A BOROUGH dogwalker noticed that a wildlife area in Winnersh has become overgrown, and asked on social media why that was.
To find out, Wokingham.Today contacted Wokingham Borough Council for information about Winnersh Meadows pond, which is currently filled with reeds.
The council is responsible for maintaining the site, and their reply reflects a balance of needs to be considered when carrying out work there.
A representative explained: “The pond is full of a couple of different plant species, including reedmace, coppice willow and crassula.
“It is also home to a population of great crested newts, which means we need to be careful about the timing of any clearance works, to avoid any adverse impacts on them.
“We also need to be careful not to allow the crassula to spread.
“We are working with our ecology officer to determine what works we can carry out that would best support the great crested newts at this site, as well as other wildlife.”
Great crested newts are strictly protected by British and European law due to serious declines in the number and range of the species.
It is an offence to kill, injure, capture or disturb them.
People are also not permitted to damage or destroy their habitat, or to possess, sell or trade the animals.
This law applies to all stages of the life cycle, including eggs.
The largest of the UK’s three native species, great crested newts are dark brown or black in colour.
They have a warty skin and a bright orange underside with black blotches.
Males develop a jagged crest along their back and a white flash along the tail in spring.
For information about overgrown vegetation in the borough, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk
