Dry Sandford Pit Nature Reserve - Saturday, 28th February 2026

By -

Blog by Sally.  Photos by Julio, Margaret and Sally

For the last session of our winter 2025/26 programme, we returned to Dry Sandford Pit Nature Reserve in Cothill, assembling in the car park, where Adrian, our session leader, met us all.  The Nature Reserve is owned and managed by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (or BBOWT) and provides a range of habitats for flora and fauna to thrive, including grassland, woodland, sandy cliffs and fen.  Adrian had been given a list of tasks from Beth of BBOWT for us to do.  The weather was mild and cloudy to start with, but the sun soon came out.

Kevin and Simon were asked to return to the alkaline fen to finish off removing scrub (mainly willow) from an area which we were unable to complete last time.  If left unchecked, the willow would grow into large trees, not only crowding out the specialist fen flora, but also drying out the fen.  

Adrian asked the remainder of the group to work on the grassland either side of the gate to remove scrub, mainly bramble, which would otherwise smother the anthills and emerging flowering grassland plants.  With 17 people in the group, we were able to split and work safely.  The tree popper was used to pull out small saplings to prevent them from growing into trees.  Otherwise, we had to lop them.  Barbara managed to do a litter pick of the reserve and this was all taken away to be disposed of properly.  

We had a very welcome break at 11.00 and everyone was in good spirits.

Kevin and Simon managed to clear the scrub on the fen in the corner and then returned to assist with the clearing up, making the dead hedge and also raking and collecting up the cut vegetation to put on the dead hedge or existing habitat piles.  It was soon time to pack up and go.  We left the site looking a lot clearer than when we'd arrived, but there's still plenty more bramble to be tackled!  Another time, perhaps, or possibly the Dexter cattle will enjoy it when they return for their summer grazing.

BBOWT's information board

Having spotted some litter in the car park, Adrian grabbed a bag and some litter pickers and then found a set of handcuffs, which caused a bit of merriment.  One of our most bizarre litter picking finds.

Adrian briefs the group

One of the areas of grassland to be cleared before we started work - the bumps are anthills.
Margaret, Jim and Sally set up their scythes to cut the tall vegetation, which included an awful lot of bramble

This was the area on the other side of the gate before we started work

A common frog

Nodding daffodils - flowering in time for St David's Day the following day (1 March)

Primrose - spring is definitely on its way

Chopping, lopping and popping in progress.  The tree popper was used to pull out single stemmed saplings complete with their roots, which prevents their regrowth.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the gate, Jim scythes the bramble patch

Another fun find - Sally found a whistle whilst scything

As the morning progressed, the cloud lifted and the sun came out - it was really quite glorious for break time - here we all are!

A 7-spot ladybird basks in the sunshine

Carolyn and Kevin at work

The cleared area to the left of the entrance gate as you enter the Reserve

The cut material was used to bolster the dead hedge we helped create some years ago.  Dead hedges provide valuable habitat for invertebrates, providing shelter and food, as well as corridors for small mammals

Meanwhile, on the other side of the gate, another habitat pile (tucked behind the silver birch trees) has been created from the cut vegetation

The cleared bank and grassland to the area on the right hand side of the gate as you enter the Reserve

Packing up - it also gave us a chance to catch up in the sunshine

The tiniest scarlet elf cups we've probably come across

Another fungus found in the grassland

The sessile oak that was planted on the site, looking as though it's welcoming the sunshine with open arms

First cowslip of spring rescued from smothering bramble



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abingdon Clubs and Societies Day, 29th March 2014

By Andrew -
Image
This was the bi-annual Abingdon Clubs and Societies Day, held at the Guildhall in the town centre.  It provides us along with the many other groups and organisations in Abingdon with the chance to have a stall and demonstrate to those attending what we get up to.  Also, it is a good opportunity to attract new members. Dieuwke was in charge of organising the stall this year.  We were placed opposite the Abingdon Naturalists Society who we regularly hold joint sessions with, but there were many other groups present whose activities do not overlap. We received much interest, with several people registering interest.  We look forward to welcoming new members over the coming weeks. -Andrew Dieuwke, Kevin and Carolyn at the Green Gym stall There was much interest in our activities during the day Information on our activities and marmalade for sale! Poster outside the Guildhall Abingdon Guildhall
Read more

Jarn Mound and Wild Garden, Boars Hill, 12th November 2016

By Andrew -
Image
Four weeks after our last session with the Oxford Preservation Trust at Boars Hill, we returned, albeit at Jarn Mound this time rather than the Elizabeth Daryush Garden; which had been our venue in October. We again met with  Rachel Sanderson of the trust, who along with our leader of the day, James, outlined the tasks for the morning.  Primarily, we were to clear the mound itself of scrub and tree saplings that had taken root there, with the intention of restoring it to its original state.  There were also some flatter areas of the garden that required clearing, for the less intrepid among us. Unfortunately, the day had begun a little on the inclement side.  Indeed as we arrived, the rain fell persisently, making many of us wonder if the session would go ahead at all!  But of course, the Green Gymmers are renowned for working whatever the weather, and the damp conditions did not deter us. A couple of problems were immediately evident due to the rain...
Read more