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.
With all the extra human traffic on the reserves we are experiencing a new phenomenon, affectionately becoming known as ‘path creep’. Paths that used to be perhaps a metre or two wide are now four or more. If you added up all this lost ground on the reserves you could probably form a new one! In the last week efforts have begun to slowly reclaim some of this extra path way back. At Paradise nature reserve the sides of the paths have been rotovated to stimulate new growth…
Continuing with the theme of providing nesting opportunities, there is still time to prep for the arrival of Swifts. Due to start appearing in late April, early May you could have a beautiful nesting box ready and waiting for them. Sounds tantalizing and inspiring indeed! Everything you need to know can be found at http://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/ They are a local organization which can give you all the advice and support needed to get you started.
Legend has it that originally Saint Valentine’s day was said to be the day the birds find their mates and so it became known as the day of love, how very cute! In celebration of this fuzzy phenomenon, how about making or buying a nesting box? It’s National Nest Box week (14th-21st Feb) which, even saying those words, does feel decidedly Spring-like, positive and upbeat! But also a perfect incentive to get those boxes up and settle in. Legend also has it that Blue Tits are the most…