The Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s) in Cambridge are for both people and wildlife. The designation of these reserves helps to protect some of the best wildlife habitats and geographical features across the City, whilst making an important contribution to the UK’s biodiversity. The reserves provide an opportunity for people to study, learn about and enjoy nature on their doorstep.
Over the last 100 years, urban development, agricultural intensification and the abandonment of management operations have put many habitats and species under threat. Today, Cambridge City Council’s Local Nature Reserves make an important contribute to the protection and enhancement of the UK’s biodiversity.
Local company Sentec have put in a few hours graft at Logan’s Meadow reserve before but they excelled themselves last week when they came for the morning. They transformed the riverside walk under the Willows by cutting back the pathways and putting down wood chip. It really made the area look welcoming and cared for. Thank you so much Sentec you’re welcome back anytime!
A most enjoyable night was had on Thursday as the volunteers went out for a bat walk around Sheep’s Green. We followed the route that one of the volunteer’s has been doing nightly as part of a Diploma in species monitoring. We had bat detectors which were great at picking up the calls of Soprano and Common Pipistrelle and Noctule bats. We also had a thermal imaging camera which we used to try and locate the bat roosts. This camera also showed how warm the trees were which…
Staff from The Institute for Sustainability, Cambridge University came for a lunchtime excursion from the office to their local nature reserve Sheep’s Green. After a talk about the general conservation of the area especially focusing on the new fish pass, they were then let loose with the pond dipping equipment. They caught fish, mayfly larvae, caddis fly larvae, water beetle larvae, damsel fly larvae the list goes on! They were amazed and delighted to discover this much biodiversity so near their office and so close to town.