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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE SEVENTEENTH REPORT OF THE

MOOR GREEN LAKES GROUP

 Iain Oldcorn

It is a pleasure to introduce this annual report which demonstrates a further year of solid effort by all those involved with the reserve.

Two improvements were made to the facilities for visitors: a bench was installed, conveniently placed for watching activities at the bird feeders and a second viewing screen was installed, overlooking the western end of Grove Lake.

Ian Brown has produced another detailed report on birds on the Eversley Gravel Pits and in it he highlights some new reserve records though on the down-side Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns had another poor breeding season.  In his report on nesting success Bruce Archer contrasts the fortunes of the Great Tits and Blue Tits.

Comprehensive reports are also provided by: Peter Scott (Flora), Sue Proudley (Butterflies), Ken Crick (Dragonflies and Damselflies), Colin Proudley (Moths) and Colin Bean (Reptiles).

Sue Proudley has decided to step down from her role as Butterfly recorder after 10 years and we are grateful to John and Rachel Westmacott for taking over this important task.

We should also not forget some of the unsung heroes such as Bruce Archer who also manages to find the time to maintain our web site (www.mglg.org.uk) in a timely fashion and Chris Rose who has edited the annual report and prepared it for publication for over 10 years.  On a personal basis, I am grateful for Peter Scott’s smooth hand over to me.

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CHAPTER 2

Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve

BVCP Site Management Report 2009

Dr Sue Dent

Countryside and Access Officer

Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership

The following notes relate to the following map, which group the tasks by activity (colour of key in brackets) to show where the practical site management has been conducted.

Clearing & mowing paths (yellow)

In addition to work maintaining the public footpaths and bridleway, we worked hard to maintain access for rangers and surveyors around the main reserve, including opening up a new foot track along the north side of Grove Lake to make it easier to track down the errant cows.

Water-side vegetation cleared / treated (pale green)

As you can see on the map we cleared an exceptional length of water-side vegetation to open up the shoreline, encompassing most of the northern shore of Colebrook Lake North. Wherever possible we treated with herbicide to reduce scrub regeneration and allow us to make some headway. The southern side of Ken’s ditch (which is a small ditch running parallel to Colebrook Cut and the river linking Colebrook and Grove Lakes) was thinned to encourage back Golden-ringed Dragonflies.

Construction  (pink)

The volunteers undertook several construction projects which are listed in the map key, the highlights included installing a bench overlooking the paddock, replacing the tern island sand bags and constructing 75m of bridleway fencing.  A new bird-viewing screen was constructed on Grove Lake using materials paid for by a MGLG member, and erected by a corporate group and students.  Also the new bridge over the ditch on Long Island, will give much improved access for men and machines and allow us to manage the scrub and grassland on the south side of the island more effectively.

Island Clearance (dark green)

We cleared vegetation from Tern, Plover and Sandpiper islands and either burnt the debris on site or ferried it off in the boat.

Hay cut meadow (orange)

The meadow on the NW corner of long island opposite Colebrook Hide has been haycut with the motorscythe to encourage a more varied flora. The new cut and collect mower was put to good use hay-cutting the paddock. 

Thinned scrape vegetation (red)

Vegetation was cleared out in two scrapes on Long Island and by Grove Hide to maintain some open water for wading birds. This year the cattle had ‘accidental’ access to the front of Grove Hide but this worked well to suppress vegetation growth and may be encouraged in future.

Other Management

Simon Weeks and his team have done a great job keeping an eye on the cattle while they were on site.  Alex Newman also organised the mink control with Peter Scott & Les Thorn.  Mink were trapped from August to December resulting in the humane killing of three mink, with monitoring continuing.

The use of tree guards to protect the newly coppiced stools in the viewing slots from deer grazing continues to work well. The relocation of reeds to Manor Farm from Grove Scrape is working well with some newly planted tubers becoming established. To mitigate the water level fluctuations at Manor Farm, future areas will be planted across different water levels.

BVCP Ranger Report 2009

Hi, I’m Stuart and as the new Blackwater Valley Ranger for Moor Green. Thank you to all the volunteers who have helped us achieve so much on practical conservation tasks. A summary is shown below with the figures for 2008 and 2009.  This doesn’t include other visits such as cattle checking and mink raft surveying.

