The MGLG Logo - a pair of Goosander

MOOR GREEN LAKES GROUP

[Contacts]    [Joining MGLG]    [Group Visits]    [Reserve Map]    [Wildlife]     [Work Parties]    [Reserve Extension]    [Annual Reports]    [News Archive]    [External Links]    [Website Index]


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

The west end of the diggings is looking good for waders

The Group works 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 more 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. The land to the west of the Reserve, which is presently being worked, will ultimately become a major extension of the Reserve, more than doubling 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.

Reed Warbler in song - seen from Colebrook Hide

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 holds one of Britain's largest inland nesting colonies of Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls.

[Current Weather]


Latest News

 

The July Bird Summary has been added.

2 August 2008


The January 2008 and the "hot off the press" July 2008 News Letters have been added to the News Archive. In the next few weeks Members should receive their July News Letter with their 2007 Annual Report and renewal application.

23 July 2008


The June Bird Summary has been added.

30 June 2008


At last night's Wokingham Borough Council Planning Committee, the Cemex application to extract gravel from the Fleethill Farm site (west of Longwater Road), was unanimously approved. This will ultimately form a further extension of the Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve.

26 June 2008


A Work party has been arranged for Tuesday the 8th July to clear the bridleway and also clear Himalayan Balsam from along the river.

26 June 2008


On 9th June 2008 a viewing screen was erected on the west side of Colebrook Lake South. Materials and construction were generously provided by staff of SC Johnson as a "Community Day".

At last you can get a good view of CLS by using this viewing screen

26 June 2008


Weather information is critical to wildlife and visitors at Moor Green Lakes. I have recently become aware of Sandhurst Weather, an amateur operated weather service based 2km east of Moor Green Lakes providing forecasts, minute by minute and historic weather information.

22 June 2008


Access to information in the Annual Reports has been improved by providing links from each section to related sections. See the Annual Reports page for more information about linking.

13 June 2008


During the work party on the 27th May the paths have been tidied and the car park hedge has been cut back to improve visibility and deter car thieves. I am not aware of any break-ins since 10th April, but sensible precautions should be taken by ensuring valuables are not left in vehicles.

5 June 2008


The May Bird Summary has been added

1 June 2008


The April Bird Summary has been added

30 April 2008


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


[News Archive]


© 2007 - 2008: Web site contents are copyright Moor Green Lakes Group - All rights reserved

Copyright of images remain with the photographer where indicated