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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE

MOOR GREEN LAKES GROUP

Peter Scott

The various chapters of this report, prepared by our wildlife recorders, indicate that the reserve is maintaining its status as an attractive habitat. Naturally some species show declines, but these are balanced by increases elsewhere. It is a cliché that ‘this is no time for complacency’, but we can be reasonably pleased with the current situation.

If this is to continue, it is essential that we maintain (and possibly enhance) the mix of vegetation. The work parties play an essential role here, so that only the heaviest jobs have to be undertaken by outside contractors. In chapter 2, Sue Dent describes the work done last year. Much was achieved, but there is always more that could be done. The work programme can only become larger as we begin to tackle jobs on the adjacent Manor Farm site as restoration proceeds there. The Sunday work groups, though successful, were somewhat smaller last year than in the previous couple of years, so more volunteers would be welcome. If you are able to lend a hand, even if only occasionally, please contact Simon Weeks so that he can keep you informed of forthcoming tasks.

Many members contribute records of their wildlife sightings and the recorders give due credit in their reports. Please keep it up! This information is vital to our assessment of the effects of our work and to indicate where action may be needed.

Although CEMEX’s management systems still seem to be a little unsettled, there has been no substantial change to its commitment to the reserve. One important job that it undertook was unblocking the outlet pipe in the south-west corner of Colebrook Lake North. Although the new sluice installed earlier had been expected to solve our problems in controlling water levels, it soon became a clear that a blockage was making it ineffective. It turned out that tree roots had grown into the pipe. These have now been cleared and a manhole installed to make future maintenance easier.

As Appendix G shows, there has been just one recent change in committee membership. Brendan McCartney was unable to continue as membership secretary and has been replaced by Keith Littler. I am very grateful to them both, and to all other members, for their efforts.

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CHAPTER 2

SITE MANAGEMENT REPORT APRIL 2005 TO MARCH 2006

Dr Sue Dent

Countryside & Access Officer

Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership

General Site Management 2005

The Islands

Long Island has been one of the management priorities for this year. For several years now it hasn’t been possible to spend enough time on the island to keep up with the intended management. As a result large areas have become dominated by dense bramble which was threatening to swamp the whole island. There are also six ‘scrapes’ around the island, which have become very overgrown, in one case virtually disappearing completely.

This year we have had the new pontoon bridge to get to and from the island and this has made a great difference. Not only is it much quicker to get people to and from the island, allowing us to tackle the clearance of the scrapes, but we can get small machinery across and this has allowed us to make real inroads into the bramble and scrub.

As so much has changed since the site Management Plan was written, we are carrying out a review of the management of Long Island which can then be incorporated into the next revision of the Reserve Management Plan. We plan to make the island a priority for the next couple of years and hopefully we should be able to make the most of this, potentially, very useful piece of habitat for the reserve.

Tern, Plover and Sandpiper Islands were cleared as usual this year. Clearing the islands is hard work for the volunteers, but it is manageable and it does seem to create the type of habitat that many breeding birds, such as the terns, require.

Plantation Viewing Slots

The cutting of viewing slots along the southern edge of the reserve has continued this year, continuing the pattern of rotation that has now been in place for three years. Re-growth of trees that have been coppiced in the last couple of years has been quite poor, almost certainly because of a combination of deer and cattle grazing. If the ‘rotation’ is going to be successful it is important that the trees are able to regenerate quickly and so mesh tree guards have been put up around many of the trees cut this year, and some of those still struggling from last year. Hopefully this will give them a chance to keep ahead of the browsers.

Bramble and Scrub -  as usual

Over the rest of the reserve the bramble remains a theme. The areas that were cut with a tractor a couple of years ago have done well and an annual cut is keeping the re-growth under control. The routine of clearing the lake edges also continues and seems to be working well. 

Cattle

Once again a small group of cows grazed the site in the autumn. They were a different group this year and, while they did roam around the boundaries, they didn’t manage to find the escape routes that the previous group used on several occasions last year.

