Otmoor MoD access changes

The RSPB Otmoor nature reserve will remain open as normal, but please
read the note below.

As result of a Defence Training Estates review of training requirements
there is to be a change in the firing days on the Otmoor Range. From
17th February 2011, Thursdays will become a firing day. This is
necessary due to an increase in the numbers of Regular Armed Services'
Personnel using the range for pre Operational and general training.
These units have a greater dependency on weekday uses which has led to
this adjustment of our self imposed non firing days.

Conversely, there has been a decline in Reservist Service Personnel and
Cadets using the range at weekends. To reflect this change of use, the
range will reduce weekend firing from 40 firing weekend per year to
about 28 firing weekends per year. It's not possible to forecast which
weekends are to be used for firing. For further information on access
please ring, during working hours:

For clarification: The range will be open daily for public access before
shooting (8am) and after shooting (4pm). On Mondays the range will
continue to be open for public access for the foreseeable future subject
to any further reviews, and approximately 28 weekends per year; the
exact dates for access at the weekends is unpredictable.

I trust this unavoidable change will not prove to be inconvenient, but
with the pressures on our training estate and the increased throughput
of regular troops to support our frontline units we are left with no
alternative. We will continue to review our usage to ensure access to
our range area is not restricted unnecessarily, and keep you informed
accordingly.

RG BISHOP MBE Army Air Corps

Lieutenant Colonel

Commander Defence Training Estate (Home Counties)

P.S. Bittern recorded on Greenaways early this week, barn owl regularly
hunting over the reedbed, little egret and green sandpiper also recorded
on reedbed.

David Wilding
Site Manager