Summary

This biodiversity report shares information about nature in Bracknell Forest and the actions Bracknell Forest Council have taken to support biodiversity in 2024 and 2025.

Part A: Nature in Bracknell Forest 

Part A shares data and information about nature in the borough over the past 2 years.

It shows that the condition of designated sites is broadly stable. Sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) are assessed as in favourable condition (79.1%), recovering (20.4%) or no change (0.5%). 

The number of local wildlife sites (LWS) and local geological sites (LGS) in positive conservation management have also remained stable. They were at 62% in 2024 and 63% in 2025.

Surveying helps us understand how wildlife is doing across the borough. In 2024:

• 25 adders, 30 grass snakes, 26 common lizards, and 118 slow worms were recorded across 4 key sites
• 2,657 individual butterflies were recorded across 3 key sites
• 5 nightjar territories, 5 Dartford warbler territories and 1 woodlark territory were recorded during heathland bird surveys at Wildmoor heath

In comparison, in 2025 we recorded:

• 19 adders, 25 grass snakes, 18 common lizards and 110 slow worms across 4 keys sites
• 2,772 individual butterflies across 3 key sites
• 4 nightjar territories, 4 Dartford warbler territories and 1 woodlark territory at Wildmoor heath

Part B: Biodiversity duty report

Part B lays out the actions we have taken within the reporting period to protect and improve biodiversity. This includes:

• working with partners to produce an updated Biodiversity Action Plan
• enhancing over 3 hectares of grassland, 17 hectares of woodland and 4 hectares of heathland
• creating 4 ponds at woodland sites and 6 at heathland sites
• installing 4 owl boxes, 4 reptile hibernaculum and a bee bank to enhance sites for specific wildlife
• supporting over 6,000 hours of volunteering at Parks and Countryside sites
• reporting on Biodiversity Net Gain secured through approved Biodiversity Gain Plans for developments