Date: 3rd
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: As part of the work to re-model the springheads we will be cutting back vegetation overhanging the channels to reduce shading.
Date: 10th
Place: Byron's Pool LNR*
Activity: We will be laying a section of hedge to create a natural barrier and improve the woodland structure by allowing more light into the woodland.
Date: 17th
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: As above and we will also be managing the newly planted trees in the hedgerow.
Date: 24th
Place: Bird Survey
Activity: As part of the RSPB National Birdwatch we will be looking to record bird species at different sites across the city. Meet at layby in front of Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre at 9.30am.
Date: 31st
Place: Byron's Pool LNR*
Activity: We will be planting new trees within the recently laid hedge to help create a natural barrier as well as carrying out other woodland work.
Date: 7th
Place: Coldhams Common
Activity: We shall be continuing to cut grass and clear scrub at an important part of this very important site.
Date: 14th
Place: Adams Road Sanctuary
Activity: The Ride running up to the entrance of the reserve needs a bit of a trim following the clearing back of the ditch and hedge that the group undertook last year.
Date: 21st
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: Subject to Environment Agency approval we will be creating meanders with in the Hobson's Conduit as part on the continued work to improve the biodiversity of the channel. Alternatively we will be pollarding further Hawthorns along the channels.
Date: 28th
Place: Coldhams Brook
Activity: To help encourage Water Voles back to this previously occupied site we shall be clearing back the encroaching scrub that is keeping important wetland plants at bay.
Date: 7th
Place: Amphibians in Cambridge
Activity: We shall be visiting several ponds around Cambridge checking to see whether management work that has been undertaken has been successful. Meet at layby in front of Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre at 9.30am.
Date: 14th
Place: To Be Confirmed
Activity: To Be Confirmed
Date: 21st
Place: Barnwell Junction Meadows
Activity: The first of several spring visits to this important grassland site.
Date: 28th
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: 4th
Place: Barnwell Junction Meadows
Activity: This important link between Ditton Meadows and Coldhams Common has not been grazed for several years but the grass needs to be cut. This important task has been given to the group to undertake.
Date: 11th
Place: To Be Confirmed - Please ring Ellis Selway on 07919 572504 for details.
Activity: To Be Confirmed - Please ring Ellis Selway on 07919 572504 for details.
Date: 18th
Place: Kingfisher Bridge
Activity: A special visit to this recently created wetland north of Cambridge that already boasts many important and interesting species. The group will be doing a small amount of practical work and afterwards get to have a guided walk around the site. Due to the distance needed to travel meet at the Kelsey Kerridge layby at 9am.
Date: 25th
Place: East Pit SSSI
Activity: A visit to this nationally important site is always interesting. This time of year is best to help control the spread of the invasive buddleja.
Date: 2nd
Place: East Pit SSSI
Activity: A repeat of the previous weeks work. However the group will be focusing on clearing around the Moon Carrot site.
Date: 9th
Place: Barnwell East LNR Dawn Chorus Bird Survey
Activity: With the return of migrant birds from further the south the Dawn Chorus is at its finest, hence the early start of 5.30am. It is also a good opportunity to count the birds that are using this and nearby sites.
Date: 16th
Place: Meet at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre layby at 9.30am.
Activity: Water Vole Survey. We shall be undertaking the annual monitoring of the few Water Vole sites within the City.
Date: 23rd
Place: Byron's Pool LNR
Activity: The group will be checking up on the newly laid and planted hedges and do any necessary weeding.
Date: 30th
Place: Nine Wells LNR
Activity: We shall be planting up the newly created meanders with native species to help stabilise them.
Date: 6th
Place: Meet at Kelsey Kerridge layby at 9.30am.
Activity: Himalayan Balsam Control Day. We will be visiting several sites within the city to help control ths very invasive species.
Date: 13th
Place: Barnwell East LNR
Activity: To help preserve the important grassland we shall be removing the very invasive Rosebay Willowherb and Michaelmas Daisy.
Date: 20th
Place: Byrons Pool LNR
Activity: National Insect Week. After the success of last year we shall be focussing efforts to collect and identify insects from different habitats. This time the woodland and ponds will be the focus.
