[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE SEVENTH REPORT OF

THE MOOR GREEN LAKES GROUP

Peter Standley

Chairman Moor Green Lakes Group

Management of the Reserve

Having managed the reserve on behalf of RMC Aggregates (Southern) Ltd for seven years, the Moor Green Lakes Group committee decided during 1999 that the time was now right to adopt a more systematic and planned approach to conservation work on the reserve. Included in our budget for 1999-2000, therefore, there is provision for the commissioning of a new management plan and the start of a programme of systematic surveys of the wildlife of the reserve, if necessary with professional input from outside. A new management plan is needed because the original plan was designed principally to deal with the setting up of the reserve not its ongoing maintenance. It will also provide clearer guidelines and direction for our annual management work programme.

A lot has been achieved over the first seven years - two hides have been erected and adjacent scrapes constructed, viewing slots around the reserve cut and maintained, paddocks created for grazing cattle and, most time consuming of all, great efforts have been made (with only limited outside contract help), to keep the trees, shrubs and vegetation around the reserve under control. This work could not have been accomplished without the hard work of a small number of Group members and the substantial support of the conservation volunteers from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Service and the Farnborough College of Technology. Many of the tasks have been physically demanding (but what better way of getting exercise and its free!) and again I welcome this opportunity to place on record our appreciation of the time and commitment given by all those who have helped in the management of the reserve, during 1999 and in earlier years.

Survey Work on the Reserve in 1999

As well as detailing the conservation and management work carried out over the period from Spring 1999 to Spring 2000 this report provides information on the birds, plants and other wildlife groups for the period from January to December 1999. For those not familiar with the reserve a profile is provided at Appendix A and there is a map at Appendix H.

As you will see from Ian Brown’s account of the birds seen during 1999, which forms a major part of this Annual Report, the ornithological importance of the reserve continues and our thanks are due to Ian for the time and trouble he has taken to produce such a comprehensive account.

Ken Crick is also to be congratulated on the more detailed survey he has conducted of the dragonflies and damselflies using the transect system, and which is summarised in Chapter 5. Both Ian and Ken, and Chris Taylor for butterflies, have made use of the records entered by members and others on the record sheets provided for this purpose in the hides. This help is greatly appreciated and enables us to record in more detail the wildlife of the reserve. Please keep using the forms.

The Year(s) Ahead

Clearance of vegetation will again be one of our main tasks in 2000, both from around the lakes and from the islands. We would welcome your help with this work, even if only for an hour. For details and dates of our work parties please ring Amanda Simpson-Atkins on 01252 331353 or check our latest Newsletter. Amanda describes in Chapter 2 of this report the sort of work that needs to be done.

Also this year a systematic survey of the breeding birds of the reserve is being carried out by means of a common bird census conducted in accordance with the British Trust for Ornithology’s guidelines for such surveys. This follows similar work on the monitoring of Dragonflies and Damselflies in 1999. Arrangements are also being made to survey bats on the reserve to determine the extent to which use is being made of the reserve by this wildlife group. There is no chapter on plants in this report as no survey work was undertaken during 1999 (cattle were not removed early enough to make a survey worthwhile). However, a survey of a selection of the random sample plots used for the 1998 botanical survey is planned for this year.

The bird and bat surveys form part of a new rolling programme of census work designed over a period of five years to cover the major wildlife groups. A common feature of these new surveys is that all will be conducted in accordance with the recommended guidelines for such work, with repeat surveys using the same guidelines so that direct comparisons can be made between the results. This will allow us to monitor more effectively than at present, the impact on wildlife of management work on the reserve. These surveys will not replace but supplement our present programme of collecting and collating records of all categories of wildlife on the reserve. The proposed rolling programme of survey work is as follows:

Year 1: Common bird census and bat survey

Year 2: Plant survey

Year 3: Dragonfly and invertebrate surveys

Year 4: Mammal survey

Year 5: Butterfly and moth surveys

Year 6: As Year 1, start of new 5-year cycle

If you would like to participate in monitoring the wildlife of the reserve, and particularly, if you have knowledge of a wildlife group we have not yet covered (eg wasps, ants, spiders) please let Steve or any committee member know.

