Nature reserves across the county have put their share of a £1.78m grant to good by creating habitats to attract unusually large numbers of birds.

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is one of 12 wildlife trusts taking part in the three-year National Wetland Restoration and Flood Alleviation Project, funded by Biffaward.

At Upper Ray Meadows nature reserve, near Bicester, the trust has created wet muddy havens for rare birds including curlew and lapwing to feed. And 36 new ponds have been created at Gallows Bridge Farm, which is part of the reserve, to make new habitats for wildflowers, butterflies, and damselflies.

Elsewhere at Chimney Meadows nature reserve, near Bampton, volunteers used dumper trucks and diggers to create 11 ponds.

Christopher Williams, of the wildlife trust, said: “Schemes like this are helping to reverse the damage done to our wetlands, which have been in serious decline.

“On the Upper Ray Meadows this winter we’ve seen more than 2,000 lapwing and impressive flocks of golden plover, wigeon and teal.

“Birders have spotted black-tailed godwit and dunlin as well as barnacle and white-fronted geese.”

  • For more information go to bbowt.org.uk