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CHAPTER 1
Introduction to the Ninth Report of the
Moor Green Lakes Group
Ken Crick
Chairman of the Moor Green Lakes Group
Reserve Management and Wildlife Recording
2001 started with some work on the Reserve but by mid February Foot & Mouth
restrictions were coming into effect and access to the Reserve was in theory
prohibited, with all public footpaths to the Reserve blocked. There are four
points of entry to the Reserve, administered by three different local
authorities, so the method of control adopted varied from a single strand of
tape, with a piece of paper flapping on it, to a complete barrier of bright
orange plastic mesh with plastic weather proof signs.
It was not surprising therefore that I received a number of phone calls from
concerned members and others, all living local to the Reserve and the
Blackwater Valley footpath informing me of irresponsible dog walkers
breaching the barriers. I was informed by a representative of Wokingham
District Council that the restrictions were not legally enforceable as Foot
& Mouth was not actually in the district. During this period someone took
the opportunity to try and break in to the Colebrook Hide but the lock held
and only superficial damage resulted to the door jam.
Plans to erect an anti mink fence, on Tern Island, were first given impetus
with the sighting of a mink on Long Island, the fence posts (paid for by
RMC) were duly commissioned and delivered but Foot & Mouth and the onset of
the Tern breeding season prevented erection until December.
Work on the Management Plan progressed during the early part of the year but
remained in abeyance throughout the dragonfly flight season as I chased up
and down the valley in search of these fascinating insects. Work on the plan
recommenced at the end of September with a first draft ready for comment by
Christmas.
Sue Dent and Adrian Douglas joined the Blackwater Valley Countryside Service
just in time for the start of our 2001/2 work party season. Sue now
represents the BVCS on our Management Committee in place of Steve Bailey who
now heads up the Countryside Service. Both Sue and Adrian have already made
significant contributions to the management of the reserve. Amanda
Simpson-Atkins despite leaving the BVCS continues to lead our Sunday work
parties with her husband Julian, for which we are very grateful. Our
gratitude is also extended to all those members who turned out to help with
work party activities.
This year Chris Hall was commissioned to carry out an aquatic plant survey.
Also Bob Merritt, one time national dragonfly recorder and now something of
a specialist on beetles and spiders was prevailed upon to spend some time on
the Reserve. Their findings adding significantly to our overall knowledge of
the site's flora and fauna. Steve Bailey (bats), Sue Proudley (butterflies),
Kevin Briggs, lan Brown, Delphine Hoyle, Katrina Slocombe and myself
continued to collect data in our respective fields of interest. The results
of these efforts are to be found recorded throughout the report. A special
thanks also to Chris Rose who has again compiled our individual efforts to
form this report.
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CHAPTER 2
Conservation Work Programme since the last AGM
April 2001 to March 2002
Sue Dent
This has
been a busy year for the conservation volunteers on the reserve, with a
great deal achieved.
The Sunday conservation work parties have continued with seven tasks through
the winter with an average of 14 volunteers each time, a tremendous turnout.
This was supplemented by four visits by the Blackwater Valley Conservation
Volunteers and a number of visits by BVCS staff to pick up the odds and
ends'. A total of 174 volunteer days in all. Many thanks to all the
volunteers, it simply wouldn't be possible to maintain the reserve to its
current - improving - standard without all their effort. Special thanks also
to Amanda Simpson-Atkins for leading the Sunday tasks and to Steve and
Sheila Farmer for encouraging new and old members alike to come along.
Regular Conservation Tasks completed this year:
There are a number of jobs which need to be done each year to maintain the
habitats and the general infrastructure of the site:
-
Cutting viewing slots alongside the lake, the volunteers cleared one
area with the remainder done by Julian Simpson-Atkins as a contractor.
-
Keeping islands clear of vegetation. Tern Island and Goose Island have
both been cleared of scrub this year so that they are suitable for breeding
birds. Goose Island also provides open shingle areas that some species of
dragonfly like.
-
Grassland. We are aiming to keep a mixture of grassland and scrub around
the lakes and so have continued to clear bramble, not to get rid of it
entirely but to limit it to its current extent. The aim has been to keep the
lake edges clear of long vegetation and willow and in particular this year 3
bays on the northern edge of Grove lake have been cleared of scrub and trees
completely to create short grass areas where the birds can feed and rest.
-
Cattle.
The cattle continue to do a vital job maintaining the grassland areas of the
site. Unfortunately we were unable to have the Highlands again this year but
were able to arrange a substitute herd, of in-calf heifers, perhaps not
quite as picturesque as the highlands but they have done their job well.
They were on site from December to March.
Apart from the routine work we have also had a
number of special projects this, year.
Hibernaculum
The most recent is the hibernaculum, which has been organised by Peter Scott
as part of his Earthwatch grant. Everything fell into place miraculously and
the hibernaculum was installed by a Sunday work party on the 10th February.
This should provide a useful extra habitat for the reserve. Peter Scott is
going to monitor the area for reptile activity in the future and would
appreciate it if members would report any sightings of reptiles on the
reserve this year either direct to Peter or via Ken or myself.
Mink fence on Tern Island
The mink fencing has been installed on Tern
Island, or Stalag 19 as I have heard it called, The fence was installed
because mink have been reported on site in order to protect the breeding
terns on the island. The finished article isn't too obtrusive and hopefully
will do its job well and keep the mink away from the nesting birds.
Crassula helmsii
This year there have been moves on several fronts to tackle the problem of
Crassula helmsii on the reserve. There is no quick and easy solution
to the problem but hopefully the work proposed should begin to tackle it.
Chris Hall's survey of the aquatic and wetland plants of the reserve (see
elsewhere in this report) showed that at present Colebrook lake is heavily
infested with Crassula while there were only a few of plants on the scrape
next to the hide on Grove.
In June 2001 the Crassula in the scrape beside
Colebrook Hide was cut and dug out by hand. This was back breaking work and
the sheer physical bulk of the Crassula makes it impossible to tackle more
than a very small area this way. This kind of mechanical removal is not
recommended by any recognised Crassula authority and will not be undertaken
again.
In autumn 2001 the Crassula on the new scrape in front of Grove Hide was
covered by remnants of household carpet in an attempt to shade it out of
existence. A technique used successfully at Frensham Pond. It has proved
quite difficult to get the carpet to stay and thanks to Ken Crick and Steve
Farmer for replacing it when it moved. When water levels drop the remainder
of the scrape will be assessed and any other patches will either be carpeted
or possibly sprayed or dug out if very small. The condition of the Crassula
under the carpet will be assessed in the summer to see if it has been
killed.
Ken Crick has assessed the options for tackling the infestation on Colebrook
Lake and we hope to be implementing a programme of limited spraying with
herbicide to try and get it under control.
Finally Having joined the BVCS team in September 2001 I would like to thank
the Moor Green Lakes Group for making me welcome and for all their help in
getting me up to speed on the site and what needs to be done.
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CHAPTER
3
REPORT ON BIRDS 2001
Recorder: lan Brown
During
the year 127 species were recorded of which 66 were present in suitable
breeding habitat in the summer. Three new species were added to the site
list, Green Winged Teal, Lesser Yellowlegs and Ring Necked Parakeet bringing
the total number of species recorded to 201.
In the early winter period there were good numbers of surface feeding duck,
with a site record count of 585 Wigeon. This contrasts markedly with ten
years ago when there were approximately 50 birds using the site. There were
moderate numbers of Goosander roosting on the site and other early year
highlights included Pintail, Peregrine and a brief appearance by a Ring
Necked Parakeet in February.
By the time the site was reopen following closure due to FMD many spring
migrants had already returned. Wader passage although generally light
produced some good local species including Sanderling and Turnstone but the
spring highlight was the first Temminck's Stint for nine years. This bird
was well watched during its four day stay most of which was spent in the
vicinity of Tern island. Other spring records of note were a Mediterranean
Gull and several Black Terns.