And Finally

As you will see from the list of committee members at Appendix G, during the year Ken Crick and Katrina Slocombe (who becomes our new Mammal Recorder) joined the committee and Chris Rose took over responsibility for membership matters from Brendan McCartney who has resigned from the committee. Brendan made a major contribution to the running of the Group during his term as Membership Secretary as well as producing the Groups Newsletters (which in future Ken Crick has agreed to organise). We are greatly indebted to Brendan for the time and effort he devoted to helping the Group during a period of major expansion in our membership.

Our 2000 Annual General Meeting, kindly hosted by RMC Aggregates (Southern) Ltd, was held at Finchampstead Memorial Hall on the 18th February. Members were given a progress report on reserve activities and wildlife recording and the formal business was followed by an illustrated talk by Sue Dewar of the Hawk and Owl Trust (complete with live owls!)

To ensure that a proper record is kept of the development and progress of the reserve it has been decided to establish a library of papers relevant to the history, management and wildlife of the reserve. An early contribution has been a copy of Ken Crick’s Odonata benchmark population survey report and this and other papers already deposited in the library are listed in Appendix F. The contact to view these is Steve Bailey.

For further information about the Group and its activities the contact is the Blackwater Valley Countryside Service (BVCS), telephone 01252 331353. If any member notices something happening at the reserve which might result in damage or threaten wildlife, would they please inform the BVCS on 01252 331353, or Gerry Bryant on 01252 875952.

Finally, I am grateful to Chris Rose for her help with the production of this report and to RMC Aggregates (Southern) Ltd for copying the report for circulation.

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 2

CONSERVATION WORK PROGRAMME - JUNE 1999 TO APRIL 2000 

Amanda Simpson-Atkins

Work on site this year has been carried out entirely by volunteers. They have been extremely busy, working mainly around the edge of the reserve, cutting viewing slots to enable visitors to get a better look at the reserve and its wildlife.

Group members work on the second Sunday of each month, between September and March. They have been helped again this year by members of Hawley cub-scout group, working towards their conservation badge, and some Trident students, completing their community service work. The Blackwater Valley Conservation Volunteer group have worked on site one Tuesday a month, and a small group of volunteers have worked one Friday a month. throughout the winter and on into spring and summer, doing odd jobs around the reserve.

We would like to thank all those involved in the work on the site; your efforts are very much appreciated.

Improving the Reserve for Wildlife

Grazing

Our grazier Mr Jacobs was due to bring his cattle onto site in November ‘99, but had various delays. On 14th March 2000, the Highland cattle which were grazing around Horseshoe Lake were moved onto the reserve. The cattle are owned by the Berks. Bucks. and Oxon. Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), and managed by the Bracknell Forest Borough Council Rangers.

Highland cattle, besides being rather an attractive breed, are highly suited to grazing this site, since they eat not only grass, but also scrub, which is present in abundance around the lakes. 12 Highland cattle grazed the site for 5 weeks. On 18th April they were moved to Wildmoor Heath, Sandhurst.

We hope to work with Bracknell Forest in a similar way next year.

Islands

Island clearance began rather late this year due to other work.

Birch scrub and bramble on the eastern end of Long Island was removed to prevent the island from becoming too overgrown. The north shore of the island was strimmed to create short grassy areas for grazing Wigeon and Geese, with easy access from the lake edge.

The whole of Plover Island was cleared to create bare gravel areas. Bramble and other ground vegetation were dug up and birch scrub was cut.

Tern Island was cleared of bramble and other vegetation and more plastic sheeting was laid under the gravel to slow down re-growth. Volunteers worked to maintain the bare areas of gravel created in previous years. The fencing around the island, which tries to keep geese out, needs replacing with something more substantial. This will be put forward to next year.

All the vegetation, which was cleared from the islands, was either burnt or removed. The scrub was chemically treated to prevent re-growth.

Rafts

No work was done on rafts this year. Steve Bailey and I visited the Theale Area Bird Conservation Group, near Reading to have a look at the rafts they use. The rafts we saw are much bigger and stronger than ours. We plan to build some more substantial rafts next year.

Vegetation clearance

Willow scrub was re-cut along the northern edge of Colebrook Lake North.

Bat boxes

All existing boxes were checked this year in May and a further 8 boxes were erected along the path between Colebrook Hide and the river.

