Siddick Ponds
Siddick Pond, Workington
Siddick Pond is the one of two Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) in
the Workington area. It is a wetland habitat very popular with
wildfowl and other species.
Located between Iggesund Paper Board and Dunmail Park,
Workington, the main entrance to the reserve is through the Dunmail
Park car park (on the right hand side of Edgars car
dealership) with access to the bird hide through the Iggesund
customer car park. National Route 71 and 72 Cycleways traverse
the site, providing walking and cycling access from Northside and
Seaton and offering viewpoints of the reserve.
What is a Local Nature Reserve?
A Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is an area of land protected
for it's contribution towards wildlife, geology, education or
public enjoyment. There are over 1400 LNRs across England for both
people and wildlife to enjoy. Two of these sites are in Allerdale -
Harrington Nature Reserve and Siddick Ponds Nature Reserve.
Siddick Ponds is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI) due to the many species of birdlife it supports, including
the rare Bittern. SSSIs offer the area extra protection, and mean
that the reserve has to be managed in a way that protects it's
fragile environment. There are over 4000 SSSIs in England.
Who's involved?
Siddick Ponds SSSI is managed by Allerdale Borough Council in
conjunction with ISS Facility Services, Natural England and the
Friends of Siddick Ponds Nature Reserve. Management of the ponds
also includes input from other interested parties such as the RSPB
and local wildlife groups.
Volunteers have helped with conservation tasks including wetland
planting, scrub coppicing, reed cutting, meadow cutting and
footpath/step construction as well as interpretation media and
leaflet design.
The Friends of Siddick Ponds have been an integral part of the
success so far achieved at the ponds. The group, consisting of
local residents, meets regularly, and has so far raised funds and
promoted the reserve to a much wider audience.
The Friends of Siddick Pond are always looking for new
volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please contact us at
parks.development@allerdale.gov.uk
or phone 01900 702 702 and ask to be put through to the Parks and
Open Spaces Team.
The wildlife and history of Siddick Ponds LNR
Siddick Ponds is one of West Cumbria's most important bird
sanctuaries. The large reedbeds and extensive open water habitat
attract rare and endangered bird species including Bittern, Reed
warbler, Water rail, and Reed bunting.
Large reedbeds, like those at Siddick Ponds, are now rare across
the UK yet within ten minutes walk of the town centre people in
Workington have one of the regions best wildlife sites on its own
doorstep.
The history of the ponds reflects that of both nature and human
influences. Approximately ten thousand years ago the ponds were
part of a huge delta in what is now the River Derwent. The name
'Siddick' is believed to have originated from 'Siggit' or 'Seagate'
an old racecourse located close to where the ponds are today.
The coal industry and associated railways used to transport
coal, made a lasting impression on the ponds. In the mid
19th century, the Cleator Moor to Maryport railway was
constructed, part of which passed through what is now the nature
reserve. Coal continued to be extracted up until the 1970's at
nearby St Helens pit in Siddick.
Despite its close proximity to large communities, the ponds have
developed naturally to form the large reedbeds which is so
important for wildlife.
Reedbed
specialists, those species best equipped to survive in reeds,
includes Bittern and Reed warbler. The Bittern, now protected under
European law due to their low breeding numbers, often spend the
winter at Siddick Ponds. Here, continental birds escape the harsh
winters of the European mainland and instead 'winter' in the
relative warmth of the west coast thanks to the influence of the
Gulf Stream. During the winter of 2004-2005, five Bitterns wintered
at Siddick Ponds making this the largest number ever seen at
Siddick Ponds.
Winter is undoubtedly the best time to observe wildlife on the
ponds. Over-wintering birds including Goldeneye, Pochard, Tufted
duck, Shoveler, Whooper swan and Snipe often stay for long periods,
many having migrated south from the Artic, Scandinavia and tundra
regions.
Alternately, summer sees an influx of migratory birds travelling
north from Africa. Warblers, Swifts together with Sand and House
martins make the most of aquatic invertebrates emerging from the
ponds waters.
At other times, notably spring and Autumn look out for 'passage
migrants' including Wood sandpiper, common sandpiper, Little egret
and Osprey.
Reedbed, like any other habitat, gradually changes unless
management is introduced to retain a particular stage of vegetation
succession. Management at Siddick Ponds is therefore targeted at
preventing scrub encroachment and thus drying out of the reedbeds
and, preventing reed from encroaching onto the open water habitat.
A combination of summer and winter reed cutting is used to retain
desired levels of reedbed.
Reserve updates.
During 2010 and 2011 a number of works were undertaken to
improve Siddick Ponds SSSI Nature Reserve.
The bird hide was renovated, a wetland area created in front of
the bird hide and Sand Martin Nesting boxes were erected on
the far shore. Steps have been repaired, paths cleared and the
reed beds cut to improve habitat for Bittern, Water rail and other
wetland wildlife.
Allerdale Borough Council and the Friends
Group would like to thank all involved with these efforts - without
grant funding and man power these improvements would have been
difficult to achieve.
We hope you enjoy your visit to the
reserve. Please remember to place your litter in the bins provided
and, if bringing a dog, to keep it on a leash and pick up after it.
By helping us in this way you are helping to preserve the reserve
for future generations.