Trentabank Reservoir

Species-rich, unimproved, upland, acid grassland. Coniferous plantation surrounding Trentabank reservoir with a large heronry of about 22 pairs.

Location
The reservoir is in Macclesfield Forest, partly in the Peak District National Park, about 3 miles (5km) south east of Macclesfield (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ962713).

Access
From Macclesfield follow the A523 (Leek road) south for about 0.5 mile and then turn left (Byrons Lane) towards Sutton and Langley. In about 1 mile turn left to Langley. The reservoir is in about 1.5 miles.

Description
Trentabank Nature Reserve (42.7 acres) lies within Macclesfield Forest at an elevation of approximately 800 feet. The reservoir, which comprises the majority of the site, was formed by damming the valleys of several streams running from the surrounding hills. It forms part of the water supply for the town of Macclesfield and was opened on the 2nd October 1929.

The western side of the site is mainly comprised of the dam itself which, is made up of stone blocks.

The northern part of the site is steep sided and is dominated by coniferous species. This extends into the east of the site.

The Southeastern section of the site is again largely dominated by coniferous species, mostly Japanese Larch ( Larix kaempferi ). A large heronry exists on its northerly shoreline. The southern section of the site follows the road boundary and is mainly comprised of coniferous species. A gated interpretation and viewing area exists here and there is also a second viewing and interpretation area further east along the road.

Public access to the reserve is largely limited and the majority of the site can only be visited by permit, subject to permission from the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and United Utilities. However, a small section of the site can be accessed through a wooden gate opposite the Peak Park Rangers Offices. A small circular footpath and viewing area exists here. There are no definitive rights of way across the rest of the site.

Trentabank reservoir objectives

Cheshire Wildlife Trusts main objectives at Trentabank are to maintain and enhance the reservoir, goits, streams and other watercourses, the woodland, habitats and habitat features necessary to support plant communities, bird, invertebrate and amphibian assemblage, small mammal and badger populations in favourable condition and the maintenance of information services and facilities.

The maintenance of recreational and information services will raise the profile of this nature reserve within the public eye and therefore awareness should be raised of the nature conservation issues associated with this nature reserve and other wildlife areas in the vicinity.

Ideally, woodland areas should be allowed to develop naturally as much as possible, with the emphasis on creating the necessary conditions for this to occur.

There is also a desire to maintain the view for the general public of the heronry across the reservoir. In order to achieve this the small fringe of willow close to the viewing area and inlet area, needs to be coppiced on a regular rotational basis (5 yearly) to prevent encroachment and maintain the view of the heronry. A series of fixed photomonitoring points could be established to monitor the effectiveness of the coppicing regime.

A number of invasive non-native species exist on the reserve. Rhododendrons should be cut and the stumps treated, with the aim of gradual removal over time. The sycamores along the roadside edge should also be removed and replaced with suitable native broadleaves, to provide a species rich.

In a number of areas non native forestry trees are scheduled for removal and, where possible, will be replaced by suitable native species.