'Alien’ species'

Crassula remains around the site without perhaps getting rapidly worse. It was noticeable how quickly it spread back across the scrape outside Colebrook hide, which had been completely cleaned out in spring 2005. We hope to do some spraying in the autumn to try and keep it in check and the volunteers have been raking it out of scrapes, which works reasonably well so long as it isn’t too dense and heavy.

This year for the first time an attempt was made to tackle Himalayan Balsam, mainly along the river edge to the south of the reserve. This was part of a wider ‘Pink Peril Pull’ throughout the Blackwater Valley and we hope to repeat it again this year.

Conservation Volunteers

As always the management of the reserve is only possible because of the hard work and support of a dedicated band of volunteers, both from the Moor Green Lake Group and the Blackwater Valley Countryside Volunteers. Without their support and enthusiasm it simply would not be possible to manage the reserve as we do.

The Moor Green Lakes Group have been out for 7 Sundays from September to March and this year the group took on extra work cutting some of the viewing slots and did 4 mid-week tasks. Overall they have done 87 days of practical work, with an average of 8 people out on the Sunday Tasks. Special thanks go to Peter Scott, Simon Weeks and Tony Elston who have led the Moor Green Lakes Group tasks. This has been backed up by the Blackwater Valley Tuesday group who have done 8 tasks and 137 days.

Which all comes to 224 days of volunteer effort, or over £13 thousand pounds worth of work.

Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund grant, an update

It is now over a year since the work funded by the ALSF grant was completed and it has had a real impact on the site and its management.

• The pontoon has been a great success. It has been regularly used through the winter and is providing just the improved access that we had hoped for.

• The new stiles and gates at the access points are working well and would seem to be keeping motor bikes off the reserve. One was slightly damaged but was repaired and there has been no (?) re-occurrence.

• The new footpath surface is settling in well.

• The book on the Butterflies of the Blackwater Valley, which was funded as part of the grant, has been produced and is available to buy from BVCP.

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CHAPTER 3

REPORT ON BIRDS 2005

Recorder: Ian Brown

During the year 132 species were recorded of which 66 were present in suitable breeding habitat in the summer. One new species was added to the site list, Whiskered Tern, bringing the total number of species recorded to 205.

In the early winter period waterfowl numbers were consistent with those of recent years for most species except Coot, which were dramatically reduced. Cormorant numbers continued to increase with a site record count of 98 in January. Up to four Little Egret visited the site in early year, being firmly established as a regular visitor. Goosander again used the site regularly for roosting, although daytime numbers were slightly down. Other records included the now regular wintering Pintail, occasional Golden Plover, Peregrine and finally, Buzzards were in evidence in all months for the first time.

Spring arrived in late March with the earliest ever Common Tern on 24th! Wader passage started mid month with Curlew, a long staying Oystercatcher (the first of at least eight birds in year), returning Little Ringed Plovers and Jack Snipe. A Ruddy Duck took up residence on Grove, remaining for six weeks. During April there were seemingly interesting sightings each day! The month started with a very early Reed Warbler (2nd) several Whimbrel, two Mediterranean Gulls (including a ringed bird, see Appendix B for details), Peregrine, five Little Gulls in one group, a singing Grasshopper Warbler, and late in the month two excellent records of Short Eared Owl (same bird?) after a 17 year absence. Ringed Plover were frequently on the site at this time. May was to get even better with the undoubted highlight of the year, a fine summer plumaged Whiskered Tern, that whilst being elusive a times proved very popular amongst birders, putting in several visits during a six day spell. Other birds included two Arctic Terns, a Black Tern, more Whimbrel, another Little Gull, Oystercatchers, Mediterranean Gull, Osprey and a long staying Snipe in breeding habitat till early June.

It was a relatively poor year for breeding waders with Little Ringed Plover and Lapwing rearing small numbers of young together with Redshank falling due to predation. Tufted Duck, Mandarin and Gadwall all fared much better. Black Headed Gulls continued to expand and thrive whilst Common Tern numbers remained stable, with at least 25 young reared. Egyptian Geese also continued to thrive after breeding for the first time last year, rearing 8 young from two broods. Other species that had a good breeding season, either on the reserve or nearby, were Little Owl, Buzzard, Hobby, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Skylark. On the debit side Great Crested Grebe failed to rear any young and there were no spring records of Lesser Whitethroat.

