Paxton Pits Nature Reserve - Latest News

June 2011: Dr Ray Matthews, MBE

Congratulations to the Chair of the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Dr Ray Matthews, who was awarded an MBE for 'services to Conservation in Cambridgeshire' in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Order of the British Empire

May 2011: Paxton Pits Nature Reserve features on BBC Countryfile

In a BBC Countryfile article about the decline of the songbird population, Paxton Pits is featured as a location where the nightingale is thriving.

Ray Matthews, Chair of the Friends of Paxton Pits, takes presenter John Craven on a tour of Paxton Pits, and John sees his first nightingale.

Watch the article on the BBC website

Paxton Pits features on BBC Countryfile

October 2010: Paxton Pits – progress in the BTO-EDF Business Bird Challenge 2010

The BTO-EDF Business Bird Challenge 2010 is the competition to find the best business sites for conservation, birds, and people.

Details can be found on the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) website here: http://www.bto.org/challenge/

Bardon Aggregates has entered this ‘once every two years’ challenge competition, supported by The Friends, volunteers, and staff at the Reserve, and in the most recent (2nd quarter) newsletter, Paxton Pits gets several ‘mentions’, including:

"The Highlands of Little Paxton?
Rough undrained grassland was created at Little Paxton Quarry, Bardon Aggregates back in 1992. The management plan for this 6ha of grassland aims to enhance biodiversity through grazing with cattle, creating a varied sward structure, diversifying the flora, and encouraging a rich invertebrate fauna. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and the staff from the Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, a grazing regime has been established. They embarked on an ambitious fencing project involving over 30 person-days of volunteer and staff effort, installing 600m of cattle fencing and four farm gates. The materials and a tractor-mounted post rammer were funded by The Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, and the work was completed in time to introduce the Reserve’s own small herd of Highland cattle. An immediate indication of the potential benefits to wildlife came with the arrival of a flock of ca. 30 Yellow Wagtail feeding between cattle hooves in mid-April."

You can read the whole 2nd quarter newsletter here: http://www.bto.org/challenge/low%20res%20Final%202nd%20Quarter.pdf

Paxton Pits also features in the 1st quarter newsletter: http://www.bto.org/challenge/challenge_2010_1st_Quarter.pdf

(Paxton Pits came first in the Conservation category of the competition in 2008 - see the news item from July 2009 below)

Highland cow at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve

Highland bullock at Paxton Pits

August 2010: HDC Budget Cuts Consultation

Those of us that live in Huntingdonshire District Council’s (HDC) area will be aware that the Council is undertaking a consultation to help it determine where to make budget cuts that will follow the expected massive reduction in funding from central government.

Apparently, essential services are not included in the consultation. However, the future of HDC’s Countryside Services, which is directly responsible for managing Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, and the many other important conservation sites in the district, certainly is in the firing line.

As a supporter of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, you may want to respond (or have already responded) to the consultation to let our Council know just how much the Reserve, and the other sites (e.g. Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Holt Island, Barford Road Pocket Park, St Neots Common) mean to our enjoyment of the Ouse Valley and its wildlife.

We can also make the case that HDC’s investment in the Reserve is multiplied many times by the time and effort put in by volunteers – we add huge financial value to HDC’s investment, and the Council’s support for the Reserve enables an outstanding community involvement in the site. The same principles apply to HDC’s other sites, where there are four ’Friends’ groups operating. These opportunities will be lost if deep cuts are made to Countryside Services. The closing date for responses was 27th August 2010.

3rd August 2010: Making Wildlife Count

A new wildlife monitoring group had its first session at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve on Tuesday 3 August.

The group, run by the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and supported by Huntingdonshire District Council's Countryside Services, has been set up to help record and survey the huge variety of wildlife on the reserve.

On the first session the group used sweep nets in the long grassland to find grasshoppers, long winged coneheads, leaf hoppers, common blue butterflies and many other invertebrates. The volunteers also identified the wildflowers in the meadow and looked at ways of surveying the mammals on the reserve.

Councillor Hyams, Executive Councillor for Operational and Countryside Services said: "This brand new wildlife monitoring group is made up of volunteers who are interested in learning about different groups of animals and plants. The first session was a good start and everyone enjoyed themselves too. It is great to see people getting involved in learning new skills from each other and contributing valuable information to Paxton Pits at the same time. As the reserve expands in the future, wildlife monitoring will be particularly useful to help with the management of the site."

