Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (WTBCN, formerly the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough) is a wildlife trust covering the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire in England.

The Trust manages 126 nature reserves covering 3,945 hectares of land, and it has over 35,000 members. All of the reserves are free to visit, and 95% of the population of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire live within five miles of one of its reserves.[1][2]

The Trust is working to protect and increase the numbers and diversity of native wild plants and animals in our countryside.

The charity's name was changed in October 2011 from the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough to Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. However the trust still covers Peterborough.

Reserves include: Summer Leys, Pitsford Water and Old Sulehay in Northamptonshire; Grafham Water, Gamlingay Wood and Brampton Wood in Cambridgeshire and Pegsdon Hills, Begwary Brook and Flitwick Moor in Bedfordshire. Some reserves, such as The Riddy in Sandy, Bedfordshire are managed by the Trust despite being owned by other bodies, such as local town or parish councils.[3]

Education centres and services

The Wildlife Trust has three environmental education centres, and works with local communities across the three counties, offering a range of opportunities to learn more about wildlife. This includes tailored learning for early years to sixth formers, under the ‘Really Wild Days Out’ programme linked to the national curriculum; project work for higher and further education students; teacher training sessions on environmental education for today’s teachers; learning opportunities and practical work for a variety of community groups; and family learning events enabling families with children to learn about wildlife together.

