Floodplain Wetland Mosaic creation along the river Thame
Eddie Rixon’s mixed farm in Buckinghamshire extends down to the river Thame on the Oxfordshire boarder, 1 km north-west of Thame. His family have been farming here for generations. To ensure the longevity of his family business, Eddie has looked to Biodiversity Net Gain to diversify his portfolio. Given that his farm is within the Thame floodplain, a corridor between two Thame Important Freshwater Area’s (IFAs), and within the Thame Valley Biodiversity Opportunity Area (BOA), his land was ideally located for the creation of a Habitat Bank.
“A Habitat Bank is an area of land on which a significant uplift in biodiversity can be created. They are typically upwards of 20 hectares in size and can be created in advance of requirement by developers.”
The River Thame Conservation Trust (RTCT) identified a portion of Eddie’s land as being ideal for delivering Biodiversity Net Gain in the region and so in May 2022, with Eddie’s help, they conducted a study to determine the baseline ecological condition of the site. The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment’s (TOE’s) track record with facilitating effective gains for biodiversity in Eddie’s part of the world meant they were perfectly placed to act as the Habitat Bank Manager for this project.
The site
The site comprises of four permanent grassland fields, three of which bound the river. They get seasonally wet, preventing Eddie from grazing his beef cattle on them during the rainy months and effectively taking them out of production. By managing these fields as designated Biodiversity Net Gain sites, Eddie will secure a stable income (for 30+ years!) from fields that would otherwise be left unproductive for several months of the year.
The biodiversity
The survey found that the sward is generally grass-heavy (dominated by grass species such as meadow foxtail, Yorkshire fog, and creeping bent) with abundant buttercups and a few other common wildflowers such as dandelion and common mouse-ear. The ecologists determined that, based on the low floral species richness of the fields, the grasslands habitats were in ‘poor’ condition and well suited for biodiversity uplift.
The local area is home to a variety of important over-wintering bird species, including lapwings, snipes, and teals. In an effort to preserve and enhance this precious habitat, this ambitious project has been initiated to restore three fields back to their natural state as Floodplain Wetland Mosaic (FWM). By transforming the land into the most suitable habitat, the project aims to not only preserve the local wildlife but also improve connectivity in an area that is crucial for FWM along this stretch of the Thame.
The plan
In September 2023, a network of shallow scrapes was created as part of a floodplain wetland mosaic. These scrapes, linked by the river and hedgerows, will enhance biodiversity for wetland birds, plants, invertebrates, and amphibians. Using green hay, the adjacent fields will be seeded to create 16.12 Ha of new floodplain wetland. The project will align with Eddie's land management strategy and allow him to continue taking his annual hay cut. A scrub shelter belt and wildlife corridor will also be developed to the west, using natural regeneration and native species planting.
“This project has been a collaborative effort between the landowner, the River Thame Conservation Trust, Buckinghamshire Council, and TOE. ”
Toe’s role
As the Habitat Bank Manager, all monitoring and reporting responsibilities lie with TOE for the 30+ year arrangement to ensure that the habitat that was promised is that habitat that is created. Within days the scrapes had filled with water (Image 3) and was attracting inquisitive wetland species checking out their new stomping ground. We can’t wait to see what turns up in the next few years!