CHOICE LOCATIONS

1 Blithfield Reservoir

in South Staffordshire has 21 species of waterfowl using the site in winter. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, some parts are only accessible with a permit from the West Midland Bird Club.

2 Rutland Water

is owned by Anglian Water, but a large swathe is managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. It has hosted counts of as many as 30,000 wildfowl in winter.

3 Abberton Reservoir

is managed by Essex and Suffolk Water. With waterfowl counts regularly up to 40,000 during winter, it is recognised as a reserve of international importance.

4 London Wetland Centre

is managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and was converted into a showpiece urban reserve from four disused Victorian reservoirs in the borough of Richmond upon Thames.

5 Chew Valley Lake

is just south of Bristol and managed by Bristol Water. Opened in 1956, the reservoir contains an internationally important number of overwintering shovelers and gadwalls.