blue-walk

THE BLUE WALK

Willow Triangle (anticlockwise). Length 1 mile.

The walk starts from the point on Loversall Bank where the path diverges from the Green Walk and takes the right fork along Willow Bank. There is one hide on this walk which is suitable for wheelchairs.

The first part of this walk (which was officially opened in 1993 by Sir David Attenborough – see the plaque on the left) is along a railway embankment which became disused in the 1980s. The top of the bank was soiled and seeded in 1993 following which vegetation emerged, mainly the ubiquitous Silver Birch. Much of this has been cut back and a path laid.

Willow Bank (middle) © Ken Woolley

Over to the right is Beeston Plantation (mentioned earlier) with, in spring, its tantalising bird song. On the left are the trees which form the margin of Willow Marsh and beyond these may be the churring of Reed and Sedge Warblers. As the views open out to the right a little further on one can see an example of the typical flat carrland “improved” for farming by draining in the 18th century, but the extensive views formerly available are limited by the intrusion of the M18 motorway built in the 1970s.

Once again, the oak trees along this section hold populations of Purple Hairstreak butterflies but it more likely that you will encounter Speckled Woods and Gatekeepers (at the appropriate time of year) and possibly hear the thin “seeping” sound of Treecreeper which frequent this area. Alongside the path, early in the year, is one of the first flowers to show, the Colt’s-foot which has a pretty yellow daisy-like flower. The ground here is also carpeted in spring with wild strawberries and there are areas of the highly poisonous plant, Dog’s Mercury, and sometimes patches of Bee Orchids, so-called because the flower mimics a bee to attract it to its nectar, and Orange Hawkweed otherwise known as “Fox and Cubs”, apparently from its colour.

The bank curves steadily to the right. The fields on the right are currently used for agriculture and it is not unusual here to see Roe Deer, particularly in the early morning. Also, Buzzards are often seen mainly over the southern parts of the Reserve, their characteristic “mewing” call drawing one’s attention to them.

After about 800m, a ramp is reached which leads down into Willow Marsh ( please do not try to continue on the top of the bank beyond the ramp ).

Willow Bank ramp © John Hancox

At the bottom of the ramp, the path crosses the end of Cottage Drain and continues into St. Catherine’s Copse. This area of woodland comprises a mixture of mainly willow and birch, both of which regenerated naturally when the railway encircled the whole of Willow Marsh at the beginning of the 20th century and it ceased to be economical for use as farmland. Until the path, which meanders through the wood, was prospected in the mid-1990s, the woodland had lain largely undisturbed for over 80 years. The woodland has the usual mix of resident birds, joined in spring by migrants.

St. Catherine's Copse © John Hancox

At the point where the path approaches the railway embankment there is a mass of Hart's-tongue Fern on the embankment itself. Beside the path a little further on, on the left, is a Wych Elm and possibly White-letter Hairstreak butterflies in June/July (though the tree is now showing signs of Dutch Elm Disease and may have to be felled). Throughout this wood, on the sides of the path (and along the sides of other paths on the Reserve) is a small plant, Enchanter’s Nightshade. It has a number of tiny white flowers up its stem. Despite its name, it isn’t related to the true nightshades all of which are poisonous to some extent.

The path eventually reaches a T-junction. The right turn continues the Blue Walk, whilst the left turn takes one back across Cottage Drain to Cottage Drain Hide (suitable for wheelchairs). The small drain on the left of the path holds Great Water Dock, the only location it is found on the Reserve. The hide overlooks the main water body of Willow Marsh and its population of water birds, joined in summer in some years by Black-necked Grebes ( when they appear, it is interesting to compare their gracefulness with the more compact Little Grebes which are present every year ). Dragonflies regularly patrol the area in front of the hide in mid/late summer and large numbers, particularly Common Darters, can often be seen egg-laying, dipping the abdomens in the water or simply scattering their eggs into the water and muddy margins.

Returning to the T-junction, the path continues to meander through the wood until it emerges onto the bank of Cottage Drain. The drain itself is unremarkable having been deepened and regraded in 1980 as a part of the flood relief scheme. It is cleared annually to maintain its hydraulic efficiency. Some interesting water plants occur in the drain including Water Crowfoot and Lesser Water Plantain. It is also worth keeping an eye out for some of the damselflies which breed in the drain and the larger dragonflies regularly patrol this area. Water Voles also sometimes frequent this drain but such is their rarity now that one is lucky to see them, the only evidence often being a “plop” as they dive under water.

A notable large plant to the left on the other side of the drain is Hemp Agrimony which, despite its name, has nothing to do with either hemp or agrimony but it is a member of the Daisy family! It has large clusters of crimson flowers in late July which can attract large numbers of butterflies, mainly Vanessids, i.e. Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas, Red Admirals and Painted Ladies, but others as well.

The woodland to the left (which fringes Willow Marsh) holds warblers and many of the resident birds such as Robin, Wren, Dunnock, woodpeckers and tits. Through the trees to the right is an active railway embankment which carries mineral traffic from the collieries at Haworth and Maltby to the south – the line continues beyond Maltby to join the Sheffield to Worksop line.

The path eventually emerges onto the bank of the Mother Drain. The drain is now much cleaner than it used to be and it is possible here to see at least four species of fish – Pike, Tench, Chub and Roach. It is also a good spot to see dragonflies patrolling and hawking for food and it is not unusual to see Kingfisher which use the drain as a flight line across the Reserve. The bridge over the Mother Drain and under the railway ( which is the start of the Red Walk ) is a good place to look for the colourful Banded Demoiselles which were first found on this stretch of drain in 1993.

At this point one can turn right to join the Red Walk, which eventually joins the Yellow Walk , or left to rejoin the Green Walk which takes one back to the entrance or to the Field Centre café for welcome refreshments .