Mid summer started with some excellent records in July (often a less productive month!), a pair of eclipse Garganey and a remarkable group of 15 Black Tailed Godwits, with further records of two singletons before the end of the month. A Wood Sandpiper was a short stayer mid month whilst a long staying Oystercatcher ensured the best year ever for the species. August’s highlight was a brief staying Arctic Tern whilst September was brightened by an Osprey and Red Kite. October traditionally produces some good birds and this year it was the third site record of Black Necked Grebe. The newly installed Owl boxes were occupied by a Barn Owl (till year end) and an influx of Bramblings began.

The year ended with a good build up of geese involving several species, a site record count of 138 Teal, more Pintail, a Ruddy Duck and a group of 13 Golden Plover with Lapwings.

Last but not least many thanks to the growing band of observers who submit records especially including those who provide observers names on the log sheet.

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CHAPTER 4

BOTANICAL SURVEY 2005

Recorder Dr Delphine Hoyle

In addition to the annual quantitative survey of wild flowers on the North and West sides of Colebrook Lake North carried out on 25 May 2005 three further surveys were undertaken.

A survey of grasses (led by June Chatfield) was conducted on 2 June using approximately the same 1 m quadrats as for the wild flower survey. A survey of the recently coppiced woodland next to Colebrook Cut was conducted on 16 August and of the Corner Wood on 25 August. The results of the woodland surveys are given in Table C together with the wild flowers found outside the sample squares

The meadow survey followed the usual method. Ten random samples (1 x 1 m) were surveyed on 25 May 2005, five on the North side and five on the West side of the Lake. (See map at Appendix I).

In each of the sample squares the species present were identified and quantified on the abundance present -

In addition the frequency of occurrence was also recorded -

The abundance and frequency of the wild flowers found in the sample squares are given in Table A.

The survey was carried out a little earlier this year before the grasses took over making it a. little easier to identify the plants. Black knapweed, common mouse-ear, ox-eye daisy, bird’s foot trefoil, ribwort plantain, lesser stitchwort and red and white clover were all abundant. There was more perforate St John’s wort, sheep’s sorrel and common vetch on the North side and ragged robin and common sorrel on the West side

There was little evidence of tree or shrub invasion on the squares.

Nineteen of the original sown species were found in the squares and in the surrounding area.

Table A

Note:  S = Sown species

Table B

Key.
A - Abundant    C - Common     F - Frequent      O - Occasional     R - Rare

Table C

 S = Sown Species

Survey of Grasses

June Chatfield

The site was visited on 2 June 2005 by June Chatfield, Delphine Hoyle and Doreen Dye. The general impression of the meadow area was of patchy vegetation, some lush and tall, other areas with shorter and more sparse growth. There was some indication of moisture contours with wetter zones around the lake and sedges. Rushes and Ragged Robin were present in the damper areas. In many areas herbs, especially clovers , dominated over grasses. Some grasses were in full flower while others were just coming into ear. The frequency of these will change with the season.

The survey of grasses included a general listing of the species together with a more quantitative approach on the ten, 1 metre quadrats, marked out for the wild flower survey the previous week, The results are given in Table B. The area surveyed was the grass flanking two sides of Colebrook Lake North. Tall rank grass along the footpath produced Meadow Fox-tail, Barren Brome, Soft Brome and Yorkshire Fog, all common species and found in flower.

Dry grass on the slope near the entrance to the lake included Bent grass (not yet in flower), Sweet Vernal Grass, Soft Brome, Cock’s-foot, Yorkshire Fog, Perennial Rye-grass and Rough Meadow-grass. Much of this was in sparse growth and some species were present in small quantity. The damp areas near the water had Marsh Fox-tail Grass and a rush with lateral bands of pith which is probably the Sharp-flowered Rush mentioned in the Tenth Annual Report, but it was not sufficiently mature to identify. The Soft Rush was also common along with some sedges that were not identified to species level.

