Frankley Reservoir, lake in the United Kingdom
Frankley Reservoir is a large, semicircular water storage facility in Birmingham built to supply the city with drinking water. Water arrives from the Elan Valley in Wales through a gravity-fed aqueduct that is nearly 73 miles long and holds about 900,000 cubic meters of water.
The facility was approved by legislation in 1892 and completed in 1904 by the Birmingham Water Department to address contaminated water supplies. It was created in response to disease outbreaks that plagued the rapidly growing city during the industrial era.
The site has become a key spot for birdwatchers, as migratory birds stop here during their journeys. The protected natural areas surrounding the water draw enthusiasts who observe and study various species throughout the year.
The site is open and accessible with quiet walking paths suitable for leisurely visits and observations, especially for birdwatchers with binoculars. Being surrounded by local parks and green spaces, visitors can expect peaceful conditions without crowds most of the time.
A young birdwatcher named Bill Oddie published his first article about the birds here in 1962, marking the start of serious interest from the ornithological community. Since then, it has become a favored destination for those seeking to spot rare species.
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