What do Water Voles, Moon Carrot, Trinity College, the Bronze Age and the water we drink have in common?
The Cambridge City Greenways Project has produced a leaflet to guide you from Barnwell East Local Nature Reserve to the exceptional West Pit SSSI in Cherry Hinton and answer this question along the way. The leaflet has been written by wildlife expert, Iain Webb, and takes in some of the wilder aspects of the city. The route will take you along the East Cambridge Wildlife Corridor where you can enjoy bee orchids, kingfishers and the rare moon carrot.
Iain Webb, from the Cambridge City Greenways Project, said 'Cambridge has so many well hidden wild places where rare and interesting plants and animals can be found. Hopefully this new leaflet will encourage many more people to explore and enjoy the wild places that Cambridge has to offer.'
If you would like a copy of the leaflet please contact Iain Webb on 01954 713531. Alternatively you can download a copy from the Walks pages.
For a number of years the City Greenways Project has helped to manage local sites for the benefit of amphibians and reptiles and we have gathered many records relating to these sites. However there are very few records relating to private gardens, allotments and urban areas. This is where we need your help!!
This year we are asking local residents to shed some light on what lives in their area so we can fully understand the importance of different habitats for amphibians and reptiles. No previous experience is necessary as guidance notes and assistance is provided. Find out how you can get involved by looking at the survey page.
A survey of screaming swifts was carried out in and around Cambridge in 2002 by the City Greenways Project. This simple survey asked people to send in records of screaming swift groups observed on summer evenings. It found lots of small groups of active screaming swifts and also some larger groups - these are all likely to relate to colonies - and scattered throughout the whole city and surrounding area.
The City Greenways Project are teaming up with the Bird Club to repeat and refine this survey, to try and find out about breeding swifts in and around Cambridge. Find out more about the survey on our species page.
Please contact Iain Webb on 01954 713531 or email iain.webb@wildlifebcnp.org for further details if you would like to take part in the screaming swifts survey.
A unique dating agency set up by wildlife workers to help find mates for Cambridgeshire's lonely male Black Poplars is looking for matchmakers.
Valentine's Day has come and gone and many of Cambridgeshire's Black Poplars, which can be male or female, are facing a lonely spring without a mate says the Cambourne based Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Biological Records Centre.
Along with the Cambridge Green Belt Project, Records Centre officers are trying to improve the love life of this very special tree by setting up a dating agency for it. And they need your help.
The Black Poplar is one of England's rarest and most majestic native trees. Unusually this majestic tree has male and female trees, told apart by their distinctive catkins, bright scarlet for the male and lime green for the female.
Unfortunately female trees are exceedingly rare with less than 10% of the 7000 Black Poplars remaining nationally being female! This situation is even worse in Cambridgeshire where records show that there are only around 100 trees, and of these only 14 are known females.
Greenbelt Project Manager, Naomi Brookes said: "Due in part to this lack of females the black poplar is in decline. Even where males and females are found together, the life for the couple is difficult and the odds are stacked against them".
"Suitable habitat, ideal breeding conditions, suitable breeding partners, old age and other pressures all conspire to ensure that these would-be happy couples can't breed".
"The Biological Records Centre and the Cambridge Green Belt Project are asking people to let them know if they know of any Black Poplars in their area".
"Although we hold some records of trees in the county we think there may be others out there that we don't know about. We want to set up a dating agency for black poplars and can only do that when we know how many there are in the county."
Records Centre Officer, Christine Whinney said, "The Black Poplar is a distinctive tree, but can be confused with other introduced poplars such as the Italian Poplar. A mature Black Poplar can be as big as an oak. The bark is heavily bossed and burred and has large deep parallel ruts and is usually a dark grey colour. The leaf is shaped a bit like a heart (appropriately!) and the catkins are pretty distinctive".
"The tree over time develops a natural lean and its bottom branches sweep up and back over to the ground in an arch. If you think you may have a seen a black poplar please let us know so we can help this lonely heart tree!"
Black Poplar sightings can be passed to the Biological Records Centre by using the online wildife reporting form or by calling 01954 713571.
And special training days are on offer to help you identify Black Poplars.
Christine said, "To create a successful dating agency we need to go out and check all of the sightings to ensure they the trees are the real thing and we want to help people identify them successfully! We will give full training and support to identify these rare trees during trainings days.