Classifications

Bedfordshire reserves

Site Photograph Area[lower-alpha 1] Location[lower-alpha 1] Classifications Description
Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows[4] 4.3 hectares (11 acres) Arlesey
52°01′16″N 0°16′08″W / 52.021°N 0.269°W / 52.021; -0.269 (Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows)
TL189373		 Frogs, toads and newts spawn in the moat, and dragonflies lay their eggs in it. The meadows have a range of wild flowers, and woodland, which is managed by coppicing, provides a habitat for nesting warblers.[4]
Barton Gravel Pit[5] 1.1 hectares (2.7 acres) Barton-le-Clay
51°57′25″N 0°24′11″W / 51.957°N 0.403°W / 51.957; -0.403 (Barton Gravel Pit)
TL098299 		This former gravel pit has been partially filled in to become flower-rich chalk grassland. Plants include knotted hedge-parsley, common poppy and great pignut. Mature beech trees provide a habitat for the white helleborine orchid.[5]
Begwary Brook[6] 0.8 hectares (2.0 acres) Begwary
52°11′38″N 0°17′24″W / 52.194°N 0.290°W / 52.194; -0.290 (Begwary Brook)
TL169564 		Gravel extraction has created a small lake and several smaller pools and marshland. The pools are surrounded by willow trees, and plants include common fleabane and marsh woundwort. Dragonflies and damselflies are common over the marsh in the summer.[6]
Blow's Downs[7] 62.3 hectares (154 acres) Dunstable
51°53′13″N 0°29′24″W / 51.887°N 0.490°W / 51.887; -0.490 (Blow's Downs)
TL040220 		SSSI[8] The site has varied habitats with a large area of unimproved grassland, which cattle help to maintain. Features include a disused quarry and medieval cultivation terraces. It has nationally rare plant, Bunium bulbocastanum, and a nationally rare beetle, odontaeus armiger.[8]
Cooper's Hill[9] 12.5 hectares (31 acres) Ampthill
52°01′37″N 0°30′11″W / 52.027°N 0.503°W / 52.027; -0.503 (Cooper's Hill)
TL028376 		SSSI[10] The site is described by Natural England as the best surviving example in Bedfordshire of heathland on the thin acidic soils of the Lower Greensand Ridge. It also has areas of marsh and woodland.[10]
Cople Pits[11] 2.0 hectares (4.9 acres) Cople
52°07′48″N 0°23′24″W / 52.130°N 0.390°W / 52.130; -0.390 (Cople Pits)
TL103492 		The site has eleven long water-filled pits from gravel extraction in the 1930s, which are now surrounded by willow and hawthorn scrub. The pits have been colonised by aquatic plants. Fauna include dragonflies, kingfishers and woodpeckers, and there is also a wildflower meadow.[11]
Cut-throat Meadow[12] 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) Ampthill
52°01′55″N 0°29′06″W / 52.032°N 0.485°W / 52.032; -0.485 (Cut-throat Meadow)
TL039380 		The reserve is in three separate areas. There is a steeply sloping meadow where Meadow saxifrage and field woodrush flower in the spring, a beech and scots pine wood, and a pond which has reedmace and celery-leaved buttercup, and water boatmen and pond skaters on the surface.[12]
Dropshort Marsh[13] 2.0 hectares (4.9 acres) Toddington
51°56′17″N 0°32′13″W / 51.938°N 0.537°W / 51.938; -0.537 (Dropshort Marsh)
TL007276 		SSSI[14] This marsh has a variety of habitats, including a scarce quaking bog. Many species are now uncommon due to changes in agricultural practices. it has several springs, with floating sweet-grass and brooklime and areas dominated by rushes.[14]
Fancott Woods and Meadows[15] 12.9 hectares (32 acres) Fancott
51°56′13″N 0°30′36″W / 51.937°N 0.510°W / 51.937; -0.510 (Fancott Woods and Meadows)
TL025275		 SSSI[16] The meadows are mainly ancient ridge and furrow, and are unimproved neutral grassland traditionally managed for hay and grazing. The woodland is mainly ash, with other species including pedunculate oak and alder. There is also a small pond.[16]
Felmersham Gravel Pits[17] 21.0 hectares (52 acres) Felmersham
52°12′54″N 0°33′04″W / 52.215°N 0.551°W / 52.215; -0.551 (Felmersham Gravel Pits)
SP991584 		SSSI[18] The site has flooded gravel pits, neutral grassland, scrub and broadleaved woodland.[18] It is described by the Wildlife Trust as one of the best sites in Bedfordshire for dragonflies and damselflies.[17]
Flitwick Moor (& Folly Wood)[19] 66.6 hectares (165 acres) Flitwick
52°00′25″N 0°28′37″W / 52.007°N 0.477°W / 52.007; -0.477 (Flitwick Moor)
TL046354		 SSSI[20] This is a rich valley mire, and the largest area of wetland in Bedfordshire. Eight species of sphagnum bog moss have been recorded, including one which is nationally rare. The site has areas of woodland as well as wet grassland.[20]
King's Wood and Rammamere Heath[21] 104.0 hectares (257 acres) Heath and Reach
51°57′22″N 0°39′47″W / 51.956°N 0.663°W / 51.956; -0.663 (King's Wood and Rammamere Heath)
SP920294 		SSSI[22] NNR[22] The site has the largest remaining area of woodland in Bedfordshire, together with lowland heath, acidic grassland and some small ponds. There are a number of rare plant species, including great woodrush, wood vetch and saw-wort.[22]
