Introduction– Maple Lodge Bird Report 2008
Maple Lodge Conservation Society was founded in 1983 with the objective of ensuring that the existing Reserve continued to provide a safe habitat for wildlife and a pleasant and interesting place for people to visit.
The Society has continued 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.
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.
From the Clubhouse hide there is a view over the lake. During the winter 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 and 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 and is only cut twice a year. 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, two with wheelchair access, around the Reserve so that members and visitors can observe wildlife without disturbance. All the hides have been built by volunteers from the Society who work hard to maintain the Reserve. Seats and benches are also sited around the Reserve so that visitors can pause and enjoy the peace and quiet.
View from the Clubhouse Hide 2004.
Paul Lewis 2004.
Systematic List
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Resident, bred.
Another successful breeding season was achieved with at least 5 broods reared.
The first breeding attempt was recorded on the 13th April when a pair was observed at the nest with a single egg. A maximum count of 16 was recorded on the 1st September.
Monthly Max
Great-crested Grebe Podiceps Cristatus
Resident.
There were just two sightings both of singletons recorded at the Reserve on the 18th January and 4th April. On Lynsters Gravel Pit a pair successfully raised 2 broods, regularly observed from Lynsters Hide.
Monthly Max
Cormorant phalacrocorax carbo
Resident.
Primarily a winter visitor with juvenile and non-breeding birds present throughout the summer. Regularly seen (most months) at the ClubhouseLake. A maximum count of 6 was noted on the 7th July.
Monthly Max
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Resident.
This once scarce visitor is now regularly noted throughout the ColneValley with a large roost site located close to the Reserve. On the 17th April an adult was observed feeding on the marsh in front of the Rotunda Hide and remained for most of the day. Thereafter, irregularly recorded at the Reserve,but a maximum of 3 noted from the Long Hedge Hide on the 19th July.
Monthly Max
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Resident.
Regularly observed including immature birds visiting the Reserve throughout the summer months. A maximum count of 6 was noted on the 14th June, viewed from the Teal Hide. On the 10th October an adult was observed eating a Brown Rat at Lynsters Farm.
Monthly Max
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed at the Reserve with a nesting pair first noted from the Teal Hide on the 10th April. Later another pair took up residence at the ClubhouseLake and rapidly began nest building. On the 29th May the first nesting pair was observed with 6 cygnets and regularly seen in the vicinity of the Rotunda Hide and Teal Hide. By the 12th June the ClubhouseLake pair had successfully hatched 2 cygnets and regularly observed from the Clubhouse Hide. On the 6th July both pairs were observed with 2 remaining cygnets and this was the last time they were seen. A maximum count of 5 was noted on the 7th January.
Monthly Max
Swan Goose Anser cyanides
Escaped from captivity.
This Asiatic species is commonly kept in wildfowl collections throughout the world with birds escaping from captivity on many occasions.
On the 28th July 2 birds of captive origin were briefly observed at Lynsters Farm from Lynsters Hide. It wasn’t until the 1st October before another observation was made when a single bird was again reported from Lynsters Hide. Thereafter 2 were regularly observed from Lynsters Hide for the remainder of the year.
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Resident, bred.
A common species regularly observed on the Reserve and at Lynsters Farm.
A single pair successfully raised 2 goslings and first observed from the Rotunda Hide on the 21st April. On the 22nd May 6 pairs were noted with young at Lynsters Farm viewed from Lynsters Hide.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Resident, bred.
Another common species regularly observed on the Reserve and at Lynsters Farm.
Breeding was first confirmed on the 29th April when a pair was observed with 3 goslings from the Rotunda Hide. A total of 3 pairs successfully bred on the Reserve the highest count for 5 years. At Lynsters Farm 2 pairs were first seen with young on the 5th June. Maximum counts of 100 were noted at Lynsters Farm on the 2nd and 4th November.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
A rare winter visitor and passage migrant, most records referring to birds of captive origin. On the 18th February a single bird of probable captive origin was first observed at Lynsters Farm and remained until at least the 8th March.
