Introduction – Maple Lodge Bird Report 2013
The Reserve is a 40 acre man-made mixed 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, this 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 was 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
The 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.Members join varioussocial 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.
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 Kingfishers with a good fishing site.
All our members are encouraged to become involved with conservation work at the Reserve. Our volunteer Conservation Officers run regular work parties with tasks for all levels of effort. The work parties are always pleased to see new recruits. Work undertaken to-date indicates that regular coppicing of willows increases the number of shrub-associated warblers and encourages wild flower growth. Clearing of waterside vegetation, together with water level manipulation (when feasible) maintains wader and wildfowl feeding conditions.
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 (see below). The Paddock is carefully managed and is only cut twice a year. During the summer it is a haven for flowers, butterflies and warblers.
A Wildflower Meadow has been created 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, Mallard 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. All the hides have been built with the help of volunteers from the Society who work hard to maintain the Reserve. Many seats and benches are located around the Reserve so that visitors can pause and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Many Thanks to all who recorded their observations throughout the year and to Paul Lewis for collating the Bird Information in this report.
Systematic List
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Resident, bred.
A common resident at the reserve and Lynsters Gravel Pit.
A single pair was first observed with five cygnets on the 5th June but unfortunately none survived to fledging. Maximum counts of four were noted on the 12th January and 4th March.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
Snow Goose Anser caerulescens
Escaped.
Breeds in extreme north east Siberia and North America with vagrants occasionally visiting Western Europe. Regularly kept in wildfowl collections with most records referring to escaped individuals. A lone bird of presumed captive origin first observed at Lynsters Farm on the 5th February remained throughout the rest of the month and was last noted on the 1st March.
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Naturalised resident, bred.
Did not visit the reserve throughout 2013 although regularly observed at Lynsters Farm. Broods of three and four goslings were noted on the 5th & 17th May respectively. A maximum count of 106 was logged on the 2nd August.
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Naturalised resident, bred.
Common resident observed at the reserve and Lynsters Farm. On the 5th April a nesting pair was noted from the Teal Hide. Broods of four and five goslings were observed at Lynsters Farm on the 5th May. On the 12th May a pair was noted with three goslings from the Clubhouse Hide. A maximum count of 124 was noted at Lynsters Farm on the 9th February.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm.
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii minima
Escaped.
Also known as Small Cackling Goose this North American species is regularly kept in wildfowl collections although occasionally reaching Western Europe naturally. A bird of presumed captive origin was first observed at Lynsters Farm on the 29th November. Again noted on the 5th December the bird remained in and around the area through to the New Year.
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Naturalised resident, formerly bred.
Regularly recorded at Lynsters Farm with a maximum count of 15 noted on the 4th January. Did not breed although a pair was observed copulating on the 22nd December.
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm.
Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
Escaped.
An Asiatic species that has adapted to high altitude migration across the Himalayas. Regularly kept in wildfowl collections with all records in Western Europe referring to escaped feral birds. A singleton was observed at Lynsters Farm on the 4th & 12th August.
Wigeon Anas penelope
Winter visitor.
A common winter visitor regularly observed at Lynsters Farm with birds occasionally visiting the reserve. A maximum count of c100 was noted on the 12th March. A singleton briefly visited the reserve on the 19th July.
Monthly Max - Lynsters Farm
Gadwall Anas strepera
Resident, bred.
Regularly observed at the reserve and Lynsters Gravel Pit with a maximum count of 84 noted at the reserve on the 8th July. The first breeding record was logged on the 16th June when a female was observed with a single duckling. A successful breeding season with a total of three broods eventually recorded.
Monthly Max
Teal Anas crecca
Primarily a winter visitor with small numbers occasionally observed throughout the summer. Recorded during both winter periods with a maximum count of 21 noted on the 7th January.
Monthly Max
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 31 noted on the 13th September. The first breeding record was logged on the 11th March when a female was observed with nine ducklings. A good breeding season with at least nine broods recorded. A hybrid duck was observed with 9 ducklings on the 17th April.
Monthly Max
Shoveler Duck Anas clypeata
Resident, formerly bred.
Regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 30 noted on the 11th September. Although present throughout the breeding season there was no evidence of any breeding activity.
Monthly Max
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
Uncommon naturalised resident, formerly bred.
First recorded at Lynsters Gravel Pit on the 22nd October when three were observed. A maximum count of five including two drakes was noted there on the 1st November with three remaining the following day.
Pochard Aythya farina
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 15 noted on the 28th April. The first breeding record was logged on the 14th June when broods of two and three were noted. A good breeding season with a total of five broods recorded.
Monthly Max
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed at the reserve with a maximum count of 38 noted on the 1st January. The first breeding record was recorded on the 24th June when a duck was observed with nine ducklings. A good breeding season with a total of four broods recorded.
Monthly Max
Pheasant Phasanius colchicus
Naturalised resident, formerly bred.
A common resident observed at the reserve and Lynsters Farm and present throughout the breeding season. A peak count of six was recorded from Lynsters Farm on the 19th March. There was no evidence of any breeding activity taking place.
Cormorant phalacrocorax carbo
Non breeding resident.
A regular visitor to the reserve with maximum counts of three noted on the 3rd March and 24th August.
