ARLINGTON RESERVOIR

ARLINGTON RESERVOIR – 3 miles (10 minutes by car) open everyday

Arlington Reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The site is also of ornithological interest, with over 1% of the wintering wigeon being populated within the site.   A large jetty juts into the water and a few hundred yards away there is a water treatment building. The reservoir was originally created by damming the River Cuckmere, (pron: cook-meer)  which previously meandered to the middle of the present-day reservoir. The Cuckmere is now channelled in a straight line just to the east.

At the northwest banks of the reservoir is the Osprey Birdhide, and this is the best place to see the population of cormorants which regularly come to sit on the banks and trees surrounding water. Osprey call in on there way north in the spring, and on their return journey in late summer. Other species include great crested grebe, swallow, mallard, pied wagtail, coot, Canada goose, rook, and sheep graze in the surrounding water meadows. Black swans, presumably escapes from captivity, can often be seen on the water.