L.OOKING TO
BURY BUCKETS 4 BEETLES THE FUTURE Helping Stag Beetles The past few decades have seen tremendous changes in the Blackwater OTTER UPDATE Valley, but what does the future hold? WATER, WATER... ANYWHERE? Thanks to the foresight and vision of the which, if seized, could see a major increase Drought in the Valley Councils who formed the Blackwater Valley in accessible and wildlife-rich greenspace. But Project (forerunner of the Blackwater Valley it also identifies serious stumbling blocks we VOLUNTEER NEWS Countryside Partnership or BVCP), the need to overcome. Local group round-up Valley has been transformed from an unloved The true value of accessible greenspace backyard to a well used green corridor that for people is now being realised, it's a brings the countryside into the heart of the vital element for quality of life and has a Blackwater Valley towns. remarkable effect on the physical and mental It was in 1976, 30 years ago that the first health of users. People who use their local RIackwater Valley Joint Landscape Report countryside regularly are measurably healthier ^s published. Running to 164 pages it was and happier. a comprehensive analysis of every aspect National government have earmarked of the Valley's landscape and its problems the Blackwater Valley towns as a centre for - and these were many. The River Blackwater growth, over 50.000 new homes are expected itself was so polluted it barely supported to be built in the next 20 years. In itself the , made up of 54 blocks and floats fish and was set in a ravaged landscape, growing population will increase pressure on water? Find out on page 5 pock marked with backyard industries, on the existing greenspace and the role of landfill sites, abandoned gravel workings and the Blackwater Valley can only increase in BADGER WATCH unsightly scrapyards.The report included a importance. co-ordinated landscape development plan The Valley is central to large tracts of WASTE NOT and this formed the basis of all that has been heathlands and woods that have been A story about rubbish achieved since.This has been considerable: notified as the Thames Basins Heaths Special over 400ha of derelict land restored, 230ha Protection Area (SPA), as they support MAKE A DATE - Event details opened to free public access, a Valley-long internationally important populations of three riverside path opened, five nature reserves rare birds:Woodlark, Nightjar and Dartford JOIN US AND'WALKTHE PATH* created, and ever increasing use by wildlife Warbler. Under European and UK law any and people. development which could significantly damage CLICK ON This is still a work in progress, the an SPA must consider the opportunities to OUR STRATEGY, Blackwater Valley Countryside Strategy avoid harm to the SPA through management YOUR FEEDBACK 2006-10 (see page 7) outlines our plans for and mitigation.The biggest threats to these the future and identifies many opportunities Continued on page 3 BIRD TALK: Little Egret
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership Blackxvater Valley Ash Lock Cottage,Government Road.Aldershot GUI I 2PS. Countryside Partnership Telephone (01252) 331353 www.blackwater-valley.org.uk They may be big, but Stag Beetles need up and down the country.The Bury in the spring of 2007 and carefully check all the help they can get to survive Buckets 4 Beetles project, or BB4B, is a for larvae, and to let them know what you great way for everyone to get involved find. If you are interested in taking part, Stag Beetles (Lucanus cervus) are Britain's in conservation at a local level and do contact PTES by phone 020 7498 4533 largest terrestrial beetle, named because something practical to help. email [email protected] for details, or the male's huge jaws look just like a stag's visit their website www.ptes.org antlers.They spend about five years as How to take part white grubs underground and emerge All you need is a garden, allotment or Seeing Stag Beetles as fully grown adult insects in spring. any other small green space, a plastic You are most likely to see males in flight Males can be up to 70mm (2.5 inches) bucket, a little time and lots of patience. on warm summer evenings between May long; females are smaller, without the By making holes in your bucket, filling and August, while they look for a mate. characteristic male'antlers'. Both sexes it with deadwood and soil and, finally, Females lay their eggs near decaying wood have a shiny black head and thorax (chest) burying it in your chosen spot, you can below ground and the developing larvae and their wing cases are chestnut brown. create an artificial breeding site for Stag are large white grubs with orange heads, They are quite harmless -- although they Beetles where their larvae (developing which feed on this rotting wood. It can can give you quite a shock if they bump beetles) can mature. Once your bucket is take up to five years for them to develop into you while flying around on summer in place, Stag Beetles (and a whole host into adult beetles.The majority of adults evenings looking for a mate! Their large of other insects) may use it to lay their live for only a few weeks in the summer in jaws are designed to ward off other males. eggs in. In the space of the next three or order to mate, although a few may survive Last year the People's Trust for four years these eggs will develop into the winter till the following year.With such Endangered Species (PTES) launched a fully-grown adult Stag Beetles.The PTES is a long larval stage, you can see how very^ , new project to help monitor Stag Beetles asking participants to dig up your bucket important it is to protect their habitats.
