Moorgreen Lakes Group's Annual Report

Moor Green Lakes Group Annual Report 2015

MOOR GREEN LAKES

NATURE RESERVE

TWENTY THIRD ANNUAL REPORT

2015

MOOR GREEN LAKES NATURE RESERVE

TWENTY THIRD ANNUAL REPORT: 2015

CONTENTS Page

Chapter 1 Introduction.…………….…….…………………….….……………………. 4

Chapter 2 Site Management and Ranger Report 2015.….….….………………………. 5

Chapter 3 Report on Birds for 2015……………………..……………………………..10

Chapter 4 Moor Green Lakes Ringing Project 2015.……….………………………… 14

Chapter 5 Nest Boxes Recording 2015………………………………………..……… 20

Chapter 6 Report on Dragonflies and Damselflies for 2015………………….………. 25

Chapter 7 Report on Butterflies for 2015……………………………………..………. 27

Chapter 8 Fungus Surveys and Forays 2015…………………………………..……… 31

Chapter 9 Report on Moths for 2015...... 35

Chapter 10 Mammal Report for 2015……….………………………...... 40

(Unfortunately there is not sufficient data this year for a Botanical Survey report.)

APPENDICES

Appendix A Profile and Map of the Reserve………………………..…………..…...….. 41

Appendix B Moor Green Lakes Group Team………………….……….…………..…... 43

Appendix C Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve Reference Library……………...... 44

Appendix D Notes and Guidelines on Bird Recording………..…….……………...... …. 46

Appendix E Annual Bird Report for 2015.………………………………………...……. 48

Appendix F Check List of Bird Species 1990 – 2015…….………...………….….....…. 65

Appendix G Eversley Gravel Pit - Wetland Bird Survey Counts……...…….....…..…… 71

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE TWENTY THIRD REPORT OF THE MOOR GREEN LAKES GROUP

Adrian Hobbs, Chairman

Welcome to the Moor Green Lakes Group (MGLG) annual report for 2015. The report provides a record of the wildlife at Moor Green Lakes and details the conservation work performed. Once again, I am indebted to Iain Oldcorn for editing the report.

The report details the information gained from the many wildlife surveys carried out by our group of recorders. As in previous years, the Reading and Basingstoke Ringing group have made regular visits to the reserve to ring the birds active at the site. Their ringing report is also included.

The essential maintenance of the reserve is carried out jointly by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) and volunteers from the MGLG. Without their dedication to the many necessary tasks, the reserve would get out of control, become overgrown and unmanageable. Stuart Croft, the BVCP Countryside Ranger, leads his team, supplemented by volunteers on Tuesday work parties and Peter Scott, Simon Weeks and Tony Elston lead the volunteer work parties on Sundays. More volunteers are always wanted, so if you want some healthy outdoor activity in wonderful surroundings, join the volunteers.

When food for the birds is in short supply, we supplement it. We are indebted to Terry Patton who keeps the bird feeders stocked during these periods.

At the beginning of the year, the fence between the car park and the adjacent bridle path was replaced. The opportunity was taken to straighten both the fence and the bridle path, enhancing both. The car park height barrier had sagged over time, becoming difficult to open and close. Additional supporting stays were installed to counteract the weight of the barrier. We are indebted to our local fruit propagator Slavey Slavchev for supplying fence posts, ground anchors, manpower and the use of his Back Hoe to install the fence and support stays.

Following the official proceedings of the AGM, Mike Coates, Farnham Heath Project Manager for the RSPB, gave a presentation on RSPB activities. Mike had hoped to be able to speak about the RSPB’s future intentions regarding Moor Green Lakes and the adjacent sites at Manor Farm and Fleet Hill Farm. Unfortunately, this was not possible, as the agreement was still awaiting signature by CEMEX.

For this year’s Open Day the weather was less kind but there was still a good turnout of visitors. The various walks and demonstrations proved popular although few small mammals were found in the mammal traps this year. It has proved to be a difficult year for small mammals. As usual, the visiting children had great fun with the Pond Dipping and the bird ringing and nest box displays were as popular as usual..

As always, the report is full of interesting information and I trust that you find it both enjoyable and informative. I look forward to meeting many of you at our future events.

CHAPTER 2

Practical Site Management Report 2015

By Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP)

These 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 achieved.

Clearing and mowing paths (yellow) In addition to work maintaining access to the reserve along the public footpaths and bridleway, the internal routes for rangers, volunteers, surveyors and cow-lookers have been cut back. From November we started a series of days to chainsaw and chip overhanging branches on the Blackwater Valley Path by the river, which needs doing every few years to reduce the tunnel-effect. Chipping BV Path by river Grazing – goats and cows The volunteer tasks combined with the goats continue to be an effective way to suppress the bramble growth on Long Island, so we can encourage over-wintering wildfowl in the low sward. The cattle are very useful at keeping the meadows open and reducing scrub encroachment of the remote lake edges. We herded adventurous escapee cows on a few occasions, which obviously thought the grass on the adjoining paddocks were greener. Our active management of Moor Green Lakes helps to provide a mosaic of different habitats and increase biodiversity.

Vegetation cleared / treated (green) Water-side scrub was cut this year including on west and north west Colebrook Lake North, south west Long Island and by both hides and bird-viewing screens. The herbicide treatment which is used were possible has been very successful at reducing regrowth. This year we had a couple of tasks in the north east corner of Long Island, to expose the scrape for invertebrates and open up volunteer access where we moor the pontoon from the mainland.

View west of vegetation cutting to expose scrape on north east Long Island

Hay cut meadow (orange) Volunteers help us with hay-cutting areas that are not cattle grazed, such as the bird-feeder paddock, in front of Colebrook Hide and south west of Long Island. Here successive cutting and removal of hay has reduced nutrients for the vigorous grass, and promoted a low sward for wildflowers and a view from the hide. Regular bramble clearance on central north Grove Lake now means we have a south-facing wildflower meadow rich in Betony. Our volunteer hay cut helps promote this important habitat in addition to the light cattle grazing.

Removed island vegetation (brown) To maintain exposed gravel nesting sites, we cleared vegetation from Tern and most of Plover Islands with the debris ferried off to form habitat piles. Vegetation was cleared from scrapes and bunds in front of both hides and south west Long Island, to provide wader foraging niches and better views.

Fencing (pink line) We were lucky this year with only a few occasions where cattle or neighbouring horses escaped, repairing 100m of fencing compared to 500m last year. Since fence posts can rot quickly in the highly acidic ground water, I expect fencing repairs will increase again in 2016.

Hedge-laying (purple) A 31m section of the hedge was laid by the footpath to Colebrook Bird Hide. The double row of saplings was planted with this in mind, so it was great to finally lay the hedge and provide a dense screen. The hedge will be trimmed for a couple of years to encourage dense lower growth and then allowed to grow up into a natural screen. This is far better than a fence since it also provides foraging and breeding niches, like the bird nest we found in the hedge we laid last year.

Volunteers showing off their hedge-laying by Colebrook Hide

Projects (pink dots) The volunteers undertook lots of discrete projects which are listed on the map key including; installing the refurbished Grove sign board to the car park, bat and barn owl surveys, herding escapee cows, pulling Himalayan Balsam, chain sawing fallen trees and extending the car park by cleverly shuffling the bridleway. The Open Day was a great success with lots of activities including bird ringers, wildlife walks and pond dipping. 6 Copyright © 2016 Moor Green Lakes Group Moor Green Lakes Group Annual Report 2015

Practical tasks 2015

BVCP Ranger Report 2015

Stuart Croft, Countryside Ranger, BVCP

In 2015 we spent 50 ranger days managing Moor Green Lakes which exceeded our Cemex income of £9,270 by £2,700. This doesn’t include the 10 ranger days spent managing the public rights of way around Moor Green Lakes and Manor Farm.

The number of volunteers has decreased slightly from the previous year by 6%, but the number of tasks has increased by 26% to 43. This shift in practical work on site is more beneficial to the reserve, since we can tackle a greater breath of small and responsive tasks, such as herding escapee cows and clearing fallen trees. Many of these tasks have been organised by MGL volunteers such as pulling Himalayan Balsam pulling, refurbishing a signboard and re-aligning the bridleway to extend the car park; which are useful to free up ranger time for machine tasks. In total there were 288 volunteer days spent in 2015 worth over £14,400.

Summary of Volunteers on practical tasks 2015 2014 Volunteer tasks No. of Average No. of Average No. of vols No. of tasks tasks per task vols per task MGLG (usually Sundays) 9 87 10 7 73 10.4 BVCP (usually Tues) 8 90 11 9 123 13.6

Corporate & Community 3 29 10 1 43 43 Minor Projects 22 37 2 15 20 1.7 Individual Volunteers 2 45 2 45 Total Volunteer tasks 43 288 34 304

Value of volunteers £14,400 £15,200 (at £50 per day)

Thank you to all the volunteers who have helped us achieve so much on the conservation tasks. The majority of practical tasks are undertaken by Blackwater Valley Countryside Volunteers (usually Tuesdays) and the MGL Volunteers (usually Sundays). In 2015 they were also supported by:

Minor project volunteers There are lots of tasks on site which require a small team of MGLG, BVC volunteers or work placement students. One such job was replacing the rotted wooden Shelduck nest box on Plover Island, which had supported a Shelduck brood earlier in the year. Jenny, Trainee Mark and I installed a new improved sturdy breeze-block design nest box.

New Shelduck nest box

Individual volunteers The regular assistance of a rota of dedicated volunteers has proved invaluable for checking goats and cattle. These both need checking at least daily when on site and required the equivalent of 45 days input. Thanks to Peter for liaising with the grazier, organising the volunteer cow-lookers, and paddling over to check on the goats.

Corporate & community groups The bird feeder paddock and in front of Colebrook Hide were hay cut by volunteers from IHS marketing company. Whilst for clearing south west Long Island we tried to break the record for a bumper volunteer turnout of 28, with the help of colleagues from Southern Gas Networks (SGN). Volunteers from the Blooming Marvellous Gardening Project in Rushmoor came out to help on another Long Island task. This supported adult volunteer gardening project aims to empower those who want to volunteer, but would like some support to do so.

BV Volunteers and SGN on Long Island task

Special thanks To the volunteer leaders Peter Scott, Simon Weeks and Tony Elston who’s offer to lead and help with tasks were invaluable. All of them also do a great deal behind the scenes including: dealing with issues on site, organising the grazing and cow lookers, recruiting volunteers and ongoing maintenance like repairing the signboard. Also thanks to the committee, including Steve Arnold and Adrian for organising lots of other projects, including balsam pulling tasks and the MGL car park extension.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped at Moor Green Lakes on tasks that would not have been possible without their efforts.

CHAPTER 3 REPORT ON BIRDS 2015 Bird recorder: Roger Murfitt A total of 134 species (and recognizable subspecies) were recorded on the Moor Green Lakes recording area during the year.

During the first winter period of 2015, the long-staying adult male and redhead Smew were joined by a third redhead (probably a juvenile male) from 10th Feb and they were last seen on 23rd Feb. Wintering duck numbers in the first winter period were relatively low with a peak of 147 Wigeon and 30 Goosander in January. A normally sea-going Scaup was seen on four dates up to 1st April and there was a sighting of a Dartford Warbler in the Fen area of the New Workings on 5th Jan, which follows a sighting in the same area in the previous autumn, so is likely to be the same bird wintering. Another winter visitor, the Jack Snipe, is notoriously difficult to flush and you virtually have to step on them to make them fly. Hence although they are annual visitors to the reserve, they can be very difficult to see. However, one was flushed from the margin of Colebrook Lake North during a working party clearing willows from the lake margin on 11th Jan.

Spring migration got under way with an early Wheatear on 12th March whilst Sand Martins were first recorded on 29th March. There was a good Spring migration of waders this year as the water level on the New Workings was reduced by pumping in order to facilitate the start of land-filling operations. This had the beneficial effect of revealing sandy islands/bars which were quite attractive to waders. There were a number of sightings of Dunlin with flocks of eleven on 26th April and seven on 9th May, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, a Turnstone on 25th April, Curlew, Whimbrel and a single Black-tailed Godwit. A further Jack Snipe was seen on 23rd April – flushed from East Fen, along with all the other waders (two Greenshank, three Common Snipe and one Redshank) by a low- flying hot air balloon! Other passage birds included Arctic Tern in April, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier on 20th April and single Ospreys on 2nd April and 17th May. A Kittiwake seen briefly on Tern Island on 1st April was only the second record for the site.

Breeding activity began in late February as Black-headed Gulls began to dispute territories on Tern Island and a pair of Oystercatcher (presumably last year’s successful pair?) also took up residence there. Space for the gulls on Tern Island (approx 40 nests) and the Tern rafts (8+ nests) was at a premium so some gulls also nested on Plover Island (8 nests) and a few nests on clumps of rushes on East Fen. Common Terns also nested on Tern Island, perhaps five pairs but difficult to be sure as they were hidden amongst vegetation. The Oystercatcher pair hatched out three young in early May and although within about 10 days two of these had disappeared, the remaining chick survived to fledging. Also nesting on Tern Island and bravely sitting tight amongst the raucous clamour of the gulls, was a pair of Lapwings, which hatched three young in late May. They soon moved the young birds to Colebrook Lake scrape, the chicks presumably swimming across though there is anecdotal evidence that Lapwings will sometimes carry their young in their legs! The damp scrape provides better feeding conditions for chicks but is less secure than Tern Island from ground predators and unfortunately on 31st May the adults were alone on the scrape with no young to be seen! The gull colony also suffered from predation with all the nests on Plover Island failing, perhaps due to a visit from a fox (as this island is relatively close to the bank), whilst several times a Carrion Crow was seen flying in low to land on Tern Island, despite heavy mobbing from the gulls. Even so, the gulls still succeeded in fledging reasonable numbers of young and at least two broods of young terns fledged. A check of the three Barn Owl boxes in June revealed one failed clutch of three cold eggs in one box and no sign of breeding in the others, though adults still present. This reflected the very low mammal population this year and a very poor breeding season for this species nationally.

Little-ringed plover on CLN scrape, 29th May 2015 (R C Murfitt)

It was a good spring for Redshank on the reserve, with up to six seen in April and a good deal of territorial activity, particularly on Plover Island and on the north bank of Colebrook Lake North nearby. It seems that the winter clearance of marginal shrubs and brambles in this area had the desired effect of making it more attractive to breeding waders. On 19th May a pair of Redshanks was seen giving alarm calls with a newly hatched young bird at the water’s edge. This is the first time that young Redshank are known to have hatched on the reserve since 2008. Unfortunately the young bird(s) disappeared within three days but then on 28th May another brood of three young just 1-2 days old was seen at the water’s edge though these also suffered the same fate and quickly disappeared. Amongst the wildfowl, a Gadwall female was seen with six ducklings and a new breeding species for the reserve was recorded when a pair of Shelduck with nine newly-hatched ducklings was first seen on Colebrook Lake North on 15th May. Unfortunately the latter brood gradually declined in numbers over the ensuing days until all the ducklings had disappeared – in this case pike may be responsible for some of the losses as they do predate upon ducklings.

Other breeding wildfowl included at least four broods of young Great-crested Grebes seen around the reserve, a few broods of Tufted Ducks and also young Little Grebes on Manor Lake and the New Workings. Autumn wader passage was pretty good this year, helped by low water levels on the New Workings and East Fen for several weeks from late September. The Dutch-ringed Green Sandpiper individual that has been around the reserve over six winters was confirmed again from photographs on 18th Aug and seen again in October. Dunlins were recorded in ones and twos on at least three dates, up to two Greenshanks on several dates and up to four Ruff were resident on the drained New Workings from 18th Sept to 9th Oct. It was a good autumn for Wood Sandpiper sightings across the country and Moor Green Lakes did not miss out on this scarce migrant with two on East Fen on 29th and one still around on 30th Aug. Black Tern is another scarce passage migrant in the county which usually passes through quickly, so the juvenile which stayed on the New Workings from 26th to 29th Aug gave observers an extended opportunity to catch up with this species. A migrant Garganey was picked out and photographed on Colebrook Lake South on 9th Sept.