As in recent years breeding success was mixed but Little Ringed Plovers bred
successfully on the reserve although the other wading species were
unsuccessful with Redshank leaving the site relatively early. Little and
Great Crested Grebes both bred successfully on the reserve. However as in
2000 Common Terns continue to flourish on Tern Island with nine pairs
rearing a total of 18 young (cf 6pairs / 14 young in 2000), yet another
record success. Most of the birds feeding in the valley come from this
colony and travel distances of many miles to keep their hungry young
satisfied! Mandarin were again successful in nestboxes and Tufted Ducks were
very successful rearing a minimum of 25 young. Woodlark bred on the site for
the fourth year running and Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail prospered in their
traditional sites on the river. The brief appearance of a Lesser Yellowlegs
on the Hampshire part of the complex in June was an unexpected find and
constitutes the first record of this North American species.
Late summer/autumn saw a scattering of interesting waders mainly on the
drained Hampshire pits with Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit and several Curlew
Sandpipers. Other highlights included two records of Little Egret and two
Caspian Gulls. Wader passage on the reserve area was generally light due to
vegetation encroachment.
The year closed with returning waterfowl building up early. This included
the highlight of the year, a drake Green Winged Teal that gave obliging
views to many (from far and wide!) on the reserve from November into 2002.
Another first, involving a North American species. Other highlights during
this period included Mediterranean Gull, Hen Harrier (only the second site
record, the first in 1988), several sightings of Barn Owl and good numbers
of finches including Siskin, Redpoll and especially Brambling, the latter
frequenting land near Longwater SF.
Last but not least many thanks to the growing band of observers who submit
records including those who provide observers names on the log sheet.
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CHAPTER 4
BOTANICAL SURVEY 2001
Dr Delphine Hoyle
Records
of the plants on the Reserve have been kept since 1992 (excluding 1996 and
1999) and since 1997 these records have been quantitative surveys of the
areas around the Colebrook Lakes.
The methods used since 1997 are based on National Vegetational
Classification (NVC) Methodology.
Ten random samples (1 x 1 m) were surveyed on 14th July 2001, five on the
north side and five on the west side of Colebrook Lake North. In each of the
sample squares the species present were identified and quantified both on
abundance and frequency (see previous Annual Reports for further details of
this method)
Table A shows the frequency and abundance of the species found in each of
the samples. Table B lists other species found in the surrounding areas.
Eighteen species from the original seed mix were found in the sample squares
and one more in the surrounding area.
Predominant species were Leucanthemum vulgare, Plantago lanceolata
and Centaurea nigra and of the grasses Agrostis spp and
Holcus lanatus. This is in line with previous findings.
Again there was little evidence of tree and shrub invasion although there
were patches of bramble outside the survey area.
Thanks are due to Irene, Draper, Helen Edwards, Marjorie Trendall, Katrina
Slocombe, and Gill and Michael Wells for their help in this survey.
Table A
|
LATIN NAME |
COMMON NAME |
COLEBROOK LAKE NORTH |
|
|
North Side |
West Side |
|
S |
Achillea millefoliurn |
Yarrow |
III (1-9) |
0 |
|
|
Arrhenatherum elatius |
False Oat |
I (1) |
I
(5) |
|
S |
Centaurea nigra |
Black Knapweed |
0 |
I (1) |
|
|
Cerastium fontanum |
Mouse-ear Chickweed |
0 |
I (1) |
|
|
Cirsium arvense |
Creeping Thistle |
II (1-5) |
II
(4-5) |
|
|
Crepis capillaris |
Smooth Hawk's Beard |
I (2) |
0 |
|
S |
Daucus carota |
Wild Carrot |
II
(1-5) |
II (4-5) |
|
S |
Galium verum |
Lady's Bedstraw |
III (3-5) |
II (5-7) |
|
S |
Geranium pratense |
Meadow Crane's-bill |
0 |
1 (1) |
|
S |
Hypericum perforatum |
Perforate St. John's Wort |
II (1) |
0 |
|
S |
Hypochaeris radicata |
Common Cat's-ear |
I (3) |
0 |
|
S |
Knautia arvensis |
Field Scabious |
0 |
I (1) |
|
|
Lathyrus pratensis |
Meadow Vetchling |
II
(1-9) |
0 |
|
S |
Leucanthemum vulgare |
Ox-eye Daisy |
V (4-7) |
V (1-4) |
|
S |
Lotus corniculatus |
Common Bird's-foot Trefoil |
I (2)
|
0 |
|
S |
Medicago lupulina |
Black Medick |
0 |
I (1) |
|
S |
Plantago lanceolata |
Ribwort Plantain |
V (2-7) |
V (1-8) |
|
S |
Prunella vulgaris |
Selfheal |
0 |
I (3) |
|
|
Prunus spinosa |
Blackthorn |
I (1) |
0 |
|
|
Quercus robur |
Oak |
I (1) |
0 |
|
S |
Ranunculus acris |
Meadow Buttercup |
I (1) |
II (2-5) |
|
|
Ranunculus repens |
Creeping Buttercup |
II (1-2) |
IV (4-9) |
|
|
Rubus fruticosus |
Bramble |
0 |
I (5) |
|
S |
Rumex acetosa |
sorrel |
II (1-3) |
III (2-3) |
|
|
Rumex spp |
Dock spp. |
I (1) |
I (4) |
|
S |
Stachys officinali s |
Betony |
I (1) |
I (4) |
|
|
Stellaria graminea |
Lesser Stitchwort |
II (3-4) |
I (3) |
|
S |
Taraxacum officinale agg. |
Dandelion |
0 |
I (2) |
|
|
Trifolium pratense |
Red Clover |
0 |
II (2-4) |
|
|
Trifolium repens |
White Clover |
I (8) |
0 |
|
|
Vicia hirsuta |
Hairy Tare |
0 |
II (1-4) |
|
|
Vicia sativa |
Common Vetch |
0 |
I (1) |
|
S |
Vicia tetrasperma |
Smooth Tare |
0 |
IV (1-3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agrostis spp. |
Bent spp. |
V (5-9) |
IV (4-9) |
|
|
Holcus lanatus |
Yorkshire Fog |
III (1-5) |
V (1 -5) |
|
|
Lolium perenne |
Perennial Rye Grass |
II (1-5) |
I (5) |
|
|
Vulpia bromoides |
Squrrel-tail Fescue |
I (5)
|
0 |
Note: S = Sown Species
Table B
Other plants recorded
outside the sample squares
|
|
Agrimonia
eupatoria |
Agrimony |
|
|
Arctium minus
agg |
Lesser Burdock |
|
|
Centaurium
erythtaea |
Common Centaury |
|
|
Crataegus
monogyna |
Hawthorn |
|
|
Dactylis
glomerata |
Cocksfoot |
|
|
Deschamosia
cespitosa |
Tufted flair Grass |
|
|
Elymus repens |
Couch Grass |
|
|
Epilobium spp |
Willowherb |
|
|
Filago vulgaris |
Cudweed |
|
|
Galium aparine |
Cleavers |
|
|
Galium palustre
app |
Marsh Bedstraw |
|
|
Geranium
dissectum |
Cutleaved
Cranesbill |
|
|
Heracleum
sphondyliurn |
Hogweed |
|
|
Linaria vulgaris |
Common Toadflax |
|
|
Lycnis
flos-cuculi |
Ragged Robin |
|
|
Lycopus
europacus |
Gipsywort |
|
|
Lysimachia
vulgaris |
Yellow Loosestrife |
|
|
Malva sylvestris |
Common Mallow |
|
|
Pulicaria d
ysenterica |
Common Fleabane |
|
|
Senecio jacobaea |
Ragwort |
|
|
Silene alba |
White Campion |
|
S |
Sisymbrium
officinale |
Hedge Mustard |
|
|
Stachys
sylvatica |
Hedge Woundwort |
|
|
Trifolium
arvense |
Haresfoot Clover |
|
|
Ulex europaeus |
Gorse |
|
|
Urtica dioica |
Nettle |
|
|
Vicia cracca |
Tufted Vetch |
S = Sown species
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CHAPTER 5
REPORT ON BUTTERFLIES FOR 2001
Recorder Sue Proudley
The foot and mouth restrictions prevented
access before April in 2001 so the Brimstone butterflies seen flying in good
numbers outside (and probably inside) the reserve at the end of March are
not recorded. Despite this omission the Brimstone did well until July then
tailed off sharply.
Skippers faired very poorly this year,
possibly due to the wet conditions at the end of last year.
Orange Tip and White butterfly numbers were
slightly up, but Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell were slightly down on
last year.
Just two Purple Hairstreaks were seen in
August and there were no records of Small Copper this year.
The Common Blue was not recorded until August.
It was probably missed in June as this is a popular holiday month.
The Holly Blue was not seen in 2000 but
reappeared in 2001.
Peacock numbers were up, but Comma records
were halved.
The Gatekeeper did well but Meadow Brown,
Speckled Wood and Ringlet numbers were lower than last year.
No Clouded Yellow visitors were seen and only
a single Painted Lady in August.
My thanks to all the people who have taken the trouble to record their
observations. Please keep up the good work and remember to print your name
at the bottom of record sheet so that I can give you the credit.
The list of species observed on the reserve in 2001 is as follows:
|
Small Skipper |
Purple Hairstreak |
Speckled Wood |
|
Essex Skipper |
Common Blue |
Gatekeeper |
|
Large Skipper |
Holly Blue |
Meadow Brown |
|
Brimstone |
Red Admiral |
Ringlet |
|
Large White |
Painted Lady |
|
|
Small White |
Small Tortoiseshell |
|
|
Green-veined White |
Peacock |
|
|
Orange Tip |
Comma |
Number of species 20 |
The following observers contributed to the
records:
|
Ken Crick |
G Rowland |
JEW |
|
Chris Rose |
J P |
R & J W |
|
Colin Proudley |
R W |
A B |
|
S Farmer |
R J G |
A T |
|
Recorded
numbers April - Nov 2001 |
JAN |
FEB
|
MAR
|
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
|
Small
Skipper |
(Thymelicus sylvestris) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Essex
Skipper |
(Thymelicus lineola) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Large
Skipper |
(Ochlodes venata)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clouded
Yellow |
(Colias crocea) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brimstone
|
(Gonepteryx
rhamni) |
|
|
|
7 |
12 |
3 |
4 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Large
White |
(Pieris
brassicae) |
|
|
|
|
2 |
2 |
22 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Small
White |
(Pieris rapae) |
|
|
|
|
4 |
2 |
8 |
10 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
Green-veined White |
(Pieris napi) |
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Orange
tip |
(Anthocharis cardamines) |
|
|
|
1 |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green
Hairstreak |
(CaIIophrys rubi) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purple
Hairstreak |
(Quercusia
quercus) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Small
Copper |
(Lycaena
phlaeas) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Blue |
(polyommatus icarus) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Holly Blue |
(Celastrina
argiolus) |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
7 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Red
Admiral |
(Vanessa atalanta) |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
5 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Painted
Lady |
(Cynthia cardui) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Small
Tortoiseshell |
(Aglais urticae) |
|
|
|
2 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Peacock
|
(Inachis io) |
|
|
|
13 |
18 |
3 |
2 |
|
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
Comma |
(polygonia
c-aIbum) |
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
|
5 |
1 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
Speckled
Wood
|
(Pararge
aegeria) |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
5 |
10 |
6 |
1 |
|
|
|
Marbled
White |
(Melanargia
galathea) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grayling
|
(Hipparchia semele) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gatekeeper |
(Pyonia tithonus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81 |
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
Meadow
Brown |
(Maniola jurtina) |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
40 |
20 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Ringlet |
(Aphantopus hyperantus) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
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CHAPTER
6
REPORT ON DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES FOR
2001
Ken Crick
The Dragonfly and Damselfly flight season for
2001 at Moor Green has been mixed in many ways. The weather was generally
not favourable characterized by poor light levels, low temperatures and
strong winds on many of the days associated with the survey data collection.
In fact it often seemed to improve shortly after I left the reserve. Numbers
were generally down on last year, however some species did well. There were
good numbers of Southern Hawker about not only at Moor Green but also
throughout the valley.
The planned for collection of Dragonfly & Damselfly larva during the early
spring did not take place with Foot & Mouth restrictions barring access to
the site. Bob Merritt the editor and author of two well known books on
Odonata visited the site during the first week in April and as an aside to
his main objective reported elsewhere, recorded the presence of five types
of damselfly larva and one dragonfly larva.
The flight season was late getting underway with Common Blue Damselfly not
showing until halfway through May. Emerald Damselfly & Golden Ringed
Dragonfly both failed to make an appearance on site though good numbers were
to be seen elsewhere in the area. Four Spotted Chaser and Emperor Dragonfly
numbers were again disappointingly low. A single Keeled Skimmer made an
appearance in mid June, Downy Emerald Dragonfly bred for a second year and I
was again fortunate to see one emerging from its larval state on the north
shore of Colebrook Lake North. In all Sixteen species were recorded as
present within the constraints of the proscribed data collection
methodology.
Whilst searching for exuvia the opportunity was taken to measure the water
pH (acidity/alkalinity) at a number of sites round the reserve, the results
can be found at Appendix F.
Once again my thanks to those of you who have taken the trouble to record
your sightings on the hide charts, it is appreciated. Special thanks go to
Alex Twyford who provided data for 23 visits to site from May to September
covering 13 species and detailed climatic conditions. Alex recorded a
Beautiful Demoiselle on the 13th June. During July 1999 a male was seen on
the wing at Owlsmoor so the odd migrant can be expected.
Those providing information were:
| Dr.lan Brown |
Mrs.Chris Rose |
Mr. Chris Hall |
Mr.John Warren |
| Mr. Gilbert Rowland |
Mr. Maurice Budden |
Mr. Alex Twyford |
|
| and SFSC |
CD |
RJD |
|
ODONATA CHECKLIST
DAMSELFLIES Zygoptera
BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY Ischnura elegans
Larva for this species was confirmed as
present in the reserve's waters during April. The first sightings on the
wing were not until the 18th May, and then only two males. It was not until
the 26th May that double figures were recorded. The population counts peaked
at 149 during the first week in June and started a steady decline from the
third week in July. The last recorded population survey sighting being the
26th August when a single male was seen. Chris Hall during his aquatic
botanical survey recorded the presence of this species on the 6th Sept. One
unusual record on site was of a green bodied male mating with the blue form
female. This is unusual because the males are invariably blue in the thorax,
the colour variations being restricted to the female of the species. A
photograph was taken.
BANDED DEMOISELLE Caloperyx splendens
As with last year the weather conditions were
not conducive to aiding early sightings of this species. Two were seen on
the 12th May by Alex Twyford. The survey noted their presence on the 18th
May when 60 were recorded. On the 6th June the population peaked at a count
of 393. A second peak occurred in the second & third weeks of August, This
has happened three times, over the past five years, in 1998, 99 and 2001
each time in mid August The last of the Banded Demoiselle were seen on the
10th September. The larvae proved easy to catch in the River Blackwater
during April.
LARGE RED DAMSELFLY Pyrrhosorna nymphala
Again one of the four species of damselfly for
which the presence of larva was confirmed in April. Exuvia were noted and
both sexes seen on the wing on the 3rd May. Population numbers are down on
previous years. The surveys highest count was only 19, but Alex Twyford had
a count of 37 on the 28th May. No further sightings were made after the 2nd
July.
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Lestes sponsa
No recorded sightings for 2001.
COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagama cyathigerum
Again Alex Twyford was first to report the
appearance of this species on the 12th May, numbers steadily increased as
the month progressed and copulating pairs were seen from the 30th May. The
population count peaked at 795 on the 27th June; numbers hovered around the
300 mark until the 20th August and by the end of that month were declining
rapidly. An odd male was still to be seen hanging on, on the 30th October.
From the all time high population figures recorded in 1999 & 2000 the 2001
numbers more closely resemble those of 1998. This is the first year that the
current annual survey technique has recorded any Common Blue Damselflies as
present during October. I am indebted to those of you who recorded the
number of CBDs seen on the hide charts. The correlation between our
respective counts was quite close.
AZURE DAMSELFLY Coenagrion puellao
Another species whose larva was confirmed as
present by Bob Merritt. This species appeared for the first tune on the wing
in the form of a single male on the 18th May. The population survey never
achieved double figures, however Alex Twyford did achieve an 80 count on the
28th May The species was observed copulating and ovipositing on floating
vegetation on the most north-westerly part of Colebrook Lake North.
Ovipositing takes place with the male remaining attached to the female (in
tandem) thus denying her to any other male. The last sighting was on the 1st
August, again recorded by Alex.
RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma najas
Another species who's observed numbers barely
made double figures. It was first observed on the 30th May when four were
seen, further sightings occurred twice in June, once in July and twice in
August. On the last occasion both males and females were present. This was
also the highest count of the season with twelve individuals. Adult males
spend much of their time over water and away from the bank, as only transect
1 actually touches the waters edge and then only for a distance of
approximately 100 meters the opportunity for observing this species is
limited. Off transect when water pH was being sampled to the east of Goose
Island red-eyed damselflies were frequently seen. Horseshoe Lake's lily pad
was again a Mecca for this species. Chris Hall who had free range across the
reserve for his aquatic botanical survey recorded at least twelve members of
this species over a two-day period in September.
DRAGONFLIES Anisoptera
FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER Libellula quadrimaculata
There were no independent sightings of this
species during 2001. It was only recorded during the year's survey as
present on site on three occasions. Single specimens on the 30th May & 3rd
July, with two on the 11th June.
DOWNY EMERALD Cordulia aenea
This is the second consecutive year that Downy
Emerald dragonflies have been seen at Moor Green. They were seen in May,
June & July, all sightings were at the north west corner of Colebrook Lake
North. On the 23rd of May a single specimen was found as it emerged from its
larval stale, photos were taken and the exuvia recovered. The remains of a
dead Downy Emerald were found in a spiders web local to the emergent point
some days later. Sightings on any given day never exceeded two in number. An
independent sighting of a single male was recorded by Alex Twyford on the
14th July.
BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER Orthetrum cancellatum
Immature specimens appeared at the end of May
and continued to be observed until the 19th June. The population of mature
insects peaked during the first week in July with a count of 30. A second
smaller population peak was observed during the last week of the same month.
The last population survey sitting was on the 28th August. The numbers
recorded for the year were the highest to date.
Bob Merritt's April dip produced only one
dragonfly larva and it was a Black-tailed Skimmer. Chris Hall recorded
single sightings over both Colebrook Lake North & Grove Lake on the 5th &
6th of September respectively.
KEELED SKIMMER Orthetrum coerulescens
A single immature Keeled Skimmer was observed
during a work party on the 21st June in the vicinity of the scrape in front
of Colebrook hide. There are breeding sites on two sides of Moor Green where
this species thrives at Bramshill and Owlsmoor.
EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax Imperator
The Emperor Dragonfly was only observed on
site during July and then only twice, three were seen on the 3rd July and
one on the 16th, all were males.
BROWN HAWKER Aeshna grandis
This species was twice seen ovipositing in the
river. Numbers were slightly down on previous years; at no point did we
reach double figures. 5 individuals being the largest single sighting spread
over the two River transects. Members using the hide charts recorded very
few sightings and then only in August & September. The survey data indicates
their presence on site from the first week m July through to the very end of
September.
GOLDEN-RINGED DRAGONFLY Cordulegaster boltonii
Following last years clarion cry "Our best
year yet" this species failed to make an appearance at Moor Green.
BROAD-BODIED CHASER Libellula depressa
No recorded sightings this year at Moor Green.
MIGRANT HAWKER Aeshna mixta
The numbers for this species held up well this
year, first appearing on the 1st August its presence was noted right through
till the 22nd October. Twice numbers peaked at 18 individuals, once on
August the 28th and again on the 27th September. Both sexes were present
with copulating pairs to be seen on the wing.
SOUTHERN HAWKER Aeshna cyanea
Alex Twyford told me that the best time to see
this species at Moor Green was in the early evening. This is the sites best
year to date for this species with recordings on the hide charts for
September & October. They were first seen on a survey walk during the third
week in August and a single female was present on transect 4 on the 30th
October. The largest number of sightings on a single day was 5 individuals.
Both sexes were present but never seen together. Elsewhere in the valley the
numbers were up and many specimens were photographed.
COMMON HAWKER Aeshna juncea
This not so common insect was not seen at all
during the course of any population survey visits.
RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum sanguineum
Numbers were down on last year but it was
still the second best year to date. Present from the second week in August,
one male was still to be found on the 30th of October. The population peaked
at the end of August, beginning of September, but never reached double
figures on any given day. The hide charts recorded two examples both on the
same day, the 9th of September.
COMMON DARTER Sympetrum striolatum
There was a steady emergence of this species
during the last week of June, first week of July. Good numbers of exuvia
were found, as were the corresponding newly emerged insect. The number
present dropped dramatically in mid July only to recover as the mature
adults returned to the water to breed around the second and third weeks in
August. The numbers, though down on last year, are comparable with those of
1998 & 99. A total of 14 males, females and copulating pairs were recorded
on the last day of the years survey i.e. 30th October. Steve & Sheila Farmer
reported the presence of several pairs of darters on the wing on the 9th
November.
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CHAPTER
7
Mammal
Report for 2001
Recorder
Katrina Slocombe
Roe deer
continue to be the most obvious mammal on the reserve and nearby fields but
the FMD outbreak prevented observation of any young roe in the early summer
period. Stoats are occasionally seen on the surrounding footpaths but the
water vole, as our most endangered mammal, has again been absent from
reserve and river. This is not unexpected due to the continued presence of
mink: as reported in the August 2001 Newsletter, work party members observed
a mink on Long Island under the upturned Moor Green boat where it was
consuming a fish. The anti-mink fence around Tern Island may deter the mink
and encourage it to go elsewhere for more 'easy meals'!
Although no small mammal surveys were possible during the period, partly due
to FMD, it is hoped that populations are being maintained, certainly hunting
by owls on the site throughout the year would suggest that they are
continuing to source the reserve grasslands for their mammal prey. The
presence of harvest mice is evident from several breeding nests of woven
grasses discovered on work party days.
Steve Bailey is continuing a series of bat surveys throughout the Blackwater
Valley and results will be presented to members, as they become available.
Surveys and observations will continue in the coming year and members are
encouraged to send all sightings of wild and feral mammals to Katrina
Slocombe, 28 Green Lane, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey. GU17 9DH or pass
them to any member of the committee.
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CHAPTER
8
Reptile Report for 2001
Peter Scott
This is more a statement of intent than a true
report.
As most members will be aware, in February this year we built a reptile
hibernaculum about 20 metres back from the north shore of Colebrook Lake
North. This is intended to encourage population growth of this animal group,
small numbers of which (mostly grass snakes) have been seen on site from
time to time. Clearly we should follow this up with some effort to monitor
reptile numbers, if only to check whether our installation has been
effective. To that end, I have 'been volunteered' as the Group's reptile
recorder.
A number of small sheets of corrugated iron have been distributed along the
north banks of Colebrook and Grove Lakes, to (hopefully) act as attractive
basking sites and to form a focus for surveys.
In addition to making systematic surveys of regular sites, I will be keeping
records of 'casual sightings' anywhere on the reserve or the surrounding
paths. Therefore I should be grateful if members would let me know of any
reptiles they see. The details that I should (ideally) like to know are:
-
date and time of sighting;
-
species and numbers seen;
-
location - e.g. "close to Colebrook Hide", if
possible including a grid reference;
-
observer's name;
-
any other comments - e.g. sex of the animal
(difficult to tell for most species without a very close look, of course),
behaviour (basking, foraging,...).
However, any report, no matter how incomplete,
will be welcome. Even "'some sort of snake (species unknown)" is useful
information.
Please send reports by post, phone or email to Peter Scott:
Address: 5 Globe Farm Lane, Blackwater,
Camberley, Surrey, GU17 0DZ
Telephone: 01252 878205
Email:
ppscott(at)aol.com.
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CHAPTER
9
A
Survey of Aquatic and Wetland Plants, August - September 2001
Chris Hall
The
on-going botanical surveying and monitoring at Moor Green has been continued
with a survey of the aquatic and wetland plants, carried out by Chris Hall
in August 1 September 2001. This follows up the 1991 survey and provides the
opportunity to assess the botanical and conservation value of the wetland
plant communities.
Overall the survey shows that, under the current management regime, the
flora of the site continues to develop and improve and it is now a locally,
and could soon be a nationally, significant site. Chris has identified one,
possibly two, national Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, four that
are regionally scarce and a further six which are locally significant. The
survey has also highlighted the continuing issue of alien species on the
reserve, Crassula helmsii in particular.
The following is a summary of the major findings of the survey. The full
report is held in the Moor Green Lakes Group library.
| Species
Abundance |
|
|
A total of 76 wetland
species were recorded in 2001. These consisted of 13 submerged of
floating species, 30 emergent and 33 riparian species. Five others were
found in 1991 which were not re-found in 2001, making a total of 81
overall. In 1991 only 41 species were recorded (see Table 1). |
|
|
| Species
Diversity |
|
|
The diversity of the
wetland flora of the reserve continues to improve. English Nature uses a
criteria of 40 submerged, floating and emergent species (that is, not
including riparian species which also occur in a number of other
habitats) as an indication of a 'diverse' wetland habitat a status
reached by only 2% of wetland sites in Great Britain. Using this
criterion, and excluding alien species, the Moor Green Lakes as a group
just qualify with 40 native species found in this survey. As this is
based on a single survey, taken at one time of year, regular monitoring
through the spring and summer months would almost certainly add a few
more. |
|
|
Colebrook Lake North was
the most diverse with 32 species, Chris Hall knows of only 12 wetland
sites in the area that support more than 30 species. 30 species were
found on Colebrook Lake South and 26 on Grove Lake. The figure for Grove
in particular is probably an underestimate as, because of logistical
problems, it was not possible to carry out a survey of the open water. |
|
|
|
Scarce and Uncommon Species |
|
|
Pillwort Pilularia blobulifera
|
A National BAP Priority Species |
|
A small fern of pond margins and shallow pans found
in lowland areas
throughout the British Isles. It is
an opportunist requiring areas of bare mud or gravel in shallow water where,
under suitable conditions, it
may form large populations; However, it is unable to compete for long
amongst taller vegetation and will
soon decrease unless management or some natural process maintains patches of
open habitat.
Found on five sites on the margins of the lakes, two on each of the
Colebrook Lakes and one at the eastern end of Grove Lake.
|
|
|
Hair-like pondweed Potamogeton trichoides |
Nationally Scarce |
|
A pondweed known to colonise new gravel pits and to reappear in old sites
after disturbance such as
dredging. This record needs to be confirmed in the summer to be certain of
the identification.
There are a few modern records from Berkshire or surrounding counties,
though it has recently been found in the Basingstoke Canal near Woking and
near Aldershot and Hawley in the Blackwater Valley.
|
|
|
Waterwort Elatine hexandra |
Regionally Scarce |
|
A small plant of lake margins, growing on seasonally inundated mud or
in
shallow water. It is widespread
at Moor Green Lakes, especially around the north and east margins of Grove Lake
where the open habitat is ideal. There are thousands of plants here. It is
more localised though still plentiful around parts of Colebrook North Lake
but scarce in Colebrook South.
|
|
|
Needle Spike-rush, Eleocharis
acicularis |
Regionally Scarce |
|
At Moor Green Lakes Needle Spike-rash has
a similar distribution to waterwort but is more abundant, forming
extensive lawns. It may be confused with pillwort but the latter species
is usually bright (not dull) green and some stems will be curved or
coiled, betraying its place amongst the ferns.
|
|
|
Blunt-leaved Pondweed, Potamogeton
obtusifolius |
Regionally Scarce |
|
Records of this pondweed were widely
scattered around the margins of Colebrook North Lake. It was locally
plentiful in one place on the west side of Colebrook South Lake. There
were no records from Grove Lake but it was locally frequent in 1991 and
may well be re-found during a boat survey.
|
|
|
Lesser Pondweed, Potamogeton pusillus |
Regionally Scarce |
|
Another species which will need
confirmation of identification from better quality summer vegetation.
However, possible P. pusillus was seen on Colebrook Lake North around
Plover and Long Islands.
|
|
Locally Scarce Species |
|
There were six aquatic
and wetland species that are uncommon in the modern countryside
generally and particularly in the area surrounding Moor Green Lakes. |
|
|
|
• |
Hornwort, Ceratophyllum demersum |
|
• |
Small Pondweed, Potamogeton
berchtoldii |
|
• |
A Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus sp. |
|
• |
Ivy leaved crowfoot, R
hederaceus. decreasing in Europe, Britain has special
conservation responsibility for this species. |
|
• |
Water Purslane, Lythrum portula |
|
• |
Fen Bedstraw, Galium allginosum |
|
|
|
Alien Species |
| A
total of four alien plant species were found m the survey. |
|
• |
Australian Swamp Stonecrop or New
Zealand pigmyweed, Crassula helsmii was found to be abundant
around almost the entire perimeter and the islands of Colebrook North
Lake but less plentiful and more patchy around Colebrook South Lake. At
Grove Lake it was only found on the new scrape below the bird hide with
almost 50 small patches along some 25 metres of the lakeshore at the
south end of the scrape. |
|
• |
Nuttall's Water Thyme, Elodea nuttallii was
abundant in all three lakes, as indeed it is throughout the Blackwater
Valley. |
|
• |
American Duckweed, Lemna minuta, another
North American species, was discovered in one bay of Colebrook South
Lake. It is spreading rapidly in southern England. |
|
• |
Orange Balsam, Impatiens capensis also from
North America, has been established in the wild in southern England for
175 years. It grows amongst bankside vegetation and has become a problem
in some wetlands. It was recorded from Plover Island, Long Island, the
margin of Colebrook South Lake and Grove Lake but the only significant
population was on the south side of Long Island. The related Himalayan
balsam Importers glandulifera is frequent beside the River Blackwater
but was not seen within the reserve. |
|
|
Crassula helmsii is the most abundant alien species on the reserve and the
one which poses the greatest threat to the native flora. It became
naturalized in Britain in 1956 and began to spread significantly in the
1970s. Since then it has spread rapidly, especially in South East England,
where it is of great conservation concern due to its ability to quickly
dominate shallow waters and to smother native vegetation. Several of the
uncommon species at Moor Green, including pillwort, waterwort and needle
spike-like are at risk. It was first recorded on the north margin of
Colebrook North Lake in 1991 when it was already locally well established It
is now abundant around this lake and has spread to the other two lakes as
well. The creation of scrapes for waterfowl also creates ideal habitat for
C helmsii to colonize. It is spread by waterfowl, on footwear and on
machinery. It is widespread in the Blackwater Valley, the Basingstoke Canal
and other wetlands in the region. Even if it were successfully eradicated at
Moor Green it would probably re-colonize from nearby sites.
Table 1: Aquatic and Wetland Plant
Species - SPECIES LIST
| |
|
1991 |
2001 |
|
|
Colebrook |
Grove Lake |
Total |
|
North |
South |
|
A. Submerged and Floating Species |
| Callitriche
hamulata |
Intermediate
Water Starwort |
a |
a |
|
|
a |
|
| C.
stagnalis |
Common Water
Starwort |
a |
a |
|
|
a |
|
| Callitriche
sp. |
Water Starwort |
|
|
|
a |
a |
|
|
Ceratophyllum demersum |
Rigid Hornwort |
|
|
a |
|
a |
Locally scarce |
| Chara sp |
Stonewort |
a |
|
a |
|
a |
|
| Elodea
nuttallii |
Nuttall's
Water-thyme |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
Established
alien |
| Lemna minor |
Common
Duckweed |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| L. minuta |
American
Duckweed |
|
|
a |
|
a |
Established
alien |
| Myriopyllum
spicatum |
Spiked Water
Millfoil |
|
a |
|
|
a |
Species needs
confirmation |
|
Potarnogeton berchtoldii |
Small Pondweed |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
Infrequently
seen in local area |
| P. natans |
Broad-leaved
Pondweed |
a |
|
|
|
|
|
| P.
obtusifolius |
Blunt-leaved
Pondweed |
a |
a |
a |
|
a |
Regionally
scarce |
| P. pusillus |
Lesser
Pondweed |
|
a |
a |
|
a |
Regionally scarce. Species needs
confirmation. |
| P
trichoides |
Hair-like
Pondweed |
|
a |
|
|
a |
National BAP priority species.
