Field Meeting on 19th June 2022 - Somersham Local Nature Reserve

On an overcast but dry afternoon eleven members met at the Somersham Local Nature Reserve and were taken round by Adam Everest

The Reserve is a recent creation as the result of the Cambridge to March railway line being closed in 1964 and consists of 12 hectares including a lake excavated in about 1848 when the line was built. The reserve consists of the lake, some woodland, grassland in the form of a large field being turned into a wildflower meadow. The disused railway line has been designated a County Wildlife Site. The site is owned by Cambridgeshire County Council and Somersham Parish Council and is managed by volunteers. There is also a Pocket Park, at present privately owned beyond the site which is a wetland.

Peter Lake and Gordon Wyatt (Chairman)		Various members

The lake which is also used for fishing has some rafts on it which are used by breeding Common Terns. A good number of butterflies were seen including Small Skipper and Small Heath. Adam was very knowledgeable about the Reserve and the afternoon was greatly enjoyed

Common Tern feeding young

Photos © Sue Limentani