Queen Mother Reservoir

Queen Mother Reservoir in the east of the County is the largest area of open water in Berkshire. With several other smaller stretches of water nearby, it attracts a wide range of water birds and waders, rarely seen elsewhere in Berkshire. Some recent sightings (photos by Mike McKee) include:

Grey-headed Wagtail, 30 May 2009

Great Northern Diver, 2 February 2008

Turnstone 21 August 2009

Lesser Scaup, 8 October 2008

Whimbrel, 30 May 2009

Scaup, 11 November 2008

Avocet, 19 March 2009

Long-tailed Skua, 10 September 2006

Access to Queen Mother Reservoir

Thames Water offers access to Queen Mother Reservoir for bird-watching through the Berkshire Ornithological Club under the conditions of a Thames Water Operational Safety Authorisation and license issued to the Club. The Berkshire Ornithological Club may issue permits only to its members. Access is permitted from dawn to one hour after sunset, seven days a week. Under the license the BOC may only issue permits to members, who must agree to abide by a number of conditions, which are explained in the information sheet. Members wanting a permit should complete and sign the agreement and bring it, together with a photo ID and separate proof of address to a BOC indoor meeting or send them to the Membership Secretary (Iain Oldcorn)(bocmembershipsec hotmail.co.uk). We will then issue the permits and combination code. There is no charge for the permit.

Renton Righelato - 27 December 2009