The grass is an interesting mosaic of thick and thin vegetation with different species areas and this is determined by the differences in soil moisture and nutrient content by the path from dog-walking. The most interesting species was the Marsh Fox-tail, a distinctive grey-green grass bent at the nodes. A further survey would be useful later in the season to catch the Bent-grasses and sedges in flower and the rush in fruit. The two most abundant species were Yorkshire Fog that spreads vegetatively forming a mat and can easily exclude other plants and Soft Brome.

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to Irene Draper, Doreen Dye, and Steve and Sheila Farmer for their help with the wild flower survey; June Chatfield and Doreen Dye for the grasses survey; Irene Draper and Peter Scott for the Colebrook Cut woodland survey and Peter Scott for the Corner Wood survey.

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CHAPTER 5

 REPORT ON BUTTERFLIES FOR 2005

Recorder Sue Proudley

The first butterfly records for 2005 were: one Brimstone on 17th March, plus 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Comma and 3 Peacock recorded on 19th March.

Brimstones were slightly down on 2003 peaking at 17 in May before tailing off. The Large White and Small White numbers were lower than on the 2004 records but Green-veined Whites remained about the same. 6 Orange-tips were recorded in April rising to 45 in May.

Small Skipper records improved with 20 seen in July. Only a few Essex and Large Skippers were reported.

Speckled Wood butterflies did well again this year with 50 recorded in July. July was also a good month for the other summer browns, 300 Gatekeepers, 150 Meadow Browns and 60 Ringlets were recorded.

A single Green Hairstreak was recorded in both April and May, 5 Purple Hairstreaks in July but only one Small Copper was found in August. Holly Blue numbers were also down. 6 Common Blue butterflies were seen in June but none in August.

Small Tortoiseshells were seen in twos or threes from March until July and Peacocks did little better. Red Admirals were recorded in low numbers most months until November. Commas were also less abundant than in 2004.

Two Marbled Whites were found at the end of June and there was another sighting in July.

One Painted Lady visited in June and was not recorded again. There were no sightings of Clouded Yellows or any other unusual visitors.

The last butterflies recorded were one Speckled Wood and one Red Admiral on 1st November.

The list of species observed on the reserve in 2005 is as follows:

Number of species 24                                   

I would like to thank 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 following observers contributed to the records in 2005:

Sue Proudley may be contacted on tel: 01252 875536 or

By e-mail: c.proudley(at)btopenworld.com

MOOR GREEN BUTTERFLIES

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CHAPTER 6 

REPORT ON DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES FOR 2005

Recorder Ken Crick

2005 marked a significant change in the method employed for the collection of Odonata data on the Moor Green Lakes site. The five transects used to-date were abandoned as they are now so overgrown that the summer leaf-cover provides almost perpetual shade over much of their length. The resulting data was considered to be no longer representative of the site as a whole.

A day’s count now includes Odonata observed from both hides, a visit to three short lengths of the riverbank where leaf cover remains sparse, and a transect along the northern shoreline of Colebrook Lake North. The cut, which drains water from Grove Lake to Colebrook Lake South, was also included from June onwards.

The reserve was surveyed on 20 occasions between the 29th April and 9th October. Generally all observations were recorded in full sun. Direct comparison with the previous year’s dragonfly activity is difficult because of the changes referred to above. Data collected for 2005 indicates the site continues to provide a viable habitat for 10 species to live out a full life cycle, with 17 species recorded on the wing.

Five members of the group recorded their observations on the hide charts, confirming the presence of many of the species observed during the site survey. In addition Mr. Brendan McCartney photographed a Broad Bodied Chaser, the only recorded sighting of this species on the reserve this year.

