WHAT MAKES TUCKMILL SO SPECIAL?
The combination of habitats at Tuckmill gives rise to a wide variety of flora and, in turn, a huge number of fauna. To the north-west is Tuckmill's meadow, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because its calcarious habitat is very unusual in the region with some unusual species living there. The other SSSI is the fenland at the base of the site. This marshland provides a wonderful environment for the reserve's most stunning plant, the Southern Marsh Orchid as well as the unusual Ragged Robin and Adder’s Tongue Fern.
The combination of habitats at Tuckmill gives rise to a wide variety of flora and, in turn, a huge number of fauna. To the north-west is Tuckmill's meadow, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because its calcarious habitat is very unusual in the region with some unusual species living there. The other SSSI is the fenland at the base of the site. This marshland provides a wonderful environment for the reserve's most stunning plant, the Southern Marsh Orchid as well as the unusual Ragged Robin and Adder’s Tongue Fern.
Insects include two species of reed beetle Donacia sp; the 19-spot ladybird Anisostica 19-punctata; the uncommon soldier fly Oxymora nigricornis; the snake fly Rhaphidia xanthostigma,, and the dingy footman moth Eilema griseola. Three species of Neoascia have been seen - one of which is nationally uncommon - as well as the regionally uncommon hoverfly Trichopsomvia flavitarsis. The marbled white butterfly Melanargia calathea has been seen as well as the day-flying Net Moth. The spider fauna is also notable including the rare Theridiosoma gemmosum, a species that inhabits tall vegetation in damp areas and the regionally uncommon Baryphyma pratense, which lives in grass near streams.
Lesser whitethroat by Margaret Andrews
The fenland is attractive to a wide variety of birds including the less common Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and Lesser Whitethroat. Aquatic animals include a variety of newt types and frogs while otters and water vole have been seen in Tuckmill Brook. Mammals at the reserve include badgers (see the video below), moles, foxes, muntjacs and other deer.
WINTER ACTIVITY AT TUCKMILL MEADOWS
At the end of the summer there were preparations that needed to be carried out ready for the next year. The orchids had developed their seed pods containing thousands of seeds had scattered. Both west and east patches were scythed to allow the late summer air to wash over the ground.
With the winter came the frosts and friends of Tuckmill (FoT) volunteers used the clear, cold days to scythe the areas around the site in a rotational, chequerboard pattern. The winter also brought the floods and parts of the northern marsh area were underwater. Flooding by Tuckmill Bridge gave a perfect example of why the large stepping stones (see photo below) were put in place hundreds of years ago.
At the end of the summer there were preparations that needed to be carried out ready for the next year. The orchids had developed their seed pods containing thousands of seeds had scattered. Both west and east patches were scythed to allow the late summer air to wash over the ground.
With the winter came the frosts and friends of Tuckmill (FoT) volunteers used the clear, cold days to scythe the areas around the site in a rotational, chequerboard pattern. The winter also brought the floods and parts of the northern marsh area were underwater. Flooding by Tuckmill Bridge gave a perfect example of why the large stepping stones (see photo below) were put in place hundreds of years ago.
The drainage lake at the new Cross Trees development (photo above), at the west end of the reserve, has filled up rapidly with the rains. This has resulted in more water filtering down through the little stream that divides west and east meadows. The dam put in by FoT volunteers showed that it works well by holding the flow of water back, thus slowing it down, and creating pools that can be used by birds and animals. It is planned to put in two more dams, a construction job later this year for the local cub-scout group.
As we go into Spring the next two displays to look forward to are the cowslips that will appear in their hundreds later in March, followed soon after by the marsh marigolds. The ground has been scythed and suitably prepared for the best displays.
Words and photos by Neil B Maw March 2023
As we go into Spring the next two displays to look forward to are the cowslips that will appear in their hundreds later in March, followed soon after by the marsh marigolds. The ground has been scythed and suitably prepared for the best displays.
Words and photos by Neil B Maw March 2023
WATER VOLE SURVEY – TUCKMILL RESERVE 20 JUNE 2022
I joined Judith from Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust to carry out a water vole survey on the reserve. She had just completed a survey further up the river at Pennyhooks. Although sadly she did not see actual water voles, she recorded several areas of potential activity e.g. small holes in the river bank, small piles of cut vegetation, runways and latrines.
We walked the length of the small stream that feeds into the river, but as it is very overgrown it was hard to get close enough to see anything and make any judgements. We also checked the small spring on the far side of the reserve but there were definitely no tracks in the exposed wet mud/silt in this area.
Similarly, it was very hard to get close enough to the river itself due to the amount of vegetation. The good news is that the sedge and reeds which we have an abundance of are a favourite habitat and source of food for the water vole. So, we are sure they are there somewhere – just very well hidden.
We walked the length of the small stream that feeds into the river, but as it is very overgrown it was hard to get close enough to see anything and make any judgements. We also checked the small spring on the far side of the reserve but there were definitely no tracks in the exposed wet mud/silt in this area.
Similarly, it was very hard to get close enough to the river itself due to the amount of vegetation. The good news is that the sedge and reeds which we have an abundance of are a favourite habitat and source of food for the water vole. So, we are sure they are there somewhere – just very well hidden.
Photo of the riverbank in June 2022 by Kathy Durham
We plan to scythe some more viewing areas along that stretch of the river so regular observations can take place.
