Great Outdoors

The Four Reservoirs provide a haven for wildlife, including the great-crested grebe.  A National Nature reserve since 1955, the reservoirs were redesignated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1987 and are now a famous wildlife site. 

The four reservoirs, Wilstone, Tringford, Startops End and Marsworth sit at the highest level of the Grand Union Canal and supply water for the canal and also, for our purposes, provide a haven for wildlife, including the great-crested grebe.  

After suffering appallingly because of the trade in plumes for hats in the Victorian and early Edwardian eras, these birds were slow to recolonise Britain’s wetlands, but are now well established at Tring.  

Dennis Furnell

The reservoirs are also famous for the reed warbler colony that occupies the reed bed at the footpath end of Marsworth reservoir; and every year these migrant warblers attract the attentions of the cuckoos waiting for the first reed warbler egg to be laid before replacing it with one of their own similarly coloured and patterned, but much larger, eggs.

The herons that nest in the reed beds on Marsworth are unique in Britain.  These tall, stately birds usually nest in trees; and the nearest reed bed nesting colony is in the Danube Delta. 

Pair of Goldeneye Ducks

The rare Cetti’s warbler is attempting to breed here.  A fascinating creature with an amazingly loud, distinct call, it’s not often seen, preferring to skulk in deep cover.

As well as the bird life, the reservoirs support a popular course fishery with some large specimens of common bream.