Revealing local wildlife
Logan's Meadow
The Fastest-growing Nature Reserve in Cambridge
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Good For: Gentle Strolls, Botanising, Birdwatching
Pros: Close to the City Centre, Lots of Wildlife, Tranquil
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Cons: Paths can get very muddy in winter
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A great place for a to relax and enjoy the wildlife close to the City Centre
About
Logan's Meadow is a vital link in the wildlife corridor that runs from Granchester Meadows all the way to the River Great Ouse. This means that the original Logan's Meadow was home to all sorts of creatures. A few years back, a smallish area adjacent to the reserve was created as a reedbed. This is now home to Reed Warblers and Water Voles. However, perhaps the most exciting change is taking place now. The entirety of the rough grassland and football pitches has been given to the reserve, more than doubling it in size. The grassland will be developed as a wildlife habitat, part of Cambridge's Doubling Nature Vision.
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Many trees have been recently planted on the reserve to produce a thicker, better boundary
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As of 2022, Logan's Meadow is roughly split into four parts;
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The core part of the reserve. The original Logan's Meadow, this is one of the few remaining patches of wet woodland in Cambridge. It is generally similar to Paradise Nature Reserve in plant life. Look out for masses of Brooklime in the ditch separating it from the football pitches.
The Reedbed. This is a relatively new part of the reserve, which has both a meadow and a reedbed. Please do not walk on the reeds as this kills them. The reedbed is home to smaller fish and reed warblers. If you are lucky, you may see a Water Vole in the small stream. A large poplar tree in the area is very popular with the local Cormorants (Pun not intended). However, it is best to view it from the other side of the river, near the cycle path leading to Tesco's.
The Football Pitches. This has a small "outdoor gym" which is quite popular with children. It is apparently not ideal to play football here as the grass is very long. There is not much to do in this section, but there is a planted tree boundary. More is planned for this area. This area includes a large Swift Tower, which is used by both swifts and bats.
The Rough Grassland. This part of the reserve has only recently been acquired. The paths are well surfaced and quite accessible, and it is quite fun to look for tadpoles in the small stream next to the Vie flats. This area is the best part of the reserve if you want a nice, gentle stroll.
What will You See?
Birds
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Logan's Meadow is a great place to see birds of all shapes and sizes. Of particular interest are the Reedbed and Core areas. If you have the time, I would recommend going at 5 in the morning from May to June and just listening to the dawn chorus. It is absolutely spectacular, and worth the getting out of bed, so put this on your bucket list. At most times of the day, you may see:
Cormorants
Green Woodpeckers
Reed Warblers (Summer only)
Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Mute Swans
Little Egrets
Grey Herons
Swifts
Treecreepers
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And, if you are there at sunset or sunrise, you may be lucky enough to hear:
Tawny Owl
Barn Owl
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Other Vertebrates
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Mammals are particularly abundant in the area. Otters have been reported from this site. Other, slightly more frequent visitors that, with a certain amount of luck, you may see are:
Weasels
Stoats
Muntjack Deer
Mice
Shrews
Voles
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Another speciality are Frogs, which spawn in the stream next to the Vie flats.
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Invertebrates
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This site is home to quite a few interesting invertebrates, so keep a lookout!​
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Plants
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The Reedbed and the core Wet Woodland are both home to some amazing plant species. Look out for:
Yellow Flag (Iris)
Marsh Woundwort
Brooklime
Water Mint
Ragged Robin
Field Scabious
Common Figwort (See Logan's Meadow picture)
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