During the survey we saw several Blue (Male) Chaser Dragonflies which Judith said are a good indication that the water is of a good quality. We crossed the bridge leading to the golf course and thought we could see some small holes on the opposite bank (reserve side). But could not verify.
We also thought we could see a couple of holes opposite where the oxbow has been dammed off.
Judith hopes to survey the river as it flows across the golf course. As this is a more open area I am sure she should be able to find some more conclusive evidence.
Please use the links below to find out more about the water vole. And, when you are walking along the river path do listen out for the distinctive “plop” that the water vole makes when diving into the water.
Kathy Durham
HOME - Water Vole
Water vole | waterway wildlife | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)
Water Vole Habitat Management - Water Vole
During the survey we saw several Blue (Male) Chaser Dragonflies which Judith said are a good indication that the water is of a good quality. We crossed the bridge leading to the golf course and thought we could see some small holes on the opposite bank (reserve side). But could not verify.
We also thought we could see a couple of holes opposite where the oxbow has been dammed off.
Judith hopes to survey the river as it flows across the golf course. As this is a more open area I am sure she should be able to find some more conclusive evidence.
Please use the links below to find out more about the water vole. And, when you are walking along the river path do listen out for the distinctive “plop” that the water vole makes when diving into the water.
Kathy Durham
HOME - Water Vole
Water vole | waterway wildlife | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)
Water Vole Habitat Management - Water Vole
ORCHID SURVEY IN TUCKMILL MEADOWS 2022
Preparations for the orchids began at the end of September last year. After local farmer Adam Twine had kindly topped the west meadow, a group of Friends of Tuckmill (FoT) volunteers raked the arisings that lay on the approximate area where the flowers were known to grow. On 19th March a 1.5 metre wide cut was put in from the top path down to the fence in preparation for a viewing platform and study area, the idea being to monitor some of the orchids from the time they appear as rosettes to the time they wither and die. The cut was trimmed again on 22 April, just before the rosettes were likely to appear.
The first rosettes were recorded on 5 May and the first flower to emerge that could enable identification of the species appeared on 19 May. It was a Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa). In the study area the rosettes continued to appear and, apart from two, all the leaves were clear of spots or any markings. Of the two, one bore marks that were dashes rather than dots and were very faint. The other just had the odd faint blemish. It suggested that something spotted, other than Southern Marsh, had influenced the patch probably a long time ago.
By 26 May there were 24 orchids in flower on the west and east meadows, although there were more in the taller vegetation that were difficult to access. However, using a drone enabled two more patches to be located. By the end of May there were treble that number. All the orchids were of the species Southern Marsh and none had marks on the leafs at all. There were numerous plants that had a single flower growing normally and next to them one or two that produces leafs but no flowers. Some of those have been recorded accurately to ascertain if they produce flowers including the two that had slightly marked leafs.
A survey on 9 June revealed that there are three patches of orchids in the west meadow and one patch in the east meadow. The survey also revealed that some of the early flower heads were going over to produce seed pods from the bottom upwards. This provided the useful information that the flowers are in bloom for 15-20 days.
The survey is still ongoing with the intention to study the orchids to the point where the seed pods ripen, open and release. From this survey FoT will have very useful information as to timing and accurate location. The orchids of Tuckmill Meadows do have an advantage with timing in that they are located in spring water and therefore not so reliant on the weather conditions. They also seem to be unique in that every plant surveyed is of the species Southern Marsh and does not have the dilution of hybridisation. Opinion among the orchid experts suggest that such a site is rapidly becoming a rarity. This is also remarkable when, just two fields away to the west, there are orchids growing with densely spotted leafs.
Neil B Maw
Neil B Maw
Brown long-eared bat by Paul Colley
BAT SURVEY OF TUCKMILL
A Tuckmill volunteer, Paul Colley FRPS, has carried out a bat survey of the site using an echo meter. This recorded two types of pipistrelle; a brown long-eared bat; a noctule and possibly three others including the barbastelle which is very rare but known to hunt in parts of Wiltshire. Click on the button below to see his bat survey.
A Tuckmill volunteer, Paul Colley FRPS, has carried out a bat survey of the site using an echo meter. This recorded two types of pipistrelle; a brown long-eared bat; a noctule and possibly three others including the barbastelle which is very rare but known to hunt in parts of Wiltshire. Click on the button below to see his bat survey.
BADGERS AT TUCKMILL
The above pictures were taken in April and May 2021 by Nan Pratt. The entrance to the sett clearly shows the trail taken by the badgers towards the stream, while the second photo shows that badgers like to clean out their bedding, especially when there are cubs. See the videos of badgers at Tuckmill taken by Margaret Andrews in November 2021 below.
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MUNTJAC AND FAWN, FOX AND OTTER VIDEOS
It is good to see the range of wildlife in Tuckmill and we hope that the work being done on the reserve will result in even more diversity. Margaret Andrews' project to take videos of some of the site's animals shows a muntjac and fawn, a fox and an otter at the reserve in November 2021 - see the videos below.
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MOUSE VIDEO
In December 2021 one of the smaller mammals at Tuckmill was captured on video - see below.
2022 VIDEOS
Check out the videos below including the contrast between daytime and night-time in the grass meadow as well as otters on the river bank.
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