Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve

Work Parties resumed from April.   Please bring your own gloves, and any tools, as we still need to reduce sharing as much as possible and stay socially distanced within groups of 6
 
While still very wet, the inevitability of spring is beginning to show though in a few places, so please continue to use and enjoy the reserve,
In a safe and socially distanced way of course   🙂
 
A  Bird survey was carried out by David Cramp on 18th May
 
 
If any of you are considering any fencing work this spring, please see https://www.facebook.com/groups/182581281797445/about and consider leaving a small gap (Hedgehog Highway) as this can benefit both wildlife and gardeners.
 
An Excellent video of the nature reserve has been produced by David Elder as part of the Cheltenham Heritage days – it is now available on you tube

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Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve is an urban nature reserve in the heart of the southern part of Cheltenham.  It was once part of the Great Western Railway on the Cheltenham to Banbury line but after the closure of this route in the 1960s it was taken over by Cheltenham Borough Council who designated it a kilometre-long, nature reserve.

There is a wide variety of natural habitats represented in this small area which stretches from the back of the Travis Perkins on Mead Road, under Pilley Bridge on the Old Bath Road, almost to Sandy Lane. For wildlife it is a corridor, or if you are a bat a flyway, from close to Leckhampton Common into the heart of the southern part of the town.

View Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve in a larger map

The Friends of Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve was formed in 2012, and is run by a group of enthusiasts and volunteers. Our aims are to protect and improve this environmentally important area as a reserve for wildlife and as a resource for the enjoyment of nature by the local community. With the aid of experts in their fields of study we are recording the flora and fauna within the reserve and providing data for use by local wildlife organisations.  A management plan will be implemented to create greater diversity of wildlife. This work has already started with the thinning of the trees to bring back the butterflies and bees which have become fewer as the trees have shut out the sun.

We hold regular events and activities, both for adults and children. There are guided walks, conservation work parties and lectures to take part in. For children and parents we have “Nature Explorers” events during school holidays.

Why not become a member of Friends of Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve NOW! see our Contacts page for details.


Nature Explorers building winter habitats for mini-beasts in the Reserve.

Planting the first of the Apple Trees in the Community Orchard.