Godmanchester Nature Reserve
This beautiful nature reserve south of the River Great Ouse consists of four lakes which are former gravel pits. Interspersed with the lakes are areas of grassland and ancient hedgerows which provide habitats for many birds. Ducks and geese swim on the open water, kingfisher hunt in the streams and songbirds search the hedgerows for food. In winter numbers of grazing wildfowl increase as the resident population is joined by birds migrating south to avoid harsh Arctic winters.
Hidden history at Wyming Brook & Fox Hagg
For our final guided walk in this series, archaeologist Ed Dennison will be helping us to delve into the history of this area, guiding us around the many and varied archaeological remains in and near these nature reserves.
Please get in touch to book your place, and confirm where we will be starting the walk.
Southorpe Paddock
At Southorpe Paddock a raised area runs through the middle of the reserve and supports a diverse range of wildflowers. In the summer months the banks are covered with the purple and pink flowers of clustered bellflower and harebell, as well as the notable pyramidal orchid.
Look out for the marbled white butterfly and spotted flycatcher in summer.
Is beekeeping for you?
Due to the cold weather this course has been postponed. Please check our What's On pages to find out when.
Find out about the benefits of becoming a beekeeper, what you’ll need to start keeping bees and what bees need to survive. We’ll also look at the wider context of beekeeping and why bees are such an important contributor to human welfare.
Melancholy Thistle
The Melancholy Thistle is a plant of upland pastures in the north of Britain, where it can be found in high summer in unimproved upland hay meadows, open woodlands, along streamsides and along roadside verges. It has a distinctive, usually solitary purple-red thistle-like head that initially droops.
Throughout the whole country there has been a dramatic decline in wildflower meadows as a result of the intensification of agriculture since the 1950s. However, there are still pockets of the country where hay meadows are more common because the type of land and the regional climate, dictate the use of older farming practices. In addition, roadside verges near fields that have been converted to lush grasslands often act as a reservoir of meadow flower species.
The Wildlife Trusts look after many meadow habitats using traditional methods, such as hay-cutting, reseeding and grazing, for the benefit of local wildlife. We are also working closely with farmers and landowners to promote wildlife-friendly practices in these areas. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from stockwatching to surveying meadow flowers.
Songbirds at Dusk
For those who identify more with the night owl than the early bird, we'll be taking a slightly later tour around Blacka Moor nature reserve this spring, listening out for the evening melody of birdsong. Although less vigorous than its daybreak counter-part, the dusk chorus is a great chance to hear a variety of species before they turn in for the night. – please remember to bring insect repellent and a torch.
CANCELLED: Spurn Underground
Spring birds - early migrants
Spend a relaxing and informative day on this beautiful reserve learning to observe and identify birds by song and sight. Lackford Lakes offers a wide range of habitats supporting a diverse range of bird species, which optimises your chances of seeing and hearing many different types of birds throughout the day.
Hedgelaying - FULLY BOOKED
BOOKING ESSENTIAL
14 to 17 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
An Introduction to Dormice
BOOKING ESSENTIAL
