What to look for when you are out and about in
February

General

The month can be as harsh as any with snow and freezing winds. However it is possible to spot hints of better things to come. Although spring is still several weeks away the first signs are there to see.

Birds

Flocks of small birds moving through the trees including Great and Blue Tits accompanied by Finches, Nuthatches and Treecreepers are more easily visible in winter due to the lack of leaves on the trees. Their feeding has a real urgency .

A few snatches of birdsong on a cold day remind us that winter is not for ever. By February, the birds will have begun to sing in earnest and we can think about looking forward to spring.

Winter songsters are among those species that hold territories through the winter. Robins are one of the most vocal; they are unusual because both male and female hold their own territories in winter and both sing in their defence. Female Song Thrushes sometimes hold winter territories, but they do not sing. Wrens can be relied on for some powerful outbursts. Great tit, Nuthatch and Starling songs, while not tuneful, seem to me to be particularly cheerful. Out in the fields around the Toutley Bridge area, fine days also yield bursts of song from the Skylarks. And the mournful hoot of a Tawny Owl, heard as we lie warmly in bed, shows that the night is not dead.

You may also be lucky enough to hear and see a Great- spotted Woodpecker drumming against a tree trunk in Riverside Walk.

Click for more on what to look for this month February

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Emmbrook Weather

Bernard Burton has been recording the weather alongside the Emm Brook since 1976. His weather station originally situated at Emmbrook Secondary School till 1996 and now at Emmbrook Junior School daily monitors the weather. For a more detailed anaylsis of the previous month's weather visit this link. Emmbrook Weather

Latest Newsletter

Click Issue 14 June 2010

Emm Brook River levels now on line

The Environment Agency Website now has a daily update on river levels of the Emm near Tesco's in Area 2

Nest Boxes (2011)

The 2011 nest box clearance was carried out by John, Sue, Jean and Malcolm on 7th and 9th December. Along Emmbrook Walk, 11 out of 12 boxes had been used, mainly by Tits but there was also evidence of Wren occupation and probably a Grey wagtail (one egg to be identified). Along Riverside Walk, 7 had been used, 5 unused (plus one still occupied by our resident mouse, who had now been caught on camera ! ). Again, Tits were the predominant users, while one Owl box had been occupied as well as one of the 4 special-to-type Tree-creeper boxes. Evidence added up to 72% occupancy overall.

2012 EVENTS

BASH THE BALSAM

The annual tacklling of Himalayan Balsam will again take place along the Brook. This years dates are still to be arranged

All are welcome. Recommended attire: Long-sleeved jacket or similar, strong gloves and footwear as the nettles can bite.

Kick Sampling

FOTEB will again be undertaking samplng of the Emm at locations along the brook again dates are to be arranged.

09/11/11

EA CLEARS THE BROOK

Following the heavy rain overnight on Friday 04/11/11 a large amount of debris gathered on a discarded Morrissons shopping trolley upstream of Ripple Stream Bridge. This debris consisted of several large logs and has subsequently been removed from the brook by the Environment Agency (EA). Any blockages or pollution incidents should be reported to the EA on 0800 807 060

02/10/11

ROYALTY VISITS THE EMM BROOK

This De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth II Registration G-AN FM flew over Area 5 today. This Tiger Moth featured in the film The Kings Speech with Colin Firth.

ARSON ATTACK ON OAK TREE

An old Oak tree near Dragonfly Bridge to the rear of Morrissons was recently the victim of an arson attack. The tree appears to have survived so far and although it is hollow (not unusual for an oak of this age) Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) would like to keep the tree whilst it remains viable and safe to park users. To this end we intend to attempt to cover the cavity entrance with a permeable mesh, in a bid to prevent another attempt to set fire to debris which would otherwise be placed inside the tree. WBC will continue to monitor the oak for the usual life-signs in a phased and timed manner. This oak is mentioned on the Wokingham District Vetran Tree Association database. More information can be found by clicking on this link WDVTA The tree number to be enteredi nto the database is 254

21/08/11

BROOK CLEARANCE

Following the storms on Thursday 18th August 2011 a quick visual inspection of the Brook revealed several areas where detritus had gathered on obstructions in Riverside Walk. It was decided to don the waders and remove the offending blockages. This was completed on Sunday 21st.

06/07/11

IT’S ALL HAPPENING

On Wed 6th July Jean Vaughan and Sue Farrington (Chair and Vice Chair of Friends of the Emm Brook) visited the Cala Development site (Emm Court) in Ashville Way off Molly Millar’s Lane, Wokingham, to see how work was progressing. We met with Jon Channon, the Project Manager, who gave us an excellent overview with detailed maps of the work going on to de-culvert the Emm and landscape the banks and surrounding area. This included suggested planting of native species along the banks, three ‘ponds’ (quite small) along the course to alleviate flood water and some very impressive bank strengthening to minimise flood damage. We were given an overview of the site from a platform near the office and then walked part of the area where work is going on (helpfully during the morning break so we weren’t a liability to the earth moving teams!). Huge amounts of earth, concrete and debris are being shifted with the Emm still invisible in its culvert. Once the banks are stabilised the culvert will be removed and the area landscaped. One section of culvert near Ashville Way will remain but hopefully that and the section under the road will not prove a barrier to wildlife. It is very exciting to see all this happening; to know that Japanese knotweed at the east end has been removed, that such an expensive project is underway, that our wish-list from 2005 is being realised and our little Brook will be such a feature of this whole housing development. We look forward to the moment when the Emm resurfaces from its subterranean sojourn. Thank you, Cala.

17/05/11

More bridge naming along the Brook

2 more bridges have now been named along the Emm in Area's 4 & 5 (Riverside Walk ). This was a joint venture between FOTEB and the Woodcraft Folk

The bridge names, Kingfisher & Ripple Stream were chosen by the Woodcraft Folk. The official opening/naming ceremony took place on Tuesday 17th May.

A new Bumblebee species for FOTEB

The Tree Bee Bombus hypnorum has been found in Area 5. Click on the link for more detailsTree Bee