The Reading Naturalist
No. 31
Published by the Reading and District
Natural History Society
1979
Price to Non-Members 40p
THE READING NATURALIST
No. 31 for the year 1977-78
The Journal of
The Reading and District Natural History
Society
President:
Mr. R. M. Gambles, M.A., B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.
Hon. General Secretary: Hon. Editor:
Mrs. J. S. Whitfield Miss L. HE, Cobb
Ashdown 55 Northcourt Avenue
Basingetoke Road Reading
Spencer's Wood
Reading
Editorial Sub-Committee:
The Editor, :B.wR. Baker,..Hse-H.«Garker,
Miss E. M. Nelmes, Now. .Phillips, Miss 8S. .¥. Townend
Honorary Recorders:
‘Botany: Mrs. B. M. Newman, Earley Cottage, 25 Beech Lane,
; Earley, Reading
Entomology: Mr "5S: R: Baker, 25 Matlock Road, Caversham,
oh Reading
. Vertebrates: Mr. H. H. Carter, 82 Kennylands Road, Sonning
Common, Reading
Contents
Meetings and Excursions, 1977-78
Presidential Address:
You should be in a Museum
A Biological Record Centre
Announcement: List of Diptera
of Reading area.
Common Bird Census
A Ring-necked Duck, in Berkshire
The Stream: an Epitaph
ee
Coppicing for Conservation
Management
Mining for Chalk
Fungi found in Reading area,
1978
The Future of Aston Upthorpe
Honorary Recorders' Reports:
Botany
Vertebrates
Entomology
Weather Records in. 19778 1978
M.
Monthly Weather. Notes, 1977 & 1978M.
Membership List
Y. Townend
- H. Carter
Jenkins
Hewitt
A. Hooper
H.: Carter
J. Phillips
. H. Carter
Brickstock
R. -W. Sell
M. Newman
H. Carter
.R. Baker
Parry
Parry
Page
10
18
16
18
20
ete
Meetings and Excursions 1977-78
After the Annual General Meeting on 13th October 1977
(attendance 57), Miss S. Y. Townend delivered her
Presidential Address entitled 'You should be in a Museum'.
Other lectures during the winter were 'Gulls', by Dr. Gillian
Thompson (56); ‘Invertebrate Life of Shore and Shallow Seas
around Britain’, by Dr.’ V. 'George (53)$°+ "Smal British
Mammals', by Mr. T. Healing (59); 'Sent to Siberia' (search
for the beginning of the Cambrian period), by Dr. A. W.
Rushton (43); 'A Botanist in Scandinavia', by Dr. Francis
Rose (47); ‘Ecological Aspects of Countryside Management',
by Miss Wendy Rees (33); 'Orthoptera of the Reading Area',
by Mr. Nigel Phillips (35); and 'Plant Life of Tenerife', by
Dr. E. V. Watson (40). Members' Evenings of Films, Talks
and Exhibits, at which coffee and biscuits were served, were
held on 8th December (62) and 16th March (45).
There were winter walks to College Wood,.Goring Heath,
for mosses on 12th November (16); around Reading, :for trees,
on 1lOth December; to the Pangbourne area, for general
interest, on 7th January; and to Burghfield and Ufton Nervet,
to study lichens, on 4th March (21). On 4th February, a wet
and misty day, a party of eight went to Pagham Harbour to
watch birds.
The summer field excursions were to the Checkendon area,
for spring flowers, on 22nd April (27); Wellington Country
Park, Stratfield Saye, for general interest, and Stratfield
Saye Park and Stanford End, for bats, on the evening of 4th
May (18); the Lambourn Valley, for fish and other river
life, on 6th May (10); Kent's Hill, for birds, on the even-
ing of 18th May (12); Woodwalton, Fen, Huntingdon, by coach
on 27th May (39); Aston Rowant National Nature, Reserve on
3rd June (13);. Bucklebury area for flora and a barbecue, on
17th June (31); Hartslock (BBONT Reserve.) on the evening of
24th June (24); White Horse Hill (joint excursion with ;
Abingdon N.H.S.) for downland flora, on lst July (24);
Hurley Chalk Pit, for orchids and other chalk flora, on 8th
July (15); Well Barn Farm on the Berkshire Downs, for moths,
on the evening of 14th July (25); Ashampstead area for flora
and general interest, on 15th July (22); Warren Bank, Ipsden
(BBONT Reserve.) for grasshoppers, on the evening of 26th
July (17); Padworth area, for general interest, on 29th
July (23); the Basingstoke Canal in the Aldershot-Fleet area,
on 12th August (6); Heath Pool, Finchampstead, for flora, on
19th August (16); and Swyncombe Downs for chalk flora and
general interest, with Abingdon N.H.S., on 9th September (21);
fungus forays were: held in the Chinnor area on 26th August
(13). and at the Warburg BBONT Reserve at Bix on 23rd September.
ntend
You should be in a Museum
Abstract of Presidential Address delivered
to the Reading & District Natural History Society
on 15th October 1977
by Shirley Y. Townend, B.Sc.,
School Liaison Officer, Reading Museum & Art Gallery
As the President did not feel that her address was. suit-
able for reproduction in its entirety in the Society's
journal, it is presented here in precis form.
Miss Townend first gave something of a personal history
of her early life, training and work, making references to
the very occasional contacts with museums and ending with the
suggestion by a friend that she "ought to be in a museum".
It was important to give some explanation of the national
picture in relation to museum education services before talk-
ing specifically about local aspects. She had read that
"John Amos Ccnahtus (1592-1670) produced the first educational
visual aid. His Orbis Sensualium Pictus was the first educa-
tional text book to attempt teaching through illustration and
it remained a standard teaching work throughout Europe for
many, many years. An expatriate Czech, he influenced the
formation of the Royal Society. He was a great teacher who
always encouraged a broad general education and the teaching
of experimental science".
The first museum loan service was established by Liverpool
in 1884. Now many museums provide facilities for both visit-
ing groups and for loans. A wide variety of intra-nmural
services and activities was provided, primarily of benefit to
urban areas. Loan services might offer the only opportunity
of contact with the museum to schools in rural areas. The
material, largely, could be handled, an experience for which
there was no substitute.
The Survey of Provincial Museums and Art Galleries, by
the Standing Commission (The Rosse Report), 1963, stated:
"Tt seems to us impossible to over-estimate the importance to
future generations of teaching children the use and signif-
icance of museum objects, and we urge those local authorities
which have not yet developed, or assisted museums in their.
areas to develop, a school service to do so without delay;
and especially to provide a loan service to all rural areas."
Also, the Report of the Department of Education and
Science, 1973, recommended that "Local education authorities
and teachers should be more aware of the part museums can
play in the educational process."
- 3-
Written records of an organised loan service run by the
Superintendent of Reading Museum dated from 1911. The found-
ations of the present service were laid down in 1930. The
first Museum Loans Officer was appointed in 1946, and Miss
Townend was appointed to this post in 195e.
Following a few comments on her early years, she endeav-
oured to build up a picture of what she had been doing for the
last twenty-five years - supplying real objects supplemented
by facsimiles, replicas, copies, models, illustrative material,
maps and notes - to any educational establishment and any
organisation or individual requiring educational resources an
Berkshire - administering the Reading Audio-Visual ‘Aids
Library, including films - and a few other things. Her survey
of procedure was necessarily superficial, and time allowed her
to give only a few examples. ac
First it was necessary to find out what was required,
i.e. to engage in market. research, by making visits to
schools, teachers' centres andcher establishments, by talk-
ing with visiting teachers, by drawing on their own experiences
and learning from other museum services. Priorities were
difficult to sort out as possibilities were unlimited. An
optimum of about 20,000 loans per year covering a wide range
of subjects was aimed at. This proved to be a serious under-
estimate. Suitable material had to be acquired from the
Museum, as gifts, or by purchase. Sources were widespread
and numerous. Preparation, presentation and packaging of the
very wide variety of subjects for transport followed.
A catalogue, produced in alternate years, and a termly
newsletter were sent to all educational establishments from
nursery to university. In administration of bookings, the
key word was 'flexibility'. Collections were available for
two-week periods, the Audio-visual Aid material for one week,
and framed pictures for a term. Transport was part of the
service, the county being covered by ten routes and the town
by Tour.
Every Single thing was checked on return and demanded
cleaning and maintenance to different degrees. Miss Townend's
own sphere was largely fur, feathers and fabrics. Up-dating
and replacement of damaged, worn or missing items was a con-
tinuing process. Borrowers were given advice on handing and
display but requested not to attempt repairs should accidents
happen. Stock-taking was done at the end of each term. The
eleven staff handled nearly 20,000 loans in 1976-77, which
came near to a viable service for Berkshire.
Classes visiting the Museum and Art Gallery might receive
Short, introductory talks from the curatorial staff.. School
Service received groups of teachers, students in training,
etc. and Staff might participate in courses, conferences,
talks and exhibitions. An annual Pottery Project results in
an exhibition of selected items in the Art Gallery. Also,
ae a
the Laffan Prize for Natural History was a by the
School Service Section.
Contacts with other bodies were vital, especially with
other museums. Miss Townend had been fortunate to attend
twenty-one conferences of the Group for Educational Services
in Museums and was privileged, with four education officers
from other museums, to tour selected museums in Belgium as the
guest of the Belgian Government. ;
Professional staff tried to keep abreast of current trends
in museum education and, especially, educational practice, such
as Environmental Studies. There was increased emphasis on the
importance of using the primary resources offered by the
Section. There had been no need to advertise the service as
demand could never be met. In 1976-77 there were over 9,000
recorded refusals.
Mr. W. A.» Smallcombe, the first Director under whom Miss
Townend served, had introduced her to the verse:
"T have five senses you must reach
If I'm to learn, and you're to teach;
With taste, touch, smell and sight so clear,
Must I receive all sense by ear?"
There was no end to the possibilities for museum ser-
vices to meet this plea by both their intra- and extra-mural
programmes.
Miss Townend concluded by saying that her audience
should now have some idea of why she was a ‘museum piece'.
As an epilogue, she said that her talk was based on the
Situation pertaining prior to April, 1977. Drastic .cuts in
finance by the Berkshire Education Committee resulted in such
staff reductién that the Museum and Art Gallery could,
subsequently, offer only a minimal loan service and no
transport.
The Fishlock Prize
At the Society's Annual General Meeting on 12th October
1978, the Fishlock Prize was presented to Nicholas Verge,
aged twelve, for interest in geology.
me a
A Biological Record Centre
by Bw. oH. Carver
Change is the keynote of our times, no less conspicuous
in our environment than in our society. On the geologieal
time-scale, the quaternary epoch in which we live is excep-
tional for,its rapid.climatic. fluctuations,from cold to, hot
and from wet to dry, changes so sudden that measurable
differences can be detected within the span of a single human
lifetime, bringing in their train many obvious shifts in
distribution especially of migratory animal species. Super-
imposed on these are the changes brought about by human
agencies at rates several orders of magnitude faster. Mech-
anised man can fell a wood in a week or plough out a pasture
in a day, so far outpacing the speed of natural evolution
that only the least specialised, most adaptable plant and
animal species can survive.
Out of the need to monitor these changes and to identify
the species and habitats which are at risk was born the
National Biological Record Centre at Monkswood. This in turn
proliferated a chain of regional tentres, of which there is
now one in practically every English county. Most of these
are housed in county museums, which already held a mass of
information in the form of collections, written records and
published reports, and had.professional naturalists on their
staff who could. handle and evaluate it. ;
In the interest of easy exchange of information,
Monkswood encouraged the adoption of a standard system of
recording. Each centre has a species index, a SOQETA PHL Get
index and a set of marked maps. : '
The species index contains, a,card,or set, of cards, for
every plant and animal species in the county on which inform-
ation is available, naming. every site from which the species
has been recorded, usually with some indication of how up-to-
date the record is, and stating whether the. species is
abundant or rare, of regular or casual occurrence.
The geographical index consists of a set of files cover-
ing the whole area of the county, usually on the basis of. one
file for each 10Km or 5Km square of the National Grid,
containing information on the entire fauna and flora of each
site within the square so far as it is known, together with
general information as to habitat type and land use, owner-
ship, importance for conservation and so on.
The maps simply serve to establish the location and
extent of the sites name? in the files; there is not room on
a map to show more than a fraction of the available informa-
tion. It may be possible to indicate the position of a few
very rare or important species on a map, but. these are just
the sites whose existence may be widely known but whose exact
ee
location may need to be kept confidential, so that a map is
not the best way to record them.
Collectors are an intensely territorial species, return-
ing annually to well-defined small areas as faithfully as
migrant swallows to their nesting places, but few indeed are
the collectors who record grid references for all their
captures or observations. fn the interests of brevity and
often of security they give their favourite locality the name
ofa district or nearby village,” often’the nearest bus stop
or ear park or pub. It is then the business of the biological
recorder to secure more precise information, ideally by
accompanying his informant on a collecting trip. His bugbear
is the collector who, well aware of the danger of over-
collecting a rare or local species, cannot resist the tempta=
tion to obtain a long series for his own cabinet but- then
feels in duty bound to make amends by concealing the site from
all other potential collectors. ;
This brings us on to sources of information. Faced with
an area of several thousands of square kilometres, and armed
with personal knowledge of only a few plant or animal groups,
the biological recorder is heavily dependent on outside
sources, of which local natural history societies are the
most important. Collectively or as individuals, at first hand
or through the medium of county recorders, they supply 90% of
his raw materials. Let me emphasise at this point that
although some records are more exciting and interesting than
others this has no bearing on their importance. In fact the
occurrence of a rare vagrant bird.or casual alien plant is of
less importance in-building up a picture of the biological
resources of a county than the knowledge that sparrows nest
or daisies grow in village X. True, there are good records
and bad ones, but badness consists in dubious identifications
or vague localities, which present the conscientious recorder
with his severest problems. All naturalists know the temp-
tation, when in doubt, to "upgrade" their record by referring
it to the rarer of two species, and the collection of a
specimen to authenticate the identification is not always
possible or desirable. Still more frustrating is the remark
"Common everywhere" or "Widespread in the Reading area''. All
this really means is that the observer has seen the species
at sites A, B,C and D but did not note down and cannot now
remember the details, and feels sure that if somebody were to
look for it at site E he would find it. The most a recorder
can do with this is to make an equally vague entry on his
species card and leave a biank on his geographical lists. Thus
the observer has in fact contributed less information than if
they had named one definite locality for the species.
Perhaps the ideal observer from the recorder's point of
view is the one who finds a site that nobody else has looked
at and visits it once a fortnight for three years, recording
everything he can identify and submitting specimens of
everything he cannot. The site need not be outstanding. A
-7 =.
stretch of overgrown hedge along the side of a field, offer-
ing shelter from cold winds and exposure to the sun, can
produce an impressive list. of invertebrates when worked by
this method. But a much less intensive survey than this can
be of value for identifying sites that deserve conservation,
provided that detailed and specific information is forthcoming.
It is easy to say "This is a nice piece of woodland and should
not be destroyed", but a much. better case can be made for its
preservation if one can say instead "This wood contains one
hundred and twenty species of flowering plants, twenty species
of nesting birds and fifteen species of butterflies". Single
observations also have their value, though of course it takes
a lot of them to add up to a systematic survey. ,
In Berkshire there is no county museum, and the biological
- record centre has therefore been established at Reading.
Records sent to the Society's recorders (other than the
Recorder for Vertebrates!) will not necessarily reach the
record centre unless they are selected for publication in the
Reading Naturalist, but I will undertake to pass on to the
appropriate Society or County Recorder any records sent to
me from Berkshire or elsewhere.
