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 speak to a member of staff in the Fishing Lodge or contact Wealden District Council at wealden.gov.uk(opens in a new tab) or 01323 443322(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).
Arlington Reservoir, near Polegate in East Sussex, is a Local Nature Reserve and is one of the 33 Sites of Special Scientific Interest which we own or manage.
Construction of the reservoir began in 1969 to meet the growing demand for tap water by building a dam across the River Cuckmere and using the spoil from the excavation to build the rolling landscape around the edges of the reservoir.
During excavation, animal remains – including a mammoth tusk, bison horn and the skull of a woolly rhinoceros were discovered
The reservoir in numbers:
- Area of reservoir: 49 hectares - equivalent to 121 football pitches
- Maximum capacity: 3,500 million litres - equivalent to 11,665 million drinks cans
- Maximum depth: 11.3 metres - equivalent to four single-decker buses
- Length of shoreline: 2.8 kilometres - equivalent to 118 tennis courts
- Length of dam wall: 1 kilometre - equivalent to 200 small vans
- Recorded birds: 173 species
- Recorded butterflies: 21 species
A wildlife haven
Arlington Reservoir provides a sanctuary for thousands of over-wintering birds such as wigeon and shoveler – as well as great crested grebe, Canada geese, kingfisher and barn owl. Occasionally, Arlington Reservoir is visited by ospreys as they migrate to and from Africa in the autumn and spring. The reservoir is home to many fish species including, bream, roach, perch, eels, carp and gudgeon.
The reservoir site includes meadows and pockets of woodland, where coppicing - the practice of cutting back trees to encourage new shoots to grow - is used to encourage a diverse range of flora to grow in the wooded areas. Coppicing takes place continuously around the site but each tree is only cut around once every seven to 15 years. The coppiced wood is re-used to create fencing around the reservoir site.
Coppicing allows more sunlight to reach the ground, creating beautiful displays of spring flowers and providing habitats for birds such as nightingales, and dormice – who are rarely seen but can be detected through tell-tale markings on nibbled hazel nuts.
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 Cuckmere 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...
- Arlington Reservoir is a Local Nature Reserve, so please respect the Countryside Code and keep to the bridleway and circular footpath
- 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.
Recreational activities
Walking Trail
Our Osprey walking trail offers a three-kilometre circular walk around the reservoir, and passes our bird hide – the perfect spot for some nature study.
Directions
Arlington Reservoir, Berwick, Near Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6TF
Arlington Reservoir can be found approximately 1.5 miles north of the A27 Lewes to Eastbourne road from the Drusillas roundabout – signposted to Berwick Station and Upper Dicker.
Public car park
Grid reference TQ 52824 07484
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Facilities:
- Car parking (contactless payment only)
- Walking trail – 3 kilometres
- Food kiosk
- Toilets