Nature Reserves

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Monks Farm Field, Shotover, OxfordshireStreet MapGoogle MapPhotos

Monks Farm Field, Shotover
Managed by:OPT
OS grid reference:SP 563 062
Nearest postcode:OX3 8TD
Usual work:Ragwort pulling, fencing

Monks Farm Field is a meadow that used to be part of Monks Farm and is now cared for by Oxford Preservation Trust under a Higher Level Stewardship agreement with Natural England. Conservation work carried out here includes a hay cut once a year with limited grazing to help retain the meadow flora and to prevent scrub from encroaching on the land. Monks Farm Field is part of Shotover, much of which is an Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The annual hay cutting is an important phase in the preservation of the natural habitat that allowed the evolution of many species of native meadow flora. In order for the hay to be able to be used as fodder for grazing animals, however, it has to be free from poisonous ragwort. OCV are therefore assisting OPT by ragwort pulling at this site. OCV will also do some fencing at this site to repair the current fence.

Directions

Travel East along Old Road, cross a bridge over the Eastern by-pass and follow the road up a steep hill. At the top of the hill you reach a car park for Shotover Country Park and the field is on the left hand side across some scrub. Access is via a gate back along the road.