Thatcham Reedbeds Local Nature Reserve

Thatcham Reedbeds is one of the largest areas of inland reedbed in Southern England. The whole area, which covers 67 hectares, is of national importance for its extensive reedbed, species-rich alder woodland and fen habitats. These are largely a remnant of the sort of vegetation that once spread throughout the Kennet Valley, adjacent to the river and its tributaries. They feature beautiful displays of wildflowers that combine with the varying shades and hues of the reeds and sedges in the spring and summer - typically yellow-flag iris, marsh woundwort and hemp agrimony. The reedbeds are equally but more subtly beautiful at other times of the year.

The Reedbeds themselves are part of a mosaic of wetland habitats including lakes, the river and canal. The reserve adjoins the main lake at the Nature Discovery Centre

The reserve is also significant in archaeological terms, with particular reference to the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age c.8-12,000 years ago). It is one of the two foremost sites in England for evidence of occupation and manipulation of the environment by mankind in this period which followed the last Ice Age. Evidence of even earlier use of the site includes finds of hand axes dating from the Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age), these could be up to 250,000 years old.

Approximately 1/3 of the site is owned and managed by the District Council. The whole area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its nature conservation value. That part which falls primarily within the ownership of the District Council is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a designation recognising the international importance of the reserve. For more information on SACs and SSSIs, click the link to the right.

An emblematic species for the site is the tiny and nationally rare Desmoulin's whorl snail which is currently doing well in reed-fen areas of the reserve.

The Reedbeds are also important for a number of breeding birds including Cetti's warbler, water rail, sedge and reed warbler and reed bunting. Occasional winter visitors include bearded tit and bittern (the nearest breeding populations of this bird are in Somerset and Suffolk). Areas of open water on the reserve and on the lake adjacent to the Nature Discovery Centre support good populations of wildfowl - both residents and migrants. Purpose-built tern rafts on the Discovery Centre Lake attract breeding common terns in the spring. Sand martins breed in the nesting bank on the island.

There are a number of notable species of moths on site including the scarce burnished brass, butterbur, dentated pug and obscure wainscot and rare species of hoverfly and cranefly. At least 14 species of dragonfly and damselfly are known on this site, at least 6 of which probably breed here - Migrant hawker, Emperor and Four-spotted chaser dragonflies; Common Blue, Azure and Red-eyed damselflies. Grass snakes are present on site and badgers and foxes are regularly seen. There has been indirect evidence of Otter use but no actual positive sightings – a spraint was found on one of the bridges in 2007.

Management of the site focuses on keeping the reed and fen wet by cutting and removing material on a rotation; preventing the encroachment of scrub onto open areas of reed and fen whilst maintaining good scrub cover in other areas, and keeping ditches clear to facilitate the easy movement of water across the reserve. Current management seeks to replicate traditional reedbed management - water reed is commonly used for thatching. Keeping the site wet also helps preserve important archaeological artefacts and indicators of past environments (such as pollen and charcoal).

Management over the next few years will follow the recommendations of the management plan (click the link to the right) but will also aim to make the reserve more suitable for bittern to breed here rather than just visit. Whilst we cannot guarantee the birds will choose this area to breed in the future, the associated improvements to the site will benefit many other species. Some work will also be undertaken to make areas more suitable for dragonflies and damselflies to breed.

The Reedbeds are home to a number of rare and/or threatened species of plant and animal as well as many that may be more familiar so please enjoy your visit but leave only footprints and take only photographs.

Thatcham Reedbeds is part of the West Berkshire Living Landscape project (click on the link to Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust which can be found to the right of the page).

Photography courtesy of Christopher Newton