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Foxcombe Woods is a unique site not more than five miles from the centre of historic Oxford city. It is a secret and secluded mixed woodland which is almost impossible to categorise in usual forestry or countryside terms. With plantation stands of ash, larch and beech, naturally regenerated two hundred year old oak, silver birch and gorse scrub, and managed hazel coppice blocks, the woods are of a unique diversity. The thirty-five or so acres of the central block are managed as a nature reserve and educational resource by the Cecil Pilkington Charitable Trust through their Reserve Manager, Stephen West MSc MACMA AIEEM(of Europaeus Land Management Services). The woodland extends further into the neighbouring college grounds and large gardens of Boars Hill.
Foxcombe Woods have been described as a “jewel” or “treasure”, or “hidden oasis”, “the secret wood”, or “valley of the foxes”. Not being open to the general public, the site has maintained its intimacy and seclusion; its peace and solitude. However with the “Friends of Foxcombe Woods” scheme and the thriving Forest Schools project, and the regular guided walks and events, the woodland gets plenty of use by young and old alike. Many children brought here to build shelters, cook dinner, and learn to appreciate the natural world are now grown up and bringing their own children back for the experience. Indeed the woods have been so successful in the use of the first Forest Schools site that a second has been established and now up to eight groups of children visit each week enjoying the changing seasons, the trees and leaves, the rain and the sun and almost a by-product becoming educated along the way.
The flora and fauna of the woodland is remarkably diverse with many rarities amongst the various species lists. Much in the way of ecological research has taken place here over the years and important data has been gathered to contribute to knowledge of local trends and species assemblages. The Common Bird Census has been carried out at this site since 1985 and thus the picture of bird numbers has been compiled. While many birds have suffered in the larger countryside with significant lowering in numbers and range retractions, many have hung on at this site, supported by the efforts of the management team. Data gathered here on such groups, along with invertebrate recording etc have added to general knowledge of natural history changes in the second half of the twentieth century and into the new millennium.
Management of the site is linked into an extensive management plan drawn up by the reserve manager and regularly updated. The emphasis has been on the conservation of the rare species, the diversity and range of species and habitats present with some attempted rare habitat recreation. Sympathetic low-level constant management efforts are preferred over large scale changes at this site. Much of the woodland work is enabled by the use of forestry horses and “horse-logging” techniques. Ideally, management work would never be noticed and neither would significant changes occur. This is a simple ideal in a complicated situation and changes are pervasive, inevitable and inexorable. The management takes account of the best ecological knowledge available and attempts to blend simple, common-sense, traditional work methods with up-to-date science and technology.
Foxcombe Woods is private, it is a County Wildlife Site, it is managed, it is inspirational, it is productive, it is educational, and it is beautiful. It is many things to a great many people. Read on for more information and how you can become part of woodland future in the lowland British Isles at this unique, special small woodland. |
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WELCOME TO FOXCOMBE WOODS !