Lancot Meadow[23] 2.0 hectares (4.9 acres) Dunstable
51°53′06″N 0°32′38″W / 51.885°N 0.544°W / 51.885; -0.544 (Lancot Meadow)
TL003217 		The site is a grassland remnant on chalk soil, and a remnant of flower-rich meadows in the area. Flora include common spotted-orchids, ox-eye daisys and bird's foot trefoils. There are fauna such as song thrushes and marbled white butterflies.[23]
Landpark Wood[24] 3.6 hectares (8.9 acres) Whipsnade
51°51′18″N 0°31′34″W / 51.855°N 0.526°W / 51.855; -0.526 (Landpark Wood)
TL016184		 This wood has mature beech trees, hornbeam, oak and ash. The understorey is hazel and hawthorn, with bluebells, yellow archangel and woodruff. Birds include woodpeckers and nuthatches.[24]
Old Warden Tunnel[25] 3.8 hectares (9.4 acres) Old Warden
52°05′20″N 0°22′34″W / 52.089°N 0.376°W / 52.089; -0.376 (Old Warden Tunnel)
TL113446 		The site has oak and ash woodland with mature blackthorn and hawthorn bushes, and a steep cutting with grassland and scrub. Flowers include dwarf thistle and pyramidal orchid, and the scrub provides nesting sites for birds.[25]
Pavenham Osier Beds[26] 1.3 hectares (3.2 acres) Pavenham
52°11′06″N 0°33′11″W / 52.185°N 0.553°W / 52.185; -0.553 (Pavenham Osier Beds)
SP990551		 This is a wet meadow next to the River Great Ouse, which has the uncommon flower meadow-rue. Osier is a type of willow which is continually cut, stimulating its growth and supplying material for basket weavers. The Trust is continuing the tradition by planting more osiers.[26]
Pegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit[27] 79.0 hectares (195 acres) Pegsdon
51°57′11″N 0°22′19″W / 51.953°N 0.372°W / 51.953; -0.372 (Pegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit)
TL120295 		SSSI,[28] CAONB[27] The site has wildflower meadows in chalk hills, including orchids and moschatels. There are butterflies such as dingy and grizzled skippers, Birds include wheatears and skylarks, and herbs such as marjoram and wild thyme. Hoo Bit is a flower meadow surrounded by woodland.[27]
Riddy, TheThe Riddy[29] 7.7 hectares (19 acres) Sandy
52°07′30″N 0°17′46″W / 52.125°N 0.296°W / 52.125; -0.296 (The Riddy)
TL165487 		LNR[30] This water meadow is one of the few surviving areas of flood plain of the River Ivel. Aquatic plants include celery leaved buttercup and water plantain, and there are birds such as lapwings, fieldfares and redwings. Water voles are found along the river.[30]
Sallowsprings[31] 1.3 hectares (3.2 acres) Whipsnade
51°51′14″N 0°32′17″W / 51.854°N 0.538°W / 51.854; -0.538 (Sallowsprings)
TL008183 		This site was formerly a caravan park, and it is now a traditional hay meadow. A rich variety of flowers includes common knapweed, bluebells and cowslips. An ancient hedgerow has diverse shrubs such as holly.[31]
Sewell Cutting[32] 3.6 hectares (8.9 acres) Dunstable
51°53′38″N 0°32′49″W / 51.894°N 0.547°W / 51.894; -0.547 (Sewell Cutting)
TL005226 		The banks of this former railway cutting provide a rich habitat for chalk grassland flowers, such as common spotted orchids and cowslips. The south-facing slope has deep rooted plants such as hawkweed and scabious, while the sheltered north-facing slope has lush grasses. There are many species of butterflies.[32]
Sharnbrook Summit[33] 9.0 hectares (22 acres) Sharnbrook
52°15′00″N 0°34′37″W / 52.250°N 0.577°W / 52.250; -0.577 (Sharnbrook Summit)
SP972622 		The site is a mile long narrow strip above a rail tunnel. The reserve is grassland, grazed by rabbits, on limestone deposited during the construction of the railway. The dominant plant is tor-grass, and flowers include dyer's greenweed and wild liquorice. Scattered scrub provides food and shelter from kestrels and buzzards for small mammals and nesting birds.[33]
Totternhoe[34] 31.0 hectares (77 acres) Totternhoe
51°53′06″N 0°34′08″W / 51.885°N 0.569°W / 51.885; -0.569 (Totternhoe)
SP986217 		SSSI,[35] LNR,[36] CAONB,[37] NT[36] Part of the site was formerly quarry workings for Totternhoe stone, a strong chalk that was used in Westminster Abbey. It is now grassland with a rich variety of plant species, including some that are now rare. There are a number of orchids and a wide variety of invertebrates, including butterflies such as the common blue, chalkhill blue, and the scarce small blue and Duke of Burgundy.[34][35][36]
Wymington Meadow[33] 1.0 hectare (2.5 acres) Wymington
52°15′32″N 0°35′46″W / 52.259°N 0.596°W / 52.259; -0.596 (Wymington Meadow)
SP958632 		The site is a triangular meadow in the corner where two railway lines merge. It was cut off when the railways were constructed in the 1850s, and at the northern end there are traces of the ancient ridge and furrow method of ploughing. The site has a wide range of flowers, such as cowslip, salad burnet and quaking grass. A small stream and hedgerows provide additional habitats for wildlife.[33]

