occur. Osprey is the star bird of prey at Chard, turning up
fairly regularly now in autumn and spring.
Crakes and Rails
Both Moorhen and Coot
may be found year round, with Coot numbers boosted by migrants in winter.
Water Rail is an occasional visitor which is heard more often than
it is seen. Listen out for a sound like a squealing pig!
Waders
Chard is rather poor for waders, with Common Sandpiper the most likely find. Occasional Snipe and Green Sandpipers may also be seen by the lucky.Gulls and Terns
Black-headed Gulls
and Herring Gulls are most likely, with Lesser
Black Backed and Common Gull also often present.
Mediterranean Gull is a rare visitor. Terns
do visit occasionally, but no species is common.KingfisherKingfishers are frequent visitors to Chard. Although there are no banks at the reservoir itself for nesting, they do nest nearby. Despite their brilliant colours, these birds are often first noticed by the distinctive high pitched piping call. |
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Woodland Birds
The surrounding woods are excellent for some solid woodland species like Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Jay.
You're also very likely
to find Long Tailed Tits and Marsh Tits in the area near the
hide, but only an outside chance of finding the much rarer Willow Tit.
All three woodpecker species occur at Chard, but you'll need a lot
of luck to catch a glimpse of the sparrow sized Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Warblers
The woods attract Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap, and the reeds attract Reed Warblers to breed.Buntings
Reed Buntings are regular, but sometimes elusive. Yellowhammers should be found in the hedgerows, but they are increasingly scarce
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email: kevin@chardres.totalserve.co.uk
All photos on this page taken at Chard Reservoir by Kevin Harris.