Date: 4th
Place: Rifle Butts/Coldhams Common
Activity: This first event of the New Year will help keep this local chalky highpoint clear of brambles and rich in flowers and insects.
Date: 11th
Place: Bramblefields LNR*
Activity: We will be clearing selected areas of bramble to allow flower-rich grassland to develop.
Date: 18th
Place: Coldhams Common
Activity: Expanding the valuable work the group carried out last year we shall be helping extend a remnant of the flower-rich grassland by removing encroaching scrub.
Date: 25th
Place: Nine Wells*
Activity: We will be selectively controlling the spread of ivy on key tree species and pollarding bank-side trees to increase their longevity and value for wildlife.
Date: 1st
Place: Barnwell East and Barnwell West LNR*
Activity: We will be managing areas of scrub to benefit breeding birds and invertebrates as well as maintaining clear access for the public.
Date: 8th
Place: Byron's Pool*
Activity: We shall be thinning out invasive woodland species and carrying out general repairs.
Date: 15th
Place: Venue to be announced
Activity: NATIONAL NESTBOX WEEK. Volunteers will get the opportunity to build a nest-box for a city wildlife site. There will be different styles of boxes for different species to choose from.
Date: 22nd
Place: Mere Way and North Cambridge Triangle
Activity: The only public footpath out of north Cambridge will need a trim to make it passable. There will also be a small amount of grass clearance and litter picking.
Date: 1st
Place: Meet in layby in front of Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre at 9.30am.
Activity: Amphibians in Cambridge. We shall be visiting several ponds around Cambridge checking to see whether management work that has been undertaken has been successful.
Date: 8th
Place: Barnwell Junction meadows
Activity: A site that was visited for the first time last year, we shall be undertaking preparation of the site for the imminent arrival of sheep.
Date: 15th
Place: Coldhams Common
Activity: We shall be cutting the grass from last year in preparation for the fresh new growth of the spring.
Date: 22nd
Place: Barnwell Junction meadows
Activity: This site is relatively large so we shall be repeating the task of two weeks ago; undertaking preparation the site for the imminent arrival of sheep.
Date: 29th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: This will be our first grass cut of the year and help is needed to assist with raking up the cuttings.
Date: 5th
Place: Barnwell Junction Meadows and Coldhams Common
Activity: One last visit to the meadows to cut a little bit more grassland in the far field. Followed by a visit to one of the few high points in the city to clear invasive bramble.
Date: 12th
Place: Byron's Pool LNR*
Activity: Ring barking trees to create standing dead wood and cutting of sections of the meadow.
Date: 19th
Place: East Pit SSSI
Activity: We shall be starting the annual program of Buddleja clearance at this nationally important city site.
Date: 26th
Place: East Pit SSSI
Activity: A repeat of the previous weeks task to help chalk grassland plants to spread.
Date: 3rd
Place: The day will begin with a survey of Nightingales at Bramblefields LNR* (Meet at the Laxton Way Store at the Entrance to the reserve at 4:30am). If this is too early for some we shall be visiting other sites around the city to listen to the Dawn Chorus (please phone mobile numbers to check where we are - 07734 478461 or 07919 572504). Later in the day we will be checking the nest boxes that were put up by the Project earlier in the year. Please meet at the Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre layby at 9.30am.
Activity: Dawn Chorus Bird Survey 07919 572504
Date: 10th
Place: Meet at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre layby at 9.30am.
Activity: Water Vole Survey. We will be undertaking monitoring of the few Water Vole sites within the City.
Date: 17th
Place: Barnwell Junction Meadows
Activity: We shall be clearing invasive cow parsley from selected areas of this site.
Date: 24th
Place: To be confirmed - Please ring Iain Webb on 07734 478461 to find out the task.
Activity: To be confirmed - Please ring Iain Webb on 07734 478461 to find out the task.
Date: 31st
Place: To be confirmed - Please ring Iain Webb on 07734 478461 to find out the task.
Activity: To be confirmed - Please ring Iain Webb on 07734 478461 to find out the task.
Date:7th
Place: We will be starting at Byron's Pool LNR*.
Activity: Himalayan Balsam Control Day - We will be clearing this invasive plant from various sites across the city.
Date: 14th
Place: Byrons Pool LNR*
Activity: Insect Day. We shall be trying to identify as many of our many legged friends as possible. This will include checking a moth trap, pit fall traps, doing some pond dipping, sweep netting and general rummaging around in leaf litter and vegetation to identify as many species as possible.
Date: 21st
Place: Meet at the layby at Kelsey Kerridge at 9.30am.
Activity: Plant Surveys - we shall be looking for orchids, moon carrots, vetches, spurges, water violets and many other scarce and interesting species at different sites around the city.
Date: 28th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: It is the beginning of the Rosebay Willowherb pulling and Michaelmas Daisy cutting season. The fruits of our efforts over the years can be seen throughout the reserve.
Date: 5th
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: We will be maintaining the newly planted trees by removing competing vegetation as well as keeping the footpaths clear.
Date: 12th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: We will be undertaking the control of invasive plant species, which threaten to out compete chalk grassland species.
Date: 19th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: We will be undertaking the control of invasive plant species which threaten to out compete chalk grassland species.
Date: 26th
Place: Byron's Pool LNR*
Activity: Butterfly Survey Day. As well as surveying for common species we will also be looking for the rarer White-letter Hairstreak and Purple Hairstreak butterflies. Please note this event will run from 12pm-6pm.