"If you think you would like to help and could spare a few days to help the black poplar please ring us on 01954 713571. This work will be essential to helping us to set up a dating database for this magnificent tree we will then be able to work with landowners to help protect this tree into the future by taking cuttings and planting them out at suitable locations to assist them in romantic liaisons! "
The special training days are on:
Learn more from our Black Poplar page.
Join Cambridge Greenbelt Project (CGBP) and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Biological Records Centre (CPBRC) at B&Q on Newmarket Road, Cambridge on Friday 4th November to build your own hedgehog box and learn more about this lovable mammal and how to make your own garden more hedgehog friendly.
With the onset of autumn, hedgehogs need to find a cosy winter retreat to wait out the cold winter months. It is an unfortunate and not uncommon event that during late October/early November many hedgehogs die after hibernating in bonfire woodpiles, which appear to them the perfect winter retreat; a cosy nest of twigs and leaves that will keep out the worst of the weather. We are asking people to be particularly aware around Bonfire Night and check their bonfires for any sleeping hedgehogs before lighting them.
Students from the BTEC Construction course at Swavesey Village College will be on hand to help you build a new hedgehog box for your garden. This is just one of the ways that you can help give a safe alternative to bonfire woodpiles during the next few weeks. As well as providing a box remember to check any bonfire thoroughly before lighting it and if you do find a nesting hedgehog leave plenty of time for it to escape. If possible, leave building your bonfire until the night you need to light it. To learn about other ways you can help the hedgehog in your garden come along on Friday 4th November, download a PDF leaflet, or contact us for a leaflet.
Naomi Brookes said 'In the excitement of Bonfire Night it's all to easy to forget that our bonfires can often be a death trap for smaller mammals. We are pleased to be working with B&Q and Swavesey Village College to build hedgehog boxes to provide safer winter homes for the hedgehog.'
We also need your help in finding out how hedgehogs are doing in and around Cambridge. There are suggestions nationally that hedgehog numbers are in decline, but we have little information of their numbers in this area, so are asking people to tell us when and where they see hedgehogs and whether their new hedgehog homes are being used. We have a new wildlife recording section of the website, where you can find full information on what details we need how you can send us your records.
CGBP and CPBRC will be at B&Q on Newmarket Road on Friday 4th November from 10:30am until 7:00pm. Just drop in to make your own hedgehog box (one per household) and pick up some more information about what you can do to help this wonderful creature. For more information please contact Naomi Brookes on 01954 713530 or email naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org
Cambridge Green Belt Project is giving you the chance to learn the traditional skill of hedgelaying on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November at Fen End Farm in Cottenham and Byron's Pool in Cambridge. This practical workshop will allow participants to learn the different stages involved in hedgelaying and to practice with the help of a qualified hedge layer.
Hedgerows are an important part of our landscape heritage. In mediaeval times they were important as landscape markers, distinguishing parishes and estates. Now they form an integral part of our landscape and are important for wildlife.
Hedgelaying is a traditional way of managing a hedge to maintain its density and structure. Good hedges are important for a range of wildlife and also benefit the hedge by encouraging new vigorous growth. A good thick hedge is filled with wildlife; 65 bird species, 1500 kinds of insect and 20 butterfly species can all live here! It's also home to many of our smaller mammals and plants. However maintaining a good thick hedge requires management.
A well-laid hedge is a pleasure to the eye. 3 - 4 years after laying a hedge will form a better habitat for birds than a trimmed hedge. Hedgelaying is the perfect way to rejuvenate an old hedgerow, or pull a recently planted one into shape. A hedge is laid by trimming the hedge back, making an incision at the base and folding over. This can then be staked and bound in place. There are many different styles of hedgelaying originating across the country. We will be learning the west midlands style where the top is bound by weaving.
Enjoy an opportunity to learn this traditional skill. The training days will cover the basics and the emphasis will be on the practicalities of laying a hedge with plenty of time to practice. There are two days to choose from - either Saturday 19th or Sunday 20th November. Saturday's event will be held at Fen End Farm, Cottenham whilst Sunday's event will be at Byron's Pool Local Nature Reserve in Cambridge. Tools and equipment will be provided but please wear old warm clothes, bring waterproofs and a packed lunch.
