Access to Queen Mother Reservoir

Thames Water would like to provide bird-watchers with access to its reservoirs and other good bird sites, but has to balance provision of access with the water industry’s need for security and ensuring personal safety. Thames Water has given a licence to the Berkshire Ornithological Club for Queen Mother Reservoir that enables the company to ensure that permits are provided only to bona fide bird-watchers who accept the conditions of controlled access. This is a trial arrangement, which, if successful, could be applied to some other sites and managed through other local clubs.

The permit allows holders to walk the whole of the rim pathway and gives access from dawn to an hour after sunset, seven days a week. Because of vandalism to the BOC entry gate, the full access arrangement has been temporarily suspended pending repair of the lock. In the interim, the Datchet Water Sailing Club, which has agreed to issue exit passes to permit holders, enables us to visit during the Club’s opening hours (in the summer 9.30 to half an hour before sunset; in winter 10 am to 6 pm; the club is closed on Mondays).

Kennet Valley Park – Burghfield Gravel Pits

It has been confirmed that the Prudential proposals to develop Kennet Valley Park have not been included in the South East Plan following our representations after the draft plan was tabled. This means that while there is no block on proposals being resubmitted, now the Secretary of State has rejected the idea it is unlikely to be approved in the short term.

I would like to thank all the people who supported the battle against this development. Action is continuing to secure the area as a wildlife reserve but there is much work to do before that can happen. The main message for us to take away is that action can be effective and it is worth fighting to keep our wildlife safe.

Colin Wilson –

Thames Basin Heaths at Bracknell get protection

Recently, the BOC provided records for birds seen in the area of the Transport Research Laboratories in Bracknell. This confirmed the existence of protected birds on the heathland nearby and has helped proposals to develop the TRL land to be rejected beause of the lack of protection. The full story has been told by BBOWT and their Press release is as follows:

‘The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has welcomed the decision by the Secretary of State to refuse the proposed redevelopment of the Transport Research Laboratories (TRL) site at Crowthorne. The application had previously been turned down by Bracknell Forest Council, but that decision had been appealed by the developers.

Mr Jackson, Head of Policy for BBOWT, said: ?This is a common sense victory for wildlife in Bracknell. The Secretary of State has not said that development can?t take place in Bracknell, nor even that there could not be some development of the TRL site. What he has said though, is that any development must ensure that it properly protects the wildlife of the borough.?

The proposed redevelopment of the old TRL site included 975 houses along with a business park. The site lies very close to the Thames Basin Heaths, which are protected because of their internationally important populations of birds, including nightjars, woodlarks and Dartford warblers. These birds are particularly vulnerable to disturbance from dogs when they are walked on the heaths during the bird breeding season.

A plan to ensure that any new developments around the heaths protect the birds was drawn up by Natural England, the government?s conservation advisors. That plan requires areas where dogs can be walked safely to be created and promoted, and management of the heaths to ensure visitors are aware of the importance of the birds found there. The TRL development proposal set out dog walking land, but BBOWT, the RSPB and Natural England all gave evidence to a planning inquiry that there would, however, be insufficient protection for the heaths. The inquiry Inspector agreed with them, and recommended that the Secretary of State turn down the appeal.’

All birdwatchers are reminded of the importance of submitting records, especially for the more sensitive species. Please do not assume others are submitting them just because others go and see birds in the same place. There are many easy ways to submit you records explained on this website and on www.berksbirds.co.uk.

Colin Wilson –

Events update

The mid-week walk to Langley Park, near Slough on 21st May has been cancelled. Please see the meetings page for
further details on the Nightjar evening on 27th May and the mid-week walk on 18th June.

Marek Walford –

Protecting the Ground Nesting Birds of Greenham and Crookham Common SSSI

by Katty Baird (Local Volunteer for West Berkshire Living Landscape Partnership)

Introduction to the Issues

Greenham and Crookham Common is an important breeding site for a number of rare and threatened birds. Some of these are more susceptible to disturbance than others (including dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, skylark, meadow pipit, tree pipit, lapwing, little ringed plover and ringed plover) as they build their nests on or close to the ground and are often located in the more open areas that tend to be frequented by visitors.

This leaves these birds particularly vulnerable to disturbance from human visitors (with or without dogs) and with their cryptic colouration, nesting birds can be easily overlooked and therefore unwittingly disturbed even by the most well-intentioned visitors. Brooding adults will flee their nest if disturbed and only return once the perceived danger has passed. During this time the eggs or chicks in the nest are susceptible to chilling and predation, especially from corvids like crows and jackdaws.

Studies at other heathland sites in southern England have shown that birds nesting close to paths are more likely to suffer from disturbance than those on more remote nests and that dogs are often the cause of this disturbance. However, such records of disturbance to a nest do not necessarily result in failure of the eggs to hatch or young to fledge, and there are clearly many other environmental factors that contribute to breeding success. Although there are a number of potential causes of disturbance to ground nesting birds on Greenham Common, dog walkers are one of the main visitors to the common and dogs off leads are the primary concern. A policy has been developed to try and balance the needs of different users of the common whilst helping to protect the important ground nesting birds.

The Common is a registered common permitting open access to all. Therefore striking the balance between users and wildlife is a challenge. All visitors are welcome to enjoy and learn from this wonderful habitat and with careful management it should be possible to control and minimise the impact of visitors to the wildlife on the common.

The Measures in Place

Since opening to the public in 2000, the Common has always had a dogs on lead signage at all entrances. This year builds on this and the approach has been to inform rather than enforce, as anecdotal evidence suggests that most people are genuinely unaware of the wildlife value of the site and the potential damage they can cause through unintentional disturbance. We are asking all visitors, including dog walkers, to be aware of the vulnerable bird species using the common at this time of year, to keep to the main paths and to act responsibly.

Improved Information for Visitors

At every entrance to the common there are colourful information posters outlining ?do?s and don’ts? for all visitors and illustrating the birds at risk. Smaller posters have been erected around the really sensitive areas of open gravels asking all to avoid walking through these areas. A leaflet has also been produced with photographs of the most important birds and more details about their conservation status and legislation. These are being handed out to members of the public by the team of wardens. There has also been two guided walks aimed specifically at dog walkers during April.

Regular patrols by two seasonal wardens have started. They will be on duty every day including early mornings and evenings until the end of July. They are funded by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) as part of the Living Landscape partnership and will have the responsibility of talking to visitors, explaining the ground nesting birds policy we have developed this year and ensuring that the signs are adhered to. A small team of Volunteer Wardens has also been started and continues to be developed. Along with the site Ranger they will help to patrol as part of their daily visit to the common. The Wildlife Trust Wardens, Volunteer Wardens and the site Ranger will be a very visible presence on the common and will go a long way in getting information across.

The Wildlife Trust and West Berkshire Council?s Countryside Service have also been involved with local papers, parish newsletters and radio interviews, with a volunteer helping to write and promote the ground nesting birds policy.

Data collection

Monitoring of adult birds through the nesting season is currently underway and should give an idea of bird numbers and an indication of breeding success. Data on visitor usage and cooperation will also be collected. These records will be used to gauge the success of the current scheme and to help develop the policy for next year.

The Future

The Wildlife Trust and West Berkshire Council?s Countryside Service partnership considers the protection of the threatened ground nesting birds on the common a priority. We will look carefully at the effectiveness of the current measures after this season has finished before determining any adjustments to the existing policy. If appropriate, additional measures could include:

• Suggestive or stock type fencing around the sensitive areas
• Closing some access gates to certain areas
• Zoning areas where dogs can be let off the lead on the common and suggestions of other local dog walking areas.
• A mortality study of breeding success

We will continue to chat to visitors, review the policy and hopefully these important birds will continue to breed successfully for many years to come.

Suggestions Welcome

This is a learning process for us and we welcome feedback to help us develop the guidance for next year. If you represent a group, would like to gather views from others or simply have a comment or suggestion then we would like to hear from you. Comments have already been taken on board (for example – the posters need to provide clearer information for dog walkers) and will be acted upon next year. Please send comments to the address below.

Adrian Wallington
Countryside Ranger
Greenham and Crookham Commons
West Berkshire Council Countryside Service
Office: 01635 580792
Email: awallington@westberks.gov.uk
Website: www.westberks.gov.uk
Address: Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre
Muddy Lane
Lower Way
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG19 3FU

Katty Baird –

What’s that wader?

After last year?s very successful practical workshop on recognising warblers, this time we are concentrating on the problems of wader identification. Come and hear many useful hints backed up with photographs to help you out in the field.

NOTE: To be held at the Meeting Rooms, at Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst at 8.00pm. Contact Ray Reedman, 0118 9864338.

Are urban predators impacting upon our garden birds? Can you help with surveys?

As you probably already know, urban areas pose many challenges for our birds, from disturbance from human activity, to increased numbers of predators than would be found in more rural areas.

The most common predator is the domestic cat which in Reading alone can reach very high numbers, but other lesser known predators could also be having an impact. These include magpies, woodpeckers, sparrowhawks and the grey squirrel. Predation isn?t the only problem;birds may also be indirectly ?stressed? by the presence of so many threats, reducing the number of young they can produce in a year.

So, how are populations coping with such high levels of predation and the ?stresses? of urban life? Unfortunately we don?t know! Urban birds aren?t really studied as well as more rural populations.

To resolve this lack of information the University of Reading researchers are seeking help from the Berkshire Ornithological Club. We need volunteer surveyors who would be available to complete one or more ?urban? BBS counts this year in the greater Reading area. Any time you could spare would be greatly appreciated. The results will also help us assess the significance of the built environment for bird populations more generally.

This work has recently been getting a lot of press coverage and has been written about in the national press.

For those not familiar with the BBS (Breeding Bird Survey) methodology, it entails two early morning surveys, one in late April/early May and the other in late May/June, of about 2 hours each. You walk two transects across a 1 km square noting all birds seen or heard using the area, so you should be familiar with the species likely to be found in gardens, parks and around buildings by sight and sound. The transects will be worked out by the University team, who will also do the habitat analysis (a great help). Full instructions, maps and forms will be provided. The survey areas are:

• SU7572- Earley/ west Woodley
• SU7773- East Woodley
• SU7276- Emmer Green
• SU7075 Caversham Heights
• SU6972- Southcote
• SU6773- Tilehurst

If you would like further information then please contact Becky Dulieu at r.dulieu@reading.ac.uk or Renton Righelato at renton.righelato@berksoc.org.uk.

Photographic competition 2009

In 2009, we are again offering 3 categories in our competition so get shooting now! These are:

• Best digiscoped bird (portrait or action shot)
• Best digital bird portrait
• Best digital bird action photograph

Each of the three categories will be judged and winners chosen by Gordon Langsbury and Dave Cromack who has kindly agreed to support us again. The meeting will then, on a show of hands, choose the overall winner who will win the Gordon Langsbury Cup, currently held by Bill Watts for his action shot of a Grey Heron.
Gift vouchers will be given in all categories for first place and second place and the overall winner will also win the Gordon Langsbury Cup. Additional prizes may be supplied on the night.
You may enter photographs entered before if you wish, so if you think one didn?t get the attention it deserved feel free to try again. We encourage newcomers to show their photographs, an experienced photographer certainly does not win every time! You just might have the picture to catch the judges attention!
Due to time limitations on the night, we have changed the number of entries per section to just four, so you still have up to twelve chances to win prizes on the night so have a look through your photos and give it a go!
Closing date for entries is

.

BOC Photographic Competition 2009

Dave Cromack, editor of Birds Illustrated, and BOC President Gordon Langsbury were the judges again this year with 114 entries to discuss and choose the best two in each category:

• Portait category: winner – Arctic Redpoll, by Nick Boyes;runner up – Mute Swan family by Mike Smith.
• Digiscoping category: winner – Snow Bunting by Marek Walford;Green Heron/Turnstone by Marek Walford.
• Action category: winner Red-necked Phalaropes by Mike McKee;runner up – Yellow-legged Gull by Mike McKee.

The overall winner this year was the delightful portrait of the Arctic Redpoll, by Nick Boyes.

Our thanks again to the London Camera Exchange, who sponsored the competition, to Dave Cromack, who not only judged, but donated prizes and to co-judge, Gordon Langsbury.

The Berkshire Bird Bulletin

Every month since October 1986, a bulletin of birds seen in the county in that period has been produced. Initially it was issued on specific sites that at that time were being underwatched and for which insufficient historic data was available to defend any inappropriate development. These sites were mainly in the East of the county. Gradually, more observers in that sector were encouraged to submit their sightings and the project grew. After a few years, the ROC asked if sightings in the rest of the county could be incorporated and since that time, birdwatchers of all abilities have been submitting records from gardens, walks and favourite patches.

As soon as it was possible, compilation converted to electronic means in order that the submissions, whether by written lists, cards or Excel format could be compiled in a method compatible with the needs of the county database. This enables those deterred by the task of completing a full annual record for the county report to instead send in their sightings a month at a time, knowing they will also find their way onto the main database.

Today, the Bulletin has expanded to typically a 20 ? 25 page document, together with a summary editorial and a number of colour pictures from local photographers of some of the specific birds mentioned in the report. Most people now submit records via an Excel format sent to new subscribers. Every species is dealt with, including all the common ones, so it is not just a list of scarcities.

Obtainable by subscription, the e-mail version is £3 per annum, the posted version £10. Please send a cheque made out to ?COS? to Brian Clews, Berkshire Bird Bulletin, PO Box 680, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 9ST, including your name, address, telephone number and (if relevant) your e-mail address. A sample can be sent first if required.