Moor Copse Nature Reserve, Tidmarsh Berkshire

[rolf]

Popped down to this small reserve for an hour this morning, walked along the banks of the River Pang and although it was a dismal overcast morning, thoroughly enjoyed the brief visit.

Moor Copse Nature Reserve Website

From Moor Copse Web Site

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.



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Took these two views with my mobile phone, as I only had the telephoto lens with me on the Olympus, not bad considering, but will take some new ones of the river late spring.


Moor Copse Nature Reserve, Google Maps

[rolf]

Managed to locate a lot of different bird species by sound, but particularly a flock of 100 or more Linnets across the meadow on the opposite side of the Pang, were a little too far for good photos with the 300mm and teleconverter, but tried my best.

[rolf]

Heard several Wrens making themselves at home in the many log piles, the remains of fallen trees.



Caught a little movement in the corner of my eye and there was a Treecreeper searching an ivy covered tree, managed to snatch a couple of poor snaps.



Was constantly reminded that the Chiffchaff was on the hunt for a partner, but as usual it stayed tantalisingly, just out of camera range.

[andy b]

some good shots there rolf, specially off you mobile

[Chocky]

Great captures there Rolf. Glad you caught the Treecreeper. They are one of the most difficult birds to catch on camera. They rarely keep still
Looks likwe a nice place to visit.

[Blue Jay]

Yes, looks like a very a nice reserve.
Nice photos too

[rolf]

A few different takes of the butterfly all taken at Moor Copse Nature reserve, Tidmarsh, Berkshire.

[Chocky]

Nice captures there of the butterflies.

[rolf]

Just a few more pictures from my little tour on Sunday, very few birds to be seen, but the butterflies more than made up for it. The last picture is of the Dove cote at the edge of Calcot.

[Chocky]

Very nice little place.
Is it far from Reading and in which direction ?

[rolf]

It's four miles from the centre in the direction of Newbury.

[Chocky]

Oh right . Thanks

[rolf]

Managed to spend a couple of hours at the reserve on Sunday and did a leisurely circuit, lots of birds to be heard, but very few in view. Was stalking a Green Woodpecker, but it caught sight of me just before I could lift the camera.

The Bluebells were starting to flood the open areas, with several Spotted Wood, Peacock , Orange Tip and Small White Butterflies cruising the woods and coppiced areas, an Orange Ladybird was on a plant near the walkway. In the same corner of a field as I'd heard the Woodpecker, I spotted a Tree creeper out of the corner of my eye, but he was pretty high in the tree and the light was fading, this was followed shortly by catching sight of a little brown bird which turned out to be a Yellowhammer..

[Chocky]

Nice place for wildlife

[rolf]

Dropped in on the reserve, for the first time in a few months, the woods were alive with birdsong, all of the usual suspects were there, Robin, Wren, Great tit, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Coal tit, Blackcap, Songthrush, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Red Kite, Carrion Crow, Mallard, plus the Chiffchaffs were everywhere on the fringe of the wood calling from tree to tree. Heard several Green Woodpeckers, but didn't manage to spot one and a Buzzard was circling for most of my visit.

Primroses were everywhere, plus the odd patch of Daffodils, a few Dandelions and what looked like buttercups. Also saw my first Orange tip butterfly of the year, no photo though, a few Peacock Butterflies and a couple of Commas.

[Catherine]

Glad you had such a good day, Rolf! You have some great photos to prove it!

The Butterfly, Fly and flowers all come out really well, and the pics of the Buzzard and the Chiffchaff are super!

The little blue/purple flower is a Sweet Violet and the buttercup-like ones around the Primroses are Lesser Celandines. The Chiffchaff sits on a Willow tree, always one of the first trees to produce leaves in spring.

This unseasonably warm weather has brought out many spring flowers - with banks of Lesser Celandines framing roadsides in particular.

Sadly, it means that the early daffodils are now 'going over', and lawns and garden plants are desperate for the rain due to arrive on Wednesday. We are never happy, are we?

[rolf]

Thanks for the info Catherine, also say what looked like Buttercups, but for some reason didn't photograph them, looking forward to returning when the meadow grass has grown, as it will be full of small butterflies like Skippers, coppers and blues.

Had a quick chat with a guy when I was there about the Hartslock reserve near Goring, one which I have yet to visit. It is a hillside reserve with wild Orchid species and abundant insect population Hartslock Nature Reserve, should be lovely by mid to late May.

[Catherine]

Early June to late July is the best time for wild Orchids and meadow flowers.

The area will be alive with insects then - so pack that macro lens!