Moor Copse Nature Reserve

This Berkshire reserve forms a part of the Sulham and Tidmarsh Woods and Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Fringing the beautiful River Pang, Moor Copse nature reserve appeals to walkers and natural historians alike. This ancient woodland is a place of character, variety and great beauty, with its 70 acres comprising of three wet woodland copses, a small meadow and a healthy chalk stream. The site is owned and managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and at the end of 2006 was extended by another 72 acres of meadows, hedgerows and copses.

Work parties

Please meet the leader in the car park, on Sunday morning at 10am.

May 11th.

  • Read more here

    • Layering the Hazel, April work party.

    Sunday April 6th - A very sunny and warm day. We concentrated on layering the Hazel stems and blocking the gap in the dead hedge. We saw Comma, male Brimstone and a Peacock butterlies. A Buzzard circled overhead.

    Lunchtime, March work party.

    Sunday March 9th - An unusually warm day reaching 17C by the afternoon. We carried on finishing off work in the coppice plot, including stacking brash into the very long dead hedge. We saw two male Brimstones in the plot and a Comma, also a few large bumble bees.

    Sunday February 9th - Quite cold and damp but no rain thankfully. We made good progress with the coppicing - mostly hazel, hawthorn and blackthorn, and with the dead hedge, many stakes put in and brash stacked within them.

    Coppicing, January work party.

    Sunday January 12th - A very cold day with the temperature rising to just over freezing by the afternoon. The piles of cut Ash logs were covered with a thick layer of hoar frost and the ground was rock hard. We carried on with the coppicing and built a small fire. I saw 4 or 5 Robins searching for food near us as we cut the hazel and disturbed piles of brash.

    Coppicing, December work party.

    Sunday December 15th - An overcast but mild day with a brief spell of sunshine. Progress was made with the coppicing. Encouraging to see many new stools created from previous layering of Hazel. A bright specimen of Yellow Brain fungus was found on a dead hazel twig. This species is parasitic on the mycelium of certain fungi. A skull was found in a ride nearby, probably of a female Muntjac.

    Coppicing, November work party.

    Sunday november 10th - Today we started the coppice plot for this winter which is in Moor Copse wood. Contractors have already been in to top some of the large dying Ash to make for safer working conditions while retaining the trunks as bat and bird nesting sites,as well as for lichen, fungi, etc. The ground underfoot in the work site is dry - a welcome change from last years' experience.

    Sunday October 13th - Today we cut out the suckers from mature Grey Poplars which are spreading out into the meadows in some areas. We worked in Wigley, Barton's and 5 Acre fields. Encroaching bramble, etc along the public footpath to the Sulham brook was also trimmed back.

    Arable Field, September work party.

    Sunday September 8th - After the storms and heavy rain there were puddles in the track down to River Field where pools had re-emerged. We were digging out Docks here which have increased in density in the southern section since the long period of flooding. These were bagged and removed from the field. We also cleared bramble and vegetation around and in the stock pen, pasture pumps and along the hedge to the gate entrance where we were thrilled to find a Harvest Mouse nest. A Buzzard circled over Arable field.

    Sunday July 14th - A fairly warm day with the Pang still high but not overflowing. We cleared encroaching plant growth from the boardwalk in Park Wood to try to stop the wood rotting. The path by the pond was cut back to allow access. An area of Bracken in Cottage Field was scythed and removed. In 5 Acre, Poplar suckers were cut out, and the new shed in the tree plantation was given a couple of coats of green preservative. After lunch we decided to call it a day.

    Hazel coppice regrowth, June work party.

    Sunday June 9th - Quite a cool day at about 16C. The floodwater has gone from the entrance so that access is now possible to the riverbank there for the first time since late October. The riverbank path was cut back for the first time this year so a bigger job than usual. Having had so much rain for months, the vegetation was tall and lush. We also pulled Bracken along Main and Bradfield rides in Park Wood, and added brash to the stock netting around the coppice plot. We heard loud barking of a Muntjac.

