Supporting a species within an exceptional site
A unique site for nature
Bicester Garrison is an unusal place, home to several military units, including Headquarters of Bicester Garrison, 1 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and the Defence Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Munitions and Search Training Regiment. Due to the absence of intensive agriculture and low footfall by people, nature flourishes unhindered and the site boasts an exceptional mosaic of habitats and matching diversity of plants and animals. The result? A busy military landscape set within an extensive array of high-quality wildlife habitat in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside.
The site is a stronghold for great crested newts, but many of the ponds are becoming overgrown or overshaded as there is no livestock grazing on site, reducing their value as breeding habitat and potentially threatening the long-term viability of the newt population at the site. Managing habitat at a site such as Bicester Garrison is a herculean task and the Garrison’s Conservation Officer, Gary Beckett, was keen to find a way of securing assistance to help with managing the clean water ponds.
Project Neptune, a partnership between the Newt Conservation Partnership (NCP) and Bicester Garrison Conservation Group, was initiated in 2020 to enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitats for great crested newts and, where possible, Garrison personnel well-being. The Garrison, like many other training grounds owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), is key for protecting freshwater wildlife in the area and the positive impacts of the project for nature conservation will reach well beyond the fence line.
Wildlife restored and revived
In October 2020, the Garrison joined the NatureSpace District Licensing Scheme and with NCP they created two new clean water ponds for great crested newts and freshwater wildlife. The scheme also funded the sensitive restoration of two existing ponds – parts of the ponds were desilted and sections of dense, emergent vegetation were cleared to create areas of open water which are critical for great crested newt courtship displays.
When these ponds were surveyed the following spring, the team were overjoyed to find that great crested newts were present and breeding in all four ponds, with 59 adults counted in a single pond. Two of the new ponds were also supporting breeding populations of common toad – a UK priority species for conservation.
A new nature reserve for wildlife and people
In Bicester Garrison’s 80th anniversary year (2022), the District Licensing Scheme funded additional habitat improvement through the creation of a new nature reserve to benefit biodiversity and MOD staff. NCP created a further two clean water ‘Jubilee’ ponds, planted over 30 native species of trees and shrubs, and are restoring the grassland to ‘species-rich’ status.
This area not only benefits newts and other wildlife, but is also designed to be a calm and attractive space for the Garrison’s staff and visitors. The Garrison’s Conservation Officer was able to secure additional funding for an interpretation board, so visitors can now learn about these important habitats and the vital ecosystem services they provide, alongside benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the view.
The Newt Conservation Partnership monitors and manages the site with Bicester Garrison Conservation Group, and will continue to do so for at least 25 years, ensuring Project Neptune has a positive impact in the long term for wildlife and people.
HQ Bicester Garrison has been working in partnership with Newt Conservation Partnership since July 2020 when we launched Project Neptune to restore and create freshwater habitats across Bicester Garrison. Since day one, the NCP team have provided us with phenomenal support and delivered several spectacular pond restoration and creation projects across the Garrison. I cannot thank NCP enough for the improvements they have made to our critical freshwater habitats and HQ Bicester Garrison very much look forward to our continued collaboration in the future.
Gary Beckett, Conservation Officer, Bicester Garrison.