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Resident.
Regularly noted at Lynsters Farm and birds occasionally recorded on the Reserve.
There was just a single report of 2 birds visiting the Reserve briefly on the 3rd March. At Lynsters Farm recorded regularly with maximum counts of 7 noted on the 16th October and 6th November.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Uncommon visitor.
On the 29th March a pair was observed briefly on Lynsters Farm from Lynsters Hide. On the 17th April a pair visited the Reserve and was present in front of the Shell Hide until at least the 26th April. On the 28th April a drake was present at Lynsters Farm remaining until the 6th May and briefly visited the Reserve on the 3rd May.
Mandarin Aix galericulata
Uncommon visitor.
There was just a single record of an eclipse drake that was briefly observed on the Reserve from the Rotunda Hide on the 10thJune.
Wigeon Anas penelope
Winter visitor.
Regularly observed (throughout both winter periods)at Lynsters Farm, with a maximum count of 70 noted on the 17th February. An injured drake remained at the farm through to the summer and was last sighted on the 8th June. On the 11th February an injured bird was observed from the Rotunda Hide and remained through to the 16th February. Another singleton visited the Reserve briefly on the 21st May.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Gadwall Anas strepera
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed throughout the year and a maximum count of 54 noted on the 6th July. On the 7th June a duck was observed with 10 ducklings with a later brood noted on the 6th July.
Monthly Max
Teal Anas crecca
Primarily a wintervisitor,but one or two birds also remained through the summer.
The second winter period produced a maximum count of 25 on Christmas Eve.Several birds remained throughout the summer period with numbers increasing in early September.
Monthly Max
Garganey Anas querquedula
Summer visitor and passage migrant.
On the 5th April a drake in full breeding plumage arrived at the Reserve and was observed from the Rotunda Hide. Remaining in the vicinity this bird was accompanied by 2 ducks on the 11th April. A pair remained through to the 22nd April with a single duck remaining on to the 18th July. On the 20th July a duck, possibly the same bird, was noted at Lynsters Farm and was the last record for the year.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed on the Reserveand a maximum count of 33 noted on the 5th June. The first breeding record was logged on the 10th April when a duck was observed with 12 ducklings. At least 16 more broods were hatched with this the most successful breeding season since 2004.
Monthly Max
Shoveler Duck Anas clypeata
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed on the Reserve with a maximum count of 20 noted on the 31st August. Breeding was recorded for the first time at the Reserve when a duck was observed with 6 ducklings on the 29th June. At least 4 ducklings survived through to the 14th July and these may have eventually fledged.
Monthly Max
Pochard Aythya farina
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed on the Reserveand maximum counts of 16 noted on the 26th April and 26th May. The first breeding record was noted on the 18th May when a duck was observed with a single duckling. At least 4 more broods totalling 22 young were noted making this the most successful breeding season since 2001.
Monthly Max
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed (at the Reserve) throughout the year and a maximum count of 49 noted on the 22nd April. On the 8th June 2 broods totalling 18 young was the first breeding record for the year. At least 10 broods of young were eventually hatched slightly down on last year.
Monthly Max
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
Uncommon visitor.
There was just a single record of a duck noted at Lynsters Farm on the 19th October.
Ruddy Duck Oxyura Jamaicans
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed (throughout the year) with a maximum count of 7 noted on the 23rd November. There was just a single breeding record when on the 3rd October a duck was noted with 5 recently hatched ducklings. Considering how late this breeding attempt was at least 2 juveniles survived to at least the 23rd November.
Monthly Max
Red Kite Milvus milvus
Uncommon resident.
Since the reintroduction programme records of this species in the ColneValley have increased annually. There were 14 records logged this year with the first bird observed briefly over the Long Hedge on the 3rd March. On the 28th December a singleton was observed carrying prey with a further record of 2 over the Reserve and surrounding area later that day.
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Resident, possibly bred.
A common resident regularly observed at the Reserve and present throughout the breeding season. On the 25th January a hunting bird was seen chasing a Fieldfare from the Rotunda Hide. Other hunting records included an individual pursuing a Woodpigeon on the 7th September and another chasing a Starling on the 4th December.