    Sunday May 12th - The standing water in 5 Acre has gone making access easier, though there is a lot of soft deep mud left to negociate. We put in brash uprights into the dead hedge to help deter any Roe deer, and almost completed putting the stock fencing in place along the ditch. The binders were tied up and moved to the tree plantation, from where they were collected the following day. Some layering was done and repairs made to existing layering. A very warm sunny day at 26C.

    The end of the day, April work party.

    Sunday April 14th - The flooding has eased a little in 5 Acre making access slightly less difficult, and the large area of water in the coppice plot has disappeared leaving soft mud behind. A dry, bright and fairly warm day. We finished off the dead hedge which has used up a lot of the brash. We layered the stems of Hazel left on the stools. The Bluebells are almost in full flower and are looking beautiful. We saw a Small Tortoiseshell at lunchtime by the fallen Spruce in Bradfield Ride, a very welcome sight, I haven't seen one for a few years. Also a few Peacocks, a Red Admiral, Orange-tips, and a Green-veined White by the reserve entrance. Two or three frogs were found in the wet muddy part of the plot.

    Sunday March 10th - The very wet and flooded conditions continue making access into 5 Acre and Park Wood difficult. We carried on with the coppicing of Hazel and Alder, stacking some of the brash into the dead hedge. The Hazel along the edge of the ditch is under water so cannot be cut at the moment. Primroses in flower, green leaves of Bluebells showing well also many Foxglove leaves along Bradfield Ride near the fallen giant Spruce.

    February work party.

    Sunday February 11th - With rain again at the end of the week, the reserve is under more water than ever. We managed to access the coppice plot, though wellies needed to wade through the floodwater. We were lucky again with the weather which was bright and sunny. We made progress with the cutting, and with the dead hedge to defend against deer. More Scarlet Elf Cup seen at the ride edge, and Glue Crust fungus found on Hazel. Also a large crop of Honey Fungus at the base of a dying Ash with upper branches studded with King Alfred's Cakes.

    January work party, lunchtime in the sun!

    Sunday January 14th - The reserve remains very flooded in places. On our way in through Arable Field 4 Roe Deer were seen. We managed to get into Park Wood from 5 Acre with difficulty but all was ok once in Bradfield Ride next to the coppice plot. The far side of the plot is under more water than last month with the ditch once again transformed into a fast flowing stream which has scraped the mud from the bottom down to the gravel. Progress was made on the landward side of the ditch and we were rewarded with very welcome sunshine for most of the day. A few small Scarlet Elf Cup seen in the rideside scallops.

    December work party, flooding in the coppice plot.

    Sunday December 10th - A Kestrel flew across Arable field on our way in. The field is empty now as the cattle have been taken back to Woolley Firs. Soon after we arrived at the coppice plot it started to rain, this continued on and off until we were thoroughly wet. We then decided to call it a day in the early afternoon. We're making an impression in the plot which is starting to open up. However at the moment most of the area between the ditch and the 5 Acre fence is under water.

    November work party, lunchtime.

    Sunday November 12th - We made a start on a new coppice plot in Park Wood. The weather forecast wasn't very hopeful but in the end was mostly dry. A pile of chewed hazelnuts was found in the base of a coppiced Hazel, and nearby a lively attractive Bronze Ground Beetle.

    Sunday October 22nd - We cut back dense bramble growth in the cattle pen area to make it easier to move the animals around, and also laid down some long Hazel stems on the riverbank. This is to try to discourage dog owners letting their dogs into the water, as this has resulted in a long eroded stretch of edge devoid of any vegetation.

    September work party, removing netting fence.

    Sunday September 10th - Although the intense heat of the last week had subsided today it was still hot and extremely humid. We took down some of the netting around the coppice coupe we cut in 2019/20 in Hogmoor Copse. We were stopped by a thick wall of head high bramble and other vegetation about halfway round and decided this was the time to give up and wait for more comfortable working conditions.

