Drift Reservoir..... 

Situated at SW 431 293 Drift Reservoir is between Penzance and Land’s End on a minor road sign posted to Sancreed, north of the A30 at the centre of Drift village. To reach the CBWPS hide, from the car park  walk along the reservoir’s western perimeter path towards the northern end.

The reservoir is jointly owned by South West Water and South West Lakes Trust.  Late in 1999 a new reed bed was created further north of the hide. It is hoped that in the near future the reed bed will be doubled in size through a project in conjunction with South West Lakes Trust and Wild Penwith (part of CWT) .

 Drift Reservoir is Britain’s most southwesterly reservoir.  It is excellent for gulls and wintering wildfowl and can be very good for passage waders if the water levels are suitable. Around 230 different species have been recorded at the site. Included among the site’s rarities are Squacco and Purple Herons, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, American Golden Plover, Lesser Scaup and Booted Eagle. Ospreys are now regular passage migrants.

A stipulation of our management license from SWLT is that access is for CBWPS members only (due to insurance considerations I believe) and that there is no public right of way around the reservoir. Indeed there is no footpath around the northern shore at all and a circular walk even for members would involve a detour up to Sellan Farm and back down again. The only area accessible to the public is the car park, the grass slope below the car park and the dam itself.  Good but distant views of the bulk of the reservoir can be gained from these. Obviously should a rare bird appear which cannot be viewed from the public areas then negotiations would be opened with SWLT for limited temporary access.

Contact the Drift Warden HERE

Dave Parker, 2 Boslevan, Green Lane, Marazion  TR1710HQ                                                     

Tel: 01736 710668  Mobile: 07932 354711   e-mail damag at btopenworld.com