On this page we were planning to give you a Wildlife Code for Chasewater and to tell you all about who actually manages this very large site (360 hectares - about 900 acres of Open Space and Water, much of it designated as a Country Park).  Cuckoo Bank is not included in that acreage.   We are, however, finding this extremely difficult as it would appear that there is no one person - or one organisation - that has overall control of what happens at Chasewater.    There are so many competing interests and ownerships and tenancies that it is a wonder that any wildlife (birds, plants, insects, etc.) survives at all.  British Waterways owns the water of the main lake but owns very little of the land around it apart from a little below the dam.   The Management of the site is supposed to now be in the hands of Lichfield District Council who employ a Chasewater Manager.  However, they appear not to have any control over many of the activities that take place there nor do they appear to have much knowledge of the various activities taking place.

To try and explain and educate the public, other users, the Rangers, Parish Councils and Lichfield and Cannock Chase District Councils, Staffordshire County Council, Councillors, the Police, British Waterways, landowners, UK Coal, as well as members of CWG - we give below a list of all the different activities and interests that now take place, legally and illegally, on the Chasewater and Cuckoo Bank site -

These are not in any order of priority so they are listed alphabetically:

Anti-social Behaviour - beginning to rear its ugly head at Chasewater with more gatherings of young people in cars at various locations around the southern end.
Batwatching - doesn't cause any problems.  An important site for several species of bats.  They are all protected species.
Birdwatching - generally doesn't cause any problems but birders parking cars along the south road between car park and Railway is not acceptable as the road is narrow.  
Cafes - a very useful asset for visitors.  We now have one at the main Centre and each of the Railway Stations would now appear to be installing them.   A potential for litter and pollution and must be carefully controlled.
Camping - caravans and tents are beginning to appear at events around the Waterski Centre and on the southern grassland.   Is this official?   Will it snowball?   Is this acceptable?   Problems of pollution of water. 
Canoeing - until recently only the Outdoor Education Centre used a few canoes on the main lake but recently, the Rangers have allowed a Scout Group to canoe on Jeffrey's Swag, with dire consequences for the wildfowl.  Jeffrey's Swag was proposed to be a Local Nature Reserve many years ago but it has not come to pass.   Protecting this Pool needs addressing URGENTLY as it is the key to the importance of Chasewater as a whole for its birds.  It is where the birds have been able to take refuge when disturbed (as they are frequently) from the main lake.
Car Parking - more land being taken up by car parking.  Becoming a problem around Railway site and Water-ski Centre. 
Cycling - so far, not a serious problem but mountain bikes can be ridden anywhere and if allowed to, will certainly cause serious problems for wildlife, passive natural history activities and people just out for a quiet walk.  An increasingly popular pastime everywhere and will need controlling. 
Dog Walking - becoming a disaster, especially on the south shore where dogs are allowed to run along the shoreline disturbing feeding waders and waterfowl.  All dogs should be kept on leads.  An approved dog play area should perhaps be created.  Dog Litter should be binned by dog owners.  Health hazard.
Farming - since the restoration at Cuckoo Bank (after opencasting on Bleak House), some of the land has been restored to farmland and owners/tenants are now farming some of it.   Gates and fences are not being maintained and locked and much trespassing is taking place via the farmland into the restored heathland area and the Biddulph's Pool SSSI.   There is evidence that fertilisers are being used on the crops which with the current drainage system means that Biddulph's Pool and No Man's Bank SSSI and eventually Chasewater's water quality could be changed and become nutrient rich with consequences for some of the specialist species.  Cattle grazing has also been taking place in the SSSI woodland too which may be having an adverse effect.  Owners/tenants do not appear to be looking after the land. 
Feeding ducks, geese and swans - children (and adults) love this activity which takes place mainly on the South Shore and on the Swag.   Litter is a problem and there needs to be education and enforcement.  Bread is not the correct food for ducks, geese and swans (and can in fact cause their death) and the public should be educated to feed grain as the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust do at Martin Mere and Slimbridge.  
Fishing - still problems with hooks and lines left lying about which are a hazard and from litter that is left by a few.  Rules need enforcing.
Games Area (near main Centre) - contained at the moment but needs to be kept in the one area so as not to impinge on more of the site.
Horse Riding - an increasing activity around Chasewater and Cuckoo Bank (illegally as no bridle paths).  Paths are made muddy and unsafe for walkers.   Should they be on the site anyway?
Innovation Centre - becoming increasingly popular.  Educational and conservation potential not being exploited.  
Kite Flying - illegally taking place on Cuckoo Bank (it is not open to the public and there are no public rights of way across it, only around it).
Moth Trapping - generally doesn't cause any problems. Carried out to monitor populations.
Motorbike Scrambling - illegally taking place on Cuckoo Bank and within the SSSI's with dire consequences for the vegetation and wildlife.  Beginning to take place over Chasewater on the west shore and recently on the east shore north of the dam (and actually sometimes in the water where they wash their bikes!).  Also potential for injuring public.  Needs to be stopped immediately.
Outdoor Education Centre - where the next generation of adults ought to be learning all about protecting the environment, respecting other users of open spaces and learning all about the importance and value of a site as important as Chasewater.   Have recently given cause for concern by damaging important habitat within the Centre's grounds. 
Picnicking - generally doesn't cause any problems apart from litter.
Power Boating - this activity conflicts with water birds feeding and gulls roosting on the main lake.  There needs to be some strict rules drawn up and agreed AND implemented by the Club.  Potential for serious problems if large events are staged.
Quad Bikes - a new and worrying activity over the whole site as, like Scrambler bikes, they can go anywhere and do!   They damage habitats, disturb wildlife and bring danger and disturbance to passive users of the site.  Needs to be stopped immediately.
Rabbit Hunting with Dogs - seen recently near Slurry Pool.  Spaniel training also occurring on Cuckoo Bank which has possibly resulted in nest desertion by rare birds.
Railway - an awful lot of money and effort has gone into this development now stretching over 2 miles around Chasewater which is gradually becoming bigger and bigger and spreading round the whole site.   So far not causing any major problems but needs careful monitoring
Remote Control Car Racing - this new activity has started on the old stadium site.  Another case of a particular interest simply moving into an area without thought for other users and of course for the wildlife.
Remote Control Model Aircraft Flying - occurring from the top of a restored pit mound next to Slurry Pool.  Potential for disturbing wildfowl on the Pool.
Ringing Birds - ringing occurring in reed beds on Slurry Pool.  
Rugby Club - an active recreational activity on the boundary of the site but which adjoins some important wildlife habitats.  Trespass and encroachment needs to be monitored.
Sailing and Windsurfing - causes problems as they cover the whole water searching for the wind and cause serious disturbance to water birds and the Gull Roost.  Problem needs addressing urgently.
Shooting - always was a problem at Chasewater but after a lull, it seems to have started again on Cuckoo Bank with Airguns and Rifles.   Also youths with air rifles shooting on Chasewater north shore.   Obviously illegal and also a danger to human life.   Police need to take action before someone gets seriously hurt.
Sub-Aqua Diving - occasionally takes place.
Triathlon - held recently for first time which didn't appear to cause any major problem.  However, if it became a regular activity it would add to the disturbance factor on the water and could affect wildfowl and other waterbirds.
Walking & Running - generally no problem IF walkers and runners keep to the paths.
Water Skiing -  this activity conflicts with wildfowl feeding and gulls roosting.  There needs to be some strict rules drawn up and agreed AND implemented by the Ski Centre.  Potential for serious problems if large events are staged.
Wildlife Watching & Recording - an increasingly popular pastime and besides birds, bats and moths (mentioned above), it also includes Butterflies, Mammals (Chasewater now has Red Deer breeding there), Amphibians, Dragonflies, and of course a rich plant community with many rare species.  Life in the main lake and other pools and ponds on the site is also very rich and unique because of the relatively clean water running into it from Cuckoo Bank in the north.   This gives it a rich population of crustaceans which is the reason why Chasewater is so attractive to wildfowl.  Its fish populations are also rich and varied. All this, however, is susceptible to disturbance, pollution, and habitat destruction - all of which appear to be on the increase.
 

