Nature Melwood
Your Local Nature Reserve (designated) Melbourn have an entrancing nature reserve at Stockbridge Meadows. However there is also a designated Local Nature Reserve just to the right of the footpath (No 6) leading alongside the River Mel to Topcliffe Mill in Meldreth. An introduction to the site is provided on an interpretation board (shown below) on the left of the footpath as you walk past the wood.
Although a small wood (0.81 hectares, 2 acres) and comprising secondary (not ancient) trees it still has a surprising diversity of wild life and charming vistas that change with the seasons. There is an adjacent privately owned meadow which is also part of the LNR. Amongst the rich range of animals visiting the wood are 15 species of mammals, 42 species of birds and a substantial total of 143 species of butterflies and moths – at the last count, but more are added every year. Full species lists can be found on the group website: www.melwood.btck.co.uk
Comma Butterfly
A Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is a protected area of land designated by a local authority because of its local special natural interest and/or educational value. This one is looked after by a group of volunteers following a management plan developed in conjunction with the Wildlife Trust. Melwood Interpretation Board
Nettle leaved bell flower
Welcome To Melwood Local Nature Reserve Caring for this nature reserve
Melwood is a designated Local Nature Reserve consisting of a small area of managed woodland available for access by members of the community. Most of the Melwood area is owned by Cambridgeshire County Council and leased to Meldreth Parish Council.
The wood is managed by a group of local volunteers from the Melwood Conservation Group following a management plan developed with the Wildlife Trust. They also regularly check the area for litter and debris.
Tree management – Coppicing
The woodland on this bank of the river Mel, either side of Melwood, is often owned by people who live on Meldreth High Street. It has therefore had a chequered history, some of it cultivated as vegetable gardens, some as orchards and some as gardens. More recently much of the area has been left alone and an assorted range of plants have developed, some introduced.
Meadow Brown Butterfly
Comma Butterfly
What to look for
Part of the site at the rear south end will be left to grow naturally. The front south west end has been coppiced to allow more light and encourage more floral ground cover. Tall Yews along the western boundary of the meadow have been were coppiced to form a hedge. The extra light will encourage more flowers in the meadow. Seeding and introduction of young native plants compensates for the isolation of the site from local wild flower sources.
Young tree area
Meadow sunny side
Meadow Meadow shaded side
Wooded area
Yew hedge
Animal visitors Tree to be Coppiced
A rich range of animals visit the wood including 15 species of mammals, 42 species of birds and a substantial total of 143 species of butterflies and moths.
The following Spring, shoots rapididly regrow from stool
Cut close to the base in Winter Banded Demoiselle
7–20 years later the coppice ready for harvest Speckled Wood Butterfly
Common Morel
River Mel
Muntjac Honey Fungus Bluetit Broad-bodied Chaser
The Mel river running to the west of the wood is one of only 161 chalk streams in the United Kingdom. It originates from springs at Melbourn Bury. Such streams tend to be very clear as they have been filtered through layers of chalk. Conservation has improved the water flow and the river now supports a larger population of invertebrates and hence trout have returned. The endangered water vole also lives in the banks and you may see a water shrew or a grass snake swimming in the river. If you are lucky you may spot a kingfisher or grey wagtail flashing past or in the spring a troop of ducklings following their mother.
Trees and Wild flowers Twenty-six species of trees and bushes are present, including silver birch, ash, sycamore, beech and hawthorn. Thirty-nine species of other plants together with several fungal varieties have also been identified and records are updated regularly.
Nettle-leaved Bellflower
Meadow Geranium
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Peacock Butterfly
You are welcome to walk through the wood and meadow but please keep to the paths so as not to destroy the wildlife habitats. In consideration of those who work in the wood please clean up your dog’s faeces where ever they are deposited. Please prevent your dog from entering the river behind the school field, where trout breed.
If you would like to join our team of volunteers please contact the Parish Clerk, Meldreth Parish Council, 01763 269928 or email: parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk. More information can be found on the Melwood Conservation Group website at www.melwood.btck.co.uk
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