My thanks go to those members providing information who were: -

J. Warren,           S. Proudley,              R. Eagling,                B. J. McCartney,           I.H. Brown.

ODONATA CHECKLIST

DAMSELFLIES Zygoptera

*There is little doubt that this species is breeding at Moor Green; I just failed to pick up any exuviae this year

DRAGONFLIES Anisoptera

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CHAPTER 7

REPTILE REPORT FOR 2005

Recorder Peter Scott

Reptile recording on site has two components:

• regular inspections of ‘basking sheets’ (and their surroundings) in two areas:

  a) six sheets within 50 metres of the hibernaculum near Colebrook Lake North. [The five sheets of corrugated iron originally installed have been supplemented by a wooden sheet that was constructed by vandals as a jetty from which they could launch boats. Since being removed and laid among the grass near the hibernaculum, it has proved at least as attractive to snakes as the iron sheets, so is best regarded as an extra sheet];

  b) three sheets spread along a 200-metre Section of the north shore of Grove Lake. [Two of the original five sheets were lost during conservation work in winter 2004/05];

• casual reports of sightings anywhere on the reserve.

Regular inspections

Sixteen sheet-inspection visits were made between April and October. All nine sheets were checked each time. Nine of the visits produced no sightings, but the remainder made up for this by often producing two or more snakes. The overall results are summarised in the following table:

Summary of Surveys of Reptile Basking Tins

The overall frequency was similar to that in the previous two years. Adders, first found at the sheets in 2004, maintained their presence. As usual, the small scale of the survey must be borne in mind when interpreting these results, but it seems that snake numbers are fairly stable. It remains to be seen whether the proximity of the new barn owl box (which was not installed until autumn 2005) has a deterrent effect.

Casual reports

Nine reptiles (comprising seven grass snakes and two adders) were reported, compared with 10 in 2004 and 16 in 2003. The most spectacular find was of an adder inside Colebrook hide (“gently ejected with a stick” by R. Warden and M. Philpot).

Summary

After four years, we can have some confidence that snake numbers on the reserve are not changing greatly. The low frequency (total absence in 2005) of lizard reports is a little puzzling.

I am grateful to those (B. Archer, J. Carpenter, K. Crick, M. Philpot and R. Warden) who reported seeing reptiles. Please take the trouble to note your sightings on the forms in the hides

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CHAPTER 8

MAMMAL REPORT FOR 2005

Recorder Ian White

Dave Williams of Surrey Wildlife Trust completed his mammal Survey for Moor Green Lakes in June 2005 with assistance from myself.

A high number of wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus were trapped, but other species were far less numerous. Fewer animals than expected were caught and his conclusions were that it appears that small mammals are more numerous where there is less disturbance from the general public and grazing animals.

The survey also found evidence of Roe deer Capreolus capreolus, grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis, fox Vulpes vulpes, rabbits Oryctolagus cunniculus, moles Talpa europaea, brown rat Rattus norvegicus and badger Meles meles. Most of these species have also been recorded by members of the group on the mammal recording forms placed in the hides with the exception of badgers. Perhaps too few members enjoy bird watching in the dark and so there is limited opportunity to view the elusive and nocturnal badger. Weasels Mustela nivalis and stoats Mustela erminea are occasionally recorded by members.

The presence of these species indicates a good small mammal and rabbit population. Furthermore two records in 2005 indicated that water vole Arvicola terrestris had been seen on the site. The presence of these animals (which have the dubious distinction being Britain’s most rapidly declining mammal) will be further investigated during 2006.

Ian White may be contacted at – Ian(at)greenboot.co.uk

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CHAPTER 9

REPORT ON NEST BOXES 2005

 Dr. Kevin Briggs

In early February 2004 another 10 wooden nest boxes were replaced with woodcrete nest boxes to reduce predation rates. The total number of boxes on site was 45 and during the breeding season the occupancy rate was 91%.