Ruff on New Workings, 27th Sept 2015 (R C Murfitt)

The regular passerine migrants, Wheatear, Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail, were all seen on several dates in the Autumn. The continued decline of breeding Spotted Flycatchers in the UK (down 88% from 1970 – 2011) was reflected in just the single record of a passage bird on 26th Aug. A female Dartford Warbler seen in the broom bushes on the New Workings on 25th Aug and 3rd Sept was presumably a case of post-breeding dispersal from nearby heathland. There were two records of Firecrest which may be different birds, one seen with a tit flock near the sewage works at western end of New Workings on 23rd Oct and one caught and ringed at Colebrook Lake on 25th Oct.

A roost of Starlings in the Manor Farm reedbed built up from several hundred in July to 2,400 in early Nov and was regularly harried by one or two Sparrowhawk as they settled in the reeds at dusk. The abundant weeds on the in-fill at the western end of New Workings attracted significant flocks of finches at the end of the year, with over a hundred each of Linnets and Lesser Redpolls, whilst a flock of up to 40 Chaffinches included a single Brambling on occasions. This area also proved attractive to feeding Pied Wagtails with a peak count of 70 recorded on 21st Dec.

Winter visitors began to arrive in October and a Jack Snipe was seen on East Fen on 8th Oct, probably helped by the low water levels bringing this very skulking species out into the open. A Short-eared Owl was seen briefly on Manor Farm area on 22nd Oct by the Mammal Recorder and helpers as they set live traps. Its failure to linger can be explained by the zero mammal capture rate achieved which shows that rodent populations (and owl food) remained at a low ebb on the reserve. The very mild weather during the first half of the winter no doubt contributed to relatively low numbers of wintering waterfowl as some are likely to have “short-stopped” their migration and remained on the Continent until forced to move by freezing weather. Despite this, a dusk count of roosting Goosanders on 27th Dec found a very reasonable 40 birds on Grove Lake which, with a simultaneous count of 37 at Bramshill (Hants), gives a total of at least 77 in the area. Finally, a roost count of 115 Cormorant on 27th Nov at Grove Lake is believed to be a new record count for the site.

Finally, I would like to finish by thanking all those observers who have submitted records and also to my wife, Sarah, for her invaluable help in collating records for the report. I would encourage all readers to submit their bird records, not just of the more unusual species, but also significant counts of commoner species and records of breeding activity for all species so that we can continue to closely monitor the bird populations of the reserve and recording area. See ‘Notes and Guidelines on Recording’ elsewhere in this report for ways of submitting records.

CHAPTER 4 MOOR GREEN LAKES BIRD RINGING PROJECT, 2015 REPORT

Reading and Basingstoke Ringing, January 2016

1 Introduction

This was the fifth year we have operated Moor Green Lakes as a routine ringing site to study the bird populations as they develop and stabilise during the restoration programme. We intended to carry out at least one morning ringing session each month throughout the year and we only managed eight sessions during 2015, largely because of awkward weather conditions. In addition we ringed pulli (chicks) in the nest boxes. The Gull and Tern colony was established this year but we did not manage to ring any of their chicks. All ringing, except the Barn Owls is carried out by Reading and Basingstoke Ringing whose members are all volunteers who have the appropriate BTO Ringing Licenses. We have a web site (www.rbringing.co.uk) which gives information about ringing in general and some of our projects.

2 Ornithological Objectives

The principal objectives of the ringing project are:  Add more detail to the excellent established MGLG bird recording system and help build a more complete record of the bird species and populations using the site.  Track changes in populations as the effects of the gravel extraction and restoration programme take effect.

3 Ringing Sites

The bushes and scrub along the west and north-west of Colebrook Lake provide an excellent ringing site with mixed vegetation and a good population of birds at most times of the year and this area will probably remain our main ringing base until the New Workings restoration has progressed a bit further. Potential ringing areas in the already restored sections of the New Workings have been identified but these will probably only provide low numbers of species which we wouldn’t expect to catch in our normal area and so will probably be targeted at specific times of the year.

Most of the birds except those in nest boxes are caught using mist nets which are typically set in lines 20 to 100m long, with up to 300m of net being used during a session.

4 Ringing Results

A total of 493 birds of 36 species were ringed in 2015, this was a reasonable total and the variety was our best ever here. This year we did 323 full grown birds of 34 species plus 170 pulli of 4 species, see Table 1. All recoveries which we have details of involving Moor Green are presented in Table 2. The total of full grown birds ringed was reasonable and the number of pulli ringed was our second best so far.

4.1 Gulls and Terns The Common Tern and Black-headed Gull colonies were active this year but the amount of vegetation made it difficult to see how the young were developing and it’s also possible that a fairly large proportion of the nesting attempts failed. As a result no attempt was made to ring them this year.

It was a very good year for colour ringed Black-headed Gull sightings here this year with ten birds that we had ringed elsewhere seen here plus one of the 2014 Moor Green birds and one from Wiltshire. Elsewhere there were reports of one of the 2007 metal ringed Gulls and three other 2014 colour ringed Gulls. Full details are on Table 2.

4.2 Other Non-passerines 12 non-passerines of eight species were ringed in 2014. Once again Stock Doves used a number of the large boxes but we only ringed three pulli this year. The other non-passerines included an adult Mandarin from a nest box, two birds of prey and three Woodpeckers and two Kingfishers.

4.3 Warblers It was a good year for warblers with 160 of nine species ringed. It was the second best year we’ve had for Whitethroats but only one was retrapped from previous years.

Chiffchaff numbers were better than 2014 but not high and after 2014’s lack of Willow Warblers we did get two this year which is still well down on previous years. In contrast numbers of Blackcaps and Garden Warblers were both the second best we have had.

Goldcrest numbers were the highest we have had here and we also caught a lovely Firecrest.

4.4 Finches and Buntings Very low numbers of finches were caught this year with five species represented; the number would almost certainly been higher if we had managed more ringing sessions towards the end of the year. A few Reed Buntings were ringed this year.

4.5 Other Passerines As in previous years a reasonable variety of other passerines were caught and as would be expected Tits were well represented. Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, and Song Thrushes were caught in reasonable numbers and we also caught a single Dunnock and a Blackbird which had been ringed in 2010 and these were the oldest two passerines we’ve retrapped here. We also managed a Jay and two Magpies which doubled the total of Magpies we’ve ringed here. One brood of Jackdaws was also ringed.

Table 1: Moor Green Lakes Ringing Totals Page 1 of 2

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Species P P Con. FG P Con. Total FG P Con. RC Total FG P Con. RC Total FG P Con. RC Total FG P Con. RC Total Cormorant 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 Mute Swan 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 Canada Goose 4 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 0 Mandarin Duck 2 2 2 2 4 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 0 Sparrowhawk 0 2 0 2 0 0 Kestrel 0 Oystercatcher 1 1 Little Ringed Plover 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-headed Gull 79 2 0 5 1 6 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 35 1 4 40 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 1 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 Common Tern 3 0 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wood Pigeon Stock Dove 1 24 25 1 25 0 26 19 0 19 1 14 0 15 Little Owl 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kingfisher 3 3 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 Green Woodpecker 1 1 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 1 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 3 3 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 Grey Wagtail 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wren 6 6 10 2 12 11 1 12 12 2 14 20 1 21 Dunnock 8 8 16 3 19 10 5 15 16 5 21 16 4 20 Robin 11 11 23 1 24 19 4 23 12 2 14 19 3 22 Blackbird 9 9 14 4 18 9 5 14 15 5 20 10 7 17 Song Thrush 5 5 14 14 10 1 11 9 1 10 11 4 15 Redwing 0 0 1 0 1 6 0 6 Sedge Warbler 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reed Warbler 3 3 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 Lesser Whitethroat 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 Whitethroat 19 19 54 5 59 16 5 21 26 1 27 22 6 28 Garden Warbler 19 19 8 8 4 0 4 10 0 10 10 0 10 Blackcap 37 37 49 1 50 32 0 32 37 2 39 39 1 40 Chiffchaff 96 1 97 49 1 50 22 0 22 44 0 44 22 0 22 Willow Warbler 20 20 20 1 21 3 0 3 4 0 4 0 0 Goldcrest 7 7 21 1 22 8 1 9 7 0 7 12 0 12 Firecrest 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Long-tailed Tit 24 24 28 3 31 11 4 15 14 6 20 20 6 26 Coal Tit 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blue Tit 55 55 65 4 69 21 8 29 24 31 3 58 33 43 1 77 Great Tit 39 39 45 6 51 32 5 37 13 41 2 56 11 134 5 150 Nuthatch 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 Treecreeper 1 1 1 1 2 0 2 3 0 3 0 0 Jay 4 4 3 3 2 1 3 0 0 1 2 3 Magpie 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Jackdaw 4 4 2 0 2 0 0 3 0 3 Carrion Crow 1 1 Chaffinch 1 1 4 4 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 Greenfinch 4 4 18 18 16 1 17 4 0 4 1 0 1 Goldfinch 6 6 5 5 0 0 0 0 7 0 7 Siskin 7 7 21 21 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 Common Redpoll 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Lesser Redpoll 49 49 14 2 16 11 0 11 0 0 12 0 12 Bullfinch 4 4 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 3 Reed Bunting 0 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 3 0 3 Totals 81 5 4 444 23 4 471 499 28 4 35 566 254 27 3 42 326 265 93 2 30 390 285 230 2 46 563 Species 2 2 1 33 3 4 39 31 2 3 14 35 29 2 2 13 32 26 4 2 11 29 26 6 2 14 31 FG = Full grown P = Pulli (nestling) Con.=Control - Ringed elsewhere RC = Recapture from previous years 16 Copyright © 2016 Moor Green Lakes Group Moor Green Lakes Group Annual Report 2015

Table 1: Moor Green Lakes Ringing Totals Page 2 of 2

Maximum time between ringing Greatest distance 2015 Total Ringed Species & recapture (ringed at MGL) (km) FG P Con. RC Total FG P Total All birds Pulli From MGL To MGL Cormorant 0 0 0 0 0 421 Mute Swan 0 0 1 0 1 21 days Canada Goose 0 0 1 2 3 Mandarin Duck 1 0 1 7 0 7 2 years 360 days Sparrowhawk 1 1 2 3 0 3 1 year 356 days Kestrel 1 0 1 1 0 1 Oystercatcher 0 0 0 1 1 20 days 20 days Little Ringed Plover 0 0 0 2 2 Black-headed Gull 12 12 0 121 121 7 years 274 days 7 years 274 days 452 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull 0 0 0 0 0 119 Common Tern 0 0 0 18 18 10 days 10 days 11 Wood Pigeon 1 0 1 1 0 1 Stock Dove 3 0 3 3 85 88 Little Owl 0 0 1 3 4 20 days 20 days Kingfisher 2 0 2 7 0 7 Green Woodpecker 2 0 2 7 0 7 1 year 60 days Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 0 1 9 0 9 14 days Grey Wagtail 0 0 1 0 1 Wren 15 2 17 74 0 74 1 year 300 days Dunnock 17 4 21 83 0 83 4 years 194 days Robin 25 5 30 109 0 109 3 years 73 days Blackbird 4 5 9 61 0 61 4 years 358 days Song Thrush 5 1 6 54 0 54 3 years 31 days Redwing 1 0 1 8 0 8 Sedge Warbler 1 0 1 4 0 4 Reed Warbler 1 0 1 7 0 7 21 days 71 Lesser Whitethroat 0 0 2 0 2 Whitethroat 38 1 39 175 0 175 1 year 328 days 7 Garden Warbler 16 0 16 67 0 67 62 days 10 Blackcap 40 1 41 234 0 234 1 year 279 days 117 Chiffchaff 36 0 36 269 0 269 224 days 24 Willow Warbler 2 0 2 49 0 49 329 days Goldcrest 25 0 25 80 0 80 168 days Firecrest 1 0 1 2 0 2 Long-tailed Tit 23 5 28 120 0 120 3 years 171 days Coal Tit 0 0 1 0 1 Blue Tit 22 49 5 76 220 123 343 2 years 60 days 342 days Great Tit 18 116 8 142 158 291 449 3 years 310 days 1 year 1 day Nuthatch 0 0 3 0 3 Treecreeper 1 1 2 8 0 8 90 days 2 years 33 days Jay 1 0 1 11 0 11 4 years 162 days Magpie 2 0 2 4 0 4 Jackdaw 2 0 2 0 11 11 Carrion Crow 0 0 1 0 1 Chaffinch 1 0 1 12 0 12 27 days Greenfinch 5 2 7 48 0 48 1 year 355 days Goldfinch 4 0 4 22 0 22 Siskin 2 0 2 33 0 33 Common Redpoll 0 0 2 0 2 Lesser Redpoll 6 1 0 7 92 0 92 1 year 236 days 257 124 Bullfinch 0 0 7 0 7 2 years 347 days Reed Bunting 2 1 3 8 0 8 1 year 264 days 8 Totals 323 170 1 54 548 2070 257 2727 Maximum 7 Maximum 7 Maximum Maximum Species 34 4 1 15 37 45 10 50 years 274 days years 274 days = 452 km = 119 km FG = Full grown FG = FullP = grownPulli (nestling) RC = Recapture from previous years

Table 2: Recoveries and significant retraps Page 1 of 2

Black-headed Gull EW49043 1 04/06/2007 Moor Green Lakes LNR VV 6 05/03/2015 Lea Farm Gravel Pit 11 km NNW 7 yrs 274 days

EY83095 1 22/06/2014 Moor Green Lakes LNR RR 5 20/02/2015 Pitsford Water, Northamptonshire 107 km N 243 days

EX10669 2Y69 1 07/07/2009 Cleveland Farm, Wiltshire 5 02/10/2011 Lavells Lake, Dinton Pastures, Hurst, Wokingham 75 km, ESE, 2 yrs 87 days 6 20/03/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR, West Berkshire 63 km, ESE, 3 yrs 256 days 6 11/04/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR, West Berkshire 63 km, ESE, 3 yrs 278 days 6 13/04/2013 Lea Farm Gravel Pit, Hurst, Wokingham 75 km, ESE, 3 yrs 280 days 6 17/04/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR, West Berkshire 63 km, ESE, 3 yrs 278 days 6 25/04/2014 Lea Farm Gravel Pit, Hurst, Wokingham 75 km, ESE, 4 yrs 292 days 6 06/03/2015 Lea Farm Gravel Pit, Hurst, Wokingham 75 km, ESE, 5 yrs 242 days 6 14/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 81 km, ESE, 5 yrs 281days 6 04/05/2015 Lea Farm Gravel Pit, Hurst, Wokingham 75 km, ESE, 5 yrs 301 days

EX30157 25C7 1 07/06/2010 Hosehill Lake LNR 3 27/06 to 01/07/2010 Hosehill Lake LNR 20 to 24 days 5 26/04/2011 Hosehill Lake LNR 323 days 5 06/06/2011 Dinton Pastures, Hurst, Wokingham 14km E 364 days 6 12/02/2012 Lavell’s Lake, Hurst, Wokingham 14km E 1 yr 219 days 6 15/03/2012 Lavell’s Lake, Hurst, Wokingham 14km E 1 yr 282 days 6 03/05/2012 Lavell’s Lake, Hurst, Wokingham 14km E 1 yr 331 days 6 05/05/2012 Hosehill Lake LNR 1 yr 333 days 6 26/02/2014 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 3 years 264 days 6 15/03/2014 Lea Farm GP, Hurst, Wokingham 14km ENE 3 years 281 days 6 22/02/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 4 years 260 days 6 27 to 28/03/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 4 years 293 to 294 days

