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June 2, 2019
A walk to see how the hard work of Natural England and Abingdon Green Gym volunteers has improved the condition of this site. Reed and trees have been pushed back to restore the valuable flowery short fen, benefiting plants such as Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Marsh Valerian and Cotton Grass. Small Red Damselfly is the rather special feature of this reserve. In addition to the wet fen, the walk will encompass the dry Hurst Copse ancient woodland behind the fen. The walk celebrates the anniversary of the purchase of the Ruskin Reserve for the Society, negotiated by G.C. Druce and Prof. Poulton in 1902 (ownership was transferred to the National Trust in 1916). Judy has been writing a history of the site. The reserve's future is uncertain due to possible routes of the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway.
The fen area is quite wet - Wellington boots are required to reach the orchids. The wet tussocky fen is likely to be unsuitable to those with limited mobility. Park at Dry Sandford Pit car park, Cothill, OX13 6JW. Grid reference SU 467 997.