Identification needs confirmation |
| Ranunculus
peltatus |
Pond Water
Crowfoot |
|
a |
|
|
a |
Infrequently seen in local area. Species
needs confirmation |
| Total |
|
7(6) |
10 (9) |
8(6) |
4(3) |
13 (11) |
Figures in brackets exclude established
alien species |
|
B. Emergent species |
| Agrostis
stolonifera |
Creeping Bent |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Alisma
plantago-aguatica |
Water Plantain |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Apium
nodiflorum |
Fool's
Watercress |
|
|
a |
a |
a |
|
| Crassula
helmsii |
Australian
Swamp Stonecrop |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
Established alien |
| Elatine
hexandra |
Waterwort |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
Regionally scarce |
| Eleocharis
acicularis |
Needle
Spikerush |
a |
a |
|
a |
a |
Regionally scarce |
| E.
palustris |
Pond Spikerush |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Equisetum
uviatile |
Water
Horsetail |
|
|
a |
|
a |
|
| E. palustre |
Marsh
Horsetail |
|
a |
a |
|
a |
|
| Galium
palustre |
Marsh Bedstraw |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Glyceria
declinata |
Glaucous
Sweet-grass |
a |
|
|
|
|
|
| G, fluitans |
Floating
Sweet-grass |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Hydrocotyle
vulgaris |
Marsh Pennywort |
a |
a |
a |
|
a |
|
| Iris
pseudacorus |
Yellow Flag |
|
a |
a |
|
a |
|
| Juncus
effusus |
Soft Rush |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Lythrum
portula |
Water Purslane |
a |
a |
|
a |
a |
Infrequently seen in local area |
| Mentha
aquatica |
Water Mint |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Myositis
laxa |
Tufted
Forget-me-not |
a |
|
|
|
|
|
| M.
scorpioides |
Water
Forget-me-not |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Myosoton
aquaticum |
Water Chickweed |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Nasturtium
officinale |
Watercress |
|
|
|
a |
a |
Species needs confirmation |
| Oenanthe
crocala |
Hemlock Water
Dropwort |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Persicaria
hydropiper |
Water Pepper |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Phalaris
arundinacea |
Reed Canary
Grass |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Phragmites
australis |
Reed |
|
|
a |
|
a |
|
| Pilularia
globulifera |
Pillwort |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
National BAP priority species |
| Ranunculus
flammula |
Lesser
Spearwort |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| R.
hederaceus |
Ivy-leaved
Crowfoot |
a |
|
|
a |
a |
Infrequently seen in local area |
| R.
sceleratus |
Celery-leaved
Buttercup |
|
a |
|
a |
a |
|
| Rorripa
amphibia |
Great Yellow
Cress |
|
|
a |
|
a |
|
| Sparganium
erectum |
Branched
Bur-reed |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Typha
latifolia |
Common Reedmace |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Veronica
beccabunga |
Brooklime |
a |
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
18 (17) |
24 (23) |
25 (24) |
24 (23) |
30 (29) |
Figures in brackets exclude established
alien species |
|
C. Riparian species |
| Agrostis
canina |
Velvet Bent |
|
a |
|
|
a |
|
| Angelica
sylvestris |
Angelica |
|
a |
a |
|
a |
|
| Bidens
cernua |
Nodding
Bur-marigold |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| B.
tripartita |
Trifid
Bur-marigold |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Cardamine
pratensis |
Lady's Smock |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Carex ovalis |
Oval Sedge |
|
a |
|
|
a |
|
| C. remota
|
Remote Sedge |
|
|
a |
|
a |
|
| Cirsium
palustre |
Marsh Thistle |
a |
a |
|
|
a |
|
| Deschampsia
cespitosa |
Tufted Hair
Grass |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Epilobium
hirsutum |
Great
Willowherb |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Epilobium
parviflorum |
Hoary
Willowherb |
a |
a |
|
|
a |
|
| Eupatorium
cannabinum |
Hemp Agrimony |
a |
a |
|
a |
a |
|
| Filipendula
ulmaria |
Meadowsweet |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Galium
uliginosum |
Fen Bedstraw |
|
|
a |
a |
a |
Infrequently seen in local area |
| Impatiens
capensis |
Orange Balsam |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
Established alien |
| Isolepsis
setacea |
Bristle
Club-rush |
a |
a |
|
|
a |
|
| Juncus
acutiflorus |
Sharp-fruited
Rush |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| J.
articulatus |
Jointed Rush |
|
a |
|
|
a |
|
| J bufonius
|
Toad Rush |
a |
|
|
|
|
|
| Lotus
pedunculatus |
Marsh
Birds-foot Trefoil |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Lychnis
flos-cuculi |
Ragged Robin |
|
|
a |
|
a |
|
| Lycopus
europaeus |
Gipsywort |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Lysimachia
nummularia |
Creeping Jenny |
|
|
a |
|
a |
|
| L. vulgaris |
Yellow
Loosestrife |
a |
a |
a |
|
a |
|
| Lythrum
salicaria |
Purple
Loosestrife |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Persicaria
lapathifolium |
Pale Persicaria |
|
a |
|
|
a |
|
| Potentilla
erecta |
Tormentil |
a |
|
a |
|
a |
|
| Pulicaris
dysenterica |
Fleabane |
|
a |
|
|
a |
|
| Rorripa
palustris |
Marsh Yellow
Cress |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Scirpus
sylvaticus |
Wood Club-rush |
|
|
a |
|
a |
|
| Scrophularia
auriculata |
Water Figwort |
|
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
| Scutellaria
galericulata |
Skullcap |
|
a |
a |
|
a |
|
| Solanum
dulcamara |
Bittersweet |
a |
|
a |
a |
a |
|
| Stachys
pahustris |
Marsh
Woundwort |
|
|
a |
a |
a |
|
| Total |
|
16 (15) |
25 (24) |
24 (23) |
17 (16) |
33 (32) |
Figures in brackets exclude established
alien species |
Table 2: Total
number of aquatic and Wetland plant species
|
Category |
ALL SPECIES |
EXCLUDING ALIEN SPECIES |
|
1991 |
2001 |
1991 |
2001 |
|
Colebrook |
Grove Lake |
Total |
Colebrook |
Grove Lake |
Total |
|
North |
South |
North |
South |
| •
Floating / submerged |
7 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
13 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
3 |
11 |
| •
Emergent |
18 |
24 |
25 |
24 |
30 |
17 |
23 |
24 |
23 |
29 |
|
'Wetland' Subtotal |
25 |
34 |
33 |
28 |
43 |
23 |
32 |
30 |
26 |
40 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| •
Riparian |
16 |
25 |
24 |
17 |
33 |
15 |
24 |
23 |
16 |
32 |
|
TOTAL |
41 |
59 |
57 |
45 |
76 |
38 |
56 |
53 |
42 |
72 |
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CHAPTER 10
BEETLES AND SPIDERS
Bob Merritt
Introduction Ken Crick
Bob was going to provide
Moor Green with a report on his findings but owing to a hoax computer virus
scare, which caused a lot of grief for him and his computer, this has proved
impossible to achieve. However prior to his computer problems he did supply
us with a comprehensive listing of those Beetles & Spiders he found on our
Reserve.
He visited the reserve on both the 25 & 27 of April recording 199 different
insects with approximately 110 new to our known species list. Several of the
spiders could be identified to genus only owing to their immaturity. They
are included in the list where it is clear they are additional species,
albeit incompletely identified.
Several of the beetles, Bob felt, needed double checking by another
authority and subsequently two amendments were made. These appear as hand
written changes to the original text. [incorporated in web version]
From a personal standpoint it is gratifying to have an independent record of
Dragonfly & Damselfly larva all of which I have claimed in the past to be
breeding on site.
We are indebted to Bob giving his time and specialist knowledge to the
reserve, for free, especially as he has to travel from Chesterfield in
Derbyshire.
Moor Green Lakes Nature
Reserve: details of visit by R. Merritt on 25th and 27th April 2001.
(first draft)
Table 1. Location details, and date of
visits
| LOCATION |
GRID |
DATE OF
VISIT |
SITE DESCRIPTION |
| Car-park |
SU 805627 |
27-Apr-01
|
sandy, gravely car-park |
| Colebrook Cut |
SU 809622 |
25-Apr-01
|
channel between 2 lakes,
with Sparganium, ochrous ooze, and marginal Juncus, grasses and Salix.
