Langdyke volunteer Jackie Robinson looks at how nature on some of our reserves has changed significantly in the last year.
The first thing I noticed was the Swaddywell cabin pond update for September 24 …
“Swaddywell’s cabin pond looks a bit sad at the moment, but the volunteers are in the process of emptying and thoroughly cleaning it to be ready for relining and filling again, hopefully by January, to allow it to settle before being needed by the wildlife visitors who give us so much joy. The other ponds at Swaddywell are still dry at the moment but with the sort of rain we had the other evening it won’t be long before they start to fill”.
Well, we are in pretty much the same position as last year. The pond is now liner free and empty, as I said in the last update and it will be monitored to see if we can actually understand what happens to the water – if any comes in naturally (hopefully) and where it goes. Let’s hope for 2026 the update is that we have a full pond with no leaks. What are the chances, I wonder.
On the butterfly front, some hardy individuals are still on the wing. Whites, Red Admirals, even a Brimstone (at Old Sulehay). Steve Zealand reported a Clouded Yellow at Christ’s College Pit Nature Reserve on Saturday October 25.
I’ve had a couple of visits from a Holly Blue on the ivy in the garden, when the sun comes out, and even a Speckled Wood stayed for about a minute, looking around for something to land on, possibly a safe place to rest. I am very happy to see that the cabbages I planted quite a few months ago, are now being ravaged by Large White caterpillars, they were planted for butterflies; I have had the adults, eggs and now the colourful caterpillars munching away. I’m keeping an eye on them as there are also a few hungry Blue tits and Great tits about.
At Swaddywell, Bee orchid rosettes are showing and looking healthy at the moment, I wonder if they will avoid being nibbled this year or if the white variation will show again in 2026, that was a surprise to us all.
A plant that is of concern in the pit area this year, is Old Man’s Beard, (Travellers Joy or Latin name Clematis vitalba). It has completely covered the plants at the end of the boardwalk area and will need to be managed to allow the other plants to see daylight. Sarah Lambert says this has been the case nationally; obviously a plant that has adapted well to climate change. The many seed heads hold about six seeds each, so it is not surprising it spreads quickly.
Steve Zealand, the Christ’s College Pit warden had a nice sunny day for the latest Saturday work party and will post the dates for the next in the events section and on Facebook. Do go if you can it is a lovely site.
A trip to Bainton Heath Nature Reserve by a couple of work party members, carrying tools by hand, enabled the nettles to be cleared and paths made ready for a guided visit in December. Stuart Irons, the warden, will inform everyone if the access issues improve and we can have a really useful, full workparty on site. A walk for members is planned for December. See the events section.
Common puffballs were growing in good numbers and a few butterflies including a Common Blue were spotted on the walk back to the exit. Fallow deer were seen in the distance, but they were keeping well out of sight for the most part.
Whilst vehicle access to Bainton Reserve is still an issue for workparties we are doing our best to visit. Ever hopeful of a positive resolution in the near future to allow us to visit the reserve regularly. The wildlife is enjoying not being inconvenienced by human presence, however.
A volunteers’ social walk started off at Etton High Meadow and barn this month, a reserve many of us had not actually ever visited; ‘Observing fruit and berries’ was the theme of the walk and there was a decent list by the time we had finished.
There were of course the usual hips, haws, sloes, blackberries etc but also in the orchard and allotments area at Etton there were apples, quince (main picture above), pears, and medlars. The orchard contains many heritage trees with local varieties of fruit.
Walking along the Green Way to the Maxey Cut and the end of Christ’s College pit Nature Reserve showed just how many apple trees were struggling to keep their apple laden branches off the ground with the abundance of fruit this year and how prolific hops are along the hedgerows.
Do come and join a workparty if you can. There are also many other volunteering opportunities at LCT, watch the Facebook page and website for information and events taking place.