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and worms in the mud at the edge of the reservoir. the of edge the at mud the in worms and

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b wintering grounds. These birds will feed on small crustacea crustacea small on feed will birds These grounds. wintering

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marsh orchids and yarrow all make for a beautiful beautiful a for make all yarrow and orchids marsh

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migrating birds like Green Sandpiper and Common Common and Sandpiper Green like birds migrating

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r e information. In the summer the unimproved unimproved the summer the In information.

especially wading birds. It’s important for for important It’s birds. wading especially

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Chard Reservoir bird watching leafl et for more more for et leafl watching bird Reservoir Chard

returning south after breeding, breeding, after south returning

migrant species present. Pick up a copy of the the of copy a up Pick present. species migrant

looking out for birds birds for out looking

always a good time for bird watching with the the with watching bird for time good a always

summer it’s worth worth it’s summer

fi nd while walking through the woods. Spring is is Spring woods. the through walking while nd fi

lowered in the late late the in lowered

Tree Creeper are just a few of the birds you should should you birds the of few a just are Creeper Tree

When the water is is water the When

d including many birds. Nuthatch, Goldcrest and and Goldcrest Nuthatch, birds. many including

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a l r The woodlands support a varied range of wildlife wildlife of range varied a support woodlands The

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Grebes which have become much more more much become have which Grebes

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of wildfowl. Look out for Little Egret and and Egret Little for out Look wildfowl. of h

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cold snaps you may see large numbers numbers large see may you snaps cold

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we prioritise their conservation at the reservoir. the at conservation their prioritise we and Martins in the spring. During winter winter During spring. the in Martins and

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threatened habitats in the UK and because of this this of because and UK the in habitats threatened

birds all the year round; with Swallows Swallows with round; year the all birds t

u fl y over the reeds catching their prey. Reed beds are are beds Reed prey. their catching reeds the over y fl On open water you should see some some see should you water open On

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other species will visit. On hot summer night’s bats bats night’s summer hot On visit. will species other

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several pairs of Reed Warblers. As we improve these these improve we As Warblers. Reed of pairs several

During the breeding season reed beds can shelter shelter can beds reed season breeding the During

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f D - e f i l d l i W n r o a g The diversity of the habitats at at habitats the of diversity The

M A N A G E M E N T L O C A T I O N CHARD Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve is situated on the Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve is a special site North East of Chard Town Centre. The Car Park is situated at R e s e r v o i r that requires a range of management techniques. the end of Oaklands Avenue which is off the A30 Chard to The habitats on site vary from native woodlands to Crewkerne Road.

wildfl ower meadows, open water to reed beds. Each area l

has very different management requirements and the l i

H rangers are kept busy conserving this important array of y r u b s be Lan species. In the woodlands we have greatly reduced the n om e r c f o f P H a exotic species (Laurel and Rhododendron) in an effort h C to return to a more balanced native woodland. The 8 5 T meadows are cut annually and no chemical fertilisers 3 o Chard Reservoir A u c h are used. This approach has left us with an impressive e d s L a an o e display of marsh orchids in the summer months. The R P hayes m h Road d is a R Av reed beds are helped to expand by reducing the number h s d n n r la u k

of willows that out shade them. F a O Chard st Str A3 Ea ee A3 ew 0 For t 0 Cr ke e rne d Street Roa Floating rafts have been added to the open water of n w o T

the reservoir to provide resting and nesting places for d l birds, cormorants will often be seen O

A hanging their wings out to dry. 3 F 5 o 8 rt on Ro The meadows in Summer are alive ad with wildlife. Visit the buttercup meadow in June to see a carpet of Marsh Orchids. In July The Countryside Service these unimproved meadows Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve is owned and support a healthy population managed by South Somerset District Council. A part- of Marbled White butterfl ies, time countryside ranger works from the Nature Reserve plus Skipper butterfl ies and and will be pleased to help and advise visitors. A series some Blues. Throughout of events and walks run across South Somerset’s the Summer both dragon countryside sites each year; to receive more information about these, or any other aspect of the countryside and damselfl ies can be service please call 01935 462462 or email seen zooming over countryside @southsomerset.gov.uk the grasslands and water. SSDC, The Council Offi ces, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT Nuthatch Share the Secret