ANNOUNCEMENT
'A List of the Diptera of the Reading Area' by H. H.
Carter was published in 1978 as a supplement to the Reading
Naturalist no. 30. It is obtainable, price £1.80, on
application to the author at Reading Museum, Blagrave Street,
Reading.
x Gs
Common Bird Census
by David Jenkins
(Leighton Park School, Bird he ig)
Making regular censuses is an easier way of finding how
many birds are breeding in a certain area than locating
their nests, which, apart from disturbing the nesting birds,
may also lead Corvids to the nest which they will then
plunder. A census is done by walking round an area and mark-
ing on a map all the birds heard singing or seen in that area.
For this a wide knowledge of bird songs and calls is essential.
After making regular censuses throughout the breeding season,
you can superimpose all the records of a certain species
either singing or seen in a small area, and then by drawing a
line round them you find a bird's territory and you can be
almost certain that that bird has a nest within that territory.
2 DIFFERENT
SINGING. (5) BIRDS SINGING (3
KEY TO MAP
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BY BLUE TIT ‘ R ROBIN GO. GOLDFINCH
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is e C CROW
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We W-Ring-hecked duck in Berkshire: ,
by Richard Hewitt : “ ree
(Leighton Park School, Bird’ Group)
On a cold, wet. day, 5th February 1978,°I watched an’ _
adult male fk, S| duck, Aythya collaris, amongst a
flock of about fifty Tufted duck at Theale ‘gravel pit.” * As
many people must have seen this.individual,, either at Theaie *
or, at Burghfield eraver: pits, an account.'of the appearaige
and range.of the BRegi ge may be of. interest.
The hind inadigea dock, which is of the same genus as the
Tufted duck, ‘Aythya § fuligula, is a.casual visitor to Europe |
from North: America. ,It- was first described in Europe from a
‘specimen ‘shot. th fi AchPackire Miron, tuner ae Wadebily offie- -
“tally accepted as a record in 1955. Since then there has
‘been | an. ingreasing number. of sightings: all° over Burope,
“though of course some of. these may be* el We from’ os
“eellections, ‘ — i »
, The Ring-necked eh breeding “sround is the linterior
of” the west of America from British Columbia south ‘to
: Washington and New York, with sporadic breeding further south
Yin western and eastern USA. Since the 1940's it has extended
~itsirange east of the Great Lakes. Mhe wintering areas are
' western, eastern and southern parts’ of the USA, the West
“Indies, Mexico and Guatemala, some ind lividuals reaching
Venezuela and Trinidad. :
‘The’ male is black on its Ypper ner eas glossed with pur-
“ple. on its peaked head and a little green on its back. The
breast; tail, undertail andtip of beak™(nail) are also black.
‘The See are white, with thin black lines making them
resemble grey,!but outlined ‘in pure=white with a broad 'spur'
of white in front of the folded wing. The wing is black
with a faint grey speculum and a wide pale grey stripe along
|} ite, Length, in flight. The bill is a dark grey-blue with a
, Conspicuous, sharply-defined white band behind the black
fail and a narrow white: band around the base. The eyes are
ore and the feet blié-grey to grey.
The, female is mainly” bead, darkest on the crown and ~
lightest on ‘spur’... The flanks and belly are .2 mottled browns:
The’ ‘white’ eyestripe and eye- ring form characteristic
.'spectacles'. ‘The wings are brown with a broad. grey- stripe.
similar . to- the mate. The white on the beak is less conspic-
MARS ‘and ‘there’ is? ‘no band round the nS cof ai ball. :
ome hs male . resembles a mie Tufted duck but the Tufted
“lacks the distinctive bill ‘and white ‘spur ' The Tufted also
has a drooping grest, ‘not a peak. The male Beane Aythya
mardida looks av bat, Tike i at first glance, but has a pale
‘erey back, no b¥11: markings or 'spur'. The female is hard
Le distinguish at a distance from other females but does
“have the’ epee tach
Wo Warem . «7
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Pad a
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In the period 1958-1972, thirty-five Ring-necked ducks
were recorded in Britain. There were probably at most
thirteen individuals, however. Many have stayed for long
periods, but it.is eR ag that over a Pape aa |
appeared in a ok
Apart from a series of records in Armagh, where one or
two birds stayed for eight winters, most occurred on lakes
and flooded gravel pits in southern England. Here also,
individuals returned for successive years. to the same local-
ity (e.g. Dorchester gravel pits in. Berkshire/Oxford, near
Reedham in Norfolk, Slaptonley in. Devon ‘and Marlow gravel
pis. aa ye eirieen ee ne 7 ‘
Bev Streams bn ‘pit aph
roy Py. jm Hooper
Many of you may ponember that a few years ago Peter
Cuss and myself gave a talk on the conservation work we had
been doing on 'the stream'. Those familiar with the local
topography will know it better as Berry Brook, a small brook
flowing from Lower Caversham, along the Thames valley and
parallel to the Henley Road, eventually joining the Thames
at Shiplake. The area we worked on can be reached by walk-
ing a hundred yards along a small lane opposite the entrance
_to Caversham Park Village (see map). The talk we gave was a
‘cehebration of the stream's ‘renaissance; “this articie is,” T
‘am sorry to say, an obituary. The encroaching gravel-
workings have not only eaten tree and ryde, wood and field,
but now the final insult, the stream has been blocked up so
that the bed is dry and barren,..a haven,for rabbits and
birds. The dying leaves rustle and whisper sadly eneneet
themsleves, lamenting lost life ad growth.
One Sunday afternoon, some: ays years ago, Pete and I
took our bi-weekly stroll. down, to the stream,”For. the first
-time we noticcd that things. were. ariiss ‘with ‘the strean. | Ee";
was being used asa rubbish- -durip and. we.decided upon the
spot that something had to be done. The next weekend. weeset
out, armed; with spades, and ropes, rakes and boots; our task»
was to keep us occupied for many yéars. The physical
objects came first under our wrath; a car was towed out by
the Council and with our bare hands we removed a washing-
machine, tin bath, spin-dryer, pram, cash-register,
car-bonnet, tyres and enough brick, concrete and wood to
build a semi-detached house! Many of these had sunk deep
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into thick mud. The car-bonnet needed five of us to remove
it. We both received many cold bootfuls of water, and
freezing duckings when a.rope snapped or a rake broke during
a crucial stage in the “proceedings. I still have this strange
memory of one moment straining to remove a log with my rake,
a sudden crack of wood, and the next moment lying on my baek
under the water. * I can still see-the look on Pete's faee as
i toppled ‘over.
By early spring We had removed all the ated and
turned to the more difficult’ task of erasing the chemical
pollution and restoring the life of the stream. We began by
building a rapid, thus helping oxygen to enter the water,
and gleaning pla antis from other sources. These plants were
placed in:strategic areas, away from the main flow. We spent
many cold February: afternoons fishing on the banks of the
Thames. Within:a few-months, there were flourishing colonies
of Bream, Dace and Stickleback in the stream. We also began
to breed our own snails, so that later that year we were
able to intreduce..large quantities of water-snails, so import-
““hut to the ecology of any stretch of water.” Frog-spawn was
added as well, so that ‘by late spring we had a flourishing
flora and fauna. again. The summer saw Nature cover the
remaining stains-in a fabric of weed and flower. We- rested
from our tcil, except for the occasional clearing-up ;
operation ae mindless vandals had deposited more rubbish
in the clearing waters. If they had everibeen caught we
should not have hesitated to offer them as sacrifices to
Poseidon. The coming of autumn, showed that some work’ was
still necessary, and many more cold days were spent grovelling
in the mud and silt. The animal- and pltunt-life still needed.
re-stocking, and soon we saw the return of Bull-fish and ~
caddis-flies. On the whole, we were able to potter about,
cleaning and aes Time and Nature were doing,;most of
the work now. \p- Fa Sane
The following period saw the best of the stream for
many years. We sat on the banks cooling our feet, the sun,
warming our backs, while the fish basked, flies buzzed and
mosquitoes droned hypnotically, a flash of: -iridescerit blue
heralded the= passage of a kingfisher, a dragon-fly thrummed
past depositing its eggs in the shallow water. By’ moonlight
we sat on the bridge, beneath the stars, smoking our pipes
and listening to-~the-merry- gurgle and' splash of fresh, clean
water. Oke ae tie with life's sweet hum.
This last: Sider our work proved, in the end, to ha
been in vain. The nearby gravel-workings, moving closer “oa
closer, turned the water to thick brown sludge and coated
everything in silt. ‘Slowly this cleared, only for the ford
to be made into a gravel road, to provide-a”- passage for a
giant crane. . The workmen would not remove the gravel,
though they, agreed to carve a narrow channel for’ the water. .
The final insult came in early November when ‘the smaller
up-stream ford was blocked with thick clay. We spent a
say
‘
ee eet
- 7
ae Tew
Saturday morning attempting to carve a channel through this
and succeeded in getting a small flow, but the clay has
unfortunately become a thick sludge and we could remove only
a small amount. Where once there was water and life, there
are now only damp bed and dying plants.
How much more irrevocable damage will be done to our
green and pleasant land, by what some call “‘progress',
‘before the powers-that-be realise there must be an end to
this madness? Those who complain at the loss of ‘pond, hedge
and wood are branded as eccentric and crackpot. We should
not only be striving to save areas of outstanding beauty from
“the avaricious, but also the more common and local country-
side. How long before we wake up and find this typical
countryside has beeome atypieal? The gravel-workings are
only a beginning. Soon will come factories and housing-
estates where birds’ sang and rabbits played. I wish to
remain close to nature, not estranged from it.
Electric Fishing
by HH. H.. Carter
In November 1978 I received word from Dr. Bernard Levy
that the Thames Water Authority intended to fish electrically
a 1Km. stretch of the River Pang between the BBONT reserve
at Moor Copse and the Water Authority's own property in
Pangbourne. As this was an ideal opportunity to study the
fish fauna of the river adjacent to, though not actually in,
a site which is the only BBONT reserve in the Trust's Mid-
Berkshire region and a Site of Special Scientific Interest,
I.presented myself on 9th November at the place appointed,
where I met BBONT's Conservation Officer, Michael Horwood,
Mr. Tudor Davies and three other members of the syndicate who
own the fishing rights and at whose request the operation
was carried out, and a team of four from the Thames Water
Authority to-do the actual work. Dr. Levy joined us later.
The object was to remove all so-called "Coarse Fish",
i.e. the summer-breeding species including all non-Salmonids
and Grayling, which were’ to be transported to other waters,
leaving the remaining Salmonids for the benefit of the anglers.
I was told that when the electric fishing programme was
started two years ago, Grayling were found to be very numer-
ous ( a figure of 1500 was quoted but I treat all anglers'
estimates with caution) and Dace were non-existent. At some
S Gus
time Rainbow Trout and more recently Salmon parr had been
introduced to supplement the existing native Brown Trout.
No Salmon were seen on this occasion, but parr-sized fish
would be unaffected by the fishing gear and are easily con-
fused with young trout.
The equipment used was a fibreglass boat containing a
portable petrol generator supplying current at 110 volts.to
a control unit which emitted it as a pulsed DC potential to
two positive electrodes in the form of 200mm. square grids
mounted on insulated poles. The negative electrode was a
length of copper braid towed behind the boat. The pulse
rate was adjusted by trial and error (depending on the con-
ductivity of the water) so as to stun the more susceptible
fish while causing only temporary disorientation to. the less
susceptible. Large fish and fish with a low metabolic rate
are more susceptible. The winter-breeding Salmonids have
a high metabolic rate, whence their habit of breeding in
winter when the oxygen content of the water is high. Only
the largest trout were at all seriously affected, whereas
most of the Grayling and all the other coarse fish of 150mm.
(6") and upwards were temporarily paralysed. The team of
two electrode-wielders and two net-men donned chest-length
waders and towed the boat upstream, catching the stunned
fish and dumping them into a polythene bathtub in the boat.
At intervals the current was switched off while the bathtub
was emptied into a land-borne trailer carrying three large
storage tanks and a cylinder of oxygen which was bubbled
through them. Here the fish rapidly revived.
By noting down all fish as they appeared, I obtained
the following estimate of population. (Note that all small
fish such as sticklebacks, bullheads and minnows, and the fry
of larger species, remained uncaught.)
Brown Trout Salmo trutta L. E52
Rainbow Trout Salmo irideus Gibb. 8 (Quite a few
Sef “these rx
probably
passed as
Brown Trout
poorly seen.)
Grayling Thymallus thymallus (L.) 96
Dace Leuciscus leuciscus (L.) 283
Chub L. cephalus (L.) i
Pike Esox lucius L. 1 of about 4Kg
Co 25)’,
thought to be
a recent
introduction.
cae HE.
The two most numerous species, Dace ahd Brown Trout,
were noticeably concentrated in a few favoured spots, par-
ticularly the Dace which were in shoals of ten to thirty.
It was evident that removal of large numbers of Grayling in
previous years had led to recolonisation from Moor Copse
upstream and immigration of Dace (probably from the Thames)
from: downstream, so that prior to this day's fishing a popu-
lation gradient existed along this stretch of river, with
Grayling dominant at the south (Moor Copse) end and Dace
dominant throughout the northern (Pangbourne) half. No
doubt this gradient will soon re-establish itself.
One Crayfish was also seen, and this animal (which does
not respond to-clectric fishing) is known to be abundant .in
the lower Pang.
National Grid References of the two ends of the stretch
fished are: SU 6369 7580 and SU 6368 7507.
The Grayling were removed to a gravel pit near Fairford
(except for three small. examples taken for Reading Museum),
the Pike was killed and the remaining coarse fish were
removed to the River Cole.in west Berkshire.
Coppicing for Conservation Management
by Ne ah? Phillips
Coppicing was once widely used as a method of providing
a ready supply of small timber. If,.for example, hazel was
the tree to be coppiced, the end products could have been
- bean-poles, hurdles for use round the farm, stakes. or, if
it was crooked, fire-wood. In the Chilterns, beech was often
coppiced to provide the furniture trade at High Wycombe with
arms and legs for chairs. Beech coppice:was also used to
fuel brick kilns, such as the one on Nettlebed Green. Oak
has also been coppiced, to provide very tough farm stakes
for fencing and, like the beech, for furniture.
Coppicing is the action of cutting off the re-growth
from the stool or stump of a tree on a regular basis at int-
ervals of seven to twenty years depending on the species
involved. If the coppice is well managed and the stools do
not crowd each other, the shoots coming from the recently
cut stump will grow straight and tall. The cutting takes
place when the required diameter has been reached. This of
course. depends on the use the wood.will be put to. Hazel
- 15--
coppice for hurdles may be cut at seven years and oak for
‘stakes at twenty.
Coppicing as a form of forest management, probably
dates back to Neolithic times, although it was then undoubt-
“edly done accidentally and haphazardly. In 1483 A.D. in the
“reign of Edward IV, a statute came into force authorising
the enclosure of recently cleared woodlands for seven years,
to exclude pigs, goats, sheep and cattle. This was to allow
the coppice time to develop without browsing by animals.
From this date until quite recently, coppiced woods played
an ever increasing part in the economy of the countryside.
However, at the present date of 1978, coppicing has virtually
ceased because of the existence of mechanical saws which can
cut timber to any size required, making it unnecessary to
select carefully the sb Pade piece of timber fora
particular job.
