Site No. 4 - Saddington Reservoir and environs
Grid Ref SP 664 911 Click here for map
Site Access
Saddington Reservoir lies just to the south-west of Saddington village. Leave the village to the south and take the minor (single track) road at the bottom of the hill signposted to Gumley. The reservoir can be viewed from this road. The best area for odonata recently has been the western edge, which has recently been rebuilt and supports a good deal of emergent vegetation - this is not an official right of way, but an anglers footpath leads from the dam most of the way to the south-western corner, and responsible and polite observers should not encounter any access problems.
The Grand Union Canal lies to the north-east of the reservoir, and can be reached from several points: the minor roads between Saddington and Smeeton Westerby and Saddington and Kibworth (both affording access to Saddington Tunnel), and the minor road between Smeeton Westerby and Gumley. Several miles further north-east, the canal around the Wistow area is also good for many species. Access to the canal at Wistow is from the minor road between Fleckney and Great Glen - park by the hump-back bridge, the second bridge north of the Wistow cross-roads.
The reservoir was originally built to supply the canal, and a feeder channel runs between the two. A footpath runs between the channel and a small stream, giving access to the channel and several damp, marshy areas. Park carefully by the yacht club at the reservoir (just beyond the dam) and walk back down the hill to the rear of the dam, and cross a small footbridge and stile to reach the path.
Site Details
The reservoir is the second oldest in the county, so the habitat is very mature. The far southern edge may well be the most productive area for wildlife, and includes a small reed bed, but it is unfortunately private and not accessible or viewable from the road. Pull-ins along the minor road around the eastern edge are worth stopping at for close access. The Grand Union Canal can be particularly productive around the ends of the Saddington Tunnel, as much vegetatoin has grown up around these areas. However, a walk along any stretch of tow path should provide a good range of species.
The habitat along the feeder channel looks very promising but has not produced much recently, presumably as the channel has become over vegetated. However, it is still well worth a look, and if it is ever cleared, there couldn't be a better looking site in the county for Hairy Dragonfly... The canal can be reached from the feeder channel, but the tow path is on the other side, so only a small section of canal can be viewed. However this is a particularly good bit of canal habitat with a good range of species.
Dragonfly status at the site
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
Very common all along the Grand Union Canal.
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa
The reservoir is a particularly good site for this species, and a careful look along the western edge or from the last (largest) pull-in on the eastern edge should prove successful.
White-legged Damselfly Platycnemis pennipes
The Grand Union Canal is an excellent site for this species - large numbers have been recorded recently at Wistow and around the canal's junction with the feeder channel.
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula
May be encountered in small numbers anywhere in the area, particularly along the feeder channel.
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
Very common throughout the area.
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum
Very common throughout the area; abundant at the reservoir.
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella
Very common throughout the area.
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas
Can be found in reasonable to good numbers along the western edge of the reservoir (a recent addition to the site list), or along the canal, particularly at Wistow.
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis
Common along the canal, less so at the reservoir.
Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea
Small numbers can be encountered at the reservoir and anywhere in the area.
Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta
Common anywhere in the area.
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa
Fairly common at the reservoir and can be encountered anywhere in the area.
Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
Fairly good numbers are usually at the western and eastern edges of the reservoir.
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum
Abundant anywhere in the area, especially at the reservoir and the immediate area.
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum
Common throughout the area.
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