Cambridgeshire reserves

Site Photograph Area[lower-alpha 1] Location[lower-alpha 1] Classifications Description
Arthur's Meadow[38] Arthur's Meadow 0.8 hectares (2.0 acres) Hemingford Grey
52°18′22″N 0°06′29″W / 52.306°N 0.108°W / 52.306; -0.108 (Arthur's Meadow)
TL292692 		SSSI[39] The site is calcareous clay pasture with a wide variety of plant species, including the herbs oxeye daisy and yellow rattle. There are orchids such as common twayblades and common spotteds.[40]
Beechwoods[41] Beechwoods 10 hectares (25 acres) Cambridge
52°10′16″N 0°10′12″E / 52.171°N 0.170°E / 52.171; 0.170 (Beechwoods)
TL485547 		LNR
Brampton Wood[42] Brampton Wood 132 hectares (330 acres) Brampton
52°18′58″N 0°16′12″W / 52.316°N 0.27°W / 52.316; -0.27 (Brampton Wood)
TL184698 		SSSI
Buff Wood[43] Buff Wood 16 hectares (40 acres) Hatley
52°08′10″N 0°07′48″W / 52.136°N 0.13°W / 52.136; -0.13 (Buff Wood)
TL281503 		SSSI
Cambourne[44] Cambourne Nature Reserve 90 hectares (220 acres) Cambourne
52°13′05″N 0°04′30″W / 52.218°N 0.075°W / 52.218; -0.075 (Cambourne)
TL316595
Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits[45] Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits 10 hectares (25 acres) Cambridge
52°10′48″N 0°10′05″E / 52.18°N 0.168°E / 52.18; 0.168 (Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits)
TL483557 		LNR,[46] SSSI[47] These former chalk quarries have a variety of habitats, including grassland and woodland with ash trees, field maple and cherries. The site was designated an SSSI because it has four rare plants, three of which are listed in the British Red List of Threatened Species. These are great pignut, moon carrot and grape hyacinth.[47]
Chettisham Meadow[48] Chettisham Meadow 0.7 hectares (1.7 acres) Chettisham
52°25′23″N 0°15′54″E / 52.423°N 0.265°E / 52.423; 0.265 (Chettisham Meadow)
TL541830 		SSSI[49] The site is grassland on calcareous clay, and evidence survives of ridge and furrow medieval farming. Flowering plants include adder's tongue, cowslip and the uncommon green-winged orchid.[49]
Doghouse Grove[50] Doghouse Grove 0.8 hectares (2.0 acres) Wilburton
52°20′56″N 0°10′19″E / 52.349°N 0.172°E / 52.349; 0.172 (Doghouse Grove)
TL480745 		In the medieval period this was a series of monastic fishponds, which can still be seen in wetter periods. It is now an ash wood, with flowers including bluebells and lords-and-ladies.[50]
Dogsthorpe Star Pit[51] Dogsthorpe Star Pit 37.2 hectares (92 acres) Peterborough
52°36′29″N 0°12′36″W / 52.608°N 0.21°W / 52.608; -0.21 (Dogsthorpe Star Pit)
TF213026 		LNR, SSSI
Fordham Woods[52] Fordham Woods 10 hectares (25 acres) Fordham
52°18′14″N 0°23′31″E / 52.304°N 0.392°E / 52.304; 0.392 (Fordham Woods)
TL632700 		SSSI[53] This wet woodland site has semi-natural alder coppice, with ash, crack willow and silver birch. The ground flora has tall fens, together with herbs such as marsh marigold and yellow flag.[53]
Fulbourn Fen[54] Fulbourn Fen 31 hectares (77 acres) Fulbourn
52°10′41″N 0°13′48″E / 52.178°N 0.230°E / 52.178; 0.230 (Fulbourn Fen)
TL526557 		SSSI
Gamlingay Cinques[55] 3.4 hectares (8.4 acres) Gamlingay
52°09′40″N 0°12′32″W / 52.161°N 0.209°W / 52.161; -0.209 (Gamlingay Cinques)
TL226529
Gamlingay Wood[56] 70 hectares (170 acres) Gamlingay
52°10′01″N 0°11′13″W / 52.167°N 0.187°W / 52.167; -0.187 (Gamlingay Wood)
TL240537 		SSSI
Gamsey Wood[57] Gamsey Wood 4 hectares (9.9 acres) Woodwalton
52°25′08″N 0°12′04″W / 52.419°N 0.201°W / 52.419; -0.201 (Gamsey Wood)
