Dry Sandford Pit Nature Reserve and Abingdon Healthfest - Saturday, 7 September 2024

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Blog by Sally, photos by Kevin and Sally

A former sand and limestone quarry, Dry Sandford Pit Nature Reserve is of national importance with its combination of different habitats:  fossil-rich cliffs, alkaline fen, ponds, streams, chalk grassland scrub and woodlands.  We were last here in June to remove Himalayan Balsam, but this week Kevin, our leader for the session, had been briefed by BBOWT, who own and manage the reserve, to work on two areas of the fen - cutting reed and removing invasive scrub (alder, willow and birch) and taking the cut vegetation onto existing heaps to prevent nutrient build-up in the fen, and cutting back overgrowing vegetation around gates and along the path.  

We assembled in the reserve car park and took the tools along the path to the bench installed in memory of the Abingdon Naturalists Society's founder, Tony and Susi Searle, where we set up our base.  This overlooks the area of fen where most of the group would work - using the tree popper to remove saplings and lop other scrub, as well as scythe and rake rank vegetation.  

A second group of volunteers set about tackling a tree that had fallen over the pathway by lopping branches and sawing the trunk.

Two Green Gymmers walked to the far area of fen where Kevin gave instructions to cut the tall reed and rank vegetation and remove as much scrub as possible.

Although we were reduced in number (only 9 of us this week), we made good progress despite it being quite humid.  We kept our eyes out for the small herd of Dexter cattle, which had only recently returned to the site to graze from the nearby Lashford Lane Nature Reserve, as we had been told that they might be curious, but we were not disturbed at all.

Eleanor left us at break time as she had signed Abingdon Green Gym up for Healthfest in Abingdon Market Place and would be managing our stall from 12.00pm to 2.00pm.  It was all go, go, go!

Barbara found a recently shedded grass snake skin and, as we chatted over our drinks and biscuits, we also admired the new BBOWT noticeboard explaining the importance of the fen area.

It was good to see a large number of marsh helleborines around.  This is a type of orchid which flourishes in alkaline fens.  We also think we may have spotted signs of a water vole's larder as the cut shoots bore the 45 degree angle.

After a bit more cutting, it was all hands on deck to get the cut material raked up onto existing heaps before it was time to pack up and head for home.  We hope that we have helped make an impact by removing dense rank vegetation thereby allowing light for seeds of fen plants to germinate and flourish for a good display of flowers for next spring/summer.

Kevin then made a quick dash to join Carolyn on the Good Neighbours stall and then help Eleanor at the Abingdon Green Gym stall at Healthfest.  We are grateful to Healthfest for giving us the opportunity to showcase our work and encourage more people to give us a try.

 The fen area before work commenced


Kevin giving instructions to Roger

Rosie and David scrub bashing as Barbara scythes

Eleanor on operation path clearance

A bit blurry, but this is James and Ursula clearing overgrowing vegetation from the pathway


BBOWT's new notice board about the Fen

Breaktime - taking full advantage of the bench!

Barbara showing off her snakeskin find


Kevin on operation clear up of the fen area

A cigar gall caused by a parasitic wasp on reed

A knapweed flower giving a splash of colour amongst the vegetation near the bench


Possible water vole larder

Roger lopping 

The fen area after our efforts

Kevin and Eleanor at Abingdon Green Gym plc's stall at Healthfest!

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