This brings us to the point of this paper. Why should
we be concerned about re-establishing a type of woodland
management now redundant? Whichever type of tree is coppiced,
the effect is much the same. The crown of the tree is virtu-
ally growing straight from the ground without a trunk. Thus,
there is a dense leafy cover providing food and shelter for
many animals. Insects, birds and mammals have all come to
utilise this habitat during the several thousand years it
has been available, and since the decline of coppice woods
in the last fifty years several animal species have also
declined, including the nightingale, whitethroat, grasshopper-
warbler and dormouse. Many other commoner species will use
coppiced areas to nest and feed, and although they are not
confined to coppice, it may be a preferred habitat if
available. '
Among coppiced areas that have been revived in recent
years by Conservation bodies are Waterperry Woods near Oxford,
managed by the Nature Conservancy, and the Warburg Reserve
at Bix Bottom owned by BBONT. In both cases, the coppice
cycle has been established to encourage local wildlife pop-
ulations and the forest produce is of secondary importance.
At the Warburg Reserve, an eleven-acre plot of hazel, ash
and hawthorn is being coppiced on an eight-year cycle with
the whole plot divided into eight sub-plots, one of which is
“cut each year. Any useful timber that comes from the coppice
is trimmed and stacked for sale to the public. Bean-poles
and ash stakes are thé main’ products.
The actual cutting of the stools can be carried out in
several different ways. At the Warburg Reserve, Yorkshire
billhooks and small bow saws are used. Other methods
include using 2% 1b Canadian axes and petrol-driven saws.
Whichever method is chosen, it is important that the cut
stump should end up with a clean top. If it is left with a
ragged top, water and a variety of fungus’ spores will have
easy access into the stump and it will rot very quickly.
« aie. =
Obviously, coppicing, if done correctly, is time con-
suming and when voluntary labour is used, as is often the
case, need for instruction in the correct use of tools may
double the time that has to be spent. ‘However, a correctly
carried-out coppice programme can produce a very rich
habitat.
“
_— — ee eee
Mining for Chalk
by HaHe Carter
The accidental discovery in 197 of an extensive series
of chambers and galleries under ground at Emmer Green, in
addition to those already long known to exist there, was
featured in the local papers and attracted much attention.
They are by no means unique, however, and similar excavations
are known at Yattendon, at Holme Park near Sonning, and at
Warren Row, between Henley and Bowsey Hill. Chalk was also
dug from beneath the brick pits at Katesgrove in Reading,
Where Elgar Road now runs, though there’ is no record here of
extensive lateral galleries.
In view of the numerous surface-chalkpits in our area,
it may seem strange that the trouble and expense of under-
ground workings was thought worth while to extract so common
a mineral. The explanation is to be found in the’ rapid
advances in agricultural practice during the early eighteenth
century when most of these excavations were started. Large
landowners discovered that, by suitable treatment, hitherto
unproductive soils could be made to yield a profit. Chemical
fertilisers as used today were unknown, but it was obvious
that some soils were too light and thin to produce good
crops, particularly on’ chalk and gravel subsoils, while
others, on clay, were unduly heavy, and although fertile,
were difficult to plough without mechanical aid, sticky, cold
and slow to dry out in winter, and apt to break up into
brick-hard slabs in summer. In both states they were most
discouraging to root growth. The ideal soils’ were those
which were intermediate in character. The obvious solution
was to add clay to the chalky and gravelly soils, and chalk
to the gravel and clay soils. Farmers were convinced that
weathered chalk from surface pits was inferior to fresh
chalk from underground, especially when this had been pro-
tected from the elements by a blanket of impervious clay,
and were willing to pay extra to get the best. Chalk was
also burnt for lime, used to make mortar to bind the mil-
lions of bricks which went into the building of the fast
ey
growing towns, and was the main ingredient of whiting,
which had many indu¢trial uses. Lime-burners, too, main-
tained that underground chalk produced a"fatter! stronger
lime, and whiting-makers found it whiter and purer than
surface chalk. The mines also yielded fresh unweathered
flint, inferior for road-making but especially attractive
to manufacturers of porcelain. It is after all ‘not so
surprising that several deep mines for ehalk were sunk in
the Reading area, all without exception located in places
where the outcrop of the chalk disappears under the proteot-
ive clay cover of the Reading Beds.
For small farmers who could not afford to lay out
thirty or thirty-five shillings an acré for mining and
carting chalk, there was an alternative, do-it-yourself
method. If there was no convenient surface outcrop of chalk
on their land, the local well-digger would no doubt be able
to tell them where chalk might be expected at a reasonable
depth (anything under thirty feet) and would be prepared to
Sink a chalk-well, as it was called. The rest of the
operation could then be carried out using the ordinary farm
labour and equipment. From the base of the well galleries
known as angles were driven outwards and upwards until they
reached the buried upper surface of the chalk and ran into
clay or gravel. As the work proceeded, the loose chalk
rolled away down the sloping floor of the angle to the
bottom of the well-shaft, where it could be hauled out by
means of'a rope with a bucket on one end-and a horse on the
other. Whenever an angle ran out of chalk, another would be
started, and finally, if necessary, the chalk between the
angles could be removed until the roof showed signs of
caving in. The well would then be abandoned and the roof
would ultimately collapse, leaving a shallow bowl-shaped
depression. Not far from the Yattendon chalk mines there is
a small wood called Chalkangles.which.must mark the site of
a chalk-well, inspired perhaps by the large-scale mining
nearby, and some of the other Angle-, Angel- and Engle-
place=names of our area may have a similar origin.
In the large mines the roof was left supported by
pillars of chalk, but the entrance might become blocked and
the site forgotten until rediscovered by chance, as happened
at Yattendon and Emmer Green, so there are probably still a
few more such mines awaiting a finder.
The possibility of reclaiming poor land by the methods
here described led, in the later eighteenth and early nine-
‘teenth century, to the wave of enclosures of hitherto
uncultivated common land by acts of parliament which trans-
ferred it into private ownership, to.be parcelled out into
the pattern of hedged fields. now thought of as traditional
and changing once more under the impact of further advances
in agricultural method.
= Le
Fungi found in Reading area, 1978
by A. Brickstock
A poor season, owing to the unusual dryness, terminated
by “the heavy frosts during the week November 19th-26th.
The nomenclature is that of the Biological Records Centre.
I AGARICALES
Agaricus campestris Coprinus micaceus
Dientilas
Agrocybe cylindracea
praccox Cortinarius cinnamnmeus
} decipiens
Amanita citrina elatior
citrina var alba saturninus
PULA.» ' ;
muscaria Drosella fracida
pantherina
rubescens Flammulina velutipess
Armillaria mellea Galerina hypnorum
mycenopsis
Bolbitius vitellinus
Gomphidius viscidus
Boletus badius
chrysenteron Gymnopilus penetrans
edulis .
piperatus Hebeloma crustuliniforme
subtamentosus fastibile
tridentinus
Hysrophoropsis aurantiaca
Cantharellula cyathiformis .
Hygrophorus conicus
Cantharellus. cibarius _. : eburneus
psittacinus
Clitocybe cerussata
clavipes Hypholoma fasciculare
dicolor sublateritium
nebularis
suaveolens Laccaria amethysten
laccata
Collybia butyracea
confluens Lacrymaria velutina
fusipes
maculata Lactarius blennius.,
chrysorrheus
Conocybe tenera glyciosmus
helvus
Coprinus atramentarius pyrogalus
bisporus quietus
comatus rufus
disseninatus subdulcis
at: oe
-. Lactarius tabidus
torniwtosus
Leccinum scaber
Lepiota cristata
procera
sistrata
Lepista saeva
Lyophyllum decastes
Marasmius androsaceus
oreades
Melanoleuca melaleuca
Mycena fibula
galericulata
galopus
polygramma
pura
swartzii
vitilis
Nolanea sericea
Oudemansiella radicata
Panaeolus foenisecii
Paxillus involutus
ee oR oe a
Clavaria helvola
Coriolus hirsuts
versicolor
Daedalea quercina
Fomes annosus
III GASTEROMYCETALES
Lycoperdon caelatun
depressum
excipuliforme
perlatunm
pyriforme
Pholiota squarrosa
Pleurotus dryinus
Pluteus cervinus
Psathyrella conopilea
gracilis
hydrophila
Russula aeruginea
. atropurpurea
densifolia
emetica
fragilis
integra
mairei
ochroleuca
pulchella
Stropharia aeruginosa
Suillus aeruginascens
bovinus
luteus
variegatus
Tricholomopsis platyphylla
rutilans
Tubaria furfuracea
Grifola gigantea
sulphurea
Piptoporus betulinus
Polyporus brumalis
squamosus
varius
Stereum rugosum
Mutinus caninus
Phallus impudicus
Scleroderma: aurantium
= 2X0)
IV__HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES
Dacrymyces deliquescens
V ASCOMYCETES
Chlorosplenium aeruginascens Mitrula paludosa
Daldinia concentrica ~Xylaria hypoxylon
Se
Most members will know about the small area of chalk
erassland at Aston Upthorpe, sometimes called Juniper Valley,
and many will have visited it in April, when the Pasqueflower
Anemone pulsatilla, is in bloom. There are many other typ-
ical chalk grassland flowers in the valley, which is
scheduled as a Grade 1 Site of Special Scientific Interest,
mainly on account of the Juniper growing there. This oes
is now comparatively scarce and.its habitat is also
diminishing.
The Berkshire, Buekinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Naturalists’ Trust. (BBONT) has Managed a sniall area of the
valley (about 1.1 acres) since 1964, on the basis of a —
'sentleman's agreementt for fifteen years, expiring in April
this year. The land has changed hands twice since then, and
it is now very gratifying to report that on 15th January,-a
further Agreement was signed by the present owner for a
five-year term of management by BBONT, not°only for the
present small’ enclosed area, but for the entire valley, con-
sisting as it does of thirty-nine acres. After «five years
from January, the Agreement would be renewable annually.
Certain conditions are attached to the Agreement, for
example that the fencing erected by the.Trust around the
original area shall be removed, and no “BBONT signs will be
displayed, but unrestricted access to the valley will be’
available to BBONT members, who should: carry their member-=
ship cards. Grazing with cattle or sheep will continue, but
the Trust will be responsible for the major management. tasks,
such as ragwort pulling and rabbit control, also the clear-
ance of scrub other than Juniper. An aceount of the area
hitherto managed by the Trust appears in the Reading.
Nectrat tei, UGe 27, Dae Os
(Me Re weseir’
a ete
The -Recorder' s Report for Botany
1977-78
by B. M. Newman
Fewer records were received this year than last but
they covered a wide range of families and habitats. Records
were sent by the following members and are gratefully
acknowledged:=- Dr. J. Andrews (JA); Dr. H. J. M. Bowen
(HJMB); Mr. H. Carter (HC); Miss L. B. Cobb (LEC);
Mr. M. Dumbleton (MD); Mrs. B. Kay (BK); Mrs. A. M.
Sandels (AMS) and Mrs. E. M. Trembath (EMT).
The nomenclature and order are according to the "Flora
of the British Isles"~by Clapham,~Tutin-and-Warburg. An
alien taxon is indicated by an asterisk (*). Most of the
English Tames are from "English *’ ames of Wild Flowers",
the recommended list of the Botanical Society of the British
Isles, but if a different name is commonly used locally it
is put in immediately after the scientific name in addition
to the recommended one.
List of Members! J Records
Dryopteris bi borreri Newn. | Scaly Male-fern
Scarce, in woodland, Moor pees HJMB
Myosurus minimus L. Mousetail
Among shrubs in Whiteknights Park. ’ HJMB
Papaver dubium L. Long-headed Poppy
Abbey Rugby Football Ground at Chalkhouse Green, north of
Readine;useen throughout the flowering season. - HG
Papaver argemone L. Prickly Poppy
Cornfields on top of Sulham Hill. “HJMB
Papaver somniferum L. | Opium Poppy
Well Barn Farr, Moulsford Downs, 14.7.78; Drayton St.
Leonard, xen « 7678-6 LEC
Corydalis claviculata (L.) Dc Climbing Corydalis
Seen on N.H.S. excursion near Stanford Dingley; Hocketts
Wood; Bucklebury fish ponds. _HJMB
Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.). DC | Perennial Wall-rocket
One large plant, Amersham Road, Cavershan. HJMB
iberis amara L. “Wild fate os
Well Barn Farm, 14.7. 78. LEC
*Thlaspi alliaceum L. i Garlic..Penny-cress
Arable field south of Pandey 4 School, Wokingham. — MD
Teesdalia nudicaulis (L.) R.Br. Shepherd's Cress
Frilford Golf Course; first record for many years.
Found by J. Malven, HJMB
|
Se oe
*Sisymbrium austriacum Jacq.
Near Tate and Lyle building, Whiteknights Park. Casual. HJMB
Reseda luteola L. ' Weld
Hurley. 19.6.78. ig) J > | LEC
Hypericum androsaemum L. Tutsan
Seen on N.H.S. excursion, by path, Hocketts Wood. HJMB.
Hypericum x desetangsii Lamotte
Lower part of Padworth Gully; N.H.S. excursion. HJMB
Hypericum humifusum L. Trailing St. John's Wort
Ashampstead, 15.7.78; ‘Crowell Hill Farm, nate: LEC
Lychnis coronaria (L.) Desv.
Two or threc healthy clumps in plantation near Hook End. BK
Spergularia rubra (L.) J. & C. Presl Sand-spurrey
Sutton's old trial grounds. Ato chMB
Malva neglecta Wallr. Dwarf Mallow ,
Drayton St. Léonard, 17.7.78. ; Ls oubne
Geranium pyrenaicum a ts Hedgerow Crane's-bill
Hurley, 19.6.7. | a LEC
Geranium rotundifolium L. Round-leaved Crane's-bill
Drayton ‘Gul beanamd, 7.7. au , . _ LEC
Geranium pusillum L. Small-flowered Crane's-_—
Drayton St. Leonard, 17.7.78. bE: he [GBC
Geranium robertianum L. Herb-Robert .
White form, Ashampstead, 15.7.78. ; LEC
*Ononis natris lL.
On Membury airfield, S. W. Berks. Found by Mrs. Frankum
and J. Gilbey. Possibly a survival from World War IT. HJMB
Medicago arabica (L.) Huds. Spotted Medick
Grass verge, Wychwood Close, Earley. JA
*Coronilla varia L. Crown Vetch
Membury airficld. OTE. | HJMB
Lathyrus nissolia L. Grass Vetchling
One plant, Hurley, 19.6.78. 3 oC
Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz. _ Wild Service-tree
Near Wyfold “entrance oe New ie identified by fallen 3
eaves. J ° 1, HC
Young trees, possibly — sown, near Bradfield. EMT
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium L. Opposite-leaved
Golden-saxifrage
Seen on N.H.S. excursion in alder gully, Hocketts Wood. HJMB
Hippuris vulgaris L. Mare 's-tail
Frequent in Blue Pool, StanfovdDingley. Seen om. ‘He,
excursion. t7B HJMB
Callitriche obtusangula Le Gall Blunt-frnuited Water-
In River Pang, Moor Copse. starwort: é HJMB
i
Viscum album L. Mistletoe
On Tilia at the County Agricultural College, Burchett's
Green; Midgham Park, 8.1.78. JA
‘Bupleurum sp. (presumably rotundifolium L.) Thorow-wax
Mrs. A. Wynne of 31, Reading Road, Cholsey, says "I
reported a Thorow-wax in my garden a few-years ago. It
seeded, but there have been no further plants until this
year when one appeared. Presumably the seeds have been
dormant, as there are no other plants around, and it is
within a few inches of the first". HC
Sison amomum L. Stone Parsley
On waste ground in central Reading. HJMB
Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville Lesser Water-parsnip
In river Pang, Moor Copse. HJMB
Oenanthe fluviatilis (P-b.) Coleman River Water-dropwort
In river Pang, Moor Copse. HJMB
Merculiaris annua L. . Annual Mercury
Well Barn Farn. LEC
Quercus petraea Gat tuschice) Liebl. Sessile Oak
Near, but not in a row of planted Q. robur along the S.W.