TL225 816 		The main trees in this wood are ash and field maple, but there are also several wild service trees. Spring flowers include bluebells, wood anemones and yellow archangels, and there are birds such as fieldfares and nightingales.[57]
Godmanchester[58] Godmanchester Nature Reserve 59 hectares (150 acres) Godmanchester
52°19′44″N 0°09′14″W / 52.329°N 0.154°W / 52.329; -0.154 (Godmanchester)
TL258717 		The site has four former gravel pits which are now lakes, together with areas of grassland, willow woodland and reedbeds. Birds include wigeons, tufted ducks, teals and great crested grebes, and there are insects such as dragonflies and butterflies.[58]
Grafham Water[59] Grafham Water 114 hectares (280 acres) Grafham
52°17′24″N 0°19′34″W / 52.290°N 0.326°W / 52.290; -0.326 (Grafham Water)
TL143 671 		SSSI
Great Fen[60] Great Fen 1,184 hectares (2,930 acres) Holme
52°29′10″N 0°13′26″W / 52.486°N 0.224°W / 52.486; -0.224 (Great Fen)
TL207890 		This is a large wetland project which covers National Nature Reserves run by Natural England, and areas managed by the WTBCN. The fields of New Decoy Farm are being made wildlife friendly with new ditches and scrapes, and grazing cattle. Rymes Reedbeds is also being restored with new reedbeds on open water. Kesters Docking is being sown as species-poor grassland, and it will also have areas of open water and reedbeds.[61]
Hardwick Wood[62] Hardwick Wood 15 hectares (37 acres) Caldecote
52°12′14″N 0°01′02″W / 52.204°N 0.0172°W / 52.204; -0.0172 (Hardwick Wood)
TL356580 		SSSI[63] This medieval wood is now managed by coppicing. It is mainly ash and field maple, while the oldest parts have pedunculate oak with an understorey of hazel and hawthorn, while ground flora include early-purple orchid and yellow archangel.[62][63]
Hayley Wood[64] 52 hectares (130 acres) Great Gransden
52°09′36″N 0°06′47″W / 52.160°N 0.113°W / 52.160; -0.113 (Hayley Wood)
TL292530 		NCR, SSSI
Houghton Meadows[65] Houghton Meadows 8 hectares (20 acres) Houghton
52°19′41″N 0°06′14″W / 52.328°N 0.104°W / 52.328; -0.104 (Houghton Meadows)
TL293717 		SSSI
Lady's Wood[66] Lady's Wood 7.1 hectares (18 acres) Upwood
52°25′37″N 0°10′23″W / 52.427°N 0.173°W / 52.427; -0.173 (Lady's Wood)
TL243826 		This wood was a traditional coppice, but many of the trees were cut down in the 1950s. Birds include blackcaps, fieldfares and green woodpeckers and there are invertebrates such as orange-tip butterflies and azure damselflies.[66]
Lattersey[67] Lattersey 11.3 hectares (28 acres) Whittlesey
52°33′07″N 0°06′40″W / 52.552°N 0.111°W / 52.552; -0.111 (Lattersey)
TL282966 		LNR
Lower Wood[68] 9 hectares (22 acres) Weston Colville
52°09′00″N 0°22′26″E / 52.150°N 0.374°E / 52.150; 0.374 (Lower Wood)
TL625528
Norwood Road[69] Norwood Road 2.6 hectares (6.4 acres) March
52°33′40″N 0°05′20″E / 52.561°N 0.089°E / 52.561; 0.089 (Norwood Road)
TL417980 		This site has a deep pond, marshland and hawthorn scrub. There are wetland birds such as coots, moorhens and mallards, and other wildlife includes noctule bats and weasels.[69]
Ouse Washes[70] Ouse Washes 186 hectares (460 acres) Little Downham
52°27′07″N 0°09′43″E / 52.452°N 0.162°E / 52.452; 0.162 (Ouse Washes)
TL470860 		NCR, Ramsar, SAC, SPA, SSSI
Overhall Grove[71] Overhall Grove 17 hectares (42 acres) Knapwell
52°15′00″N 0°02′35″W / 52.250°N 0.043°W / 52.250; -0.043 (Overhall Grove)
