Blithfield Reservoir is a large raw water reservoir in South Staffordshire, England, owned by South Staffordshire Water.Some 800 acres (324 hectares) of reservoir was formed on land sold by Baron Bagot to the South Staffordshire Water Works (SSWW) in the 1940s. Blithfield Reservoir was opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother on Tuesday 27 October 1953.

The reservoir is a haven for wildlife, particularly birds, a fact that was recognised in 1988 when the reservoir and most of its surrounding woodland was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, (SSSI). Parts of the shoreline and surrounding woodland are only available to birdwatchers under a permit scheme, operated by the West Midland Bird Club, but much of the open water is visible from the road causeway which crosses the reservoir.

There has been many scarce and rare migrant birds recorded here, including an inland Arctic warbler , Bonaparte's gull, blue-winged teal and squacco heron and many others. Full records and access details from the West Midlands Bird Club here

Inset picture: Martin Froggatt 

We highly recommend the publications below to compliment your visit to this Region.

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