New Bird Hide Screen at Rushy Common Nature Reserve

We're delighted to announce the opening of our new Bird Hide Screen at Rushy Common Nature Reserve.

Keith testing out the new screen

This new screen will give bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to see a side of the reserve not easily viewable from the current hide.

A key is required to access the new screen which can be purchased for £10 from the Lower Windrush Valley Project. Once purchased, the key gives you unlimited access to the bird hides at both Rushy Common and Standlake Common Nature Reserves.

If you would like to purchase a key, visit: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/buying-bird-hide-key or contact the project office on 01865 815426

Standlake Common (Pit 60) Management – what a difference a digger makes!

Those of you with keys to the bird hides may have noticed a digger on site at Standlake Common during September. We’ve been carrying out some much needed work to remove the reeds along the North shore and maintain the gravel margins and islands.

When the 25 hectare site was restored over 15 years ago the key objective was to create a nature reserve that supports a wide range of habitat types, including grassland, reedbed, scrub, open water and gravel shoreline.

Before – The reeds had spread considerably along the North shore

The digger on site

After – Reeds removed and bank profiled to maintain shallows and muddy pools to benefit a range of bird and invertebrate species.

Bird Hide Keys can be purchased via our website: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/buying-bird-hide-key