As the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust’s Upper Ray Project Officer, in charge of the Upper Ray Meadows Nature Reserve, I would like to answer some of the concerns raised by Mr Neil, from Thame (Oxford Mail letters, February 10).

BBOWT has been working along the Upper River Ray since 1981, when we acquired Long Herdon Meadow, our first nature reserve in the area. Since then, the trust has steadily increased its landholding in the area, purchasing Gallows Bridge Farm in December 2007 with support from our members, the public and funders. This acquisition doubled the size of our Upper Ray Meadows Nature Reserve to 277 acres.

BBOWT has four main aims for Gallows Bridge Farm: recreating species-rich hay meadows; improving the suitability of the site for wading birds; creating a large number of new ponds, specifically designed to host a large number of freshwater invertebrate and plant species; and providing new opportunities for people to get close to nature, by opening part of the site to the public.

The restoration of the fishing lake Mr Neil mentioned is part of our work to complete the last three aims.

Under previous ownership, the lake was leased to a local fishing club. When BBOWT bought the land, it was made clear that the continuation of fishing was not the best course of action for the restoration of the site.

We were, however, very happy for the fishing club to use the site fully until the end of their lease in December 2009.

For internal reasons, the fishing club asked us to end their lease, and, therefore, give up all their access and fishing rights, in June 2008, which we agreed to.

BBOWT is currently restoring the banks of the lake to create gentle slopes which can be used by wading birds, such as snipe and redshank, to forage.

This also means reducing the number of trees around the lake, because wading birds do not usually forage near trees for fear of predators.

We are, however, currently planting several hundred new trees in more suitable locations. We will also install two bird hides by the lake so that everybody can enjoy the birds when the site is open to the public at the end of 2009.

As part of the restoration of the lake, we asked a local fishery to move the carp to another lake with the consent of the Environment Agency – after the fish’s health had been checked.

Carp have a detrimental impact on many other freshwater species so their removal was necessary for the restoration of the lake as a wildlife habitat.

They disturb the sediments, making the water very turbid. This reduces the amount of light in the water, and therefore the number of aquatic plants and associated invertebrates.

The lake is currently refilling naturally with clean rain water, and hopefully creatures that rely on this waterbody will now be able to increase and flourish.

The restoration of the lake is being completed in partnership with Pond Conservation, which is an internationally recognised expert in pond ecology and conservation.

BBOWT is also working with Pond Conservation to design and create a new pond complex which will cover nearly 16 acres, with a number of shallow water features and deeper ponds that will provide new habitat for a large number of freshwater species.

As the restoration work is being completed at Gallows Bridge Farm there will certainly be times when the site does not look its best.

But our ambition is to enhance it to be one of the best wildlife sites in the area.

I would be very pleased to discuss these issues further with anyone with concerns.

ARNAUD DURANEL, Upper Ray Project Officer, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust