Otmoor RSPB reserve

Upper Thames River Valleys

An amazing place for people Our work so far and for wildlife Relationships with local farmers are central Travel the world and you will experience to our vision for the Upper Thames River few things more evocative and romantic Valleys. Over the years we have helped than a meadow in spring filled with the many farmers to provide the ideal heady bubbling of curlews, tumbling conditions for breeding waders, such as lapwings and “drumming” snipe. Welcome lapwings and curlews. With support from to the Upper Thames River Valleys, the us and Natural England, a number of tributaries of the River Thames that weave farmers have successfully applied for through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Higher Level Stewardship and have created or enhanced wet grassland areas Throughout the Futurescape area we are on their farms. At present, we’re working promoting the creation and restoration of with over 50 farmers to aid the creation vital wetland habitats, improving water and management of wet meadows and quality and increasing community shallow pools. This work is already involvement in conservation. A whole host showing positive results with five areas of wildlife will reap the benefits of this becoming important for breeding curlews. landscape-scale work, including water In the Otmoor basin, breeding snipe voles, otters, dragonflies, butterflies, numbers reached a record 14 pairs in 2013 Sentinel of the wetland plants and wading birds, such as – a remarkable achievement. marshes lapwings, redshanks, snipe and curlews. But people will benefit too. Local We’re also working closely with local Long bright red legs, a nervous communities will have more opportunities authorities, the Environment Agency and disposition and piercing, ringing to experience the natural world and the Natural England to benefit all kinds of alarm calls… it is easy to see why precious species that have long been wildlife. We are promoting restorations to redshanks have been named the absent from many parts of this county. priority habitat, such as reedbeds, after sentinels of the marshes. And when mineral extraction through work with the it comes to traditional names, We’re working together with the Berks, County Council and other operators. redshanks steal the show. Try ebb Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) cock, watchdog of the marshes and to link our nature reserves with farming The RSPB and BBOWT are both excited by red-legged horseman. Sadly, the communities across the Upper Thames our joint working. Steve Holliday, RSPB marshes have fallen silent as land catchments. The area includes our Otmoor Midlands Director, said: “The sight of has been drained, developments nature reserve on the River Ray near tumbling lapwings and the bubbling calls have spread and chemicals Beckley, BBOWT’s Upper Ray Meadows of curlews are magical experiences – deteriorated water quality. But there nature reserve on the River Ray near nature wrapping its arms around you and is good news. Thanks to farmers, Grendon Underwood and Chimney lifting your heart. It is exciting to be landowners and the RSPB, breeding Meadows nature reserve on the River forging such an effective, long-term redshanks are increasing, with over Thames near Bampton. Farmers and relationship between the RSPB, BBOWT, 50 pairs recorded in 2013. Together landowners outside these reserves are farmers and the community for the future with farmers we are creating more being offered specialist advice to help good of wildlife, the landscape and the wetland homes for this beautiful bird. integrate conservation with production. quality of our lives”. Farnham

Banbury

Brackley

Moreton-in-Marsh Buckingham

Chipping Norton Upper Heyford Kingham Bicester Bourton-on-the-Water

Chichester

Witney Haddenham Carterton Oxford Thame KEY main road Futurescape area

Upper Thames “ The local RSPB team are good neighbours. We benefit from their expertise to enhance the environmental management of our grassland River Valleys farm. Even in stunning landscapes, farming remains a business. Working together and sharing our skills adds value for everyone.” J Smith & J Dixon Farm Partnership, Noke, Oxfordshire

What’s next? Get in touch We want to continue helping nature to flourish throughout the We want to hear your ideas about how we can work Upper Thames River Valleys and beyond. We hope to maintain together to make the Upper Thames River Valleys even the relationships formed with key partners and promote the better for people and wildlife. importance of wildlife to the area and its communities. Conservation Officer for Oxfordshire We plan to work alongside the Environment Agency to achieve and Buckinghamshire the desired outcomes of the Water Framework Directive – good Charlotte Kinnear quantities of clean, healthy water flowing through the area. We T 01865 352035 will explore the links between our nature conservation work and E [email protected] future urban development. And, importantly, we will involve people in the local communities to increase their awareness and appreciation of their stunning natural surroundings.

The Upper Thames River Valleys Futurescapes project is kindly Natura 2000 – Europe’s Futurescapes is The RSPB is a member supported by: nature for you. We are generously supported of BirdLife International, working together across the by the EU Life+ a partnership of conservation EU to safeguard Europe’s rich Communications organisations working to give and diverse natural heritage Programme nature a home around the world for the benefit of all

Futurescapes is the RSPB’s contribution to landscape-scale conservation throughout the UK. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. Images: Otmoor RSPB reserve by Ben Hall and redshank by Richard Bedford (both rspb-images.com). Maps produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. 020-1-1228-13-14