Side of New Copse. Identified from fallen twigs.as the
trunk is clean and the crown high ‘up in the canopy;
leaves characteristic, with long petioles, no auricles
‘and stellate pubescence beneath, but the tree apparently
did not fruit this year. HC
Lysimachia nemorum L. Yellow, Pimpernel
Footpath near Wyfold entrance to New Copse. HC
Lysimachia nummularia L. | Creeping Jenny
Crowsley, 21.7-70. HC
Lysimachia vulgaris L. Yellow Loosestrife
Boggy pond at Kate's Castle entrance to New Copse,
throughout the flowering season. HC
*Lysimachia punctata L.
A clump in scrub near Stanford Dingley. HJMB
Gentiana pneumonanthe L. | Marsh Gentian
Still abundant on Hook Common, more than one hundred
seen, 11.9-78. LEC
Symphytum officinale L. Comfrey
Some four or five plants on newly made gravel bank in
Nipper's Grove, Hook End, and in mood about ten feet
away. BK
Pentaglottis sempervirens (L.) Tausch Green Alkanet
Ashampstead, 15.7.7. « DRC,
Anchusa arvensis (L.) Bieb. Bugloss
On disturbed “ground at junction of new peripheral road
and Shinfield Road, 26.7.78. JA
Echium vulgare L. Viper 's-bugloss
Well Barn Farm, 14.7.78. LEC
ee oR
Hyoscyamus niger L. ‘Henbane
On disturbed ground at junction of new peripheral road and
Bhanfield Road, 26.7.70. JA
*Nicandra_physalodes (L.) Gaertn.
Rare, at Sutton's old trial grounds. HJMB
*Datura stramonium L. Thorn-apple
In the garden of Mr. Prior at Charvil, fruiting 8.9.77: HC
Verbascum thapsus'L. Aaron's Rod Great Mullein
Old chalkpit on north side of Crowsley Forest, not seen
here before, 2.7.78. HC
Antirrhinum orontium L. Weasel's Snout. -.Lessér: Snapdragon
In arable field by footpath from Flowercroft Wood to
Peppard Church, 21.7.78. HC |
Chaenorhinum minus (L.) Lange Small Toadflax ;
In arable field by footpath from Flowereroft Wood to
Peppard Church, 21.7.78. : . : HC
*Scrophularia vernalis is Yellow Figwort
Bonfire site in Whiteknights Park; still locally frequent
at Bucklebury. 8 _.. HdJMB
Veronica scutellata L. Marsh Speedwell
By pond,,.on top of Sulham, Hill. HJMB
Rhinanthus minor L. Yellow Rattle
Centre clearing, Crowsley Forest, 21.7.78. HC
Odontites jambertiana
This yellow-flowered plant survives at Aldermaston where
it was recorded as O. lutea several Lace Ago (see
Reading Naturalist No. 18‘p. 40.). ~._HJMB
Orobanche elatior Sutton Tall Broomrape ;
hat Knapweed Broomrape
Ridgway, near Whitehorse Hill, parasitic on Knapweed..-
Mw HeS. excursion. HJMB
Orobanche minor Sm... . Common Broomrape
Ashampstead, 15.7.78. : LEC
Verbena officinalis L. Vervain
"Bug's Bottom", Cavershan. : AMS
Mentha arvensis L. Corn Mint
ec es a
Crowell Hill Farm, 26.8.78. : * “LEC:
Stachys arvensis (L.) L. Field Woundwort
Crowell Hill Farm, 26.8.78. ee LEC
Galeopsis bifida Boenn.
In woodland clearings, Padworth Gully, N.H.S. excursion: HJMB
Plantago coronopus L. Buck's-horn Plantain
Frequent at Sutton's old trial grounds. HJMB
+Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) Blake Shaggy Soldier
Frequent at Sutton's old trial grounds. HJMB
22> =
Senecio integrifolius (L.) Clairv. Field Fleawort
About five hundred plants on Whitehorse Hill, N.H.S.
excursion. HJMB
Chrysanthemum vulgare (L. ) Bernh. | Tansy
Ashampstead, 15.7.79. LEC
Rough slope, adjoining the Hemdean Road end of “Bug's
Bottom", Caversham. tt AMS
Cichorium intybus L. Chicory _wu98
Near Christchurch Road, Reading, 19.7.78. - LEC
Picris echioides L.. Bristly Oxtongue
Ashampstead, 15.7.78;. Drayton St. Leonard, 17.778... LEG
*Cicerbita wnacrophyi1a (Willd.) Wallr. Blue Sow-thistile
Ashampstead, 15.7.7. LEC
Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz -Broad-leaved
‘ne Helleborine
Lower part of Padworth Gully; plantation E. of Rage al a:
Hill. N.HvS. excursion. 13 HJMB
Aldermaston Soke (found by Mrs. Ford). HC
Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich. Bird's-nest Orchid
Wyfold Copse. > -- ) HC
Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm. “Frog Orchid
Rather scarce on Whitehorse Hill, N.H.S. excursion. HJMB
Orchis maiscuba (L.) G07 . ' Early-purple Orchid
Large numbers this year in cs aad at Moor-Copse ;
Reserve. EMT
Anacamptis pyramidalis de ) Rich. Pyramidal Orchid
Footpath from Flowersroft Wood to Kent's Hill, ae
eLe~afos HC
Carex vesicaria L. adiicr aaah
In dry pond on top of Sulham Hill (shown to me by
My oe). ~ HIMB
Carex stricosa ‘Huds. Thin-spiked Wood-
sedge
Wet woodland rides, M.oor Copse. HJMB
Catabrosa aquatica (L.) Beauv. Whorl-grass
Locally dominant .near Blue Pool, Stanford Dingley,
N.H.S. excursion. HJMB
*Poa. chatwig Viti. Broad-leaved
Meadow-frass
Still locally abundant around Padworth st Rc thacy
excursion. HJMB
a ar. =
The Recorder's Report for Vertebrates, 1977-1978
by HH. H. Canter
FISH
Lampetra planeri (Bloch) Brook Lamprey
Present in the Pang near Pangbourne (T. D.) and, the
Winterbourne near Bagnor (R.B.).
Salmo salar L. Salmon
Parr were introduced into the Pang below Tidmarsh anette 1976
but have not been seen since. (T.D.)
S .--trutta “L. Brown Trout .
Several in the Lambourn at agar, 6th May (R.D.N.H.S.
excursion).
Thymallus thymallus (L.) Grayling
One at Bagnor in the Lambourn, 6th May. The following
records from the Reading Chronicle extend the known range of
the named species in our area.
Esox lucius L. Pike
In the Kennet between Burghfield and Reading and the Thames
at Remenham. In the Lambourn and Winterbourne at Bagnor
but not seen there on 6th May (R.B.).
Barbus barbus (L.) Barbel
In the Thames at Radcot north of° Faringdon and at
Wallingford, in the Kennet at Woolhampton.
Gobio gobio (L.) Gudgeon
In the Thames at Radcot.
Pornea pines (L.) . Tench
In the Theale gravel pits and the Kennet at Woolhampton.
Leuciscus cephalus (L.) Chub
In the Thames at Lechlade and Renenhan, in the Loddon near
Stratfield Saye.
Ll. Leuciseus (L.) Dace
In the Thames at Tilehurst and Radley, the Kennet at Hamstead
Marshall and the Loddon near Stratfield Saye.
Dewutaios (i) / Roach
In a lake near Winnersh (Bearwood?).
Nemacheilus barbatula Cm.) Stone Loach
One taken in the Thanes at dirgaieck e7th July, wom e with
Minnow and Dace.
Abramis brama (L.) Bream
In the Thames at Remenhan.
Anguilla anguilla (L.) Eel
Found by the Thames Water Authority fishing team only ina
tributary of the Cole at Watchfield and in the
Gloucestershire Coln beyond Lechlade. Occurs in the
Lambourn at Bagnor but not seen there on 6th May (R.B.).
a Oe le
The species must therefore occur in the Kennet and Thames —
as a migrant although it is seldom taken by anglers.
Perea, fiuviatilis L. Perch
In the Kennet at Woolhampton and Southcote.
Gasterosteus aculeatus L. Three-spined Stickleback
In the Lambourn at Bagnor on 6th May (R.D.N.H.S. excursion).
Pygosteus pungitius (L.) Ten-spined Stickleback
In the Winterbourne at Bagnor but not seen on 6th May (R.B.).
The habitat for the last two species in Berry Brook is now
presumably destroyed (see p. 10) (E <Drrdis
ed Further information on fish is contained in an article
published on page 12 of this issue of Reading Naturalist,
and will be summarised in next year's report as it dates
from November and the recording year traditionally ends with
the Society's A.G.M.
AMPHIBIANS
Rana temporaria L. Frog
Male at Leighton Park on 30th March, six there on 2nd
April (B.T.P.). One croaking in the Horse Pond, Gallowstree
Common, lst April. Spawn in Whiteknights Lake, 2nd April
(B.T.P.) and 1SthcApril (S.J.W.).~A’ good example of the
"explosive breeding" of this species, commencing on the same
date over a wide area in response to our unpredictable
climate. Two present during the summer in S.J.W.'s garden
at Spencers Wood. :
Bufo bufo (L.) Toad /
One dead on road at Emmer Green on 3rd April, two dead at
Three Firs, Burghfield Common (no date), one dead in
Binfield Lane near Sonning Common on 9th September. Two
taken alive at Woolhampton in May (ir. Richards).
REPTILES
Anguis fragilis L. Slow Worm
Common at Kintbury (.r. Richards).
Natrix natrix (L.) Grass Snake
A number of records from Moor Copse and the surrounding
area from June to September, all from E.M.T., maximum three.
with two young ones in Hogmoor Copse on llth July.
Vipera berus (L.) Adder
One at Pamber Road Garage, Silchester on llth June (B. T 2 Jo
MAMMALS
Talpa_ europaea L. Mole
Numerous molehills along the banks of the Thames from
38 2
Caversham Bridge upstream to Scours Lane, November 1977.
Moles active at Spencers Wood on 10th November 1977, 3rd
January and 9th February, despite frozen soil. on the last
date (S.J.W.). A mole run in New Copse, Gallowstree Common,
on 18th December 1977 and several in nearby Wyfold Copse on
various dates in March 1978. One found dead in Spring Wood,
Sonning Common, on 3rd June.
Sorex araneus L. Common Shrew
Found dead at Spencers Wood on 16th and 21st February
during the very cold weather, and several’heard chattering
there on 3rd May (S.J.W.). Fifteen heard on various dates
from 14th February to 30th June in the Sonning Common area.
One found dead at Waltham St. Lawrence on 26th April by
children of be primary SCHOOL. ‘Several traoved at South Stoke, 1977
S. minutus Dp. Pygmy Shrew (R.C.L,)
One found dead at Spencers Wood on 16th February (S.J.W.).
Remains in pellets” of Barn’ Owl, La ttre stoke *in. 2377 *
CEipCadig dee
Neomys fodiens Pallas Water Shrew
Seen at South Stoke, and remains found in pellet of
Sparrowhewk there in 1977 (R.C.L.).
Erinaceus europaeus L. Hedgehog
Emerged.- from hibernation at Spencers Wood on ath and 8th
March, after which two were often seen in S.dJ.W.'s garden.
One seen scratching vigorously using the hind feet in alt-
ernation, léeth August. Courtship circling so frequent that
a.track of 0.6 metres (2 feet) diameter was worn in the
grass. Road fatalities unusually common during the year,
mainly on country roads south of Reading but also at Caversham
and on the Basingstoke Road in Reading. One discovered in
a half bale of hay at Spencers Wood on 3rd November 1977
(all S. J. W.). .One dead on road east of Henley, on 1st
October, five seen alive,.eleven dead on roads around Sonning
Common from 15th to 28th November 1977 and 12th May to 17th
August 1978, five seen together, mostly young, on Ceversham
Park Estate on 20th May, one on 24th May and two on Ltht~
Se, tember.
Pipistrellus pipl istrellus dt rabee) Pipistrelle
Several seen at Spencers Wood on all warm days .up to.
November (S.J.W.); thirty to forty in summer roost under
facing tiles of house wall at’ 1) Blenheim Road eu D.McD.).
Nyctalus noctula (Schreber) Noctule
One or two seen often at’ Spencers Wood. Up to four at Cross
Lane. Farm, Beech Hill in September and: October. Several |
seen'on the R.D.N.H.S. excursion to Stratfield Saye on ade
May (alt &. Jd. W.)-. .
Plecotus auritus (L.) Long-e eared Bat
One in.the living-room of 3 Priory Copse, Svea ie Common, on
llth October evaded all attempts at capture until evicted by
the Recorder with a shrimping net. This highly publicity-
conscious mammal was evidently determined to remain in the
room until the following day, thus earning a mention in both
= DG) =
this and the next issue of Reading Naturalist (see note at
end of Fish section).
Vulpes vulpes (L-) Pox”
Six cubs reared at 24 Northcourt heen in 1977 (G.M.).
One at Spencers Wood on 2lst January,,four cubs playing at
Pingewood on the late date of 26th July, one dead on the M4
at Bureghfield (S.J.W.). One dead in Hartslock Woods on
12th February (C.BB. Two near Rectory Road, Padworth, on
12th March (M.J.H.-)., One in the Coombes, Barkham Hill, no
date, (M,C. and D.A.).. One barking at Crowsley on 19th
October 1977, the first time .I.have heard this call in our
area, three short gruff barks being uttered within one
second. One at Cucumber Plantation, Sonning Common, mobbed
by a pair of crows, 14th June. Foxes heard or signs seen
in the Sonning Common area, and a long-dead corpse found,
on eight other dates from 5th February to 10th October:
Meles meles (L.) Badger .
A cub dead on the A33 near Swallowfield, no date. Setts in
Sandy Lane and the Coombes, Barkham Hill, an area which in
the past has produced few records (M.C. and D.A.). One
found dying in Binfield Lane, presumably the victim of a
car, on 19th August.
Mustela erminea L. Stoat
One dead on Inkpen to Kintbury road in April’ (B.T.P.).
Tracks seen-in Wellington Country Park.on 4th May (M.T.).
One in Moor Copse on 27th July (3B.R.B.).
M. nivalis L, Weasel
One. seen at South Stoke in 1977 (R.C.L.). One seen in Park
Wood, Moor Copse, on 16th April, pursuing a ‘baby rabbit into
cover,.returned to sight.without its prey (E.M.T.).
Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) Rabbit
Fewer seen than usual around Spencers Wood, ohne juvenile
caught by a cat on 12th August (S.J.W.). Many south of
Shiplake on llth April, abundant signs at Shiplake Row an’
9th Junes Present at Bagnor on 6th May (R.D.N.H.S:
excursion). There were one hundred and fifty sightings in
the Sonning Common area, up to eight or nine together on
several occasions. One case of myxomatosis.
Lepus capensis PALIAs Brown Hare.
One west of White Horse H ill on 1st July (R.D.N. H. Ss
excursion); six sightings in the Sonning Common area, never
more than two together. |
Muscardinus _avellanarius (L.)° Dormouse
A colony rat Upper Basildon (T.D.). Last PopemEd., in 1975
from Sawyers Wood, Tidmarsh, not far from Upper Basildon.