work that needs to be carried out.The Environment Agency and Thames Water have kindly provided the necessary funding and an Otter Update MSc student, Steve Bolton, has begun the survey work. His results should enable BVCP and SWT to accurately cost all the mitigation Otter signs (and indeed a dead otter) along the River Blackwater in and habitat work, and this will enable us to bid for the much larger 2004 and 2005 heralded the beginning of otter recovery in Surrey, amount of money needed to actually undertake the work identified. so Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP), together In addition, volunteer surveyors are being given intensive training with Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT), decided to bid for project funding in otter survey techniques and health and safety.Training takes to help them along the way.The money was required to carry out a full day for each individual and is structured so that they have a full survey of the river to find out hazards to otter survival, then experience of being in the water, working under bridges, identifying to address these and carry out habitat improvements to make the otter signs and learning the precautions necessary to avoid otters' lives more comfortable. waterborne diseases. So, at last, work is underway.We will report on Although the project met ENTRUSTS stringent criteria, we were our findings in due course. unable to get any grant funding at the time, so it was decided to CHRIS MATCHAM proceed with a much smaller one-year scoping project instead.This Chris Matcham is the Otters & will identify the potential risks in the Valley to otters and cost all the Rivers Project Officer at Surrey Wildlife Trust
. Blackwater Valley Telephone (01252) 331353 Countryside Partnership There's no escaping the facts, we are suffering by domestic and industrial users is extracted Meadows, one of the Valley's natural from a water shortage. South-east and central from the River Thames. Once used.it is then floodplains.is usually water logged in winter southern England experienced the driest 15- discharged into the River Blackwater via the and inaccessible, but this winter it has been month period (November 2004-January 2006) many sewage treatment works found along dry enough for us to gain access," explains in over 80 years, and the entire Blackwater its length.This means that during the summer Steve Bailey, Blackwater Valley Countryside Valley area is now subject to a hosepipe and around three-quarters of the river's flow is Partnership' Manager/This is quite unlike the sprinkler ban.Without significant amounts of treated effluent.This simple fact greatly increases winter of 2000/1 when the site resembled a rainfall the river and its environs, including the the flow of the river above natural levels making lake." (see picture). 100+ lakes and ponds found in the area, will it unlikely that the river itself will run dry. Water levels in the Valley's many fishing suffer. However, with the predicted climate lakes, which are more reliant on rainwater, The river rises in Rowhill Nature Reserve change and more housing planned for the are lower than normal, making them more and according to Kathy Spink who has been area there is no guarantee that this situation susceptible to algal bloom and reduced oxygen involved with the site since the 1970s the will continue. Even before the current dry levels. Low oxygen levels have an adverse source has never dried up in all that time. period, concerns had been voiced over the effect on fish, causing many to die. Unfortunately only a tiny part of the river's deterioration of the Blackwater Valley SSSI, In the short term a drought should have no water supply comes from here. which is gradually drying out.At the same time marked effect on the Valley's riverside sites, Most water abstracted from rivers or the current system of grading rivers is to be nature is fairly resilient. But who knows what -oundwater is for the public water supply and replaced, but how this will affect the River will happen if current conditions prevail.Then a returned via sewage treatment works. In the Blackwater remains unclear. again it's possible that it could rain throughout Blackwater Valley the bulk of the water used "What we do know is that Hawley the summer...we can only wait and see.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Continued from front page species come from disturbance from people of the Valley's greenspace is being realised, the BVCP in 2007, and with the countryside and their pets, so an increasing population so funding is becoming a serious problem. departments of all our partners being close to the SPA creates major problems. The reduction of funding to local closely examined the future, not just of the The Valley is in the perfect location to authorities by national government has been partnership organisations but all countryside provide new or improved public greenspaces continuing for many years and as a result work in the areas, is uncertain. to enable recreation to take place. Discussions our funding partners have been carefully We will do all we can to find the necessary with developers on how the Blackwater Valley examining all areas of their spending.As resources to continue our work and without Countryside could be involved have already countryside services are non-statutory they doubt future income will be more reliant on taken place and it is likely that we could are under particularly close scrutiny. grants and project funding.We are certainly find ourselves the green heart of the overall The proposed cutback by Surrey County not short of ideas and are determined to project.The potential for improving facilities Council to the Basingstoke Canal Authority explore every possible avenue to ensure the and greenspaces within the Valley is huge, but made the national press as it put the canal's long-term future of the Valley and to continue we need to ensure we do not damage the future in jeopardy; it could be a taster of what to improve and open up, not just maintain, existing value of sites to wildlife and people. is to come. Bracknell Forest Borough Council many more areas for local residents to enjoy Ironically at the same time as the true value have announced they are to stop funding - both people and wildlife.