The tasks are predominantly made up of volunteers on the regular Sunday MGLG and Tues Blackwater Valley volunteers. The highlight was the September Sunday task when 21 volunteers joined us for a BBQ and did a great job of cutting back the NW shore of Colebrook North.

This year the number of corporate and student volunteers tasks rose from 8 in 2008 to 99 in 2009. We were joined by 7 corporate groups including Lilly Pharmaceuticals, Environment Agency and Genesys Communications.  They enabled us to tackle several ‘extra’ projects this year including replacing the bridleway fence, constructing the Grove screen and felling alder on the NW of Grove Lake.  In addition countryside students from Merrist Wood, Guildford College provided a trained team which was really useful on smaller tasks, such as re-routing the fence around Grove screen.

Moor Green was visited 11 times on ranger patrols to carry out routine maintenance onsite, including mowing paths and the paddock, chainsawing dangerous trees, repairing fences and following up on public reports. Peter Scott valiantly helped to fix the Colebrook Hide roof over Christmas in the pouring rain. These visits exclude any behind the scenes preparation, cow or mink checking, admin or meetings.

Proportion of Conservation Tasks for 2009

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CHAPTER 3

 REPORT ON BIRDS FOR 2009

Recorder: Ian Brown

During the year 137 species were recorded of which 67 were present in suitable breeding habitat in the summer. There was one additional species added to the site list, Raven with two sightings (January and March). Ten years ago this would not have seemed possible but recent westward expansion means we may well see this species increasingly in the future! The site list now stands at 210 species recorded. On the plus side Grey Heron bred for the second consecutive year with one pair successfully rearing young. Greylag and Egyptian Geese, continued to be successful breeders and in autumn resident birds were significantly swelled with large numbers roosting including record site counts of 156 and 143 respectively. Ringed Plover were present for extended periods of the summer in suitable breeding habitat and although there was no evidence of breeding it fosters hope they may return to breed after an absence of ten years. On the debit side Sand Martin did not attempt to breed.

In the early winter period waterfowl numbers were generally at slightly higher than average levels including a site record count of 360 Tufted Duck in February. Cold weather patterns in the early year gave rise to numerous highlights including Bittern, White Fronted Goose (first record for 19 years!), Smew, Ruff, Jack Snipe, and Red Crested Pochard. In addition, the Hen Harrier observed at the end of 2008 also revisited the site on several occasions including during a site work party! Little Egret’s and Peregrine continued to be regular visitors.

Spring began with the first returning waders in mid March with Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover and Redshank recorded by early April. Buzzards were very active and nest building was observed on site but breeding not suspected. Wader passage was generally light but May highlights included Whimbrel, Sanderling and Grey Plover. The most notable site record of the year also occurred in this month when two lucky observers had brief views of the site’s second Whiskered Tern over Colebrook North. Other spring birds included Black Tern, Grasshopper Warbler and increasing sightings of Red Kite. An unexpected record was an oversummering male Wigeon!

As per normal the breeding season was one of mixed success with waders again doing poorly. Only Little Ringed Plover were definitely successful as Redshank failed and Lapwing had broods of young but all failed to apparently survive. Waterfowl generally did much better with again very good numbers of Tufted Duck (43) reared and Mandarin did moderately well as did Egyptian and Greylag Geese.  Both Little and Great Crested Grebe bred successfully. Black Headed Gull and Common Tern again largely failed (each raised very small numbers of young) for the fourth year in succession with Tern Island again suffering disturbance and predation.  Barn Owls did not succeed but Little Owls did much better. Other species that had a good breeding season either on the reserve or nearby were Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Skylark and Yellowhammer.

Wader passage started in late June featuring Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper, and Sanderling before the end of July. In August there was Black Tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Oystercatcher and Little Stint.  Highlight of the autumn was two separate records of Marsh Harrier, only the second and third for the site and passerine passage included Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher. In October there was a ‘two day’ Rock Pipit that gave obliging views as it frequented the shingle spit on Manor lake and the earliest returning Goosander.

The year ended with Golden Plover, Pintail, returning Little Egrets, but the highlight was undoubtedly three Bewick’s Swan that remained for a day on Colebrook North during cold weather, sufficient for many observers to catch up with this elusive site species!

Again my thanks go to the band of observers who submit records especially including those who provide observers names on the log sheet (it is helpful if there is a need to follow up on any record).