Buzzard Buteo buteo
Resident.
This species has expanded its range in recent years with breeding populations now very close to the Reserve. A singleton was observed being mobbed by a Carrion Crow as it flew over the Long Hedge on the 30th March. Thereafter regularly seen and the last bird observed from the Rotunda Hide on Boxing Day.
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Resident.
A common species regularly observed at the Reserve.
On the 2nd March a pair was noted near the owl next box above the meadow adjacent the Long Hedge but breeding did not occur this year. On the 5th October a singleton was noted at rest on top of a bat box.
Hobby Falco subbuteo
Summer visitor and passage migrant, probably bred.
The first spring arrival was seen hawking over the Reserve on the 29th April.
Thereafter regularly observed and birds present throughout the breeding season.
On the 6th July an immature was noted at rest in an Alder in front of the Teal Hide.On the 7th September an adult was observed catching and then eating a House Martin. The last sighting was noted on the 22nd September when a singleton briefly visited the Reserve.
Peregrine Falco Peregrinus
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
There was just a single confirmed sighting when on the 7th September a bird briefly over flew the north end of the Reserve and Maple Lodge Close.
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed on the Reserve and at Lynsters Farm.
Breeding was confirmed on the 8th September when a hen was noted with young.
A maximum count of 5 was noted on the 28th February at Lynsters Farm.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Primarily a winter visitor although has bred on the Reserve.
Regularly observed (throughout the year)and maximum counts of 2 noted on the 3rd February and 12th October.
Monthly Max
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly noted on the Reserve and at Lynsters Farm.
Breeding was confirmed on the 26th May when a pair was observed with a new brood of young. There was just one more breeding recorded when on the 6th July another pair were noted with a new brood of young. Maximum counts of 31 were noted on the 24th March and 10th October.
Monthly Max
Coot Fulica atra
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly noted on the Reserve and at Lynsters Gravel Pit.
Breeding was first confirmed on the 26th April when a pair was observed with a new brood of 7. At least 12 pairs bred with some successfully raising second broods. A Maximum count of 56 was noted on the 6th July.
Monthly Max
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Uncommon passage migrant.
On the 20th April a singleton was first observed at Lynsters Farm from Lynsters Hide. Thereafter it was regularly seenon the farm orin flight over the Reserve. This bird regularly commuted between Lynsters Farm and Stockers Farm and was last seen on the 1st June at Lynsters Farm.
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Resident, winter and summer visitor.
Large numbers occur regularly at Woodoaks Farm during the winter months with many seen in flight over the Reserve commuting to and from this site.
On the 7th January 8 were noted over briefly. On the 7th May a singleton visited the Reserve and was observed from the Rotunda Hide. Thereafter numbers slowly increased with a maximum count of 7 noted from the Rotunda Hide on the 4th July. On the 16th December 9 were seen on Lynsters Farm from Lynsters Hide.
Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Primarily a winter visitor and passage migrant.
Regularly observed (throughout both winter periods) with a maximum count of 8 noted on the 28th September.
Monthly Max
Redshank Tringa totanus
Passage Migrant.
There was just one record when on the 10th May a singleton briefly visited the Reserve.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Passagemigrant and occasional winter visitor.
The first record was noted on the 16th March when a singleton was briefly observed at Lynsters Farm from Lynsters Hide. On the 10th June a singleton visited the Reserve and was observed from the Rotunda Hide. The first winter records came from Lynsters Farm when a single bird was observed feeding in front of the hay bales on the 11th & 16th November. On the 14th December a single bird briefly visited the Reserve and was observed from the Rotunda Hide. On Boxing Day a singleton was noted at Lynsters Farm and was the last record of the year.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Passage migrant.
The first bird of the year was noted at Lynsters Farm on the 19th April and was again there the following day. On the 29th June a singleton visited the Reserve and was observed on the marsh from the Shell Hide. The last bird of the year visited the Reserve briefly on the 25th July.