Author Archives: blackwatervalleycountryside

About blackwatervalleycountryside

The Blackwater Valley is located on the borders of Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire and runs for approximately 30km from the source near Aldershot, northwards to Swallowfield. At its confluence it joins the rivers Whitewater and Loddon. The Loddon eventually flows into the River Thames near Reading. Work in the Blackwater Valley is co-ordinated by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on behalf of the local authorities that border the Valley. Despite being surrounded by urban development the Valley provides an important green corridor for local residents As well as the Blackwater Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a small part of the Basingstoke Canal SSSI, three nature reserves within the Valley catchment and many other areas have been recognised for their ecological importance. The local planning authorities covering the Valley have designated 31 other areas as ‘Wildlife Sites’.

Hawley Meadows Story Trail

Posted on March 15, 2021 by blackwatervalleycountryside

Next time you are wandering around Hawley Meadows, why not follow “The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart”. Look out for the the first post just over the bridge from the car park to start your story. The story … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Hawley Meadow | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Claycart Car Park Closure

Posted on February 1, 2021 by blackwatervalleycountryside

Please be aware that Claycart Car Park, Wellesley Woodlands will be shut from Monday 8th February following damage to the car park surface from antisocial behaviour, in the interests of health and safety until repairs are completed. As soon as … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Wellesley Woodlands | Leave a comment

Ramping up access at Rowhill

Posted on December 16, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

Yesterday Stu and I headed up to Rowhill Nature Reserve where we built and infilled the last remaining ramp. It was great to finish off the boardwalk and get so many compliments from visitors. Senior Ranger Stuart

Posted in Access, Conservation, Rowhill | Tagged | Leave a comment

Roving at Rowhill – a transformed boardwalk

Posted on September 7, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

Today I popped down to Rowhill to see the newly-installed replacement boardwalk, and took some comparison photos to show the dramatic transformation. The earlier wooden boardwalk through an area of wet woodland, was showing it’s age and had become uneven … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Rowhill, Volunteers | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rowhill Boardwalk

Posted on July 31, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

This week the Blackwater Valley Rangers went to Rowhill Nature Reserve to install the long awaited Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is made of recycled plastic which in the very wet condition will last for many  years, opposed to the wooden version … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Bridges, Conservation, Rowhill, Volunteers | Tagged | 1 Comment

Goldfinch

Posted on July 11, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

I spotted this tame Goldfinch harvesting seeds from Forget-me-nots. Senior Ranger Stuart

Posted in Wildlife | Tagged | Leave a comment

Stu’s Back.

Posted on July 10, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

Good Morning All, Tuesday was my first day back at Ash lock. For me and my family it has been a very long lockdown. Working from home for me was interesting, as you know I am a practical go out … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Ash Lock, BV path, Conservation, General Information, Minor Sites, Sites, Wellesley Woodlands, Wildlife | Leave a comment

A gripping saga!

Posted on July 2, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

It all started during lockdown! When restrictions were lifted slightly and we were classed as keyworkers, I was able to visit some of our sites to carry out inspections, which included looking at everything such as the fences, gates, bins, … Continue reading →

Posted in Wellesley Woodlands | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Common Carder Bee

Posted on May 15, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

This fluffy bumblebee looks like a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum), with the ginger top of the thorax and cream & black hairs in the abdomen. ID can be a challenge as colouring varies a lot between individuals, location and … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Wildlife | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Is it a Podgy Hoverfly?

Posted on May 14, 2020 by blackwatervalleycountryside

There’s been a bizarre black buzzing insect in the garden. It zips speedily around flowers then loiters with expert hovering, like a podgy Hoverfly. In a few lucky photos, I managed to identify it as a Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Wildlife | Tagged , | Leave a comment