The wildlife
Flora and Fauna along the brook
Hobson’s Brook Bioblitz
In 2017, in the first of a ten-year assessment of wildlife in Hobson’s Brook, more than 40 experts and 160 volunteers in ‘The Hobson’s Conduit Bioblitz’ have identified over 330 animal and plant species along this four-mile stretch of water.
At Nine Wells Local Nature Reserve, 166 species were identified including 35 birds, 5 mammals, 2 fish, 50 invertebrates (including 30 moths) and 74 plants. At Empty Common over 230 species were seen including 17 birds, 4 mammals, 2 fish, 1 reptile, 106 invertebrates (39 moths) and 103 plants. Importantly only 76 species were common to both sites indicating considerable diversity along Hobson’s Brook. This study confirms the importance of maintaining high-quality water flow in the continued success of this ecosystem so close to Cambridge city.
For detailed lists of flora and fauna recorded, please read the latest report below. This section of the website also shows some of the plant and animal species seen along the water course.
Mammals
Water Voles (Ratty from Wind in the Willows) are found along the whole water course. They are a similar size to brown rats, but have rounder faces, darker fur and smaller ears. Water Voles dig burrows close to the water’s edge and nibble vegetation along the banks and are a protected species. Image: Peter Trimming
Water Shrews are the largest British shrews feeding on aquatic insects including caddis fly larvae and terrestrial insects and worms. They are solitary and very territorial and have a black top with white undersides and a pointed nose. Image: R. Altenkamp
Muntjac deer (originally from China) are often seen in urban gardens close to the brook banks. They are russet brown in summer and they breed all year round. The males have short antlers and a characteristic bark, often heard at night which can be mistaken for a fox. Image: Nilfamon
Birds
Perhaps the most ubiquitous species at all times of the year. Several pairs breed, and family parties can be seen in summer all along the Brook and have even be seen crossing Trumpington Street. Image: Garth Peacock
Grey Herons can be seen along the upper reaches of the Brook at any time of year. The nearest breeding colony is near where Vicar’s Brook makes its outfall into the River Cam at Sheep’s Green. Image: Garth Peacock
Increasingly frequent along the upper reaches, with up to six Little Egrets have been seen together in the winter. As of 2018, no breeding has been established, but as this species continues to expand its range, that cannot be far off. Image: Garth Peacock
Snipe feed in winter along the muddy edges of the Brook and its feeder ditches. Snipe are usually only seen when it flies away with its zig-zag flight and heard as a result of its harsh call. Image: Garth Peacock
A common species along the Brook at all times of year. Several pairs nest, and adults can be seen feeding young in many places, often along the most public stretches beside the University Botanic Garden and Brookside. Image: Garth Peacock
Kingfishers hold winter territories along the Brook, and can be seen perching on bankside vegetation or flying, like bright blue bullets, low over the water. Kingfishers have previously albeit occasionally nested along the upper reaches. Image: Garth Peacock
With more Common Reed (Phragmites australis) in the watercourse, Reed Warblers are increasingly common in summer. Cutting back the reed in winter tries to limit growth each year, which can obstruct water flow. Image: Garth Peacock
The reed bunting nests in varied vegetation both in the stream and along the banks and adjoining ditches. It is present all year round, sometimes in flocks of up to twenty birds in winter. Image: Garth Peacock
Seen in winter along upper reaches of the Brook, the grey wagtail may be heard before being seen, because of its ‘chi-chic’ flight call. Grey wagtails have attempted to nest in the past - human disturbance makes this less likely. Image: Garth Peacock
Reptiles and Amphibians
Grass Snakes like wetland habitats, but are found in grasslands and gardens. They are grey/green colour with a yellow collar. They are active between April and October often basking near ponds. Eggs are laid in warm rotting compost heaps. Image: John Turner
