This most important project continues to make good progress, demonstrating the mixed fortunes of the various species.

Woodsage is flourishing as expected now that its shading gorse has been removed. And contrary to expectation the little Heath Woodrush is four times more numerous - that is, we’ve found four plants! Harebell looks as though it will flower okay on Mary Sadler Field and consequently (by knowing when to look) we’ll be able to find the more obscure patches on Horspath Common. We have collected Tutsan seed and its species champion has germinated them. Also the single Tutsan stem has, at last, naturally produced its own yearling.

Doing less well are Orpine, Pale Sedge and Marsh Valerian, and these will need some thought and careful conservation. The Orpine came up well in the spring but the shoots have failed to thrive, Pale Sedge and Marsh Valerian are both in fewer numbers than previous years.

Work has started on the Orpine, reducing some of the scrub growth, letting in a little more light and mitigating the closeness of the made-up track. Thanks to Natural England we now have permission to remove plants and cuttings, so one of the weakest shoots has been lifted to see if it might grow on.


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