    Moving the information board, July 9th 2023.

    Sunday July 9th - Some of us cleared the overgrown Byway adjoining Arable field, while some trimmed back the riverbank path. The River Pang information board was re-positioned. Having fought our way into last years' coppice plot with the intention of cutting back Blackthorn regrowth, we decided to wait until later in the year when the dense head-high vegetation had died back. We all walked through to our current plot and were pleased to find the Hazel regrowing well. A couple of small frogs seen in the woodland and a female Roe deer in Arable field.

    Sunday June 11th - We spent a warm and increasingly sultry morning trimming back the riverbank path to allow access and cutting out Bracken along the main ride in Park Wood. I then decided to call it a day as a bit too warm to be working. A Signal Crayfish was seen in the Pang.

    Ash trees coming into leaf in the coppice plot, May 29th 2023.

    Sunday May 14th - Following a sighting of a Roe Deer very close to the coppice plot, we decided to raise the height of the deer-excluding hedge around the plot. This would have prevented access by Muntjac but not Roe. We also carried the panels which formed the old allen scythe shed over to the tree plantation for disposal. A hot and hard working day!

    April work party, layering the Hazel.

    Sunday April 16th - We layered most of the Hazel stems left uncut for this purpose with the aim of increasing the number and density of stools. Two Door Snails, bigger in size than last month, found on a Hazel stem. A Heron flew over the coppice plot.

    Sunday March 26th - More coppicing done! With help from Mid-week team and the Field team later in the week, the coppicing is now almost complete, and they have extended the dead hedge along the ride and at the back of the plot.

    March work party, lunchtime.

    Sunday March 12th - Good progress made with the coppicing but still quite a bit to do. A Door Snail was found on the base of a Hazel stool, also an Orange Ladybird and nice examples of Glue Crust fungus on Hazel stems.

    February work party. The end of the day.
    photo Gill Kendon

    Sunday February 12th - We made steady progress with the coppicing and dead hedge building.

    Lunchtime, sheltering from the rain.

    Sunday January 8th - About 12 degrees warmer than last month, but we decided to stop work after lunch as the rain became very heavy.

    December work party, Coppicing.

    Sunday December 11th - A bitterly cold and foggy day, everything covered in thick hoar frost. We carried on with the coppicing, which is mostly Hazel in this plot.

    November work party, Coppicing.

    Sunday November 13th - A lovely warm sunny day. We made a good start in the coppice plot in Moor Copse wood, building up a dead hedge along a boundary as we cut the coppice. Quite a lot of squirrel damage on some stools with most of the regrowth dead, but some stools had very little damage and had grown very well. A very small green spider was found at the base of a hazel stool ?Green Crab Spider.

    Sunday October 9th - We finished off the hedge trimming and moved all the clippings to the cattle pen area, they made a surprisingly large pile! We then moved to Corner Field where we tackled an island of Poplar trees near the fenceline. The work to replace the deer and stockproof fencing is well under way, and contractors have had to do a lot of clearance work to access the fenceline. Quite a hot day, a Small Copper and a Red Admiral were seen.

    September work party, Trimming the Byway hedge.

    Sunday September 18th - Today we pruned the hedge along the Byway at the bottom of Arable field, aiming for an 'A' shape to help light reach all levels of the hedge ensuring increased flower and berry formation for benefit of wildlife. We noticed two Cherry Galls on a small regrowing shoot of English Oak in the hedge. After lunch we had a look at the new newt ponds excavated in Barton's field. These were already being visited by dragonflies with a pair egg-laying in one pond. We saw 2 Small Coppers and a Common Blue butterfly in Wigley field on Yarrow flowers, and a ring of Parasol fungi in Corner field.

    July work party, Barton's Field.

    Sunday July 10th - A very hot sunny day so after cutting Poplar suckers in Barton's Field, we stopped for an early lunch then went home. We noticed a Black-headed Gull circling low over the field, presumably catching insects, it was soon joined by two more. We hoped they weren't taking the many butterflies on the wing - Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Small or Essex Skippers. Also Cinnabar Moth. Most of the meadows were cut last week but not yet baled. Some wide margins have been left for insects.

    Sunday June 12th - We pulled Ragwort in the southern half of Arable field before the hay cut in July. There were plenty of butterflies here, mostly Meadow Browns, but one Small Tortoiseshell was seen too. We then did some lopping of blackthorn regrowth in the coppice plot, cut bracken in the main ride, Park Wood and cut back vegetation along the riverbank to allow easier access. A non-native Signal Crayfish was seen to the Pang.

    Lunchtime, May 2022.

    Sunday May 8th - A warm and sunny day. We moved the stock netting over from our plot in Moor Copse wood cut in 2018/19 and put it up in the current plot along the boundary with 5 Acre. The dead hedging was completed to render the area muntjac-proof - we hope. Improvements were made to the protection of the adjoining plot where deer had been getting in and browsing the coppice stools. A small group removed plastic tree shelters from the area planted in 2011, a not very nice but a very important job removing plastic from the reserve. Some rolls of black netting were moved out to the plantation awaiting removal. A Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were seen, also a fine Dryad's Saddle fungus growing in the bole of the large Ash which fell in the coppice plot in February.

    Layering Hazel stems, April 2022.

    Sunday April 10th - A lovely warm bright Spring day. We did most of the layering in the coppice plot, many more posts saved for use as fenceposts had sharp points put on them, and the stock netting was taken down in compartment MC3 in Moor Copse wood. Many Alder beetles were seen in amongst the coppice stools, a Heron few up from the field by Moor Copse House and over 5 Acre, a Kestrel also flew north-south over 5 Acre. The woodland floor is green in places with the fresh leaves of Bluebell.

    Putting points on posts, April 2022.

    Making the dead hedge, March 2022.

    Sunday March 13th - Slightly damp early on but with some warm sunshine later. We carried on with cutting the Blackthorn, some with trunks the size of small trees. We burnt up the tops. Some of the brash piles were turned into a dead hedge along one side. We found many Alder Leaf Beetles on the Blackthorn, and Alder stools. Primroses are flowering beautifully along the rides and in the woodland, and the fresh green shoots of Bluebells are showing now too. A Chiffchaff was heard.

    Sunday February 13th - A breezy day with rain promised, this arrived late morning. We continued with cutting Hazel and Alder, and tackled the mature Blackthorn on the east side which is invading the plot from the large patch in 5 Acre. We had a bonfire to burn it, and some of the other brash. The Scarlet Elf Cup in the ride has grown and more was noticed close by, both areas growing on decaying small wood piles. We decided to call it a day just after lunch as we were all thoroughly wet by then.

    Coppicing in Park Wood, January 2022.

    Sunday January 9th - A sunny day spent stacking cut Alder logs in the ride, transferring brash to the adjoining plot for Hazel protection, coppicing Hazel, felling Alder and putting points on the Alder fence posts. Three Buzzards soared overhead. Some nice examples of Yellow Brain fungus were found on Hazel stems. As always when cutting Alder, we admired the lovely orange colour on the cut surfaces.

    Tuesday January 4th - An extra work party for the morning only to do some chain saw work cutting up medium/large Alder felled in December, and to take down the stumps. Quite a lot of Scarlet Elf Cup fungus was found in the ride close to the pile of fence posts.

    Sunday December 12th - We carried on working in the coppice plot. Some of the cut material was moved to the adjoining plot which was cut last year and was either added to the dead hedge or put around some of the Hazel stools to protect them. All the Hazel here has been grazed down either partly or completely, Somehow deer have got in through the protective barriers. Some of the tall straight Alder poles were saved for use as fence posts.

    Coppicing in Park Wood, November 2021.

