In total a plant list of 117 species was collated by Kerry Morrison, Hazel Mitford and Richard Campbell, with contributions from the other five members of the group, as it was a lovely walk through diverse habitats.
Beaver Dyke Reservoirs are two small supply reservoirs built in 1890, only one of which is extant, the other having been decommissioned in 2013 because it was deemed too expensive to maintain its ageing structures. They are situated in the valley of the Oak Beck and members met at the roadside above the north western end. A wide footpath between fields led downhill with abundant verges protected by stone walls with a drainage ditch on the left, producing many interesting sedges in the damp environment. Both Common and Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil, and Climbing Corydalis grew luxuriantly on the pathside along with many other species. Further down the farmer had recently cleaned the ditch out and replaced the walls with wire fences and gates to allow for a cattle crossing. This newly created environment contrasted sharply with the well-established vegetation seen earlier. Crassula helmsii was already choking the newly scoured ditch but the bare earth banks allowed some smaller plants to gain a foothold, some identified only by hand lens examination of their seeds, such as Marsh Cudweed.
Further down the original path returned and the vegetation was luxuriant, this part being under the trees. Many of the plants such as Ivy-leaved Crowfoot were thriving in the shady, marshy conditions.
Down in the picturesque valley it opened into grassland which ran to the water’s edge, punctuated with stands of Marsh Thistle and Creeping Thistle and where the turf was short, clumps of Mouse-eared Hawkweed waved their lovely lemon coloured heads. Where it was sheltered from the windy conditions down here the few butterflies included Meadow Brown and Ringlet. A stunning example of Dryad’s Saddle was seen on a well-rotted tree stump.
The water which resembles a lake rather than a reservoir with a fringe of willow in places, held a collection of ducks in eclipse, Little Grebes, Cormorants and Grey Heron with Oystercatchers and a Buzzard seen flying over.
Many thanks to Muff and Jack Upsall for their forethought with regards to planning the parking and access route to the reservoirs.
Sue Coldwell
