DOCSLIB.ORG

Biodiversity News a Newsletter for Wokingham’S Biodiversity Forum

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biodiversity News a Newsletter for Wokingham’S Biodiversity Forum Wokingham District Council Biodiversity News A Newsletter for Wokingham’s Biodiversity Forum January 2003 Return of the Native! Volume 1,Issue Otters are back on the River Loddon the use of organochlorine pesticides used 5 after experts verified the first confirmed in farming for seed dressing and sheep evidence in Berkshire in decades. They dips, entering their bloodstream and af- had disappeared from the region and fecting fertility. Other factors include The Wokingham most of the UK by the late 1970's and the loss of suitable habitat and distur- Biodiversity Forum although there had been a few reports bance of breeding sites by people and of sightings in the Berkshire area over especially dogs. For a number of years aims to enhance the the last few years, none had been con- now since the phasing out of the pesti- Districts biodiversity firmed. News of the sighting was re- cides otters have been slowly re- by ; - ported to the Wildlife Trusts just before populating their original range from Christmas when a member of the public strongholds in the south-west and west of Promoting reported seeing a dead otter on a road the country. The otter is internationally Awareness near Wokingham. However, when offi- endangered and consequently it is understanding and a cers from Surrey Wildlife Trust and the protected under European law. wider perspective of Environment Agency arrived on the biodiversity in Forum scene, they couldn’t find a body, but David Webb from the Environment member groups. decided to investigate the surrounding Agency said, "We have worked in area and found many fresh otter signs. partnership with Thames Water to pro- vide suitable habitat to enable otters to Enhancing the level Chris Matcham, Surrey Wildlife Trust's recolonise this area naturally. Otters are Otters & Rivers Project Officer, explains, a good indicator of a healthy water envi- of skills and "There had been some flooding since the ronment as they need a plentiful supply knowledge within otter road kill had been reported, so we of fish and encouraging them back into Forum member could tell these droppings and tracks had our region is a major success for local groups. been made recently and therefore were conservation." from another otter." Gary Cowan lead Member for Increasing Otter surveyors look out for tell-tale signs Environmental Services at Wokingham community such as tracks and spraint (otter District Council added, "Our Countryside involvement in droppings!) which indicate that otters Service has put in a total of seven holts biodiversity within have been present in the area. Otters along the Lower Loddon and hopefully the district. can have a home range of up to 40km along a river and this, along with their our volunteers and UK BIODIVERSITY nocturnal behavior and shy, secretive countryside rang- nature, means that it is unlikely that you ers will now feel will see one in the wild. very proud that their hard work Otters were once common throughout may have encour- the UK in the 1950’s but by the late aged these 1970’s they were virtually extinct in many animals to return English counties. It is thought this dra- to Wokingham”. matic population crash was the result of VARIETY OF LIFE Biodiversity News Volume 1,Issue 5 River Loddon Barn Owl Nestbox Project Underway again In November of this year Wokingham converting barns can be a lucrative op- District Council in partnership with Hurst tion for an impoverished farming com- Parish Council the Environment Agency, munity. In addition with the rise in traffic the Barn Owl Conservation Network in the area more barn owls are killed, If anyone is interested in (BOCN) and local landowners erected a road deaths accounted for 50-60% of getting involved in helping further 13 barn owl nestboxes within the known barn owl mortality. All birds, their Wokingham area. The new boxes are in nests and eggs are protected by law un- barn owls throughout the the Hurst (5), Barkham (2), Swallowfield der the Wildlife and Countryside Act district or would like to (4) Arborfield (1) and Sindlesham (1). 