    Sunday November 14th - A fairly overcast but windless day. We carried on with coppicing the Hazel and some of the large Alder adding brash to the dead hedge. We've made a big difference to the amount of light getting into the plot already.

    Sunday October 17th - The rain began when we arrived in the car park. but this gradually petered out and by lunchtime it was warm with some sunshine. We made a good start on this years coppice plot in Park Wood.

    Bracket Fungus Marsh Marigolds Early Purple Orchid Wood Anenome Sallow Comma Brimstone Early Purple Yellow Brain fungus

    Anne's Notes

    Large Bitter-cress, River Pang, April 27th 2025.

    April 27th 2025 - We walked along the riverbank path for the first time for many months. We saw, also for the first time, that some more felling for safety reasons of Ash trees affected by Dieback had been done here. One enormous well grown standard lies where it was felled by the Pang noticeboard. The heartwood can be seen, rotten black and crumbly. Not far away at the water's edge is a lovely clump of Large Bitter-cress in flower. Quite a few Orange-tip and Peacock butterflies, and Whites, and a Beautiful Demoiselle in main ride, Park Wood. Early Purple Orchids are in full flower now. We didn't do the full walk round through the meadows but did see that the large patch of Ramsons by Hogmoor bridge is a mass of white flowers. The Wych Elm close by is covered with papery seed pods. A Grey Wagtail was in the car park.

    Crab Apple, Park Wood, April 18th 2025.

    April 18th 2025 - Although the entrance remains wet with some soft mud and pools of water, it is possible to get through without wellies at last. The Bluebells were looking good in Park Wood but not in full flower yet. Amongst them were large patches of Wood Spurge with their bright green flowers and also Greater Stitchwort. Some Goldilocks and Yellow Archangel. We came across some striking brown bracket fungi on a fallen Ash. The Crab Apples in Park Wood are covered with blossom, and in the ditch alongside Bradfield Ride, Marsh Marigolds are flowering. In the coppice plot there are some Early Purple orchids out, with more to come.

    Five Acre field, March 31st 2025.

    March 31st 2025 - Access at the entrance is still wellies only, though the areas of flooding within Hogmoor and Park Wood have reduced considerably. Patches of Blackthorn are covered with blossom, and the Cherry trees are in flower. A Buzzard was circling over Arable field. We saw a male Brimstone and a Peacock in the coppice plot in Park Wood, also very pleased to see a lot of Wood Anemones coming up there, with quite a few Early Purple Orchids scattered across the area.

    Flooding at the reserve entrance, Febuary 22nd 2025.

    February 22nd 2025 - A brighter morning though the Pang is still very high with the reserve entrance under water and the river indistinquishable from the flooded path. Some Early Purple Orchid leaves are showing well in the coppice plot, with quite a few thin narrow Bluebell leaves looking very green coming through the bare earth.

    Cold and frosty Arable Field, January 10th 2025.

    January 10th 2025 - Cold and frosty morning at about -2C. The Pang is still at a high level with the reserve entrance under water. We met some of the hedgelaying team from West Berks who had come to take some stakes from the coppice plot to use at Greenham Common. A Grey Wagtail was feeding in a flooded part of the riverbank near Hogmoor bridge.

    Primroses, Moor Copse wood, December 29th 2024.

    December 29th 2024 - A very misty and chilly morning. There is still standing water in Cottage and Corner fields, and the reserve entrance is under water even though the Pang has dropped slightly. We saw an old Blackbirds nest along the byway, it was balanced on top of the binders of the laid hedge. There were 3 Roe deer in Arable field, and a group of fresh Primroses in Moor Copse wood with some in flower.

    December 1st 2024 - The floodwater has receded quite a lot but the entrance is still under water. However River Field is green again having been a sheet of silver water last Sunday. We saw a Grey Wagtail on the track down to Arable field.

    Reserve entrance, November 24th 2024.

