Page 11 - BBOWT Annual Review 2017-18

Stepping up to save
a precious place

In summer 2017 BBOWT had the extraordinary opportunity
to make an offer on nearly 50 hectares of land on the south
bank of the River Thames adjoining Chimney Meadows.
The land, which is next to a series of beautiful meanders
of the old River Thames, was renamed Duxford Old River.

Previous in-depth analysis of Chimney’s ecosystem services
already demonstrates the very real value to society of
managing land for nature. We recognised the huge potential
to gently return Duxford Old River to nature, while acquiring
it would enable us to extend Chimney Meadows to create
the first nature reserve to span the Thames.

Our plan to let nature lead the way clearly struck a chord as
our appeal to buy the land was successful, all thanks to the
overwhelming generosity of our members, grant funders
and the general public.

The Old River itself was a major attraction. Cut off from 19,200
navigation in the early 19th century by the Thames Cut
(the modern day route of the river), the original river Followers on social media
course has become a lost world, and is probably the best
example of how the Thames might have looked in days
gone by.

This undisturbed stretch is where most of our sightings of 258 115
otters and their cubs have occurred. Duxford Old River is
also favoured by brown hares and hunting hobby, and the Print media articles Number of TV and
flocks of more than a thousand lapwing and golden plover featuring BBOWT radio broadcasts
in the first winter have been spectacular. But we know it
could be so much more. 43%

The next step is to survey the land to find out what Local MPs have taken an
other creatures call it home, before working with the action to support wildlife
Environment Agency and others to see what interventions
are needed, and what Mother Nature will do on her own.

Duxford Old River gives us the opportunity to try
something different, beyond any constraints. It is a blank
canvas where we intend to let nature take the lead.

Annual Review 2017/2018 | Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust 11