1981 (as amended). Barn owls are listed help monitor these new They build on a successful project started on schedule 1 which gives them special boxes, then please by Sue Dewar (BOCN) and the Environ- protection. contact Andy Glencross as ment Agency in the early 1990’s. Indeed soon as possible. during the installation process we were Colin Shawyer (BOCN) is hoping to able to confirm that barn owls were nest- return to Wokingham to check the boxes ing in one of Sue’s old boxes in Swal- for signs of barn owl residence or lowfield. breeding. There will be a limited number places available for those wishing to train Barn owls are thought to have declined for their barn owl survey licence to dis- nationally by 70% since the 1930’s, in turb (but not ring) barn owl at a nest site, Wokingham there are thought to be only if you are interested then please contact a handful of breeding pairs. Old barns Andy Glencross at the address overleaf favoured by owls for roosting are particu- larly under pressure in the southeast, where house prices are soaring and Local School scoops £1000 If anyone is interested in Masterfoods Award attending a workshop on fund raising and grant Hawthorns Primary School has scooped Centre (Silver Acorn - £150), Earley applications please the top accolade in the prestigious Crescent Community Association lcontact Andy Glencross Masterfoods Awards for the Environment (Bronze acorn award £100) and Spen- in Berkshire, picking up a £1000 cash cers Wood Allotment Gardeners (Bronze prize. acorn award £100). Other cash winners in the schools cate- Dorothy Morley Awards gory were Emmbrook Infant School, Again Wokingham groups did very well in Polehampton Junior School, Robert the second DM Awards with the Friends Piggott Infant School, St Paul's CE of Ruscombe woods getting second prize Junior School and Earley St Peter's in the community groups section and Primary School. A Certificate of Nine Mile Ride School taking second Excellence was presented to Palmer prize in the schools section. In addition Junior School and a Certificate of Com- Robert Piggott School received a runners mendation to Loddon Infant School. up certificate. In this year's new community group Congratulations to all involved, keep up category, cash prizes went to Holt Copse the good work and if any of you need Conservation Volunteers (Golden Oak ideas as to how to spend the money, call award - £250), Friends of Highwood LNR Andy Glencross (Silver Acorn Award - £150), Pinewood Biodiversity News Volume 1,Issue 5 Does Your Site Need Surveying? Katrin Pengelley has recently joined the information for a group managing a site Biodiversity Forum and has an interest and might help to guide future site man- and skills in vegetation surveying. She is agement plans. If you would like her to Contact Andy Glencross to keen to help out with surveys as a volun- survey your site next year then please get your site surveyed teer in the Wokingham area next Spring contact Andy Glencross for details. next year. onwards. This would be extremely useful Saving The Silver Studded Blue In Berkshire. November saw the inaugural meeting of recorded from no more than a dozen the Berkshire silver studded blue Steer- sites in Berkshire since 1980. Since the ing Group. The meeting was hosted by early 1990s the management of our local If you know of any local Bracknell Forest Borough Council and heathlands improved dramatically due to sites that have, had in attended by representatives form Butter- the Berkshire Heathlands Project and the the past or where the fly Conservation, Forest Enterprise, historical decline in heathland area has habitat is currently Crown Estates, MOD, BBOWT, West been reversed. However even on suitable for silver studded Berkshire Council and Wokingham Dis- otherwise well managed heathland sites blue or grayling trict Council. The group was brought to- the butterfly is not doing as well as butterflies, then please gether to pool resources and co-ordinate expected. The silver studded blue has pass this information onto actions for the species across the county. very specific requirements and will only Andy Glencross or Graham thrive where plenty of pioneer heathland Hawker occurs (areas dominated by young Nationally the silver studded blue’s range heather plants, often recently cleared has declined by 63% since 1970 and sites). consequently it has been identified as a UK Priority Biodiversity Species and a national Species Action Plan (SAP) has The first task identified by the Steering been produced. This decline has been Group was an up to date survey of all the related to the decline of our lowland known sites and any other likely sites heathland sites and the species is now within the county in Summer 2003. The extinct in most of central and northern group decided that the survey should England, most of Wales, the