A full programme of surveying sessions is planned so that the group can build up a comprehensive picture of the wildlife present on the reserve. The group is looking for more volunteers, not only for fieldwork, but also to help with putting the survey results into a computer.

To find out more contact Mike Thomas on telephone 01480 387749 or email m.thomas24@ntlworld.com

Mammal expert John Green explains how to detect harvest mice to the new wildife survey group.
Mammal expert John Green explains how to detect harvest mice to the new wildife survey group.

new wildlife survey group gets close-up with wildflowers
The new wildlife survey group gets close-up with wildflowers.

27th June 2010: New Paxton Pits Walks Leaflet

A brand new walks leaflet for Paxton Pits has been published, describing the walks and trails you can follow at the nature reserve.
You can download the walks leaflet here (767kb)
(You will need Adobe Reader to display the leaflet. Most PCs have a reader already installed, but if you want the latest one, it can be downloaded from here)

23rd May 2010: Wild Day Out for Families - Photos

A day of family wildlife activities was enjoyed by 450 visitors to the Reserve's "Family Spring Watch" on Sunday 23rd May. Organised by The Friends, the event included pond dipping, face painting, bug hunting, badge making, nestbox building, bird watching and making model dragonflies.

The visitors were looked after, entertained, stimulated and informed by 60+ volunteers and Huntingdonshire District Council Countryside Services Rangers, and there literally wasn't a cloud in the sky!

The Reserve's Wildife Explorers and Wildlife Watch children's group organised a very popular wildlife Discovery Trail where the young visitors had to help "Professor Greenbottom" in his quest to uncover Paxton Pits' wildlife.

Bardon Aggregates' Fossil Hunt fascinated young and old alike, and The Wildlife Trust was on hand to introduce the Environmental Education Centre, which is soon to be opened, and the new Little Bugs Club. Little Paxton Scout Group kept everyone supplied with sizzling food throughout the day.

Kati Page, who coordinated the event for The Friends, said

"The smiling young faces (and those of their parents, and grandparents) made the tremendous effort by volunteers and our supporters very worthwhile. With the Reserve bursting with wildlife and looking its very best at this time of year, the Friends' Family Spring Watch was a super day out for families and their children".

The selection of photos says it all……(click on a picture to enlarge it; captions underneath)

Marcus Beatt - sizing up his fossil againsts a model bellonite Olly Beatt - Quantity, not quality! Eliza Fox and Mum - We start them young at Paxton Pits Connie and Millie Donald - Look what we made! Edward Speed - All my own work Nick Curtis & Sylvia Radley, Little Paxton Scouts - keeping us well fed. Will Tinley - totally absorbed in making his dragonfly Pam Matthews & Yvonne Woodburn - from the Welcome Team Mike Thomas & Peter While - and they said it was "non-stop" Bug hunting Spencer Taylor - How small? The Quernby and Henman families on the Discovery Trail David Taylor and his daughter Sophia - passing on the enthusiasm - David was a member of Paxton Pits Young Ornithologists' Club in the 1990s! Lucy Freeman - Make-up is a serious business Pond Discovery - for young (and older?) Pond Discovery - it's a wonder that the children got a look in!

1. Marcus Beatt - sizing up his fossil againsts a model bellonite
2. Olly Beatt - Quantity, not quality!
3. Eliza Fox and Mum - We start them young at Paxton Pits
4. Connie and Millie Donald - Look what we made!
5. Edward Speed - All my own work
6. Nick Curtis & Sylvia Radley, Little Paxton Scouts - keeping us well fed.
7. Will Tinley - totally absorbed in making his dragonfly
8. Pam Matthews & Yvonne Woodburn - from the Welcome Team
9. Mike Thomas & Peter While - and they said it was "non-stop"
10. Bug hunting
11. Spencer Taylor - How small?
12. The Quernby and Henman families on the Discovery Trail
13. David Taylor and his daughter Sophia - passing on the enthusiasm - David was a member of Paxton Pits Young Ornithologists' Club in the 1990s!
14. Lucy Freeman - Make-up is a serious business
15. Pond Discovery - for young (and older?)
16. Pond Discovery - it's a wonder that the children got a look in!

23rd May 2010: Family Spring Watch

The Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve has issued an open invitation to families to come and enjoy a day of wildlife activities at the Reserve on Sunday 23rd May.

Pond dipping at Paxton PitsThe Friends is hosting a "Family Spring Watch" from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. The free event is especially for children and is packed with exciting activities including a Discovery Trail, fossil hunting, pond dipping, wildlife crafts, nestbox making, face painting, and a mini-beast safari. More 'wildlife watching' features the Hayden Hide with a Cormorant nest count, telescopes and experts to help with bird identification.

Refreshments, including hot dogs and burgers, will be available throughout the day.

The Friends' lead organiser for the event, Kati Page, said:

"Sunday will be a great day out for all the family. There will be so much for the children to see and do, from finding bugs and creepy crawlies, to hunting fossils and building your own nest box".

The "Family Spring Watch" is run with the support of Huntingdonshire District Council Countryside Services, The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, Bardon Aggregates and Little Paxton Scouts. All activities are free (except for refreshments and a small charge for your nestbox materials).

The Nature Reserve Visitors' Centre is located at the eastern end of High Street, Little Paxton, just off the A1, and there is ample free car parking.

Download this press release (MS Word, 97k)

9th May 2010: Wildlife award wows junior naturalists

Paxton Pits Wildlife Watch group has been named the Wildlife Trusts' 'Wildlife Watch Group of the Year'

Paxton Pits Wildlife Watch Group Award, 9th May 2010A nature group for children based at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton has won a national award. Paxton Pits Wildlife Watch group has been named the Wildlife Trusts' 'Wildlife Watch Group of the Year'. This is just one year on from them winning 'best new group' in the same competition. The award recognises the achievements of Wildlife Watch clubs across the UK.

On Sunday 9th May 2010 the Paxton Pits Wildlife Watch group gathered at an awards ceremony at the Paxton Pits visitors centre. Brian Eversham, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire presented the group with a special trophy, as well as a certificate signed by the TV presenter and The Wildlife Trusts' Vice President, Chris Packham. They were also awarded £75 of gardening vouchers.

Also attending the presentation were Ken Churchill, Local District Councillor for Little Paxton as well as partners from Huntingdonshire District Council and the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.

Wildlife Watch Officer Amanda Swinford said "The group has achieved so much over quite a short period of time. We are extremely proud of the group's achievements and it's testament to the hard work and dedication of the Wildlife Watch Leaders that the group is so successful".
The judges were impressed with the variety of activities the group took part in during 2009 and the children were able to have say in what the group did. It was clear that this really helped the children to appreciate their local wildlife more, and increased their understanding and concern for the natural environment. Group member Laura, nine, said "The Paxton Group is fun and I have learnt a lot.
Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of the Wildlife Trust. The children attending the group take part in a number of brilliant wildlife activities, from pond dipping and bug hunting, to bird watching and arts and crafts. Wildlife Watch groups are run by dedicated volunteers who register as Wildlife Watch Leaders.

The Paxton group is a joint group with the RSPB and has benefited from invaluable support from project partners Huntingdonshire District Council who manage Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.

Download this press release ( MS Word, 421k)

New Year's Day 2010: the Visitors' Centre Extension, and Bearded Tits

As is customary on New Year's Day, the Reserve was packed with people enjoying the two RSPB guided tours, and the Visitors' Centre was busy warming people up with tea, coffee and soup after spells outside in the bitterly cold but sunny weather.
For many people, this was the first time they'd benefitted from the brand new extension to the Vistors' Centre. There's now twice as much open space, an office, additional storage, and more space for The Friends to serve refreshments.
Paxton Pits Nature Reserve new Visitor Centre Extension Paxton Pits Nature Reserve new Visitor Centre Extension
Out on the reserve, those who'd wrapped up well were rewarded with views of bearded tits (strictly, bearded reedlings); very rare visitors. We're hoping to borrow a picture taken by one of the photographers soon.
Paxton Pits: reeds against the frozen lake Paxton Pits: the frozen Rudd Pit

