Wildlife at Brooksby Station House back to main page
Birds: There are
lots of birds here, not so many garden birds, mainly farmland ones.. the
Kingfisher is our favourite, often seen when we are out on the river, as we have
a nest hidden in the bank.
The woodpecker is tapping as I write this, hope he doesn't wake you up, he's often around early in the morning.
Goldcrest, Tree Creeper, Robin, Blackbird, Collard Dove, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Tree Sparrow, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Kingfisher, Thrush, Heron, Swan, Duck, Goldfinch, Wren, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Wagtail, Tawny Owl, Pheasants, Partridge, Coots, Moorhen, Buzzard,
You may be able to hear the sound of a blackbird, from: birdsounds
Mammals
Much maligned, the mink is an escapee from Mink farms set up after the Second World War. When otters were suddenly deemed "worthy" wildlife after many years of being hunted as a predator, the Otter Hounds re-badged themselves as Mink Hounds. The mink is a powerful predator, but it is years since we lost a chicken, they are not as bad as people make out. Rarely seen, although quite bold, the mink mainly preys on river wildlife but not to the devastating extent that his detractors suggest! Currently being displaced by the otters which are returning to the Wreake at present.
Field Mouse, Water Vole, Bank Vole, Rat, Fox, Mink, Otter, Squirrel, Moles, Shrew, Rabbit, Cats, Dog, Sheep, Goats, and nearby: Badgers, Hares,
Reptiles
Grass Snake, Adder, Great Crested Newt, Common Lizard, Frogs, Toads
Insects
We have glorious dragonflies here, as well as beautiful damsel flies, witness to the clarity of the water as these do well only in clean reaches of rivers.
Dragonflies, Damselflies, May Beetles, Moss carder bees, Ants ( plenty)
River
The Wreake is graded by the Environment Agency as "B" quality, which is excellent for a Midlands river. You only find "A" quality rivers in the highlands. Students often to biotic index surveys and report mayfly and stonefly nymphs, caddis fly larvae, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs and crayfish. Among the fish are Perch, Chubb, Pike, and 3 miles from here Trout have been caught.
We swim in the river ourselves, but are careful not to splash the water on our faces, or swallow any. We generally keep some Cola in the house ( for medicinal purposes) as it kills most of the nasties you might pick up if you get splashed.
Trees
We have lots of Salix fragilis ( crack willow) along the river, plus Poplar, a lovely old Horse Chestnut, and lots of younger smaller trees including Cherry, Apple, Crab Apple, Hazel and of course, Birch.