North include an assessment of the site suit- Downs in Surrey and Kent. The species ability for the species, i.e. how much pio- is now only widespread on the heaths of neer heath occurs or could be created at southern England, especially in Dorset, each of the sites. This way it will identify the New forest and the Thames Valley the sites with the greatest potential heaths. for enhancing their populations. Berkshire contains a relatively small In addition it is intended that the survey amount of heathland compared with its should also identify sites where grayling neighbours to the south (Surrey and butterfly occurs. This species has Hampshire) . Where once there was declined by 60% since 1980 within the approximately 9000ha there is now only Thames Valley area.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Podolak Multifunctional Riverscapes
    Multifunctional Riverscapes: Stream restoration, Capability Brown’s water features, and artificial whitewater By Kristen Nicole Podolak A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor G. Mathias Kondolf, Chair Professor Louise Mozingo Professor Vincent H. Resh Spring 2012 i Abstract Multifunctional Riverscapes by Kristen Nicole Podolak Doctor of Philosophy in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning University of California, Berkeley Professor G. Mathias Kondolf, Chair Society is investing in river restoration and urban river revitalization as a solution for sustainable development. Many of these river projects adopt a multifunctional planning and design approach that strives to meld ecological, aesthetic, and recreational functions. However our understanding of how to accomplish multifunctionality and how the different functions work together is incomplete. Numerous ecologically justified river restoration projects may actually be driven by aesthetic and recreational preferences that are largely unexamined. At the same time river projects originally designed for aesthetics or recreation are now attempting to integrate habitat and environmental considerations to make the rivers more sustainable. Through in-depth study of a variety of constructed river landscapes - including dense historical river bend designs, artificial whitewater, and urban stream restoration this dissertation analyzes how aesthetic, ecological, and recreational functions intersect and potentially conflict. To explore how aesthetic and biophysical processes work together in riverscapes, I explored the relationship between one ideal of beauty, an s-curve illustrated by William Hogarth in the 18th century and two sets of river designs: 18th century river designs in England and late 20th century river restoration designs in North America.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper River Loddon Issues
    Upper Loddon Pressure Issue Location Solution Look at the river valley as a whole, reconnect the floodplain and create/enhance adjacent habitatas fen/wetland etc. Benefits for Biodiversity 2020 targets and flood alleviation d/s. BDBC GI want to work with the EA/catchment host Invasive species Basingstoke Town centre Raise awareness of the problems with the river through the town, would be nice to get water voles and kingfishers back. Coordinate mink control, no gaps – possible role for the host group Basingstoke is a NVZ Pollution incidents Sewage pipes not good enough Beech Hill Point source pollution Pollution from sewage treatment works, Sherfield on Loddon, u/s Pump somewhere else, Kennet? Basingstke, Sherborn St John and Sherfield, contributing to algae and disclorouration. Point source pollutiom Oestrogen from STW Use ferric oxide to remove phosphate, but at max level. But no limits on phosphate limits companies can put into river. Abstraction Over abstraction – low levels Reduce abstraction Sustainable water supply – reservoir, will also provide biodiversity benefits. Maintain flows throughout the river Habitat quality Priory Mill stream is dry most summers Priory Mill Habitat quality Morphology No dredging Flooding Flooding Flooding Perched River Just above Longbridge Mill Reconnect to floodplain Flooding u/s Swallowfield Restore floodplain Habitat quality Trees have reached the end of their Upper Loddon natural life; no longer get help from the EA to maintain. Habitat quality Aesthetic restoration at Festival Place Habitat quality Basing Fen Habitat restoration Habitat quality Walkway from Basingstoke to Barton is overused. Bikes and dogs are a problem. Habitat quality Bow Brook Habitat improvements, bank rehabilitation and gravels.
