Springwatch presenter Chris Packham, has accused the council of “eco-vandalism” after it mowed down a protected wildflower leaving a young girl devastated. 

Young nature enthusiast, 11-year-old Isabella Mann, first discovered Bee and Pyramid Orchids on a roundabout on Abberbury Road in Iffley two years ago.

Pleased with her discovery, she wrote to Oxfordshire County Council to ask if the flowers could be protected. She never received a reply.

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The flowers appeared each spring since. However, on Monday June 13, Isabella found to her devastation that the wildflowers had been mowed down.

Oxford Mail:

Oxford photographer and ecologist, Hugh Warwick, captured Isabella’s joy when the roundabout was full of wildflowers, and her sadness after it had been mowed.

Posting the pictures on Twitter he said: “She was so pleased, she thought they had listened. This morning they mowed.”

The wildlife TV presenter, Mr Packham, furious at the actions of the council took to Twitter and said: “What the **** is the matter with you Oxfordshire County Council?”

He added: “Will you at least now admit this was a horrible mistake and pledge to make sure it never happens again?

“There is not excuse- this is eco-vandalism pure and simple.”

Oxford Mail:

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Although Mr Packham targeted Oxfordshire County Council on Twitter and Isabella wrote to the county council, it is believed the grass was mowed on behalf of Oxford City Council by subcontractor ODS.

A spokesperson for Oxford City Council said: “We agree with Isabella it’s important to give bees a chance and we have introduced long grass verges in a number of areas across the city as part of our 2020 Oxford Biodiversity Action Plan.

“As ever, resident’s views can differ on the issue of keeping grass long, so we encourage locals to talk to their neighbours, agree whether or not they want the verges cut, and make a request to their local councillor. We’ll take it from there.”

Oxford Mail:

The mowing of the roundabout grass and flowers follows ‘No Mow May’, an initiative which was supported by many councils across the country to let wildflowers bloom.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to change their habits and only mow once a month in order to let grass grow long to help boost our biodiversity and provide a feast of wildflower nectar for bees. 

Oxford Mail:

Isabella’s mother, Amanda Smigielski, who is also passionate about nature, explained that this is not the first time the flowers had been mowed.

She said: “As a family we have always had an interest in wildflowers. We spotted these orchids a few years ago and they have been repeatedly cut down by the council.

“She was very upset to find them mowed she couldn’t believe it. It is supposed to be a city that prides itself on its green credentials, but it is a city that mindlessly illuminates the food for its wildlife.”

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Oxford Mail:

Ms Smigielski added: “It should be no mow spring and summer really. The only reason rare flowers do not flourish on Oxford’s grass verges is council mowing.

“There are so many really rare insects that are companions to these plants, and it is like a mass destruction of our local natural world.”

Matthew Stanton, head of planning and Advocacy at BBOWT, also believes grass verges should be left to grow, he said: "Road verges can support a huge range of native wildflowers such as oxeye daisies, bee orchids and yellow rattle, which provide nectar for bees and other pollinators and form the basis for food chains.

“However, it is important to remember that, in order to maintain these populations, it is crucial to cut back vegetation at certain times of year and remove the cuttings in order to keep the right nutrient balance in the soil for those desired species.”

Read more from this author

This story was written by Rebecca Whittaker, she joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Rebecca covers education and news in Abingdon and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Rebecca.Whittaker@newquest.co.uk or calling 07824524333

Follow her on Twitter @RebecWhitt

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