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Winter is arguably the best time to visit, when thousands of ducks gather, providing a breathtaking wildlife spectacle. It’s not just a visual treat either - the chorus of quacking, whistling and honking of the ducks and geese provides an aural delight.
Roughly half of the reservoir’s shoreline is natural, supporting a variety of wetland habitats. The reservoir is filled from natural streams and springs. The largest reedbed in Hertfordshire swathes the southern shoreline. Highlights: Some 250 species of birds have been recorded at Wilstone. It is the open water and Drayton Bank which attracts the masses of ducks in the winter months. The reservoir really is a wildfowl-watchers paradise, with all of Hertfordshire’s regularly occurring species to be seen here. Wigeon are one of the most numerous ducks and most noisy. Their whistling ‘wheee’ call can be heard from a great distance. Wilstone is one of the best places to see scarcer Hertfordshire duck species such as pintail. If the water level is high, fish will seek refuge in the reedbeds and then a bittern may be seen hunting along the margins.
Location: Wilstone Reservoir is located south of the village of Wilstone, north-west of Tring. A car park is located off the B489. Access to the reservoir from this car park is via steep steps.
Please note this car park is closed until the end of 2006 for repairs. Alternative access, with a level walk to the reservoir bank, is available from parking at ‘Cemetery Corner’ to the north-west of the reservoir – please visit www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts for further details.
Wilstone Reservoir Nature Reserve
Wilstone Reservoir was constructed in 1802 to provide water for the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal. Following a number of enlargements, it now holds 240 million gallons of water.Winter is arguably the best time to visit, when thousands of ducks gather, providing a breathtaking wildlife spectacle. It’s not just a visual treat either - the chorus of quacking, whistling and honking of the ducks and geese provides an aural delight.
Roughly half of the reservoir’s shoreline is natural, supporting a variety of wetland habitats. The reservoir is filled from natural streams and springs. The largest reedbed in Hertfordshire swathes the southern shoreline. Highlights: Some 250 species of birds have been recorded at Wilstone. It is the open water and Drayton Bank which attracts the masses of ducks in the winter months. The reservoir really is a wildfowl-watchers paradise, with all of Hertfordshire’s regularly occurring species to be seen here. Wigeon are one of the most numerous ducks and most noisy. Their whistling ‘wheee’ call can be heard from a great distance. Wilstone is one of the best places to see scarcer Hertfordshire duck species such as pintail. If the water level is high, fish will seek refuge in the reedbeds and then a bittern may be seen hunting along the margins.
Location: Wilstone Reservoir is located south of the village of Wilstone, north-west of Tring. A car park is located off the B489. Access to the reservoir from this car park is via steep steps.
Please note this car park is closed until the end of 2006 for repairs. Alternative access, with a level walk to the reservoir bank, is available from parking at ‘Cemetery Corner’ to the north-west of the reservoir – please visit www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts for further details.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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