Frogs are smooth brown or grey and have long back legs. They live in garden ponds laying eggs as spawn in spring, spending the rest of the year feeding on terrestrial invertebrates in grassland and smaller amphibians. Frogs jump rather than walk and females are bigger than males. Image: Richard Bartz
Common Toads live longer than frogs (~40 years) and breed in spring in deep ponds. For much of the year they feed on dry land in woodland, gardens, and tussocky grassland. They are olive brown in colour, have warty skin and migrate to breeding grounds in early spring. Image: Charles J Sharp
Smooth or Common Newts can reach 11cm in length and grey/green in colour with an orange belly and black spots. They breed in spring and feed on invertebrates in hedgerows and woodland. They hibernate underground often in old walls and tree roots. Image: John Beniston
Fish
Three spined sticklebacks can reach a length of 50 mm. and are very common all along the whole brook with shoals seen throughout the year. Midge larvae and chironomids are the main food sources. Breeding starts in April when the brightly coloured males become very territorial. Image: Gerard/Ron Offermans
Ten spined sticklebacks are less common and more secretive than the three spined variety and paradoxically can have between eight and twelve spines. This species is occasionally seen along the whole length of the brook. Ten spined sticklebacks are up to 50mm long, but can occasionally grow larger. Image: Piet Spaans
Also known as the Bullhead, Millers Thumb are found in the middle to upper reaches of the water course. The colouration varies greatly and matches the surroundings. The maximum size is 60 to 80 mm. They eat a wide range of food including insects and other invertebrates. Image: Woluher
Minnows are found worldwide in a variety of forms. They are often found in streams like Hobson’s Brook, but are far less common than the three spined stickleback and can reach 80mm in length. The young feed on algae and plankton, older fish eat insects and snails and even small fish.
The Stone Loach is the largest of the fish commonly found in the brook reaching a maximum length of 140 mm. They are nocturnal and solitary, living in areas of sand or gravel, feeding on mayfly larvae and small invertebrates often at the bottom of the stream. Stone Loaches use the barbels near the mouth to detect their food.
Invertebrates
The Greater Waterboatman (Notonecta) swims upside down and is a voracious predator with piercing mouthparts. Image: Holger Grotchi
The Great Diving beetle (Dytiscus) is a predator of small fish and other invertebrates. Image: Arthur Evanherk
Adults of the Mayfly (eg. Baetis) are often seen flying above the brook in summer. Image: Richard Bartz
The Ramshorn snail (eg. Planorbis) is often seen grazing algae from aquatic plants at the water’s edge. Image: Catxx
The Pond Skater (Gerris) forages for food on the water surface. Image: Bruce J Martin
Plants
The Water Violet (Hottonia palustris) is an aquatic relative of the Primrose, grows in still or slow moving shallow water, spreads by stems rooting to form large patches. The Conduit is notable for its population of Water Violet. Image: Oliver Pritchard
Great Hairy Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) grows in dense patches on the Conduit’s banks, spreading in the stream by rhizomes but further afield by wind-borne seeds. Image: Jon Peli Oleaga Oiabama
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) grows on the banks of the Conduit. It produces large amounts of seed and spreads rapidly; it was introduced into N America where it has become an invasive weed. Image: Garten Akademie
Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) is another relative of the Primrose spreading by rhizomes and runners in the water’s edge and by seed. Its flowers produce pollen and oil rather than nectar attracting flies and bees as pollinators. Image: Wild Boar
This forms dense tussocks on the bank; a plant of damp woodland it can cope with shade. The flowers are in separate male and female dangly spikes. Image: Cillas
A yellow flowered bumble-bee pollinated wetland Iris. The leaves are toxic so livestock tend not to eat it. Image: Jorg Hempel
Common Reed grows both on the Conduit bank and in the water. This is the reed used in thatching. Image: Jeff Delonge
Water Starwort roots in the mud of the Conduit, its shoots forming floating starry rosettes. There are a number of species which are difficult to tell apart. Image: Jan Prancl
Gypsywort grows by the conduit low down near the water. Image: H Zell