10th August 2010

A Morning at Moor Green

If you like the idea of getting up close to wildlife, then come along to Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve on Sunday 5th September. There’s plenty going on during the morning. You can join a bird walk and see some of the visiting and resident birds; find out what’s involved with bird ringing
and watch a group in action; get close-up to moths; find out more about dragonflies and damselflies; go on a mammal and reptile walk and learn about the site management.

During the 1980s Moor Green Lakes was a mineral extraction site, but through careful restoration it opened as a nature reserve in 1993 and has become one of the premier birding sites in the area with over 200 bird species recorded there. Owned by CEMEX, the site is managed by the Moor Green Lakes Group with the assistance of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership.  On Sunday 5th visitors will have the opportunity of finding out what’s involved with looking after the site and can get an insight into future plans for the adjacent Manor Farm site, which is being transformed into a superb area for wildlife with reed beds, scrapes, open water, grassland and woodland.

Normally visitors can only walk round the perimeter of Moor Green Lakes’ 35 hectares to avoid disturbing the birds, but on this special open morning there are numerous walks taking visitors to some of the restricted areas. But sorry, no dogs! Walks leave every 30 minutes with the first starting at 9.30am.

Anyone with a passion for birds can join
one of the two bird walks. The first, scheduled to leave at 9.30am, includes a visit to see the Reading and Basingstoke Ringing group working on site. This small group of independent ringers work closely with local conservation groups, landowners and councils and started ringing at Moor Green in 2007. There is also an opportunity for visitors to join a mammal and reptile walk and actually see some of the resident small mammals. Anyone wanting to find out more about the history of the site and future plans can join one of two site ‘discovery’ walks. In addition visitors can meet the experts with static displays on dragonflies, damselflies and moths. 

Children will find plenty to do with a range of special activities aimed to keep them amused, from discovering more about the ‘alien’ creatures in the lakes and mini-beast hunts, to colouring and nature quizzes.

A morning at Moor Green Lakes will run from 9am through to 1pm at Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve in Finchampstead RG40 3TJ.  Access is from the car park located in Lower Sandhurst Road or by foot via the footbridge over the River Blackwater from Moulsham Green. For more details ring 01252 331353.

More about Moor Green Lakes  >>>
More about Reading and Basingstoke Ringing >>>

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For further information contact:

Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership,
Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS.

EDITOR NOTES

• Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve is owned by CEMEX, who have been extracting sand and gravel in the area for nearly 30 years. They helped establish and now support  the Moor Green Lakes Group, local volunteers who look after the Reserve.
• Membership of the Moor Green Lakes Group offers unlimited access to the two hides on the Reserve, two newsletters a year and an informative annual report. Members are encouraged to help with conservation work during the winter. Find out more on the Moor Green Lakes website
• Reading and Basingstoke Ringing are a small group of independent ringers who live and operate in the area, their main aim is to benefit the birds through science, education and conservation. They work closely with local conservation groups, landowners and councils and much of their data contributes to site management plans. They started ringing at Moor Green Lakes in 2007 and initially only ringed Gull, Tern and wader chicks but this year they have started developing Moor Green as a routine ringing site. For more details about ringing in general and their projects and results visit their website. 
• The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership was first established in 1979 and is currently funded by the County, Borough, District. Town and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater: Hampshire and Surrey County Council, the District, Town and Borough Councils of Blackwater & Hawley, Farnham, Finchampstead, Guildford, Hart, Rushmoor, Sandhurst, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Wokingham and Yateley. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Blackwater Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.