Tringford Reservoir (Information)

Image: © Chris Reynolds Taken: 25 Jul 2009

See Image Tringford Reservoir was opened in 1816 to provide water for the Grand Junction Canal (now the Grand Union Canal). It is now a nature reserve and a trout fishery, and until 2008 it was also used as a duck shoot. All the easily accessible parts are in Image The above picture is of the old notice board overlooking the reservoir. The following are extracts. BATS: The abundance of insects at the reservoir edges between the water and the trees support a large bat population. The Pipistrelle Bat, although weighing only 4-5 grams and having a body length of 4 cm, will consume about 3000 insects each night. Two Brandt's Bats trapped at Wilstone Reservoir in 1975 were the first of this species recorded in Hertfordshire. You may also glimpse one of Britain's largest bats, the Noctule, flying fast and high, or the Daubenton's which skims the water surface for caddis flies. You are most likely to see the bats just after dusk on calm summer evenings. WOODLAND: The wood at Tringford is in a state of transition. In the early 1970's many of the elms fell victim to Dutch elm disease but new trees have grown in their place. Dead wood provides food for fungi and plants and a habitat for insects. One fungus you may notice is a curious ear-shaped growth on elder trees called Jew's Ear, so-called because the elder was believed to be the tree on which Judas hanged himself. BIRDS: From the hide, look for the brilliantly coloured Kingfisher flashing low across the water or fishing off the willows close by. Many different species of duck as well as Dabchicks and Great Crested Grebe can be seen from the hide too. Look out also for Sparrowhawks hunting above the trees. TRINGFORD PUMPING STATION: Tringford pumping station was built in 1818 and worked alongside pumping stations at Wilstone and Marsworth until they closed in 1836 and 1917 respectively. For a remarkable 110 years the beam engine at Tringford pumped water from Tring's reservoirs. It was replaced in 1927 by a diesel (then an electric) pumping plant. At the same time the building was lengthened and remodelled as a much lower structure with round-headed windows from the Foxton Inclined Plane Engine House on the canal's Leicester line. Little has changed to the building since then except for a new roof to replace the original roof blown away by gales in 1989. SELECTED PICTURES. General Views across Tringford Reservoir. Image Image Image Image Image The Footpath through the Wood Image Image Image Image Image The Hide Image Image Image Wildlife on Tringford Reservoir. Image Image (Swan). Image

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