The MGLG Logo - a pair of Goosander

MOOR GREEN LAKES GROUP

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About the Group and the Reserve

The Moor Green Lakes Group (MGLG) was established in 1993 as an organisation to help manage the Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve in Berkshire, England. Our aims are:

  • to improve the Reserve for wildlife

  • record and monitor that wildlife

  • enhance the facilities of the Reserve for members of the Moor Green Lakes Group and other visitors

Coot mainly eat vegitation, but may eat other things - as you can see!

The Group operates in conjunction with CEMEX, the site owners and the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership both of which bring resources and expertise in active conservation within the 30 kilometres of the Blackwater Valley.

For the past 50 years or so gravel has been extracted  from the Blackwater Valley, stretching westward from Sandhurst to Eversley where it continues today. Moor Green Lakes is the result of restoration of part of that area. Land north of the river stretching for 2.5Km to the west of the Reserve, which is presently being worked, will ultimately become a major extension of the Reserve, more than trebling its size.

The existing Reserve occupies 36 hectares (90 acres) north of the River Blackwater and lies in the boroughs of Bracknell Forest and Wokingham, in Berkshire, England. It comprises three lakes: Colebrook North, Colebrook South and Grove Lake; click here for an aerial view. The main access point for the Reserve is the Car Park off Lower Sandhurst Road in Finchampstead, Wokingham. Note that this is a private Car Park and is locked at night. It is usually open from approx 08.00; the lock-up time is displayed on a notice in the Car Park. Due to recent work to improve the drainage in the area, there is no longer any roadside parking just outside the car park, however there is room for a car at the bottom end of Dell Road, just west of the car park; but please don't block the field gates. Alternative Parking is available off Mill Lane near the sailing club at Horseshoe Lake.

Bewick's Swans - the 2nd Site record since 1993

If visitors identify any Health and Safety issues on the Reserve, then please report them to the Site Liaison Officer - details on the Contacts page. The Reserve Map shows the features of the reserve, including location of two viewing hides for use by members of the Group. Access to the Reserve is along the footpath running south from the main Car Park, past Colebrook Lakes North and South, to meet the Blackwater Valley Path. The Colebrook Hide is on the spit between the lakes and has wheelchair access. The Blackwater Valley Path runs beside the river along the south of the Reserve. A bridge crosses the river 100m to the east of the path from the car park and leads to Yateley. A bridleway runs in parallel with the path from the car park to the river bridge.  The path from the river bridge to Mill Lane is part of the Three Castles Path, a ramblers route running between Windsor and Winchester.  The hide at Grove Lake is situated on the south-east corner and can be accessed by the footpath from either car park, being closer to the Mill Lane entrance.

The wildlife on the Reserve has been recorded and monitored by the Moor Green Lakes Group since 1993. Nationally rare plants are present on the Reserve and the site is of local importance for wintering wildfowl. Tern Island on Colebrook Lake North has hosted one of Britain's largest inland nesting colonies of Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls.

[Current Weather]


Latest News


The car park is currently locked at:

5pm


The January 2009 News Letter has been dispatched to Members along with notice of the AGM to be held Friday 5th March at the Finchampstead Memorial Hall, 7:30 for 7:45pm start.

Following the AGM, David Boag will give an illustrated talk entitled “Natural Quarry”, about the wildlife (peregrines, etc.) found through the year in an old quarry.

7 February 2010


The Moor Green Lakes Group chairman, Peter Scott, is standing down at the March AGM. If you are interested in taking on the role, there is more information here.


The January Bird Summary has been added to this website.

1 February 2010


The work party assignments for the remainder of the season have been updated.

19 January 2010


The Work Party tasks due this Sunday, 10th January, have been postponed because of the bad weather.

8 January 2010


The December Bird Summary has been added to this website.

31 December 2009


The November Bird Summary has been added to this website.

1 December 2009


The Lower Sandhurst Rd car park is now closed at 4pm; so please remove your car by that time.

25 November 2009


The Reading & Basingstoke Ringing group has an updated website giving information about birds ringed at Moor Green Lakes and other nearby locations. This Group is lead by Tim Ball, formerly with the Newbury Ringing Group.

22 November 2009


The October Bird Summary has been added to this website.

1 November 2009


Now that BST has finished, the main car park will be locked at 5pm.

27 October 2009


A new viewing screen has been built on Grove lake. The materials were generously funded by one of our Members. The construction was carried out by employees of the software company Sage, helped by countryside students from Guildford
College and led by Stuart Croft of BVCP.

The new viewing screen gives views of the central part of Grove Lake

21 October 2009


The work party assignments have been updated.

7 October 2009


If you spot any faults or mistakes or have any comments or suggestions on this website, then please let me know at: webmaster@mglg.org.uk


Previous news items are in the

[News Archive]


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Copyright of images remain with the photographer where indicated