Improving the Reserve for People

Tasks to help visitors enjoy the reserve have dominated work throughout the winter.

Lakeside viewing points

The majority of tasks over the winter were spent cutting viewing slots. These are cut on rotation creating a scrub edge of varying age and structure around the lakes. 8 viewing slots were cut this year, creating a good view of the lakes and islands right around the site. The material cut was used to construct dead hedges along the fence line. One slot was vandalised and needed repairing.

Car Park

Car break-ins have reduced, hopefully as a result of some of the work we have done to prevent them. Vegetation has been kept back at the car park entrance, and the holly hedge which was planted last year was weeded. The hedge on the east side of the car park was laid in order to give a more open aspect.

Path clearance

The path leading to Colebrook Hide, the hedge alongside the footpath leading from the car park and the path from Colebrook Hide down to the river were all cut back to allow easier access.

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 3

REPORT ON BIRDS 1999 

Recorder: Dr Ian Brown

In the early winter period there were good numbers of surface feeding duck and in particular there was a record site count (343) of Wigeon reflecting the increasing suitability of the complex for this species. There were moderate numbers of Goosander, but Smew were again recorded regularly. Other early year highlights included Peregrine and Jack Snipe.

Early spring started with a Ring Ouzel in the horse paddock near the reserve car park and a brief staying Red-Crested Pochard. Wader passage was generally light but high spots included April records of Ruff and Black-Tailed Godwit, the latter of which remained on the Colebrook scrape for an afternoon! Other spring highlights included record numbers of Wheatear, a Wood Duck (April) and Little Gull (May).

Breeding success was generally good. Little and Great Crested Grebes had their most successful year for some time rearing 9 and 11 young respectively, whilst Mandarin and Barnacle Goose continued to thrive. Amongst the waders both Lapwing and Little Ringed Plover were successful although Redshank and Ringed Plover failed. One pair of Common Terns reared two young without the assistance of rafts! A total of 55 occupied nest holes were located in the Sand Martin colony on the Hampshire side of the Blackwater river where Woodlark bred for the second successive year. Numbers of singing warblers were generally stable.

The only addition to the site list during the year was Great Skua, an unexpected visitor albeit brief as it flew along the line of the river Blackwater in early July. Late summer/autumn was generally very quiet with small numbers of migrants and passage waders. The only real highlights (apart from the performing Hobbies) were a brief staying Black-Tailed Godwit (July) and a Grey Plover (mid Nov). Records of note in the late year were of Jack Snipe, Crossbill, Egyptian Goose and a record count (43) of Cormorants.

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 4

NESTBOX REVIEW 1999

Dr Kevin Briggs

The 32 boxes had 69% occupancy with 4 species breeding.

Two pairs of Mandarins laid clutches of 10 eggs each which all hatched successfully in late May.

One pair of Stock Doves repeatedly used the same box rearing at least 5 young in total.

No Tawny Owls used the boxes but one pair reared a single young in a natural site next to a nest box!

Eleven pairs of Great Tits bred in boxes, mainly around Grove Lake despite the depredations of Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The mean laying date was 30th April, with 8.7 eggs on average, hatching 8.4 young and fledging 7.

Six pairs of Blue Tits had an average laying date of 25th April and produced clutches of 10 eggs, hatching 9 and fledging 7.5 young.

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 5 

REPORT ON DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES FOR 1999

 Ken Crick

1999 saw the further computerisation of data for Moor Greens Odonata. A new spreadsheet was created that allows the tabulation of each years sightings on a day by day basis. The computer then produces species by species population histograms for each successive year superimposed on the previous years histogram, enabling direct comparison of population fluctuation.

Visits specifically looking for Damselflies & Dragonflies commenced in April but the first sighting was not made until the 30th April. Large Red Damselflies, Common Blue Damselflies and Banded Demoiselle were all present. Seventeen species were recorded as present between the end of April and the end of October. Ten of these species were seen copulating but only four were observed in the act of ovipositing.

Those present in respectable numbers in relation to their species were :-

From this list we have lost the Four-spotted Chaser, it was only present in small numbers.

Azure Damselflies were seen copulating and ovipositing for the first time this year in Colebrook Lake North.

Whereas some species are on the increase others seem to be in decline for reasons that are not readily apparent, for further comment see the check list below.

