Last Monday (Jan 19th) local wildlife expert Brian Clews gave an excellent presentation on the Jubilee River to a packed room. This fascinating talk covered the Jubilee River’s design and construction, the storm damage in 2003, and the wildlife it attracts.  This is the largest artificial channel in the UK, created to protect homes and businesses in Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton areas from flooding. Sluice gates in Taplow can be opened by the Environment Agency to increase the flow of water into the Jubilee.

Brian gave advice on what would be needed to build habitats such as reed beds, native woodland, wildflower grassland and bird/bat boxes. We were then treated to wonderful photos of the numerous bird species spotted making the Jubilee their home, such as water rail, warblers, egrets, cuckoos, bittern, short eared owl, little ringed plover, lapwing, golden plover, redshank, teal, little and great crested grebe, common tern and kingfishers to name but a few! 

Brian didn’t have time to cover what lives below the water but many fish can be found there such as roach, bream, pike and perch. Otters have also been spotted, as have the rare water shrew. Surveys of the grasslands and woodlands along the river have identified many butterflies and other insects.

The Jubilee River really is a great place to go and spot some wildlife!

Visit www.berksoc.org.uk/county-sites/jubilee-river for more information.