Little Paxton Quarry wins National Conservation Award, July 2009

Bardon Aggregates' Little Paxton Quarry has been awarded first place in the Conservation category of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) - British Energy Business Bird Challenge 2008. The biennial competition aims to find the country's best industrial and commercial sites for birds.
The Conservation category allows companies to showcase initiatives which attract birds and demonstrate commitment to conservation.
This is the fourth consecutive competition in which the Quarry has won an award in the Business Bird Challenge. The company's conservation efforts had already been recognised through award of the prestigous Biodiversity Benchmark by The Wildlife Trusts.
Once restored, much of the quarry will become part of the planned extension to Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Ray Matthews, Chairman of the Friends of Paxton Pits said, "We congratulate Bardon Aggregates on this achievement, and we are delighted to be working with the company to deliver a superlative restoration scheme. When open to visitors, this part of the extended Nature Reserve will be a fabulous birdwatching spot".
Delia Shannon, from Bardon Aggregates, explained: "We are delighted that Little Paxton Quarry has been awarded this prize by the BTO. We pride ourselves on our ongoing commitment to biodiversity, and the fact that so many bird species (165 in 2008) have been spotted in our quarry is evidence that we are delivering on this commitment".
"As part of our restoration plan agreed with the local community, Bardon Aggregates has worked hard to ensure that the site is restored to a high standard that enables wildlife to flourish."
Kate Aldridge, Business Bird Challenge organiser at the BTO said: "The scale and quality of the restoration work carried out by Bardon Aggregates at Little Paxton Quarry is outstanding - in particular, the creation of an 800m long clay bund, which will create attractive habitat for a range of wetland birds".
"What really stood out, however, is the sensitive and reactive way in which the Company has integrated its responsibility for the wildlife using the site, into the management of its operations. Congratulations to all those involved!"

The Director of the BTO, Andy Clements (right), presents the award to (right to left) Ray Matthews (Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve), Delia Shannon (Bardon Aggregates) and Jim Stevenson (Senior Ranger at Paxton Pits).
The Director of the BTO, Andy Clements (right), presents the award to (right to left) Ray Matthews (Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve), Delia Shannon (Bardon Aggregates) and Jim Stevenson (Senior Ranger at Paxton Pits).
(Photo: BTO.)

Download the Press Release (Word, 213kb)



"Mountain moved" for new Environmental Education Area, February 2009

Bardon Aggregates help move a mountain at Paxton Pits

Huntingdonshire District Council Countryside Services' plan for an Environmental Education facility at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve has taken a major step forward thanks to the generosity of neighbouring Bardon Aggregates Little Paxton Quarry.

The company has cleared away a mountain of earth that was blocking progress on the development, and also excavated a special pond to provide safe pond-dipping facilities for the visiting schools and the Reserve's own children's wildlife group.

The earth had been stockpiled on the site after excavation from the Reserve's Great Meadow wetland restoration project.  The spoil, which needed to be removed from the River Great Ouse flood plain did not go to waste, and was used for restoration purposes within the quarry.

Ray Matthews, Chairman of the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve said:

"The Friends is pleased to have played a key role in arranging for this outstanding gift from Bardon Aggregates to the Reserve.  Some 8,000 cubic metres of earth have been shifted to clear the site and create the pond.  We are also indebted to Lafarge Aggregates, Oxford University Chest and Cambridgeshire County Council's Mineral and Waste Group for their crucial cooperation in the complex arrangements."

Fred Dooris, Bardon Aggregates's Quarry Manager, commented:

"The Company is delighted to support this important development.  It's obviously not an easy project for us to undertake in the currrent economic climate, but we felt that this timely and appropriate chance to invest in the future of local children could not be passed up."

The Reserve's Senior Ranger, Jim Stevenson, is full of praise for the Company's initiative:

"We are so relieved to see the back of what had become known as 'Mount Jim', and the new pond within the Education Area will enable us to provide the children with their favourite wildlife activity without a long trek to one of the Reserve's lakes.   We can now plan classroom facilities and a range of sample wildlife habitats within the Area."




Scout group's "mud bath" helps wildlife (15/02/2009)

 

Wetland wildlife will benefit from the work of the Godmanchester Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer groups at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.  The massed group of 40 youngsters and 25 parents and leaders dug a series of mini-ditches to allow the waters of the Reserve's Cloudy Pond to spill over into the surrounding meadow.

The mini-ditches will make the area of sedge and reed adjacent to the pond much wetter throughout the year, increasing the feeding opportunities for marshland birds such as moorhen, snipe and water rail.

The tasks were organised by The Friends of Paxton Pits and Huntingdonshire District Council Countryside Services Rangers, and supported by Bardon Aggregates, which operates the quarry to the north of the Reserve.

Senior Ranger Jim Stevenson said:
"The youngsters got through an amazing amount of work in very muddy contitions.  Their efforts will make a big difference to the wildlife in this corner of the Reserve.  Also, the area is easily viewed from the Ouse Valley Way, so they can return and watch the results of their project."

Cub Scout Leader Sheila Wotherspoon said:
"The children threw themselves into the task, in some cases literally, to judge by the state of their clothes!  They were definitely in their element - mud, water and teams competing to dig the longest ditch.  I think the parents rather enjoyed it too"

Cubscouts plastered in mud at Paxton Pits