Wakering & District Natural History Society
Millers Pond
Millers Pond is a privately owned pond that juts out onto Common land. It was adopted by the Society in 1980 and has been completely restored in the
ensuing years. The initial clearance was done over a period of four years and a small island was constructed in the middle for nesting or resting birds and alongside it is the "Hide" (the black shed). The hide was converted from an old chicken shed, it has the flaps at the front,
a full length bench seat inside with a carpeted floor (sheer luxury) our photography minded members sometimes use it to capture the image of a Kingfisher sitting on the post.
The three Black Poplar trees that are on the promontory were planted in memory of one of our members, Michael Hooke who was crushed by a tractor and killed while working in the local Brickfield, there is a plaque there with his details on it. This is a favourite corner for local cub and school groups to do their dipping and for people to just sit and watch and relax. Damsel and Dragonflies abound, 12 species in all.
The pond supports Newts, Sticklebacks, Water Stick Insects and various Beetles including the Great Silver Beetle as well as plenty of Grass Snakes. Some of the most notable birds that have visited the pond are 7 Bearded Tits, a pair of nesting Little Grebes (unsuccessful), various Green Sandpipers and Water Rails along with all the more usual ones. The latest Damselfly (Red-eyed) was spotted by a birder sitting on a Lily leaf (not the birder). Next year there will have to be a concerted effort to photograph one. The Scarce Emerald has also bred here. Even though the pond has been known to dry up completely, some years it soon fills up again and the pond life returns.
News and Events
Results of the 2009 Photographic Competition
Dave
Gonning was the winner in three out of the six categories this year, also
winning 'Overall Winner' with his shot of the 'Otter'. The other winners
were John Threadgold with 'Purple Acer', Jill Threagold with 'Wasp Spider'
and Graeme Ward with 'Fence in a Tree' for the 'Quirks of Nature' category.
They were all excellent photographs, so 'well done' to all of the winners
and a sincere' thank you' to all members who submitted photographs to the
competition.
The special category next year is 'Frost' so please take advantage of these winter months to grab that extra special shot before Spring arrives. All winners were as follows:
- BIRDS: 1st Water Rail [D.G.], 2nd Harris Hawk [D.G.], 3rd Young Blackbird [T.B.]
- MAMMALS: 1st Otter [D.G.], 2nd Grey Squirrel [D.G.], 3rd Ground Squirrel [G.T.]
- OTHER FAUNA: 1st Wasp Spider [G.T.], 2nd Froghopper [D.G.], 3rd Hoverfly [D.G.]
- FLORA: 1st Purple Acer [J.T.], 2nd Red Protia [D.B.], 3rd Young Fir Cones [J.T.]
- HABITAT: 1st Emerging Moth [D.G.], 2nd Ladybird Larva [D.G.], 3rd Little Egret by Ditch [T.B.]
- QUIRKS of NATURE: 1st Fence in Tree [G.W.], 2nd B/W Blackbird [Jose Wells], 3rd Four-leaved Clover [J.W.]
[D.G.] - Dave Gonning, [J.T.] - John Threadgold, [G.T.] - Gill Threagold, [D.B.] - Donna Brebner, [T.B.] Tamsin Butler, [G.W.] - Graeme Ward [J.W.] - Jenny Williams