With the fall of the leaves, the spire of St Helen’s Church can be more easily seen from the Ock Valley Walk.

There are a lot of small birds, mostly tits, flitting about in the trees, or dangling and hopping about between twigs. They are far more visible now that most of the deciduous trees have lost their leaves.

The heron is a common sight along the stream, often hopping onto the bank when approached.

I was recently photographing a deer when I noticed a kingfisher perched on a branch on the opposite bank. Unfortunately, it was gone before I could focus my camera.

A piercing whistle above the Ock Valley Walk often signals a Red Kite, which can be spotted perched in the high branches and will take flight when startled.

Earlier in the year, ten alder tree saplings planted by Abingdon Carbon Cutters, beside the River Ock, were mowed down by the new lessee of the field. The Vale District Council, the landowner, obtained an apology and a commitment from the lessee to replace the trees, which has now happened.

The bushes and vegetation along the River Ock, although reduced, provides valuable habitat for wildlife.