Valley www.blackwater-valley.org.uk Countryside Partnership VOLUNTEER NEWS SHORT CUTS W
ir conservation w< and the volunteer groups in the Valley have all been workin very hard over the past six months.We asked them to repor BV Conserval d tell us what they have been up to ... As usual ourTuei the Shepherd & I north. As well as The Bourne Conservation Group combined forces The group continued with its core tasks Frimley Fuel Allc on the footpaths and wooded areas in Wellington Mon the Bourne valley including the planting of bright sunshine some new trees and shrubs. In February Meet every work started on a major project • Mockridge, alongside the A287 road. By March the site was cleared and preparations are JL in hand for seeding part of it with a meadow mix of grasses and wild flowers. We would like to thank Tony Anderson and the BVCP team for their help and Tongham Wood Improvement Group encouragement. TWIG have not taken it easy over the winter with bramble bashing, rubble clearance, Meet once a month on Sundays. planting beech hedges and, most recently, planting 48 cherry and field maple trees to a Contact Stan Cockett, 01252 794511. create Cherry Tree Walk and make a circle of colour all year round to the Play Area. We have also launched our website www.tonghamwood.org.uk Rowhill Conservation Volunteers ryi Meet the third Sunday of each month. Email [email protected] or ring At Rowhill we have finished coppicing for LJ Tony Anderson, 01252 331353. the winter, selling the hazel for stakes and heatherings for hedge laying.We have also been doing some large timber extraction from wind blown trees that have come down over the last few years, which we hope to cut into planks using a mobile saw mill to produce a board walk alonp the northern boundary. Have planted ™ over 600 trees to replenish areas that have been badly deer browsed, plus a new section of hedge. Meet the first and third Sundays of Moor Gree • each month I Oam to 2pm. Contact Through the It's the pontoon bridge now in use from the Aggregates Sustainabil Roy Champion, 01252 548837. bramble fror i at Moor Green Lakes which is made Fund, meant the Moor Green La from the lak of 'Cub/system' modular blocks and has received £38,000 for site improvements, BBOWT some sectio 1 provided a novel solution to the problem which included purchasing the bridge. This winter has seen BBOWT's Mid Meetse of reaching the three islands on Colebrook Constructed and put in place early last year, Week Team back at our Blackwater Contact Lake. the bridge has been a great success. Reach Meadow SSSI nature reserve. Yateley Co Not only does it provide a stable platform Following on from our September Previously the only means of access to the TheYateley i meadow cut we have now carried out islands was by boat and this severely limited and easy access to the islands but it can also conducting \ some ditchline clearance too.This should the management work that could be carried be put in position in about 10 minutes. With and at Castl' out, resulting in the islands becoming coveredits two fibreglass ramps providing access, help to maintain the flow of water removal is e in dense scrub and bramble. A successful machinery, wheelbarrows etc can be moved throughout the year and create excellent frequented I grant application, through the South East easily across the pontoon making access for hawking dragonfly territory. rri Meet tr England Development Agency (SEEDA) volunteers much simpler and quicker. rfl Meet every Thursday. Contact James \M Pool.Ya LJ Hitchcock, 01628 829574. orHCC
Bin Blackwater ^^^^ Telephone (01252) 331353 Countryside Partnership Cm AND LOOKING AHEAD Fleet Pond Society This year the Fleet Pond is 30 years old. Ian to have a two-day exhibition of is, press cuttings and documents
will be in the Function Suite, Harlington Centre, Fleet, on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 July.We will be joined by Hart Countryside Service (10 years old this year) and Fleet BV Conservation Volunteers & Church Crookham Local History Group. As usual ourTuesday volunteers visited sites up and down the Valley over the winter months, from All are welcome - entry will be free (but the Shepherd & Flock roundabout near Farnham in the south up to Moor Green Lakes in the you might have to put something in a north. As well as the usual Valley sites they've also carried out work at Eelmoor SSSI with Qinetiq, collection box to get out!). Look out for in Group combined forces with the Hart Rangers at Basingbourne and Elvetham Heath, worked with the more details in the local press. s core tasks Frimley Fuel Allotments Conservation team, and carried out more clearance work around the id areas in Wellington Monument.Then of course there was the special Xmas task at Lakeside Park, where :he planting of bright sunshine - plus the traditional BBQ - made the task of reed clearance a pleasure. Steve Jackson 1 C In February 71 Meet every Tuesday at Farnborough Gate outside Courts at I Oam. Contact Tim aject D Mockridge.01252 331353. March the ations are Snaky Lane Community Wildlife Group t with a Over the past six months Snaky Lane wild flowers, Community Wildlife Group have been busy y Anderson with 'Wildflower Rescue' which has entailed ir help and mowing and raking large areas of the meadow. We have also been clearing views to the pond Sundays. by removing trees and thinning overgrown 01252 794511. scrub. A 75-metre length of native hedgerow species was planted in January and we buried We know there are plenty of badgers in Dlunteers some buckets for stag beetles and made a the Valley but have you seen them? That's rustic bench. I coppicing for what we would like to know. for stakes and [""71 Meet the first Sunday of each month We have recently had a survey done g.We have also LJ at 10.30am. Contact Sue Dent, of the Valley and believe we know where ber extraction 01252 331353. all the badger setts are located, but we t have come would now like to get a more detailed irs, which we Cove Brook Greenway Group picture of the badgers living here and ng a mobile In the last three months the CBGG have cut back brambles and saplings to improve grassy their movements.That's where you can d walk along areas at Southwood and Birchbrook. Graham Cornick from Hydestile wildlife hospital gave an help. ive planted' ^^illent talk, Much effort has been put into removing rubbish from the brook but similarities We often hear anecdotal stories from h areas that with painting the Forth bridge remain... people who see badgers crossing the road «ed, plus a new ~ Meet the 2nd Saturday of each month. Email Paul Sanders at paulsanders@talk21 .com or or digging up their lawn for earthworms, ring Antonia Hebbert, 01252 512634. or even coming into the back garden to d Sundays of be fed. But now we would like to have Moor Green Lakes Group 2pm. Contact more details about these sightings for our Through the winter'maintenance season', the group has continued its perennial task of keeping records. 1 548837. bramble from taking over the reserve completely. In addition, we have removed invasive scrub You can help if you have seen a badger from the lake edges to allow grazing wildfowl to access the surrounding meadows, coppiced in the Valley, please tell us when (date and some sections of woodland, and installed some 'stag beetle buckets'. time) and where (ideally a grid reference, >WT's Mid Meet second Sunday of the month, September - March. alternatively an accurate address with ilackwater • Contact Simon Weeks, 0118 9730199. -e reserve, post code), how many you saw and what iptember Yateley Common Conservation Group it/they were doing. Information on any TheYateley Common Conservation Group have recently been v carried out badger road kills are also welcome. conducting habitat improvements close to Blackbushe Airport too.This should Please send details to 'Badgers', BVCP, and at Castle Bottom overlooking the primary bog area. Scrub of water Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, removal is expected to enhance the ground nesting area Aldershot GU11 2PS. Contact Sue Dent create excellent frequented by nightjars. for more information on 01252 331353. iry. I fl Meet the last Sunday of each month 10am atWyndham's r . Contact James I -i\ Pool,Yateley Common. Email [email protected] To find out more about badgers 9574. or HCC Ranger [email protected] visit www.badgers.org
11252)331353 Blackwater Vnllcy www.blackwater-valley.org.uk Countryside Partnership WASTE NOT! MAI Following the success programme, which att A story about rubbish people and plenty of c organised a similar pn Did you know? We have already he As a nation we take home around 12 billion plastic bags every year. and talks with our Bir Valley talk given by C Most of them end up in a landfill site. attracting an audieno New this year is o for Beginners' aimed Looking after the green spaces in the Valley In fact we do get blockages along the river due consider themself to is one of our main priorities.This involves to discarded rubbish which then have to be like to give it a try.T managing the different habitats to maintain cleared away. Rubbish thrown into the many the atmosphere friei and/or improve the biodiversity. It's a huge drainage ditches similarly can be a flood risk. predominantly along task and one we could not achieve without Unfortunately fly tipping is a major problem pavements and relat our conservation volunteers, a dedicated and that occurs both locally and nationally. Until place every Friday a hardworking group of individuals, who turn recently it was difficult to get a picture of the July.August and Sep out rain or shine to help. full extent of the problem because the figures for I Vi -2 hours. Si Cutting, clearing, planting repairing, making were not gathered centrally. Now a web-based the Frimley, Farnbo and assembling are jobs we do on a regular database called Flycapture, which went live in areas, so check out basis depending on the season, the site and April 2004, has been established and between give us a call on 01 local requirements. But there is always one June and November 2004 some 444,536 fly- « other job that we carry out on every site we tipping incidents were reported to it.The top* visit, litter picking - one of those never ending five most commonly dumped items were: tasks.We are helped by a small number of • household waste individuals who, in their own time, do a litter • white goods pick to try and keep the Valley clean - our • construction waste thanks to you all. • garden waste Unfortunately there are a great many people • waste from businesses who are not as community minded and seem Unsightly, a health hazard and a damage to think that their rubbish is someone else's to wildlife, all this illegally dumped rubbish is problem - and we are not just talking about a also costly and nationally between June and few drink cans and crisp packets! We regularly November 2004 it cost an estimated £23 remove supermarket trolleys, old bikes and million cleaning it all up. prams, paint cans and buckets from our sites, We're sure you always dispose of your own and it is quite normal to return from one of rubbish properly, but if you would like to keep our regular tasks with a several black sacks full the Valley clean and a safer place for wildlife, of rubbish.Wherever possible we always try to please help us with a litter pick once in a while. recycle whatever waste we can and then safely dispose of the rest. But just for the record over the past six months we have collected: HOW LONG DO ce its was laui • 10 supermarket trolleys THEY LAST? • i ids gradually atti • 8 bicycles Cigarette butts 1-5 yrs and in March we • 3 motor bikes almost 13,400 vi Wool socks 1-5 yrs • and 87 black bin bags of rubbish an average of 43 This is not just a local problem. According to Orange peel and been getting sor the Environment Agency the amount of rubbish banana skin up to 2 yrs excellent websit dropped on our streets has increased by some Plastic-coated paper 5 yrs websites I have 500% since the early 1960s and dropped food Plastic bags 10-20 yrs your informatio and takeaway litter has helped swell the rat enjoy it," are so Plastic film containers 20-30 years population to 60 million. A little closer to So if you havi home, two-thirds of rivers in England and Wales Nylon fabric 30-40 yrs why not take a are of aesthetically good or fair quality, but the Leather up to 50 yrs valley.org.uk rest are classified as poor or bad, largely due to Tin cans 50 yrs We have a s| rubbish being dumped in them. section telling Plastic six-pack And that's another problem not only is litter for each montl holders 100 yrs unsightly, but it is also dangerous. Some people 'Bird of the Mi may think throwing a plastic bag or drink can Aluminium cans Month' pages 80-100 yrs into the river is harmless, but if everyone did and caps wildlife sightin this the river would be totally clogged up with Glass bottles 1,000 yrs sites are featu rubbish.The accumulation could then create a Plastic bottles and volunteer opp blockage greatly increasing the risk of flooding. styrofoam Indefinitely groups, plus n