Great Tit

Egg laying started early this year with the first egg on 5th April and three more pairs initiating clutches within the following 4 days. A period of cold weather then delayed nesting in other pairs for about 10 days. The last clutch was started on 27th April with another late clutch on 16th May, believed to be a repeat from a failed pair. The most unusual occurrence was the attempt of a pair to produce a second brood; this is common on the Continent but not in Great Britain. The pair from the early 5th April clutch fledged 9 young from 10 eggs and then quickly relined the same nest and produced a second clutch of 6 eggs from 21st May. Unfortunately, a spell of wet and windy weather caused the eggs to be deserted on about 3rd June. Of the 13 first clutches monitored, only one pair failed (deserted). The mean laying date was 14th April (standard deviation sd 6.5 days) and the mean clutch size 9.2 (sd 2.0). Over 50% of the clutches held 10 or more eggs and one had 13, which again is quite unusual. Eleven pairs hatched eggs (mean brood size on hatching 7.4, sd 2.6) and fledged young (mean brood size 7.3, sd 2.6). In summation it was a good breeding season with 128 eggs producing 88 fledged young

Blue Tit

Eleven pairs used the nest boxes with the first egg being laid on 7th April. Most pairs waited until 15th April with one late clutch on 1st May. A nest was obviously being used by 2 females as it contained one egg on 17th April but 17 eggs on 25th April. Surprisingly the bird (or birds) hatched 15 eggs and fledged the whole brood of fifteen. The mean laying date was 17th April (sd 6 days) and the mean clutch size 11.0 (sd 2.6). The mean brood size on hatching was 10.1 (sd 2.3) and rather strangely the same for fledging. This was a very good year for this species with 121 eggs producing 112 fledged young. No nests were predated or deserted.

Stock Dove

Nesting attempts for this species were followed from the beginning of February in an attempt to find out how many broods they were producing. Unfortunately, due to an accidental fall I was only able to collect details to July and so probably missed even later broods. Seven pairs laid first clutches starting from 18th February to the end of April. Mean egg-laying date was 16th March (sd 22days) and each laid a clutch of 2 eggs. One clutch was predated and three broods died in the nest due to lack of food, but 3 pairs fledged 5 young.

The second broods were attempted in the same nest boxes but by late April and early May competition for boxes is high from Grey Squirrels and Mandarins. Six pairs attempted second broods laying on average from 5th May (sd 13.5 days). One pair produced a clutch of 3 eggs and successfully fledged all three. The others were mainly predated or the young died.

The third nesting attempted (by 4 pairs) had a mean laying date of 4th June (sd 10.7 days) and from 8 eggs produced only 2 fledged young.

In essence, the second brood did slightly better but overall it is a poor return; 17 breeding attempts, 34 eggs, 30 young hatched but only 12 fledged young.

Mandarin

Mandarin occupied eight nestboxes with the first egg being laid on 5th March. Egg dumping and nest switching by females is common in this species and does lead to large clutches and desertion. Then there is the problem of Grey Squirrels usurping the boxes during laying and incubation.

With ringing it is possible to check the age of the females and also check their movements from box to box. The oldest female (FC 77957) is 4 years old and her own clutch was initiated on 5th March; by 17th March she was incubating as clutch of 24 (12 of her own and 12 from 2 other females, assessed by egg size, volume an colour). Being an experienced bird she hatched and fledged 19 of the eggs. Female FC 77988 was usurped by Grey Squirrels 1 May from a clutch of 9 eggs on Colebrook North and moved 600m to Grove Lake for a repeat clutch of  7 eggs plus 8 from another female. The bird hatched 13 of the eggs. Female FC 77987 was lifted from a clutch of 16 eggs on 14th April and on 24th April and from a clutch of 10 eggs on 24th April in boxes 300m apart. This bird was egg dumping in the first box and on a clutch of her own in the second. The second box failed to hatch but her breeding season was not wasted as 14 of the 16 eggs in the first box hatched, 50% would have been hers. The normal clutch size of a Mandarin is 7 - 12 eggs and by egg dumping in another female’s clutch it is possible for the dumping female to increase her output of young and to do it without any problems of incubation or duckling rearing.

Overall the mean egg laying date was 5th April (sd 23 days), mean clutch size 15.25(sd 7.9). The range was 7 - 30 eggs. From 8 clutches (122 eggs) 4 broods of 63 young hatched (mean brood size 7.8 sd 7.3). Three clutches were usurped by squirrels and one clutch of 30 eggs deserted.

