BLACKBROOK RESERVOIR
Patience can pay off at an underwatched site
On the edge of Charnwood Forest, Blackbrook doesn’t get the attention it might, in part because it’s only possible to view it from one end. Nevertheless, it has attracted interesting species in the past, and there’s a varied short walk to be enjoyed here at all times of year. WHERE TO WATCH 1
Park carefully on Charley Road and walk down the path towards the reservoir. In spring and summer, expect the likes of Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap, and in late summer and early autumn, the fields to your left often harbour small groups of Mistle Thrushes.
2
Carefully check the pools and marshy areas around the outflow. Coots, Moorhens and Mallards are always around, but Green Sandpipers can show up during migration periods. Keep an eye out for Kingfishers. Look for Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Treecreepers and Nuthatches on the wooded crag to your right.
3 Set up your scope here, and scan very carefully. At most times, the water will hold Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Gadwall, Great Crested and Little Grebes, Black-headed Gulls, plus Lesser Black-backed Gulls in late summer. But Ospreys regularly stop off on migration, and there’s a small population of Mandarins – they’re easiest to see when low water levels force them away from overhanging vegetation.
4
Low water can expose extensive muddy beaches on this shore. Check for waders during migration, with Lapwings and the occasional Common Sandpiper the most regular. Canada and Greylag Geese, and Wigeon in winter, also use the area.
5 You can continue to walk up the hill and through the woods to Oaks Road, although you’ll have to either retrace your steps, or walk round by the road. Look for Peregrine and Ravens overhead.
● Marsh Tit
● Willow Warbler
● Garden Warbler
● Lesser Whitethroat
● Reed Bunting
● Cuckoo
● Red Kite
● Sand Martin
● Swallow
● Common Scoter
● Goosander
● Red-breasted Merganser
● Red-throated Diver
● Great Northern Diver
● Buzzard
● Oystercatcher
● Curlew
● Turnstone
● Redshank
● Black-headed Gull
● Mediterranean Gull
● Merlin
● Peregrine
● Chough
● Raven
● Sky Lark
● Stonechat
● Dipper
● Grey Wagtail
● Rock Pipit
● Linnet
● Snow Bunting