News

Culham Science Centre employees can now enjoy the newly opened Biodiversity Wildflower Meadow which was created in Spring 2008.

The biodiversity on the Culham site is managed through the Biodiversity Action Team which meet every quarter to discuss the Biodiversity Action Plan. The site’s biodiversity is due in part to it’s key location in the Oxfordshire greenbelt. A survey conducted in the Spring of 2005 identified a number of areas for improvement which have been discussed and implemented into the BAP where appropriate.

The Biodiversity Map identifies the key areas across the site where rare orchids can be found, sightings of kite, herons and buzzards can be seen and identifies the wildlife routes which have been created across the site.

Key points of interest include the Heronry to the north of the site, located within the Furze Break woods. Breeding pairs have been seen here for a number of years, there are thought to be around 50 breeding pairs there at present (2009).

The Bee Orchids have flourished across the site. A recent trial relocation of a number of Bee, Pyramidal and Common orchids due to building works proved very successful. (Photograph above of Meadow Brown on a Pyramidal Orchid was captured by one of Culham's employees - Chris Pickford).

The Green Woodpecker likes short grasses so keep your eyes open around the fields to the west and south of the site. Kites and Buzzards are becoming more and more common across the site.

Also on the Biodiversity Map, you will notice an area marked up as a Biodiversity Wildflower Meadow (click here to continue article)