Two grants totalling £15,890 awarded in 2018 and 2020
The Freshwater Habitats Trust is working with volunteers to carry out a large multi-year, multi-site project to restore rare fen habitat in Oxfordshire.
Three principal tasks have been undertaken at Hinksey Heights (west of Oxford) since the project started in 2018: baseline assessment survey (of habitats, water quality, vegetation and invertebrates); volunteers have been trained in how to use scythes, fen plant identification and monitoring; and crucial habitat management. As part of the management at this site, there has been regular clearance of vegetation including willow scrub, bramble, reeds and tall herbs. Once cut, the areas are then scythed and raked regularly to emulate traditional management.
A dam has been built of timber and brushwood to enlarge the fen and typical fen species previously not present (including marsh lousewort, parsley water dropwort and bog pimpernel) have been introduced to promote fen habitat. Repeat vegetation surveys have demonstrated the positive impact of the work so far.
Work at the site has been undertaken by skilled contractors working with a dedicated team of volunteers who attend regular monthly workdays.