A Litter pick along the Emm Brook is undertaken on the first Saturday of every month of the year.
The next litter pick will be on Saturday 7th March 2026 at 10.00 . Meet at Dragonfly Bridge to the rear of Morrisons Supermarket, Woosehill RG41 3SN at 10:00.
Please wear suitable clothing, footwear and gloves.Litter pickers and bags provided. Parking is available at Morrisons.
WOOSEHILL MEADOWS & EMM BROOK WORK PARTY CALENDAR– 2026
2026
JANUARY
Sat 3rd FOTEB Litter Pick
Despite the cold weather, I was amazed and overwhelmed to have 15 fellow pickers turn up for the FOTEB Monthly litter pick . With the extra attendees we were able to explore many new areas. As a result we managed to fill 22 bags of rubbish,
including 4 wrecked picnic chairs , a club hammer and a section of railings and unfortunately 5 Nitrous Oxide Cannisters.
Fri 09th - Survey, Walk & Talk
Sat 24th - Work Party
FEBRUARY
7th - FOTEB Litter Pick
Despite the prospect of more rain and very wet conditions underfoot, the team of pickers this month was into double figures. As a result, a total of 14 bags of rubbish were picked in just over an hour ,
along the Emm Brook. A big thanks to all those that attended . Nice to see new faces.
Sat 14th - Work Party
CANCELLED
Just a quick heads-up to let everyone know that we plan to reschedule our upcoming work party, originally planned for Saturday 14 February.
Due to the ongoing rain — with more forecast for the coming week — ground conditions along the Emm Brook are currently too wet and slippery. High water levels mean it wouldn’t be safe to carry out pollarding, coppicing, or brush removal at the moment. To be rearranged.
Fri 20th - Survey, Walk & Talk
MARCH
Sat 7th - FOTEB Litter Pick
Sat 14th - Work Party
Fri 20th - Survey, Walk & Talk
AGM 2026
This years AGM will be held on TBA at the Woosehill Community Centre, Emmview Cl, Wokingham RG41 3DA .
BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 2026
For more information on this years Big Garden Birdwatch
Click here
BALSAM BASHING 2026
The annual Balsam Bashing will be undertaken on the Emm Brook later in the year. Once the Balsam has come into flower.
The Three Amigos will walk the Emm Brook from Area 2 to Area 8 removing Himalayan Balsam as they go in the summer, a total distance of approximately 3.53 km or for those of us of a certain age 2.19 Miles.
MONTHLY BIRD WALKS AROUND DINTON PASTURES 2026
RSPB
The RSPB group runs “A Date With Nature” walk at Dinton Pastures
Country Park on the first Saturday morning of every month of
the year. These start at 9:00 am in the main car park (postcode
RG10 0TH), and finish by 12:30 pm. A donation of £2 per adult
(children free) is requested.
Car park charges at weekends are currently £2.30/hr
up to a maximum of £9.20 (for 4 hours or over).
This
Month on the Emmbrook
What to look for if you are out and about in
MARCH
General
Spring is usually said to start at the beginning of March and the 21st of March is the Spring Equinox; the date on which day and night are of equal length.
This season is a time of days getting longer and the spring sunshine bringing growth and greenery everywhere with buds bursting and leaves unfolding. Birdsong reaches a peak and many flowers appear, in turn attracting insect-life, including bees and butterflies. Animals that hibernated over winter appear on the first warm days of spring so keep an eye out in early Spring for them.
As the nights get longer, and at last the clocks change ("spring forward"), there is a renewed optimism for the new season ahead. The Vernal Equinox on the Astronomical Calender is on the 20th.However the Metrological Calender says that Spring starts on the 1st March
Birds
As more summer migrants arrive in late March, the woodland dawn chorus will swell. However the resident birds (Song thrushes, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Great Tit and Robin) are already in full song proclaiming their territories to all comers.
One of the first migrants to arrive is the Chifchafff with its repetitive and distinctive song. These birds will have flown from West Africa to be here.
The Chiffchaff is a small green warbler found in woodlands and scrubby areas.
Insects
Bumblebees especially the Buff-tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus terrestris) can be seen buzzing around on the warmer days.
This is a widespread and common Bumble Bee. The large, conspicuous overwintered queens are often among the first bumble bees to appear in spring, often occurring in late February/early March.
Nectar sources are scarce at this time. They are black with a dull yellow band just in front of the wings, and another across the middle of the body.
The abdomen of the queen is buff coloured, but workers are very similar to white-tailed bumble bees. This species nests below ground.
Dormant throughout the winter, Ladybirds wake-up in March and April and begin looking for partners to mate with.
Ladybirds are normally found wherever there is food for them. Any plant, shrub or tree with greenfly or scale insects may attract Ladybirds.
Butterflies
The first butterfly of the year to emerge from hibernation is the beautiful lemon yellow male and greenish white female Brimstone.
It is possible that the word butterfly is derived from the yellow butter colour of this species .
The adult is an important pollinator of the yellow Primroses flowering at this time, whereas its caterpillars feed only on Buckthorn.
Other Wildlife
In March and April bats emerge from their winter hibernation, to hunt out flying insects on which they feed. In towns the small pipistrelle is the most common species. Bats are very particular in their hibernating sites requiring a stable temperature and humidity.
Toads start to emerge from their wintering hiding places and move towards their chosen breeding ponds.
Plants
& Trees
Along the banks of the Emm towards the end of the month the Blackthorn (also known as sloe) flowers.
Their bushes are covered in clouds of white blossom borne on its dark, thorn laden branches.
This shrub is sometimes confused with Hawthorn, but the Hawthorn does not flower until May and comes into leaf before the blossom opens.
A sure sign of spring is the apperance of the furry looking catkins of the 'pussy' willow, found in damp places.
Early Lesser Celandines have already shown their yellow petals to the sun, however when its dull the flowers remain closed.
