Local Nature Reserve
What, Where and Why
Brook Meadow is within 200m of Emsworth Museum. To walk to the meadow, cross North Street, turn left at the roundabout and in 40m take the path behind the bus stop.
Brook Meadow is a water meadow and woodland. The site is roughly 10.5 acres consisting of 5 acres of grassland, surrounded by woodlands and flanked by 2 streams. It is full of birds, insects and wildflowers. There are also field paths, seats, interpretation boards and sign cases with news and photos.
The Meadow is close to Emsworth town centre (see map above). There are 3 pedestrian access points (see map) linked by gravel paths. These entrances are always open unless the paths are flooded.
The Meadow is owned by Havant Borough Council and is public access land. Since 2000 it has been managed by Brook Meadow Conservation Group for the benefit of wildlife and the local community.
The following display boards give a brief insight into the meadow, what is involved in managing the site and how a balance between wildlife habitat and visitors can be achieved.
Photographs by Brian Fellows, Malcolm Phillips, Neil Botterill and Jon Keynes
Since its formation in 2000 Brook Meadow Conservation Group has had the dual responsibility of creating and maintaining a haven for wildlife as well as actively involving the local community in the life of the meadow. Information has been key to engaging and maintaining the commitment of a loyal band of Members and volunteers while also interesting the occasional visitor. Brian Fellows, a founding member and the first chairman of the group, has been instrumental in creating and maintaining an active and informative website and wildlife blog.
Sign cases are located near the three main entrances to the meadow and one in Palmers Road Copse. These are regularly updated by Brian Fellows with colourful photographs of wildlife and the work undertaken by volunteers.
Twice a month, following work sessions, members receive an email with links to the website containing the report of conservation tasks undertaken. Every three months a Newsletter is produced, edited by the current chairman Colin Brotherston. This Is forwarded to members either as a digital or paper copy.
A major part of meadow management is to encourage visitors and particularly children to interact with the wildlife on the meadow. In this way we hope to engender an interest in nature on our doorstep as well as provide a recreational facility for visitors. Over the years school children from Portsmouth and the local area have visited to undertake a variety of activities on the meadow, as have Cub, Scout, Guide and wild church groups. For adults, activities have included nature and herb walks.
Activities with Emsworth Primary School
Brook Meadow has three main grass meadow areas, North, Central and South. The latter is frequently flooded and has less intervention so as a result has become more overgrown. The meadows are managed by regular mowing and controlling invasive plants such as brambles and Hemlock water dropwort. Cuttings are removed to reduce soil fertility which encourages wildflowers to grow. Once a year BMCG arranges for the mowing of larger areas of the meadow on a three-year rotational basis by a contractor.
Managing the specially protected wildflower area in the centre of the north meadow is particularly important owing to its abundant crop of orchids, usually preceded by a sea of buttercups. Insects and butterflies abound.
The meadow also features a huge variety of grasses and sedges. The nationally rare ‘divided sedge’ helped the meadow gain its SINC status.
A SINC is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation
There are 68 varieties on trees and shrubs on Brook Meadow – here are four examples. Please refer to the tree trail leaflets to see where to find these trees.
There are 68 varieties on trees and shrubs on Brook Meadow – here are four examples. Please refer to the tree trail leaflets to see where to find these trees.
ENGLISH OAK
The ruling majesty of the woods, the Oak holds a special place in our culture, history, and hearts. It supports more life than any other native tree. Its fallen leaves and acorns support biodiversity.
Scientific name: quercus robur
CRACK WILLOW
Species of willow native to Europe and in abundance on Brook Meadow. Often found growing beside water channels. We have many along our two streams.
Scientific name: Salix × fragilis
Black POPLAR
Imposing, elegant, rare. The black poplar was once a staple of Britain’s landscape but, these days, the trees are few and far between. Brook Meadow has three.
Scientific name: populus nigra betulifolia
ELM
This newly planted tree is hopefully resistant to Dutch Elm disease. This is a four-year-old Dutch cultivator which should develop into a fine specimen in 25 years.