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CHAPTER 4

MOOR GREEN LAKES RINGING PROJECT 2009 REPORT

Bruce Archer

This ringing report is an explanation of why ringing did not occur in 2009.

As usual Black-headed Gulls began to congregate on Tern Island from February onward and Common Terns began to arrive from the 10th April. By the end of April there were at least 10 Common Terns and 135 Black-headed Gulls in residence on Tern Island.

All went well with clement weather throughout May. An estimated 75 Gull nests and 8 Tern nests were being incubated. About two-thirds of Tern Island is fenced off to prevent ground predators from pillaging the nests. Most of the Gulls nests were within the fenced area and the Terns, which start nesting a bit later, were relegated to the area outside.  Moorhens, Tufted Ducks and a Little Ringed Plover also nested on the Island. A few Gulls occupied Sandpiper Island on Colbrook Lake South and probably raised 2 or 3 young.

On the 4th June, it was immediately clear that something was seriously wrong; there were very few Gulls on nests. The Terns and the Little Ringed Plover nesting outside the fence were still there, but most of the gulls on Tern Island and Sandpiper Island were missing. Over the next few days it became apparent that about 50 Black-headed Gull nests had been destroyed. It was not clear what had caused the problem. Things seemed settled among the remaining Gulls and a few Terns appeared to produce replacement eggs.

On the 18th June several of the Terns, which were on the outside of the fence, were no longer on nests, only one or 2 of the 8 or so nests remained. Terns can be very aggressive, and readily attack predators, so something determined had been at work.

Two visits were planned to Tern Island to ring the Terns and Gulls, but this was looking less productive as time passed. On the 23rd of June a boat trip to Tern Island found: a Moorhen nest with 3 eggs outside the fence, inside the fenced area were 3 Tufted Duck nests, two of which contained broken egg shells, and one with 8 warm eggs. There were 3 Gull nests with 1, 3 and 3 eggs (3 in the norm) and one Tern nest with 2 eggs (the norm for Terns). During the next week another Gull and a Tern restarted nests on the Island.

On the morning of the 6th July none of the nests were occupied. There were just a few Terns and Gulls in the area. Over the next few days all of these disappeared from the Tern Island.

The pattern of overnight or early morning raids destroying a large number of nests is inconsistent with an avian predator, such as Crows, Jackdaws or Herons.  It is most likely that feral American Mink were responsible. They have been seen in the area this year and there footprints have been present in the monitoring rafts on Colebrook and Grove Lakes.

During the visit to the Island on 23rd June it was apparent the there were some gaps in the fencing where the gravel has washed away from the bottom of the fence, and also the netting was rusting. There were several holes which Mink could have used to get inside the fenced area.

The plan for this winter is to replace at least the lower part of the fencing on Tern Island and to do some work to repair the eroded Island edges close to the fencing, or perhaps move the fence away from the waters edge.

This is the third year of declining breeding results on Tern Island and it would be a real shame if the established nesting colony of Gulls and Terns is lost.

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CHAPTER 5

REPORT ON NESTBOXES 2009

Bruce Archer 

Forty-seven nest boxes were monitored with 13 visits between 16th February and 18th June taking 26 hours. There are 31 woodcrete Tit boxes, 14 large wooden boxes used by Stock Doves, Mandarin Ducks or Grey Squirrels, and 2 open fronted boxes which were not used by anything this year. In addition there are 2 Barn Owl boxes. I am indebted to Les Thorn for his help with repairing and monitoring the nest boxes.

Five of the nest boxes are on the Manor Farm site (the new workings), the remaining 42 are on the Reserve and along the bridleway. 36 boxes were occupied with 42 nesting attempts, 32 of which were successful.

In 2009 a total of 364 eggs were laid in the boxes being monitored and 246 birds left the nests. This was better than the previous two years when 159 young left the boxes in 2008 and 177 in 2007. This reflects the favourable weather and food available during the breeding period this year.

The following table summarises the results for each species during the last three years. The average dates are shown.

The table at the end of this report shows data for each nest and the statistical analysis of the results for each species in 2009.

Blue Tit

Blue Tits had a very poor year with just 5 nesting attempts resulting in 27 young fledging from 3 of these nests. The nest in box 1 failed during incubation of 11 eggs and a late replacement clutch resulted in 6 young fledging; which has skewed the average dates somewhat.