    November 24th 2024 - The level of the Pang has risen a lot with all the recent rain and the reserve is now badly flooded again at the entrance. The river has surged into Hogmoor Copse at this point leaving much of the woodland under water. River water is also pouring into River field - the meadow the other side of the Pang, and large parts of this and other areas are flooded as the water finds its way along the Park Wood boundary and into 5 Acre field.

    The byway, November 16th 2024.

    Yellow or Apricot Club fungus, Wigley field, November 1st 2024. Photo John Lerpiniere.

    November 3rd 2024 - A lot of fungi in Wigley Field including the small but bright Club fungus above. Pools of water remain in Corner and Cottage fields and in some of the woodland areas despite almost no rain for a week or more. Contractors are working on renewing some interior stock fencing, and also some Ash removal for safety reasons because of Dieback.

    Cobwebs, October 27th 2024.

    October 27th 2024 - The water level in the Pang has dropped a little more and access is still possible at the entrance. There were two Roe Deer in Arable field, and a Muntjac in Barton's. We saw a couple of Scarlet Waxcaps in Corner Field.

    Heron, Arable field. September 29th 2024.

    September 29th 2024 - Following days of rain, there is a pool of water by the entrance where the Pang had overflowed into Hogmoor Copse. It had receded enough so that access was possible today. There are some large groups of fungi, possibly Sulphur Tuft, on the felled Oak trunk close to the entrance. The river is very high and we saw a Grey Wagtail further along downstream, its usual spot by Hogmoor bridge too flooded to be of use. There is a large Sallow down across the riverbank path in the section which leads to the Tidmarsh access, this is scheduled to be removed soon.

    September 1st 2024 - A warm and very humid morning. I saw a Treecreeper climb up a Hazel stem on the southern edge of River Field. Some Meadow Brown butterflies about, also a Small Heath in the tree plantation next to 5 Acre field. Many Whites flying in the woodland but I wasn't able to identify them. Two pristine and bright Commas flying together above the large patch of Water-mint by the main ride in Park Wood.

    Looking towards 5 Acre field from Park Wood. August 25th 2024.

    August 25th 2024 - Sunny but cool this morning. Lots of Meadow Browns in the meadows, also Gatekeepers, some Small and Green-veined Whites , a couple of Speckled Woods and a Red Admiral in the woodland areas mostly attracted to the plentiful Water-mint flowers. Quite a few Hops climbing up and around the coppice plot dead hedge, the female flowers shining bright yellowish green in the strong sun.

    Cattle under the Bullace trees,Cottage field August 11th 2024.

    August 11th 2024 - A very warm morning. We went out early to check on the cattle as the forecast was for hot weather. They were browsing on and sheltering in the shade of the trees thought to be Bullace, a kind of Blackthorn domesticated in ancient times to produce a more edible fruit. Most of the meadows have now been cut for hay. We didn't linger in the heat but paused by the river at the entrance to admire the mass of flowering Water Forget-me-not and the beautiful flower of Wild Angelica.

    Meadowsweet & Drone Fly July 11th 2024.

    July 11th 2024 - A warm and fairly sunny morning. Many butterflies seen especially meadow species such as Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Marbled White and Large & Small Skipper. A few Commas too. Quite a lot of Beautiful Demoiselles along the riverbank and we saw some Drone flies enjoying the Meadowsweet blossom near the entrance. In the open area here, created by removal of Ash dieback affected trees and flooded for many months, there is now dense plant growth including towering Great Willowherb 10 feet high and Common Figwort about 7 feet tall, Gypsywort, Water Forget-me-not and Brooklime. The small black larvae of the Alder Beetle were seen feeding on a few Alder leaves in Bradfield Ride. The cattle were moved back on site today.

    Moor Copse wood, June 28th 2024.