Booking is essential for this day as numbers are limited. For more information and directions please contact Naomi Brookes, Cambridge Green Belt Project Manager on 01954 713530 or email naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org
Enjoy watching wildlife but wondered how to get more out it? Confused about what to look for and which books and equipment to take with you? Christine Whinney, Community Officer for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Biological Records Centre and Naomi Brookes, Cambridge Green Belt Project Manager are here to help with a talk about just that - How to Watch Wildlife! The talk takes place on Thursday 15th September at 12:30pm at Cambridge City Environment Centre in the Guild Hall, Market Square, Cambridge.
Naomi and Christine will give a brief talk about watching wildlife with some hints and tips about how to get the most out of it. They will then be on hand until 2pm with a range of books and equipment and an informal Q&A session, please feel free to drop in and ask a question.
Watching wildlife is fun and is something anyone can do. It's all about getting out and finding out more about what's around. Watching birds from you kitchen window or going for a walk on a nature reserve are great ways to get started and this talk will give you some hints and tips about interpreting what's out there and getting more out of wildlife watching.
To follow up the talk Christine and Naomi will be out with Ellis Selway, Community Liaison Officer for the City Council, at Barnwell East Local Nature Reserve the same Thursday evening from 6.30pm. This is an exciting opportunity to have a go at watching wildlife on the Reserve and another chance to ask questions, look at good wildlife books and use some of the equipment. The Reserve has a mix of scrub, grassland and a pond, and is important for a range of species so it's a great place to go pond dipping, run around with a sweepnet and test your skills at using identification keys. Meet at 6:30pm at the Reserve entrance on Uphall Road, off Coldhams Lane.
Both events are open to everyone so don't worry if you can't make one of them. For more information please contact Naomi Brookes on 01954 713530 or email naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org
There are mysterious creatures that inhabit the night and on 9th September from 9pm there is an opportunity to learn more about some of them. Join Cambridge Green Belt Project and John Dawson, Cambridgeshire Moth Recorder on a moth trapping night on Roman Road to learn more about some of the more beautiful of our nighttime inhabitants.
We'll be looking for things like straw dot, brimstone moth and large yellow underwing moths, amongst others. Moths are attractive and this will be a good opportunity to learn a bit about a few of the species found in the local area. There are over 2,500 species found in this country and we hope that with the help of John Dawson we will see over 60 of these during the evening at Roman Road.
Roman Road is an important reminder of our past and a nationally important chalk grassland site. Work has been taking place on the site to manage and restore this rich chalk grassland habitat along the Road with great success. The flower rich grassland and adjacent hedges and farmland all offer the perfect habitat for a range of moths. This night will be an opportunity to see what moths are using this important linear site and whether we have attracted some of the scarcer and more unusual chalk species.
Moths are active throughout the night so we could be trapping well into the night. We will meet at 9pm at Worstead Lodge (Grid Reference TL527520), although you can your own way to site after this. Worstead Lodge can be accessed from the A11 or Cambridge Road A1307, follow the signs to Worstead Lodge. We will be trapping on the westward section leading to Cambridge, look for the signs! We recommend that you wear warm clothing and bring a torch. If you would like to know more please contact Naomi Brookes on 01954713530 or email naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org
Enjoy the summer weather and join Cambridge Green Belt Project and Cambridgeshire County Council on an evening stroll from Bourn to Kingston Old Railway Reserve on Wednesday 27th July. This is good opportunity to learn more about your local wildlife and the delightful Kingston Old Railway Reserve.
Kingston Old Railway Reserve is a small site at 4.88 acreas, but has plenty to offer. The Reserve is owned by Cambridgeshire County Council who has entered the Reserve onto a ten year management plan under DEFRA's Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Although the site has much to offer, management under this Scheme will enhance the wildlife interest further and ensure what interest there is retained.
During the summer months the site is at its best. During our visit there will be a chance to learn more about the different wildlife found there. A small wild flower meadow at the front of the Reserve is in full bloom at the moment with ox-eye daisy, lady's bedstraw, black knapweed and many more flowers. On a recent moth trapping night over 60 species of moth were recorded at the site, but more excitingly glow worms were recorded on site for the first time. Although it is now probably too late in the season to see glow worms it will be a good chance for walkers to discover more about the management of this meadow, which is encouraging wildlife to the site.
The second part of the site is a small wooded area leading down to the river. There will be a chance to see the management work that is taking place to make this area richer and discover some of the future plans for the site. It will also be a chance for walkers to tell us what they think about the Reserve.
The Cambridge Green Belt Project is helping the County Council to manage the site through cutting the meadow and thinning some of the woodland. It will be a good opportunity to found out what the Project does and how walkers can get involved with management at the Reserve.
