For thousands of years the Thames floodplain has been heavily modified by human activity, and as land has been drained or built on, the wetland wildlife which depends on those habitats have declined. However, in the Upper Thames remnants of river and floodplain habitats survive, for example, wet grasslands and thriving floodplain meadows, which are full of wildflowers and home to rare wading birds like curlew.

Farmers, landowners and conservation organisations are working together to manage and reconnect these remnants by adopting more environmentally friendly farming and land management practices and creating and restoring river and floodplain habitats across the CTA and beyond.

The aim is for the Upper Thames CTA to be an economically viable, functioning landscape which is good for wildlife, provides ecosystem services for communities and is resilient to climate change.

To this end, a large wetland restoration project was recently undertaken at Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, a mosaic of species-rich floodplain meadows, pasture and wetlands interlinked by willow lined ditches and water courses, that lies at the heart of the Upper Thames CTA.

A new multi-purpose channel bypassing Shifford Weir and improvements to several fords make it easier for fish like chub, dace and barbel to move through the nature reserve and access Duxford Loop for spawning, making their populations more sustainable and more resilient to environmental change.

By reconnecting the River Thames to its floodplain, water is now retained on the land for longer, allowing silt and nutrients to be deposited, improving water quality in the Upper Thames area. Wildfowl and wading birds are also benefitting from the more frequent flooding.

Newly created and restored river and floodplain habitats have provided more homes and feeding areas for wetland wildlife such as dragonflies, frogs and lapwing. Replacement of old riverside fencing has ensured there is no degradation of riverbanks and reduction in water quality due to cattle accessing the river. Removal of invasive Himalyan balsam, which dominated the river bank, has enabled native wild plants to flourish once again, provided food and cover for water voles.

You can help look after The Upper Thames CTA and wetlands everywhere, through a few simple actions!

• Reduce pollution from flooding caused by blocked drains. Only flush human waste and toilet paper (no baby wipes, nappies, cotton buds, sanitary products, kitchen towel, cotton wool).

• Stop and think … not down the sink! Put cold cooking oil and fat in the bin.

• Don’t drop litter

• Use eco-friendly cleaning products

• Use water wisely!

To find out more about Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, what is going on in the Upper Thames CTA and the Upper Thames Farmers’ Cluster, contact Lisa Lane lisalane@bbowt.org.uk.

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