Riverside ramblings

Flowering plants, insects and summer-visiting birds are now largely absent from the scene, but are beginning to be replaced by other migrant birds from northern lands, and many trees and shrubs don gold, reds and yellows that rival the most extravagant tresses of the flowers of earlier months. Shorter days and more unsettled weather often mean planning a walk that allows for swift retreat should fading light and rain demand. However and on the other hand, a clear blue-sky autumn day might well beckon the walker to explore a little further afield than first anticipated.

Our walk allows for both possibilities, being a linear walk with a few optional detours, on well-marked and easy paths that require little in the way of directive description.

There are a few gates to negotiate but otherwise little in the way of obstruction unless one ventures along the less well-trodden pathways on offer towards the end of the walk covered here.

The little River Windrush meanders gracefully through gentle vales, meadows and low-lying gravel beds, from its source in the Cotswold Hills to where it meets the grand Thames just south of Standlake.

The Lower Windrush Valley project have done a sterling job of opening up this landscape to walkers with The Windrush Path, that runs along much of the river's length from Witney to Hardwick (and eventually on to the Thames Path at Newbridge). Along the way, fields, lakes and woodland provide plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting. At this time of year, however, it will mainly be bird-life that is most evident.

Starting our journey near Cogges Mill, close to the centre of the historic town of Witney, the river runs to the left of our path for most of the first stretch and until we reach the A40 as it passes overhead. Despite the incessant noise from this busy road's traffic, the views around are immediately rural and provide a good introduction for much to come.

Although hidden from view, life beneath the surface is rich in invertebrate communities, and fish populations are well represented by good numbers of roach, barbel, chub, dace, perch and trout.

You may be lucky to catch sight of a fishing kingfisher, at this spot or along much of the remainder of the walk. While American mink have much reduced the resident water vole population, you can still find this charming creature present.

Hopefully, with the recent reappearance of otter to the Thames and its tributaries, the incomer will be pushed out and ratty' will begin to thrive here once again.

Once we have left the A40 behind us, a circular detour around Witney Lake (one of the many flooded gravel pits in the area) should prove well worthwhile. The resident water birds will no doubt prove the easiest to spy with mallard, great-crested grebe, coot and Canada geese all present in good numbers.

Grey heron may also be found, as might black-headed gull, common tern and cormorant. In winter, pochard, teal and goldeneye swell the duck numbers. Less frequent visitors include the common sandpiper.

Strangely, given the underlying aggregate of this landscape, the presence of moles are signalled by their earth-hillocks in scattered grassy parts around the lake. Rabbits also occur and these, along with the ducks, attract foxes.

Trees around the lake include various willows, ash, alder, sycamore and a lovely abandoned small apple orchard.

Back on the path proper and we are now in open fields that are largely grazed by cattle but with some decent hedge-lines of hawthorn, blackthorn, willow and alder, intertwined with bramble and wild rose.

At this time of year, the hedgerow fruits are in abundance and provide a welcome larder for incoming winter thrushes, fieldfare and redwing, as well as for resident species such as blackbird, song thrush and bullfinch.

The fields themselves have seen little in the way of historic cultivation, being subject to frequent flooding, and many scrubby patches and strips give sufficient cover for voles, mice and other small creatures.

Barn owls might be anticipated and kestrels should be encountered as they make use of this hunting habitat. Hares frequent the field systems and buzzards patrol the skies overhead.

Just beyond the village of Ducklington, the path rejoins the river (now on our right hand side) and patches of woodland and shrubbery give shelter and roosting places for a number of bird species.

Members of the crow family most likely to be seen around here are rook, carrion crow and magpie. However, jay are also around but, being highly secretive, are more likely to be heard than spotted.

Increasingly, the granddaddy of the clan, the raven, might be encountered as they occasionally wander in from their traditionally ancient and recently reclaimed territories in the Cotswolds.

Where cover exists along the river, moorhen should be looked for and in the more serene glides mute swan bring added elegance to the scene. In the fields and hedgerows yellowhammer will still be around and the occasional corn bunting, although sadly limited in numbers, may reward the keen birdwatcher. Another much declining species, the tree sparrow, may more easily be seen here in winter than during the breeding season. A few over-wintering blackcap might also be happened upon as might a handsome pied wagtail or its more colourful cousin, the grey wagtail.

More likely will be small foraging parties of meadow pipit, with the odd skylark amongst them, feeding on the weed seeds of rough ground or spilled cereal grains on cultivated ground. Small flocks of lapwing are always a possibility and a delight to chance upon as they flap and glide together low over the fields.

On reaching the tiny hamlet of Hardwick and should time, the clemency of the weather and an adventurous spirit allow, the walker can explore some of the many public paths and bridleways that thread between the great expanse of flooded gravel pits that dominate the immediate area.

Many of these routes are not as well signposted as they might be and some are positively unkempt. Most of the pits have limited or no public access.

However, the area does offer great chances for bird-watching and the complex of open water, brown-field sites' and mature woodland has an enviable bird-list.

Of the arboreal species greater-spotted woodpecker is reasonably common as are marsh, blue, great and long-tailed tits.

This is also the best time of year to listen out for tawny owls as they begin to establish territory. As wood turns to water, the reedy edges of the lakes are good for reed bunting.

At some of the deeper water pits ruddy duck can be found and indeed breed here. Wintering duck include teal, wigeon, goldeneye and shoveler - often present in the hundreds.

These are joined by smaller numbers of shelduck and pintail along with the resident tufted duck population. Goosander might also be seen and, in some years, Slavonian grebe and black-necked grebe have been sighted as winter closes in.

At this time of year, green sandpiper and snipe are possible as might be a number of uncommon passage wader species - although all will require patient searching.

All in all, the continually increasing expanse and variety of gravel workings in the area are fast creating a premier venue for birders.

This, combined with the Windrush Path, makes for superb walking and wildlife watching all within very easy reach of the centre of Oxford.

Further information: Lower Windrush Valley Project, Fletchers House, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxon. OX20 1SN.

Call 01993 814126