While not possible to cover everything that has been happening on Bedfordshire's reserves this past year, Senior Reserves Manager Aidan shares with us some highlights.

Blows Downs – A new fence line was installed above the Hayfields so that cattle grazing can be controlled in the area and a series of kissing gates to permit public access were incorporated in the fence. The water supply works we undertook in the early summer have finally been completed with water now flowing through to the troughs West from the Skimpot Roundabout entrance. Some scrub works have been completed across the site in the Quarry and on the slopes above the Hayfield, more scrub clearance will take place on Downside in the New year.

The Bedfordshire Youth Rangers have also continued to help with the conservation efforts on Blow's Downs this year.

Pegsdon Hills – this year we celebrated 30 years of this wonderful site. While much progress has been made in turning this largely ex-arable land into the nature reserve it is today, there is always lots of work to be done. 

Despite the assistance for grazing animals from Shuttleworth college, we have had to manually cut and rake some of the vegetation in the field at the top of the site. This field used to be quite open and used by Lapwings for nesting but in recent years has become covered with pioneering scrub and bramble that are too tough for the sheep to eat. Other sheep owned by the Wildlife Trust graze the site and they were joined by three highland Cattle, seen here wrapped up warm in their furry coats from the heavy snow recently.

Sewell cutting – This former railway line linking Dunstable with Leighton Buzzard is a rich wildlife site that we periodically cut to remove the vegetation as we cannot graze it. This year the staff and volunteers were joined by a gang of brush cutters from the National Trust to assist with the work on the steep slopes. Many thanks to all involved.

Totternhoe Quarry – we are sad to report that the site was subject to unwanted attention this Autumn, with the theft of a water bowser and several large water storage containers. These items are essential for the welfare of grazing animals and their loss means the animals had to be removed from site. The animals are essential for our management of the valuable grassland on the nature reserve and the species it supports – from orchids to primroses, nesting birds to the Duke of Burgundy butterfly (as seen in the image below).

Felmersham Gravel Pits - Celebrating it's 60+1 anniversary this year, Felmersham continues to be a wonderful haven for vast array of flora and fauna with both the Norfolk Hawker dragonfly and Willow Emerald damselfly recorded on site this year.

Flitwick Moor - a highlight of the year for Flitwick Moor was the installation of the new boardwalk use as the cover photo for this blog - you can read more about that here.

Strawberry Hill – This is the newest reserve added to our area of management. We will have plenty to learn in the coming year about what species live where on the site. Follow our Facebook page for updates.

Wymington Meadow – this year saw record numbers of Green winged orchid recorded on the old meadow site - very exciting news!

We look forward to another great year in 2023 and wish to thank all of our dedicated teams of volunteers who help us on the reserves - we couldn't do it without you!