Toddbrook Reservoir

Also within

Cheshire CountyDerbyshire County PEAK DISTRICT National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Area, 19.6 ha. 48.4 ac. Description Toddbrook Reservoir is situated to the south west of Whaley Bridge. Built in the19th century as a canal feeder reservoir at maximum capacity it covers an area of some 20 ha. In periods of drought it has an extensive draw down zone which exposes large areas of mud. The reservoir is recharged to full capacity in winter. The site is one of a very few in Britain which periodically support an unusual community of short lived mosses and liverworts. Such 'ephemeral bryophyte' communities are characteristic of the muddy draw down zones of a few reservoirs and ponds, but are well documented only at Toddbrook and one other nearby site. The most characteristic species is the rare moss Physcomitrium sphaericum which is only known from very few localities. It was first recorded here in 1893 and has reappeared intermittently since, when summer droughts have produced a muddy substrate suitable for this group of short lived bryophytes. These include the mosses Pseudephemerum nitidum and Physcomitrium patens and the liverworts Riccia sorocarpa and Blasia pusilla. Toddbrook reservoir has thus provided a site for the detailed investigation of these unusual plant communities. A wide range of breeding birds is also present on the site. Some 30 species breed regularly including waterbirds such as great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus and mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Other waterfowl such as teal Anas crecca and pochard Aythya ferina use the reservoir as a wintering roost and feeding area.

Species mentioned