Telephone (01252) 331353 Black Countryside Partnership Coiw MAKE A DATE Following the success of last year's events shoes, a drink and sunscreen or raincoat are programme, which attracted around 600 recommended. Children under 16 must be people and plenty of compliments, we have accompanied by an adult.. organised a similar programme this year. Other events worth a special mention are: We have already held a couple of walks • 'Walk the Path' weekend on Saturday and and talks with our Birds of the Blackwater Sunday 6 & 7 May, details below. Valley talk given by Colin Wilson in February • 'Wildflower Meadow Survey' at Lakeside attracting an audience of 40 people. Park on Sunday 25 June. New this year is our series of 'Walks • 'Meet the Wildlife at Hawley Meadow' a Join us for a wildflower meadow survey on Sun 25 June for Beginners' aimed at people who don't one-off special on Thursday 3 August for all the :ages along the river due consider themself to be a walker, but would family when you can meet Blackwater Valley 'hich then have to be like to give it a try.The pace is leisurely, staff and find out more about this special site :hrown into the many the atmosphere friendly and the walks are and how it is managed. Children can see how rly can be a flood risk, predominantly along surfaced paths or many different insects and birds they can find. ping is a major problem pavements and relatively flat.They will take Our full programme of events is given y and nationally. Until place every Friday afternoon during June, on a separate sheet contained within this to get a picture of the July.August and September starting at 2pm newsletter, so why not pin it up next to your lem because the figures for I Yi -2 hours. Start points will be around calendar to make sure you don't miss any of itrally. Now a web-based the Frimley, Farnborough.Ash and Aldershot the dates. If you don't have an events sheet or :ure, which went live in areas, so check our website for details or if you would like further details please ring us stablished and between eive us a call on 01252 331353. Flat comfy on 01252 331353. 304 some 444,536 fly- £ reported to it.The top™ umped items were: oin us to 'Walk the Path'
Last year it involved 132 feet, belonging to 60 people and three dogs, walking a total of 1, 175 miles isses over two days. And the occasion? Our first ever'Walk the Path' event which proved a great success. azard and a damage This year 'Walk the Path' is being held on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May. Not only is it a ally dumped rubbish is great way of seeing the river from start to finish, but it is also good exercise. Last year two of the illy between June and participants used the walk as part of their training for a 60km walk later on in the year to raise st an estimated £23 money for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity. So why not join us this year? You will need to IP- pre-book, registration per person costs £4 one day or £6 for both days. For more details please lys dispose of your own contact Sarah at the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, ring 01252 331353 or visit our f you would like to keep website www.blackwater-valley.org.uk safer place for wildlife, itter pick once in a while. Click on Our Strategy,Your Feedback We would like to thank everyone who read number of amendments have been made, NGDO ce its was launched in 2003 our website and responded to the draft Blackwater these include: i us gradually attracted more and more hits ST? Valley Strategy 2006-2010. This Strategy • Improving the multi-user section of path and in March we reached an all-time high with 1-5 yrs is the latest in a series of strategy and to form a regional cycle route between almost 13,400 visits over the month - that's 1-5 yrs planning documents aimed at improving the Aldershot & Guildford. an average of 432 visits per day.We've also Blackwater Valley and will steer our work • Identifying more areas of land for access i been getting some very positive feedback:"an programme until 2010 and beyond. improvements. up to 2 yrs excellent website","probably one of the best One of the purposes of the strategy is to • Strengthening the commitment to iaper 5 yrs websites I have seen in ages", "Thank you for landscape improvements, especially to strike the right balance between different your information in your January website. I do hedgerows in the more rural sections of 10-20 yrs land uses which can sometimes conflict. enjoy it," are some of the comments received: theValley. tainers 20-30 years A lot of factors have to be considered So if you have never visited our website, • Ensuring the existing and future wildlife which does not make for light reading. We 30-40 yrs why not take a look now www.blackwater- value of theValley is recognised and appreciate the input of everybody who took up to 50 yrs valley.org.uk protected. the time to read through the 100+ pages. We have a special 'This month in the Valley' Once the amended Strategy has been 50 yrs The consultation period is now over and we section telling you what wildlife to look out approved by our partners the document received a number of very helpful comments for each month and there are informative will be available, this should be in the early 100 yrs and observations, all of which have been 'Bird of the Month' and 'Butterfly of the summer. Once again a big thank you to carefully considered. It was pleasing that the s Month' pages as well as details of all the everyone for passing on your thoughts and vast majority of views, despite coming from a comments which have helped refine the vision 80-100 yrs wildlife sightings sent in to us.All theValley variety of standpoints, were supportive of our for "A continuous greenspace along the 1,000 yrs sites are featured, as well as details about policies and proposals. Blackwater Valley, attractive to wildlife volunteer opportunities and the conservation and Following on from your comments a and the community". Indefinitely groups, plus news, events and much more.
