Freshwater Invertebrates

The dominant habitat at Moor Green Lakes is the water occupying by far the greatest surface area. Visitors appreciate the birds on and around the water. Get exited when they see the occasional mammal swim to or from the islands and drink in the changing seasons as the wide variety of plants sprout, flower and fruit. Not many visitors will give much thought to what is going on beneath the water. Below its surface, around the margins is a jungle of aquatic plants. As the water deepens and less light penetrates the plants species reduce and become weaker.  

In this jungle lurk many carnivores and browsers. A world mainly in miniature often best viewed through a lens. This world despite the small size of its inhabitants is very important. The variety and abundance of freshwater invertebrates is our best indication of water quality and provides a valuable food source for many of the birds seen on or around the water margins. The emerging insects are predated from the air by birds such as Sand and House Martins, with Hobbies having a particular penchant for Dragonflies. Otters also are known to have a liking for dragonfly larva.

 Recording

Freshwater invertebrate recording is not an annual event. The first report on freshwater invertebrates appeared in our eighth annual report (2000), when we were fortunate to have the expert input of Dr. C. J Bennett. Our ninth annual report (2001) contains the results of a beetle and spider survey conducted by the widely respected entomologist Mr. R Merritt which included many freshwater invertebrates.  Our eighth annual report (2000) also included relevant extracts of an invertebrate report commissioned through Bracknell Forest Borough Council and conducted by Mr. Matt Smith which also listed freshwater invertebrates found at Moor Green Lakes. Additional records are held by the dragonfly recorder who nets when ever a suitable opportunity presents itself. The site has both still and running water habitats which have their own specialist invertebrate communities.

Early in June 2006 Des Sussex, Tim Mockridge and Ken Crick netted in all six scrapes on Long Island.

Many of the invertebrates listed as present at Moor Green Lakes or close family members, can be found in one of two currently available pocket guides:

• Oxford Natural History, Small Freshwater Creatures Lars-Henrik Olsen Jakob Sunesen and Bente Vita Pedersen.

• Collins Guide, Freshwater Life Britain and Northern Europe Malcolm Greenhalgh and Denys Ovenden.