Introduction – Maple Lodge Bird Report 2009
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.
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve is 40 acres of mixed habitat based around disused gravel workings. Thames Water Utilities own the land and lease it to the volunteer members of the Maple Lodge Conservation Society. The Society has continued to develop and improve the Reserve with a careful management plan and in partnership with the owners.
There are several hides, two with wheelchair access, around the Reserve so that members and visitors can enjoy watching the birds and animals without disturbance. All the hides have been built by the Society volunteers 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.
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 enjoy various social events held in our Clubhouse and on the Reserve. The Society has a regular Open Weekend in May as part of the local Ricky Week events. Moths are trapped and recorded frequently throughout the year – over 200 species recorded to date.
From the Clubhouse hide there is a view over the lake. Throughout 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 Tit and Redpoll. The mature trees and hedges provide nest sites for many common birds. A number of sponsored Bird and Bat boxes have been located around the Reserve.
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.
View from the Clubhouse Hide 2004.
Systematic List
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Resident, bred.
A pair took up residence at the reserve on the 22nd January and was joined by another pair on the 25th March. On the 22nd April both pairs were observed at nests on the Marsh and Clubhouse Lakes respectively. On the 22nd May the Marsh Lake pair was noted with 6 cygnets. By the 12th June the Clubhouse pair was observed with a single cygnet with the Marsh Lake pair now down to 5 cygnets. Shortly after, both pairs and young disappeared from the reserve.
Monthly Max
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed throughout the year at the reserve and on Lynsters Farm. On the 23rd April a pair was noted with 2 goslings from the Sluice Hide. On the 26th April a pair was observed on Lynsters Gravel Pit with recently hatched young while another pair was present at Lynsters Farm with a single gosling. A maximum count of 8 was noted at the reserve on the 24th April with 21 noted at Lynsters Farm on the 3rd September.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Resident, bred.
A common species regularly observed at the reserve and Lynsters Farm.
On the 22nd March 2 nesting pairs were observed at the reserve with both pairs noted with young on the 26th April. At Lynsters Farm 2 pairs were noted with fledged young on the 12th June. At the reserve a maximum count of 39 were noted on the cricket pitch on the 1st January. At Lynsters Farm a maximum count of 108 was noted on the 26th March.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Rare winter visitor and passage migrant. Most records referring to birds of captive origin.
On the 25th March a singleton of unknown origin was observed at Lynsters Farm.
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Non breeding resident.
Regularly noted at Lynsters Farm with birds occasionally recorded on the reserve.
At the reserve a maximum count of 5 was noted from Rotunda Hide on the 24th February. On the 9th April a pair was observed on the Cricket Pitch with a singleton present there on the 6th May.
At Lynsters Farm a maximum count of 11 was noted on the 5th November.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Wigeon Anas penelope
Winter visitor.
Regularly observed throughout the first winter period at Lynsters Farm with a maximum count of 29 noted on the 10th March.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Gadwall Anas strepera
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed throughout the year with a maximum count of 96 noted on the 7th July.
The first breeding record was noted on the 30th March when a duck was observed with 2 ducklings. On the 20th April a pair was noted with 3 recently hatched ducklings with 4 more broods observed throughout June.
Monthly Max
Teal Anas crecca
Primarily a winter visitor with small numbers observed throughout the summer.
A maximum count of 25 was noted on the 4th November.
Single birds were recorded at the reserve throughout the summer period with 2 present on the 7th July.
Monthly Max
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 37 noted on the 7th March. The first breeding record was observed on the 26th March when a duck was noted with 10 ducklings. At least 12 more broods of young were observed throughout the breeding season.
Monthly Max
Garganey Anas querquedula
Non breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.
There were just two records of a single drake in full breeding plumage observed from Rotunda Hide on the 12th April.
Shoveler Duck Anas clypeata
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 15 noted on the 22nd September. On the 17th & 22nd July a female was noted with 5 ducklings from the Teal Hide. This was the second breeding record for the reserve with the first observed last year on the 29th June.
Monthly Max
Red-Crested Pochard Netta rufina
Uncommon resident, formerly bred.
There was just a single record of a drake observed at Lynsters Gravel Pit from Lynsters Hide on the 24th April.
Pochard Aythya farina
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 13 noted on the 15th February. Breeding was confirmed on the 1st June when 2 ducks were observed with broods of 3 & 2 and were again seen on the 21st June.
