Ecological Reports and Surveys

A number of ecological reports and surveys have been carried out at the Radley Lakes in recent years.  Several of them were carried out by the original Save Radley Lakes campaign.  They will be posted here as they become available.

Fungus Survey

Redhead fungus

Redhead roundhead fungus

Yellow fungus on branch

Yellow brain fungus

On 17th October 2022 David Guyoncourt carried out a search of the Radley Lakes area to record fungi.  David recorded twelve species, none of them rare.  David hopes to do another survey in November.

The results of the survey are here.

Ecological Assessment for Sandles Car Park

Line of leylandii trees
scrubland

In the summer of 2021, Ecoconsult ltd carried out a survey and published a report on the likely ecological impact of a car park in the Sandles area of the lakes.  You can read the survey here.

Oxfordshire Local Wildlife Site Survey Report 2020

Lake and woods
Scrub and trees

Photographs of the North East of the survey area

This report by the Thames Valley  Environmental Records Centre considers whether the Radley Gravel Pits qualify as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS).  LWS are areas of land recognised for having high wildlife value containing rare or threatened habitats and species.  The report can be read by clicking here.

Collected wildlife observations made by Basil Crowley from 2004 to 2015

Basil Crowley made over 1000 observations of the flora and fauna at Radley Lakes between 2004 and 2015.  He reported the results to iRecord whose owners have provided them to the Trust.  

The document is intended to be read in spreadsheet format as an Excel file which can be found here. Alternatively, a text format PDF file is available here.  You may need to increase the magnification to read the PDF version on screen.

Combined list of all species observations up to 2013

This major document combines three surveys carried out by Save Radley Lakes.  It focuses on the species observed between 2003 and 2013.  It was authored by R M G Eeles, B  J B Crowley, J Cartmell and D M Guyoncourt.

The document is intended to be read in spreadsheet format as an Excel file which can be found here.  Alternatively, a text format PDF file is available here.  You may need to increase the magnification to read the PDF version on screen.

Summary Ecological Report focusing on Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes up to 2006

Close-up of bee orchid
Close-up of white hellibore

Bee orchid and white hellibore.  Photographs © B J B Crowley 2005.

This summary ecological report by R M G Eeles focuses on Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes.  Appendix 1 lists the names and letters of all the lakes which may be helpful in reading other reports on this page.

This addendum corrects one observation.

Ecological Report on mammals at Thrupp and Bullfield lakes up to 2006

Badger in grassland

Photograph © R Eeles 2005

Ecology Summary Report giving additional information on otter, water vole, badger and bat activity and distribution at Thrupp and Bullfield lakes up to 2006 by R M G Eeles,  B J B Crowley  and J Cartmell.

Ecological Report on birds at Thrupp and Bullfield lakes up to 2006

Kingfisher on a branch

Ecology Summary Report giving additional information on birds at Thrupp and Bullfield lakes up to 2006 by G M M Guyoncourt.  The introduction gives a full account of the Radley Lakes and their history in the context of birdlife.

The Condition of Pumney Brook

Part of Pumney Brook Outfall showing signs of poor condition

The Outfall Pool, Pumney Brook, 12 August 2005. ©B J B Crowley 2005

This survey report by R M G Eeles from 2006 gives the results of sampling the Pumney Brook PFA effluent outfall pool.  It assesses the ecological status and water quality compared to its condition in the past. 

A Comparison of the Biodiversity of Infilled Lakes (A-D) with Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes (E-F)

Chart showing greater numbers of plant and bird species in surviving lakes compared to PFA infilled lakes

This 2005 report by R M G Eeles, B J B Crowley and J Cartmell assesses the conservation values of lakes infilled with PFA (A-D) compared to the remaining lakes (E-F).

Bird Sightings at Radley Gravel Pits 1995-1997

This survey records bird sightings at the Radley Lakes between 1995 and 1997.  The file was passed to the trust by Paddy Dockar-Drysdale in 2000.  Please contact the trust if you know the author of the survey

1993 Report on Bird Life in the Radley Lakes Area

This report by M G Wilson covers bird life in the general area from the 1960s up to 1993.  The report is published by kind permission of the Oxford Ornitholgical Society.