    June 28th 2024 - At last, good to get all the way round without getting wet or muddy boots! The meadows are full of tall grasses with a sprinkling of Knapweed, Great Burnet, Lesser Stitchwort and Buttercups. There are Meadow Browns everywhere and we saw one Marbled White and a Comma. The area of 5 Acre that was under water for many months is now regrowing with a large amount of Fleabane and very few grasses. We saw many spiders webs on grass tops in all the meadows and saw an adult Nursery Web Spider on guard by a nest, and wondered if all the nests we saw belonged to the same species. Last winter's coppice plot is growing well so far. No doubt helped by the wet conditions, Hemlock Water-dropwort is growing in profusion along the riverbank, and in the meadows, also Water-cress which has been left high and dry near the entrance as the floodwaters receded and is now in full flower.

    Bluebells along Bradfield Ride, Park Wood, April 26th 2024.

    April 26th 2024 - The entrance is still under water so only accessible if wearing wellies. In some flooded parts of the meadows the water has receded leaving swampy areas of dead vegetation. However the Bluebells are still at their best in Park Wood and especially in the Bracken patch. Wood Spurge, Garlic Mustard, Red Campion, Bugle and Greater Stitchwort all in full flower in the woodland and along the rides. 5 Acre field is covered with Dandelion seedheads which must have looked a sight when in flower. We found 40 Early Purple Orchids in Moor Copse Wood in the same area as for many years but not in the numbers of 30-40 years ago. Work is proceeding in the tree plantation on the installation of the borehole to provide a reliable source of water for the cattle. Good to see Beautiful Demoiselles and about 4 Green-veined White butterflies at the entrance from the car park.

    Wood Anemones, Moor Copse wood, April 6th 2024.

    April 6th 2024 - Our visits have been less frequent due to the flooded state of the reserve which has continued now for months. Access is still not possible at the entrance. An unseasonably warm morning at 16C. We saw several butterflies, a Holly Blue, Peacock, Comma and an Orange-tip We heard a Skylark over Arable field. There were a couple of Egyptian Geese and two Canada Geese on the floodwater in River Field. In Moor Copse wood Primroses and Wood Anemones were still flowering well. We saw a few early Goldilocks in Park Wood with one or two Strawberry in flower, also some Lady's-smock. Lovely to see the dark brown spikes of Lesser Pond Sedge by the bridge and along the riverbank.

    February 4th 2024 - Floodwater levels have dropped but are still very high with the entrance remaining under water. A small clump of Snowdrops are in flower, a welcome sight, just below the lay-by (old road). A Heron flew up from River Field and we saw several Redwings in the Arable/River field hedge. The deep water at the bottom of 5 Acre has receded but water is still pouring in like a river into the southern edge of Park Wood creating large lakes through the coppice plots. We saw a Muntjac near the pond in Park Wood.

    Rosehips, Arable field, November 5th 2023.

    November 5th - The river level has dropped back from the middle of last week and the entrance boardwalk is visible again, but access to the riverbank path is only accessible if wearing wellies. We saw a Buzzard soaring fairly low over Hogmoor and Arable field, and small groups of Redwings in Park Wood. The berries of Hawthorn, Rose and Spindle all looked colourful in the bright sunshine.

    Flooding at Reserve entrance, October 29th 2023.

    October 29th - The Pang has overflowed into Hogmoor Copse by the Reserve entrance making access difficult as water is up to the level of the boardwalk at both ends. Everywhere very wet.

    Yellow Fieldcap, Corner Field. October 1st 2023.

    October 1st - A warm but very overcast morning. Helped by RDNHS member Jan, we saw many Yellow Fieldcaps in the meadows, a small common, but delicate and beautiful species. There was still quite a lot of Devil's-bit Scabious in flower in Corner Field, with one flower being visited by a Six-spot Burnet moth, and some Betony. Also a patch of bright pink Centaury in the track in tree plantation. We heard a Buzzard overhead.