hone (01252) 331353 Blackwater Valley www.blackwater-valley.org.uk Countryside Partnership Blackzvater Valley Walks & Wildlife Guides I would like to order (use boxes): Blackwater Valley Path • A long-distance route covering 23 miles along the River Blackwater • Including easy to follow maps • Highlighting the muti-users section for cyclists, wheelchair users & families
£2.50 + 50p p+p
Blackwater Valley Circular Little Egret Walks • Details of 12 circular walks The Little Egret is a very topical birds are now turning up regularly • Including route guides and maps bird, having suddenly appeared in the at Moor Green Lakes, mainly on • Varied terrain and distance Blackwater Valley in good numbers Colebrook Lake, and have been seen • Fascinating facts about local wildlife and in the last year or so.This elegant close to the gravel workings near Pefc history and attractive all-white heron has Bridge, Frimley Hatches and Shepherd black legs but its contrasting yellow Meadows. Most are winter sightings £3.50 + 50p p+p toes are often not seen as it wades and it remains to be seen if the birds Blackwater Valley Dmgonflies around in ponds and ditches.The remain here in the spring and summer months. • Details of the 30 species of bill is blackish at all times, but if you dragonfly and damselfly found in look closely it has either a bluish or The hope is that we will soon have theValley «. reddish base, the latter being part of these wonderful birds breeding in the its breeding plumage, the time when • Close up colour photographs Blackwater Valley taking advantage it also has two wonderful long plumes • Including information on when and of the improving water quality and hanging from its nape. where to spot them. habitats being cared for along the Barely recorded in the UK prior to length of the river, although they are £2.50 + 50p p+p | | 1950, by I960 only 33 birds had been still largely nesting in more coastal reported in the whole of England. sites.They are partial to floodlands, Blackwater Valley Butterflies In the next decade 47 birds were probably the reason why the wet • Details of the 32 species recorded, then 104 in the 70s and 262 meadows at Hawley are their recorded in theValley in the 80s. One bird was recorded strongpoint here, but these will dry • Full colour guide. at Fleet Pond on April 22 1982, the out in summer. Little Egrets have ^ • Easy to use 'Sites to Visit' chart only record I have found for this area catholic tastes feeding on small fish • Butterfly families chart and information up to 1990. Since then numbers have from the river, small amphibians, £2.50 + 50p p+p I taken off and atThorney Island on the terrestrial, aquatic and larval insects south coast 246 birds were recorded and worms and small mammals to I enclose a cheque for £ in 2000 alone. name but a few. made payable to: 'Blackwater Valley' Here in the Blackwater Valley If you do see them please send Name: Little Egrets can be seen most days details to the Blackwater Valley Address:. at Hawley Meadows where a brief Countryside Partnership. Rest stop in the car park on the A33 I, assured when we know more about on the opposite side of the road to the progress of this exciting bird in Sainsbury's, will give you a very good ourValley we will let you know. chance of seeing one. Up to I I have COLIN WILSON been seen roosting in the Camberley This is an edited version of a longer Sewage Works and these birds article which appears on our website Post code: regularly fly across to the river bank www.blackwater-valley.org.uk. Please send this form, with payment to: and meadows to feed and rest. I have Colin Wilson is Chairman of the Reading Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, seen them in the trees at the back of Ornithological Club. For details please Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, the meadows and searching the wet see www.theroc.org.uk or email Colin at Aldershot,Hampshire,GUI I 2PS. meadow area for food in winter. Odd [email protected] Tel: 01252 331353 Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (r Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road,Aldershot GUI I 2PS. lf»Sjt Blackwater VaUey Countryside Partnership Telephone (01252) 33I3S3 www.blackwater-valley.org.uk BLACKWATER VALLEY Events SPRING/SUMMER 2006
