Green spaces praised for being home to rich variety of wildlife

Two local green spaces managed by Wokingham Borough Council are recognised for their abundance of natural habitats and plant species that help wildlife thrive and flourish.

The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) has designated Winnersh Meadows and Woosehill Meadows as Local Wildlife Sites (LWS), following thorough ecological surveys.

LWS are areas of land having high wildlife value with rare or threatened habitats and species, and are of great countywide importance.  At present, Berkshire has about 750 LWS covering approximately 10 per cent of the county.

Winnersh Meadows: a haven for birds and insects

Winnersh Meadows, which lies to the north of Winnersh and south of the A329M, has a good variety of habitats including grassland, scrub, woodland with ponds and a community orchard.

The grassland in the eastern part of the site is particularly species-rich, with a plethora of wildflowers such as meadow foxtail, common bird's-foot-trefoil, yellow rattle and oxeye daisies.

The ponds have extensive areas of wetland plants including branched bur-reed, common spike-rush and water mint, while the woodlands boast mature trees including oak and ash that are of great ecological importance from a conservation point of view.

These natural habitats have made Winnersh Meadows a haven for many kinds of birds and insects, including blackcaps, chiffchaffs, and dunnocks, as well as insects such as beautiful demoiselles, emperor dragonflies, and red-tailed bumblebees.

Woosehill Meadows: a sanctuary for protected species

With the Emm Brook running through the site, Woosehill Meadows provides an ideal habitat for a good population of bullheads, a threatened fish species only found in clean waters.

The site, easily accessible within the Woosehill residential development, features several types of woodlands and areas of scrub and grassland, with a wide variety of trees and wildflowers.

These include tree species commonly seen in the borough like crack and white willow, aspen, elm, and oak, as well as wildflowers like alternate-leaved golden saxifrage and enchanter's-nightshade.

 The site provides a unique sanctuary for a number of protected species like stag beetles, noctule bats, west European hedgehogs, as well as birds, bees and butterflies.

Enjoy the treasures on your doorstep

Cllr Jordan Montgomery, executive member for environment and climate emergency, said: “We’re immensely proud of this achievement. It is a testament to our continued efforts to enrich biodiversity in the borough by making our green spaces welcoming and hospitable to wildlife.

“Currently, we have over 100 Local Wildlife Sites across the borough and we encourage residents to visit and enjoy the treasures they may not even know exist on their own doorsteps. Check the list on the TVERC website to find one near you.

“We are thankful to TVERC for providing valuable data and insights to help us conserve these sites, so they can remain a valuable asset to the environment and our borough.”

Existing Local Wildlife Site relisted

TVERC has also relisted an existing Local Wildlife Site in the borough: Norris Copse Bird Sanctuary in Charvil parish and is owned in part by a local scout group.

The panel agreed that the site has well-maintained ancient woodlands that provide habitats for species like wasp beetles and damselflies, while the council owned lake at the site continues to support breeding bird species.