Get out and go wild: Chimney Meadows (From The Oxford Times)

Get out and go wild: Chimney Meadows

6:40am Thursday 25th February 2010 in

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Fisticuffs: The changing seasons are a time filled with activity in nature. Autumn bird migration, animals preparing for winter and, now, the first signs of mating behaviour as spring begins. For us humans these times of year offer a great opportunity to go out and see wildlife.

One of the most common and well-recognised sights of early spring is that of hares engaged in frenetic ‘boxing’ matches. Both males and females ‘box’ and they do so for different reasons; males will fight to compete over the females, while females will fend off unwanted male attention.

Hares can be seen in many places in Oxfordshire including BBOWT’s Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve. Spring is a particularly good time to get up close and personal with hares as the grass is short and forms a perfect stage for these spectacular punch-ups.

An unlikely guest: While it is likely that you will see hares as you walk through the countryside, otters are much more difficult to spot. Elusive and nocturnal creatures, you might just be lucky enough to see one alongside a muddy riverbank, burrowing and sliding around playfully.

Otters have been making a recent comeback in our three counties (and across England) due to massive conservation efforts, which BBOWT has been involved in.

For the first time an otter has been seen from the large bird hide at Chimney Meadows this year. Dr Kerry Lock, Chimney Meadows Project Officer, said: “Although otters are sometimes observed on the Thames and the Great Brook, this is the first one spotted from the large hide which overlooks a developing wetland area. It is an encouraging sign that the work we have been doing on the reserve is making it easier for otters to move around.”

Activity on banks: Local volunteer Peter Dawson has recently noticed encouraging signs of badger activity: “I have noticed some newly excavated earth on the bank of the pond in front of the small hide, which would suggest badger activity is returning to this part of the reserve.

“The badgers had to move to higher ground during the floods of 2007 and 2008 so it looks like they might be moving back down to the lower ground near the small hide.”

Wait and watch: It is good news that visitors can now enjoy even more special wildlife moments from the hides at Chimney Meadows, but Kerry reminds us that spotting wildlife takes time: “You have to wait quietly and even if you don’t get to see what you planned, you might get a chance to see something else you weren’t expecting — a lapwing, a snipe or perhaps even a polecat. That is the beauty of wildlife; you never know what might come along.”

Find out more: To find out more about BBOWT’s Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, or other wildlife spots to visit, log on to: www.bbowt.org.uk