Some central water flow |
| Colebrook Lake North |
SU 805626 |
25-Apr-01
|
lake in former gravel pit
with marginal Sparganium, Crassula helmsii and decaying plant litter |
| Colebrook lake opposite
Goose Island |
SU 809623 |
25-Apr-01
|
lake in former gravel pit,
with marginal Juncus, Eleocharis and Mentha aquatica |
| Grove lake |
SU 815622 |
27-Apr-01
|
sheltered bay of lake in
former gravel pit, with Juncus, Phalaris, Alisma and grasses |
| Grove Lake (adjacent land) |
SU 814622 |
27-Apr-01
|
rough grassland, hawthorn
scrub, gorse, and nettle bed |
| River Blackwater |
SU 809622
SU 807621 |
25-Apr-01
|
part-shaded, medium-slow
river with marginal rushes |
Table 2. Locations, with species and
their national statuses
| LOCATION |
SPECIES |
FAMILY |
COMMON NAME |
GB-STATUS |
| Car-park |
Staphylinus
dimidiaticornis |
Staphylinidae
|
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Agabus
bipustulatus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Agabus sturmii |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Agonum albipes |
Carabidae |
a ground
beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Anacaena
globulus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Anacaena
limbata |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Cercyon
convexiusculus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Cercyon
ustulatus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| Colebrook Cut |
Dromius
linearis |
Carabidae |
a ground
beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Dytiscus
marginalis |
Dytiscidae |
Great Diving
Beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Hydrobius
fuscipes |
Hydrop ilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Hydrochus
angustatus |
Hydrochidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| Colebrook Cut |
Hydroporus
incognitus |
Dytiscihae |
a diving water
beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Hydroporus
memnonius |
Dytiscihae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Hydroporus
neglectus |
Dytiscihae |
a diving water
beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| Colebrook Cut |
Mecinus
pyraster |
Curculionidae |
a weevil |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Ocyusa maura |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Paederus
riparius |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Stenus
cicindeloides |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Stenus
impressus |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Stenus
nitidiusculus |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Stenus solutus |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Gerris
lacustris |
Gerridae |
Common
Pondskater |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Gerris
odontogaster |
Gerridae |
Toothed
Pondskater |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Gerris
thoracicus |
Gerridae |
a pondskater |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Hydrometra
stagnorum |
Hydrometridae
|
Water Measurer |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Nepa cinerea |
Nepidae |
Water Scorpion |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Velia caprai |
Veliidae |
Common Water
Cricket |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Asellus
aquaticus |
Asellidae |
a water slater |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Bathyphantes
approximatus |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider
|
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Clubiona sp. |
Clubionidae
|
a foliage
spider |
|
| Colebrook Cut |
Gnathonarium
dentatum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Hypomma
ituberculatum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Linyphia
clathrata |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Lophomma
punctatum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider
|
Local |
| Colebrook Cut |
Metellina
segmentata |
Metidae |
an orb-weaver
spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Cut |
Pardosa
amentata |
Lycosidae |
a wolf spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Anacaena
limbata. |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Coelostoma
orbiculare |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Haliplus
lineolatus |
Haliplidae |
a crawling
water beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Helochares
lividus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Hyphydrus
ovatus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
llybius
fenestratus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Gerris
lacustris |
Gerridae |
Common
Pondskater |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
llyocoris
cimicoides |
Naucoridae |
Saucer Bug |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Nepa cinerea |
Nepidae |
Water Scorpion |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Coenagrion
puella |
Coenagriidae |
Azure Damselfly |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Hypomma
bituberculatum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Larinioides
cornutus |
Araneidae |
an orb-weaver
spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Pardosa
amentata |
Lycosidae |
a wolf spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Philodromus
cespitum |
Philodromidae |
a running crab
spider |
Common |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Pirata sp. |
Lycosidae
|
a wolf spider |
|
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Tetragnatha
montana |
Tetragnathidae
|
a long-jawed
spider |
Local |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Tetragnatha
striata |
Tetragnathidae
|
a long-jawed
spider |
Notable/Nb |
| Colebrook Lake
North |
Theridion
sisyphium |
Theridiidae |
a comb-footed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Agonum albipes |
Carabidae |
a ground beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Agonum gracile |
Carabidae |
a ground beetle
|
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Anacaena
bipustulata |
Hydrophilidae
|
a scavenger
water beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| Grove Lake |
Anacaena
globulus |
Hydrophilidae
|
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
|
Grove Lake |
Anisosticta
novemdecimpunctata |
Coccinellidae |
19-spot
Ladybird |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Anotylus
rugosus |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Atheta fungi |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Bembidion
guttula |
Carabidae |
a ground beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Cercyon
convexiusculus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Ceutorhynchus
melanostictus |
Curculionidae |
a weevil |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Coccidula rufa |
Coccinellidae |
a ladybird |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Coelostoma
orbiculare |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Dryops luridus |
Dryopidae |
a long-toed
water beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Enochrus
testaceus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Eutrichapion
punctigerum |
Apionidae |
a seed weevil |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Gyrinus marinus |
Gyrinidae |
a whirligig
water beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Haliplus
confinis |
Haliplidae |
a crawling
water beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Haliplus
flavicollis |
Haliplidae |
a crawling
water beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Haliplus
fulvus |
Haliplidae |
a crawling
water beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Helochares
lividus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Helophorus
brevipalpis |
Helophoridae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Hydrobius
fuscipes |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Hydroporus
palustris |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Hyphydrus
ovatus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Laccobius
bipunctatus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Laccobius
minutus |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Laccophilus
hyalinus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Laccophilus
minutus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Lesteva heeri |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Meligethes
aeneus |
Nitidulidae |
Common Pollen
Beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Noterus
clavicornis |
Noteridae |
a water beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Ocyusa maura |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Paederus
riparius |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle
|
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Phaedon
armoraciae |
Chrysomelidae
|
Mustard Beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Rhantus
exsoletus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Stenus boops |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Stenus
cicindeloides |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Stenus ossoum
|
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Stenus
latifrons |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Stenus
nitidiusculus |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Stenus
butrintensis |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| Grove Lake |
Thryogenes
festucae |
Curculionidae |
a weevil |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Corixa
dentipes |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Corixa panzeri |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Gerris
lacustris |
Gerridae |
Common
Pondskater |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Microvelia
pygmaea |
Veliidae |
lesser
water-cricket |
Notable/Nb |
| Grove Lake |
Microvelia
reticulata |
Veliidae |
a lesser
water-cricket |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Nepa cinerea |
Nepidae |
Water Scorpion |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Notonecta
glauca |
Notonectidae |
Common
Backswimmer |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Notonecta
marmorea |
Notonectidae
|
a backswimmer |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Sigara
distincta |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Sigara
dorsalis |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Sigara falleni |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Sigara
fossarum |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Sigara
lateralis |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Sigara
nigrolineata |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Coenagrion
puella |
Coenagriidae |
Azure
Damselfly |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Ischnura
elegans |
Coenagriidae |
Blue-tailed
Damselfly |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Orthetrum
cancellatum |
Libellulidae |
Black-tailed
Skimmer |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Bathyphantes
approximatus |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Bathyphantes
gracilis |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Clubiona
phragmitis |
Clubionidae |
a foliage
spider |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Enoplognatha
ovata |
Theridiidae |
a comb-footed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Gnathonarium
dentatum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Hypomma
bituberculatum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Lophomma
punctatum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider
|
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Oedothorax
gibbosus |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Oedothorax
retusus |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Pachygnatha
clercki |
Tetragnathidae
|
a long-jawed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Pardosa