TL337631 		NCR,[72] SSSI[73] This site is the largest elm woodland in the county. It was seriously affected by Dutch elm disease, but many trees have regenerated from their bases, and the mixture of new growth and dead wood provides a very good habitat for insects and birds.[71]
Pingle Wood and Cutting[74] Pingle Wood 7.4 hectares (18 acres) Warboys
52°24′58″N 0°04′16″W / 52.416°N 0.071°W / 52.416; -0.071 (Pingle Wood and Cutting)
TL313815 		This ancient semi-natural wood has ash and maple, and there is also a disused railway cutting. There are flora such as common spotted-orchids, twayblades, ramsons, salad burnets and early purple orchids.[74]
Raveley Wood[75] Raveley Wood 5.6 hectares (14 acres) Upwood
52°25′08″N 0°10′19″W / 52.419°N 0.172°W / 52.419; -0.172 (Raveley Wood)
TL244817 		Trees in this wood include oak, ash and field maple, together with some elms, although many were killed by Dutch elm disease. Invertebrates include the rare white-spotted pinion moth, which depends on elms for food for its larvae, and white-letter hairstreak butterflies. The dead elms provide a habitat for a wide variety of fungi.[75]
Roswell Pits[76] Roswell Pits 8 hectares (20 acres) Ely
52°24′04″N 0°17′10″E / 52.401°N 0.286°E / 52.401; 0.286 (Roswell Pits)
TL556806 		GCR,[77] SSSI[78][79]
Shepherd's Close[80] 1.2 hectares (3.0 acres) Spaldwick
52°19′23″N 0°20′20″W / 52.323°N 0.339°W / 52.323; -0.339 (Shepherd's Close)
TL133707
Shepreth L Moor[81] Shepreth L Moor 7.3 hectares (18 acres) Shepreth
52°06′29″N 0°01′16″E / 52.108°N 0.021°E / 52.108; 0.021 (Shepreth L Moor)
TL385475 		SSSI[82] This is unploughed calcareous grassland which has diverse flora such as horseshoe vetch and felwort in drier areas, and devil's bit scabious and fen bedstraw in wetter ones. The site is regarded by Natural England as valuable for its invertebrates.[81][82]
Skaters' Meadow[83] Skaters' Meadow 2 hectares (4.9 acres) Cambridge
52°11′31″N 0°06′18″E / 52.192°N 0.105°E / 52.192; 0.105 (Skaters' Meadow)
TL440569
Soham Meadow[84] Soham Meadow 3.6 hectares (8.9 acres) Soham
52°19′44″N 0°21′36″E / 52.329°N 0.360°E / 52.329; 0.360 (Soham Meadow)
TL609727 		SSSI
Southorpe Meadow[85] Southorpe Meadow 2.0 hectares (4.9 acres)[86] Southorpe
52°36′54″N 0°24′07″W / 52.615°N 0.402°W / 52.615; -0.402 (Southorpe Meadow)
TF083031 		SSSI[86] This is one of the few surviving areas of neutral grassland in the county, where ridge and furrow from medieval ploughing can be seen. There is a rich variety of species, such as red fescue in drier areas, and salad burnet in damper ones.[86]
Southorpe Paddock[87] Southorpe Paddock 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres)[88] Southorpe
52°36′25″N 0°24′04″W / 52.607°N 0.401°W / 52.607; -0.401 (Southorpe Paddock)
TF084022 		SSSI[89] This site is a rare example of unimproved grassland on the Jurassic limestone of eastern England. It has typical limestone plants such as purple milk-vetch and clustered bellflower. Mature hedgerows provide additional habitats for wildlife.[89]
Stanground Newt Ponds[90] Stanground Newt Ponds 0.8 hectares (2.0 acres) Peterborough
52°32′56″N 0°13′44″W / 52.549°N 0.229°W / 52.549; -0.229 (Stanground Newt Ponds)
TL202961 		This site has ponds and a wet meadow, with smooth and great crested newts. Other fauna include common frogs, damselflies and dragonflies.[90]
Stanground Wash[91] Stanground Wash 26 hectares (64 acres) Peterborough
52°33′43″N 0°13′08″W / 52.562°N 0.219°W / 52.562; -0.219 (Stanground Wash)