Great Tit

The Great Tits extended their dominance of the nest boxes at the expense of the Blue Tits as can be seen from the above tabulated results. It is noticeable that the in previous years the mean first egg, hatch and fledge dates are similar for each species, but in 2009 Great Tits seemed to start earlier. I don’t know why this is happening. It is possible that artificial feeding has had an effect, or maybe the clement spring weather had a greater benefit for Great Tits than Blue Tits.

Mandarin Duck

There were 3 successful Mandarin nests from 4 attempts in 2009, producing 33 young. Box 39 north of Colebrook Lake appeared to be the favourite with the earliest laying date for the last 3 years. It was used for a second brood this year, which was ultimately abandoned with 10 eggs in it, and taken over by Stock Doves. The successful nests were in boxes used by Mandarins last year; one was taken over from a pair of Stock Doves after they had laid their usual 2 eggs.  During August 4 juvenile Mandarins with an adult female were seen on the East Fen (part of the Manor Farm site, west of the Reserve). These were last seen on the 24th, when they were capable of flight. They could have come from one of the nests boxes, or a natural nest site nearby.

Stock Dove

Stock Doves normally lay just two eggs in a nest, but can nest from February until October; so the monitoring through spring was inevitably incomplete. Seven boxes contained nests in 2009, 4 of which hatched 2 young in each, and 5 young were fledged from 3 of these boxes. A pair of Stock Doves nested in the Barn Owl box north of Colebrook Lake – 2 small young were present on 11th June when the box was inspected.

Barn Owl

The Barn Owl boxes were checked on 11th June by a licensed inspector. The box by Colebrook Lake was in use by Stock Doves. The Manor Farm (new workings) box was occupied by an adult Barn Owl, but no sign of breeding for the second year running.

Kestrel

Kestrels bred in the top section of the Barn Owl box on the Manor Farm, a pair of adults and three eggs were found in the top section on the 11th June visit. Three juvenile Kestrels were present in the area during the early summer.

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CHAPTER 6

BOTANICAL SURVEY 2009

Peter Scott

Quantitative surveys of the meadow areas on the north and west sides of Colebrook Lake North have been undertaken since 1997. The method used is based on the National Vegetation Classification. Ten one-metre-square quadrats are identified, five on each side of the lake. In 2009 two visits were made, in June and July.

In each of the sample squares the species present were identified and quantified by the area of the quadrat they covered -

In addition the frequency of occurrence was also recorded -

Table A gives the frequency and abundance of the thirty-seven species other than grasses (which were not surveyed) found in the quadrats. This is two more than were found in 2008.

The most frequent and/or abundant species were, as in most previous years, Black Knapweed, Lady’s Bedstraw, Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill, Oxeye Daisy (mostly on the north bank), Lesser Stitchwort, Ribwort Plantain and Red Clover.  Common Mouse-ear, having become very abundant in 2008, was again present in most quadrats, while Smooth Tare made something of a comeback after decreasing in 2008.  Very few orchids have ever been found on the reserve, so a particularly pleasing find (close to but not in the quadrats, and hence not included in table A) was a single plant of Common Spotted-orchid.

Over the last few years, plants have been recorded over enough of the reserve for a fairly meaningful comparison to be made with the early years, when comprehensive surveys were mounted.  Appendix (F) shows the results of this comparison.  Altogether 294 species have been recorded at some time.  Of these, 167 species were noted both in the early 1990s and recently.  An additional 66 were seen only in the earlier period, while 61 ‘new’ species have been found in the last five years.

These figures should be viewed with some caution, as no doubt some species have been overlooked.  Some of the apparent ‘losses’ are surprising and may well be the result of insufficient survey effort.  I will try to ‘refind’ some of these.  A couple of the losses since the reserve’s early days are definite and regrettable.  Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) was among the wild flowers planted around Colebrook Lake during restoration, but was never really suitable for our soil conditions and has not been seen for many years.  The only real ‘rarity’ ever found was Pillwort (Pilularia globulifera), which was present in Grove scrape for a while.  Although efforts were made to maintain the disturbed ground that it needs, it dwindled and vanished a few years ago.  Conversely, some of the ‘gains’ are probably real, as seeds can arrive from outside the reserve by various means at almost any time.

I am grateful to Steve Farmer and Roger Woof for their help with the quadrat surveys.

