Avian flu

Avian flu is currently impacting the wild bird population in parts of Sussex.

If you find a dead wild bird, including gulls, swans, ducks, geese or birds of prey, do not touch them. Please or contact Mid Sussex District Council at midsussex.gov.uk(opens in a new tab) or 01444 458166(opens in a new tab).

If you find three or more dead wild waterfowl (such as swans, geese or ducks), gulls or birds of prey, or five or more dead birds of any species you should also report them to the Government helpline: 03459 33 55 77(opens in a new tab).

Please keep to the marked footpaths and make sure your dog is on a lead so that they do not touch sick or dead birds.

Avian flu primarily affects wild birds and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says the risk to human health is very low while the Food Standards Agency (FSA) assures properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.

The latest on the avian flu outbreak in the UK can be found on the gov.uk website(opens in a new tab).

Ardingly Reservoir, near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, is a Local Nature Reserve and sits within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by 80 hectares of ancient woodland.

The reservoir was built in the early 1970s to provide water to the growing local population, help prevent flooding and regulate water flows in the River Ouse.

In the winter, when water levels in the River Ouse are high, we pump water into the reservoir, which can hold 4,773 million litres of water – equivalent to approximately 1,880 Olympic-sized swimming pools. We then either turn it into top-quality drinking water at nearby Shellbrook Water Treatment Works, or, when river levels are low, release it back into the River Ouse ready to be treated downstream at our Barcombe Water Treatment Works.

The reservoir in numbers

  • Area of reservoir: 78 hectares - equivalent to 193 football pitches
  • Maximum capacity: 4,773 million litres - equivalent to 15,908 million drinks cans
  • Maximum depth: 14 metres - equivalent to five single-decker buses
  • Length of shoreline: 9.5 kilometres - equivalent to 400 tennis courts
  • Length of dam: 280 metres - equivalent to 56 small vans
  • Height of dam wall: 17 metres - equivalent to two houses

A wildlife haven

Ardingly Reservoir is home to more than 60 bird species, including kingfishers and nightingales, and is occasionally visited by migrating ospreys. Dormice are also known to live in pockets of woodland around the reservoir; although these notoriously shy, nocturnal creatures are incredibly elusive they leave tell-tale marks on nibbled hazel nuts.

The reservoir site includes pockets of woodland with dozens of species of native trees, including ash, alder, oak and hazel. To encourage a diverse range of flora to grow in the wooded areas, we practice coppicing, the practice of cutting back trees to encourage new shoots to grow. This allows more sunlight to reach the ground, creating beautiful displays of spring flowers and providing habitats for birds such as nightingales, and dormice.

Coppicing takes place continuously around the site but each tree is only cut around once every seven years. The coppiced wood is re-used to create fencing around the reservoir site as well as Arlington Reservoir in East Sussex.

Protecting water quality at source

We’re working with a PhD student from the University of Brighton to improve the quality of the raw reservoir water at source, as part of our innovative catchment management programme.

Our partnership with the University of Brighton helps us deliver industry-leading innovative research, and forms part of our statutory Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) work.

In particular we’re looking at how we might use our award-winning catchment management approach to reduce the presence of algae on the reservoir's surface.

Elsewhere in the area, our catchment management team is working with farmers and landowners in the River Ouse catchment to reduce levels of metaldehyde, a pesticide found in some slug pellets, in the river water.

Although any unwanted substances are removed during our extensive water treatment process, it is more economical and sustainable to prevent these substances from entering the water in the first place.

Just a reminder...

  • Ardingly Reservoir is a Local Nature Reserve, so please respect the Countryside Code and keep to footpaths and bridleways
  • to protect the wildlife, we don't allow ball games, BBQs, drone flying or cycling on public footpaths
  • swimming in the reservoir is dangerous and strictly prohibited
  • dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead at all times
  • please take litter home with you or put it in one of the bins provided.

Recreational activities

Walking Trail

Our Kingfisher trail offers a seven-kilometre scenic walk part-way around the reservoir, taking you from the dam wall, over the causeway and to the north-west tip of the reservoir before retracing your steps to return to the starting point.

Activity Centre

Ardingly Reservoir is also home to the Ardingly Activity Centre, located near the dam wall. The centre uses the reservoir for a variety of water sports and coarse fishing.

Directions

Ardingly Reservoir, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6SQ


Ardingly Reservoir can be found approximately 1.5 miles to the southwest of Ardingly village. Take College Road out of the village and shortly after pasing Ardingly College take th next right turn, signposted to The Farmhouse Pre-Prep and Nursery. Continue to the end of the road, passing in front of Shellbrook Water Treatment Works on the left.

Public car park

Grid reference TQ 33487 28696

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Facilities:

  • Car parking
  • Walking trail – seven kilometres
  • Picnic area
  • Café*
  • Toilets*
  • Watersports*

*Operated by Ardingly Activity Centre, visit ardinglyactivitycentre.co.uk(opens in a new tab) to find out more.