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
Alton Wildlife wins top Community Award.
Terrific News! Alton Water, Anglian Water has won top prize in the Community Awards section of the BTO Bird Challenge for the dedication of the Alton Water volunteers group.
Alton Water Volunteers have sponsored a page in the Bird Atlas which is due to be published in 2011.
We have chosen the Common Tern as it regularly breeds on our 5 rafts. This year we ringed 106 chicks.
Updated : 24/11/2010
Latest sightings
Summer migrants now appearing:
Nightingales @ The Wonder and Larchwood from 6th April 2011
Sandmartins arrived 30th March 2011.
Osprey seen over Birchwood 5 April 2011
Yellow wagtails and blueheaded wagtail seen at Dam end 6 & 7th April 2011
Updated : 08/04/2011
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 are another 2 hides on the North shore, 20 minutes walk from Lemons bridge car park or a shorter walk from Blackpond Meadow.