    [Show full text]
  • GB Electricity System Operator Daily Report Nationalgrideso UNRESTRICTED GB Electricity System Operator Daily Report Tuesday 11 June 2019
    GB Electricity System Operator Daily Report nationalgridESO UNRESTRICTED GB Electricity System Operator Daily Report Tuesday 11 June 2019 Today’s High Level Risk Status Forecast for the next 24h Time General Status Voltage PSM Demand System Inertia 07:00 - 14:00 System Margins Weather Duty 14:00 - 21:00 Generation Transmission Officer 21:00 - 07:00 Active Constraints Today’s Minimum De-Rated Margin 3891.13 (SP 36) System Warnings None Generation Variable Current BMU Largest Loss Risk Demand 560MW Balancing Costs Last 241 hours'6 ENCC11 BM16 spend212631Total:36 £729k414651566166717681869196 £80k £60k £40k £20k £0k -£20k -£40k Yesterday’s Market Summary Cash out price (Max) £80.00 /MWh (SP 20) Cash Out Price (Min) £23.01 /MWh (SP 15) Peak Demand Yesterday 28,745 MW NETS Status Report; 11 June 2019 2 of 4 nationalgridESO UNRESTRICTED Interconnectors Today Import Export Netherlands (BritNed) 1060 1060 Fully Available France (IFA) 1500 1500 Pole 1 unavailable, due to RTS at 12:00hrs Belgium (Nemo) 1013 1013 Fullly Available Ireland (EWIC) 500 530 Fullly Available Northern Ireland (MOYLE) 395 500 Partially available. Wind Power Forecast Key: Expected embedded generation (MWs) Embedded Generation Forecast 10-JUN-2019 11-JUN-2019 12-JUN-2019 05:00 08:00 12:00 17:00 21:00 00:00 05:00 08:00 12:00 17:00 21:00 00:00 05:00 08:00 12:00 17:00 21:00 Solar (MW) 1 1640 3830 1700 46 0 0 1039 3564 2060 29 0 0 725 2193 1717 38 Wind (MW) 284 381 689 1203 1281 1361 1783 2073 2250 2137 1798 1760 1712 1706 1773 1751 1600 STOR (MW) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total (MW) 285 2021 4519 2903 1327 1361 1783 3112 5814 4197 1827 1760 1712 2431 3966 3468 1638 NETS Status Report; 11 June 2019 3 of 4 nationalgridESO UNRESTRICTED Weather Source Commentary 11/05/2019 Met Office Today: (Summary) SEPA Rain, heavy at times, and strong winds will continue across much of Natural Resources Wales England and Wales, although south and southeastern parts will be brighter with lighter winds but with heavy, thundery showers developing.
    [Show full text]
  • Loddon Catchment Implementation Plan
    Loddon Catchment Implementation Plan January 2012 – FOR COMMMENT (Version C2) Glossary.....................................................................................................................3 1 Introduction...................................................................................................6 2 Loddon catchment summary.......................................................................9 2.1 General Description .....................................................................................9 2.2 Catchment map........................................................................................... 10 3 Water body information ............................................................................. 11 3.1 Classification.................................................................................................. 11 3.2 Heavily Modified Water Bodies..................................................................... 11 4 Actions ........................................................................................................ 11 4.1 Operational monitoring (2010-12) ............................................................. 12 4.2 Investigations (2010-12)............................................................................. 12 4.3 Improvement actions (in place by 2012)................................................... 12 4.3.1 ‘Day Job’ activities.............................................................................................. 13 4.3.2 Field actions ......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The State of England's Chalk Streams
    FUNDED WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM REPORT UK 2014 The State of England’s Chalk Streams This report has been written by Rose O’Neill and Kathy Hughes on behalf of WWF-UK with CONTENTS help and assistance from many of the people and organisations hard at work championing England’s chalk streams. In particular the authors would EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 like to thank Charles Rangeley-Wilson, Lawrence Talks, Sarah Smith, Mike Dobson, Colin Fenn, 8 Chris Mainstone, Chris Catling, Mike Acreman, FOREWORD Paul Quinn, David Bradley, Dave Tickner, Belinda by Charles Rangeley-Wilson Fletcher, Dominic Gogol, Conor Linsted, Caroline Juby, Allen Beechey, Haydon Bailey, Liz Lowe, INTRODUCTION 13 Bella Davies, David Cheek, Charlie Bell, Dave Stimpson, Ellie Powers, Mark Gallant, Meyrick THE STATE OF ENGLAND’S CHALK STREAMS 2014 19 Gough, Janina Gray, Ali Morse, Paul Jennings, Ken Caustin, David Le Neve Foster, Shaun Leonard, Ecological health of chalk streams 20 Alex Inman and Fran Southgate. This is a WWF- Protected chalk streams 25 UK report, however, and does not necessarily Aquifer health 26 reflect the views of each of the contributors. Chalk stream species 26 Since 2012, WWF-UK, Coca-Cola Great Britain and Pressures on chalk streams 31 Coca-Cola Enterprises have been working together Conclusions 42 to secure a thriving future for English rivers. The partnership has focused on improving the health A MANIFESTO FOR CHALK STREAMS 45 of two chalk streams directly linked to Coca-Cola operations: the Nar catchment in Norfolk (where AN INDEX OF ENGLISH CHALK STREAMS 55 some of the sugar beet used in Coca-Cola’s drinks is grown) and the Cray in South London, near 60 to Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Sidcup manufacturing GLOSSARY site.