EX30342 24J2 1 11/06/2011 Hosehill Lake LNR 3 27 to 28/06/2011 Hosehill Lake LNR 16 to 17 days 5 07/05/2012 Hosehill Lake LNR 331 days 6 18/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 3 years 311 days

EX30389 28J9 1 16/06/2012 Hosehill Lake LNR 5 30/08 to 09/09/2013 Whitegate, Cork Harbour, Cork, Eire 495 km W 1 yr 75 to 85 days 5 25/09/2013 Whitegate, Cork Harbour, Cork, Eire 495 km W 1 yr 101 days 6 04/04/2014 Lea Farm GP, Hurst, Wokingham 14 km ENE 1 yr 292 days 6 21 to 22/04/2014 Hosehill Lake LNR 1 yr 309 to 310 days 6 08/05/2014 Hosehill Lake LNR 1 yr 326 days 6 02/03/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 2 yrs 259 days 6 23 to 28/03/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 2 yrs 280 to 285 days 6 18/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 2 yrs 306 days

EY09047 24K7 1 08/06/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR 3 23/06 to 05/07/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR 15 to 27 days 6 28/03 to 16/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 293 to 312 days

EY09065 26K5 1 08/06/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR 3 22/06 to 07/07/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR 14 to 29 days 5 08/04/2014 Mucking Flats, Mucking, Essex 105 km E 304 days 5 20/04/2014 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 316 days 5 20/05 to 01/06/2014 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 346 to 357 days 6 27/02 to 06/03/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 264 to 271 days 6 23/03/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 288 days 6 08/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 304 days 6 24/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 320 days

EY09067 26K7 1 08/06/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR 6 04/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 300 days

EY09087 1 08/06/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR 28K7 6 27/03/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 292 days

EY09126 22L6 1 15/06/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR 3 26/06 to 07/07/2013 Hosehill Lake LNR Hosehill Lake LNR 11 to 22 days 5 29/04/2014 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 318 days 5 30/05 to 01/06/2014 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 349 to 350 days 6 23/03 to 04/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 286 to 293 days 6 05/06/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18 km ESE 1 year 355 days

Table 2: Recoveries and significant retraps Page 2 of 2

EY09182 28L2 1 11/07/2013 Fleet Pond 3 04/08/2013 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 24 days 6 23/03/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 8km NNW 1 year 255 days

EY83065 26N5 1 14/06/2014 Hosehill Lake LNR 3 23/06 to 02/07/2014 Hosehill Lake LNR 9 to 18 days 3 10/09/2014 Burnthouse Lane Gravel Pits 5 km ESE 88 days 5 25/03 to 05/04/2015 Hosehill Lake LNR 284 to 295 days 5 13/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR, Wokingham 18km ESE 303 days 5 23/04 to 20/05/2015 Hosehill Lake LNR 313 to 340 days 5 19 to 20/06/2015 Tice's Meadow, Surrey 32km SE 1 yr 5 to 6 days EY83144 24P4 1 22/06/2014 Moor Green Lakes 5 17/04/2015 Moor Green Lakes 299 days

EY83154 25P4 22/06/2014 Moor Green Lakes 04/05/2015 Tice's Meadow, Surrey 16 km SSE 316 days

EY83156 25P6 22/06/2014 Moor Green Lakes 15 to 23/06/2015 Hosehill Lake LNR 18 km WNW 358 days to 1 year 1 day

Lesser Redpoll D709790 3 24/10/2013 Chobham Common: 51°22'N 0°37'W (SU9665) (Surrey) R 6F 07/02/2015 Moor Green Lakes LNR 16km W 1 yr 106 days

Age: is given according to the EURING code. The figures do not represent years and are based on plumage not the date the bird w as ringed. 1 = pullus (nestling or chick) 5 = hatched during previous calendar year 2 = fully grow n, year of hatching quite unknow n 6 = hatched before previous calendar year, but exact year unknow n 3 = hatched during calendar year 7 = definitely hatched tw o calendar years before ringing 3J = hatched during calendar year, still w ith juvenile body plumage 8 = hatched more than tw o calendar years before year of ringing 4 = hatched before calendar year, but exact year unknow n 9 = definitely hatched three years before ringing

Sex: M = male, F = female. When individuals are sexed on finding, this is indicated by ‘=M’ or ‘=F’

Condition at recovery: X = found dead V = alive and probably healthy, caught and released but not by a ringer XF = found freshly dead or dying N = alive and probably healthy, caught and released but not by a ringer - nesting XL = found dead (not recent) VV = alive and probably healthy, ring or colour marks read in the field but not by ringer + = shot or intentionally killed by man NN = alive and probably healthy, ring or colour marks read in the field but not by ringer - nesting +F = shot or intentionally killed by man - fresh R = caught and released by ringer +L = shot or intentionally killed by man - not recent B = caught and released by ringer - nesting SR = sick or injured, released w ith ring RR = alive and probably healthy, ring or colour marks read in the field by ringer S = sick or injured - not know n to have been released BB = alive and probably healthy, ring or colour marks read in the field by ringer - nesting A = alive and probably healthy - fate unknow n // = condition on finding w holly unknow n AC = alive and probably healthy - now captive

CHAPTER 5

NEST BOX RECORDING 2015

Recorders: Liz and Andy Scott

Introduction

2015 was our third year of Nest Box monitoring at Moor Green, so by now we were familiar with the different spots around the site, and what to expect from different boxes as well as the ‘best boxes’ as far as the breeding Blue and Great Tits were concerned. All the usual species made nesting attempts in boxes on the site – Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Stock Dove, Mandarin Duck and Jackdaw, and there were successes for all species this year, although not the bumper numbers of 2014 and with a much higher failure rate for Great Tits.

Method

We checked boxes weekly from mid-April, making notes on the state of nest building, number of cold and warm eggs, and number of chicks. More regular visits were required as the season progressed to coincide with optimum chick size for ringing the chicks, when their flight feathers are just beginning to break out of the feather sheaths. At this stage of feather growth the chicks’ legs are suitably large to take the rings without them falling off, but still calm and placid enough to not risk them trying to fledge early. This meant many visits during May, often three times per week, to ensure the small time window for each brood of chicks was caught. As with last year, the ringing process was the same. To ring the chicks we would first block up the nest box hole with a cloth before removing the chicks and placing them into a cotton draw-string processing bag. As each chick was ringed we would move it to a second “processed” bag, then when all were done we would place them carefully back into the cup of the nest within the box, close up the box and remove the cloth blocking the nest entrance. Blocking the entrance whilst ringing takes place means there is no risk that returning parents can enter the nest box to be fooled into thinking their young had fledged. The ringing operations were carried out as quickly as possible, and once complete, we would depart from the vicinity of the nest box to ensure the parents would go back to feeding promptly. Large boxes could be discretely checked by holding a mobile phone just inside the hole and taking a photo using the phone camera, which minimised disturbance to any chicks or sitting adults. This proved not only useful but produced breeding evidence for the Mandarin Ducks of box 30 – see below.

Results summary

Out of a total of 47 actual boxes across the site, 37 different boxes were occupied at some point over the breeding season to at least egg laying stage, with 42 individual nesting attempts in these boxes, 29 of which were successful in fledging young. As with the previous year, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Stock Dove, Mandarin Duck, Jackdaw and Nuthatch were the 6 species nesting in boxes on site.

A few figures – showing relative success rates for different species on site

Blue Tit nest attempts reaching at least egg stage: 5 Blue Tit eggs counted in boxes: 53 Blue Tit pulli counted in boxes: 49 (of which 49 were ringed) Blue Tit pulli fledged: 47

% of Blue Tit eggs hatched: 92% % of Blue Tit eggs hatched and fledged: 89% % of Blue Tit pulli fledged: 96% Highest brood size: 13 Blue Tit (box 5 – all 13 fledged)

Great Tit nest attempts reaching at least egg stage: 22 Great Tit eggs counted in boxes: 173 Great Tit pulli counted in boxes: 144 (of which 116 were ringed) Great Tit pulli fledged: 94 % of Great Tit eggs hatched: 83% % of Great Tit eggs hatched and fledged: 54% % of Great Tit pulli fledged: 65% Highest brood size: 10 Great Tit (box 5 –all 10 fledged)

Stock Dove nest attempts reaching at least egg stage: 9 Stock Dove eggs counted in boxes: 18 Stock Dove pulli counted in boxes: 17 (of which 10 were ringed) Stock Dove pulli fledged: 12 % of Stock Dove eggs hatched: 94% % of Stock Dove eggs hatched and fledged: 67% % of Stock Dove pulli fledged: 71%

Mandarin Duck nest attempts reaching at least egg stage: 5 Mandarin Duck eggs counted in boxes: 56 Mandarin Duck pulli counted in boxes: 4 % of Mandarin Duck eggs hatched: 7% Highest clutch size: 19 (probably multiple laying attempts, did not succeed)

Jackdaw nest attempts reaching at least egg stage: 1 (box 39) Jackdaw eggs counted in boxes: 5 Jackdaw pulli counted in boxes: 3 (of which 2 ringed) Jackdaw pulli fledged: 2 % of Jackdaw eggs hatched: 60% % of Jackdaw eggs hatched and fledged: 40% % of Jackdaw pulli fledged: 67%

Nuthatch nest attempts reaching at least egg stage: 1 (box 44) Nuthatch eggs counted in boxes: not counted Nuthatch pulli counted: not counted Nuthatch pulli fledged: not counted % of Nuthatch pulli fledged: unknown, unable to view inside this box this season

Notable nest box stories

Each year the Mandarin Ducks make a number of nesting attempts and we have been successful in carefully capturing some of the females as they sit tight on their nest. Once we have ringed the female, we can then make further checks on the status of the box by taking a photo of the box contents using a mobile phone camera, which stops the need to open the box and cause further disturbance. On 16 May a photo taken inside box 30 revealed the female still incubating. On 24 May 2015 we were fortunate enough to capture a photo within the short time window of only a couple of days between the ducklings hatching and jumping out of the box. The photos below show female

Mandarin FH37342 first incubating and then with her ducklings in box 30. A visit shortly afterwards revealed a box with a number of empty eggshells and no sign of dead or chicks, indicating our first confirmed nest success for this species.

Left: Mandarin sitting, 16 May 2015. Right: Mandarin with young, 24 May 2015.

As with previous years, the bridleway continued to be the top spot for maximum number of chicks successfully fledged for both Blue Tit and Great Tit per nest, presumably due to the density of large mature oaks providing caterpillars. This year it was box 5 (rather than box 4) which was occupied by Blue Tits with the highest clutch size of 13 which topped last year’s 12. What appeared to start off looking like a bumper year for Great Tits unfortunately ended up with many failed nests, which reflects what we had read from reports around the country, with many nests failing at the point where the young are at their most demanding (around 10-12 days old). We ended up with a fledging rate of only 65% for Great Tits compared with 83% in 2014, with several nest checks revealing all young dead at around this age. Blue Tits meanwhile, which nest in smaller numbers at Moor Green, fared much better with a 96% fledging rate compared with 100% in 2014.

Stock Doves continue to do well at Moor Green, with nest attempts continuing from early spring until the autumn.

A new box 52 (see below) sited in the copse north of Honey Field was immediately occupied by Blue Tits, and went on to be a successful nest with all chicks fledged. This year the Nuthatches in box 44 were determined to keep out intruders and mud-welded their box well and truly shut, making it impossible for us to check this box without risk of destroying the nest structure. The box was observed to have feeding activity but no fledging success could be confirmed.

Nest box maintenance

We sited a new woodcrete box with a 28mm hole within the copse north of Honey Field, which was immediately occupied by Blue Tits (box 52).

Over the season we replaced a number of nails on which the woodcrete boxes hang with aluminium nails. Several of the large boxes received minor repairs and new lids.

Conclusions

What started out looking like a bumper year unfortunately took a turn for the worse during the period when many Great Tit nests were at their most critical stage with young at their most demanding. We had read reports from around the country of Great Tit nests failing early and had thought early on that Moor Green was bucking the trend, but sadly we had many failures later on when the chicks were bigger. However, it was certainly not an outright failure of a year, with still a majority of Great Tit nests succeeding, a high success rate for the later nesting Blue Tits, and our first ever recorded evidence of nesting success for Mandarin Duck.

1st Egg Hatch Fledge Species Year* Nests Eggs Date Hatched Date Fledged Date Jackdaw 2014 1 5 10-Apr 3 29-Apr 3 30-May 2015 1 5 10-Apr 3 30-Apr 2 31-May Nuthatch 2014 1 6 - 6 - 6 - 2015 1 ------Blue Tit 2007 11 98 12-Apr 77 03-May 77 20-May 2008 9 86 16-Apr 37 09-May 36 28-May 2009 5 46 18-Apr 28 10-May 27 29-May 2010 8 67 16-Apr 20 10-May 8 27-May 2011 7 63 12-Apr 49 11-May 38 25-May 2013 8 61 NA 44 NA 43 NA 2014 5 47 13-Apr 45 04-May 45 23-May 2015 5 53 10-Apr 49 08-May 47 27-May Great Tit 2007 17 155 12-Apr 110 03-May 97 20-May 2008 22 183 16-Apr 137 08-May 121 26-May 2009 26 260 09-Apr 218 02-May 214 20-May 2010 24 200 22-Apr 145 14-May 120 30-May 2011 21 203 07-Apr 176 01-May 163 18-May 2013 14 89 NA 59 NA 42 NA 2014 20 159 09-Apr 138 29-Apr 119 17-May 2015 22 173 07-Apr 144 29-Apr 94 17-May Mandarin Duck 2007 5 41 28-Mar 36 08-May - - 2008 5 44 20-Apr 35 29-May - - 2009 4 46 10-Apr 33 18-May - - 2010 5 77 11-Apr 58 30-May - - 2011 5 76 03-Apr 21 20-May - - 2013 4 46 NA 0 NA - - 2014 3 19 NA 0 NA - - 2015 5 56 NA 4+ NA 4+ 24-May Stock Dove 2007 7 14 01-Apr 7 22-Apr 3 22-May 2008 4 5 15-Apr 2 08-May 2 05-Jun 2009 7 12 30-Mar 8 21-Apr 5 22-May 2010 17 36 23-Apr 18 30-Apr 11 20-May 2011 13 25 02-Mar 19 25-Apr 15 20-May 2013 22 50 NA 25 NA 24 NA 2014 16 29 26-Mar 18 05-May 15 14-May 2015 9 18 28-Mar 17 19-Apr 12 17-May

Notes: * - no data available for 2012, NA - data Not Available.

CHAPTER 6

REPORT ON DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES FOR 2015

Recorder: Stuart Croft

Dragonflies and damselflies (known collectively as Odonata) were surveyed at Moor Green Lakes on seven occasions from 6th May to 29th October 2015, in order to identify the species which emerge at different times of the year. In total 15 species were recorded, building on the previous survey by Chris Bean in 2013.

The transect route was split in two, firstly from the car park to Colebrook Hide, and secondly along the three lake edges bordering the central access track. The British Dragonfly Society recording sheet was used to record logarithmic abundance and life cycle stage. Since Odonata can travel many miles, evidence of species attempting to breed was collected by observing pairs in-copulation (paired up), ovipositing (egg-laying), or the larva nymph stage emerging at the lake edge as adults and leaving their sloughed exuvia behind. Due to the abundance of lake-edge habitat no Black-tailed skimmer emerging exuviae were collected, although a couple of adults were seen from exuvia at Grove Lake emerging from their exuvia.