TL208975 		The site is sandwiched between the East Coast Main Line railway line and Back River, a tributary of the River Nene. It is grassland which is flooded in winter, providing a refuge for waterbirds, and is grazed in the summer. It has a variety of birds such as snipe, redshanks and sandpipers, and ditches with rare beetles.[91]
Thorpe Wood[92] Thorpe Wood 10 hectares (25 acres) Peterborough
52°34′16″N 0°17′31″W / 52.571°N 0.292°W / 52.571; -0.292 (Thorpe Wood)
TL158983 		This is ancient woodland on heavy clay, with mature oak and ash trees, and an understorey of hazel and field maple. The ground flora is diverse, including wild garlic, wood anemones and bluebells.[92]
Trumpington Meadows[93] Trumpington Meadows 58 hectares (140 acres) Trumpington
52°10′12″N 0°06′11″E / 52.170°N 0.103°E / 52.170; 0.103 (Trumpington Meadows)
TL439545 		This site has flower meadows, woodland, ponds, and is adjacent to the River Cam and Byron's Pool, where Lord Byron once swam. Fauna include otters, brown hares, muntjac deer, skylarks, lapwings, yellowhammers and meadow pipits.[93]
Upwood Meadows[94] Upwood Meadows 6 hectares (15 acres) Upwood
52°25′34″N 0°09′43″W / 52.426°N 0.162°W / 52.426; -0.162 (Upwood Meadows)
TL251825 		NCR,[95] NNR,[96] SSSI[97] The site has three fields on calcareous clay with poor drainage, a type of pasture now very rare, and was described by Derek Ratcliffe as having "an outstandingly rich and diverse flora".[95] Other habitats are mature hedgerows, ponds and scrub. One of the fields is agriculturally unimproved, and the evidence of medieval ridge and furrow still survives. Flowering plants include pepper saxifrage and green-winged orchid.[98]
Wansford Pasture & Standen's Pasture[99] Wansford Pasture 7.3 hectares (18 acres)[99] Wansford
52°34′55″N 0°25′26″W / 52.582°N 0.424°W / 52.582; -0.424 (Wansford and Standen's Pastures)
TL069994 		SSSI[100] This is a south-facing slope, with Jurassic limestone grassland and a flush lower down which has a wide variety of wet-loving plants, including some which are rare in the county. The ecology is maintained by avoiding the use of fertilisers and herbicides, and by grazing.[100]
Waresley and Gransden Woods[101] Waresley Wood 50 hectares (120 acres) Waresley
52°10′37″N 0°09′25″W / 52.177°N 0.157°W / 52.177; -0.157 (Waresley and Gransden Woods)
TL261548 		SSSI
Wistow Wood[102] Wistow Wood 8.5 hectares (21 acres) Wistow
52°25′16″N 0°05′46″W / 52.421°N 0.096°W / 52.421; -0.096 (Wistow Wood)
TL296820 		SSSI[103] This wood has many old ash coppices, most of which were cut at ground level in the 1920s and left to re-grow. There are flowering plants such as meadowsweet and ragged-robin, and butterflies include purple hairstreaks and red admirals.[102]
Woodston Ponds[104] Woodston Ponds 10 hectares (25 acres) Peterborough
52°33′58″N 0°16′05″W / 52.566°N 0.268°W / 52.566; -0.268 (Woodston Ponds)
TL175979 		LNR[105] The site was formerly settling ponds to remove washings from sugar beet. The east side has a lake with water birds such as grey herons, tufted ducks and pochards. In the west there is a reedbed which has pools and channels, with great crested newts and unusual species of water beetle.[104]
Woodwalton Marsh[106] Woodwalton Marsh 1 hectare (2.5 acres) Woodwalton
52°24′50″N 0°13′08″W / 52.414°N 0.219°W / 52.414; -0.219 (Woodwalton Marsh)
TL212811 		SSSI
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Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 The area and location are taken from the Wildlife Trust page for each site.

