Little egrets breed in Berkshire for the first time, but site future threatened by development.

12/06/2006 00:00:00 According to the Berkshire Ornithological Club (BOC), little egrets have bred for the first time in Berkshire. But there is a sting in the tail – the breeding place of the fledglings is on a site where plans are in progress to build 7500 houses over the next decade as part of the Kennet Valley Park development. BOC, the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and the RSPB are all concerned about the impacts of this development on nationally important breeding birds, like little egrets and nightingales, as well as other wildlife. This area is the most important heronry in Berkshire and has around 20 annually occupied nests. Colin Wilson, spokesperson from BOC, said: ‘It is fantastic news that this beautiful bird which is increasingly being sighted in our county, has bred here for the first time this year. As an amber-listed species on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern, it is important that we take care of it and the habitat it needs to thrive.

‘The little egret has been expanding its range in recent times from Mediterranean northwards, possibly reflecting global warming. They have been mainly winter visitors to Berkshire but after several yearly visits to the heronry south of Reading, they have finally produced young in our patch.’

Nightingales
The Kennet Valley Park proposes a small piece of land south of Reading as mitigation for the loss of wildlife but the habitat is very different and the chances of the birds relocating naturally are extremely slim. The proposed building site is classed as ‘brownfield land’ but this does not reflect its wildlife value which is important for endangered species such as nightingales and water voles.

Colin Wilson added: ‘This area has been well watched and known as bird rich by birdwatchers for many years. The current designation of the site offers limited protection through local planning policy rather than law, so it is up to ourselves and local people to stand up for the area and prevent the damage that expanding Reading would do to the area and its wildlife’.