Monthly Max
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed at the reserve throughout the year with a maximum count of 38 noted on the 22nd February. Breeding was confirmed on the 5th June when a duck was observed with 7 ducklings. At least 7 more broods were noted throughout the breeding season.
Monthly Max
Ruddy Duck Oxyura Jamaicans
Uncommon resident, bred.
With the controversial culling programme in place throughout the UK numbers have significantly reduced recently. Maximum counts of 3 were noted on the 12th June and 2nd September. Breeding was confirmed on the 2nd June when a pair were observed with 6 ducklings with a further brood noted on the 2nd September. On the 27th September an immature was seen from Shell Hide and was the last sighting of the year.
Monthly Max
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Resident, bred.
A common resident with maximum counts of 15 noted on the 7th March and 24th April. At least 6 pairs successfully raised young with the first breeding account recorded on the 10th May when 2 pairs were observed with recently hatched young. On the 7th March a singleton was noted on Lynsters Gravel Pit from Lynsters Hide.
Monthly Max
Great-crested Grebe Podiceps Cristatus
Resident, formerly bred at the reserve.
A singleton arrived at the reserve on the 3rd March and was observed from the Teal Hide. Sporadically seen thereafter up until the 6th April.
Another was observed at the Clubhouse Lake on the 11th June and remained until the 24th June. From Lynsters Hide a pair was regularly observed at Lynsters Gravel Pit and successfully raised at least one brood of young.
Monthly Max
Cormorant phalacrocorax carbo
Non breeding resident.
Regularly observed at the reserve usually on the Clubhouse Lake.
Numbers increased throughout the spring and summer months with recently fledged young presumably from Broadwater Gravel Pit and Stockers Lake visiting the reserve. Maximum counts of 7 were noted on the 25th April and 20th May. On the 13th October 24 birds were observed flying over the reserve heading south.
Monthly Max
Bittern Botaurus stellaris
Uncommon winter visitor.
On the 9th March a single bird was first discovered at the reserve from Rotunda Hide. Thereafter regularly observed in the vicinity of the Phragmites reed bed and remained until the 3rd April when it was last seen.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Resident.
This once scarce visitor is regularly observed throughout the Colne Valley with a large roost site located close to the reserve. A maximum count of 4 was noted from Rotunda Hide on the 24th June. Thereafter singletons were irregularly seen with the last observation noted on the 18th October.
Monthly Max
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Non breeding resident.
Regularly observed at the reserve with immature birds from local breeding colonies visiting the reserve throughout the summer months. A maximum count of 7 was noted on the 24th June.
Monthly Max
Red Kite Milvus milvus
Non breeding resident.
A common resident regularly observed from the reserve and surrounding area.
On the 2nd June a maximum count of 7 were noted from the Teal Hide.
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Resident, possibly bred.
A common resident regularly observed at the reserve and present throughout the breeding season. On the 15th September a singleton was noted at Lynsters Farm.
Buzzard Buteo buteo
Non breeding resident.
This species has increased its range dramatically in recent years and is now regularly seen at the reserve and surrounding area. Noted most months with maximum counts of 7 observed high above the reserve on the 6th March and 13th April.
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Resident, bred.
A common resident observed regularly at the reserve and throughout the breeding season. On the 15th March the resident pair were observed copulating on the owl box above the meadow and were noted displaying on the 17th March. Although the nest box was not used this year it is believed breeding took place near the cricket pitch.
Hobby Falco subbuteo
Summer visitor and passage migrant, possibly bred.
The first record for the year was noted on the 9th May when 2 birds were briefly observed. The following day 6 were seen busily hunting insects high above the reserve and were probably on migration. Thereafter noted throughout the breeding season and possibly bred.
Peregrine Falco Peregrinus
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
On the 29th September a singleton was briefly observed above Maple Lodge Close heading SSW.
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Resident, possibly bred.
A common resident regularly observed on the reserve and at Lynsters Farm and present throughout the breeding season. A Maximum count of 4 was noted on the 24th February.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Primarily a winter visitor and passage migrant, possibly bred.
Regularly observed at the reserve and present throughout the breeding season with display calls noted from the Phragmites Reed Bed.
Monthly Max
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed on the reserve and at Lynsters Farm.
Maximum counts of 40 were noted on the 8th and 29th January. On the 3rd November 25 were observed feeding among cattle at Lynsters Farm. The first breeding report was logged on the 12th May when a pair was seen with 2 young. On the 20th May 2 pairs were observed with young and these were successfully fledged by the 13th June.
Monthly Max
Coot Fulica atra
Resident, bred.