Nature Reserves

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Milham Ford Nature Park
Managed by:Friends of Milham Ford Nature Park
OS grid reference:SP570 031
Nearest postcode:OX3 0DJ
Usual work:Pond Work

Milham Ford Nature Park stream and ponds were created in 2008-2009 in an area that had previously been 8 tarmac tennis courts for use of the previous Milham Ford School. A stream which had been piped underground across the playing field was brought to the surface, meandered and now feeds a complex of 4 interlinked ponds .

Flora and Fauna

The site is rich in flora and fauna with diverse flowery meadows managed as hay meadows by Oxford City Council. Prominent species include cowslips in spring, and orchids such as Common Spotted, Bee, and pyramidal in summer. The resurrected stream and four natural clay ponds host abundant aquatic and emergent vegetation, including Mare's tail, White Water-lily, and Greater Spearwort. Rare introduced plants, notably the white-flowered tall Greater Water Parsnip, add to the spectacle. The ponds support breeding populations of Smooth newts, Great Crested newts, Common Frogs, and Common Toads, while moorhens and herons are frequently seen. The summer months see an abundance of beautiful Damselflies and Dragonflies flying over the ponds.

Conservation Management

The Friends of Milham Ford Nature Park, in collaboration with OCV (Oxford Conservation Volunteers), have undertaken crucial management efforts to preserve the park's pond and stream areas. These efforts include removing overgrown rush, sedge, and greater reedmace to maintain open water and a healthy aquatic environment. Additionally, they have actively managed the dryland areas by clearing brambles and willow, as well as scything and raking rough grass. These conservation activities have been instrumental in preserving the park's natural beauty and enhancing its ecological balance.

Directions

Leave central Oxford via St. Clements on the Headington Road (A420). At South Park turn left onto Marston Road (B4150) and continue for 1 km. The reserve is behind the hedges of a park on your right hand side, on the corner of Marston Road and Haberton Mead. On Sundays there is unrestricted parking on Harberton Mead.


Heron catches goldfish! (photo credit: Nikolai Lissin)