^ Event organised by Blackwater Valley Sun 30 EVENT:Woodland Crafts Sat 20 FOR CHILDREN: • Countryside. Ring 01252 331353 for Weekend IOam-4.3Opm Amazingly Wild Faces 11 am-12.30pm more details.Always phone to check With traditional woodland craft displays and Face painting session. Surrey Heath Museum, times before making a special journey craftspeople at work. Rowhill Field Centre, Knoll Road, Camberley. Ring 01276 707284. for any event Cranmore Lane.Aldershot. SU 849499. Ring 01252 319749. Sun 21 WALK: Dawn Chorus 4am APRIL Listen to the birds. Meet at Highfield Road Sun 9 WALK: Spring at Rowhill 2.30pm MAY car park (by vets on Bridge Road, Cove). Guided walk around Rowhill, a 55-acre Mon I EVENT.Woodland Crafts Ring 01252 512634. nature reserve. Meet Rowhill Field Centre, Weekend IOam-4.3Opm Cranmore Lane.Aldershot. Same details at 30th April. Thur 25 TALK: Local Trees - SU 849499. Ring 01252 319749. Facts & Folklore 3pm-4pm Sat 6 & Sun 7 WALK: Walk the A. By Chris Howkins. Donations welcome. Wed 12 WALK: Birds of the ^ Blackwater Path Weekend w Surrey Heath Museum, Knoll Road, Blackwater Valley 9.30am-l2 noon w IOam-4pm Camberley. Ring 01276 707284. Guided walk through Sandhurst Memorial Walk the 23 miles of the Blackwater Valley Park and Shepherd Meadows. Bring Path over two days. Booking essential, £4 Sun 28 WALK: Mid-Morning Bird binoculars. No dogs. Meet Sandhurst for I day, £6 for both, includes transport and Watch 10am-12 noon Memorial Park car park.Yorktown Road, refreshments. Ring 01252 331353. For bird watchers who aren't early risers. Sandhurst.SU 842613. Bring binoculars. No dogs. Meet Visitor Sat 12 SURVEY: Cove Brook 10am Centre, Lightwater Country Park. SU Ion 17 WALK: Woodland Walk Survey walk with Chris Matcham. Meet 921622. Ring 01276 479582. 2pm-4pm at north end of Cheyne Way, Cove by Learn to identify our more common trees. footbridge (near Curly Bridge). Ring 01252 Tue 30 TALK: Water Voles 7.30pm Meet outside the Pavilion, Frimley Lodge 512634. Meeting for Cove Brook Greenway Group Park, Sturt Road, Frimley Green. SU 888512. starts 6.45pm.Talk by Chris Matcham Ring 01252 836970. From 16 May-I July EXHIBITION: follows. Blunden Hall.Blunden Road, Cove. Wildly Natural Tues-Sat I lam-5pm SU 855561. Ring 01252 512634. Wed 19 WALK: Heathland Hike & Exhibiton of local wildlife, to mark the 60th lOam-lpm "•"• anniversary of Camberley Natural History JUNE Society. Surrey Heath Museum, Knoll Road, Walk around Elvetham Heath & Fleet WALKS FOR BEGINNERS ^ Pond and see some of the area's heathland Camberley. Ring 01276 707284. Don't consider yourself a walker, ^"^ habitats, 6-7 miles. No dogs. Elvetham Heath but would like to give it a try, then these Community Centre car park. SU 798552. Thur 18 WALK: Rural walks are for you. Every Friday afternoon Wander lOam-lpm '^ during June, July, August and September See some of the Blackwater Valley's more Fri 28 WALK: Bats of the A starting at 2pm, lasting for l'A-2 hours. Blackwater Valley 8.15pm-9.45pm w rural areas on this 5/2 mile walk around Different start points in the Farnborough, Find out more about bats. Bring a torch. Eversley and through Bramshill Forest. Frimley,Ash and Aldershot areas, No dogs. Meet at small parking area off No dogs. Meet Aldershot Park car park, check our website for details Bramshill Road.SU 760613. Guildford Road,Aldershot. SU 877491. or ring 01252 331353. No walking boots required!
