20 April
2019
A nature
reserve found to be a breeding site for an endangered species of bird has been
designated as a protected Local Wildlife Site.
Waterstock,
near Oxford, is home to a population of curlews but is also an important site
for otters, other mammals and some endangered plants.
The flood
meadows near the River Thame has been surveyed monthly for the past three
years.
In recent
weeks 12 curlews have been recorded in the reserve.
Nick
Marriner, from the River Thame Conservation Trust, said last year the RSPB
estimated there were 10 breeding pairs in the entire Upper Thames area east of
Oxford.
He said:
"To have the majority of them in this area, highlights how important
Waterstock and its flood meadows are both locally and regionally and how vital
its wild and undisturbed habitat is.
"The
iconic curlew is the UKs largest wading bird species and has one of the most
evocative calls of all birds."
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