Great news!
One of our volunteers has just finished counting Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae) butterfly eggs in the Valley. He found a total of 42 for the season, the second highest count since we started searching in 2009!
🦋🦋#WildOxford #OX3

Our Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) looking stunning against a backdrop of Rare in Oxon and Near Threatened in England Parsley Water-dropwort (Oenanthe lachenalii) in the sun this week. 😍
#OxfordshireFens #OX3 #SSSI #GreenSpace #WildOxford

We have swathes of Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) in flower at the moment, such a wonderful sight. Can you spot the single late flowering Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)?
#OxfordshireFens #WildOxford #OX3

We saw our very first Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis palustris) of the season in flower this morning! 😍
Near Threatened on the #EnglandRedList, it's Scarce in Oxon, and Rare in vc23. #OxfordshireFens #WildOxford #OX3 #Orchids

We had great views of this Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) fishing in one of the interception ponds at the head of the Valley this morning. It seemed to be remarkably successful!
Thanks to @Luke_DynamDeliv for pointing out its presence...
#OX3 #WildOxford #TwitterNatureCommunity

Just look at this beauty!
A Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) feasting on Ox-eye Daisies in the Lye Valley, Headington yesterday. 😍
#30DaysWild #OX3 #WildOxford

We currently have swathes of Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) in flower throughout the Valley. Definitely worth a visit if you're anywhere close!
#OxfordshireFens #WildOxford #OX3 #WetlandPlants

Our first Mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci) caterpillar of the season this morning here in the Lye Valley feeding on Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata), one of its larval food plants. 😊
#WildWebsWednesday #MothsMatter #OxfordshireFens #WildOxford

The Slade entrance to the Valley is a sight to behold at the moment. We must have reached peak Cowslip! Worth a look if you're anywhere close by.
#WildFlowers #SignsOfSpring #WildOxford #GreenSpace #LocalNatureReserve @RosalindRogers

This season's scything has started, with a first cut of rush on the east side #SSSI before other plants grow too high. After spreading lots of Marsh Lousewort in this area last year, we're hoping for much less reed here. 🫰
#OxfordshireFens #WildOxford 🎶#OneManWentToMow 🎶

We've just seen this Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) busily clearing detritus out a potential nest site in the hollow of one of our old Willow trees. We saw similar behaviour last year, though a full month earlier than this year!
#SignsOfSpring #WildOxford #OX3

It's Primula time in the Valley! 😃
Our first Primroses (Primula vulgaris) are now in flower, and our first Cowslip (Primula veris) is very nearly almost out! Both in The Slade entrance to the Lye Valley.
#SignsOfSpring #LocalWildlifeSite #WildOxford

Our Frogs (Rana temporaria) are back, and we've got spawn!
Almost a full three weeks later than last year, but great to see (and hear) them again!
🐸🐸
#OxforshireFens #WildOxford #Amphibians #BetterLateThanNever #Ribbit

OK. So we have no new #YellowFlowers to show you, even our Lesser Celandines (like most of our frogs) are still tucked up in bed, it's been so cold here. So here's some Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) blossom. At least they've got bright yellow stamens! 😊
#WildOxford #OX3

This Robin (Erithacus rubecula) was singing its little heart out this morning in the Valley despite the ongoing low temperatures. It obviously thinks it's Spring!
#SignsOfSpring #OX3 #TwitterNatureCommunity
#WildOxford #OxfordshireFens

W really wish our Elves would clear up after themselves when they've finished drinking the morning dew. We found loads of their Scarlet Elf Cups (Sarcoscypha austriaca) just left on this old log in the fen this morning!
#Fungi #OxfordshireFens #Myths #WildOxford #OX3

We spotted an infrequent visitor to the Valley this morning; a Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) with its Magpie minder. 😀
#BirdsSeenIn2023 #WildOxford #OxfordshireFens #TwitterNatureCommunity #BirdPhotography #OX3

One of our many Wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes) foraging for spiders in one of our old log piles. Another reason to build #HabitatPiles wherever possible!
#WildOxford #OxfordshireFens #BirdPhotography #Conservation

We recently cleared this sunny bank and repaired the dead hedge behind it. This week we've put three reptile mats in place, bedded down on cut reed. We're hoping our Common Lizards and Slow Worms will approve!
#Reptiles #WildOxford

Often people find our wildlife elusive, only catching fleeting glimpses of the creatures that live here. Sometimes though, when the Valley is quiet, you can have close encounters like this one...
Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi).
#Mammals #OX3 #WildOxford #NaturePhotography

A warm sunny morning for our conservation volunteers, who continued scything, raking, dragging, and shearing. We've almost finished clearing the east fen, and are steadily working along the west side. Thanks all!
#OxfordshireFens #WildOxford

Our ecologist, Dr Judy Webb with a bag full of Marsh Lousewort (Pedicularis palustris) destined for Raleigh Park in North Hinksey to aid in their #FenRestoration. Nationally Vulnerable, and #Rare in Oxon, it's a semi-parasite that weakens reed. #OxfordshireFens #WildOxford

Seems as though this Two-toned pholiota or sheathed wood-tuft (Kuehneromyces mutabilis) #fungus is making a bid to completely cover this old log. Next year maybe...🙃
#Autumn #WildOxford #OxfordshireFens

A foggy start a couple of days ago revealed hundreds of these miniature works of art (aka spiders' webs) glistening with dew throughout the Valley. Absolutely beautiful! [full screen recommended]
#Autumn #WildOxford

Did you know that Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata) is pollinated by the Common Wasp? Here's one hard at work on one of our few remaining flowers.
#OxfordshireFens #MacroMonday #WhatAreWaspsFor #WildOxford #BWARS

Wonderful watching and listening to charms of Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) feasting on our abundant Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre) seeds in the fen this morning. 😊
#BirdsSeenIn2022 #OxfordshireFens #WildOxford

We saw our very first Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis palustris) of the season coming into flower this morning! 😍
Near Threatened on the #EnglandRedList, it's Scarce in Oxon, and Rare in vc23.
#OxfordshireFens #WildOxford

Penny for your thoughts?
A rather pensive looking Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) in yesterday's sunshine. What do lizards think about all day? 🤔
[full screen recommended]
#LyeValleyLizards #OxfordshireFens #WildOxford

Spot the lizard!
Our Common Lizards (Zootoca vivipara) pop up in all kinds of places!
#WildOxford #OxfordshireFens #OX3

Better late than never!
Our Cuckoo Flower, or Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratensis) has just come into flower. Look for it by the side of the boardwalk if you visit us!
#SignsOfSpring #OxfordshireFens #WildOxford