Cherwell River
This beautiful Thames tributary winds it way down the Cherwell Valley, sometimes adjacent to the Oxford Canal, sometimes fields apart as it splits into two or even three channels.The bird life is prolific. Swans (including a black one), Herons, Kingfishers and Reed Buntings are abundent as are birds of prey which can usually be spotted above the tree lined sections of the river.
Cherwell river in winter
The river management varies from poor to non-existent as these willows show. They have not been pollarded for years. This makes for beautiful 'olde worlde' pictures and undisturbed wildlife but reducs the recreational opportunities as even a small boat cannot navigate beyond fallen trees which straddle both banks.
Location: Lower Heyford
Photographer: Robin Barker