No Tawny Owls used the boxes this year, which is surprising as it was such a good vole year. Birds were seen at the back of Grove Lake where there are many excellent natural sites in the old alders. Little Owl, again present on site, did not use the boxes; this could be that they are all in use by the time they naturally start to breed. The decline in Little Owl nest box use has been matched by the increase in Mandarin numbers.

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APPENDIX A

PROFILE OF THE RESERVE

The Moor Green Lakes Nature 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 I.

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 CEMEX Ltd., Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership 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 CEMEX. 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 CEMEX which overlook respectively Colebrook Lake North and Grove Lake (see map at Appendix I). 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 viewing 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 SU805 628). 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).

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APPENDIX B

EVERSLEY GRAVEL PITS (INC MOOR GREEN LAKES RESERVE)

ANNUAL BIRD REPORT 2005

LITTLE GREBE Resident and winter visitor. During the breeding season seven pairs were present in the Fox lane area rearing at least one brood. A maxima of 27 were recorded on Aug.30th.

Monthly maxima:

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Common resident. A maximum of 22 was recorded on March 14th. A total of four pairs were present during the summer, but breeding was unsuccessful.

Monthly maxima:

BLACK NECKED GREBE Rare visitor. One was present on Oct.7th to 9th on the Hampshire new workings (ML et al). The third site record the last of which was a long staying bird in 2003.

CORMORANT Common winter visitor that oversummers in small numbers. Recorded in all months with a site record count of 98 on Jan. 7th (BMA).

Monthly maxima:

LITTLE EGRET Regular visitor with increasing frequency. A substantial increase in records relating to birds being present in the Blackwater Valley. Recorded in all months except April, May, August and September. Records on 60 dates relating to 1/3 birds except four were present Jan.9th and Dec.1st.

GREY HERON Common resident.

Monthly maxima:

MUTE SWAN Common resident and winter visitor. Three pairs bred rearing six young.

Monthly maxima:

GREYLAG GOOSE Common visitor numbers increasing. A maximum of  74 on Sept.24th (JMC) was a site record count.

Monthly maxima:

SNOW GOOSE Resident with numbers declining. In the early and late winter periods up to 6 and 5 birds were present respectively, declining to 4 birds by the year end. Although birds were present on the site in summer there was no evidence of breeding.

CANADA GOOSE Abundant resident.

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BARNACLE GOOSE Very common resident. One pair (cf 8 in 2004) reared one young.

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EGYPTIAN GOOSE Resident in increasing numbers. Two pairs attempted breeding, one successfully rearing broods of 2 and 6 the latter of which hatched in late October. The second consecutive year in which breeding has occurred. The count of 66 on Oct.28th was a site record (BMA).

Monthly maxima:

SHELDUCK Regular visitor. Recorded as follows: 2, April 5th, 1, April 9th and 1, August 4th.

MANDARIN Common summer visitor resident in small numbers. At least four pairs bred successfully including  use of nest boxes. Young were seen on June 3rd.

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WIGEON Very common winter visitor. Birds were recorded up to April 7th and from Aug. 11th. Other records were of singletons on May 5th and July 11th to 12th.The maximum count was of 432 on Dec.21st.

Monthly maxima:

GADWALL Very common winter visitor that breeds in small numbers. A minimum of 11 males over-summered with up to three females with breeding successful. At least two broods of four and ten young were reared. The fourth successive year that breeding has been confirmed. The maximum count was of 174 on Nov.21st.

Monthly maxima:

TEAL Common winter visitor that occasionally summers. The count of 138 on Dec.31st was a site record (IHB).

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MALLARD Common resident and winter visitor. Numbers are declining.

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GARGANEY Scarce visitor. A pair in eclipse were present on July 7th (BMA, RMW, IHB). Recorded in three of the last four years.

PINTAIL Regular winter visitor. A good year, recorded as follows: Two males, Jan.1st to 3rd; 1, Jan.19th; 1 male Oct.24th; two, one female, one imm male from Dec.16th to year end. Records in mid winter are becoming annual.

SHOVELER Common winter visitor. Recorded until April 24th and from Aug.6th. The maximum count was of 49 on Feb.5th

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