amentata |
Lycosidae |
a wolf spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Pirata sp. |
Lycosidae |
a wolf spider |
|
| Grove Lake |
Tetragnatha
extensa |
Tetragnathidae
|
a long-jawed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake |
Tetragnatha
montana |
Tetragnathidae
|
a long-jawed
spider |
Local |
| Grove Lake |
Trochosa
terricola |
Lycosidae |
a wolf spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Agriotes
obscurus |
Elateridae |
a click beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Altica lythri |
Chrysomelidae
|
a leaf beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Apion
haematodes |
Apionidae |
a seed weevil |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Bembidion
guttula |
Carabidae |
a ground
beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Ceutorhynchus
pollinarius |
Curculionidae |
a weevil |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Cidnorhinus
quadrimaculatus |
Curculionidae |
Small Nettle
Weevil |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Coccinella
septempunctata |
Coccinellidae |
Seven-spot
Ladybird |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Deporaus
betulae |
Attelabidae |
Birch Leaf
Roller Beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Dromius
linearis |
Carabidae |
a ground
beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Eutrichapion
punctigerum |
Apionidae |
a seed weevil
|
Local |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Longitarsus
dorsalis |
Chrysomelidae
|
a leaf beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Meligethes
nigrescens |
Nitidulidae |
a pollen or
sap beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Mycetoporus
lepidus |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Oulema
rufocyanea |
Chrysomelidae
|
Cereal Leaf
Beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Philonthus
cognatus |
Staphylinidae
|
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Phyllobius pyri |
Curculionidae
|
Common leaf
Weevil |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Rhyzobius
litura |
Coccinellidae
|
a ladybird |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Sitona lepidus |
Curculionidae
|
a weevil |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Sitona lineatus |
Curculionidae
|
Pea and Bean
Weevil |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Stenus
clavicornis |
Staphylinidae
|
a rove beetle |
Common |
|
Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Subcoccinella
vigintiquattuorpunctata |
Coccinellidae
|
24-spot
Ladybird |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Tachyporus
hypnorum |
Staphylinidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Tychius
picirostris |
Curculionidae |
a weevil |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Xantholinus
longiventris |
Curculionidae |
a rove beetle |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Alopecosa
pulverulenta |
Lycosidae |
a wolf spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Clubiona sp. |
Clubionidae
|
a foliage
spider |
|
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Dictyna
arundinacea |
Dictynidae |
a mesh webbed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Enoplognatha
ovata |
Theridiidae |
a comb-footed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Erigone atra |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Gongylidiellum
vivum |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Larinioides
cornutus |
Araneidae |
an orb-weaver
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Milleriana
inerrans |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider
|
Local |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Oedothorax
fuscus |
Linyphiidae |
a money spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Pachygnatha
degeeri |
Tetragnathidae
|
a long-jawed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Pardosa
amentata |
Lycosidae |
a wolf spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Philodromus
cespitum |
Philodromidae |
a running crab
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Pisaura
mirabilis |
Pisauridae |
Tent Spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Tetragnatha
extensa |
Tetragnathi |
a long-jawed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Tetragnatha
montana |
Tetragnathidae
|
a long-jawed
spider |
Local |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Theridion
bimaculatum |
Theridiidae |
a comb-footed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Theridion
sisyphium |
Theridiidae |
a comb-footed
spider |
Common |
| Grove Lake (adj.land) |
Xysticus sp. |
Thomisidae
|
a crab spider |
|
| opp. Goose
Island |
Acilius
sulcatus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Agabus sturmii |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Anacaena
bipustulata |
Hydrophilidae
|
a scavenger
water beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Anacaena
limbata |
Hydrophilidae
|
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Anacaena
lutescens |
Hydrophilidae |
a scavenger
water beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Dryops luridus |
Dryopidae |
a long-toed
water beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Enochrus
testaceus |
Hydrophilidae
|
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Haliplus
fulvus |
Haliplidae |
a crawling
water beetle |
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Haliplus
lineolatus |
Haliplidae |
a crawling
water beetle |
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Haliplus
ruficollis |
Haliplidae |
a crawling
water beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Hygrobia
hermanni |
Hygrobiidae |
Squeak Beetle
|
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Hyphydrus
ovatus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
llybius
fenestratus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Notable/Nb |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Laccobius
minutus |
Hydrophilidae
|
a scavenger
water beetle |
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Laccophilus
hyalinus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Laccophilus
minutus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Noterus
clavicornis |
Noteridae |
a water beetle
|
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Rhantus
exsoletus |
Dytiscidae |
a diving water
beetle |
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Gerris
odontogaster |
Gerridae |
Toothed
Pondskater |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Hydrometra
stagnorum |
Hydrometridae
|
Water Measurer
|
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Ilyocoris
cimicoides |
Naucoridae |
Saucer Bug
|
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Nepa cinerea |
Nepidae |
Water Scorpion
|
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Notonecta
glauca |
Notonectidae
|
Common
Backswimmer |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Plea
minutissima |
Pleidae |
Lesser
Backswimmer |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Sigara
distincta |
Corixidae |
a waterboatman
|
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Ischnura
elegans |
Cooenagriidae
|
Blue-tailed
Damselfly |
Common |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Orthetrum
cancellatum |
Libellulidae |
Black-tailed
Skimmer |
Local |
| opp. Goose
Island |
Pyrrhosoma
nymphula |
Coenagriidae
|
Large Red
Damselfly |
Common |
| River
Blackwater |
Calopteryx
splendens |
Calopterygidae
|
Banded
Demoiselle |
Local |
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CHAPTER 11
REPORT
FOR 2001 on the REED BED PROJECT
Steve
Farmer
The
extraction of gravel by RMC Aggregates (Southern) Ltd. from the Manor Farm
site, immediately to the west of the Moor Green Nature Reserve, is now well
under way. As the gravel extraction is completed the land will be
progressively restored. This will take about 10 years to complete. Although
the details have not been finalised the initial plans are well advanced. The
major pail of the site will be restored as a nature reserve with smaller
parts returned to agriculture or used as amenity land It is envisaged that
the nature reserve will include three large reed beds with another large
shallow lake with reedy margins. The existing Colebrook Cut will be
reinstated but on a slightly different course. Water from this Cut will be
fed via sluices through the reed beds.
During the next couple of years the Moor Green Lakes Group, in co-operation
with RMC will set up a small pilot reed bed. This will be used to
investigate which methods of reed propagation will be most suitable for
planting up the new reed beds. Several methods are available such as sowing
seed directly, raising plants from seed in pots for planting out or taking
stem cuttings. The most suitable planting medium will also be established. The
pilot reed bed will be set up at the southeast corner of the Manor Farm
site, close to the river and just west of Colebrook South Lake. A temporary
water supply will be drawn from the diverted Colebrook Col The pilot reed
bed is unlikely to be available for tests to start for at least a year.
In the meantime a Reed Bed Project lead by Ken Crick and Steve Farmer, has
already been set up. The first objective has been to establish a reliable
source of reed seed. These seed will be used to raise plants for the pilot
reed bed. Ideally they should be obtained from a local source. During the
late autumn and winter panicles of ripe seed of the common reed (Phragmites
australis) were collected from 7 different sites. Two of these were very
local, being the small reed bed close to the Colebrook hide and the
Watersports Lake near Moulsham Lane. Seed were also collected from Fleet
Pond, Lakeside Park near Ash and Greywell Fen. In addition seed were
collected from two sites much further away, at Arundel in Sussex and
Charmouth in Dorset.
Samples of 100 seed were extracted from single panicles. The seed were
soaked in cold water overnight. The seed were then sown on the surface of
pots of steam sterilized garden loam. The pots were put m a heated
propagating box for periods between 8 and 19 days. The soil was kept
saturated by standing the pots in containers of water. The propagating box
was maintained at a temperature between 18 and 31C (most of the time between
21 and 28C). Germination of viable seed was usually achieved between 1 and 8
days.
A total of 33 samples from the 7 sites were tested. The germination rate
varied markedly from zero to 47% for an exceptionally good sample from
Arundel. Combining the results for each of the sites showed that the best 3
sites were Arundel, Fleet Pond and Lakeside Park (in descending order of
average germination rate). A further test was then conducted using larger
samples extracted from a large number of panicles (not used in the previous
trials) for each of these three sites. These results showed that Fleet Pond
seed had a higher germination rate than Arundel seed with Lakeside Park
again lying third.
Finally a trial was conducted using the 5 best individual panicle samples to
establish whether the previous results were repeatable. The germination
rates were lower in all cases suggesting that the viability of the seed had
started to deteriorate in storage.
This series of trials has yielded a number of useful conclusions. The best
samples of seed were obtained from large reed beds such as Fled Pond and
Arundel. This may reflect the abundance of pollen available for pollination.
The final set of trials suggested that the seed may begin to deteriorate
unless kept cold and dry, so that storage in a cold, well ventilated garden
shed may be necessary.
The next stage in this project will be to raise a small number of pots of
seedlings in shallow troughs of water to find out how long it takes to rais |