Myocastor coypus (Molina) Coypu
A report received via M.B. of an’ enormous aa supposedly
0.7 metre in length, in’ a stream near R.O.F. (Royal Ordnance
Factory), Burghfield, can only relate to this species.
Clethrionomys_ glareolus Schreber Bank Vole
Remains found in pellet of Tawny Owl at Goring in 1977
Cae aire ys
im Ses
Arvicola amphibius (L.) Water Vole’
Signs at South Stoke in 1977 (R.C.L.). Present at Bagnor
by the Lambourn on 6th May (R.D.N.H.S. excursion). In: brook
‘under Station Road, Theale, in the summer of 1978 (S.J.W.).
Microtus agrestis (L) Short-tailed Vole
Trapped at South Stoke in 1977 in some numbers, remains found
in pellets of Sparrowhawk at South Stoke, of Barn Owl at
Little Stoke and of Short-eared Owl at Hartslock (R.C.L.).
One found dead at 82 Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, on
21st January.
Apodemus sylvaticus (L.) | Wood Mouse
One frequented Chiltern Edge Church at Gallowstree Common
from November to December 1977, when: it was trapped. One in
toolshed at 82 Kennylands Road, December 1977. Trapped in
large numbers at South Stoke, Goring and Hartslock in 1977,
also remains found in pellets of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and
Tawny Owl at South Stoke and of Barn Owl at Little Stoke
(R.C.L.}.° Two to three in nest under broody hen house at
Spencers Wood with a hoard of 1Kg. of wheat from 3rd January
until ousted by a rat which was in occupation on 5th Mareh
(S.J.W.). .
A. flavicollis Melchior Yellow-necked Mouse
Trapped at South yO absent from Goring and Hartslock in
1977 VR Cali).
Micromys minutus (L.) Harvest Mouse’
Trapped at South Stoke in 1977, remains found in pellet of
Barn Owl at Little Stoke in 1977 (R.C.L.). One killed by
cat at Spencers Wood on 17th January (S.J.W.).
Rattus norvegicus Berk. - Brown Rat
One dead in Valpy Street on 22nd November 1977. One. dead at
Watlington on 26th November 1977. One under hen house at
Spencers Wood on 5th March (S.J.W.). Juvenile in Woodlands
Road, Sonning Common, on llth January. One dead on road at
Chalkhouse Green on Jrd April. Remains in pellet of Barn
Owl at Little Stoke, 1927 (R.C,.L.).. Bones in pellet of
Tawny Owl, Wyfold Copse on lst October.
Mus_ musculus ‘L. House Mouse
Remains in in pellet of Kestrel at Goring in 1977 CHec te.
Two in Town Hall yard, Readeees on 2lst June, one dead there
on 27th June.
Sciurus carolinensis Gmel. Grey Squirrel
Up to three seen . regularly at Spencers Wood (S.J.W.);
twenty-seven sightings, mostly singles, dead or alive in
the Sonning Common area, including oné at Cray's Pond (A.H.C.
on 30th September.
Bea dana site Fallow Deer
A pale greyish female at Spencers Wood on ‘ith ‘Decerber
1977 (H.L.C.). A male groaning in Crowsley Forest on 20th
October 1977. Sightings or signs of up to three together
at Crowsley, Flowercroft Wood, Peppard Common, Wyfold Copse,
Cane End and Hook End, eighteen in all.
a
Capreolus capreolus (L.) Roe Deer
This species is still expanding its range through our area.
Slots. seen in all parts of Moor Copse from 2nd April
onwards until one was seen on 17th May by E.M.T. and on
23rd May by M.L. Present in the Coombes, Barkham Hill (M.C.
and Dis).
Muntiacus reevesii Ogilby Muntjac
One seen going from Sonning Lane to the A4 at Twyford early
on 30th October 1977 (E.L.). Present in the Coombes (M.C.
and D.A.). Signs or hearings of up to three together at
Crowsley, Sonning Common, Withy Copse, Peppard Common,
Wyfold Copse and Nipper's Grove, nineteen in all. I have
yet to see this deer alive in our area.
Contributors:
Danny Alder (D.A.), Brian R. Baker (B.R.B.), Mark
Baker (M.B.), Richard Bellamy (R.B.), Michael Carson (M.C.),
Anne H. Carter (A.H.C.), H. L.’ Cook (H.L.C.), Tudor Davies’
(T.D.), Christopher Dyczek (C.D.), Malcolm J. Hitchcock
(M.J.H.), Ross. C., Laugher. (R.C.L.), Mark Liftledale. (M.L.),
Grace Marshall (G.M.), D. D. McDonald (D.D.McD.), Basil T.
Parsons (B.1T.P.), Dr. Richards, E. Mary Trembath (E.M.T.),
and S. Jocelin Whitfield (S.J.W.).
My thanks are due to all the above for a fine collect-
ion of records. ‘It is good to see the hitherto neglected
small mammals coming into prominence.
The Recorder's Report for Entomology 1977-78
by ‘hb. RY Bakes
Order Plecoptera (Stone-flies)
Isoperla grammatica (Poda) Yellow Sally
Many specimens of this greenish yellow stone-fly Were
evident on the southern slopes of Carbin's Wood near .
Bucklebury Common on llth June. They were flying in
brilliant sunshine and frequently settling on conifers
and birches along the rides. The species iS abundant
on the Kennet at Woolhampton about 1% miles south of
. Carbin's Wood and we could have been witnessing a
temperature-induced dispersal flight from the main
breeding area.
Saat
Order Odonata (Dragon-flies)
Enallagma cynthigerum (Charp. ) Common Blue Damsel-fly
Shinfield Grange, 26th May; Wasing Gravel Pits, 28th May;
Whiteknights, 2lst May; Kennet and Avon Canal, Aldermaston,
Lith: dunes (CB. .
Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Sulzer) Large Red Damsel-fly
Shinfield Grange, 26th May; Migs 5 Lake, 28th May (C.B.).
Ischnura elegans (van der Linden) Common: Isthnura
Whiteknights, 25th May; Shinfield Grange, 26th May; Wasing
Lake, 28th May; Kennet’ and Avon Canal, Aldermaston, 11th
June; Yateley Common, 24th July (C.B.). .
Agrion splendens (Harris) © Banded Agrion
Wasing Fish Pond, 28th May; Whiteknights, 3lst May; Moor
Copse Nature pongo Zlst May; Castle Crescent, Reading,
3rd June; Kennet and Avon Canal, a 11th June ;
Thames, Caversham, 30th July (C.B. ). easy .
As virgo (L.) Demoiselle Agrion
Kennet and Avon Canal, Aldermaston, llth June (C.B.),
atypical habitat. This species favours fast running streams
with a stony bottom. as, for example, the river Enborne
near Brimpton, where it was observed in abundance, also
on lith June. :
Aeshna cyanea (Mull.) Southern Aeshna
Pamber Forest, 2lst July (C.B.). A female of this 'species
was unexpectedly taken in the mercury-vapour moth trap at
Caversham on the night of 2end-e23rd August.
Aeshna grandis (L.) Brown Aeshna
Yateley Common, 24th July; Whiteknights, 28th July; Wasing
Lake, 30th Petals Blue Pool, Tutts Clump, 3rd September
(CsB.).
Anax imperator Leach Emperor Dragon-fly
Whiteknights, 13th July; Aldermaston, llth July; Shinfieid
Grange, 17th July; Wasing Lake, 30th July (C.B.):
Cordulia aenea (L.) Downy Emerald
Wasing Lake, 28th May; Wasing Fish Pond, ‘28th May” (c. B. 3
Libelluia depressa L. Broad-bodied Libellula
Castle Crescent, Reading, 3rd June; Hartslock, 4th June }
Kennet and Avon Canal, Aldermaston, llth June (C.B.).
Carbin's Wood, Bucklebury Common, llth June.
Libellula quadrimaculata L. Four-spotted Libellula
Wasing Gravel Pits, 25th May (C.B. ).
Order Hemiptera (Plant Bugs, Frog-Hoppers, etc.)
Cyphostethus tristriatus (F.) Juniper Bug
Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, two specimens on 16th
April and one on 16th May (H.H.C.). Both of these were
noted on Cupressus macrocarpa, but not on adjacent
C. lawsoniana and although they were not seen feeding -,
oe
thereon this is the first positive indication of a food-
plant alternative to Juniperus communis. An interesting
record which provides a possible answer to the puzzle ‘posed
by earlier records in the Reading Naturalist by A.P. who
noted this species in town gardens. (See Reading Naturalist’
Nown26nps 36.)
Peritrechus lundi (Gmel.)
Crowsley, 17th May (H.H.C.)
Kleidocerys truncatulus. (Walk.)
Finchampstead Ridges, 17th June, 1976 (R.G.L. pe
Psallus perrisi (M. & R.)
Chalkhouse Green, 6th June; Crowsley, 14th June (H.H.C.).
Plagiognathus albipennis (Fall.)
Sindlesham Mill, 29th August, 1976 (R.G.L. ).
Sthenarus rotermundi (Scholtz)
Crowsley, 14th June (H.H.C.).
Campyloneura virgula (Herr.)
Crowsley, lst August (H.H.C.).
Dryophilocoris fulvoquadrimaculatus (Deg.)
Wyfold Copse, 11th June (H.H.C.).
Calocoris fulvomaculatus (Deg.)
Crowsley, loth July (H.H.C.).
Oncopsis flavicollis (L.)
Finchampstead Ridges, 17th June 1976 (R.G.L.).
Macropsis scutellata (Boh.)
Crowsley, 30th August (H.H.C.).
Errastunus ocellaris (Fall.)
Finchampstead Ridges, 17th June 1976 (R.G.L.).
Order Coleoptera. (Beetles)
Lampyris noctiluca (L.) Glow-worm
Bucklebury Common, 17th June; a female glow-worm discovered
under a piece of; bark on the:ground on the occasion of the
Society's visit to this locality (K.A.). Cow Common, Well
Barn Estate near Streatley, 14th. July; a male attracted to
mercury-vapour light on, the occasion of the Society's
Entomological Evening.
Harmonia quadripunctata (Pont).
Crowsley, 7th June’ (H.H.C.).
Nacerdes melanura (L.) The Wharf-borer
Caversham, llth July, a single specimen from a local shop
submitted to the Museum, our first record for many years.
Lucanus cervus (L.) Stag. Beetle
37, Ashmore Road, Reading, 12th June; 24,. Donkin Hill,
Caversham, 21st Taser both specimens Be oe to oes Museum
by local residents.
ain.
Order Diptera (True Flies)
Ctenophora bimaculata (L. ie
Highstanding Hill, Windsor, 28th May (R.G.L.).
Anopheles_ clavi ger (Mg.)
Pamber Forest, c. 1971 (3B. T. BP...
Asilus crabroniformis L.
Lardon Chase, Streatley, 16th September.
Platypalpus pseudociliaris Strobl
Crowsley, 20th June (H.H.C.).
Rhamphomyia tarsata Mg.
Crowsley, 14th June (H.H.C.).
Empis albinervis Mg.
Crowsley, Ist August (H.H.C.).
Epleia heracre: E, y=.
Crowsley, 20th June (€H.H.C.).
Trypeta zoe (Mg.)
Wyfold Copse, llth June (H.H, C.)
Terellia serratulae (L.)
Sindlesham Mill, 29th August, 1976 (R.G.L.).
Limnia_ unguicornis (Scop.)
Crowsley, 14th June (H.H.C.).
Copromyza_flavipennis (Hal.)
Crowsley, llth May (H.H.C.).~
Fannia atra (Stein)
Crowsley, 14th June (H.H.C.).
Helina quadrinaculella Hennig
_Crowsley, 7th June (H.H.C.).
Order potent hci RTae ae Ichneumon-flies, Bees, Ants
& Wasps)
Urocerus ‘gigas (L.) Giant Weodwasp or Giant Horntail
Shiplake, Tilehurst, Whitley Waod, Kidmore End and Sonning
Common during the period from 20th August to.25rd
September. An extraordinary year.for this species, spec-
imens having been. received at the Museuti over the period
stated.
Dolerus aericeps Thom.
Whiteknights, 22nd August, 1976 (R.G.L. ye
Tenthredo distinguenda (Stein)
Crowsley, 7th June (H. i ers:
Ophion minutus Kriech.
Crowsley, llth May (H.H.C.).
O. scutellaris Thom.
Aldermaston, 30th April (G.E-F.). Caversham, glst May.
5 om
Cleonymus depressus (F.)
Crowsley, 20th June (H.H.C.).
Gastracanthus pulcherrimus Westw.
Chalkhouse Green, 22nd June, 1976 (H.H.C.).
Andricus quercus-calicis Burgsdorf.
Arborfield, 20th September, galled acorns submitted to the
Museum by Mrs. Phipps. H.H.C. adds the following note
about this interesting little gall-wasp. "A recent immig-
rant to Britain, unknown here before 1960. First taken
in the Reading area in Crowsley Forest during September
1976 when the galls collected failed to produce wasps.’ A
further supply of galls was collected from amongst leaf
litter on 25th March 1978 and from these a single agamic
female emerged in late September. The result of infest-
ation is a gross distortion of the developing acorn to
form a mass of angular lobes which overflow the acorn cup.
In the centre of the mass where the tip of the acorn.
would normally be, there is a small hole through which the
adult presumably emerges in due course. Members of this
Society are earnestly requested to keep a look-out for.
this gall so that the progress of the species may be
charted."
Andrena bucephala Stephens
Crowsley, 17th May, together with its parasitoid Nomda pirtipes Perez
Nomada hirtipes | Perez
This species like Urocerus has. had an unusually good:
year. (H.H.C.).
Order Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies)
Many interesting records have been reccived for this
popular order an! several members are operating mercury
vapour moth traps in various parts of our County. The trap
records, some of them compiled on a quantitative basis,
will also be especially useful when the preparation of a.
new Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera list for Berkshire (Vice
County 22) is commenced.
Hepialus fusconebulosa (Deg.) Map-winged Swift
Aldermaston, 2nd June, 1976 (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Zeuzera pyrina (L.) Leopard Moth
Aldermaston, 9th July (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.); Cavershan,
10th July; Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead, 14th & 15th July
CP dG.0.<)) s j
Apoda_avellana (L.) The Festoon
Aldermaston, 15th June, 1976 (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Sphecia bembeciformis (Hubn. ) Lunar Hornet. Clearwing
Tmpstone Plantation, Berks., 22nd July, a female
observed flying around a sallow bush at c. 5.00 p.m.
= 26 =
Conopia myopaeformis (Borkh.) Red-belted Clearwing
Alexandra Road, Reading, 16th June (A.P.).
C. formicaeformis (Esp. ) Red-tipped Clearwing
Woolhampton, 16th April, larvae in Salix viminalis.
Bembecia scopigera (Scop.) Six-belted Clearwing
Hartslock Reserve near Goring, 24th June (G.3B.); Streatley,
5th August; Aldermaston, 8th September, a dead specimen
discovered in a. vehicle (P.S.).
Thymelicus lineola (Ochsenheiner) Essex Skipper
South Ascot, mid August. Following Mr. Standley's inter-
esting record in Reading Naturalist No. 30 we received.a
call that this little butterfly ‘had again appeared, and a
joint visit was paid to the locality. The Essex Skipper
and Small Skipper appeared to occur in equal numbers over
a fairly wide area; it would be interesting to know if
the Essex Skipper occurs in the Bracknell-Wokingham area.
