Otmoor is a large flood basin to the northeast of Oxford. With its clay soil, the basin traps water and becomes flooded in winter, forming an important wetland area of marshes, ponds, water meadows, fields and moorland. The RSPB manages around 1000 acres as its Otmoor Reserve. In addition, a strip of land immediately to the east is used by the Ministry of Defence for target practice, including some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Beyond this are two smaller reserves managed by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). The result is a large patchwork of protected wetland, rather like the even larger Somerset Levels. Indeed a similar range of wetland birds occur here, including Marsh Harriers, Bitterns and even a pair of Common Cranes from the Levels population, all of which have bred or attempted to breed in recent years.

In summer the marshes support br .....Read More