The walk from Bourn will give a chance to view some of the other wildlife in the area and explore the importance of connecting habitats with hedges and field margins. It will also prove to be a delightful walk on a summer's evening.
The walk will depart from The Golden Lion Pub at 7pm. Please ensure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. It may be useful to bring a torch as the dusk will be falling as we finish the walk. There will be a minibus to take walkers from Kingston Old Railway Reserve at the end of the walk back to Bourn at approximately 9pm. If you would like more information about the walk or the Reserve call the Cambridge Greenbelt Project Manager on 01954 713530 or email naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org. Our events page has further details of the walk.
Waking up to Wildlife - Events Programme for Cambridge's Local Nature Reserves
Visitors to Local Nature Reserves will be Waking Up to Wildlife this month when English Nature launches two weeks of events to celebrate these natural treasures.
From July 16th to 31st more than 300 events will be held around the country to encourage more people to explore and enjoy Local Nature Reserves and to show them how getting close to wildlife can be good for both your physical and mental wellbeing.
Local Nature Reserves are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. There are now around 1,200 Local Nature Reserves in England covering almost 40,000 ha.
Andy Clements, English Nature's Director, Protected Areas, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Local Nature Reserves and find out what makes them so special. We want everyone to be able to reap the benefits of being active outdoors while enjoying beautiful surroundings and getting close to some amazing wildlife. Wherever your community is and whatever you enjoy doing, local nature reserves have something to offer you."
All of these events are FREE. For full details of the events and directions to the reserves please visit the Cambridge City Local Nature Reserves Site or telephone the Local Nature Reserve team on Tel: 01223 457367
The Cambridge Green Belt and City Greenways Project update 2004 is now available.
A report on the hedge laying days in February 2005 is now available - Hedge Laying Report.
Cambridge Green Belt Project are giving you the chance to learn the traditional skill of hedgelaying on Saturday 19th and Saturday 26th February at Fen End Farm in Cottenham. This practical workshop will allow participants to learn the different stages involved and practice with the help of a qualified hedge layer.
Hedgerows are an important part of our landscape heritage. In mediaeval times they were important as landscape markers, distinguishing parishes and estates. Now they form an integral part of our landscape and are important for wildlife.
Hedgelaying is a traditional way of managing a hedge to maintain its density and structure. Good hedges are important for a range of wildlife and also benefit the hedge by encouraging new vigorous growth. A good thick hedge is filled with wildlife; 65 bird species, 1500 kinds of insect and 20 butterfly species can all live here! It's also home to many of our smaller mammals and plants. However maintaining a good thick hedge requires management.
A well-laid hedge is a pleasure to the eye. 3 - 4 years after laying a hedge will form a better habitat for birds than a trimmed hedge. On farmland a well-laid hedge can prove a most effective barrier against stock. Hedgelaying is the perfect way to rejuvenate an old hedgerow, or pull a recently planted one into shape. A hedge is laid by trimming the hedge back, making an incision at the base and folding over. This can then be staked and bound in place. There are many different styles of hedgelaying originating across the country. We will be learning the west midlands style where the top is bound by weaving.
Enjoy an opportunity to learn this traditional skill. The training days will cover the basics and the emphasis will be on the practicalities of laying a hedge with plenty of time to practice. There are two days to choose from - either Saturday 19th or Saturday 26th February. Tools and equipment will be provided but please wear old warm clothes, bring waterproofs and a packed lunch.
Booking is essential for this day as numbers are limited. For more information and directions please contact Naomi Brookes, Cambridge Green Belt Project Manager on 01954 713530 or email naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org
Harston Parish Council and Cambridge Green Belt Project will be celebrating National Apple Day on Saturday 9th October at Harston Orchard. This once neglected orchard is now a thriving small traditionally managed orchard thanks to the hard work of local people and the Parish Council. We will be celebrating this hard work on Apple Day with a range of activities including free - a - tree, apple tasting, games and other fun.
Harston Orchard is nestled behind the recreation ground and is one of the last remaining orchards in the area. Scrub had hidden many of the fruit trees and the site had been neglected. Hard work to clear the scrub and entry into DERFRA'S Countryside Stewardship Scheme has seen the Orchard restored. The orchard is a wonderful mix of traditionally managed meadow, orchard, dense scrub and hedgerows. The whole site is managed sympathetically for the benefit of wildlife.
