Summer 2002
Contents
New Guide for Valley Path
A new guide to the Blackwater Valley Path has been produced by the BVCS. The 28 page booklet is a complete revision of previous guides and features colour maps and photographs. It includes easy to follow text and information about features of interest along the path.
The clear maps were specially commissioned for the guide book by Dave Ramm, cartographer and the author of a series of long distance trail guides including the popular “Three Castles Trail”.
The guide book is the final stage of a path improvement project funded by a grant from the RMC Environment Fund.* The complete project covered widening and resurfacing a 700m section of the path, clearance of overhanging vegetation along the whole route and management of wildlife habitats adjacent to the path.
Surrey County Council also contributed towards improving signage along the path, to make it clear which sections were suitable for wheelchair users and cyclists.
Kate Jenkins, Visitor Promotions Officer with the BVCP said “This book is really good news for all users of the path and a pleasure to use. The route can be difficult to follow in places and some sections are not on other published maps. At long last we have a guide with clear maps.”
A six mile section of the route now has a “multi-user” surface designed to be easy to use for wheels and these sections are becoming increasingly popular with families, cyclists and wheelchair users.
The guide is available in most local libraries and information centres at a cost £2.00 or by sending a cheque for £2.50 inc. p&p to ”Blackwater Valley” (address below).
* The RMC Environment Fund is a grant giving fund which passes over around £2 million of funding per annum to environmental and community based projects through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The Fund is managed by the Environment Council and supported by RMC Group p.l.c.
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Dragons in the Valley
Dragons are in the Valley and have found a safe home at Horseshoe Lake! Dragon Boating is an increasingly popular activity and offers a unique experience for those wanting to take to the water. Boats take up to 20 paddlers at a time with a helmsman at the back and a drummer at the front to keep the crew paddling in time. The dragon boats at Horseshoe Lake are in the traditional Chinese-style complete with ornamental designs.
Alongside the Dragon Boat experience, Horseshoe Lake Watersport Centre offers access to a wide range of watersports for people of all ages and ability levels. There are also courses for juniors, aged 8-15 years, including multi-activity weeks for those wanting to try most if not all the activities available at the centre.
The Centre which is located on the outskirts of Sandhurst, is managed by Freetime Leisure Watersports Ltd. which ensures that all their staff are fully trained and experienced instructors with the appropriate national governing body qualifications.
For further information and details of the summer programme of courses and events contact the Centre on 01252 871808 or see their website. Alternatively contact the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership at the address below.
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Fish are a bat’s best friend
Bats are thriving on the lakes of the Blackwater Valley, on some nights hundreds of bats feed over each lake.
These are the findings of a 2 year study of the Blackwater Valley lakes funded by a grant from the national Bat Conservation Trust and carried out by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership. A surprising result was that the lakes used for angling with very heavy fish stocks are just as good for bats as lakes managed as nature reserves.
The ultrasonic bat calls were recorded using special equipment that converted the sounds to ones humans can hear. The results confirmed that the 70 gravel pits in the Valley form an important feeding area for bats with four species seen regularly.
“The results were a surprise” said BVCS Manager and resident bat worker Steve Bailey. “The survey investigated the effect of using lakes for angling and stocking them heavily with fish. I had anticipated all those hungry fish would have eaten many of the underwater insects that are the young stages of the flies and midges that the bats feed on. But the lakes with most fish supported just as many bats as those without”.
Steve explained “The heavily stocked fishing lakes produced midges aplenty and this attracted common pipistrelles and noctule bats. Daubenton bats preferred the older tree lined fishing lakes whilst the 55khz pipistrelles did best at the nature reserve lakes with natural levels of fish. It’s good to know that the different uses of the lakes create a Valley of great value to these threatened creature.”
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Bat facts
- BCT is the UK’s only organisation solely devoted to the conservation of bats and their habitats in the British Isles. It is a highly respected and established organisation combining the strengths of professional and amateur experts.
- Bats populations crashed in the 1960’s, even the ’common’ pipistrelle is now targeted for special conservation action to increase its numbers.
- Fancy watching bats. Most people find their first experience of watching and hearing bats an unforgettable experience.
- Bat Events in the Valley:
Thursday 5th September, Bat Walk and Slideshow at the Basingstoke Canal Centre.
Thursday 12th September, Bat Walk at Colt Hill Wharf. Contact 01252 370073 for further details.
Friday 20th September, Bat Walk around Horseshoe Lake, meet at 7pm. Contact 01344 354400 for further details.
- Have you got a bat roost in your house? If so we would love to hear about it. Contact Steve Bailey on 01252 331353.
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More Dragons in the Valley
Dragonfly records compiled by Mr. A W Richards in the late 1930s and early 1950s, when much of what is now water in the Valley was still dry land, give a clear picture of both common and not so common species to be seen on the wing throughout the summer. He recorded the presence of 30 species and described the area as a “dragonflies’ paradise”.
Despite 80 years of intense urban development, recent improvements to river water quality and the ever increasing area of open water due to gravel working has maintained the value of the area for dragonflies. The area is as good now, if not better, than in Mr. Richards day.
Last year I personally recorded 23 of Mr. Richards list within the Valley. Other observers managed to find the rarer species Black Darter (Yateley Common), Brilliant Emerald (Warren Heath) and the Beautiful Demoiselle (Shepherd Meadows and Moor Green).
The Scarce Blue Damselfly was locally common at only one site and was eradicated in the winter of 1949/50 by the “authorities” when they sprayed to kill mosquitoes. In recent years the rare species has now recolonised one of the wet heathlands close to the Valley. Mr Richards makes no mention of the Club-tailed Dragonfly which is now occasionally reported on the lower reaches of the River Blackwater.
As the flight season is about to get underway look out for the early starters, Large Red Damselfly, around local ponds and ditches, the Banded Demoiselle along the river, Blue-tailed and Common Blue Damselflies everywhere. The larvae of the Downy Emerald, Four-spotted Chaser and Emperor Dragonflies are all reaching maturity so they may be early this year.
Ken Crick is chairman of Moor Green Lakes Group and is currently researching the dragonflies of the Blackwater Valley with the aim of producing a local guide book to these fascinating creatures. Dragonfly Events in the Valley: Sunday 30th June, Dragonflies of the Park at Dinton Pastures. Thursday 29th July “Dragonfly Walk”, Mytchett. See Events page for further details.
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Corridor of Opportunity
The management of land adjacent to the A331 (Blackwater Valley Relief Road) by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership has been voted a success, and it has just expanded.
The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership already managed a total of 450 hectares of land alongside the A331 on behalf of Surrey and Hampshire CC. In April, Surrey County Council handed over a further 3 miles of roadside land.
“It might seem strange for a countryside service to be looking after roadside land” explained Sue Dent Countryside and Access officer for the Service “but in effect it is a large urban nature reserve. There is tremendous scope to integrate nature conservation into the management of the site as a whole, we have created habitats for many different species such as: bats, grass snakes, frogs, toads, birds and butterflies”.
The road verges themselves are largely newly created grassland, shrub and thicket which must be managed to meet the safety needs of the road but which nonetheless can provide a vital habitat in their own right. Beyond the verges, areas of original woodland and grassland have been protected, others have been restored and replanted. This includes 15 hectares of grassland and wildflower meadow, 243 hectares of thicket, 128 hectares of established woodland, 6 miles of hedge and numerous ditches and ponds.
The road side landscaping makes a major contribution to the habitats in the Valley which form a very important corridor or link for wildlife between sites along the Valley and also those to the north and south which would otherwise be isolated from each other by urban sprawl.
It’s not just wildlife that benefits from the landscaped corridor as it is also the setting for the Blackwater Valley Path, a multi-user footpath that is suitable for pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchair users with many sections providing an easily accessible greenspace for local people to enjoy.
“I do not know of another case where a countryside service is so closely involved with a major road” continued Sue “but it works well. It ensures all the effort in establishing the landscape around the road such as purchasing extra land and the habitat creation projects continues to be looked after and maximises the benefits to local residents and wildlife.”
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New landscapes revealed
Plans for two major projects in the northern end of the Blackwater Valley have been approved recently that will have a significant impact on the future landscape and recreation facilities in the area.
RMC Aggregates have been given the green light to create new playing fields and fishing lakes at Eversley on the site of the recently finished Eversley Quarry. The scheme requires importation of landfill to create the new landform and is expected to take 5 years to complete. The result is a success for local sports clubs who formed the Eversley Sports Association to campaign for extra cricket and football pitches. On the rest of the site a sinuous channel for match fishing and a large lake for fishing will be created.
Meanwhile on the northern side of the river RMC have started work on their new Manor Farm quarry and are in the process of finalising a restoration scheme to include a substantial reed bed. The reed bed will be one the largest wildlife habitat creation schemes of its kind and could lead to a major expansion of the Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. Public footpaths and bridleways also feature on the proposals for this site.
“It’s a very exciting time in the Blackwater Valley” said Sue Dent Countryside and Access Officer with the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership. “The earlier years of work in the Blackwater Valley were all about making good damage and neglect, for instance restoring abandoned landfill sites. Now we are in a dynamic creative phase. The gravel workings in particular allow us to produce new landscapes specifically to maximise recreation facilities, public access and wildlife habitats.”
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We couldn’t do it without your help
Adrian Douglas, the new Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership Ranger, helps run the Blackwater Valley Conservation Volunteers. He knows about the importance of people taking the decision to offer up some time to undertake conservation volunteering within the Valley.
“I have quickly learnt that volunteers are essential if we wish to maintain and enhance the valley’s mosaic of differing habitats. Our volunteers have helped maintain grasslands, areas of heath, repaired fencelines and planted trees. This work is vital and often only possible due to the efforts of our volunteers. Groups such as the Cove Brook Greenway Group, Friends of Brickfields Country Park and Moor Green Lakes Group are also reliant on maintaining volunteer numbers out on task. I would like to thank all those dedicated individuals who volunteer within the Blackwater Valley.”
If you have ever thought about volunteering yourself and would like to know more about all the groups involved with practical conservation in the Blackwater Valley please contact Adrian on 01252 331353.
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Wanted: Wildlife Detectives
Do you have sharp eyes and keen hearing?
Do you enjoy getting out and about in the Countryside?
Would you like to join a band of volunteers searching for noisy frogs in Surrey up to mid July?
Some years ago European green frogs - the Pool, Edible and Marsh frogs escaped from sites where they were held and have now become part of our countryside. As part of an Earthwatch Millennium Award, a map has been produced showing where these frogs now live and needs YOUR help to find out where they are. The males of these frogs call much more loudly than our native frog in order to attract females. Volunteers will be given a short audio tape and asked to make simple recording and enter details onto a form of where and when they heard the frogs.
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The Costa Rican Connection
An ecological trip to Costa Rica by Peter Scott (a regular Blackwater Valley Conservation Volunteer) had the spin-off benefit of a reptile hibernaculum, being installed at Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. Peter Scott explains:
Last year I had the good luck to be awarded a fully-paid visit to Costa Rica, to work as a volunteer on an ecological research project. The Millennium Lottery Fund had allocated a substantial sum to the Earthwatch Institute, which supports a range of projects around the world by attracting volunteers prepared to give their time to work “in the field”. Earthwatch invited applications from people aged over 50, I applied and was accepted.
The final component of the award was a small sum of money to support a local project. After discussion with Steve Bailey, BVCP Manager, and Ken Crick, Moor Green Lakes Group Chairman, I proposed that we should install a winter refuge (hibernaculum) for reptiles at Moor Green. Winter is generally much too cold for reptile activity, as the temperature drops, reptiles look for a place to hibernate with the right warmth and humidity to survive the colder period.
Earthwatch were very enthusiastic about the idea. They agreed their financial support promptly, which enabled materials like gravel and plastic piping to be bought. The site owners, RMC Aggregates, were also very supportive; supplying further materials and paying for a JCB and driver to dig the trench which was the first stage of installation. The job was completed by a large group of volunteers who turned out on a Sunday in early February.
So Moor Green reptiles should be snug and dry next winter! One after-effect of all this is that I’ve now ‘been volunteered’ as the Moor Green Group’s reptile recorder, so I will have to start making some surveys. At least there are only six native species to identify.
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Fairway to Play
Have you ever watched golf on the television and thought you would like to learn or play a game yourself?
Stepping onto a golf course can be quite a daunting prospect if you have never been introduced to the sport. Well now by joining the ‘Golf Academy’ at the Blackwater Valley Golf Centre, Chandlers Lane, Yateley, there is an easier way to become involved in the game and gain experience.
Harry Allenby, centre owner, and James Rodgers, the PGA Professional Golfer based at the centre, run the ‘Golf Academy’. Harry explained, “The world of golf can be quite intimidating for a complete beginner or if you are new to the sport, and want to improve your game. We started the Golf Academy to provide a way for people to become involved in the sport.”
Taking out Academy Membership for a year means you can grow in confidence by playing people of a similar standard. ‘Rules and Etiquette’ evenings are held on a regular basis at the clubhouse and monthly Academy challenges set to help improve your game. By joining the Academy you receive 3 free lessons with the PGA Professional Golfer, James Rodgers, and receive discounts off future lessons and Green fees.
The course is an attractive 9 hole par 34 with verdant greens, picturesque lakes and plenty of maturing trees and shrubs, Today’s golfer may surprised by its history - a restored gravel pit.
Restoration of the whole Eversley gravel pit complex was planned in advance of any extraction starting. The ethos was to create an attractive landscape containing a suite of new recreational facilities aimed at local people, especially juniors and beginners. Now 20 years on, the golf course takes its place alongside Horseshoe Lake Sailing Centre, Blackwater Valley Watersports, Sean Deveraux Park playing fields and the Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve. The success of the ambitious restoration programme was recognised in 1996 with the Award of the Cooper-Heyman cup to RMC Aggregates by the national Sand and Gravel Association for outstanding restoration. The Golf Centre is justly proud for the part they played in winning this Award.
With high quality facilities like this on your doorstep, there is now no excuse not to get out and enjoy the summer.
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