Scientific name: ulmus lutece
Fungi play an important role in biodiversity. Here are four examples from Brook Meadow
With 60 species of birds recorded on Brook Meadow in 2023, some are resident all year round like our Blue Tits, Robins and Wrens. Others are seasonal migrants like the over-wintering Firecrest or the summer-heralding Swallows and Swifts.
One of the world’s rarest and most beautiful habitats, a chalk stream. Only about 200 hundred in existence around the world and most here in Southern England. A reliable flow of cool, mineral-rich water provides an abundance of life for the freshwater community, with water voles, kingfishers, mayflies, caddisflies, damselflies, dragonflies, brown trout, eels, bullheads and many other chalk stream specialist species
Water voles were once, up until 2013, a common sight on Brook Meadow. They have since been in chronic decline with no sightings from 2017 onwards. That was until last year, when several sightings were recorded, including more than one vole at the same time. Whilst we haven’t got back to the resident breeding population that was present in yesteryear, it’s an encouraging sign….
Working closely with the Arun and Rother Rivers Trust (ARRT) and Friends of the Ems, we are monitoring the state of the river along the whole catchment area. With the catchment plan produced by ARRT, we will be working on the 10-year project to revive the whole river Ems, including here on Brook Meadow… Get in touch to help shape the future of your river!
Insects….We have an amazing number of insects living on our meadow. These include butterflies, bees, beetles, damselflies and ladybirds to name a few. Some of these insects are large and colourful. Many play an important role in pollenating our wildflowers.
We have recorded 24 types of butterfly since 2000. Clouded Yellow and Gatekeeper pictured above. Note the two white spots in the black “eyes” of the gatekeeper.
There are many different types of insect. A Red Headed Cardinal and a Shield bug are pictured.
We have installed a ◄ bug hotel with the help of pupils from Emsworth Primary School. Hopefully more bug hotels can be built in different parts of the meadow.
Also, you will see holes drilled in trees and posts. These holes may become homes for insects.
Not forgetting Spiders
Reptiles….We have several reptiles who live in or visit the meadow. Among those who live on the meadow are slow worms and common lizards. Over the years we have constructed a number of hibernacula as homes.
Mammals…. There are a small number of mammals including Bats, squirrels, wood mice, field mice, moles and shrews. There may be other very shy residents like the weasel pictured left, very rarely seen.
Brook Meadow can only be managed with the help of volunteers who turn out twice a month. The 2-hour sessions are held on the first Sunday and third Thursday of each month starting at 10.00. Activities encompass a wide variety of tasks to suit most abilities. There is a welcome coffee break. Tools and protective clothing are supplied.
Brook Meadow Conservation Group And How You Could Help
When the Group was formed, one of the objectives was to prevent the site from being developed for housing and to provide an amenity for the local community. It was quickly determined that the meadow should be managed for the encouragement of wildlife in general and particularly for the health of the resident water vole population.
It is a local society with a Membership, Constitution and Management Committee. An AGM is held where the yearly activities and accounts are presented and approved. Members pay a small subscription which provides financing for tools and meadow furniture along with materials for public events.
The group soon acquired a good stock of equipment. Leaders were trained in basic skills such as conservation, team leadership, risk assessment, tool use and first aid so that the group could run work sessions effectively. Activities are covered by insurance that is paid for by Havant Borough Council.
Group activities can be roughly divided into 4 main areas
- Increasing biodiversity
- Accessibility and amenity
- Raising awareness of local fauna and flora
- Assisting in management of public access
More volunteers are always welcome at the twice monthly work parties.
Brook Meadow currently needs more people to help on its Management Committee. Please get in touch if this is something you feel you contribute to. You would be very welcome.
Contact Colin Brotherston (Chairman) Tel: 07779759696
email: brookmeadowcg@outlook.com web Book Meadow Website
Thank you for visiting our exhibition
