Alton
Water, Anglian Water’s fourth largest reservoir,
is situated just south of Ipswich. It provides the drinking
water for 200,000 customers and covers an area of nearly
400 acres in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Most of the site is covered by freshwater and provides
an excellent habitat for a wide range of winter wildfowl
as well as summer breeding conditions for great crested
grebes and common terns. An eight mile cycle track around
the water provides easy
access
for visitors who are able to pass through a variety
of different habitats including grassland, broad-leaved
woodland, native scrub, reed beds and wildflower
meadows.
Over the last ten years the owners, Anglian Water,
and a dedicated team of conservation volunteers
from the local community have carried out an extensive
programme of habitat improvement. This work has
attracted the support of many local wildlife groups
in addition to enhancing the enjoyment of the 100,000
people who visit Alton Water every year.
This web site is designed to demonstrate some of
the work that is going on and to celebrate the wildlife
attracted to the area.
News and Updates
Record summer for terns and nightingales at Alton
We have counted at least 33 singing male Nightingales during our annual survey. The common terns have also had a record summer with nearly 80 young being successfully ringed.
Please report any unusual sightings using the contact us facility.
Updated : 01/09/2008
Do visit our hides
We have 2 hides in Larchwood, both open to the Public, that were designed and constructed by volunteers. They have good views of 2 of the tern rafts & you may even see the Kingfisher going about its business.
There is another hide on the North shore, 20 minutes walk from Lemons bridge car park or a shorter walk from Blackpond Meadow.
Updated : 01/09/2008
BTO Business Bird Challenge 2008
Alton Water is again entering this challenge so we do need your full monthly listing. Please use the contact funtion of above. We were joint winners in our category on the last occassion in 2006. More details of the challenge can be found: www.bto.org/challenge/index.htm