    August 27th - The hay cutting has been done now with the margins left for invertebrates. Some areas in Arable field and the whole of Barton's field are uncut. The cattle are in Barton's at the moment and are enjoying the new ponds. We saw two Small Heath butterflies and a Common Blue in the tree plantation. The fresh growth of Hops with their female catkins are decorating the new deer fence in places. The pretty flowers of Traveller's-joy (Clematis vitalba) seen near the reserve entrance. The coppice plot is regrowing well.

    Hoverfly on Field Bindweed, Cottage Field. July 30th 2023.

    July 30th - We counted at least 10 Swallows flying and feeding over Arable field (south section) this morning, also a Kestrel. A bit windy, not many butterflies but there were plenty of Hoverflies. There are a few plants of Great Burnet in the tree plantation track I hadn't seen before there. In Cottage Field its dark red flowering heads are striking in amongst the grasses. The meadows are still uncut and in Barton's Field the grass was quite high with lots of grasshoppers and Roesel's bush-cricket.

    Peacock on Hemp Agrimony. July 23rd 2023.

    July 23rd - Patches of purple Knapweed now in flower in Arable field. Red Admirals and a Brown Argus seen in Park Wood, also a bright Peacock on Hemp Agrimony on the riverbank.

    Meadowsweet, Park Wood. June 18th 2023.

    June 18th - A warm and humid morning. Knapweed coming into flower in Arable field where a few Meadow Browns flying. Two Small Heaths and three Marbled Whites in the tree plantation. Many large seedheads of Goatsbeard very noticeable in 5 Acre field, also Meadow Browns and a female Black-tailed Skimmer. In the wetter parts of the main ride, Park Wood, Meadowsweet is now in flower as well as delicate pink Common Valerian. Chiffchaffs heard. Hemlock Water-dropwort flowering all along the riverbank in larger numbers than usual. Water Forget-me-not in flower on the island.

    Looking across the River Pang to River Field April 30th 2023.

    April 30th - The Bluebells are in flower together with Greater Stitchwort. Many other Spring flowers can now be seen, some also a bit later than in recent years, I haven't yet found any Early Purple Orchids in flower. Lovely large patches of Solomon's Seal seen in Park Wood, also Marsh Marigold. Large Bittercress just starting along the Pang. The large Bird Cherry in Moor Copse wood fell down a few years ago but many new plants are covered with their fragrant blossom. The few Crab Apples are also flowering well. In Corner field Cowslips can be seen, and the small patch of Snake's Head Fritillary has appeared again in 5 Acre field.

    Wigley Field April 13th 2023.

    April 9th - The flooding has largely subsided and the paths are less wet and muddy. We saw three Peacock butterflies in various parts of the reserve as we walked round. More beautiful Wood Anenomes seen in the woodland areas and lovely cherry blossom such as the tree in Moor Copse wood (photo above). A few Lady's-smock in flower in the wetter areas.

    Canada Geese, Barton's Field. April 2nd 2023.

    April 2nd - The reserve is very flooded with the entrance under water and many other areas with large pools. The cattle came back on site last week. We saw 8 Canada Geese visiting one of the new ponds in Barton's Field. A lot of Green Woodpeckers and Song Thrushes heard, also some Chiffchaffs. Primroses in full flower and a few Wood Anemones.

    March 5th - We saw a pair of Mallard by Hogmoor bridge and then walked round going through the meadows first, something we haven't done for some time. Some large Ash have been felled in Wigley Copse to stop them falling onto the fenceline. There are still some watery areas in Cottage field despite the very dry February. Some of the numerous molehills have been excated by dogs revealing the burrow made by the Mole. The view coming into Moor Copse wood is of yet more devastation caused by the felling of large Ash near the ride, taken down for safety reasons because of Dieback. A Buzzard soared overhead. Primroses are in flower in several places, and the Snowdrops are still looking good near the riverbank, as are the bright silvery buds of Sallow. Felling of Ash close to the reserve entrance has created a large open area.

    Compressed images taken by Anne at Moor Copse

    Web site designed by Martin Raper
    now maintained by Anne & John Booth.

    © 2010 Moor Copse N R

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