Port Meadows and Wolvercote Common
The large ancient flood-plain meadows of Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common (30 hectares) near Oxford, are small pockets of neutral unmanaged grassland. Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common have been grazed continuously for over a thousand years, and thus provide a unique research base for the interaction of plant
communities with grazing regimes. Currently grazing here is by cattle, horses and geese.
Wildlife highlights: Widgeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Common Shelduck, Ruff, Redshank, Dunlin, Lapwing, Snipe and Golden Plover can often be seen in winter.
Other birds seen here include Redwing, Fieldfare, Siskin, Stonechat, Snipe, Ruff, Redshank, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Little Stint, Whimbre, Greenshank, Barn Owls, Skylark, Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting and a variety of common finches.
Location: There is a car park Walton Well Road, which crosses the canal and the railway from Woodstock.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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