TEN Suggestions for urgent ACTIONS that need to be taken to PROTECT AND CONSERVE CHASEWATER, its wildlife habitats and species and its value to the local community:

1.  Need for a NEW Chasewater Overall Body - with teeth - that can enforce rules and prevent conflicts.  We realise that this is not going to be an easy task but nevertheless, we consider that without some overall body that can oversee and manage the whole site, then the site will deteriorate in quality, wildlife habitats and species will be damaged and lost, the SSSI will be damaged (a criminal offence), the site will get misused, and the caring and responsible members of the public who visit the site regularly will stop visiting and the value of Chasewater will decline.

2.  Rangers need to be high profile and active around the site during all open hours.  More of them are needed and they should have up-to-date training in Countryside and Wildlife Management.  Keen volunteers should also be recruited to help with education, monitoring and enforcement.

3.  More signs need to be erected to educate and inform the public about the importance of Chasewater - about its heritage and about its wildlife.

4.  Chasewater Wildlife Group needs to have a strong and permanent presence within the Innovation Centre.  

5.  Jeffrey's Swag needs to be created as a Local Nature Reserve as a matter of urgency.  It holds a large population of the rare Floating Water-Plantain as well as very high populations of wildfowl, particularly Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, etc. etc.  It MUST remain an undisturbed and pollution free pool.   A great potential for developing links with the local people, particularly the young.  They have a wonderful asset on their doorstep!

6.   The North end of the main pool of Chasewater (from the island) should be a "no go" area for Sailing and Power Boat activities and kept as a quiet feeding area for waterbirds that are disturbed from the southern part of the main pool.

7.   English Nature should urgently survey the condition of all the SSSI's in Chasewater & Cuckoo Bank area and revise their boundaries where necessary.   Pressure needs to be put on the owners and tenants before further damage to them is done.  Some are deteriorating in quality because of lack of care and trespass.

8.   A Map should be displayed in the Innovation Centre showing the boundaries of ownerships and/or activities for the whole site. 

9.   A list should be displayed in the Innovation Centre of all the User Bodies and Groups (official and unofficial), with a contact name, address and phone number.

10. All motorised vehicles - cars, motorbikes, quad bikes, scrambler bikes, scooters - should be banned from being on the site except on the authorised roads and parking areas.  Penalties should be set and enforced.   Fencing and gates should be erected to prevent access to unauthorised areas.