    [Show full text]
  • Flood Information Map for Berkshire, North East Hampshire and Surrey - River Loddon Catchment
    Flood Information map for Berkshire, North East Hampshire and Surrey - River Loddon Catchment infield Sandhurst itney Fleet Brook Farnbdrou Basingstoke T44*5 EA-THAMES 3 nuuu wJarning M ap Key Information Areas liable to flood from rivers. Reach of river protected by a flood defence For Berkshire, North East scheme which has reduced the risk of flo o d in g . Hampshire and Surrey Urban Area. River Loddon Catchment River catchment b o u n d a ry . Main river (open channel River Blackwater and culvert). Cove Brook M a in Road. River Whitewater River Hart Fleet Brook E m m Brook If you would like more information contact the Environment Agency - 0118 953 5343. Environment Agency Kings Meadow House, Kings Meadow Road, Reading RG1 8DQ. En v ir o n m e n t II Ag e n c y Flood Risks in this Area Local Radio Who To Contact For Help The map on the back of this leaflet shows the rivers and streams in During A Flood your area. It also shows where floods have happened in the past, Flood warnings will be broadcast on local radio. If you where they could happen in the future and where there are flood are concerned that weather conditions may cause For information on flood warnings telephone Floodcall defences which reduce the risk of flooding. 0645 88 11 88. All calls are charged at local rates. flooding listen to : If you live close to a river or stream you should know how flood If roads are flooded due to blocked drains contact warnings will be issued in your area.
    [Show full text]
  • 53 High Street, Wargrave RG10 8BU
    53 High Street, Wargrave RG10 8BU WentWorth Estate Agents are pleased to offer to the market a FOUR BEDROOM END OF TERRACE PROPERTY within the heart of the beautiful village Wargrave, tucked away off the High Street with off road parking for two cars. Wargrave is a large, historic picturesque village and civil parish in Berkshire, England. The village is primarily on the River Thames but also along the confluence of the River Loddon. Wargrave is situated in the A321 road 7 miles from both Maidenhead and Reading and 3 miles from Henley-on-Thames. The property is walking distance to Wargrave station, serving Henley-on-Thames and Twyford. Twyford is within 1.9 miles of the property and has Waitrose, Tesco Express and a mainline train station serving London Paddington and Reading. Wargrave offers a fabulous coffee shop, Weir Grove restaurant, Dentist, Hairdresser and three public houses to chose from, with the George and Dragon as an option with stunning views onto the River Thames. Ground floor accommodation comprises of Entrance Hall, Cloakroom, Kitchen / dining room and living room with patio doors leading onto the garden. First Floor accommodation comprises of Master Bedroom with Ensuite, Two further bedrooms and Family Bathroom. Second Floor comprises of large bedroom with storage in the eaves. This can also be used as a snug or Office. Further Benefits include gas radiator central heating, enclosed rear private garden, UPVC windows, parking for two cars. EPC - D ACCOMMODATION • BEAUTIFUL FOUR BEDROOM FAMILY HOME • IN A PICTURESQUE VILLAGE ON THE RIVER THAMES • ENSUITE TO MASTER BEDROOM • FANTASTIC STORAGE THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY • PRIVATE REAR GARDEN • SPACIOUS LIVING ACCOMMODATION • GAS CENTRAL HEATING • NO THROUGH TRAFFIC, QUIET AREA • WALKING DISTANCE TO WARGRAVE STATION • PARKING FOR TWO CARS The Old Butchers, 15 High Street, Twyford, Berkshire, RG10 9AB IMPORTANT: we would like to inform prospective purchasers that these sales particulars have been prepared as t: 0118 934 0027 e: [email protected] a general guide only.