Again I would like to thank those members who continue to record their observations on the charts provided for the purpose in both hides. Data from the charts does find its way on to the monthly spreadsheet, is retained as a permanent record and helps in the compilation of this report.

The survey work for 1999 was terminated on the 31st October and, with the aid of the computer, a benchmark population survey report, drawing on data from 1997, 98 & 99, covering twenty species and containing eighty histograms was completed, with a hard copy provided to the committee’s working party organiser on the 6th November.

To illustrate references in the following check list to identification features, and for those members wishing to closely examine and identify dragonflies/damselflies, a diagram follows the check list naming the main parts of the head, thorax and abdomen used for identification purposes.

ODONATA CHECKLIST

BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY lschnura elegans

This species made its presence felt at the very start of May with both sexes being present, they were breeding by the 25 May. The population peaked in June. The peak being significantly lower than that recorded in 1998. The population was in decline by the beginning of July and in single figures in August. This seems to be the pattern at Moor Green and differs somewhat from the national norm which suggests that population peaks should occur throughout July. The hide charts confirm the low population levels of July & August with no sightings in September. This species is often found across the site in the company of Common Blue Damselflies.

BANDED DEMOISELLE Caloperyx splendens

The season’s first Banded Demoiselle appeared on the last day of April, in single numbers, with both males & females present. By 19th May the population had exceeded 100, the first copulating couples were observed on the 25th May. Good population levels were present throughout June, July & August, the rise and fall in population at Moor Green closely mirroring that generally accepted nationally. The river is the favoured habitat for this species, however this demoiselle is known to breed in lakes adjacent to suitable river habitats.

LARGE RED DAMSELFLY Pyrrhosoma nymphula

Another species to appear for the first time on the 30th April. By the 25th May it was seen copulating and ovipositing in Colebrook Lake North and had disappeared completely by the 24th June, only to make a brief reappearance on the 1st August after which it was not seen again. There are three female colour forms, the two red forms have been seen in the past on the reserve. This year the all black form was also recorded as present. This species has a synchronised emergence and takes about two weeks to reach breeding maturity. It then averages only one week as a reproductively mature adult. There is no evidence of a second unsynchronised emergence keeping a few adults on the wing till early September, as is commonly found elsewhere locally, such as Bramshill Plantation scrapes. At Moor Green the largest concentrations of this species were to be found around Colebrook Cut and in particular the sluice gate upon which they sunned themselves.

FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER Libellula quadrimaculata

Only ten of these Chasers were seen over the flight period with five seen in the same locality on the same day. Colebrook Lake North again proved to be the favoured site. The Colebrook hide charts only provided one independent sighting for the year. Numbers were definitely down on last year.

EMERALD DAMSELFLY Lestes sponsa

Looked for in July this species was not seen until August. There were more Emerald damselflies recorded on site than for previous years, mostly on the edge of Colebrook Lake North where copulating couples were observed on more than one occasion. Copulation was confirmed to be of long duration lasting more than half an hour. In line with nationally accepted trends they were present until the middle of September.

COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagama cyathigerum

From only six being registered as present at the end of April numbers rapidly rose to 800 by the 19th  May. This species has the longest flight period on the site and is by far the most numerous of its Order. The last recorded sighting, from data retrieved from hide charts, was for the 19th October. The peak single day count during the population survey for 1999 was 1040 recorded in June, in July it was 816, in August it was 741 and they were still averaging 100 through September. Copulating couples are almost always to be observed and ovipositing can be witnessed in front of both hides as well as elsewhere on site. This long flight period reflects that generally accepted for the species.

AZURE DAMSELFLY Coenagrion puella

Odd examples have been recorded as present in the past but this year the species made an effort to colonise the Northern end of Colebrook Lake, with copulating couples and ovipositing females seen in tandem with their male partners, laying eggs into floating and submerged vegetation. Copulation is prolonged and only occurs on warm sunny days. The Azure usually has a one year life cycle so look out for it next year. Males are similar to the Common Blue but with a characteristic black U shaped mark isolated on the abdominal second segment.

BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER Orthetrum cancellatum

Immature specimens were seen in some numbers this year from the 19th May until the 11th June. Immature skimmers are distinguished from the adult female by their pale yellow eyes, whereas the adult female sports dark brown eyes. Both immature and female specimens have yellow abdomen & thorax with two prominent black lines running the length of the abdomen, quite different from the pastel blue tipped with black of the commonly seen male. Alex Taylor reported seeing a Black-Tailed Skimmer as late as the 4th September. Copulating pairs were not observed until the first two weeks in August by which time the flight period is nearly over. The maximum number seen on a single day was 16. The overall numbers at Moor Green have increased significantly on a year by year basis since 1997.

RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma najas

Two Red-Eye’s were found as early as 19th May both females. During June & July, the most active part of their flight period not a single specimen was seen. Through early to mid August they were active on Colebrook Lake North where both males and females were to be seen. Independent observations from the hide charts also confirmed their presence in August. The last sighting of the season occurred on the 3rd September. This species is very fond of the waters edge and floating vegetation, both are difficult to observe from the standard route chosen for monitoring population levels, so the lack of any sightings at the expected flight period peak may not be significant.

EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator

The hide charts show only one Emperor observed for the year. The population survey did not fair much better, four were recorded. One a female was seen ovipositing alone in Colebrook Lake North, moving from site to site to lay eggs. At the current rate of decline we may see none next year. Elsewhere in the Blackwater valley such as Ash Lakes and the scrapes on the Bramshill Plantation they are still present in reasonable numbers. These expanses of water are notably different from Moor Green in the type & volume of vegetation to be found at the waters edge.

BROWN HAWKER Aeshna grandis

This Hawker had what appeared to be a good year, mirroring the nationally accepted flight period. They appeared in early July and remained on the wing until mid September. Both sexes were present but neither copulation nor ovipositing was observed. Males followed the usual practice of patrolling a selected section of the Blackwater for about 20 minutes before disappearing over the bushes to the adjoining lakes. The population year on year appears to be stable.

GOLDEN RINGED DRAGONFLY Cordulegaster boltonii

As with last year a single male was seen this time on the 3rd September towards the end of the species flight period.

SOUTHERN HAWKER Aeshna cyanea

This species presents a problem. Only four specimens have been recorded, within the discipline of the population survey, over the last three years. They were, one adult male, one immature male, and two females. However the hide charts for 1999 show a significantly higher influx with six separate recordings from three observers with numbers present varying from one to possibly as high as 20 on a single visit. This is a distinctive large dragonfly, males a marked bright green becoming blue towards the tip of the abdomen. The antehumeral stripes on the top of the thorax are very broad and green in colour, leading one authority to describe them as head lamps. It favours woodland clearings, paths and commonly breeds in lakes, ponds and canals in or adjacent to woodland. It is likely to move in close and inspect you before resuming its regular beat. A phone call to me on the day of the observation of a member of this species would be appreciated.

MIGRANT HAWKER Aeshna mixta

This is a medium sized late summer and autumn dragonfly, the Migrant is somewhat smaller than both the Common Hawker & Southern Hawkers. The species is particularly drawn to flooded gravel pits and good numbers were present again this year. Eight were seen on the 12th August from when it was ever present until the beginning of October. Two were seen on the last day of the 1999 population survey, i.e. 30th October. Four different observers also recorded there presence throughout this period on the hide charts.

COMMON HAWKER Aeshna juncea

This is a familiar species in Western & Northern Britain. In the South it may appear locally on heathland. Its name when applied to southern residents is a misnomer as it is not common and is not easy to observe, as it is very alert and difficult to approach. During the population survey only two examples were recorded, one of each sex seen in August and September. The hide charts recorded twenty separate sightings with between six and twenty individuals being seen on a single vista. The likelihood of all these being Common Hawkers it it has to be said remote. But don’t stop listing your observations.

RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum sanguineum

Seen on six occasions, three during the population survey, when all were males, and three by two separate observers who left records of their sightings on the hide charts. The numbers involved are slightly higher than previous years but nothing like the 60-70 individuals that can be seen in one hour on the Pevensey Levels.

COMMON DARTER Sympetrum striolatum

On the 24th June nine immature common darters were seen in the long grass by the footpath adjacent to Colebrook Lake North & Colebrook Cut. Emergence takes place in the early hours of the morning and can occur any time from mid June to early October. It is not uncommon to find good numbers of immature adults local to larval habitats. The species is well established at Moor Green and continues to do well with copulation and overpositing easily seen from both hides. The highest count on a single day was 58, with a single male seen on the wing on the 30thOctober.