DRAGONFLIES Anisoptera

Breeding evidence * Peak Count Species * Pairs In- Ovipositing Emerging copulation females adults Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea B Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis B Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta C B B Emperor Anax imperator C A Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea A Broad- bodied Libellula depressa B B Chaser Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata B Black-tailed Orthetrum cancellatum C B skimmer Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum B B A

* Abundance key: A = 1, B = 2-5, C = 6-20, D = 21-100, E = 101-500, F = 500+

DAMSELFLIES Zygoptera

Breeding evidence * Peak Count Species * Pairs In- Ovipositing Emerging copulation females adults Common Blue Enallagama cyathigerum F F D Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens D Blue-tailed Ischnura elegans F D C Red-eyed Erythromma najas E C D Large red Pyrrhosoma nymphula B

* Abundance key: A = 1, B = 2-5, C = 6-20, D = 21-100, E = 101-500, F = 500+

It was good to find breeding evidence for 8 of the 15 species recorded, since some species were unlikely to be recorded. For example Banded Demoiselle which breeds predominantly in rivers (not covered in the survey), and Downy Emerald which can emerge up trees several metres back from the water’s edge. The new record of an adult Downy Emerald is likely to be a consequence of succession since it favours wooded lake margins. Elsewhere the more open habitats of Colebrook Scrape, the SW corner of Grove Lake and the SE corner of Colebrook Lake North all proved to be important habitats for a range of species. Black-tailed skimmers were often found basking on the bare ground left by fire sites or on the footpath. The species count has increased by five from the last survey, with the notable absence of azure damselflies, however it is now known that the sheltered NW corner of Colebrook Lake North is a frequented spot which wasn’t included on this survey.

Future surveys could include other niches such as the ditch between Grove Lake and Colebrook Lake South where a golden-ringed dragonfly was spotted in 2014, or smaller isolated water bodies such as the rushy scrapes for the incredibly well camouflaged emerald damselflies.

Thank you to Chris Bean for his help setting up the survey. If anyone would like to help out with dragonfly surveys, or has any sightings, please contact Stuart Croft at: [email protected], Tel. 01252 331353 or BVCP, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot, Hants GU11 2PS.

CHAPTER 7

ANNUAL BUTTERFLY REPORT 2015

Recorder : John Westmacott

After last year’s excitement with the appearance of a number of rare species in the UK, 2015 was rather more mundane. The weather began well and forecasters promised a dry and warm summer, but in the event there was a shortage of sunshine, with often cool and sometimes damp conditions. Autumn improved, but too late for most of the butterflies. Despite this 24 species were recorded on the reserve, though numbers of individuals was generally down.

Last year the first record was made on 9th March, but this year it was not until the 27th that a Comma was seen, followed four days later by two Red Admirals. In April Peacocks flourished, 14 being seen on both 14th and 15th of the month. Other brown butterflies were Red Admiral (maximum 3), Comma (5), Speckled Wood (6) and Small Tortoiseshell (4). A Holly Blue was recorded on 15th and 21st. Of the whites, Orange Tips were the most prolific with 11 on the 27th. Brimstone (8), Green-Veined White (8), Large White (1) and Small White (1) made up the numbers for 11 species for the month.

In May both Peacock and Speckled Wood recorded nine individuals, as did Green-Veined White and Orange Tip, with Brimstone (7), Large White (2) and Small White (1) contributing to the white numbers. The first Small Copper (2) was seen on 11th, and Common Blue (3) appeared on 16th. These, with Holly Blue (2), Small Tortoiseshell (2) and Comma (1), made up the total of 12 species for the month.

Twelve species were also recorded during June; the highlight being a single Green Hairstreak, the first since 2012, on the 4th. Meadow butterflies began to fly late in the month; 49 Meadow Browns being recorded on 25th, along with nine Marbled Whites. Speckled Woods numbered 10 on the 18th, when seven Large Skippers were also recorded. Others seen were Brimstone (3), Common Blue (3) and singletons of Green-Veined White, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, and Comma.

July produced 19 species, the meadow butterflies being the most recorded with 67 Meadow Browns, and 24 Ringlets on 9th, and 28 Gatekeepers on 16th. Marbled Whites (4) continued through the month, and the Skippers flourished briefly; Small Skipper (11), Essex Skipper (4) and Large Skipper (10). The Whites maintained their presence throughout the month with Large White (5), Small White (9) and Green-Veined White (5). The first Purple Hairstreak (4) was seen on the 11th, another Holly Blue on 16th, a Common Blue on 31st, and two Painted Ladies on the 7th. Red Admiral (2), Small Tortoiseshell (3), Peacock (1), Comma (9), and Speckled Wood (5) completed the tally.

August was nearly as prolific as July with 17 species recorded and, for the third year running, a Clouded Yellow appeared, a single butterfly on the 28th. A number of species made their final appearance of the year; Small Skipper (2), Essex Skipper (1), Purple Hairstreak (1), Holly Blue (2), Painted Lady (1), Peacock (1), and Comma (1). Of the rest, Small Copper (2), Gatekeeper (15), Meadow Brown (29), Speckled Wood (14), Large White (6), Small White (5), Green-Veined White (5), Red Admiral (2), and Common Blue (5) continued on into September.

Ten species were seen during September but only Speckled Wood (13) and Meadow Brown (4) produced more than singletons. The balance was made up of Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-Veined White, Small Copper, Common Blue, Red Admiral and Gatekeeper. On 29th September the last species to appear during 2015 was recorded, a single Speckled Wood, bringing down the curtain a full month earlier than last year.

The total number of species recorded was 24 made up of Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

My thanks to the observers who added their sightings to the record sheets – AH, IRO, MK, CDT, RCM, L&PK.

MOOR GREEN LAKES BUTTERFLIES - MAXIMUM MONTHLY COUNTS - 2015

SPECIES Jan-Mar April May June July August Sept Oct-Dec Small skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) 11 2 Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) 4 1 Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) 7 10 Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) 1 Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) 8 7 3 1 Large White (Pieris brassicae) 1 2 5 6 1 Small White (Pieris rapae) 1 1 9 5 1 Green-veined White (Pieris napi) 8 9 1 5 5 1 Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines) 11 9 Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) 1 Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) 4 1 Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) 2 2 1 Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) 3 3 1 5 1 Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) 1 2 1 2 White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 2 3 1 3 2 1 Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui) 1 2 1 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) 4 2 3 Peacock (Inachis io) 14 9 1 1 1 Comma (Polygonia c-album) 1 5 1 1 9 1 Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) 6 9 10 5 14 13 Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) 9 4 Grayling (Hipparchia semele) Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) 28 15 1 Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) 49 67 29 4 Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) 24 Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

MOOR GREEN LAKES BUTTERFLIES - MAXIMUM ANNUAL COUNT - 2000-2015

SPECIES 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Small skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) 15 3 16 5 6 20 2 7 2 2 2 20 5 5 1 11 Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) 4 5 8 4 5 5 1 5 1 2 4 3 4 4 Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) 29 7 28 20 6 6 4 4 8 31 24 33 3 8 9 10 Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) 2 1 1 1 2 1 Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) 4 12 10 12 23 17 29 23 10 12 13 14 3 10 8 8 Large White (Pieris brassicae) 10 22 23 15 51 20 22 9 10 17 8 9 1 9 3 6 Small White (Pieris rapae) 8 10 19 13 37 6 7 5 5 16 6 8 2 8 4 9 Green-veined White (Pieris napi) 4 6 6 5 12 16 6 4 5 11 25 12 4 13 12 9 Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines) 10 14 20 20 18 45 27 20 9 20 13 37 12 2 11 11 Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 8 1 1 Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) 3 2 2 2 5 3 2 2 6 18 11 9 4 6 4 Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) 2 4 5 10 1 1 1 3 6 27 7 4 9 2 Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) 6 Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) 2 3 6 7 4 7 6 2 2 4 55 15 4 12 3 5 Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) 7 7 2 7 2 4 2 5 1 3 2 1 1 2 2 White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) 1 1 1 Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) 1 Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 7 5 6 12 4 6 8 14 2 5 4 15 9 3 7 3 Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui) 3 1 1 7 2 1 1 1 38 1 1 1 2 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) 3 2 4 10 8 3 6 2 1 2 4 12 2 4 12 4 Peacock (Inachis io) 9 18 18 10 14 6 7 16 7 11 20 7 5 13 10 14 Comma (Polygonia c-album) 17 8 11 12 20 12 24 10 5 40 24 7 4 16 5 9 Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) 1 Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) 1 Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) 19 10 30 36 35 50 30 28 30 35 29 41 17 16 20 14 Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) 1 2 1 3 2 3 7 4 9 9 9 Grayling (Hipparchia semele) 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) 60 150 80 35 83 300 55 32 29 32 170 134 42 45 66 28 Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) 100 40 85 50 60 150 50 30 35 34 150 95 82 115 78 67 Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) 50 17 45 42 60 60 26 9 23 80 80 74 15 40 44 24 Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) 1 1 2 1 1 The emboldened figures show the highest count for each species over the whole period

CHAPTER 8

FUNGUS SURVEYS AND FORAYS 2015

Recorder: Mike Waterman

Introduction

This was my second season with the responsibility for fungi recording over a complete year, so I had some general expectations based on last year’s observations. Normally I worked alone, but one foray (20 Oct) was led for the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust. These groups should mean that we manage to find more species but then the danger of double counting has to be carefully avoided.

Different routes were used for each survey in order to ensure that all parts of the reserve were visited at least twice and sometimes going clockwise and sometimes anticlockwise. I do not usually list or attempt to identify fungi which just form a crust on the surface of plants or wood as I lack the time or literature for these.

General Comments

2015 was a fairly normal year compared to the dry early autumn in 2014. I identified 57 different fungi in 2015.

The fungi found most times were the small bracket-like gill fungi Crepidotus cesatii and the very similar Crepidotus variabilis both found six times; but each only on two forays. Possibly Lepista flaccida was seen more times.

Results

The fungi found on most forays were the small cream bracket-like Byssomerulius corium and the black Xylaria hypoxylon: both on four forays. Both also grow on wood, and fungi on wood often seem to have a longer season than fungi growing on the soil.

The rare Clitocybe houghtonii found in 2014 came up in the same place again, but I probably missed the main fruiting as I only found one old specimen. The uncommon poisonous yellow Lepiota subincarnata was found beside the path between river and car park. Oudemansiella mucida was unexpected; it normally grows on Beech, but sometimes grows on other wood, in this case it was found on Oak. You can thank the cattle for Panaeolus semiovatus, which grows on dung or well manured soil. Tricholoma cingulatum (see photo) is uncommon; it only grows around Willow, it is unusual for a Tricholoma in having a ring on the stem. Another specialist fungus is Tubaria dispersa which likes Hawthorn; it came up in large numbers in the same place as previous years.

The results are presented in two tables; the first summarises observations covering ten visits: Feb10, Mar31, May13, Aug3, Aug22, Oct1, Oct20, Nov6 and Dec8 while the second gives specific information covering the BVCT foray on Oct 20.

(An explanation of the terminology and abbreviations used in the table is given after the end of the table.)

Table 1 – Summary all Surveys/Forays 2015

Species Feb10 Mar31 May13 Jun25 Aug3 Aug22 Oct1 Oct20 Nov6 Dec8 Total GBrec English name

Agarics unidentified ...... 1 . 1 n/a Agrocybe unidentified . 1 ...... 1 n/a Amanita muscaria ...... 3 Y 2 . 5 5042 Fly Agaric Annulohypoxylon multiforme ...... 1 Y 1 . 2 3631 Birch Woodwart Boletus cisalpinus . . . . 1 . . . . . 1 59 Boletus subtomentosus . . . . . 1 . . . . 1 2101 Suede Bolete Boletus unidentified . . . . . 1 . . . . 1 n/a Byssomerulius corium ...... 1 Y 1 1 3 1630 Netted Crust Calocybe gambosa . . 1 ...... 1 1506 St. George's Mushroom Chlorophyllum rachodes ...... Y . . Y 3739 Shaggy Parasol Chondrostereum purpureum ...... 1 . . . 1 2225 Silverleaf Fungus Clitocybe gibba ...... 2 . . . 2 2191 Common Funnel Clitocybe houghtonii ...... Y Y 117 Clitocybe nebularis ...... 1 . 1 . 2 4041 Clouded Funnel Cortinarius unidentified ...... 1 . . . 1 n/a Crepidotus cesatii ...... 2 4 6 468 Crepidotus unidentified ...... 1 . 1 n/a Crepidotus variabilis ...... Y 5 . 5 2752 Variable Oysterling Dacrymyces stillatus ...... 1 1 4905 Common Jelly Spot Galerina unidentified ...... 1 . 1 n/a Ganoderma australe ...... Y . . Y 3103 Southern Bracket Gymnopus dryophilus . . . . . 3 . . . . 3 6151 Russet Toughshank Helvella crispa ...... Y . . Y 1406 White Saddle Hygrocybe conica ...... Y 2 . 2 4922 Blackening Waxcap Hygrocybe miniata ...... 2 . 2 1145 Vermilion Waxcap Hygrocybe virginea ...... Y 5 . 5 5183 Snowy Waxcap Hyphodontia sambuci ...... 1 1 2 1593 Elder Whitewash

Hypholoma fasciculare ...... 1 Y 2 . 3 10091 Sulphur Tuft Hypoxylon fuscum ...... 1 . . . 1 2458 Hazel Woodwart Laccaria amethystina ...... Y . . Y 4438 Amethyst Deceiver Laccaria laccata ...... 1 Y . . 1 7958 Deceiver Leccinum scabrum ...... Y . . Y 3577 Brown Birch Bolete Lepiota subincarnata ...... 1 . . . 1 105 Fatal Dapperling Lepiota unidentified . . . . . 1 . Y . . 1 n/a Lepista flaccida ...... 1 Y 1 . 2 2806 Tawny Funnel Lepista nuda ...... Y . . Y 3574 Wood Blewit Lycoperdon perlatum ...... 1 Y . . 1 5772 Common Puffball Macrolepiota procera ...... Y . . Y 1718 Parasol Marasmius rotula ...... 1 . . . 1 2367 Collared Parachute Mutinus caninus ...... Y . . Y 1902 Dog Stinkhorn Mycena acicula ...... Y . . Y 1110 Orange Bonnet Mycena galericulata ...... Y . . Y 6842 Common Bonnet Mycena pura ...... Y . . Y 3776 Lilac Bonnet Mycena unidentified ...... Y . . Y n/a Mycena vitilis ...... Y 2 2 4 2229 Snapping Bonnet Nectria cinnabarina ...... 1 1 4830 Coral Spot Oudemansiella mucida ...... Y . . Y 1872 Porcelain Fungus Panaeolus semiovatus ...... Y . . Y 1165 Egghead Mottlegill Paxillus involutus ...... 2 Y 1 . 3 6845 Brown Rollrim Phlebia tremellosa ...... Y . . Y 1620 Jelly Rot Birch Polypore/ Razorstrop Piptoporus betulinus ...... Y 1 . 1 6850 Fungus Pluteus cervinus ...... Y . . Y 6014 Deer Shield Pluteus salicinus . . . . . 1 . . . . 1 1455 Willow Shield Psathyrella candolleana . . . . 1 2 . . . . 3 2637 Pale Brittlestem Psathyrella unidentified . . . . . 1 . . . . 1 n/a Rhodocollybia butyracea ...... Y 1 . 1 6476 Butter Cap Russula ochroleuca . . . . . 1 . . . . 1 6650 Ochre Brittlegill Schizopora paradoxa ...... Y . . Y 2805 Split Porecrust

Scleroderma verrucosum ...... Y . . Y 1911 Scaly Earthball Stereum gausapatum ...... 1 . 1 1699 Bleeding Oak Crust Stereum hirsutum 1 ...... 1 9134 Hairy Curtain Crust Stereum hirsutum? ...... 1 . . . 1 9134 Hairy Curtain Crust Trametes versicolor ...... Y 1 . 1 9462 Turkeytail Tricholoma cingulatum ...... Y Y . Y 245 Girdled Knight Tubaria dispersa . . . . . 1 1 Y . . 2 509 Xylaria hypoxylon ...... 1 Y 1 2 4 8906 Candlesnuff Fungus

Total 1 1 1 . 2 12 22 Y 36 12 87

Terminology and Abbreviations for Fungi Table

The numbers in the Table are numbers of "finds", where for fungi on wood several fruitbodies on 1 tree count as 1, and for soil/litter fungi several fruitbodies within 5 metres count as 1.

"Y" means fungus seen but not counted numerically; this is normal for forays where I lead and several other people help because there is too little time and a fungus might get counted several times. "Y" is also used when a poor specimen is found but only identified because it is an easily- identified fungus. In the totals: Y+Y=Y, number+Y=number.

Column GBrec is the number of records in British Fungi Records Database (a.k.a. FRDBI) http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST around the year 2007 and gives an indication of how common it is. Approximately: less than 100 indicates rare and more than 1000 indicates common. Boletus cisalpinus has a low GBrec because it was only recently separated from B. chrysenteron; whereas Clitocybe houghtonii is defintely rare-ish.

CHAPTER 9

REPORT ON MOTHS (HETEROCERA) FOR 2015

Recorder: Ian Sims

2015 was marked by two very successful “mothing” events, namely a BENHS field meeting on 13/6/15 and the pre-open day moth recording on 22/8/15.

The full species list for both events (see Table below) shows that 103 species of macrolepidoptera (including one butterfly, the marbled white), and 21 species of microlepidoptera were recorded during these events. The most notable species were:

Poplar lutestring Tethea or ([D. & S.]) Sandy carpet Perizoma flavofasciata (Thunb.) Pine hawk Hyloicus pinastri (Linn.) Eyed hawk Smerinthus ocellata (Linn.) Small elephant hawk Deilephila porcellus (Linn.) Beautiful yellow underwing Anatra myrtilli (Linn.) Bird’s wing Dypterygia scabriuscula (Linn.) Double kidney Ipimorpha retusa (Linn.) Rufous minor Oligia versicolor( Borkh.) Webb’s wainscot Archanara sparganii (Esp.) Double Kidney – by Graham Wenman The blackneck Lygephila pastinum (Treit.)

The Double kidney is especially noteworthy, being known from only a few 10km squares in Berkshire. The Beautiful yellow underwing is an unusual record for the site, given its larval food plants are heathers. However, heathers are found on the Finchampsted Ridges to the north, overlooking Moor Green Lakes, so it is perhaps not that surprising this species was recorded here. The Bird’s wing is a species that has become a lot less frequent over the past 10 years or so and as such is a good record for the site.

Webb’s wainscot is also known from few 10km squares in Berkshire, but may be increasing its range. It was recorded by members of the Berkshire Moth Group at Wildmoor Heath on the same night (22/8/16) as those seen at Moor Green. On the other hand, the Bird’s wing, Blackneck and Sandy carpet are all species whose populations are declining nationally.

Bradley & Family Genus Species Author Common name Larval food plant Fletcher Number 14 HEPIALIDAE Hepialus humuli (Linn.) Ghost Moth Roots of grasses 15 sylvina (Linn.) Orange Swift Roots of bracken (Pteridium spp.) 17 lupulinus (Linn.) Common Swift Roots of grasses 123 TISCHERIIDAE Tischeria ekebladella (Bjerk.) Mines oak leaves (Quercus robor) 171 ZYGAENIDAE Zygaena lonicerae (Schev.) Narrow-bordered Five-spot Bird's-foot trefoil Burnet 385 CHOREUTIDAE Anthophila fabriciana (Linn.) Nettle tap Stinging nettle (Urtica) 464 YPONOMEUTIDAE Plutella xylostella (Linn.) Diamond-back Moth Cruciferae 517 COLEOPHORIDAE Coleophora frischella (Linn.) Small Clover Case-bearer In case on white clover 518 mayrella (Hübn.) In case on white clover 937 TORTRICIDAE Agapeta hamana (Linn.) Grasses 969 Pandemis corylana (Fab.) Polyphagous on trees 972 heparana ([D. & S.]) Polyphagous on trees 952 Archips podana (Scopl.) Polyphagous on trees 977 Hedya pruniata (Hübn.) Prunus spp. 1024 Cnephaxa incertana (Treit.) Low-growing plants 1293 Chrysotenchia culmella (Linn.) Grasses 1331 Acentra ephemerella ([D. & S.]) Water veneer Submerged aquatic plants 1033 Tortrix viridana (Linn.) Green Oak Tortrix Oak and other deciduous trees 1405 PYRALIDAE Pleuroptya ruralis (Scop.) Mother of pearl Stinging nettles 1054 Acleris cristana ([D. & S.]) Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 1076 Oletheutes lacunana ([D. & S.]) Low-growing plants 1082 Hedya nubiferana (Haw.) Rosaseous trees, apple 1376 Anania hortulata (Linn.) Small magpie Dead nettles 1333 Scoparia pyralella ([D. & S.]) Wilted leavs 1620 NYMPHALIDAE Melanargia galathea (Linn.) Marbled White Grasses 1648 DREPANIDAE Drepana falcataria (Linn.) Pebble Hook-tip Birch and alder 1655 THYRATIRIDAE Tethea or ([D. & S.]) Poplar lutestring Poplar 1680 GEOMETRIDAE Cyclophora punctaria (Linn.) Maiden's Blush Oak 1727 Xanthorhoe montanata ([D. & S.]) Silver-ground Carpet Bedstraws etc. 1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata (Linn.) Shaded Broad-bar Vetch, clover

1738 Epirrhoe alternata (Mull.) Common Carpet Bedstraws 1742 Camptogramma bilineata (Linn.) Yellow Shell Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 1752 Cosmorhoe ocellata (Linn.) Purple Bar Bedstraws 1758 Eulithis pyraliata ([D. & S.]) Barred Straw Bedstraws 1764 Chloroclysta truncata (Hufn.) Common Marbled Carpet Polyphagous on deciduous trees 1767 Thera firmata (Hb.) Pine Carpet Scots pine 1768 obeliscata (Hb.) Grey Pine Carpet Pinus, Picea, Douglas fir 1776 Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch) Green Carpet Bedstraws 1778 Hydriomena impluviata ([D. & S.]) May Highflyer Alder 1794 Euphyia unangulata (Haw.) Sharp-angled Carpet Stitchworts 1807 Perizoma albulata ([D. & S.]) Grass Rivulet Yellow rattle seeds 1808 flavofasciata (Thunb.) Sandy Carpet Hemp-nettle, flowers & seeds 1819 Eupithecia exiguata (Hb.) Mottled Pug Hawthorn & blackthorn 1825 centaureata ([D. & S.]) Lime-speck Pug Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 1834 vulgata (Haw.) Common Pug Polyphagous on herbaceous plants & trees 1837 subfuscata (Haw.) Grey Pug Polyphagous on herbaceous plants & trees 1839 succenturiata (Linn.) Bordered Pug Mugwort (Artemisea vulgaris) 1882 Pterapherapteryx sexalata (Retz.) Small Seraphim Sallows 1887 Lomaspilis marginata (Linn.) Clouded Border Sallows & poplars 1893 Semiothisa liturata (Cl.) Tawny-barred Angle Scots pine & others 1902 Petrophora chlorosata (Scop.) Brown Silver-line Bracken 1904 Plagodis dolabraria (Linn.) Scorched Wing Oak, birch, sallows 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata (Linn.) Brimstone Moth Polyphagous on deciduous trees 1931 Biston betularia (Linn.) Peppered Moth Polyphagous on deciduous trees 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria ([D. & S.]) Willow Beauty Polyphagous on deciduous trees 1941 Alcis repandata (Linn.) Mottled Beauty Polyphagous on deciduous trees 1944 Serraca punctinalis (Scop.) Pale Oak Beauty Oak, birch, sallow & sycamore 1955 Cabera pusaria (Linn.) Common White Wave Polyphagous on deciduous trees & shrubs 1956 exanthemata (Scop.) Common Wave Sallow & poplars 1958 Lomographa temerata ([D. & S.]) Clouded Silver Rosaceous trees, aspen 1961 Campaea margaritata (Linn.) Light Emerald Polyphagous on deciduous trees 1978 SPHINGOIDAE Hyloicus pinastri (Linn.) Pine Hawk-moth Pines 1980 Smerinthus ocellata (Linn.) Eyed Hawk-moth Sallow & apple 1981 Lathoe populi (Linn.) Poplar Hawk-moth Poplars & sallow 1991 Deilephila elpenor (Linn.) Elephant Hawk-moth Rosebay willowherb, bedstraws, fuchsia &

balsam 1992 Deilephila porcellus (Linn.) Small Elephant Hawk-moth Bedstraws, Sorrel, Fuchsia 1994 NOTODONTIDAE Phalera bucephala (Linn.) Buff-tip Polyphagous on deciduous trees & shrubs 2000 Notodonta dromedarius (Linn.) Iron Prominent Birch & alder 2006 Pheosia gnoma (Fabr.) Lesser Swallow Prominent Birch 2007 Pheosia tremula (Cl.) Swallow Prominent Poplar & sallow 2014 Drymonia dodonaea ([D. & S.]) Marbled Brown Oak 2028 Calliteara pudibunda (Linn.) Pale Tussock Polyphagous on deciduous trees, hop 2030 Euproctis similis (Fuessl.) Yellow-tail (Larva) Polyphagous on deciduous trees & shrubs 2060 ARCTIIDAE Spilosoms lubricipede (Kinn.) White Ermine Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2061 lutea (Hufn.) Buff Ermine Polyphagous on deciduous trees & shrubs 2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linn.) Ruby Tiger Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2069 Tyria jacobaeae (Linn.) Cinnabar Common ragwort 2078 NOLIDAE Nola confusalis (H.-S.) Least Black Arches Lime, evergreen oak, beech, blackthorn 2089 NOCTUIDAE Agrotis exclamationis (Linn.) Heart & Dart Polyphagous on herbaceous & garden plants 2098 Axylia putris (Linn.) The Flame Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2102 Ochropleura plecta (Linn.) Flame-Shoulder Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2107 Noctua pronuba (Linn.) Large Yellow Underwing Polyphagous on herbaceous plants & grasses 2110 fimbriata (Schreb.) Broad-bordered Yellow Polyphagous on deciduous trees & shrubs Underwing 2111 janthina [D. & S.] Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Polyphagous on herbaceous & garden plants Underwing 2112 interjecta Hb. Least Yellow Underwing Polyphagous on herbaceous & garden plants 2120 Diarsia mendica (Fabr.) Ingrailed Clay Polyphagous on herbaceous & garden plants 2123 rubi (View.) Small Square-spot Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2126 Xestia c-nigrum (Linn.) Setaceous Hebrew Character Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2131 rhomboidea (Esp.) Square-spotted Clay Birch, bramble, 2133 sexstrigata (Haw.) Six-striped Rustic Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2134 xanthographa ([D. & S.]) Square-spot Rustic Polyphagous on herbaceous plants & grasses 2142 Anatra myrtilli (Linn.) Beautiful Yellow Underwing Heathers 2160 Lacanobia oleracea (Linn.) Bright-line Brown-eye Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2194 Mythimna albipuncta ([D. & S.]) White-point Grasses 2198 impura (Hb.) Smoky Wainscot Grasses 2199 pallens (Linn.) Common Wainscot Grasses 2205 comma (Linn.) Shoulder-striped Wainscot Grasses 2278 Acronicta megacephala ([D. & S.]) Poplar Grey Poplars

2301 Dypterygia scabriuscula (Linn.) Bird's Wing Sorrel and knotgrass 2302 Rusina ferruginea (Esp.) Brown Rustic Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2306 Phlogophora meticulosa (Linn.) Angle Shades Polyphagous on deciduous shrubs and herbaceous plants 2311 Ipimorpha retusa (Linn.) Double Kidney Sallows 2321 Apamea monoglypha (Hufn.) Dark Arches Grasses 2326 crenata (Hufn.) Clouded-bordered Brindle Grasses 2330 remissa (Hb.) Dusky Brocade Grasses 2333 anceps ([D. & S.]) Large Nutmeg Grasses 2334 sordens (Hufn.) Rustic Shoulder-knot Grasses 2337 Oligia strigilis (Linn.) Marbled Minor Grasses 2338 Oligia versicolor (Borkh.) Rufous Minor Grasses 2340 fasciuncula (Haw.) Middle-barred Minor Grasses 2341 Mesoligia furuncula ([D. & S.]) Cloaked Minor Grasses 2343 Mesapamea secalis (Linn.) Common Rustic Grasses, hairy wood-rush, stems 2373 Archanara sparganii (Esp.) Webb's Wainscot Iris, bur-reed, Typhus 2380 Charanyca trigrammica (Hufn.) Treble Lines Greater plantain 2381 Hoplodrina alsines (Brahm) The Uncertain Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2384 ambigua ([D. & S.]) Vine's Rustic Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2387 Caradrina morpheus (Hufn.) Mottled Rustic Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2410 Protodeltote pygarga (Hufn.) Marbled White Spot Purple moor-grass 2441 Autographa gamma (Linn.) Silver Y Polyphagous on herbaceous plants 2450 Abrostola triplasia (Linn.) The Spectacle Stinging nettles 2466 Lygephila pastinum (Treit.) The Blackneck Tufted vetch, wild liquorice 2474 Rivula sericealis (Scop.) Straw Dot Grasses 2477 Hypena proboscidalis (Linn.) The Snout Stinging nettles

CHAPTER 10

MAMMAL REPORT FOR 2015

Recorder: Bernard Baverstock

General

Again there are few mammal reports on the sheets in the hide and most of these are of course, the common mammals which are about in the day time.

Foxes are seen regularly and they again bred on the Manor Farm extension. Roe Deer are often seen on the North bank of CLN as singles. A new fawn was seen on the 3rd June in the same area. In July, August and September a female with two young was seen in the reserve and the new workings, sometimes accompanied by a male. One report was of a Roe deer on the scrape outside the hide!

Rabbit numbers built up during the year and they were quite common along the North bank of CLN and in the paddock just outside the reserve, as many as 20 being counted in July. I would have thought that the Stoat may have taken advantage of the abundance of rabbits but there was only one reported May and that was on a tree in the river.

Two dead animals were noted, a Mole on the river path and a Badger on Longwater Road.

An unusual sighting was of two “small” bats flying in the early morning of Boxing day, when they should have been hibernating and few people would have been out at 7.30 am to see them.

The most exciting news of this year was two very credible reports of an Otter on the river, alongside the new workings. The first was in March and then, from another observer, in August. There are occasional reports of otters but they are usually mink that have been miss-identified. These two reports were from very experienced observers who were familiar with mink and one had seen wild otters elsewhere. Again these were early morning sightings.

Trapping

Small mammal population was much lower this year, reflected in the poor breeding of Barn Owls.

23/09/15 Open day: only ten animals from 45 traps. Seven Wood mice, three Common Shrew and one Yellow-necked Mouse.

24/10/15 Honey Field: nothing from 45 traps

An interesting find from the owl pellets collected from the CLN box emphasised the lack of Field Vole. One pellet had, along with the usual two Wood Mice, two Pygmy Shrew and three Common Shrew, the remains of a beetle, a bird and a bat, only the second bat I have found in owl pellets, both were Daubenton’s bat. It had to vary its diet to survive.

Surveying will continue; if you would like to be involved contact me at: [email protected]

APPENDIX A

PROFILE AND MAP 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.

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 are undertaken by the Moor Green Lakes Group, which was established in 1993. The group’s committee members, together with the species Recorders and other helpers, are listed in Appendix B. The necessary costs of the Group not covered by membership subscriptions and donations are met by grants or 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 following map). 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 numerous viewing points and two viewing slots 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).