Date: 2nd
Place: TBC-Please phone 07919 572504 for further details
Activity: TBC-Please phone 07919 572504 for further details
Date: 9th
Place: TBC-Please phone 07919 572504 for further details
Activity: TBC-Please phone 07919 572504 for further details
Date: 16th
Place: Barnwell Junction
Activity: We will be using the Bank Commander to cut areas of ranker vegetation to encourage the growth of the scarcer species such as salad burnet and birds-foot trefoil.
Date: 23rd
Place: Nine Wells LNR* Tree Survey
Activity: We will be noting tree species and taking a number of measurements as part of the work to improve the chalk springs by selectively thinning specific trees.
Date: 30th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: To help encourage the growth of chalk grassland plants we will be cutting areas of grassland and raking up the cuttings
Date: 6th
Place: Byron's Pool LNR*
Activity: We will be cutting areas of the meadow and removing the cuttings. We will also make a start on clearing back vegetation within the ponds to maintain areas of open water for Amphibians, dragonflies and other pond dwelling creatures.
Date: 13th
Place: Logan's Meadow LNR*
Activity: To promote the growth of a diverse range of flora areas of rank vegetation need to be cut and removed. We will also be reducing the growth of willow within the ponds.
Date: 20th
Place: Bramblefields LNR*
Activity: We will be starting to create a new pond to provide an alternative habitat in area of the reserve where there is little disturbance. We will also be managing the growth of scrub.
Date: 27th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: We will be aiming to reduce the growth of reedmace in the pond and managing areas of scrub on the reserve.
Date: 4th
Place: Adams Road Sanctuary
Activity: Various tasks to complete at this secluded private nature reserve. Pond digging, ditch and scrub clearance and reed clearance are on offer.
Date: 11th
Place: Barnwell Junction Meadows
Activity: This important habitat link needs a bit of a wash and brush up after the summer so we shall be cutting large areas and raking up the cuttings.
Date: 18th
Place: Adams Road Sanctuary
Activity: Various tasks to complete at this secluded private nature reserve. Pond digging, ditch and scrub clearance and reed clearance are on offer.
Date: 25th
Place: Byron's Pool LNR*
Activity: We will be continuing the work to clear back vegetation within the ponds to maintain areas of open water for Amphibians, dragonflies and other pond dwelling creatures. We will also be carrying out some woodland management work.
Date: 1st
Place: Byron's Pool LNR*
Activity: We will be cutting the meadow and removing the cuttings to help encourage a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Date: 8th
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: We will be cutting back overhanging vegetation and clearing out leaves from the channels.
Date: 15th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: Areas of scrub and some trees need to be cut back to help protect the chalk grassland species from being shaded out and lost to brambles!
Date: 22nd
Place: TO BE CONFIRMED
Activity: TO BE CONFIRMED
Date: 29th
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: We will be cutting back overhanging vegetation and clearing out leaves from the channels.
Date: 6th
Place: Coldhams Common
Activity: We shall be doing important grass cutting in the most diverse piece of grassland on the Common. If there are enough people we shall also be undertaking selective scrub clearance around the grassland. This will then allow it to expand.
Date: 13th
Place: Perse Girls School Nature Reserve
Activity: At this very important city wetland site we shall be cutting and clearing a section of the reed-bed as well as other parts of the marsh.
Date: 20th
Place: Coldhams Common, Rifle Butts
Activity: To keep the chalk grassland on this view point clear of scrub we shall be knocking it back down the hill.
Date: 27th
Place: No task
Activity: No task
* Local Nature Reserve work in the City is funded by English Nature, Cambridge City Council and New Opportunities Fund (Lottery Funded). Tasks on Local Nature Reserves are carried out in partnership with "Friends" Groups established under English Nature's WILDSPACE! Grant Scheme. Ellis Selway, your LNR Community Liaison Officer will jointly lead these days.
The WILDSPACE Scheme has been made possible through funding from the New Opportunities Lottery Fund.
Look out for a white minibus!
Barnwell East LNR - Meet at the reserve entrance on Uphall Road, off Coldhams Lane.
Barnwell West LNR - Meet at the reserve entrance on Uphall Road, off Coldhams Lane.
Barnwell Junction Meadows - Meet outside the Leper Chapel on Newmarket Road.
Bramblefields LNR - Meet at the end of Pippin Drive off Nuffield Road in Chesterton.
Byron's Pool - Meet in the carpark south of Grantchester Road between Trumpington and Grantchester. From Trumpington the turning is after the village and just before some cottages.
Coldhams Common - Meet at the layby on Barnwell Road opposite Camgas PLC.
East Pit SSSI - Meet at the corner of Queen Ediths Road and Lime Kiln Road.
Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall layby - In front of Parkside Swimming Pool, opposite Parkers Piece.
Mere Way and North Cambridge Triangle - Meet at the corner of Kings Hedges Road and Kirkwood Road.
Nine Wells - Meet at the Shell garage in Trumpington. We shall then drive to the site
Logans Meadow - Meet at the bottom of Logans Way, off off St Andrews Road which is next to Elizabeth Way Bridge.
Perse Girls School reedbed - Meet at the playing field gates on Latham Close off Latham Road off Trumpington Road near Botanic Gardens.
Also see our Wednesday and Other volunteering opportunities.