    [Show full text]
  • River Lyde – Manor Farm
    River Lyde – Manor Farm An advisory visit carried out by the Wild Trout Trust – July 2009 1. Introduction This report is the output of a Wild Trout Trust advisory visit undertaken on the River Lyde at Manor Farm. The advisory visit was undertaken at the request of Mr. John Lewin on behalf of his father, Mr. Colin Lewin who is the owner of Manor Farm. Comments in this report are based on observations on the day of the site visit and discussions primarily with John and Colin Lewin. Throughout the report, normal convention is followed with respect to bank identification i.e. banks are designated Left Bank (LB) or Right Bank (RB) whilst looking downstream. 2. Catchment overview Rising from chalk aquifer near Mapledurwell and old Basing in North Hampshire, the River Lyde is a delightful chalkstream tributary of the River Loddon. The Lyde is approximately 8km in length and joins the Loddon about 1km upstream of Sherfield on Loddon. The Manor Farm beat is approximately 1km in length and lies roughly in the central section of the river. The Lyde is a true chalkstream and along with the Loddon and Whitewater form a network of north Hampshire chalk rivers. Although these streams are not as famous by reputation as some of the larger Hampshire chalkstream fisheries, they are, none the less, extremely valuable and productive. The Lyde has been assessed as having excellent quality water and is rated as class A under the Environment Agency’s General Quality Assessment. Abstraction pressures are mainly confined to a non consumptive abstraction supplying water for the Andwell Mill Trout Farm.
    [Show full text]
  • River Thames Wokingham Watersports Centre Via St.Patrick's
    River Thames Wokingham Watersports Centre Via St.Patrick’s Stream Return Moderate Trail: : Please be aware that the grading of this trail was set according to normal water levels and conditions. Weather and water level/conditions can change the nature of trail within a short space of time so please ensure you check both of these before heading out. Distance: 7 Miles Approximate Time: 2-3 Hours The time has been estimated based on you travelling 3 – 5mph (a leisurely pace using a recreational type of boat). Type of Trail: Circular Waterways Travelled: River Thames and St Patrick’s Stream Type of Water: Main navigable river and natural river all rural Portages and Locks: 3 locks Route Summary Nearest Town: Reading Start and Finish: Wokingham Waterside Centre, This is a pretty circular route from Reading return, using Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PQ one of the best-know backwaters, St. Patrick’s Stream. O.S. Sheets: Landranger No. 175 Reading and Windsor Start and Finish Directions Licence Information : A licence is required to paddle Wokingham Waterside Centre is at the Reading end of on this waterway. See full details in useful information below. the A329M. Huge field for picnics, and parking on the Local Facilities: In Reading road (height restriction at the Centre car park). This trail is best paddled from 15th March to 15th June which is in the closed coarse fishing period. Description Paddle downstream towards Sonning lock. This section is known as Dreadnought Reach. As you go down stream to your left is the Caversham Rowing Lakes otherwise known as the Redgrave-Pinsent Rowing Lake.