Monthly Max
Bittern Botaurus stellaris
Uncommon winter visitor.
One bird was recorded on the morning of the 5th February from the main reed bed by a very fortunate observer. This was the first record since 2010.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Non breeding resident.
Recorded irregularly throughout the year with a maximum count of two noted from Rotunda Hide on the 10th October.
Monthly Max
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Non breeding resident.
Regularly observed with immature birds from local breeding colonies visiting the reserve throughout the summer months. Maximum counts of two were noted on the 5th April, 4th August and 31st August. An adult was observed catching and eating a juvenile Coot on the 31st May.
Monthly Max
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed throughout the year with a maximum count of eight noted on the 28th July. The first breeding record was logged on the 16th May when an adult bird was noted with at least one youngster on its back. A good breeding season with at least four broods recorded.
Monthly Max
Great-crested Grebe Podiceps Cristatus
Resident, formerly bred at the reserve.
An adult male that was first recorded at the reserve on the 24th February remained until the 29th July when it was last seen. At Lynsters Gravel Pit a pair was observed with fledged young on the 10th August.
Red Kite Milvus milvus
Non breeding resident.
A common resident regularly observed above the reserve with a maximum count of five noted on the 5th June.
Monthly Max
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Uncommon non breeding visitor and passage migrant.
A female bird was first recorded at the reserve on the 22nd July and was mobbed by a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Thereafter regularly noted until the 7th August when it was last seen.
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Resident, possibly bred.
A common resident regularly observed at the reserve and present throughout the breeding season. A displaying pair was observed on the 4th February.
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. A maximum count of six was noted soaring above the reserve on the 28th August. On the 20th June a juvenile was noted on a barn roof at Lynsters Farm.
Monthly Max
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Uncommon passage migrant.
Autumn produced two birds the first observed briefly over the Long Hedge on the 31st August. An immature then arrived at the reserve on the 3rd October and remained until the 10th November. During this time it would regularly fish the Marsh Lake and was very successful at catching Roach and Perch. On one of its many sorties it actually caught a Roach in each of its talons.
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Resident, formerly bred.
A common resident observed at the reserve and present throughout the breeding season. Singles were irregularly observed hunting on or over the reserve but there was no evidence of any breeding taking place. There were several records of birds roosting on top of the owl nest box above the flower meadow.
Hobby Falco subbuteo
Summer visitor and passage migrant.
The first bird was recorded at the reserve on the 25th April. Thereafter regularly observed at the reserve and Lynsters Farm/Lake. Although present throughout the breeding season there was no evidence of any breeding activity. Maximum counts of two were noted from the reserve on the 26th May, 4th & 16th September and at Lynsters Farm on the 2nd June. The last bird was recorded from the reserve on the 23rd October.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Uncommon resident and winter visitor, formerly bred.
Single birds were recorded regularly throughout both winter periods with a maximum count of two noted on the 18th November.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed on the reserve and at Lynsters Farm with a maximum count of 20 recorded from the reserve on the 1st November. The first breeding record was noted on the 9th July when two pairs were observed with new broods of young. A further brood was noted on the 28th September.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Coot Fulica atra
Resident, bred.
A common resident regularly observed on the reserve and at Lynsters Gravel Pit with a maximum count of 42 recorded from the reserve on the 3rd September. The first breeding record was logged on the 22nd May when two pairs were observed with new broods of young. A further pair was observed with young on the 1st June.
Monthly Max - Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Uncommon passage migrant.
The first record was logged on the 22nd February when a single bird was observed flying on to an island at Lynsters Gravel Pit. Thereafter regularly recorded at Lynsters Farm or in flight over the reserve. On the 3rd April three were recorded over the reserve heading east. On the 23rd June a singleton was noted feeding on the Cricket Pitch with three later seen on the 17th July which was also the last record for the year.
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Uncommon resident, passage migrant and winter visitor, formerly bred.
The first record was logged on the 13th March when a singleton was observed at Lynsters Farm. On the 12th May two were noted in flight over the reserve with a further bird recorded over on the 17th May. At Lynsters Farm a lone bird was observed escorting a Common Buzzard on the 16th June. A singleton over the reserve on the 7th July was also the last record for the year.
Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Primarily a winter visitor and passage migrant.
Regularly observed throughout both winter periods with a maximum count of seven noted on the 14th March.
Monthly Max- Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Passagemigrant and occasional winter visitor.
Recorded throughout both winter periods and during migration with maximum counts of three recorded from the reserve and Lynsters Farm on the 17th November and 17th December respectively. Single birds were recorded from Lynsters Farm on the 1st, 3rd, 12th, 27th January and 6th April.
Monthly Max- Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Resident, migrant and winter visitor, bred.
Regularly observed during both winter periods at the reserve and at Lynsters Farm with birds remaining throughout the summer. A maximum count of c100 were noted in flight above the sewage treatment works on the 1st January. On the 15th May a pair took up residence on one of the tern rafts and on the 20th June were noted with three small young. Unfortunately by the 8th July only one young remained and that disappeared shortly afterward. This constituted the first breeding record for the reserve.
Common Gull Larus canus
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
There was just a single record of a lone bird observed at Lynsters Farm on the 9th February.
Lesser-black-backed Gull Larus fuscus