TV wildlife presenter Chris Packham has told the council not to ‘repeat last year’s fiasco’ after it mowed down a bunch of protected wildflowers.

Nature enthusiast, 12-year-old Isabella Mann, first discovered Bee and Pyramid Orchids on a roundabout on Abberbury Road in Iffley two years ago.

Pleased with her discovery, she wrote to Oxfordshire County Council to ask if the flowers could be protected.

READ MORE: Girl, 12, begs Oxford council not to mow down wildflowers again

She never received a reply.

But on June 13, last year Isabella found to her devastation that the wildflowers had been mowed down.

 

Mr Packham hit out at the council at the time, accusing it of eco-vandalism.

He posted on Twitter: “What the **** is the matter with you Oxfordshire County Council?

 “Will you at least now admit this was a horrible mistake and pledge to make sure it never happens again?

“There is no excuse- this is eco-vandalism pure and simple.”

This year, Isabella has made a sign begging the council not to mow the wildflowers down on the roundabout again.

She has left it on the roundabout, and it reads: “Please don’t mow, give the bees a chance.”

Mr Packham shared this Oxford Mail story on Twitter, telling the council not to repeat what happened last year.

He said: “I hope you will see this as an opportunity to allow the wildflowers to grow and not have a repeat of last year’s fiasco.

“It would be a huge step forward if you did. Thank you.

Oxford Mail: Image: Hugh WarwickImage: Hugh Warwick (Image: Hugh Warwick)

Image: Hugh Warwick @hedgehoghugh

Although the TV wildlife presenter targeted Oxfordshire County Council on Twitter and Isabella wrote to the county council, it is believed that the grass was mowed on behalf of Oxford City Council by subcontractor ODS.

Oxford City Council has been approached for comment in relation to what its plans were for the roundabout this year.

A council spokesperson said: “Oxford City Council has no immediate plans to mow this piece of land.

 

“We will be issuing more information on grass verge maintenance in the city next week and will be promoting No Mow May as a way of providing essential habitats for insects and other wildlife.”

READ MORE: Apology after 'severe delays' but Botley Road closure 'still reasonable'

‘No Mow May’ is a campaign supported by many councils across to the country to led wildflowers bloom.

The aim of the initiative is to encourage people to change their habits and only mow once a month in order to let grass grow long to help boost our biodiversity and provide a feast of wildflower nectar for bees. 

Isabella herself explained that she was pretty confident that the council would not mow the wildflowers on Abberbury Road this year, but explained that she wants to raise a wider awareness.

The 12-year-old said: "I made the sign because I wanted the orchids on the roundabout to be protected but this year it is also about spreading a wider message.

"I want other places such as country lanes and hedgerows to not be mowed as it has lots of benefits for animals and wildlife."