With wind rustling through the reeds, the birdsong in the distance, and countless dragonflies buzzing around, Otmoor Reserve is an island of bounty surrounded by farms and villages.
CEN Academy visited Otmoor on our final day. It was a beautifully sunny day, meaning we were all prepared to see a rather drier wetland than one would usually imagine. We were greeted by David Wilding and Ali Plummer, who gave a brief overview of the history of Otmoor. This was very interesting, providing both a good grounding for the rest of the tour and the source of many questions.
After the initial questions, off we went! Trekking through the wetlands was a glorious experience, with a constant chirping of birds in the distance and the buzzing of crickets nearby. Though this place was full of nature – far more so than any area nearby – it is entirely man-made. 30-40 years of intensive farming post-WWII obliterated any trace of the original environment, meaning this is less restoration to the original and more providing a bulwark for the natural environment. Otmoor will never look like it used to, but, in its new state, it is becoming a haven for nature. As we walked down a path through scrubland, we noticed a variety of birds in the distance, including birds of prey and flying herons.
Suddenly, the tour stopped. In the distance, a family of cranes were striding through the wetland. These are amongst the most exciting of the animals in the reserve, being both an enigmatic species and a prime example of the success of the project. These birds were not expected when the RSPB first planned Otmoor, but the growth of the project has been such that it has become increasingly ambitious.
After this unexpected pleasure, we continued. There were a variety of berries growing on the bushes lining the paths, of which the blackberries were particularly sweet. By this point, the sun was beating down on us, and the effects of the recent drought were clear to see. Whilst the wetlands had maintained a decent quantity of water, the water level was a couple of feet below the usual and the clay soil was baked. What struck me most about this portion of the walk was the sheer number and size of the dragonflies. Otmoor demonstrates with startling clarity the emptiness of even the most rural of areas in the UK. They may be tranquil (as British farms should be), but they do not have anywhere near the number of species (and number of individuals within said species) that one finds in a place which balances farming – there is still agricultural activity in the reserve – and nature restoration.
The walk continued, and we began to stroll from lookout post to lookout post. There were innumerable birds to be seen over the true wetland part of Otmoor, ranging from ducks to more exotic birds. Incidentally, it was at this point when we discussed the ‘booming’ bitterns. These were a welcome surprise for the reserve, with the British population in 1997 being 11. However, once the Otmoor reserve was created (alongside the RSPB’s strengthening and creation of other wetlands), the population expanded. Otmoor has only recently become a home to the bittern, with the birds migrating by following river channels to suitable locations. This led to, in 2016, the milestone of the first chick hatching in Oxfordshire for over 150 years – with many more since then.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. After two hours of walking, bird watching, blackberry picking, and excellent conversation, we returned to the bus. Otmoor is a beautiful reserve – and criminally unknown. On a more important note, Otmoor is a welcome sign of our national tilt towards a rebalancing between man and nature. The reserve is funded by a mix of sources and will be making use of the biodiversity net gain to unlock what could be an important source of funding. It also provides a haven against climate change, with well-maintained wetlands being less threatened bar the risk of a spring deluge destroying important nesting grounds).
If you wish to see nature restoration in progress or just wish to be surrounded by glorious British wildlife, then visit Otmoor. You will not be disappointed.
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