Work at the site is ongoing. In 2003 two new fruit trees were found and freed from the scrub. On Apple Day we will be seeing if we can find any more apple trees hidden away in the scrub and free them so they can flourish once more!
The orchard has a number of large old veteran apple trees, many over 80 years old! There are Bramleys and other varieties on the site and on Apple Day there will be a chance to try some of these delicious apples! New trees have been planted at the Orchard to ensure that any old or lost trees are replaced. We will be working on the day to help these trees establish.
The orchard is located 4 miles south of Cambridge. Take the A10 to Harston and just before the village shop turn left down 'The Limes' (sign posted to Recreation Ground and Community Orchard). There is parking in the recreation ground. Access the orchard in the bottom left hand corner of the recreation ground. For further information about orchards in the local area and their importance to wildlife please visit:
This event has been rescheduled to 14th September. Please see our events page for full details.
Go batty with the Cambridge Green Belt Project on Tuesday 31st August in the village of Rampton. Bats are elusive night time visitors rarely seen except for a brief glimpse as they flit by. This evening walk will start by trying to catch a glimpse of the bats as they leave their roost in the evening. Then we will walk around the village and castle mound with an expert listening in on the bats as they hunt for food.
Although rarely seen bats have a fascinating life and this evening will be a chance to find out more about their habits and hidden lives. Although nocturnal bats are considered nature's best insect control; a pipestrelle bat can eat catch up to 3,000 insects in one night! Bats use a sophisticated echolocation system to be able to catch their tiny prey in the dark. These high frequency calls bounce off of objects in the dark allowing the bat to build up a 'sound picture' of the area they are flying through and help to locate their prey. We will be eavesdropping on these calls with the aid of a bat sound detector! Each bat species emits a different frequency of sound so we will be able to listen to the different bats using the area. Rampton has a wide range of habitats perfect for bats so we hope to find pipestrelle and daubenton's amongst others.
A good variety of habitats is important to bats, especially those with a good mix of water, rough grassland, scrub and woodland. We will look at each habitat and the different species that use them and discuss why good habitat management is so important to bats.
Naomi Brookes Cambridge Green Belt Project Manager said 'I am really excited about this unique opportunity to listen in on these fascinating creatures. Bats are so elusive because of their nocturnal nature, but they have a fascinating life. Rampton has a good variety of natural habitats and thre should be plenty of bats out and about so it promises to be a good night.'
If you would like to become a bat detective be at Rampton Village Hall for 8pm. For further information call Iain Webb on 01954 713531, email iain.webb@wildlifebcnp.org to book places and find details of where to meet.
The night holds many secrets and on Friday the 6th of August from 9pm in south Cambridge there is an opportunity to discover some of them. The City Greenways Project is leading a moth trapping and bat watching night at a private nature reserve off Trumpington Road. For those who aren't night owls there will be the opportunity to see the moths on Saturday the 7th at 10am.
Moths have some amazing names such as, Bloodvein, Old Lady, The Snout and Silver Ground Carpet. All these species have been recorded at the reserve and last year 108 species were recorded and it is hoped that many more, with just as many interesting names, will be found. Some of the species recorded are scarce in Britain, so this makes the nature reserve and surrounding area very important for moths, as well as the many other species found.
Not as colourful as moths but just as interesting are bats. The reserve contains and is surrounded by large areas of suitable habitat for bats. Last year 3 species of bats were heard, using a bat detector, and seen feeding around the reserve. Hopefully this will be repeated.
Moths are active throughout the night so it is not uncommon for trapping to continue well into the night. For those people who can not stay up till the early hours the moths will be kept safe within the traps and then be released in the morning. This will allow them to be seen in the clear light of day.
Iain Webb of the Cambridge City Greenways Project said "It is astounding the number of moths species that can be found in such a small area so close to the centre of Cambridge. The shear variety of colours and shapes they come in, as well as the marvellous names they have been given, makes a night-time spent looking at them well worth while. Many moths are preyed upon by bats so it is only natural that we try to get a glimpse of these fascinating creatures as well."
The site to be visited is a private reserve and numbers are limited for both events so please contact Iain on 01954 713531 or 07734 478461 or email: iain.webb@wildlifebcnp.org to book places and find details of where to meet.
