Cambridge City
Local Nature Reserves
Welcome
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.
This beautiful Herald moth ( Scoliopteryx libatrix) was spotted under some undergrowth at Paradise nature reserve, perhaps not totally surprising seeing as the larvae feed on willow (Salix ) and poplar (Populus). Both plentiful in and around the reserve. This moth is a member of the family Noctuidae and overwinters as an adult. It can therefore be one of the last moth species to be seen before winter and then one of the first to be spotted in the spring. They have also been recorded overwintering together in…
It’s always worth having a look under leaves, especially at this time of year. This little cluster of Birch Shield bug eggs were found under an oak leaf. Looking at them under a microscope revealed their very amusing markings.
Moth enthusiasts meet regularly at Logan’s Meadow reserve in Chesterton to monitor what moth species are around especially since the new reed bed was planted on the site. Happily a Webb’s Wainscott moth was trapped (and released unharmed!) at this month’s session. It is particularly exciting to find this moth here as nationally it’s conservation status is rare. The moth’s larvae feed internally in the stems of mainly Yellow Flag Iris ( Iris pseudacorus) and Reed Mace ( Typha spp. ). If you are interested in getting involved…