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership Blackwater Valley Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road,Aldershot GUI I 2PS. Countryside Partnership Telephone (01252) 331353 www.blackwater-valley.org.uk Fri 2 & Sat 3 WALK: Nightjars JULY AUGUST 9.30pm-1 Ipm Sun 2 FAMILY EVENT: Brickfields Fur Thur 3 FAMILY EVENT: Meet & Listen to the best sound of the year and & Feathers Fun Day I lam-4pm the Wildlife II am-2.3Opm W learn more about these fascinating birds. With farm amimals, displays and stalls from Bring the family for a day of discovery. Meet No dogs. Meet outside the Pavilion, Frimley local environment and wildlife groups, the rangers. Find out about the site's history Lodge Park, Sturt Road, Frimley Green. Ring refreshments, games, quizzes, bouncy castle, and current management. See how many 01252 836970. tombola, and more. More details from insects you can find. Meet Hawley Meadows www.brickfieldspark.org car park, Blackwater Valley Road (opp Sun 4 FOR CHILDREN: Water Beasts Watchmoor Business Park) Blackwater. ofWatchmoor 2pm-4pm Thur 6 WALK: Discover /j_ SU 860590. Family pond dipping at theWatchmoor Dragonflies lpm-3.30pm ™ Reserve. Nets provided but limited, so first Join Ken Crick on a walk round Wildmoor Sat 12 WALK: Grasshoppers at come first served. Meet at car park behind Heath, to look for dragonflies. No dogs. Cove Brook I Oam Sainsbury's petrol station Watchmoor Park. Wildmoor Heath car park, Crowthorne To be confirmed. Ring 01252 512634. No dogs. SU 864587 Ring 01276 479582. Road, Little Sandhurst. SU 837630. Sat 19 WALK: Hills, Heather & A Fri 9 & Sat 10 WALK: Nightjars Fri 7 & Sat 8 WALK: Nightjars History I Oam-Ipm -•» 9.30pm-1 Ipm 9.30pm-1 Ipm Walk of around 5 miles. Details to be Same details as Sat 3rd June. Same details as Sat 3rd June. confirmed.RingOI252 331353.
Sat 10 WALK: Beyond the Brook ^ Sat 8 WALK: Wildflowers of Cove SEPTEMBER 10am-Ipm w Brook 10am All month CONSERVATION: (, Suitable for keen walkers this 7 mile walk To be confirmed, Ring 01252 512634. Go Wild! Find out more about ^Bf takes you along Cove Brook and through conservation and the volunteer groups in the woods around Hawley Lake. No dogs. Thur 13 WALK: Summer at the Blackwater Valley through this special Meet Blunden Hall, Blunden Road, Cove. Rowhill 7.30pm programme of events. Ring 01252 331353. SU 855561. Guided walk around Rowhill, a 55-acre nature reserve. Rowhill Field Centre, Sun 10 WALK: Greywall & fr Wed l4WALK:Transported £ Cranmore Lane, Aldershot. SU 849499. Ring Whitewater IO.3Oam-3.3Opm "-1 through Ash 10am-12.30 ^ 01252 319749. Leisurely all day 8 mile walk. Meet Colt Hill An interesting walk of 4!4 miles linking car park, Odiham. SU 747517. the history of transport in the Valley. Meet Wed 19 WALK: Heathlands & Coronation Gardens car park.Ash Hill Road Meadows 10am-Ipm Tues 19 WALK: Valley Waterways (r Ash.SU 896514. A 5 mile walk around Yateley Common I Oam-Ipm "**' & Shepherd Meadows. Meet Yateley A 5-mile walk along the canal and river, Wed 21 WALK: Wait Until Dark Common Gravel Pit car park, off the A30, nr passing lakes and through woodlands. Canal 9.30pm Blackwater. SU 838594. Centre, Mytchett. SU 893550. Join ranger Gordon Voller for a twilight stroll and search for creatures of the night. Sun 23 FAMILY EVENT: Mini-beasts of Fri 22 WALK: Bats of the Meet Visitor Centre, Lightwater Country the Meadow 2.30pm BlackwaterValley 7pm-8.30pm w Park. SU 921622 Ring 01276 479582 Search for mini-beasts amongst the grass Find out more about bats. Bring a torch. N' and scrub. Sweep nets provided but dogs. Meet Sandhurst Memorial Park car Sat 24 FOR CHILDREN: Make a Bird limited, so first come first served. Outside park.Yorktown Road, Sandhurst. SU 842613. Box Between 10.30am-12.30pm the Groundsman's office, Frimley Green Materials limited so first come first served. recreation ground, Frimley Green Road. No Children must be accompanied by an adult dogs. SU 887572. Ring 01276 479582. £5 per box. Surrey Heath Museum, Knoll Road, Camberley. Ring 01276 707284. Fri 28 WALK: Nightjars 9.30pm-11 pm Same details as Sat 3rd June. Sun 25 SURVEY:Wildflower A Meadow IOam-3.3Opm w Sun 30WALK:The Magic of Heathland Improve your wildflower identification skills 2-4pm and help survey the meadow at Lakeside A guided tour of Wildmoor Heath, hear Park.AII levels and abilities welcome. No how heathlands were created. Meet at car dogs. Meet Lakeside Park car park, Lakeside park off Crowthorne Road. Bring binoculars. Road.Ash.SU 888517. Ring 01344 354400/354441.
Fri 30 WALK: Nightjars 9.30pm-1 I pm Same details as Sat 3rd June.
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