The water shrew, one of Britain's least known mammals, will be the focus of a survey this month as the Cambridge Green Belt Project launches the Cambridge Water Shrew Survey. Despite being the largest of Britain's shrews very little is known about the water shrew (Neomys fodiens). This is because the water shrew is very shy and rarely seen making it difficult to know if it is in a particular stretch of watercourse. The Cambridge Green Belt Project is appealing for volunteers to help survey the ponds and streams of Cambridge and the surrounding area during July to look for signs of this elusive and fascinating mammal. We want to know if there are water shrews in Cambridge and to build up a picture of their populations in Cambridge and the surrounding area. Full training will be given to all volunteers at a training evening on 30th June.
The water shrew has a fascinating life spending most of its time searching for food rarely stopping to rest. The water shrew has to eat half its body weight each day just to remain alive, which is why they spend most of their time looking for worms, snails and other invertebrates. Because they spend most of their time in the water and looking for food they rarely leave signs of their presence and consequently very little is known about where they are found or live.
Naomi Brookes, Cambridge Green Belt Project Manager said 'Little is known about the water shrew and its distribution in Cambridge and the surrounding area. There are fears that populations of the water shrew are declining, due to habitat loss along watercourses and pollution. We hope that the survey will find out if they occur in Cambridge and begin to build up a picture of the habitats they use and sites that are important to them. Volunteers are essential to the success of this survey as this will ensure that a larger percentage of the area can be covered giving us a much better idea about distribution.'
The survey will include placing tubes baited with castors (blowfly larvae) next to streams and ponds for two weeks. Water shrews are naturally inquisitive so will explore the tubes and eat the bait, hopefully leave droppings for us to find! These droppings are called scats and will be investigated by experts to determine if they are from water shrews or such as the pygmy shrew. The Cambridge Green Belt Project will provide all tubes and castors.
The data collected in this survey will feed into a national survey being conducted for water shrews by The Mammal Society.
A training evening is being held on 30th June at the Gilmore Building in the Cambridge Botanic Gardens, which can be accessed off Bateman Street. The evening will run from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Booking is essential. The survey will take place throughout July. If you would like to volunteer to help the Cambridge Green Belt Project survey for this fascinating mammal then please contact Naomi Brookes on 01954 713530 or email Naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org.
There were celebrations on 15th June when the Cambridge City Greenways Project was awarded £5,000 (donated by Cambridge Sustainable City) as the winner of the 'Cambridge Evening News Community Awards 2004' for the 'Best Environmental Group Award'. The Award recognised the hard work of the Project in the City working with local communities, schools and other organisations to manage some of the Cities important wildlife sites. The prize money will be used by the Project towards furthering its conservation work in the City and will enable further work to be undertaken at sites across the City that otherwise may not have been managed. Naomi Brookes, Project Manager, said 'This is fantastic news and it is wonderful to have the work of the Project recognised like this. The Project goes from strength to strength and we are looking forward to further work in some of Cambridge's important wildlife areas'.
On Sunday 27th June there is a guided walk at Great Wilbraham Common lead by Naomi Brookes and Iain Webb of the Cambridge Green Belt Project. This stunning 27 hectare site is well hidden and off the beaten track and this walk provides an opportunity to discover one of Cambridgeshire's hidden gems lying near the village of Great Wilbraham.
Great Wilbraham Common is one of Cambridgeshire's most impressive chalk grasslands, and one of its largest remaining commons. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its chalk grassland and a walk at this time of year will see the site looking its most beautiful with thyme, knapweed, rock rose and milkwort all in bloom. It promises to be a floral feast. This walk will discuss the decline of chalk grassland nationally and the pressures on remaining sites such as this one. There will be an opportunity to discuss the management issues of such a large site and to explore the work of the Cambridge Green Belt Project here.
Naomi Brookes said 'Managing a large site like this has its own challenges, but working in partnership with the local Commoners and English Nature, Great Wilbraham Common is a truly stunning chalk grassland site. This walk will be an opportunity for us to see how our management is working and explore this wonderful site.'
The walk will start at 10:00am meeting at the garage in Great Wilbraham. The walk will take approximately 2 hours. Booking is essential. Please contact Naomi Brookes on 01954 713530 or email Naomi.brookes@wildlifebcnp.org.
Enjoy an evening summer stroll around the picturesque village of Toft and learn about some of the local wildlife with Naomi Brookes from the Cambridge Green Belt Project on Wednesday 9th June. Naomi will lead an evening walk around the village starting at 7:30pm from outside the post office and finishing at 9:00pm.