Table A.  Quadrat Surveys

Note:  S = Sown species

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CHAPTER 7

REPORT ON BUTTERFLIES FOR 2009

Recorder Sue Proudley

The first butterflies recorded in 2009 were: - 2 Brimstones on the15th March. A Red Admiral, 2 Brimstones, 3 Peacocks and 10 Commas were recorded on 30th March.

In April, White butterfly numbers were up on the previous year to 12 Brimstones, 20 Orange Tips, 2 Large Whites, 2 Small Whites and 5 Green-veined Whites. 23 Speckled Woods, 11 Peacocks, 7 Commas and one Small Copper were also seen in April.

In May The Painted Lady invasion reached Moor Green with 14 recorded on 28th May. 4 Common Blues and a Green Hairstreak joined the Whites, Peacocks, Commas and Speckled Woods.

31 Large Skippers were recorded in June and 2 in July. Just 2 Small were recorded in June and again in July. One Essex skipper was recorded in July.

A single Small Copper was seen in April, June and September and 2 in July. 4 Common Blues were recorded in May and again in July with 2 recorded in June and August. A single Holly Blue was recorded in September.

2 Purple Hairstreaks were seen in June, 6 in July and 5 in August.

Meadow Browns peaked at 30 in July, Gatekeepers at 32 and Ringlets at 80.

Speckled Woods were seen from April to October in good numbers. Commas showed very well from March until October with 29 seen in June and a record 40 in July.

2 Marbled Whites were recorded in June and 1 in July. There were no Clouded Yellows.  Painted Ladies were seen regularly throughout the summer with 38 recorded in July.   

3 Peacocks, 1 Comma, 1 Painted Lady and 3 Speckled Woods were seen in October. The last butterfly recorded was a Speckled Wood on 25th October.

The list of species observed on the reserve in 2009 is as follows:

I would like to thank John and Rachel Westmacott who took over the recording for me between May and September and to Ruth Nobbs for the comprehensive spreadsheet she sent me. My thanks also to all those who have taken the trouble to record their observations.

The following observers contributed to the records in 2009: 

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 8

REPORT ON DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES FOR 2009

 Ken Crick

Colebrook hide chart was well populated with data this year. My thanks go out to all those who contributed data. Unfortunately 5 Days worth of data was un-attributable as no signature or initials were provided. All recorders are unable to use data that cannot be attributed to the observer. Please at least initial the observations you have taken the trouble to record.

Both Damselflies and Dragonflies provided 8 species on the wing. All but the Emerald Damselfly and Beautiful Demoiselle probably bred on site. Conclusive proof of full life cycle achievement existed for only three species. The poor success rate at locating exuvia was not restricted to Moor Green. With the exception of my own garden pond I had great difficulty locating exuvia across my whole survey area.

My thanks go to Ian Brown, John Warren and AP, for their contributions

ODONATA CHECKLIST

2009

 DAMSELFLIES Zygoptera

 DRAGONFLIES Anisoptera

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CHAPTER 9

REPORT ON MOTHS FOR 2009

This year was unfortunate for us, holidays, car park closure due to the required relaying of the bridle path and worse of all, generator failures causing suspension of trapping. I have since purchased a new generator which should overcome this problem.

We only managed three trapping evenings. We trapped on the 24th April. 30th May and the19th September, one of the National Moth Nights for 2009.

Even with the low number of trapping evenings, we added 19 new moth species to the Moor Green Moth List. These consisted of 7micro moths and 12 macro moths. The reserve moth list now numbers 215 species. This should be added to during each future year.

Now that we have records for four years 1995 2007 to 2009, certain comparisons can be made using the data available. For example, in 1995 the list held 62 species of moth, of these only 10 species have been seen in each trapping year since.

Another comparison with 1995 is that of the 62 species 31 species have not been seen since that year. Where have they gone? Have we lost them or just missed catching them again? We shall see, maybe some will turn up during 2010.

We hope 2010 will turn out to be a better year for us with an increase in trapping.

Anyone interested in joining us, please contact Colin Proudley 01252-875536 for dates and times.

All moths were released at Moor Green after being identified

The complete list follows this report.