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 6

REPORT ON BUTTERFLIES FOR 1999

Chris Taylor

The number of species seen on the reserve in 1999 actually exceeded previous years’ totals, despite the small number of days on which observations were recorded. Green Hairstreak and Painted Lady reappeared after an absence, but on single occasions in each case. Holly Blue had another blank year, thereby prolonging the “bust” phase of its cycle. At the time of writing it seems likely that this phase will continue for at least another season.

List of species observed in 1999

List of observers

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 7

MAMMAL REPORT

The Annual Report of 1997 carries a record of a small mammal survey at the reserve by an environmental student from Farnborough College of Technology. This had been preceded by a similar study. Reports of these surveys, both of which are very comprehensive, have been lodged with Moor Green library resource, currently held at the BVRCMS. Details appear below this report.

The students carried out live-trapping of small mammals, voles, mice and shrews, using the standard Longworth trap during autumn and spring. Up to five areas on the reserve were selected for the surveys. Here the vegetation was analysed and recorded along with the climatic conditions during the survey periods. Records of the mammals included: age, sex, weight and reproductive condition. A release I capture procedure was also carried out in order to gain an indication of population levels.

Earlier annual reports record sightings of 22 mammal species on or near the reserve itself, but no further surveys of small mammals have been carried out subsequently. However, regular monitoring of all flora and fauna will reflect the degree of success of our management strategies for the reserve. This is no less true for the populations of small mammals, which although infrequently seen, form a vital resource for many predator species (mammal and avian) and are thus a good indicator of biodiversity - the environmental watchword for the new century.

Members may be aware of the programme of courses run by the Mammal Society for the identification of small mammals. In August 1999 Katrina Slocombe, our newly elected mammal recorder, attended such a course at Juniper Hall FSC centre, and she will be undertaking small mammal surveys during the coming year and making reports on these to the Group. Although the analysis of these surveys will, of necessity, be less comprehensive than those of the students mentioned above, it is hoped they will give an indication of the levels of species and populations of our small resident mammals and so contribute to the reserve’s baseline records.

Please send your records of any mammal sightings to: Katrina Slocombe, 28 Green Lane, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey. GU17 9DH. Or pass them to any member of the committee. It would be useful if records could indicate: number of animals / date / time of day / situation on reserve / riverbank etc. In the case of roe deer the appearance of antlers on the buck are also a useful seasonal indicator.

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 8

REPORT ON MOTHS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES

Steve Bailey

MOTHS (Lepidoptera)

To date 62 different species have been recorded on the reserve and these are listed in the previous report for 1998-1999 (no new species were added during 1999). Any person visiting the site who wishes to submit records of night or day-flying moths is encouraged to do so. The contact for records is Steve Bailey, Blackwater Valley Countryside Service, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS, telephone 01252 331353. Anyone able and willing to arrange an organised moth-trapping evening would be particularly welcomed.

GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS (Orthoptera)

Just five records of Orthoptera were received this year (thanks to Ken Crick). The records were for:

Long-winged Conehead

Short-winged Conehead

Speckled Bush Cricket

Common field Grasshopper

Meadow Grasshopper

The records of the two species of Conehead were of especial interest in light of my comments in the Fourth annual report (1996-97).

The two species of Conehead were until recently fairly uncommon species. The short winged being the rarer confined to just few marshy locations in Southern Britain. The long winged can tolerate drier conditions but even so was not a common species. However in the 1990’s both species rapidly expanded their ranges and both species made an appearance in the Blackwater Valley. To confuse matters the short winged Conehead can occasionally produce individuals with long wings to aid dispersal. (A fuzzy photograph taken on the reserve in 1993 showed a Conehead with long wings but which species?).

By 1997 only the short winged Conehead had been confirmed on the reserve but I speculated both species could be present.

Thanks Ken.

OTHER INVERTEBRATES

Other wildlife groups are present on the reserve but have not yet been surveyed, principally because no one familiar with those groups has volunteered to visit the reserve for this purpose. If you have knowledge of one of the following groups and some time for a small survey we would be pleased to hear from you.