References

  1. ↑ "Our Trust by numbers". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "About our nature reserves". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "The Riddy". Sandy Town Council. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Barton Gravel Pit". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Begwary Brook". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Blow's Downs". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Blow's Down citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Cooper's Hill". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Cooper's Hill citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Cople Pits". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Cut-throat Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  13. ↑ "Dropshort Marsh". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Dropshort Marsh citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Fancott Woods and Meadows". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  16. 1 2 "Fancott Woods and Meadows citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Felmersham Gravel Pits". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Felmersham Gravel Pits citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "Flitwick Moor (& Folly Wood)". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  20. 1 2 "Flitwick Moor citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "King's Wood and Rammamere Heath". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  22. 1 2 3 "Kings and Bakers Woods and Heaths citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  23. 1 2 "Lancot Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  24. 1 2 "Landpark Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  25. 1 2 "Old Warden Tunnel". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  26. 1 2 "Pavenham Osier Beds (In Memory of Horace Church)". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  27. 1 2 3 "Pegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  28. ↑ "Map of Deacon Hill". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  29. ↑ "The Riddy". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  30. 1 2 "The Riddy". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  31. 1 2 "Sallowsprings". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  32. 1 2 "Sewell Cutting". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  33. 1 2 3 4 "Sharnbrook Summit and Wymington Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  34. 1 2 "Totternhoe". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  35. 1 2 "Totternhoe Knolls citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  36. 1 2 3 "Totternhoe Knolls". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  37. ↑ "Totternhoe Knolls". Chilterns Conservation Board. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  38. ↑ "Arthur's Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  39. ↑ "Hemingford Grey Meadow citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  40. ↑ "Hemingford Grey Meadow citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  41. ↑ "Beechwoods". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  42. ↑ "Brampton Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  43. ↑ "Buff Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  44. ↑ "Cambourne". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  45. ↑ "Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  46. ↑ "East Pit". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  47. 1 2 "Cherry Hinton Pit citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  48. ↑ "Chettisham Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  49. 1 2 "Chettisham Meadow citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  50. 1 2 "Doghouse Grove". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  51. ↑ "Dogsthorpe Star Pit". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  52. ↑ "Fordham Woods". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  53. 1 2 "Brackland Rough citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  54. ↑ "Fulbourn Fen". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  55. ↑ "Gamlingay Cinques". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  56. ↑ "Gamlingay Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  57. 1 2 "Gamsey Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  58. 1 2 "Godmanchester". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  59. ↑ "Grafham Water". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  60. ↑ "Great Fen". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  61. ↑ "Great Fen". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  62. 1 2 "Hardwick Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  63. 1 2 "Hardwick Wood citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  64. ↑ "Hayley Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  65. ↑ "Houghton Meadows". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  66. 1 2 "Lady's Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  67. ↑ "Lattersey". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  68. ↑ "Lower Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  69. 1 2 "Norwood Road". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  70. ↑ "Ouse Washes". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  71. 1 2 "Overhall Grove". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  72. ↑ Ratcliffe, Derek, ed. (1977). A Nature Conservation Review. 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 61. ISBN 0521 21403 3.
  73. ↑ "Overhall Grove citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  74. 1 2 "Pingle Wood and Cutting". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  75. 1 2 "Raveley Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  76. ↑ "Roswell Pits". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  77. ↑ "Roswell Pits, Ely (Jurassic - Cretaceous Reptilia)". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  78. ↑ "Ely Pits and Meadows citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  79. ↑ "Map of Ely Pits and Meadows". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  80. ↑ "Shepherd's Close". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  81. 1 2 "Shepreth L Moor". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  82. 1 2 "L-Moor, Shepreth citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  83. ↑ "Skaters' Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  84. ↑ "Soham Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  85. ↑ "Southorpe Meadow". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  86. 1 2 3 "Southorpe Meadow citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  87. ↑ "Southorpe Paddock". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  88. ↑ "Designated Sites View: Southorpe Paddock". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  89. 1 2 "Southorpe Paddock citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  90. 1 2 "Stanground Newt Ponds". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  91. 1 2 "Stanground Wash". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  92. 1 2 "Thorpe Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  93. 1 2 "Trumpington Meadows". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  94. ↑ "Upwood Meadows". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  95. 1 2 Ratcliffe, Derek (1977). A Nature Conservation Review. 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 139. ISBN 0521 21403 3.
  96. ↑ "Cambridgeshire's National Nature Reserves". Natural England. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  97. ↑ "Upwood Meadows citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  98. ↑ "Upwood Meadows citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  99. 1 2 "Wansford Pasture & Standen's Pasture". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  100. 1 2 "Wansford Pasture citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  101. ↑ "Waresley and Gransden Woods". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  102. 1 2 "Wistow Wood". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  103. ↑ "Warboys and Wistow Woods citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  104. 1 2 "Woodston Ponds". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  105. ↑ "Woodston Ponds". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  106. ↑ "Woodwalton Marsh". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 28 July 2016.

External links

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