Hesperia comma (L. ) Silver-spotted Skipper
Streatley, 5th August; Pyrton Hill, 22nd August (BAT. ahd
Gonepteryx rhamni Cle) Brimstone Butterfly
Caversham, 30th March (H.G.:B.); Hartslock Reserve near
Goring, 5th June, fully grown sieracaie (B.T.P.); .Whiteknights,
23rd April (J.P.W.); Bracknell, 11th November, (M.D.)>.
Anthocharis cardamines (L.) ‘Orange-tip
In connection with an unusual abundance of this species
commented on by L.E.C. who saw it at Moor Copse on 7th
May, in Reading on 9th and 30th May and at Aston Rowant,
Aston Upthorpe Down and Hurley on various dates between
Srd and 19th June, the following note from outside our
area, contributed by Miss E. M. Nelmes,;-is. of-interest:
"During a mild spell in February 1978, a female Orange-tip
Butterfly was brought. to my cottage in Stroud, Glos., for
identification. It had been caught two days earlier. in
the lounge of a bungalow about a mile away. The day after
its arrival’ ay, the cottage was sunny, though windy, and
it was put outside, in an opén ‘jar in a sheltered part of
the garden. Shortly afterwards, it had flown away. The
garden’ -has many aubretia and honesty plants and is fre-
quented by orange-tips."
Lysandra_coridon (Poda) Chalkhill Blue
Hartslock Reserve near Goring, 24th July, RYE PCR aare
female (B.T.P.).
L. bellargus, (Rott.) . Adonis Blue
Fewer seen than in 1977 but specimens ‘observed over the
period 4th £0,19th Sepbembcr (B.T.P.); also recorded by
P.S. on l2th September.
Celastrina argiolus (L.) Holly Blue
St. Peter's Hill, Caversham, 25th May; Bucklebury Place,
llth June (B.T.P.); Pamber Forest, 9th August (P.S.).
Ladoga camilla (L.) White Admiral
Pamber Forest in good numbers during July and August, the
black ab. nigrine also seen (P.S.); Woolhampton, 16th: July
etseas
- 37 -
Apatura iris (L.) Purple Emperor
Pamber Forest, llth August, a female seen to fly down to
a sallow bush (P.S.); near Farley Hill, 20th August - a
possible sighting (3B.™.P.).
Vanessa atalanta (L.) Red Admiral
Near Brimpton, 17th June (H.G.B.); Pamber Forest, 27th
July (P.S.); Caversham, 21st August; Pangbourne, 16th
September; Tadley Common, 4th November (P.S.); Bracknell,
12th October; 13th November (M.D.); Reading, 20th
November (A. M.). :
Aglais urticae. Cl.) Small Tortoiseshell ©
Bracknell, 5th & 17th Mareh; erate oi? 30th March (M. hg Ee
Tadley Common, 4th November (P.S.
Inachis io (L.) '» Peacock Butterfly
Has had a good year, many broods of larvae observed,
Hartslock, Hardwick, Crowsley, Mortimer and Silchester
(Bet ats lie
Argynnis aglaja (L.) Dark Green Fritillary
Hartslock Reserve near Goring, 14th July (Byer Ty.
Argynnis paphia (L.) . Silver-washed Fritillary
Pamber Forest, first observed 27th July, the dark form
valezina also seen at this date, this species was very
late appearing this year (B.T.P.).
Melanargia galathea (L.) Marbled White
Hartslock Reserve near Goring, 14th July to 8th August,
numerous (BE.T.P.); near Temple Golf Course, 25th July, a
strong colony (T.J.G-H.).
Gastropacha quercifolia (L.) Lappet
Aldermaston, 8th August (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Orthonama obstipata (Fabr. ) The Gen
Caversham, 25th July.
Colostygia » multistrigaria (Haw.) Mottled Grey:
Aldermaston, 17th April (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Selenia lunularia (Hubn.) .. Lunar Thorn
Aldermaston, 14th June, 1976, 12th June, 1978 (G.E-F.;
Kul. Pe Poses
Gnophos obscuratus (D. & S.) Annulet
Aldermaston, 10th & 15th August, 1977 (G.E-F.; K.H.P.;
P.S.06
Ptilodontella cucullina (D. & S.) Maple Prominent
Moor Copse Nature Reserve, 22nd June, a male at rest ona
tree trunk, new Reserve record; Cow Common, Berks. Downs,
14th July. ;
Clostera pigra (Hufn.) Small Chocolate Tip
Aldermaston, 2lst July, 1976 (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.) Brown Tail
Aldermaston, 24th July & 6th August, 1977 (G.E-F.; K.H.P.;
P.S.). The only other record for the County for this
ao oe
normally maritime species appears to be ‘the mention in
Reading Naturalist No. 22, a specimen taken in the
Leighton Park light-trap. Doth the Aldermaston examples
have been authenticated and provide evidence of the occ-
asional tendency of this species to wander far a ia its
coastal breeding’ or
Spaelotis | ravida (DB. & 8.) Stout Dart
Cavershan, 16th - as two examples in mercury vapour
trap. ;
Xestia agathina (Dup.) Heath Rustic
Snelsmore Common, 8th September, a single specimen. As
its name implies, this species is an inhabitant of heathy
localities, though in recent years Berkshire records have
been few. A specimen was in the Caversham light-trap on
the morning of Sth September - an interesting and
unexplained record.
Cerastis leucographa CD. & S$!) White Marked
Aldermaston, 17th & 22nd April (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; Feces
Hadena compta (D. & S.) Varied Coronet
Caversham, 14th Junie & 18th July; Earley, 29th June (N.H.).
- these appear to be the first published records for the
Vice-County. This moth, whose caterpillar feeds on Sweet
Williams, first appeared in any numbers in this country
at Dover in 1948, subsequently spreading slowly northwards
into the eastern counties. It has now reached Berkshire
from an easterly direction but has yet to be recorded
from Hampshire.
Mythimna straminea (Treit.) Southern Wainscot
Aldermaston, 24rd August (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).=- this
Specimen appears to be a wanderer from its main breeding
area down in the Kennet Valley reedbeds.
M. unipuncta (Haw.) American or White-speck Wainscot
Caversham, Sth November - new Vice-County record. An |
unprecedented migration of this species took place along
our southern and south-western shores during the autumn.
There was a major influx in October and‘'a second one in
early November and it is thought that these may have had
different origins. Very few of the insects were recorded
at inland localities but we have heard of one being taken
at Faringdon EY -feee the exact date .has not yet been
reported. ;
Lithophane lez leautieri (Boisd.) Blair's Shoulder-knot
Tilehurst, 13th & oh & lst October oF H.); Aldermaston, 2lst
October (G, E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.); Caversham, 6th November -
all records refer to single specimens. A total of six
moths have now been recorded for Derkshire and the spread
of this interesting species, as predicted in last year's
a Naturalist, seems to be continuing.
Xanthia gilvago (D. & S.) Dusky-lemon Sallow
Earley, l4th September (N.H.) - a noteworthy record of a
species of which little has been heard in our area in
recent years.
~ 36 ~
Ipimorpha retusa (L.) Double Kidney
Aldermaston, 13th August (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Mesoligia literosa (Haw.) Rosy Minor
Aldermaston, 27th July (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Celaena leucostigma (H ubn.) The Crescent
Aldermaston, 3rd September (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Heliothis viriplaca (Hufn.) Marbled Clover
Aldermaston, 17th July (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
Diachrysia chryson (Esp. ) Scarce Burnished Brass
Aldermaston, lst August (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).. Another
example of a species taken away from its main headquarters
down in the Kennet Valley.
Parascotia fuliginaria (L.) Waved Black
Aldermaston, LOth July (G.E-F.; K.H.P.; P.S.).
The Society's Entomological Evening
This proved a most enjoyable excursion both by way
of abundance of species seen and nature of the locality.
Our thanks are due to the Well Barn Estate who gave
permission for us-:to work light high up on the chalk
slopes at. Cow Common, a locality where members could
spread themselves comfortably on the turf and enjoy a
splendid night's mothing. Under warm conditions we
recorded a total of eighty-two species though one of the
most impressive, a large male Privet Hawkmoth, chose not
to-appear until around 2 a.m., a time when: some of our
members had understandably departed for home and bed.
Contributors
Ks Alexander (K.A.)3 G.. Bellamy” (GBS); “Mrss°HVoG.
Baker .(H.G.B.)3;, Dr. C. Bucke (C.B.)+ “Miss L.“EY Cobb
(L.E.C.); Dr. M. Dumbleton (M.D.); Lt. Col. G: G.
Bastwick-Field (G.EB-F.); N. Hall (N.H.)3 -T. J. G. Homer
(T.J.G.H.); R. G. Leeke (R.G.L.); Master Andrew May
(A.M.)s °B.°T.” Parsons (B.8SP.)% (K2-H. « Pinnhoekiegek . Ps);
P. Silver (P.S.); BP. Standley (P.S.); H. H.. Carter
(H.H:Gs’);. A. Price (A.P.);. J.P. Warrick (J.P.W.).
Our thanks are also due to the Director of Reading
Museum & Art Gallery for allowing us to incorporate any
relevant records from the Museum's collections and to
John Ward: for carefully scribing the results of the
Society's Entomological Evening.
HE a6 301 bl f Sahl 6h Ff 8.6) 1106) 11.8) 9.7) 83
Jroremnes [ie | 3) 59) 73) 75) HL BLL Be 119 | 69
| RANGE F 49) 59; 634 8.1 TA} 5.8 | 5.0
| Li gh 1 Fel Rs Eve: ta Ahhh OE wee eee tates
i
if
ererecerverarqerrecerrces cogereves|
-§ LONGEST RUN OF cosenie |
. RAIN DA DAYS
LONGEST RUN OF CONSECUTIVE
DRY DAYS
SNOW.OR SLEET DAYS
DAYS SNOW LYING
i VISIBILITY FOG Mt |
—..
| TayoersTors
!
Pi reenreceoeereetrercy|
reer.
DAYS THUNDER §
| DAYS HAIL i 0 x
% H
eis N
11,55 12.3% 18.4
eeeng ete
“5 | 1
eresver
Se
WEATHER RECORDS IN 1977
8.9} 10.4
roeeeee
jsaserceres
Pe Lites ah
im ee a
ae Bee) BRA oe
ON PELE LE LOO ETOUN ETO TTESOTUTT LATED OTOIOET
;
fom. | a [ apr. | MAY | ave | a guy | ws, us. | set, OCT. F NOV. | DEC.
|
115} 15.7 16,1 21,1 19.7 q yy 15.4 9.8 i 8./
acne oe af ns] ee
15,54 23,0 | 23.0 | 26,9
254 21 2 fa,25 ae
EXTREME E. MIN, | df 29) 3.6} zon an ee “25.5
[PRN foie ea [> | i
| FE. GRASS H ii ic) -10 oa Al 98 | 9.9 ashe 2.8 | 0.9 P85 fale? flit
Li Apennines tm yopeenesacosorsrapes
fe BT ery 3 | Feb, 28
DAYS WITH FROST hina 4p 0 6,3. | 2
08 GROUND FROST 20 | of; 6] 7 ey i
Se saci ae -o ease sara
| fom, tw ae | 105 | 167 aPabehi ok ao 124 a 91 Fara 1496
JP SUNSHINE HOURS) 2 PossieLe | 16 | at} : “Ht
| DAILY NEAN wa 3.09} 3,40. ee a 46 = ica = ” roa
cai
Pecsattltsatiteee
8 6 Ee,
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Er
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“ een hee 413 ae | 16,9
ceowerweere re
8
|
33
I. enbeieers: 3 vane ae EE
SY
:
33
Pe CROC CE COLON Be TE EEE
OBSERVATIONS AT READING UN] VERSITY. METEOROLOGICAL STATLON
February
-. March
~ April
; June
August |
Seotember
October
November
December
~ lie
Monthly Weather Notes, 1977
by Me Parry
Coldest January since 1966, with air temperatures at or
below @ C for 122 hours: a little drier’aud a little
sunnier. than averacze.
Warmest for 10 years, but more than bwace.. the normal
rainfall (yet also sunnier than average): on 23rd, 12mm.
of rain fell in 3 minutes ( a rate of quetorimntiery. 4 inch
per hour).
Again mila, with aE C (608) reached on 2nd: wet and dull.
Cold, with a-mean temperature hardly above -that of March
and a warmest day 3 C colder than that of larch: rainfall
“a little bélow, sunshine a little above normal.
Rather cold and.dry, but sunny: the 27th was the sunniest ’
May day since late Ilmy 1966.
Coad for June, also rather wet, with 20mm. falling on one
day: on 14th 4.1mm. fell in 5 minutes ( a rate of over
3 inches per,hour) during a heavy thunderstorm: © dullest
June since, sunshine records began in Reading (1939), with
a sunshine record about that of an average March, and 5
‘ consecutive sunless days, 17th - 2tste.:
Provided the year's warmest day (miximun 2649 C): very
. ary. (the driest July since 1955) and sunny.
Continued the cooler-than-average trend: the 19th was the
coldest August night since 1954. ‘With over 5 inches of rain,
this was the wettest August since reliable records began at
this station in 1920: heavy falls included 10m. in 12
minutes (a rate of about 2 inches/hour) and 4.2mm. in 3
minutes (over’3 inches/hour) in thunderstorm rains on 17th.
Cool and very dry, with 18 consecutive dry days constituting
the year's only drought period.
The first month since March to be warner thei: average: } ar¥
and sunny, though with frequent morning AO
Average month for temperature, but rather at and sunny:
also the year's windiest month, with a highest gust of 63 mphe
liild month with no snow and half November's number of air
frosts: the warmest day's temperature of i402 C on 25rd
was the highest since December, 1961.
?
4p k
|
WEATHER RECORDS: 1978
contributed by M. Parry’
STATION: READING UNIVERSITY
imeererecareoecnerresaceerewenerresees srew soft T0re DePPCITET¥ 81 /CEUOPOOCSTBCTLOPEOC CICLO OODLES TS COP IETITTONR LLCO LITL TOOL ORIOL TUDE LTE J OCCT GAOGE ie ore ar eaheaaite oe
3
we rnmer ed) UOTE OR ELTT OTN tee
g t : ’
: : JAN? FEBS? MARY § APRS MAY § JUNE. : ULY UG, : SEPT. : OCT. : NOV. DEC. §
Frecsevrsoreereveserersrssceoserrert oe reeireretsreeserts rs cererecttees a oe vee oo Se i ae a Reem Liaw) ;
; N t 3 ; i g
; : ; i itary f i
[inky [bol 567 j 10,7 | 10.2). 1604) 18.9) 19.6) 19.7 | 18,8) 163) 1147) 131
| ¢
|
pt ELIE 5S ie waver reeceee Uae 4d wrenrencerrerdpereer | revere reelitcereters: nertecrevreerert recone enveoeereeenir rot 9 ee wn 0
NEN MIN, P03 03) 31) 33. 69 9A HOA | 96) 1.6.54) 201 59 :
Devorees rersermmerencerevernenerecee renTt rT re Rs tCetFt ereetperre erent ererer renerfowrecremavereipereercecere PONT REPL AITTCCET ST ROCTPEPT OT ,
bettas (si 2, Gol eal Hat te] ela [a] eo) ao aT] 9 |
| RANGE Poe Bh) 76) 691 95 95) Od) 6.6) 9.2) 8.7) 63) ar a 76 |
= ee wecengeen as ines Sed bea EDN OO a tra aos t = acai ee
| | Es: Wot okt 9—0| A 13,3 | [163.1 17,5 | 26.8} 256512549 | 2349 Las BB ATA Wet | 26.8
t DATE mE a3 | Lees vot 1,28 (29 fig} 23) 42.68) il | ty 3!
