Field Trip Blackbrook Reservoir

Field Outing Report from 3 September 2025 – Blackbrook Way

(Mount St. Bernard Abbey car park to Blackbrook Reservoir and return)

Eleven brave souls decided to risk a forecasted soaking and death by lightning strikes to meet for a 9:30 start from the Abbey car park.

A slight drizzle at the start of the walk turned into a half decent morning, and despite an amber warning at about 11:30 we escaped completely dry and unharmed!

Rooks, Crows, Jackdaws and Woodpigeons were observed in the fields adjacent to the Abbey entrance, then both Coal and Long-tailed Tits were recorded in trees prior to the Blackbrook footpath. Cow Parsley was noted here also.

Quite an impressive list of observations was made on the walk through the woodland track down towards the reservoir inclusive of birds, e.g. Treecreeper, Blackbird and Blue Tit; Plants and Trees, e.g. Turkey Oak and Wych Elm; Galls, e.g. Silk Button Gall and Sycamore Tar Spot; and Fungi e.g. Silky Rosegill Volvariella bombycina and Hoof Fungus.

As we left the woodland and entered a more open landscape a few invertebrates were observed e.g. Common Wasp, Green Shieldbug and Dock Bugs.

A large congregation of House Martins (perhaps 30 to 40) were hawking at treetop height and slightly over the recently mown hayfields, whilst a few Swallows were flying low over the fields, both species picking up a few tasty? insect morsels to fatten themselves up a little for their impending travels back to Africa.

Amphibious Bistort and Cola Nut Gall were seen as we approached the reservoir bridge, and a good three quarters of an hour was spent looking at various wildlife here.

As could be expected birds were the main classification recorded in this area, with Peregrine, Mandarin Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe and Little Egrets being the main interest but a teasing Grey Heron, trying to avoid being photographed behind a tree branch, was a challenge for one member of the group.

The return walk produced a few more plant and tree species – Goose and Knot Grasses, also a Muntjac deer was heard barking in the woodland.

Fresh Molehills provided evidence of their presence at this location.

Speckled Wood and at least four of a White sp. butterfly made their way onto our ever-growing list and a Nursery Web Spider was added before we got back to the car park.

An acceptable lunch was taken at St. Joseph’s tearooms before we all parted company until the next outing in October.

Many thanks to all participants for your contributions and company, and a special vote of thanks to Margaret for making good use of her notebook to record all our sightings.

Howard Orridge