Ponds on the Northmoor Trust Estate
Although great crested newts are the primary interest, other amphibians and dragonflies are very important.
Pond Management
Pond management is kept to a minimum, only clearing a small part of any one pond when necessary. This management also suits the many uncommon, such as water beetles and hoverflies, which also inhabit the ponds and their margins. To provide suitable conditions for the reserve's specialist soldier flies encroaching scrub is periodically cut back from around wet flushes. This helps maintain the wetness of the habitat and the sunny glades created also benefits wetland plants and other woodland invertebrates.
Perhaps the two most notable plants are the national rarity, Loddon Lily and the Nationally Scarce Greater Dodder. Both occur along the riverbank associated with other typical riverside plants. Both the grassland areas and Little Wittenham Wood contain some remnants of semi-natural vegetation.
Riverside Plants
A typical Thames-side community occurs, with riparian plants such as Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus), Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) and Yellow Waterlily (Nuphar lutea).
Although often hidden amongst dense stands of Nettle, there are many water loving wildflowers, such as Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Yellow Flag (Iris pseudoacorus) and Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata). These fare best along sheltered parts of the riverbank where boat wash is reduced and low lying damp areas exist.
Loddon Lily (Leucojum aestivum)
This plant which looks rather like an overgrown Snowdrop is of particular note. Although very rare in Britain (it is listed in the British Red Data Book which documents rare and vulnerable species) it is actually quite common in parts of the Thames Valley. On the reserve it occurs amongst Sedges and Nettles in damp hollows beside the river. It is encouraging that populations of this rare plant seem to be increasing.
Greater Dodder (Cuscuta europaea)
This is another British rarity. The plant is entirely parasitic on Nettles and feeds on their sap using especially adapted 'suckers'. It used to be quite widespread along the Thames Valley, but today it has disappeared from many sites and very few plants have been seen on the reserve in recent years.
Restoration of wetland habitats
The Trust has recently received several grants towards the restoration of wetland habitats across the reserve. Projects have included the excavation of a complex of ponds and pools along the river bank, damming the woodland streams to raise water levels and digging scrapes (shallow pools) that dry out in summer.