EXTREVE ue 8 | fone ae ‘ ‘a rpemesnentrie p 148 iT al 5 = 0 : a coe
penervTuneS jE se oft) Te 0 Sel el | he a iar ure es
eraeneeress
%. ea ce ie ET AE, Te 212 tg” | Feb. 11
Se DRE Wy ae Oe i a er ar enero rants eared fet ayer peoeree teerertor
E, GRISS WIN, | 12,9) 16,1 10.2 | etd 19) - ps 09 | Theta ce i vibe “3,Bl27| 128, 16.
t cia 8% ant ante eae iz i
DATE ie tr, 7° 0 eS 18 | 48 a7 11,9 | Feb. 11 |
5 DATE ee ee nig tn: seeped rn SSS uae L.. Nae A jemi ; hee
DAYS WITH FROST At 40 ob tSod ts rt 0
ct anata 9 para eg
DAYS WITH GROUND FROST = 22, ae | 18}? 7] td
«nettle eee persone rm Loon pasccacesees a Be ress = re a gels st es cae erect, Se asia Reta coke caa ats
SUNSHINE | SUK, 705° [08 94 13 | 201.9! 179.9: 1443} (1253 169.3 | 100, 6) 22 145501 |
‘at ETS Moots acd :
Myon iach POSS. fabzirtote SERCREME [37 129 GM ay
| DAILY re ee Ed ee a ae iad a 56) 35) 207
ee art a a acess a on d Bite tari tetet
PRECIPITATION re ti Be | 57 lie A i WR ee Ca fat} 1344
| oe Cee Siegal RAEI Gie Sig Te oe me
| me LE RAIN. DAYS ple 7 [18 p46. [ottttye| tOarhaltog 2 -aird9 Soo Acne. | at | DF
| ata es aN! 6 aeereere reeves) ae utd tA cevarenenety seevereeda revere sevreden fre srermemcemrn te roleencmrere en ee ee
) © | RAX. RAIN ie i i i :
; \ : i j : ; ; i 4 Si
UT OA ania 325,926 [sa 175 | 153] at] 95) 9) 95) 28) 88) 83] BS
i se aoa leat ereees ee Sonica
| DATE 6 ee ee eh ee: oe Ty “10 | Dee, 10
5 revevorerventere en Se SS a 5k 3 : L. ;. :
od
genres
Teeereireorewren creveerinereare
SNOW OR SLEET DAYS
Le eit a i ah te ZZ ada
DAYS SNOW LYING : a i
i cca ieee Read Ui i
VISIBILITY FOG Ay
: 09
00 G.ii.T.
f :
THINDERSTORY | DAYS OF THIER? =0{ 0 |
ie Soe oe
POE Wied. 04 0 | 0
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY.
JUNE
JULY
{UGUST
SEPTEMBER
ICTOBER
DECEMBER
' the coolness
‘Again cool but quite sunny, with less than average rainfall.
~ the year):
al x
Monthly Weather Notes, 1978
A changeable month. Though only slightly cooler than average, it
_had more air frosts than any January since 1968 and most ground
frosts since 1963. Both wetter and sunnier than usual.
Coldest February since 1969 and with the longest duration (237 hours)
of freezing temperatures in February since 1963. Slightly drier
and less sunny than average.
Yarmer, wetter and yet sunnicr than aver-gc. An unsettled month with
some very low barometric »ressures and some strong winds.
A cold month (2 degrees C. below normal) with day-time temperatures
especially low; the coldest April since 1922, Although in fact
slightly drier than average, it was the wettest April since 1973
(illustrating the recent tendency towards dry spring months). Also
the dullest April since 1966.
& month of average temperature, though the first half was cool and
the second mild, and the last day of the month was the warmest of
the whole year (an unusual distinction for May and an indication of
of the summer). ‘Wetter and sunnier than average. Also
notable. for its unusually high frequency of winds between North
and East (645*).
Cool, somewhat dricr than average, but also very deficient in sunshine.
Again cooler than average and very dull (least July sunshine since
1965). Somewhat wetter than average.
This
completed a trio. of summer months about 1 degree C. cooler than normal.
Average temperatures but very dry and sunny (the sunniest September
since 1.9748
The first warm month (in relation to ¢ averae) Since larch, with its
“wormest day exceeding that of September and rivalling that of August.
Also extremely dry (usually October is the second wettest month of
a late taste of summer.
The warmest November since 1963 and also uncharsxcter ristically dry
(November is usunlly the wettest month), the driest since 1956.
Near-average temperatures but the wettest month of the year and
the wettest December since 193). The 10th was not-only 1978's wettest
day but also the wettest December doy in the University station's
record. (which began in 1921). |
sa LE Sa
Membership List
Honorary Mémbers
Butler, Miss K. I., 54 Alexandra Road, Reading RG1.5PP
Hora, Dr. F. B., 51 Eastern Avenue, Reading .
Sandels, Mrs. A. M., 3 Churchill House, Hailey: Road,. Chipping
Norton OX7 5dP
Watsaqn fODr. HE. V.,; B. ie Ph. Deg BP adssdan Geeeue Court, Cleeve.
Gktiingbonatbaned: Oxon.
Watson, Miss J. M., 30 Westwood Road, Tilehurst , eS
Ordinary, Junior and Family Memb ers
Adams, Baga Vgpher John, B. 14° 50 Fairford Road, Tilehurst,
Raaatep RG3 6QR
Adams, Miss Marjorie D. H., 26 Thornhill, Harmanswater Road,
‘Bracknell, Berks., RGle 3LY
Alexander, Keith N. A., B.Sc., Pidorkurat| Bakeham Lane,
Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey
Andrews, P., Ph.D., 9.Wychwood Close, Harley, Reading”
Andrews, Mrs. Joyce, Ph.D.,' " a
Archer, D. F., 194 Silverdale Boats Earley, Reading RG6 2NB
Archer, Mrs., " " re ™
Archer, Catherine, i " es "
Archer, Martine, n ve ne 5 hy ng
Ashwell, Mrs. K. Me, 7 Woodland Drive, Tilehurst, Reading
PakeGen brian hee BeSC,, fF aMiAe, EeBeab.ge,'25 Matlock Road,
Caversham, Reading |
Baker, Mrs. Heather, a rm ¢ -
Ballantine, Mrs. Fiona, Greyrigs, Green Lane, Pangbourne,
' Reading RGB 7BG
Bartlett, Mrs. Carol, ie Elmcroft, Goring-on-Thames,
Reading RG8 9EV
Beek, Mrs. Meryl, 29 Morecombe Avenue, Caversham, Reading
RG4 7NL
Bellaiiy, G..C., B.Sc., Deans Farm, Lower Cavershan, Reading
Bellamy, .Mrs, Patricia H., M:Sc., ¥ ¥ ite
Benda, P., 3 Tupsley. Road, Coley Park, Reading
Benda, Mrs., . Te ab i:
Bentall, Miss E, M., crooksbury, 144 Upper Woodcote Read,
‘ Cavershan, Reading’
Bernard, aati Be; 10 Deepdéne Close, ‘Reading’: | :
Betts, Mrs. Jie. , (Wells Hall; Upper Redlands Rea ere
Reading RG1 juF
Bowen, H. Jd. Mey. M Bed yD RWALD & 9 Oy ee Road, Oxford
~ Ox2 6NA
Brickstock, Dr. A., 25 Cockney Bihys pUiShorst! — RG3 4HF
Brickstoek,Mrss.1. Me; : a . a
Brown, C sdbee. 09 Kidmore Road, eal Sane Reading
Brown, Nicola, " n " " tee
Brown, S. M.,,,f.C.1. Plant Protection Division, Jealotts’ Hill
Research Station, Bracknell, RG12 6EY
= ise
Bryant, D. T. W., L.R.I.C., 68 Warborough Avenue, Tilehurst,
siege RG3 OL
Bryant, Mrs. Sheila M., “ _ ¥ ¥
Bryant, Gillian, tt u " " " "
Bryant, Neil, i t " ut u" uw
BryattscM. Gey. Beseogg 3 Mansfield Road, Reading
Bryant, Mrs. V. M., B.Ed., " on
Buehanan, J. C., Westwards, South Moreton, Didcot, Oxon.
a OX11 9A
Bucke, Chekatspher; B. Se., PhieD s.5 28 Valerie Court, Bath Road,
Rbadhay RG1 6H
Buckley, David K., 113 Blagdon Road, Reading RG2 7NJd
Budden, M. Ds, 17 Barnsdale Road, Reading RG2 7SG
Bunting, Prof. A. He, M.Sc .@ Dépte of Agricultural Botany, §-’
The University, Reading
Buss, Ashley Speneer, 2 one Place, Caversham, Reading
Buzek, Miss Dana, Linwood, Maybourne Rise, Mayford, Surrey
Carteny H.H.,-M. “he, B.Sc., A.M.A., 82 Kennylands Road,
Sonning Common, Reading RGA QJT
Chapman, Miss Joan Di, ashe Aey 26 Birdhill Avenue, Reading
RG2 7JT
Chapple, Rodney G., 2 Wavell Close, Reading 'RG2 SEI .
S
D
R
6PH
Cheke, Miss V. E., 50 Petworth Court, Bath Road, Reading RG1
Clarke, Miss Jennifer M., 15 Clanfield Crescent, Tiléhurst, —
Reading
Clements, Miss M. J. W., 108 Kenilworth Avenue, Reading’ |
Cobb, Miss Leonie Ee, B.A., 55 Northcourt Avenue, Reading
-RG2 7HE
codidhen’ Mrs. E., Flat 2, 83 Bakér Streét, Reading RG1 7XY
Cole, Jm As, HMaS@s9 30 Nicholas Beads Henl eis on-Thames
Cole, Mrs,, -Badhe, u ” . i
Collier, Mrs. R. A., M.E.Biol., The Herb Garden, 47’ Albion
Road, Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey GU17 8BP
Copeland, Mrs. J. M., 135 Overdown Road, Tilehurst, Reading
Corrall, L. N., 8 Greenleas Avenue, Emmer Green, Reading
RG4 8TA
Corrall . Mrs. . ul) iT iT W " " f tt
Cotton,.D. C. F.y Dept. of Agricultural Biology} ‘University
College, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Eire
Cox, Mrs. Paula R.,,,102 Westwood Road, Tilehurst, Reading
sind. hee
Cuss, Peter, 5 Copse Avenue, Caversham, ‘Reading
Davies, Raymond W., 81 Galsworrey Drive, Caversham Park
ae et anata Reading
Davies, Mrs. Meritt in te ey Ls
Davies, Judith, Me a - "
Davies, Robin, Uy 7 ye) = uw _—
Dicker ,.Mre..iris,,Pineernoft, ne Nash Grove Lane, Wokingham,
| enn Berks.
Dicker, Miss M..Jd.,- 23/193 Wensley Road, Reading RG1l 6EA
Diserens, J. N.,.113 Redhatch Beavis Barley, Reading
Diserens, Mrs. Mary, |" "
Diserens, Heather, : yt
Diseréns, Stephen, © " uc "
Dowman, Miss I., 52 Vine Crescent, Burghfield Road, Reading
't he t
"
ae
Downey, S. H., 34 West Green Court, Reading
Downeys. MrS., i: Leer ty a" Mt ne
Brakes C. M., Dept. of Zoology, Reading University,
Whiteknights, Reading
Dumbleton, Drs” Mee Jie. .25D Warfield Beads Bracknell,’ Berke,
Dumbleton, Mrs., yo " Si
Dumbleton, Miriam, " ee | tt un u
Dumbleton, Helen, y We " if "
Dumbleton, Andrew, " " " " di
Bast, Mrs. Marjorie C.,,C., 332 London Road, ‘Barley, Reading
RG6 1AR
Bastwick-Field, Lt.-Col. G. G., Little Earlstone, Burghclere,
. Newbury 44 Pence
Eastwick-Field, P. G.,. " =
Eley, P. Re, The Orchard, Tanners Lane, Ghali khouse Green,
Reading
Emerson, Mrs. Joyce M., 4 Stoneham Close, Tilehurst, Reading
Englefield, George, 7 Clare Avenue, Wokingham RG11 1EB
Englefield, Mrs., a i pe begealy " "
Englefield, Stuart, " ey i = = RRP
Englefield, Gxcnany " bs {} NM SG a
Erith, Miss A..G., B.Sc., Ph.D., 70 Highmoor Road, Cavershan,
Reading
Fereuson, Lt,~=Col. @. H.=Aey 2 Friars Road, Newbury Bord 20
Ferguson, Mrs. D. A, M. ul : al ;
Fletcher, Michael V., 70 South Street, Seg ls
Pictcher, Mre. Iris... Lh bes
mietcher, Colas, a “s " agin
Fletcher, atherine, ” ™ = .
Fiew, Profp.da’ Gai Mei, Meenas Road, Reeds pe
Flew, Mrs. Annis, ” Mpa
Flew, Harriet, my yh iY mn
Flew, Joanna, n Me .
Flower, Mrs..C. D. R., She ne Paes (ct Whiteknizhts Road,
Reading RG6 2BB
Foat, N.J.W., Flat 2, 40 Redlands Road,.Reading
Foley-Fisher, David, 11 Buckden Close, Woodley, Re ee
Foley-Fisher, Mrs. ioe ee "
Foley-Fisher, Dred « As y.18 Betchworth Avenue,” Earley, Reg aeae
Foley-Fisher, Mrs. Beryl, " ees 3 Wy ae
Frank, Mrs.\.C. ae Netherleigh, ‘Riverview Road, Pangbourne,
Berks.
Frewin, S,», Malvern, shpmpock Row, Be oUae RG1O OWN
Frewin, MPS row su. rat :
Mannes-Abbott, Guy, ie PR ae oe SE ee ata
Mannes-Abbott, Kim, " " " " "
Gambles, R. M., Wntiaes aes Hill, Reading. RGS8 7NU ©
Garmbles'’, Mrs. My, " " ; " "
Gentry, C., 94 The Fairway, pirnhan, ST oaer Sil, ope
Gentry, Howard, " " m 4
Gipson, Peter, 96 Chapel Hill, ieee Reading
Gobbett, R., 53 Maple Crescent, Basingstoke
Gobbett, Mrs.’K., " "t "
Grayer, "Gr. d,s EB, Bera 13 Brook Close, Wokinghan, RG1L 1ND
Grayer, ,Mré.e Re J.,. Biol. Drs. (Leiden) HS
= pie
Greczko, Miss Anne, 21 Nelson Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 OAT
Green, W. A., Fairford House, Basingstoke Road,’ Spencers
Wood, Reading
Green, Mrs., tt " " " " tt
Grimes, Eric Jie BM Paon? Behoes Lars , Woodcote, Reading
RG8 OPP
Gupta, Sanjeev, 23 St. Saviour's Road, Reading RG1 6nd
Guymer, J. A., Clevelands, Springwood Lane, Burghfield Common,
. Nr. Reading
Guyer, Mire. *M.*0. 4! °™ uN 4 u ae
Hall, Glen, 20 Glenwood Drive. Tilehurst, Regpan
Hall, Mrs. Jean, _ 4
Hall, Michele, ~ i uf Mt os
Half, N. Ma, 9 Edney Court, Gladridge Close, Earley, Reading
Hall,‘Mrs."M.°",, B.sc., Garth House,*St.’ Johns Road,
Mortimer, Reading
Hamitton,. Drs eee G., Mistletoe Cottage, Devil's Highway,
Riseley, Swallowfield, Reading
Hannis, K., 3h Falmouth Road, Reading RG2 8PP
Hannis, Mrs., m “4 Se eee
Hannis, Miss Jacqueline Anne, " " mM i
Harrigan, Dr. W., Dept. of Food’ Science, The‘ University,
Reading
Harrigan, Mrs. Rita, and family, ™ Be. oe 5
Hartwell, Ve, 357. Byron Closei Barley. Reads ye
Hartwell, Mrs., -:
Hawkins, Mrs. S., 63 Tilehurst Road, Reading
Heather,, FB. Ds. © Pembroke Place, Gnaetehan: Reading
Heather, Mrs. os it 4 e
Hemken, E., Audley House, Station Road, Harley, Reading
Herlihy, Mrs. D. J., Cherry Pool, Chestnut Grove; Fleet,
Aldershot, Hants.
