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. At the end of 2006 the site was extended by another 72 acres of meadows, hedgerows and small copses.

Work parties

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

December 13th

  • Read more here

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    Hornets at the nest.

    Sunday November 8th - A record 24 volunteers came out today. We split into 2 groups, one continued in the coppice plot by 5 acre field, while the other made a start on an area near the pond. We saw quite a few different fungi, probably helped by the recent wet and warm weather.

    Sunday October 11th - The day started dry but contrary to all weather forecasts, a fine, misty rain set in and lasted until we'd finished work, easing off as we got back to the car park! We cut an area of Hazel near the boardwalk to let in more light to the riverbank, and finished coppicing a water's edge Sallow left from last time. We then made a start on the area of coppice begun last winter. A Muntjac was seen in the ride near the pond.

    Sunday September 20th - Today we removed Reedmace and Sedge from the pond in Park Wood, and cut back clumps of Sallow along the riverbank to let more light onto the bank. It was a warm day and very quiet with little wildlife seen, though we were treated to beautiful singing from a Blackcap as we ate our lunch by the bridge.

    Sunday August 9th - A deceptively warm morning which we spent pulling Ragwort and cutting Poplar suckers in 5 acre field. We also completed felling some Sycamore along the riverbank which was left over from last time, and cleared an overgrown ride in Park Wood. Lots of butterflies in 5 acre including many Common Blues, Painted Lady, Brown Argus and one Small Tortoiseshell.

    Friends of Moor Copse having lunch

    lunchtime May 10th.

    Fungi. photo taken by Chin Yee Spindle berries Guelder-rose Blackberries

    Anne's Notes

    October 25th - Signs of autumn very noticeable now with the leaves of Oak, Hazel, Cherry and Hawthorn changing colour. We saw a few last flowers of bramble, Comfrey and thistle, and also next years catkins well formed on Hazel. A couple of Buzzards few over the extension fields. The cattle have been moved to River meadow. The sheep grazing in Arable field, still seem to prefer the north-east corner close to 5 acre.

    Edge of Barton's field

    Looking across Barton's field in October.

    October 6th - On a brief walk round with the Reserves Manager, Andy Phillips, we saw the contractor's sheep now grazing the arable field, and also the assortment of Hereford cross & British White cattle which are now having the run of all the extension fields except River meadow, where they will be moved to shortly.

    August 27th - A warm, sunny afternoon. Take care at the reserve entrance as there are Hornets coming and going to a nest in the Horse Chestnut tree. Otherwise very quiet apart from a few Speckled Woods & Whites and a lot of Hoverflies on Angelica flowers.

    Barton's field

    Hay cut in Barton's field.

    August 16th - The hay has been cut and turned with some already baled. This morning the contractor arrived to finish and remove the bales. The cattle will be moving into Cottage field after this is done. Field margins have been left uncut for invertebrates, and in the broad areas left in 5 acre, Roesel's bush-cricket and butterflies including Small Copper, Painted Lady and Common Blue were to be seen. Although there are few flowers in the rides now, we did see one female Silver-washed Fritillary in Park Wood.

    July 19th - We took an anti-clockwise route today. The cattle are doing a good job - still in Wigley field. The other meadows (except Barton's) are to be cut soon but even in the dull weather were covered with butterflies. A Kestrel was hunting in Barton's field and perching in a dead Oak tree. We saw 3 Silver-washed Fritillaries in the recent coppice plots feeding on Marsh & Spear thistles and Water Mint.

    Compressed images taken by Anne at Moor Copse

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

    © 2009 Moor Copse N R

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