Join Naomi for the chance to explore some of this small village's hidden gems and learn about the wealth of wildlife that uses the village and its surrounding area. The walk will start by looking at the villages disused allotment and talk about the significance of sites like this in local landscapes. Village residents with the help of the Cambridge Green Belt Project have started managing the allotment for wildlife and this will be a chance to see how that management will attract more wildlife in the future. It will also highlight how important these small sites are by exploring other important wildlife habitats in the village including a nationally important woodland, chalk grassland and the network of green corridors that link these.
The evening promises a wealth of wildlife including a chance to see a village rookery, a favoured otter site and host of other species.
Naomi said 'Toft is a small village nestling in the Cambridgeshire countryside, but has an amazing wealth of wildlife. This will be a chance to see how small sites managed by the local community really add to the wildlife value of an area.'
If you would like to attend the walk please book in advance by contacting Naomi Brookes of the Cambridge Green Belt Project on 01954 713530
Further details are available from our events diary.
There are two chances to learn more about the fascinating world of moths and insects with the Cambridge Green Belt Project on the 16th and 17th of June at Harston Orchard. There are around 24,000 species of insects in the UK alone and this is your chance to learn about just a few of them. With the help of local experts we will be looking for moths, butterflies, bugs and beetles at this old community orchard in Harston.
The event will kick off with a moth trapping evening on the 16th June from 9pm until late. We will be using light traps and wine ropes to attract a wide range of moths and other night flying insects and hope to see spectacular moths such as large yellow underwing and elephant hawkmoth.
On the 17th June there will be another chance to see some of the moths caught the night before, with Naomi Brookes and Iain Webb of the Cambridge Green Belt Project and Michelle Margot of Nature in Your Neighbourhood from 10am. The highlight of the day will be hunt for the clearwing moth. This moth is unusual in that it prefers hot sunny days and old orchards like Harston offer a perfect habitat for it. We will also be looking for other creepy crawlies throughout the day and this is a chance to learn all about the different survey techniques used to find different insects.
Naomi Brookes of the Cambridge Green Belt Project said 'We know so little about moths, butterflies and insects. They can often be difficult to identify and people can be scared of them! The Insect Day at Harston Orchard promises to be a fascinating insight into the often over-looked world of the insects and will be a unique chance to learn more about their identification and importance.'
Harston Orchard is next to the recreation ground in the village of Harston. Turn off the A10 onto The Limes and follow the signs. If you would like further details please contact us.
Further details of these two days are available from our events diary.
There are two chances to enjoy the wonder that is the dawn chorus and to discover what birds are making all that noise with the Cambridge Green Belt Project. On Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th at 4.15am Iain Webb of the Project will be leading groups at two sites within and outside Cambridge.
On Saturday the 8th Iain will lead a walk around Adams Road Sanctuary, a private reserve in west Cambridge. To take part in this meet at the corner of Adams Road and Sylvester Road at 4.15am from where the group will visit the reserve. Species that should be heard are Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Song Thrush and many more.
On Sunday the 9th Iain will be leading a walk around the village of Rampton, north west of Cambridge. The day will start at 4.15am outside Rampton village hall, on Church End Road. The group will then walk to Giants Hill where species such as Blackcap, Turtle Dove, Dunnock and many others will be heard.
Iain Webb of the Cambridge Green Belt Project said "It may be a struggle to get up and out this early in the morning but once the dawn chorus starts it is an amazing experience. You begin in the dark with complete silence and even before there is a hint of it getting lighter one or two birds start to sing. Then more and more birds of many different species all join in together so once the sky is getting lighter there is a wonderful mix of beautiful songs and the dawn chorus is in full swing. It is one of the wonders of spring that so many people, myself included, miss out on."
Numbers are limited for both events so please contact Iain Webb on 01954 713531 or email: iain.webb@wildlifebcnp.org if you would like to attend. In the event of heavy or persistent rain the events will be cancelled.
Don't forget to check our events page regularly for details of our ongoing events programme.
Welcome to our website!
Cambridge Green Belt Project
c/o The Wildlife Trust for Cambridgeshire
The Manor House
Broad Street
Great Cambourne
Cambridge
CB3 6DH
UK
Telephone: 01954 713530
Email: greenbelt@wildlifebcnp.org
The Cambridge Green Belt Project has an excellent long-term volunteer opportunity for anyone wanting to launch their career in conservation, see the other volunteering opportunities for details!