APPENDIX B MOOR GREEN LAKES GROUP TEAM 2015-2016

Committee

Adrian Hobbs Chairman Julian Le Patourel Secretary Steve Arnold Treasurer & Web Site Manager Tony Barnes Bernard Baverstock Stuart Croft BVCP Countryside Ranger Roger Murfitt Peter Scott Working Party Organiser Peter Standley Scientific Adviser Simon Weeks Site Liaison Officer John Westmacott Colin Wilson Newsletter Editor

Recorders

Bernard Baverstock Mammals Jon Cole Beetles & Bugs (Assists with Moths) Stuart Croft Dragonflies Roger Murfitt Birds Andy & Liz Scott Nest Boxes Peter Scott Plants Ian Sims Moths Mike Waterman Fungi John Westmacott Butterflies

Others

Dave Bishop Membership Secretary Irene Draper Postal Secretary Tony Elston General Maintenance Support Iain Oldcorn Annual Report Editor Terry Patton Bird Feeders

APPENDIX C

MOOR GREEN LAKES NATURE RESERVE REFERENCE LIBRARY

Site Survey Data Anon. (1993) Plant list for Moor Green Lakes. Farnborough College of Technology, unpublished student dissertation. Bailey, S. (2002) Bat Assessment of Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (various) Survey Data. Includes a number of minor surveys with Moor Green records. Available on request. Briggs, K. (2001) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve; Ornithological Monitoring, 2000. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Briggs, K. (2006) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve; Ornithological Monitoring, 2006. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Brown, I. (1993) Eversley Gravel Pits Bird Species List. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Cooper, S. (2006) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. An Aquatic and Wetlands Plant Survey. Surrey Wildlife Trust, unpublished report. Crick, K. (1999) Moor Green Lakes Odonata Population Survey Benchmark Report. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Crick, K. (2004) Moor Green lakes Odonata Population Survey 1997 – 2004. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Crick, K., Sussex, D & Mockridge, T. (2006) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve Aquatic Invertebrate Survey, Long Island Scrapes. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Gannaway, H.L. (1997) The Distribution of Small Mammals at Moor Green Lakes. Farnborough College of Technology, unpublished student dissertation. Girvan, I. (2003) Water Vole Survey for River Blackwater, Eversley. Surrey Wildlife Trust, unpublished report. Hall, C. (2002) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. A Survey of Aquatic and Wetland Plants. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Hearn, R. (1993) The Management of Disused Mineral Workings as Habitat for Waterbirds. Farnborough College of Technology, unpublished student dissertation. Lovesey, E. (1997) Spider survey. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Matthes, G. (1997) Hoverfly surveys 1995-1997. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Merritt, R. (2001) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve Invertebrate Survey. Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, unpublished report. Murfitt, R. (2012) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve; Breeding Bird Survey 2012. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. Scott, P. (2001) Installing a reptile hibernacula at Moor Green Lakes. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report.

Smith, M. (2000) Bracknell Forest Borough Council Invertebrate Survey. Bracknell Forest Borough Council, unpublished report. Tomlinson, D. (1995) A Live Trapping Investigation of the Small Mammal Populations at Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. Farnborough College of Technology, unpublished student dissertation. Williams, D. (2005) Mammal Survey for Moor Green lakes Reserve, Yateley. Surrey Wildlife Trust, unpublished report.

Site Management Bailey, S. (1995) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve Management Plan. Unpublished. Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (2005) SEEDA / ALSF Grant 2004/5, Habitat and Access Improvements. BVCP, unpublished report. Crick, K. (2004) Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve Management Plan. Moor Green Lakes Group, unpublished report. McAll, G. (undated) Management Plan Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. Berks, Bucks & Oxfordshire Naturalist Trust, unpublished.

If anybody has information about the reserve, however small, please could they deposit a copy in the library? We shall be able to copy it and return the originals.

If anybody would like to view the information please contact BVCP on 01252 331353 to make arrangements.

APPENDIX D

NOTES AND GUIDELINES ON BIRD RECORDING

Following the creation of Moor Green Lakes as a Nature Reserve, it was necessary to maintain detailed records of birds using the site in order to monitor bird populations. These data can then influence conservation management carried out on the site by the Moor Green Lakes Group and Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership. The Recording Area is all within Berkshire and comprises Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve, plus Manor Farm and the New Workings to the west of the reserve, the latter bounded by the River Blackwater, Lower Sandhurst Road and Longwater Road; as shown outlined in red/brown on the following map.

This Recording Area is covered by the Report on Birds and Systematic List (Appendix E) in the Moor Green Lakes Group Annual Report, so as a general rule only bird records for this area should be submitted to the Bird Recorder or put onto hide logs.

Records for areas formerly part of the Eversley GP recording area but now outside the new Moor Green Lakes recording area should no longer be submitted to the MGL Bird Recorder but can be submitted to the berksbirds website (if in Berkshire) or the corresponding Hants website (at www.goingbirding.co.uk), or to the relevant County Recorder, according to the location.

Bird records for the Moor Green Lakes recording area can be submitted via the berksbirds website (www.berksbirds.co.uk), whence they will be picked up for inclusion in the Moor Green Lakes Bird Report, or directly to me, the MGL Bird Recorder at [email protected]. Records to MGL Bird Recorder are best sent annually at the end of the year except for unusual breeding records or rarities on site (category 1* - vagrants in the Bird species list) where I would welcome prompt notification via text message at Mobile no: 07544 574392. Records sent electronically should preferably use the standard format electronic record spreadsheet which can be obtained from the MGL website. Where possible the following information should be provided: -

1) Name of species (include age/sex if known) 2) Number of individuals (accurate counts particularly useful)

3) Date of observation (and time if a fly-over only sighting or short-stay record) 4) Site location 5) Other observations such as unusual behaviour or direction of flight of birds flying over, etc. 6) Observer(s) initials. Records not submitted on forms should also include name and address 7) Accompanying field notes if required.

The species list for the site at Appendix F includes a code number in the left-hand column. This refers to the type of records required for that species. The full details are:

1* = All records required. Please submit notes on the sighting with the record. These notes should include details of the diagnostic identification features which were observed at the time, other species nearby, the duration and distance of the observation, weather conditions, optical aids used and previous experience of the species. This code also applies to any species not in Appendix F (i.e. new to the reserve)

1 = All records required

2 = Whole site counts, reserve area counts, breeding summary (number of pairs and young, singing males), early / late dates for summer and winter visitors, movements, unusual dates and interesting behaviour

3 = Breeding summary only

4 = Only unusual records for the species, e.g. high counts, early breeding records.

Roger Murfitt - MGL Bird Recorder.

APPENDIX E MOOR GREEN LAKES (incl Manor Farm and New Workings) ANNUAL BIRD REPORT 2015 – Systematic List

The following systematic list is set out according to the order of the British List (Feb 2012) published by the British Ornithologists’ Union.

MUTE SWAN Common resident and winter visitor. At least one pair bred (Colebrook Lake South) and produced four young. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 13 14 12 13 12 11 3 4 6 2 3 4

GREYLAG GOOSE Resident which has bred. No evidence of breeding this year. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 21 - 4 6 5 - 1 70 110 1 3 13

SNOW GOOSE Scarce resident. The single survivor of the feral flock was recorded in all months except November and December.

CANADA GOOSE Abundant resident. Bred with at least two broods of young recorded. High roost count of 444 in August (NS). Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 177 44 100+ 40 44+ 74 120 444 250 72 140 8

BARNACLE GOOSE The remainder of the local feral flock continues to frequent the area. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 26 26 25 14 13 3 - 23 23 22 22 22

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Resident. Bred on site with at least two broods seen. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 8 12 26 16 19 36 36 62 30 47 70 34

SHELDUCK Regular visitor and now breeder. A lone female was recorded on 25th Jan (RJG). Three were recorded on 7th Feb and then a pair were regularly sighted from 22nd Feb onwards, with additional birds occasionally sighted during Mar (six on 15th and four on 25th and 31st). In mid-May the pair successfully hatched nine ducklings on Colebrook Lake North (probably using the underground nest chamber on Plover Island?). Unfortunately all young gradually disappeared over following days. The

last summer record was on 19th June, preceded by a sighting of four on 17th June. There were records of singles in the autumn on 26th and 30th Nov and 17th Dec.

Shelduck at Moor Green Lakes, 23rd May 2015 (R C Murfitt)

MANDARIN Common summer visitor and resident. Recorded in all months except Jan. Peak count of adults was 12 on 25th Sept (RCM). One breeding record of a female seen on the river with five young on 25th June but see also Nestbox report.

WIGEON Very common winter visitor. Records during the first half of the year up to 21st Apr and returning birds noted from 9th Sept. Relatively low winter counts htis year. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 147 113 34 6 - - - - 19 91 53 75

GADWALL Very common winter visitor that breeds in small numbers. Two broods, one of six and the other of eight ducklings, where recorded on Colebook Lake North during June. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 88 71 5 11 10 23 8 24 16 24 14 13

TEAL Common winter visitor that occasionally summers. No evidence of breeding this year.

Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 36 6 23 26 2 2 4 11 44 42 20 43

MALLARD Common resident and winter visitor. At least five broods were noted. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 52 42 40 31 30 57 75 33 39 68 50 78

PINTAIL Regular winter visitor. Sightings on five dates this year: two males were present on 1st and 2nd Jan, another bird on 4th Apr (all NS), and single drakes on 26th and 29th Nov. Recorded annually since 1999.

GARGANEY Scarce summer visitor. A female was seen on Colebrook Lake South, dabbling under overhanging vegetation on Snipe Island on 9th Sept (GD).

SHOVELER Common winter visitor, occasional in summer. Recorded until 26th Apr with returns from 19th Aug. A single bird was also seen on Colebrook Lake on 26rd June (MH). Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 30 50 9 8 - 1 - 2 13 37 38 53

POCHARD Common but declining winter visitor, occasional in summer. Recorded regularly until 23rd Mar, with additional sightings of up to three males on 23rd Apr, then frequent sightings again from 5th June. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 18 19 6 3 - 5 2 1 3 6 19 24

TUFTED DUCK Abundant resident and winter visitor. Several nested with at least three broods seen around the recording area. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 273 117 188 91 47 52 94 72 53 54 88 181

SCAUP Rare visitor. A male was first seen on Colebrook Lake North on 18th Jan (RCM) and then again on 23rd Jan and 2nd Feb (many observers). There was then another record of a male on Colebrook Lake South on 1st Apr (PK).

AYTHYA hybrid A drake of the type known as Paget’s Pochard (Pochard x Ferruginous duck) was seen several times during Feb - 1st, 2nd, 22nd and 23rd. There were also records for the second winter period between 17th Oct and 6th Dec. This is believed to be the same individual that has wintered in the area for the last 11 years.

GOLDENEYE Occasional winter visitor. A single male was present throughout Jan and Feb (last sighting 3rd Mar), Two birds of unknown sex were reported on 7th Jan (LBM). In the second winter period a male was seen regularly from 24th Nov until the year end. A female was recorded on 30th Nov and again on four days at the end of Dec.

SMEW Irregular winter visitor. The adult male and redhead present at end of 2014 remained through into 2015 and were present through Jan and much of Feb. On 10th Feb they were joined by a third, another redhead which was slightly larger with whiter flanks and may have been a first winter male. These three were regular until 23rd Feb.

Smew at Moor Green Lakes, 22nd Feb 2015 (R C Murfitt)

GOOSANDER Common winter visitor. Birds continued to roost on the site though peak counts were unexceptional (some individuals are known to use other waters nearby e.g. in N Hants to roost). Most had left by the end of Mar but there were records of singles until 16th May. The first returning bird was seen on 17th Nov (NS). The maximum count this year was of 40 birds on 27th Dec (RCM). Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 30 26 8 1 1 - - - - - 20 40

RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE Resident which formerly bred. Two records this year, both of two birds on 21st Apr (RCM) and 28th Apr (NS).

PHEASANT Common resident.

LITTLE GREBE Resident and winter visitor. Bred on Manor Lake and NewWorkings with at least two broods recorded. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 6 8 14 12 17 12 20 26 18 12 6 7

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Common resident. At least four nesting pairs this year. There was a significant build up in numbers in the autumn. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 10 9 10 12 18 26 27 26 14 4 2

CORMORANT Common winter visitor, now also recorded in small numbers in summer. Highest numbers as usual recorded at roost on the island on Grove Lake but some birds often seen drying out on Tern Island also. The count of 115 in November occurred when birds roosting on the Hants side were disturbed and flew to Grove to roost and is believed to be a new record count for Moor Green Lakes. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 70 65 42 14 4 14 28 33 5 32 115 62

LITTLE EGRET Regular visitor with increasing frequency. Recorded every month. Generally one to three birds were regularly seen, though on occasion more. Highest count of eight on 27th Sept (RCM) was of birds arriving for the evening roost. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 6 5 6 4 3 1 7 7 8 3 2 6

GREY HERON Common resident. Maximum count was six on 9th June (NS). Two juveniles were sighted on several occasions during June and July.

RED KITE Regular visitor with increasing frequency. Recorded in every month, with a maximum count of five.

MARSH HARRIER Scarce visitor. Two spring sightings of singles this year on 20th Apr (NS) and 6th May (NS/RJG).

SPARROWHAWK Common resident. Recorded mostly singly, occasionally two, in every month except May and July. On 2nd Dec a Sparrowhawk was seen catching a Snipe to the side of Colebrook Hide (MH). Several unsuccessful attacks were observed on Starling and finch flocks.

COMMON BUZZARD Common visitor that breeds nearby. Recorded in every month except Nov with a maximum of eight seen soaring on the same thermal over the New Workings in Apr (RCM).

OSPREY Scarce passage migrant. Two sightings this year; one of a bird heading north on 2nd Apr (JW et al) and another on 17th May, seen hovering briefly over the New Workings before flying west along the valley (RCM/SLM).

KESTREL Common resident. Ones and twos were regularly recorded in every month. In the Spring (2nd Apr) a pair was seen mating, and later three were seen together in the same area, two of which were fighting females. There was a sighting of three (a pair plus a juvenile) on Long Island, CLS on 25th Sept.

HOBBY Common summer visitor. Regular sightings of singles between 20th Apr and 4th Oct. Two birds were recorded on five dates.

PEREGRINE Frequent visitor of increasing occurrence. Singles recorded on 15 dates spread over the year, although there were no sightings in Mar, Jul and Oct. A failed attempt to take a Lapwing from the flock was observed on 9th Jan (RFM).

WATER RAIL Winter visitor. Singles were recorded until 10th Mar in first winter period and from 7th Sept in second half of the year. Two were recorded on 8th Mar and 16th Oct (both NS).

MOORHEN Common resident. At least three broods recorded (Grove Lake, Colebrook Lake and New Workings). Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 6 20 20 14 19 13 18 13 20 11 18 8

COOT Abundant resident. Evidence of breeding was noted on Grove and Manor Lakes. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 64 54 45 44 32 22 36 40 30 34 30 32

OYSTERCATCHER Regular visitor and now breeding summer visitor. First record was of a singleton on 21st Feb, joined by another bird the next day. This pair quickly took up territory on Tern Island and may well be last year’s breeders returning. They nested and at least three chicks hatched, one of which was successfully raised. This is the second time this species has nested on the site and is a species that first bred in Berks in 2010. The last record was on 14th July.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Summer visitor and passage migrant. Frequent records of up to five birds from 2nd Apr until 18th August, usually on the New Workings. Displaying seen and may have bred, but no confirmation this year.

RINGED PLOVER Summer visitor and passage migrant that formerly bred. Sightings of one or two birds on 12 dates between 2nd Apr and 31st May, then a single bird on 28th June. Singles on autumn passage on 19th and 29th Aug.

LAPWING Common resident and winter visitor. A pair nested on Tern Island and hatched three chicks towards the end of May. The young were moved to Colebrook lake scrape in front of the hide but disappeared after six days, presumably predated. Displaying birds over Plover Island may also have attempted nesting there. The peak count for the year of 241 was counted from a photograph of an airborne flock by one dedicated observer (MH). Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 146 147 12 19 12 35 100 100 200 60 110 241

DUNLIN Regular passage migrant. Records from nine dates between 25th Apr and 23td Sept, generally on or over the New Workings. Peak count was a flock of 11 on a small gravelly island on the New Workings (emerged following pumping down) on 26th Apr (RJG, RCM).

JACK SNIPE Occasional visitor, probably under-recorded. A relatively good year for this species with records on five dates. In first winter period records from 11th Jan (flushed by a working party at edge of Colebrook lake) to 23rd Apr when one (possibly two) were flushed from East Fen by a low-flying hot- air balloon (RCM)! Unusually one bird was seen in the open on New Workings on 6th Apr (RFM,GD,TR). Single record in second winter period on 8th Oct

COMMON SNIPE Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Counts of this species are likely to represent significant underestimates due to its skulking nature. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 11 14 14 19 4 - - 5 4 16 2 13

WOODCOCK Scarce visitor. Just one record of a single bird on 14th Dec (NS).

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Scarce vagrant. Single record on 25th Mar (NS).

WHIMBREL Regular passage migrant. Singles were recorded on 20th and 26th Apr and 8th May. A flock of eight was seen on 23rd Apr on the New Workings (NS, RJG).

CURLEW Occasional visitor. Records of single birds, mostly heard and not seen, on seven dates between 8th Mar and 7th May.

COMMON SANDPIPER Common passage migrant. A fairly typical pattern of records with a peak count of five on 29th Aug (RCM).

Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D - - - 3 2 - 2 5 1 1 - -

GREEN SANDPIPER Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Records in every month except May. The bird (ringed as an adult in July 2010 near Amsterdam) seen in previous years was recorded again in the autumn. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 1 1 2 2 - 2 4 5 4 5 1 1

GREENSHANK Regular passage migrant. Two were on East Fen on 23rd Apr (RCM) and at least one stayed until 27th Apr. On autumn passage there were records on eight dates, all singles on East Feb except for two there on 15th Aug (RCM).

WOOD SANDPIPER Scarce visitor. Two were seen on the New Workings/East fen on 29th Aug (RCM, ABT) and at least one was still present the next day.

REDSHANK Summer visitor and passage migrant. First returning bird was a single on 12th Mar, followed by regular sightings of up to six birds until 20th July (although numbers had reduced to mostly ones and twos in June and July). Four birds were involved in a territorial dispute for an hour on north bank of Colebrook Lake North on 11th Apr. Two pairs were seen with young in May (RCM). This is the first time young have been seen for seven years but the young quickly disappeared, possibly predated.

Redshank at Moor Green Lakes, 18th Apr 2015 (R C Murfitt)

TURNSTONE Vagrant. One was seen on the New Workings on 15th Apr (GD, TR).

KITTIWAKE Vagrant. One was seen early on 1st Apr before it was driven away by Black-headed gulls (NS). This is only the second ever record for the site.

BLACK HEADED GULL Very common visitor and breeding species. At least 40 nests were counted on Tern Island during May, with another ten on the Tern Rafts, eight on Plover Island and two or three on East Fen. All the nests on Plover Island failed and the colony on Tern Island was seen to be visited by a Carrion Crow on a few occasions. Despite this predator activity, reasonable numbers of juveniles fledged from Tern Island and the Tern rafts with a maximum one day count of 11 juveniles. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 400 114 139 350 100 76 160 535 470 30 315 100

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Scarce visitor. A second summer bird was seen in the Tern Island gull colony on four dates between 4th and 9th Apr (KPD, CDW et al). An adult bird (with metal ring) was seen on 19th and 20th Apr (RCM, RFM). Both birds were seen displaying to the Black-headed Gulls.

COMMON GULL Common winter visitor. Recorded until 30th Mar and from 20th Oct, with the exception of a single on 16th July and two on 26th Sept. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 33 23 41 - - - 1 - 2 3 24 37

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Very common visitor. Peak counts down this year as no complete roost counts were made. A colour- ringed 1st winter bird seen on the New Workings on 25th Sept (RCM) had been ringed in Gloucester on 1st July. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 21 4 3 3 2 5 20 270 200 300 23

HERRING GULL Common visitor. Recorded in all months with the exception of May. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 54 4 5 - 8 8 3 13 10 44 31

YELLOW LEGGED GULL Regular visitor in low numbers. Singles recorded on 1st, 8th, 25th and 29th Jul, 29th Sept and 10th Nov.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Scarce vagrant. Two were recorded on the New Workings on 12th Dec (MH).

BLACK TERN Vagrant. One juvenile on New Workings from 26th to 29th August (MH, RCM et al). Another juvenile reported on 2nd Sept on New Workings may have been a different individual (NS).

Black tern at Moor Green Lakes, 26th August 2015 (R C Murfitt) (video grab)

COMMON TERN Summer visitor and passage migrant. Recorded from 15th Apr until 3rd Sept. Highest count of 17 birds on 6th May. An estimated four or five nests on Tern Island (tall vegetation made counting nests difficult) and up to six juveniles were seen along the edge of the island begging food.

ARCTIC TERN Scarce vagrant. Nine were seen on the morning of 25th Apr (AS, NS) on the New Workings and one was seen there the next morning before flying off (RJG).

STOCK DOVE Common resident. Maximum count of eight was recorded on 25th Oct (TGB).

WOOD PIGEON Abundant resident.

COLLARED DOVE Moderately common resident.

CUCKOO Summer visitor in declining numbers. Only recorded on three dates this year, with singles seen on 16th May and 21st June (RCM, NS) and two heard calling on 24th May (NS).

BARN OWL Resident breeder. Recorded in all months, mostly singles, occasionally two and a single record of three. A check of the nest-boxes by licensed individuals in early June found a single adult in each box

and cold eggs in one box so no successful breeding this year. 2015 was a poor breeding season nationally for Barn owls (e.g. http://www.bto.org/news-events/news/2015-11/colin-shawyers- thoughts-2015-season), almost certainly due to crash in numbers of voles which are a key part of the diet of this species. The very low small mammal populations at Moor Green Lakes in 2015 were confirmed by mammal trapping by the Mammal Recorder.

LITTLE OWL Moderately common resident. One or two were recorded in the usual area of New Workings until 17th June. Then, apart from a single sighting of one in a different part of the New Workings on 30th Aug, there were no further sightings at all. Unfortunately we appear to have lost this species from the reserve. This species is in decline nationally.

TAWNY OWL Resident. Just eight records but no doubt under-recorded due to their nocturnal habits. There was a report of several (maybe three) calling on 10th Jan, whilst the remaining records, spread between Apr and Oct were of one or two heard calling.

SHORT-EARED OWL Vagrant. One was seen hunting over the Honey Field area of Manor Farm on 22nd Oct by the Mammal Recorder (BB). The nil return in small mammal traps may explain the owls’ quick exit!

SWIFT Summer visitor. Recorded from 23rd Apr until 8th Sept. Maximum counts were of approximately 100 on 6th May and 25th July (RCM).

KINGFISHER Moderately common resident. Recorded in every month except May and Dec, mostly singles or occasionally two, although three were reported on 18th Aug and 3rd Oct. A report of an adult male and juvenile on 8th Aug may indicate successful breeding in the area.

GREEN WOODPECKER Common resident. Singles and occasionally twos were recorded throughout the year. There were two records in July of three individuals, one of these being of two adults feeding a juvenile in the pony paddock and indicating breeding activity in the area.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Common resident. Records of ones and twos throughout the year and one report of three in Aug. Evidence of breeding activity provided by a record of an adult seen with a juvenile on 18th Aug.

MAGPIE Very common resident. Highest count was of five seen on 18th Oct.

JAY Common resident. Highest count was of five on 4th Oct.

JACKDAW Very common resident. Maximum count reported was 15.

ROOK Occasional visitor.

CARRION CROW Common resident. The largest count was of 20 on 26th Oct.

RAVEN Vagrant. Four records of single birds heard or seen this year, one each in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec.

GOLDCREST Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Peak count was of 20 on 25th Oct (TGB).

FIRECREST Scarce visitor. Two records this year, both in Oct, one of a bird seen in a mixed flock of Goldcrests, tits and finches near the sewage works on 23rd (GD) and another of a female juvenile caught and ringed on 25th (TJB – see also Ringing Report)

BLUE TIT Abundant resident.

GREAT TIT Abundant resident.

COAL TIT Regular visitor. Most records were outside the breeding season mostly visiting feeders in the car park.

SKYLARK Common resident. Recorded from 6th Mar to 3rd Oct. Up to four birds were seen over the New Workings/Dell Field area, though only one usually recorded singing. At least one territory in this area.

SAND MARTIN Common summer visitor. Recorded from 9th Apr to 19th Sept with a peak count of 12 on 5th May. No evidence of any breeding this year.

SWALLOW Common summer visitor. Recorded between 6th Apr and 19th Sept with maximum count of 80 at the end of Aug.

HOUSE MARTIN Common summer visitor. Recorded between 11th Apr and 24th Sept, with a peak count of approximately 200 birds on the final date.

LONG-TAILED TIT Common resident. Evidence of breeding provided by a sighting of a bird sitting on a nest alongside the Blackwater path during Apr (nest failed) and a brood of juveniles seen sitting together in May. Highest count was of 25 on several dates in Oct.

CHIFFCHAFF Very common summer visitor and regular winter visitor. Recorded in all months, with maximum counts of at least 20 on 23th Aug and 4th Oct. Two were still around in Dec, with at least one regularly at the sewage works, a favoured wintering site.

WILLOW WARBLER Declining summer visitor. Recorded on spring passage from 1st - 19th Apr, all singles except for records of three on 12th and six on 13th and 18th of the month. None held territory this year. Then singles again from 10th July to 12th Sept with two on 23rd Aug.

BLACKCAP Very common summer visitor and occasional winter visitor. Recorded from 25th Mar until 4th Oct, with a maximum count of 20 on 1st and 23th Aug.

GARDEN WARBLER Very common summer visitor. Recorded from 15th Apr until 23rd Aug, with a peak count of 12 on 10th May (TGB). Six birds were counted singing between car park and the grey box on the New Workings on 26th Apr.

WHITETHROAT Very common summer visitor. Recorded from 4th Apr until 15th Sept. Confirmation of breeding was provided by the sighting of an adult feeding three juveniles by the gate at the NW corner of Colebrook Lake North at the end of May.

DARTFORD WARBLER Rare vagrant. A good year for this species with three sightings in the broom bushes of the New Workings. A male on 5th Jan (RFM, GD, TR) and then two records of a female on 25th Sept (RFM) and 3rd Oct (RCM) no doubt relate to the same bird. Only two records for the site prior to these.

SEDGE WARBLER Moderately common summer visitor. Recorded from 15th Apr until 27th Aug, all singles accept two singing on 26th Apr and three on 4th May. Records of one singing in West Fen/New Workings area during May and June indicate a breeding territory in this area.

REED WARBLER Common summer visitor. Recorded from 17th Apr until 18th Sept. Highest count was nine on 22nd May, with one near CLN hide and eight very active birds at the Manor Lake reedbeds (RFM). Singing birds recorded on CLN, CLS, Grove, Manor Lake and Hawthorn Pond and approximately eight territories.

NUTHATCH Resident in small numbers. Frequent records of ones and twos recorded in ten months of the year, particularly on the feeders during the winter. Evidence of breeding was provided by the sighting of an adult taking food into the nest box in the car park in mid May (LGL).

TREECREEPER Resident in small numbers. A few records in Jan–Mar and again Aug-Nov. The maximum count was four on 29th Mar (HB).

WREN Abundant resident.

STARLING Common resident. A flock of 300 preparing to roost in Manor Lake reeds was seen on 3rd Jan. A roost built up again in the same area in the autumn with about 400 in mid-July building to a peak of

2047 birds (counted from a photo) on 1st Nov (RGi). The roosting birds at dusk often attracted the attention of a Sparrowhawk.

BLACKBIRD Common resident.

FIELDFARE Common winter visitor. Only three records in first winter period until 14th Feb. More common in second winter period from 14th Oct, with a maximum of approximately 100 on 16th Nov (RFM).

REDWING Very common winter visitor. Recorded until 24th Mar and from 10th Oct. In first winter period the peak count was 44 in the pony paddock by car park (RGi). In the second winter period the highest count was of 120 in flocks heading North on 17th Oct (RCM).

SONG THRUSH Common resident. At least three singing birds and a peak count of four on two dates.

MISTLE THRUSH Moderately common resident. Peak count of three on 25th Oct (TGB).

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Vagrant. Just one record this year of a passage bird in the hedge next to the pony paddock by car park on 26th Aug (RCM).

Spotted flycatcher at Moor Green Lakes, 26th August 2015 (R C Murfitt)

ROBIN Very common resident.

WHINCHAT Regular passage migrant. There were sightings on two days in the first migratory period, with two birds being seen on 22nd Mar and one on the New Workings on 26th Apr. Singles were then recorded on 5th June, 25th Aug, 2nd and 26th Sept and finally 14th Oct.

STONECHAT Resident breeder. Regularly seen on Manor Farm/New Workings with records in every month except Dec. Breeding indicated by several sightings of adults with juveniles during May and June.

WHEATEAR Moderately common passage migrant. Records in the Spring of singletons on 12th Mar and 13th Apr, then twos on 14th, 15th and 18th Apr. Autumn sightings of singletons on five separate dates in Aug and Sept.

DUNNOCK Common resident.

HOUSE SPARROW Resident.

YELLOW WAGTAIL Regular passage migrant that has bred. Regular sightings of single birds between 11th Apr and 22nd May, although two were seen on 24th and 25th Apr. Singletons recorded in the autumn on 18th Aug and 15th Sept, and two on 30th Aug and 8th Sept.

GREY WAGTAIL Moderately common resident. Recorded throughout the year. Breeding indicated by two records of adults feeding juveniles in May and June.

PIED WAGTAIL Common resident and winter visitor. A sizeable flock on the in-fill area of the New Workings near the sewage works in Nov built to peak count of at least 70 on 21st Dec (RFM). Juveniles seen on the reserve during May and June are indicative of local breeding (RCM).

MEADOW PIPIT Moderately common winter visitor and passage migrant that has summered. Recorded until 19th Apr and from 17th Sept. In the autumn there were sightings of at least ten moving over in small flocks on several dates in Sept and Oct.

CHAFFINCH Abundant resident and winter visitor. Peak count of 40 in finch flock feeding on in-fill area of New Workings in late Nov/Dec (RCM).

BRAMBLING Scarce winter visitor. Seven records of a single female with a mixed finch flock feeding on the in-fill area of the New Workings between 11th Nov and 14th Dec.

Brambling at Moor Green Lakes, 4th December 2015 (R F Milligan)

GREENFINCH Moderately common resident breeder.

GOLDFINCH Common resident breeder. Several counts of flocks of 20 but the peak count was a flock of 40 in a flock with Siskin and Lesser Redpoll on 1st Jan (KC).

SISKIN Very common winter visitor. In first winter period up to 50 recorded until 12th Mar. Then recorded again from 18th July to years end. The maximum count was of 55 on 25th Oct (TGB).

LINNET Moderately common resident and winter visitor. Records during spring/summer suggest breeding on site or nearby. Large flocks were feeding on weed seeds on the infill area of New Workings in the autumn/winter. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 - 4 8 - - 3 2 60 100 120 100

LESSER REDPOLL Moderately common winter visitor. Recorded until 7th Mar and from 24th Sept, with a peak count of 140 seen near the sewage works on 21st Nov (DF). Large flocks were feeding on weed seeds on the in-fill area of New Workings in the autumn/winter. Monthly maxima: J F M A M J J A S O N D 15 1 1 - - - - - 1 7 140 120

BULLFINCH Moderately common resident. The maximum count of this elusive species was of at least six on 30th Jan (NS). Recorded in all months except May, but no evidence of breeding.

REED BUNTING Moderately common resident. Breeding was confirmed by the sighting of adult and three juveniles calling by the path along the New Workings on 29th May. The maximum count was of six birds on 15th Feb (LGL) and 26th May (NS).

LIST OF OBSERVERS

S.D.Abbott R.Gilham I.R.Oldcorn B.Archer N.Godden B.A.Osborne M.l’Anson R.J.Godden P.Osborn T.G.Ball T.A.Guyatt M.G.Philpott P.Boult D.W.Hampton D.M.Pritchard R Brook J.N.Hawtree N.Rampton H.Brownlow M.Hayward G.Randall P.Bright-Thomas B.J.Hollands D.N.T.Rimes T.Callister P.Humphrey R.Smedley D.Campbell M.Hunt M.Seward N.Charles A.Hutchison A.L.H.Sharp J.M.Clark R.Jinks J.B.Sheridan K.Creed P.Kendall N.Silver P.J.Crowley D.C.Knight R.H.Stansfield R.Dawson S.Nash A.Stoney G.J.Duffus L.B.Mann D.J.Sussex D.Flack R.Marsh M.J.Taylor K.J.Ford B.May A.B. Tomczynski C.W.Foster R.F.Milligan R.C.Watts O.Frampton J.C.Morgan J.Westmacott L.Garner-Langham K.S.Murfitt M.Why S.A.Graham R.C.Murfitt C.D.Williams C.R.Gent R.E.Murfitt P.A.Williams C.M.George S.L.Murfitt

Other observers only known to recorder by initials: AK, AN, AN/MN, BB, CK, EF, GD, GE, GPE, IH, JB, JC, JCO, JJB, JM, JN, LK, PAB, PF, SC, SD, SW, TP/JC,TR.

APPENDIX F

EVERSLEY GRAVEL PITS (inc MOOR GREEN LAKES)

BIRD SPECIES LIST 1990-2015

Abbreviations:- Codes: See Bird Recording Notes in Appendix D

R - Resident

B - Breeding

S - Summer Visitor

W - Winter Visitor

P - Passage Migrant

V - Recorded on 3 or less occasions in that year

CODE SPECIES 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

2 Mute Swan RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW 1* Bewick's Swan V V V V V

1* Whooper Swan V

1* Taiga Bean Goose V

1* Pink-footed Goose V

1* White-fronted Goose V V

1* Lesser White-fronted Goose V

1 Greylag Goose V V V V V V P P P P P P R RB R R RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB R

2 Snow Goose R R R R RB RB RB RB R R R R R R R R R R R R R R RB R R R 2 Canada Goose RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Barnacle Goose RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB R R R R R RB R R R 1* Brent Goose V V V V

1 Egyptian Goose V V P V V WS R WS RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB

1* Ruddy Shelduck V V

1 Shelduck V V S S P P SP SP V V V V V V S SP SP SP SP SP SP WS WS SB

1 Wood Duck V V V

1 Mandarin Duck V SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RBW RBW RBW RBW RB RB RB 2 Wigeon W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W WS W WS WS W W WP W W 2 Gadwall RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RW RBW RW RW 2 Teal W W W W W W RBW RW W W RW RW RW RW W W W W W RW RW RW RW RBW RW RW 1* Green-winged Teal W W

2 Mallard RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW 1 Pintail V V V W V V V PW V V V W W W W WP V V W W WP V W

1* Garganey V V V V S V V V V V V

2 Shoveler W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W WS W WS W W WS W W 1 Red-crested Pochard V V V W V V W W V V

2 Pochard W W W W W W W W W W W W W WS WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WS WP WP 1* Ring-necked Duck V

2 Tufted Duck RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW 1* Scaup V V V V V V

CODE SPECIES 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

1* Long-tailed Duck V

1* Common Scoter V V V

2 Goldeneye W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W 1 Smew V V W W W W W V V V W V W W

1* Red-breasted Merganser V V V V V

2 Goosander W W W W W W WS W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W 1 Ruddy Duck W V V V V W W PW PW V PW V V PW V WP V

1 Red-legged Partridge RB RB RB RB? V V R R RB? RB? RB? RB? RB? RB? RB? RB? R R V V

1 Grey Partridge RB RB RB RB R? V

3 Pheasant RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Cormorant W W W W W W W WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS WS R R 1* Shag V

1* Bittern V V W V V W W

1 Little Egret V WS V V WS R R R R R R R R R R R RW

2 Grey Heron R R R R R R R RB R R R R R R R R R RB? RB RB RB RB? RB R R W 2 Little Grebe RB RB RB RB RB RB RB? RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB? RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Great-crested Grebe RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Red-necked Grebe V

1* Slavonian Grebe V V

1* Black-necked Grebe V V V V V

1* Honey Buzzard V V V V

1* Black Kite V

1 Red Kite V V V V V P P V P R R R R R R R

1* Marsh Harrier V V V V P V V

1* Hen Harrier V V V V

1* Goshawk V

2 Sparrowhawk R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R 1 Buzzard V V V V V V P R R R R R R R R R R R R R

1* Osprey P V V V P P V V V V V V V V

2 Kestrel RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Red-footed Falcon V

1* Merlin V V V V

1 Hobby S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S SB? S S S S S S S 1 Peregrine V V V V V V V V S V V V R R R R R R R R R

1 Water Rail W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W 2 Moorhen RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Coot RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW 1* Common crane V

1* Oystercatcher V V V V V V V V P P V V V V P V V S SB SB

1* Avocet V V V V V V

2 Little-ringed Plover SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SBP SBP SBP SBP SB SB SB SB SB SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SB SBP SBP SBP SBP 2 Ringed Plover SBP SBP SB SB SB SB SB SB SP SBP SP SP P V P SP SP SP SP SP SP P P P P P

CODE SPECIES 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

1 Golden Plover V V V W V W W V V W V WP W V V

1* Grey Plover V V V V V V V

2 Lapwing RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RW RW RBW 1* Knot V V

1* Sanderling V V V V V V V V V V V V V

1* Little Stint V V P V P V V V V V

1* Temminck's Stint V V V V V

1* Pectoral Sandpiper V

1* Curlew Sandpiper V V V V

1 Dunlin P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P V P P 1* Ruff V V V P V W V V V V V V W V P

1* Jack Snipe W W V V W W V V V V W V V V W W W

2 Common Snipe WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP RW RW RW R(S)W WP WP WP WP WP WP WP 1 Woodcock S S S V WS W W

1* Black-tailed Godwit V V V V V V V V V P V P P V V V V P V

1* Bar-tailed Godwit V V V V

1 Whimbrel P V V P V V V V V P V V V V P P V V V P

1 Curlew V V V V WP WP V V V P P V V V V V V P

1 Common Sandpiper P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 1 Green Sandpiper WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP 1* Redshank Spotted V V V V V V

1 Greenshank P P P P P P P P P P P P V V V P P P P V P P V P P P 1* Lesser Yellowlegs V

1 Wood Sandpiper V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

2 Redshank P SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SP SP SP SBP 1* Turnstone V V V V V V V V V V V V V

1* Red Necked Phalarope V

1* Great Skua V

1* Kittiwake V V

2 Black-headed Gull R R R R R R R R R R R R R RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB R RB RB RB 1* Little Gull V V V V V P V V P P

1* Mediterranean Gull V V V V V V V P V S V V V V

2 Common Gull W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W WP 1* Ring-billed Gull V

2 Lesser Black-backed Gull R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R RW RW RW RW RW 2 Herring Gull W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W WS WS WS RW RW 1 Yellow-legged Gull V V V V V V P WP V V V SP V WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP P P P P 1* Iceland Gull V V

1* Caspian Gull V V V V V

1* Glaucous Gull V

1 Great Black-backed Gull W W W W W W W W W W W V V V V V V V V V V V V V

1* Little Tern V V V

CODE SPECIES 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

1* Whiskered Tern V

1 Black Tern V V V P P V V V V V V V P V V V V

1* Sandwich Tern V V V V

2 Common Tern P SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP 1* Arctic Tern V P V V V V V V V V

2 Stock Dove RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 4 Wood Pigeon RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1 Collared Dove R R R R R R R RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB

1 Turtle Dove S S V V V V V V V V V

1* Ring-necked Parakeet V

1 Cuckoo SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB? SB? SB? SB? SB? SB? SB? SB SB SB SB S V S V 1 Barn Owl RB RB RB RB RB RB V V V V W R RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB

3 Little Owl RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB R 3 Tawny Owl RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Short-eared Owl V V V V V V

1* Nightjar V V V

2 Swift SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP 2 Kingfisher RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Hoopoe V V

1* Wryneck V

3 Green Woodpecker RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Lesser Spotted Woodpecker R R R R R R R R R R V V V RB? RB? V V V V V

1* Golden oriole V

1* Great Grey Shrike V V

2 Magpie RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Jay RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Jackdaw RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Rook W W W W W W W W R R R p R R R R R R R R R R R R R R 2 Carrion Crow RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Raven V V V V R

2 Goldcrest W W W W WP WP WP WP WP RP RP RBP RBP RBP RBP RBP RBP RBP RBP RP RP RP RP RP RP RP 1* Firecrest V V V V V V V V

4 Blue Tit RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 4 Great Tit RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1 Coal Tit RB RB RB RB RB RB? RB? RB? RB? RB? V V V V V V V R V V W W W W W

1* Marsh Tit V

1* Woodlark V S P SB SB SB SB V

2 Skylark RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RBW RBW RB RB RB RB RB RB RBW RBW RBW RBW RB RB RB RB 1* Shore Lark V

2 Sand Martin SP SBP SB?P SB?P SB?P SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SP SP SB?P SB?P SBP SP SP SP SP SBP SP SP 2 Swallow SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SP SP SP SP SP

CODE SPECIES 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

2 House Martin SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SBP SP SP SP SP SP 2 Long-tailed Tit RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Wood Warbler V V V

2 Chiffchaff RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB SB SB SB WSB WSB WSB WSB SB SBW SB SB SBW SBW SBW SBW SBW 2 Willow Warbler SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SP 1* Pallas's Warbler V

2 Blackcap SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SWB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB 2 Garden Warbler SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB 1* Cetti's Warbler V V

2 Lesser Whitethroat SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB? V V SB SB SB V V V V V

2 Whitethroat SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB 1* Dartford Warbler W V V

1* Grasshopper Warbler V V V V V V V V V V V V

2 Sedge Warbler SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB 2 Reed Warbler SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB 1* Waxwing V

3 Nuthatch R R R R R RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB SB RB RB RB 3 Treecreeper RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 4 Wren RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 3 Starling RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB R RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Ring Ouzel V V V

4 Blackbird RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Fieldfare W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W 3 Song Thrush RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Redwing W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W 2 Mistle Thrush RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1 Spotted Flycatcher P P P V S SB? V V V SP SP V V SP P SP S V V SB? V V V

3 Robin RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Nightingale S S

1* Black Redstart V V V

1 Common Redstart V V V V V P V V

1 Whinchat P P P P P P P P P P V V P V P P V P V V P P P P P

1 Stonechat P V WP WP WP RBP RBP WP RBP RBP WP RB?P WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP RPB RB RB RB RB RB 1 Wheatear P P P P P P P P P P P V P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 4 Dunnock RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 House Sparrow RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* Tree Sparrow V V

1 Yellow Wagtail P P P P P P P P P P P P V V P V V P P V P P P P V P 2 Grey Wagtail RB RB RB? RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB

2 Pied Wagtail RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 1* White Wagtail P V V P P P V P V V V V V V P

1 Tree Pipit V V V P V V V V

CODE SPECIES 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

2 Meadow Pipit WP WP WP WSP WSP WSP WP WSP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WSP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP WP 1* Rock Pipit V V V V

1* Water Pipit V V V V V

2 Chaffinch RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW 1 Brambling W W W W W W W W W W W W V V W W W V V W W W V W

2 Greenfinch RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Goldfinch RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB 2 Siskin W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W 2 Linnet R R R R R R RB RB RB RB RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RW RWB? RWB? RWB? RWB? RWB? 2 Lesser Redpoll R R R R R R R W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W 1* Common (Mealy) Redpoll V V V

1* Common Crossbill V V V V V V V

2 Bullfinch RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW RBW 2 Yellowhammer RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RBW RB RB RBW RBW RBW RBW RB RB RB RB V

2 Reed Bunting RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB RB

Total species breeding 59 63 62 63 63 65 67 66 65 66 65 66 66 66 65 66 67 67 70 67 66 65 62 62 63 59 Total species recorded 124 129 130 137 137 127 140 141 139 122 125 127 128 129 132 132 143 136 136 136 133 141 135 134 137 134

The following additional species were all recorded prior to 1990:

Willow Tit Black-throated Diver (1977) (1985)?>

Ferruginous Duck (1985) Kentish Plover (1986)

Sabine's Gull (1987)

Total number of species recorded: 217

APPENDIX G

EVERSLEY GRAVEL PIT – WETLAND BIRD SURVEY COUNTS

Monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) counts were carried out and submitted to the British Trust for Ornithology as part of this national monitoring scheme. Counts were conducted, predominantly in the winter months, of all the lakes (Moor Green Lakes, New Workings, Horseshoe Lake and the Hants lakes of the Eversley complex) and resulted in totals as shown below.

Jan Feb Mar April June Sept Oct Nov Dec 17th 7th 7th 19th 18th 12th 18th 22nd 19th Aythya hybrid (Pochard x Ferruginous duck) - 1 ------Barnacle Goose - - 25 - - 23 - - 22 Black-headed Gull 31 12 79 252 60 35 21 9 43 Canada Goose 34 24 55 - 80 23 52 3 100 Common Gull 7 10 8 57 - - 4 3 28 Common Sandpiper - - - 1 1 - - - - Common Tern - - - - 11 - - - - Coot 187 207 106 53 52 129 199 - 205 Cormorant 22 8 17 5 9 6 8 10 9 Egyptian Goose 6 7 5 3 16 10 8 8 4 Gadwall 102 112 7 4 - 9 21 69 131 Goldeneye 1 1 3 - - - - - 2 Goosander 9 17 14 - - - - 5 3 Great Crested Grebe 8 5 2 21 - 16 23 7 7 Green Sandpiper - - - - 2 3 2 - - Grey Heron 3 2 - 3 2 1 5 2 3 Greylag Goose - - - 2 - - 1 - - Herring Gull 1 ------8 Kingfisher 2 - - - - 1 - - Lapwing 69 23 10 2 27 60 14 3 180 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 - 2 5 - - - 3 12 Little Egret 3 1 2 - - - 1 - 1 Little Grebe 4 4 5 5 11 2 4 2 2 Little Ringed Plover -- - - 1 1 - - - - Mallard 51 57 38 38 65 24 105 73 73 Mandarin Duck - - 1 3 2 - - - - Mediterranean Gull - - - 1 - - - - - Moorhen 7 15 8 6 10 11 20 16 6 Mute Swan 12 16 4 7 7 6 6 5 6 Oystercatcher - - 2 2 - - - - - Pochard 17 19 10 - 1 1 1 11 19 Redshank - - - 4 - - - - - Shelduck - - 2 ------Shoveler 25 56 7 2 - - 18 41 30 Smew 2 2 ------Snipe 3 - - 1 - - 1 2 6 71 Copyright © 2016 Moor Green Lakes Group Moor Green Lakes Group Annual Report 2015

Snow Goose - - 1 - 1 - - - - Teal 14 2 13 5 - 2 6 27 6 Tufted Duck 106 137 212 124 107 60 73 145 200 Wigeon 122 98 24 - - 21 30 163 369 Jan Feb Mar April June Sept Oct Nov Dec 17th 7th 7th 19th 18th 12th 18th 22nd 19th

(Count data: R C Murfitt)