Date: 27th
Place: Logan's Meadow LNR
Activity: This site needs a bit of a trim and the trees that were planted last year need to be checked.
Date: 4th
Place: Barnwell East Local Nature Reserve*
Activity: This important site suffers from invasive Rosebay Willowherb and Michaelmas Daisy. However over the years we have been clearing them at this time of year and they have become less vigorous and other plant species have become stronger.
Date: 11th
Place: Perse Girls School Nature Reserve
Activity: To help restore this important reedbed we will be cutting and clearing nettles to allow reeds to spread back. We will also need to cut the meadow as there is no grazing at present.
Date: 18th
Place: LNRs. Meet at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre.
Activity: Butterfly Survey Day - An opportunity to study a variety of butterflies at the LNR's across the city. Booking essential.
Date: 25th
Place: Barnwell East Local Nature Reserve*
Activity: A practical task to help remove Rosebay Willowherb and Michaelmas Daisy from this important chalk grassland reserve.
Date: 1st
Place: TBC-Please phone Ellis for further details, number below.
Activity: TBC-Please phone Ellis for further details, number below.
Date: 8th
Place: TBC-Please phone Ellis for further details, number below.
Activity: TBC-Please phone Ellis for further details, number below.
Date: 15th
Place: Nature Reserves of south-west Cambridgeshire. Meet at the layby in front of Kelsey Kerridge at 9.30.
Activity: A summer break from practical work for the group. We shall be visiting various nature reserves in south-west Cambridgeshire. Numbers on the minibus are limited so please let us know if you would like to attend.
Date: 22nd
Place: TBC-Please phone Iain for further details, number below.
Activity: TBC-Please phone Iain for further details, number below.
Date: 29th
Place: Barnwell Junction Meadows
Activity: This important grassland site has not been grazed for many years so we need to go along and cut and clear certain areas.
Date: 5th
Place: Adams Road Sanctuary
Activity: The group will be helping complete the second pond at this very important west Cambridge site.
Date: 12th
Place: Adams Road Sanctuary
Activity: A repeat of the above task if the pond has not been completed but ditch clearance and reed-cutting are also planned for this day.
Date: 19th
Place: Coldhams Common
Activity: The species rich 'Triangle' grassland needs its autumn trim.
Date: 26th
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: 3rd
Place: Byrons Pool LNR*
Activity: The ponds need their annual clearing to help keep the pond life happy and thriving.
Date: 10th
Place: Barnwell East LNR*
Activity: We shall be cutting back encroaching scrub to help protect the chalk grassland species from being shaded out. We will also be removing some of the reedmace in the pond to benefit amphibians and dragonflies.
Date: 17th
Place: Barnwell West LNR*
Activity: We will be clearing areas of scrub to help create an improved woodland structure and improve access for the public.
Date: 24th
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: We will be clearing back vegetation which threatens to heavily shade this important chalk stream. Removal of leaf litter will also be required.
Date: 31st
Place: Perse Girls School Nature Reserve
Activity: We shall be clearing another area of the reed bed to slow it drying out and also clearing reed from the ditch. There will be some tree work and also work to manage the pond.
Date: 7th
Place: Nine Wells LNR*
Activity: We will be continuing the work to clear back vegetation which threatens to heavily shade this important chalk stream. Removal of leaf litter will also be required.
Date: 14th
Place: Coldhams Common
Activity: Scrub needs to be cleared from the important area of grassland next to the railway.
Date: 21st
Place: Adams Road Sanctuary
Activity: The ride leading up to the entrance of this very important city site needs to be cleared back as the brambles and ranker species are becoming quite invasive
Date: 28th
Place: East Pit SSSI
Activity: We shall be cutting part of the small area of grassland that is found at the southern end of the site as well as some of the encroaching scrub in other parts of the site.
Date: 5th
Place: TBC - Please ring Iain on 07734478461
Activity: TBC - Please ring Iain on 07734478461
Date: 12th
Place: Coldhams Common
Activity: As above. We will also be giving half the grassland a cut.
Date: 19th
Place: East Pit SSSI
Activity: As above but with a Christmas theme.
* 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.