Moor Green Moths

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CHAPTER 10

REPTILE REPORT FOR 2009

Chris Bean

Reptile recording on site has two components:

1. regular inspections of ‘basking sheets’ (and their surroundings) in two areas:
a) six sheets within 50 metres of the hibernaculum near Colebrook Lake North;
b) six sheets on the north shore of Grove lake;

2. casual reports of sightings anywhere on the reserve.

Regular inspections

Fifteen visits to the site were made between 8 April and 12 October 2009.  All sheets were checked at each visit.  In total, fourteen reptiles (5 Adders and 9 Grass snakes) were seen during those visits.   The Adder sightings were all under Sheet 1 - located adjacent to the hibernaculum and was probably the same reptile – a mature female.  All the Grass snakes were seen under three of the sheets on the north shore of Grove Lake - sheet numbers 7 (1 mature), 9  (5 mature) and 12 (1 adult 2 juvenile) respectively.  No snake skins were found during the course of the site visits.  The results are summarised in the following table:

Summary of Surveys of Reptile Basking Tins

This year saw the highest number of reptile sightings since 2005.  Although no Grass snakes were seen under the sheets on the north bank of Colebrook Lake, the 5 casual sighting recorded  at the Colebrook Lake Hide (see below) indicate that the reptiles are present in the area – at least along the Western fringe of the lake

Casual reports

Five reptiles, all Grass snakes, were reported (all at the Colebrook hide) and I am grateful to members - Gordon Duffin, MGP, CD & JD and Stuart Croft (Blackwater Countryside Partnership Ranger) who provided the information.

Summary

The increased number of reptiles recorded in 2009 under the basking sheets, together with the increased numbers of casual sighting reports (5 compared to 1 in 2008), is a welcome sign.  It can only be hoped that this increase in reptile sightings will continue in 2010 and is an indication of a growing population.  Time will tell.  I would ask members not to forget report sightings of reptiles either on the form in the hides or direct to me on cbimages@ntlworld.com.

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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 K.

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, Wokingham District Council 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 I. 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 K). 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 SU805628). The shortest access to the Grove Lake hide is from the Rambler's Car Park at the entrance to the Horseshoe Lake Water Sports Centre off Mill Lane (grid reference SU820620).

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APPENDIX B

EVERSLEY GRAVEL PITS (INC MOOR GREEN LAKES RESERVE)

ANNUAL BIRD REPORT 2009

ANNUAL BIRD REPORT  FOR 2009

LITTLE GREBE Resident and winter visitor. During the breeding season three pairs were present rearing one young.

Monthly maxima:

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

Common resident. A maxima of 25 were recorded on Oct.21st. A total of six pairs were present during the summer rearing a total of 8 young.

Monthly maxima:

CORMORANT

Common winter visitor that over-summers in small numbers.  A ringing return related to a bird observed on site on 25th November 2009 that had been ringed as a chick at Abberton Reservoir, Essex on 26th April 2009.

Monthly maxima:

BITTERN

Scarce visitor. One was seen briefly in flight at dusk over Grove on Jan.8th before landing in reeds (JMC). The first record since 2002.

LITTLE EGRET

Regular visitor with increasing frequency. In the early year 1/2 birds were recorded on 16 dates until Apr.5th. In the late year recorded from Sept.25th till the year end, 1/2 birds were recorded on 37 dates.

GREY HERON

Common resident. One pair successfully reared at least one young. Birds were on eggs from mid March, with young hatching in late April. The second consecutive year breeding has occurred. Maxima 4, Nov.21st.

MUTE SWAN

Common resident and winter visitor. At least three pairs reared 13 young.

Monthly maxima:

BEWICK’S SWAN

Rare visitor. Three adults were present on Dec.20th (IHB et al). Birds were on ice on CLN before leaving W late in the day. Only the third site record, the last being in 1996.

WHITE FRONTED GOOSE

Rare visitor. Four flew over on Jan.21st (CRG). These birds were almost certainly the same birds present in the early year at Tundry Pond (Hants). The first record since 1990.

GREYLAG GOOSE

Common visitor numbers increasing, breeds in small numbers. Two pairs bred (cf 2 in 2008) rearing a total of five young from two broods. A roost count of 156 on Sept.15th was a site record (JMC).

Monthly maxima:

SNOW GOOSE

Resident with numbers sharply declining. One individual was present intermittently from March to November with two on Mar.7th and May 3rd.

CANADA GOOSE