Heron, J. C., 22 Lorne Street, Reading ~#
Hibbert, Miss. Us Me, BLA OMe Dt, MRT. Ps) 7 Sydenham
: House, Lovelace Road, Surbiton, Surrey
Highwood, Miss Susan, 25 Halpin’Close, Calcot, Reading
Hodge, A. R., 66’ Tawfield, Bracknell, Berks. RG1l2° 4YU
Hodge, Mes. Dov. 5 0" " Mt u "
Hogger, John’ B., L.I.Biol., 35 Coley Hill,‘ Reading
Holly, Miss E. F., 38 Kings Road, Henley-on-Thames. RG9 2DG
Holmes, Mrs. J. M., 1 Darrell Road, Caversham, Reading
Homer, (Theo. J. Gis M.A., St. Timothee, Pinkneys Green,
Maidenhead SL6 6PA
Hooper, Philip, 4 Almond Drive, Caversham Park: Village,
, Reading
Houghton, Anthony, 68 Redlands Road, Reading
Bouphions Mrs. Eivaapoun, "Moo oe =, .
Houghton, Rebecca, A = 4
Houghton, Tamothy, ~ nt ers siiaea
Houghton, Andrew, B - tt
Housden, Mrs. H. V., 9 Knowle Close, Upper Woodcote Road,
Caversham, Reading
Housden, Miss June M.V., 0.Sc., " F .
Hunt, Miss Joan M., 32 Cholmeley Road, Reading
Hutchinson, C. J., 22 Birchview Close, Yateley,’ Camberley,
Surrey
= harms
Hutt, T. W. J., 36 Winton Road, Reading RG2 8HH
Butt; rss De hs, : 43) 7 " Mb
Hutt, R. Lats W 1 ti " W Y
Irving, D., B.Sc., 28 Grosvenor Road, Caversham, Reading
Irving, Mrs., u 1 " u uw
Jackman, Mrs. Jennifer Mary, B. oa 19 Matlock Road, GavSfenan,
Reading RGU TBP:
Jalland, Raymond V., 50 Hanwood poet's Yoodley Boe aaNe
Jalland, Mrs. Elaine, " - mi OO,
Senior, Kim, " " Oi tt " "
Sefvor’ Paul, " " tt " We |
Jeffery, C. W., 32 Woolford Way, Winklebury Estate,
Basingstoke, Hants. RG23 Bar
Kay, Mrs. B., M.Sc., 39 St. Peter's Avenue, Cavershan, Reading
Kemp, B. R., B.A., Ph.D., 12 Redhatch Drive, Earley, Reading
Lambden, Mrs. H. D., B. ay 74 Beech Lane, Earley, eae
Lappin, G., 45 Gloucester Road, Reading
Lee, “Mrsi°K: 9B? ,° 42 Chalkpit Cotacce: Englefield, Reading
Lee, Miss MPP Marjorie, 14 Denmark Road, ee tS" “Rod cre
RGL 5PA
Leeke, Cyril Jes B.Sc., A.M.I.Biol., 1 Heathway, Chapel Hill,
Tilehurst, Sdaaiins
LeMare, Dr. P., 66 Highmoor Road, Caversham, Reading
LeMare, Mrs. J., "' " i sy pau
Levy, Bernard G., B.A., Ph.D., Tinepits Cottage, Whitchurch
Hill, Pangbourne, Reading
Lewis, Miss P. B., 39 Salcombe Drive, Earley ,* Reading
Lomax, Mrs. C. “ng! 11 Roundhead Road, Theale, Reading RG? 5DL
Honmenr"). ce. Yosh. , Mabe, DeClles MeRros Nes tahsGcPes
The Pines, 276 Wokingham soaks aesies
Lorimer, Mrs ¢ 27 Ganev " " ne "
Lucy, George, Pike Croft, Ridgemount Close, Long an?
Tilehurst, Henge
Lucy, Mrs. bora, om a mt - -
Lush, Miss Gillian M., a Matthews Green Road, Wokingham
hast, ts " " " "
McCord, Miss Anne, M. Phil. Wag Fairford Road, Tilehurst,
Reading RG3 6Q)P
McIntosh, Miss Sue, 131 Hyde End Road, Shinfield, Berks.
McMurtry, S., Pypers ELEGE » Kingwood Common, Henley-on-Thames
Mehivriry. irs. , ' Doane sig mt >
McMurtry, Karen, " at se a - - "
McMurtry, Andrew," . We - ae SN a Sie Ala | | t"
Mannes-Abbott, see under Frewin
Mansbridge, Mrs. Margaret, 42 Courts Road, Gh fey Redding «"°
Martin, Mise’ J. P., Flat 3, Brewery’ House Aldermaston
Moon, fA. Bey? ohMetéS., 267 Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings,
E. Sussex TN34 38S
Morphew, David, Flat 16, 28 Castle Crescent, Reading
Morris, Miss B. J., B. Sc., a ane
Mount, Mrs.. Philippa, 9 Hillside, Whitchurch, Oxon, Ras 7HL |
Hedan. Miss B., 26 Lorne Street, Reading
Nelmes, Miss Enid M., M. Aa, Doras. 194 Cainscross Road,
Stroud, Glos.
= hoe.
Newman, Dr. C. Le, Weatherfox Cottage, Manor Farm Lane,
Tidmarsh, Pangbourne, Berks.
Newnan, Mrs. C. M., ms Ne ne th
Newman, Timothy, geet J ” 4
Newman, Jonothan, " " " "
Newman, Jeremy, # ~ ~ "
Newman, J. F.,-B. Sait, F.R.E.S., Earley Cottage, 25 Beech Lane,
Barley. Reading RG6 2PT
Newman, Mrs. B. M.,,B.Sc., " ne "
Newman, John, 37 Sevenoaks Road, Maiden Erlegh, Reading
Oakley, J..:Ge, 5 Lancaster 4 ii ema: Des tos ge BED 2PA
Oakley, Mrs., " ah f Bi,
Oakley, Miss Carol, "| m " " ‘ m
Qakleva Davidsvan ) “Hou t ut " Bis awe
Oakley, Nigel, " site 2 " cas ay tt tt
Oakley, Susans. 5. " " u 1 reer tt
Ogg, Colin John, Wey-Wood, Ashampstead Road, Bradfield,
meuisete, Berks.
Obider, Mrs. Vay 101, wa idernase eas harley Fea dang
Ollier, Mark E., "
Olver, Miss Catherine, 38 New Road, Reading
Owen, Dr. Harold, Dept. of Agricultural Botany, The University,
Reading
Padley, F. C.,M.B.E., 2, Eldon Place, Reading
Parker, W., 17 Meadow Way, Dorney Reach, Maidenhead, Berks.
Paul, Mrs. Vera N., B.Sc., Overdale, Peppard Common, Reading
Pauline, W. E.,.43 Warnford Road, Tilehurst, Reading
Pauline, Mrs., u " volt ¥.
Pearce, Eric, 7 Gladridge Close, array) Reading RG6 .2DL
Pearce, Mrs., WW W . Wt " "
Penman, Bruce, 123 Upper Woodcote Road, Caversham, Reading -
Perry, Mrs. Amy K., 44 Reading Road, Burghfield Common,
BS RG? 3Q2.
Perry, Rowena, Wt tt mi " uv
Phillips, Nigel J., The Warden's House, Bix Bottom,
Henley-on-Thames
Phillips, MrsszJanet,''! 7. * " 2b VF
Pont, Adwian.Gw, Beker cllel.blOb., F.ReM.5., Oakleigh,
; ayeehamnpoe Road, Goring-on-Thames, Oxon.
Pont, Mrs. B., " " " " "
Drage Se Mrs. Jean, 25 Oak Tree Road, Tilehurst, Reading
RG3 6JN..
Baceloves Di ago Ara iiss 10 Brunswick Hill, Readng
Pretlove, Mrs., ie y!
Priee, Arthur, 6 Mansfield Road, Reading.
Pridgeon, Mrs. S. M., 30 Whitley Wood Road, Reading RG2 SoA"
Reed, B. A., 285 Overdown Roads Tilehurst, Repatag RG3 6PL
Reed, Cabryn, tt " " ROCs PEN
Reed, Rhonwen, m1] iT” ih ih tt ot t
Rhodes, Mrs. Kathleen F., Bs SC oe, 65 Tilehurst Road, Reading:
. RG3 2JC
Robertson, Miss J. S., 81 Westwood Green, Cookham
Rowe, Philip George, A.1.1.P., Boundary Hall, Tadley,
Basingstoke, Hants. RG26 6QD
Sandell, K. A., 15 Britten Road, Basingstoke, Hants. RG22 4HN
= 50. =
Sandford, J. E., St. Elmo, South Stoke Road, Woodcote,
Reading RG8 OPL
Sandford, Mrs. F 7 Ww i iW " "! " tt
Sealy, Mrs. Joan D., 38 Western Elms Avenue, Reading RG3 2AN
Sell, Martin R. W., B.A., 2 Welland Close, Tilehurst, Reading
Senior, see under Jalland
Slade, M. 3B., B.Sc., 250 Southampton BPA Reading RG1 2RD
Slade, Mrs., et Screg a . mt ”
pmith,: Robert H., BeAw, M.Sc., Dept. of Zoology, The University,
Reading
Stacey, Miss Mary, 8 Church Street, Theale, Reading RG7 5HT
Stafford, A. D., 83 Hatherley Road, Penping RG1 5QE
rat tOPrd., Misia, Ay, Distgu st ej SCrang ™ ” ty
Stafford, Mrs. C. M., 28 Rowan Close, Sonning Common, Reading
Stagles, T. R., 45 Froghall Drive, Wokingham
Steven, Dr. Eluned Mair, 9 Wincroft Road, Caversham, Reading
Stollery, James, 6 Lea View, Hermitage, Newbury
Stone, Miss A. D., 296 London Road, Earley, Reading
Street, Mrs. H. A., Vienna House, New Road, Holyport,
Maidenhead, SL6 2LQ
Tampion, William, M.A., PhD., 239 Hemdean Road, Cavershan,
Reaaane RG4 79x
Tampion, Mrs. Doreen, <: m" x
Tampion, Ariadne Ann, a w ut wt "
Tampion, Penelope Jane, - m m " mn
Tampion, Helen Zoe, " " " r ft
Taylor, H. K., Scotswood Stud, Hatt Common, Hast Woodhay,
Newbury, RG1L5 ONJ
Taylor, Mrs. W. A. Norman, 143 London Road, Reading
Terry, Miss Maureen S., Cornbrook, Victoria Road, Mortimer,
Reading
whael, Mrs. H. M., Torbreck, Oatlands Road, Shinfield,
Reading RG2 9DN
Thomas, K., 20 Glebe Road, Purley, Reading RG8& 8DP
Titcomb, G. E. A., Kynance, The Stocks, Beenham, Reading
RG? ONG
Topham, Ron, 14 Culver Road, Reading RG6 1QA
Townend, Miss Shirley Y., B.Sc., Flat 6, 74 Wensley Road,
Reading RG1 6DN
Trembath, Mrs. E. Mary, 5 Thames Avenue, Pangbourne, Reading
RG8 7BU
Trickett, Miss S., 44 Inglewood Court, Liebenrood Road,
Tilehurst, Reading
Vick, G. S., B.Sc., Crossfields, Little London, Basingstoke,
Hants.
Vick a Meese iia C 45-3. SC. Advis Biol., ™ " " 2
Vincent, S., Woodlands, oP Cockney Hilal Tilehurst, Reading
Vincent, Mrs., 5 nt
V Mepanaes, Miss Frances oe 26 Meadow Ef05 Theale, Nr. Reading,
RG7 4AY
Vybiral, Mrs. M. L., 39 Upper Redlands Road, Reading
Wazent, Miss FF, M. O., F.L.S., 139 St. Peter's Road, Harley,
Reading
Walker, Miss Ann, M.Sc., 27 Hatherley Road, Reading RG1 5QA
Walker, Miss Rosemary, B.Sc., PhD., Oakways, Russell Road,
Tokers Green, Reading RG4 9EJ
a St
Ward, John L., 10 Uffington sia ind Tilehurst, ch ia — a
Ward, Mrs. Sheila, a“ 2
Ward, John, " "W " tt " tt
ware Sandra, 1 " t " " "
Warrick, J. P., 3 Ramsbury Drive, Earley, reas
Warrick, Mrso,'" o ” -
Warrick, Christopher J., 11 Churchill Crescent, Sonning Common,
Reading RG4 9RU
Warrick, Peter, " u " mt "
Webb, Mrs. G., Bradfield Lodge, Commer Hill, Theale, Reading
Webster, Judy, B.A., 17 Bulmershe Road, Reading
Weiss, Mrs. Ruth, Dept. of hehe ie, Reading University,
Earley Gate, Reading
Wells, John, 29 Juniper Way, Bn TE ier RG3 6NB
Welle, Mrs. MilLiicert, =" am KR
Westheimer, Miss aes, “nok sone: Old School House, Hardwick
Road, Whitchurch, Nr. Reading
Whitfield, Dr. G. R., Ashdown, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood,
Reading
Whitfield Mrs. Se. vocelin, = = "
Whitfield, Miss Jenny, “ rR " at nM
Whitfield, Miss Robin, " ” “ s: 4:
Whitfield, George William, " i. nt i ‘.
Whittaker, Mrs. P. M., 67 Inglewood Court, Liebenrood Road,
Tilehurst, Reading
Wilkinson, W., 6 Cedar Close, Wokingham RG11 1HA
Williamson, Michael, 204 Reading Road, Wokinsham
Wood, Robert, 298 Henley Road, Caversham, Reading
Schools and Institutional Members
Alfred Sutton Boys' School, Crescent Road, Reading (Mr. 3B. G.
Stubbs, Head of Science)
Bulmershe School, Chequers Way, Woodley
Denefield Comprehensive School, Long Lane, Tilehurst, Reading
(Mrs. Marjorie East)
Chiltern Mothercraft Training Society, 20 Peppard Road,
Caversham (Miss Shepherd)
Forest School Biology Society, Forest School, Robinhood Lane,
Winnersh (Mr. R. L. Norton, Head of Biology)
Kendrick School, London Road, Reading (The Headmistress)
Reading Geological Society (Mr. D. R. Ward, Holly House,
Maidenhead Road, Wokingham)
Reading School, Erleigh Road, Reading (c/o Mr. C. J. Leeke)
Science Dept., Reading College of Technology, Kings Road,
Reading (Dr. A. M. B. Whitaker)
Southlands Girls' School, Northumberland Avenue, Reading (The
Headnistress)
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