Llandegfedd Reservoir

The reservoir is managed in accordance with the Llandegfedd Reservoir – Recreation and Conservation Management Plan and in consultation with the Llandegfedd Reservoir User Liaison Group. The scheme includes:

Spatial zoning based on the reservoir's physical characteristics and sports and conservation requirements compromise:

Conservation areas – shallow northern waters and shores, which are the principal wildfowl over-wintering, feeding and nesting areas.
Sailing and windsurfing area – all water except conservation and diving zones.
Diving area – deeper waters near the water outlet.
Canoeing area – southern section of the Reservoir.
Boat fly-fishing areas – all except the conservation and diving zones.
Bank fishing areas – selected shores, which avoid other users and dangerous banks.
Seasonal restrictions:

Sailing seasons – March to October, and 4 hours on Sundays during winter.
Fly-fishing season – March to October.
Diving – primarily a winter activity (poor visibility in summer).
Zoning and other restriction leaflets are available from the on-site ranger service

Wintering wildfowl include large numbers of wigeon, teal and pochard, as well as goldeneye and ruddy duck, and Bewick's swan and goosander regularly use the reservoir as a roost, the swans feeding by day on Olway Meadows and the goosanders probably coming from the River Usk. Divers and rarer grebes are occasional visitors, as are sea duck (notably long-tailed duck). Numbers of common gull, herring gull and black-headed gulls roost, and siskin and redpoll occur in the waterside trees. Residents include great crested grebe, sparrowhawk and buzzard, while cormorant and grey heron are regular visitors, and merlin, peregrine and goshawk have been recorded.

A variety of waders pass through, with ringed plover and little ringed plover, oystercatcher and common sandpiper and green sandpipers being among the more likely. Other migrants have included osprey and hobby. Breeding summer visitors include yellow wagtail.