    [Show full text]
  • March 2007 Newsletter In
    Earley Newsletter March 2007 Environmental Issue 7 Group www.earleyenvironmentalgroup.co.uk Earley - Old English ‘Earnley’ = eagle wood ur newsletter this quarter has something of a watery theme. We are fortunate to have O several important water habitats in Earley. Several are man-made - Maiden Erlegh Lake, Whiteknights Lake and Marefield Pond; others are natural - small streams, the Loddon on our eastern boundary and the mighty Thames on our northern boundary. Some of these water features hardly rate a second glance from many residents, but are home to a diverse range of wildlife. In the past local people would have looked upon them as valuable resources for provision of water, food and income. Much of their value now is in the visual pleasure they give us, as well as supporting wildlife and providing the means for hobbies like water sports and fishing. Find out more about one of these water habitats, the Loddon, and read about the jewel in the crown, the Loddon Lily on page 2. Make a date in your diary for our talk on those helicopters of the waterways, Dragonflies, on Thursday, 19 April. And don’t forget to join in our Rescue litter project on Sunday 11 March. With over 30,000 residents in Earley, there must be some who could help to make Earley a tidier place to live! (See Forthcoming Events, p.8). Get to know your Earley A BUSY 2006 LLoowweerr EEaarrllleeyy WWooooddss aanndd MMeeaaddooww We held our AGM on January 31st at the Not an easy one, but for those who like to be pioneers! Interpretation Centre, Instow Road.
    [Show full text]
  • Rivers Loddon and Blackwater Swallowfield Fishing Club
    Rivers Loddon and Blackwater Swallowfield Fishing Club April 2016 1 1. Introduction This report is the output of a site visit to the confluence of the Rivers Loddon and the Blackwater at Swallowfield in Berkshire. The rivers here are fished and managed by the Swallowfield Fishing Club (SFC). Further information about the SFC can be found at: www.swallowfieldfishingclub.co.uk The request for the visit came from Mr. Russ Hatchett from the SFC and Mr. Martin Moore, Chairman of the Loddon Fisheries and Conservation Consultative (LFCC). The request for advice was prompted by concerns relating to the lack of suitable spawning sites and the loss of instream cover, particularly habitat that was provided by large woody material and any implications this might have for the quality of the local fishery. Comments in this report are based on observations on the day of the site visit and discussions with Mr. Hatchett, Mr. Moore and Mr. Dave Randall, club committee member. Normal convention is followed with respect to bank identification, i.e. banks are designated Left Bank (LB) or Right Bank (RB) whilst looking downstream. Map 1. Loddon and Blackwater at Swallowfield Park © streemap 2 The lower Loddon is designated under the Water Framework Directive as Water body ID no. GB106039023160 and the Blackwater as GB106039017290. The site inspection was carried out on the bottom 0.6km of the Blackwater in Swallowfield Park (National Grid Reference SU 729 650) to the Loddon confluence (SU 725 656) and then downstream for a further 1km on the main river, to a point on the edge of the Park at SU 734 660.
    [Show full text]
  • A SHORT STROLL ALONG the LODDON - Lower Earley Woods and Meadows and We Do Mean Short, About 35 Mins!
    Want to go for a walk but don't know where to go? A SHORT STROLL ALONG THE LODDON - Lower Earley Woods and Meadows and we do mean short, about 35 mins! For a family stroll to counteract that big meal, or an energy-sapping power walk for the kids, take the northward path where Rushey Way meets Lower Earley Way at the Sindlesham roundabout. For a few yards this is parallel with Lower Earley Way and then skirts the west bank of the River Loddon, gradually moving away from the din of the traffic. Following this path, you eventually come to a flight of steps, (which would take you out onto the Wokingham Road). Turn left at the steps and follow the path in a circular direction to arrive back where you started. Pause when you get to the notice board there. It’s worth studying, being very attractively illustrated, with lyrical details on the past history of the area you’ve just circulated. For instance, did you know you are treading in the footsteps of very early man, or that people used to set up eel traps on the Loddon until the recent past? You may, as you walk along the west bank of the Loddon lilies river, see clumps of Loddon lilies growing on the east bank, which perhaps survive because they are inaccessible. These were not identified as native flowers by early botanists, but “Flora Britannica” seems to suggest that, whilst some of these lilies may be garden escapes, where you get large swathes of them in inhospitable, damp, swamp-like conditions they may indeed be native plants growing in places where early botanists didn’t venture.
    [Show full text]