Bees and wasps

Beetles

Spiders

Hoverflies

Please contact Steve Bailey at the Blackwater Valley Countryside Service.

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

CHAPTER 9

OTHER WILDLIFE GROUPS

The reserve list for amphibians and reptiles remains at four:

All have been observed on the reserve but only in small numbers. Lizard and Slow Worm are also likely to be present but have yet to be observed. Volunteers to spend some time surveying the reserve for this wildlife group would be welcome.

A systematic survey of the lakes on the reserve has still to be undertaken to establish which species of freshwater fish are present but incidental sightings, either during conservation work or while observing fish-eating birds, has produced records of the following:

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

APPENDIX A

PROFILE OF THE RESERVE

The Moor Green Lakes Reserve lies partly within the area administered by Wokingham District Council and partly within the Borough of Bracknell Forest. The River Blackwater, which forms the boundary between the counties of Berkshire and Hampshire runs close to the southern boundary of the reserve. To the north is Finchampstead Ridges, an area administered by the National Trust. A map of the reserve appears at Appendix H.

The reserve covers an area of approximately 36 hectares (90 acres), the majority of which lies within the flood plain of the River Blackwater. It contains three lakes formed out of flooded gravel pits which are bordered by areas of grassland, planted coppice and wildflower meadow. Two of the lakes, Colebrook Lake North and Colebrook Lake South, are separated by an elongated island through the centre of which runs the old water course of the Colebrook Cut. The third lake, Grove Lake, lies immediately to the east separated by a narrow strip of land. Within the lakes are several gravel-capped islands and gravel beaches.

An important feature of the reserve is the presence of sluices, at the exit of the Colebrook Cut and from Colebrook Lake into the River Blackwater, which allow the level of the water in Colebrook Lakes North and South to be controlled within certain limits. By this method, muddy margins can be exposed ahead of the main spring and autumn passage of wading birds.

Overall management of the reserve is under the control of a Steering Group comprised of representatives of RMC Aggregates (Southern) Ltd, Blackwater Valley Countryside Service and the Moor Green Lakes Group. Practical day to day management and the collection, recording, assessment and dissemination of information about the reserve is undertaken by the Moor Green Lakes Group, which was established in 1993. The group committee members are listed in Appendix G. The necessary costs of the Group not covered by membership subscriptions are met by RMC. Membership is open to all with an interest in the reserve, its wildlife and its management,

Public access to the reserve is restricted to the viewing hides provided by RMC which overlook respectively Colebrook Lake North and Grove Lake (see map at Appendix H). Unfortunately vandalism has meant that the hides cannot be left permanently open but members of the public may use the hides whenever they are in use by members of the group (who have access at any time). The Colebrook Lake hide incorporates a viewing window for observers in wheelchairs. When the hides are locked, views over the scrapes adjacent to the hides can be obtained from the screened viewing points alongside the hides. Views across the reserve can also be obtained from points along the footpath, which runs along the western and southern sides of the reserve.

The main access to the reserve is from Lower Sandhurst Road where a car park has been provided (Ordnance Survey grid reference SU805628). The shortest access to the Grove Lake hide is from the Rambler’s Car Park at the entrance to the Horseshoe Lake Water Sports Centre off Mill Lane (grid reference SU820620).

[Previous Year]       [Previous Section]       [Contents List]         [Next Section]         [Next Year]

APPENDIX B

1999 ANNOTATED LIST OF BIRD SPECIES

THIS LIST COVERS EVERSLEY GRAVEL PITS

(INC MOOR GREEN LAKES RESERVE)

Dr Ian Brown

LITTLE GREBE Resident and winter visitor, but declining. A good breeding season with two pairs rearing a total of

nine young. Numbers peaked in Sept with 9 on several dates.

Monthly maxima:

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Common resident. A maxima of 19 were recorded on Dec.28th. A total of four pairs were present during the summer, three pairs successfully rearing a total of 11 young.

Monthly maxima:

CORMORANT Common winter visitor which occasionally oversummers. Recorded in all months with a site record count of 43 on Nov.25th (KBB).

Monthly maxima:

GREY HERON Common resident.

MUTE SWAN Common resident and winter visitor. Two pairs bred, one successfully rearing one young.

Monthly maxima: