Maple Lodge Species Report 1999
Version 160903 – Completed 3rd September 2016
CONTENTS
Introduction 2
Systematic Bird List for 1999 5
First and last dates of migrants 21
Bird Nest Box Results for 1999 23
Bat Box Results for 1999 23
Birds, Butterflies & Other Wildlife sightings for 1999 24
Maple Lodge 1999 Mammal Sightings 36
Maple Lodge 1999 Reptile and Amphibian Sightings 37
Maple Lodge 1999 Butterfly Sightings 38
Maple Lodge 1999 Dragonfly and Damselfly Sightings 39
Maple Lodge 1999 Bee Sightings 40
Maple Lodge 1999 Pond Dipping Surveys 41
Maple Lodge 1999 Firsts 41
Plants and Flowers at Maple Lodge 41
Mammals at Maple Lodge 41
Fish at Maple Lodge 41
Birds at Maple Lodge 41
Butterflies at Maple Lodge 41
Moths at Maple Lodge 41
Spiders at Maple Lodge 42
Others at Maple Lodge 42
Introduction
This report is based on the report format as used for 2015. However, much of it is not populated as we have limited data recorded from 1999. The bulk of the data herein is as given by Paul Lewis from his personal records of this year. In time, we may hopefully add to these records from contributions from other members or visitors to the Reserve during this period.
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve is 40 acres of mixed habitat based around disused gravel workings. It is owned by Thames Water Utilities who lease it to the volunteer members of the Maple Lodge Conservation Society.
The Reserve is basically a man-made wetland habitat consisting of two old gravel pits and a sludge settlement area formerly used by the nearby sewage treatment works. Some refuse dumping also occurred on part of the site and during the late 1950s and early 1960s an area in the east of the Reserve was planted with poplars.
From the early 1970s the site was largely undisturbed and developed naturally into mainly woodland and rank herb rich grassland. The larger of the two lakes, being quite shallow, began to dry out and was being rapidly colonized by herbaceous growth. This resulted in an overall decline in bird diversity at the site, in particular a decline in wading birds.
From 1972, the site which lies in the valley of the River Colne, was used as a bird ringing station. An average of 1500 birds from 50 species were ringed there annually. In 1980 work began, with the assistance of local volunteers and the British Trust for Conservation, to realize the considerable potential of the site as a nature reserve.
In 1982 the Maple Lodge Conservation Society was formed and in 1983 granted a license by Thames Water to manage the site on a day to day basis. In managing the site the aims are to preserve a diverse habitat and to create and maintain an enhanced open water and mud habitat.
In2013 the Maple Lodge Conservation Society applied for and achieved charitable status and has been entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1153157.
The Society continues to develop and improve the Reserve with a careful management plan and in partnership with the owners, Thames Water. Our visitors enjoy watching wildlife, so volunteers from among our members have built a number of hides around the Reserve. The hides allow visitors to enjoy the birds and animals without disturbance.
All our members are encouraged to become involved with conservation work at the Reserve. Our volunteer Conservation Officer runs regular work parties with tasks for all levels of effort. The work party is always pleased to see new recruits.
Members join various social events held in our Clubhouse. The Society has a regular Open Weekend in May as part of the local Ricky Week events.
From the Clubhouse hide there is a view over the lake. During the year the feeding site attracts a wide variety of birds and animals. A strategically placed perch provides the Kingfisher with a good fishing site.
The Plantation area has been replanted with native trees, such as Oak, Alder and Ash. The new trees replaced an old stand of Poplars, felled some years ago. The Alder cones attract mixed flocks of Siskin, Blue and Great Tits and Redpoll. The mature trees and hedges provide nest sites for many common birds.
The Paddock is carefully managed. During the summer it is a haven for flowers, butterflies and warblers. We have created a Wildflower Meadow in an area contained within a Rabbit proof fence. This area attracts large numbers of Insects and Butterflies including the wonderful Marbled White.
Two Lakes with varying cover support breeding wildfowl including Gadwall, Pochard, Little Grebe and Tufted Duck. If we do not keep the vegetation under control, the number of species on the Reserve would decline. The lakes would eventually disappear under the willow scrub and reed mace and there would be no place for the waterfowl to live and breed.
The Long Hedge contains an interesting mixture of trees and shrubs; most of them have flowers to attract insects and butterflies, followed by berries for wintering birds. Replacement trees and shrubs must be planted when older specimens die or are felled by strong winds. The trees, shrubs and flowers must be native species and provide food for birds or insects. Nettles may be painful for people but they are valuable food plant for insects and caterpillars.
There are several hides, some with wheelchair access, around the Reserve so that members and visitors can observe wildlife without disturbance. A number of hides have been built by Society volunteers from who work hard to maintain the Reserve. New hides have been funded by the Society and erected for us by approved contractors. Seats and benches are also sited around the Reserve so that visitors can pause and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Systematic Bird List for 1999
Collated and compiled by Dave Simms.
This report is based on the report format as used for 2015. However, much of it is not populated as we have limited data recorded from 1999. The bulk of the data herein is as given by Paul Lewis from his personal records of this year and some from Dave Simms. In time, we may hopefully add to these records from contributions from other members or visitors to the Reserve during this period.
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Resident, formerly bred.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December2 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 8 / 1 / 1 / 0
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Naturalised resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed at Lynsters Farm, occasionally visiting the reserve.
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December5 / 28 / 12 / 14 / 0 / 44 / 0 / 0
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Naturalised resident, bred.
A common resident present at the reserve and Lynsters Farm.
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December3 / 37 / 75 / 30 / 0 / 11 / 0 / 0
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
One seen on Lynsters Field on 8th May and another report on 18th Aug.
Gadwall Anas strepera
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly recorded at the reserve throughout the year, with maximum counts of 104 logged on the 25th June and 101 on 7th July.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December8 / 39 / 46 / 28 / 5 / 2 / 0 / 0
Common Teal Anas crecca
Primarily a winter visitor with small numbers occasionally observed during the summer. Recorded throughout both winter periods, with a maximum count of 17 present on the 16th March. Observed throughout the summer months with a peak count of eight noted on the 13th August.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December20 / 5 / 17 / 6 / 6 / 13 / 10 / 11
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly recorded at the reserve with a maximum count of 73 present on the 25th June. Breeding records of note included three broods of Mallard young, a total of 19 on 2nd May.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December13 / 12 / 15 / 25 / 3 / 17 / 15 / 3
Northern Shoveler Duck Anas clypeata
Resident, formerly bred.
Under recorded at the reserve, with a maximum count of 5 logged on the 13th August and 9th Sep.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December- / 2 / - / - / 5 / - / - / 2
Common Pochard Aythya farina
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly recorded at the reserve with a maximum count of 14 logged on the 4th July. Breeding was confirmed on the 7th June when 2 drakes and a duck were noted with eight ducklings.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December7 / 8 / 12 / 3 / - / 3 / 1 / 6
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 26 (and 7 ducklings) recorded on the 4th July. 18 ducks and young were recorded on the 7th August.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December8 / 15 / 8 / 15 / 12 / 3 / 3 / 7
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Recorded on 16th Mar (one drake), 2nd (2 drakes seen from Shell Hide), 3rd (2 drakes), 6th (1), 20th (2), 22nd (2) Apr, 2nd (3 drakes seen from Shell Hide), 8th (1 drake) May, 6th (4 drakes), 12th (2), 22nd (2 drakes) Jun, 4th (2 drakes), 7th (1) Jul, 3rd (4 drakes), 7th (3 drakes), 13th (2 drakes), 18th (2 drakes), 24th (3 drakes) Aug, 2nd (2 drakes), 6th (3 drakes), 9th (1 drake) Sep, 18th (1 drake) and 28th (3) Oct.
On 28th Oct a single near fully grown juvenile Ruddy Duck was seen from the Teal hide, probably the sole survivor of the brood seen at least a month earlier.
Common Pheasant Phasanius colchicus
Naturalised resident, formerly bred.
A common resident observed at the reserve and Lynsters Farm and present during the breeding season. Singletons were recorded throughout much of the year.
Great Cormorant phalacrocorax carbo
Non breeding resident.
A regular visitor to the reserve with a maximum count of 6 logged on the 18th October. On 2nd May one colour ringed, Black-Yellow-Red (of French origin) bird was seen from the Shell Hide. On the 17th May and 2nd December, one colour ringed bird Left-yellow-red, Right-metal which indicates that the bird originated from France at the Lac de Grand Lieu tree-nesting colony near the city of Nantes.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December2 / 1 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 6 / 1 / 1
Bittern Botaurus stellaris
A single Bittern was recorded 23rd Feb from the middle new hide.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Non breeding resident.
Regularly recorded, with immature birds from local breeding colonies visiting the reserve throughout the summer months. A maximum count of ten was logged on the 22nd June.
Monthly Max
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December2 / 3 / 5 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed throughout the year with a maximum count of 12 recorded on the 3rd August. Evidence of breeding was first logged on the 22nd June when a pair was observed with four young.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December2 / 4 / 1 / 6 / 9 / 3 / 7 / 0
Great-crested Grebe Podiceps Cristatus
Resident, bred.
An uncommon resident that is affected greatly by the fluctuating water levels at the reserve. Present in the first half of the year but not recorded in the second half. A maximum count of 2 recorded but no young.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December1 / 0 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Resident.
Singles seen in January, March, May and August.
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
On the 18th October at Maple Lodge Nature Reserve, from the Rotunda hide, Paul Lewis found his first ever Hen Harrier for Hertfordshire, and of course, the reserve. Looking out west from the hide he saw a very grey looking raptor heading towards him low over the reserve. On closer inspection he discovered the bird to be a male Hen Harrier, showing an overall grey plumage with black wing-tips and a distinctive white rump. The bird continued on its course through the reserve and wasn’t seen again.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Uncommon migrant.
Observed flying over the reserve by Dave Simms and Peter Delaloye on the 8th May, Open Weekend.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Uncommon resident and winter visitor, formerly bred.
Recorded from the reserve regularly throughout the first winter period.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
January / February / March / April / September / October / November / December2 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus