Site No. 6: Twyford Brook, Ashby Folville

• By Steve Houghton

Grid Ref SK 710 118          Click here for map

 Site Access

A very small, but fascinating site.

This section of the brook is situated on the Eastern edge of the village, next to the B674 road to Twyford, and can be viewed from the concrete bridge at SK 710 118. This is a public footpath, so there is no problem with access. The banks can be walked on the road side of the brook, but be careful as they are very steep.

 Site Details

The brook is very deep and slow-flowing at this point, with large reed beds on either side of the bridge. The bank-side vegetation is excellent with large areas of rough grass, teasels, thistles and brambles.

The most important species at this site is a small but thriving colony of White-legged Damselflies. They can be viewed amongst the reeds from the bridge or adjacent banks; newly emerged and immature adults can be found in the bank-side vegetation.

There are also large colonies of Banded Demoiselles and Blue-tailed Damselflies, with smaller numbers of both Azure & Common Blue Damselflies. Brown and Migrant Hawkers hunt the brook and bank sides, with Common and Ruddy Darters being found but only in small numbers.

Aside from odonata this area is also excellent for Kingfishers & water voles; Otter spaints have also been found on the stonework beneath the bridge.

White-legged Damselflies - above, male, below, female (Steve Houghton)