3rd December 2025
It's been an exciting year for River Thame Conservation Trust's (RTCT) Cuttle Brook Channel & Floodplain Restoration Project! In partnership with Thame Town Council and the Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers (CBCV), RTCT has made significant progress in restoring this special stream and its surrounding habitats. Key achievements over the past year include:
- Weir removal: A dilapidated weir downstream of the nature reserve was removed, restoring fish passage between the Cuttle Brook and the River Thame. Early fish surveys suggest larger chub are now moving freely, enhancing population resilience.
- Wetland habitat creation: Three new scrapes were constructed in Rycote Meadow, Southern Meadow and Nontron Meadow, providing seasonal wetland habitat. Early plant surveys recorded 29 species in Rycote Meadow and an impressive 56 species in Nontron Meadow — the highest ever recorded at this site!
- In-stream habitat improvements: CBCV, guided by RTCT, installed woody structures and managed riparian vegetation to improve flow, expose gravel beds, and create microhabitats for aquatic invertebrates and fish.
- Riparian tree planting: Two rare native black poplars were planted in Nontron Meadow, enhancing habitat diversity and supporting birds, moths, and beetles.
- Community engagement: RTCT, with Chiltern Rangers CIC, and CBCV hosted a "New Shoots" session — a conservation programme for young people to connect with the outdoors, see habitat restoration in action, and gain hands-on experience with vegetation management in the Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve.
RTCT is very pleased to see these positive early results at the Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve and looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers and Thame Town Council, the long-term stewards of the site, to monitor the habitat, support ongoing improvements, and collaborate on future projects. Cuttle Brook is one example of RTCT's catchment-wide work — working with farmers, monitoring river wildlife, coordinating citizen science, and bringing partners together through the Catchment Partnership. To find out more or get involved, visit: www.riverthame.org
