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<\/p>\nGlow-worms are in danger at a Warwickshire nature reserve, as a wildlife trust asks cyclists to use their bikes wisely.<\/p>\n
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has issued a plea to bike riders using Kenilworth Common, calling out acts of “vandalism” to the safe habitats carried out “without a care”.<\/p>\n
The trust said bike tracks have been built throughout the reserve, with trees removed to create jumps and fences and newly planted trees have been ripped out without permission.<\/p>\n
“This is disastrous for the glow-worms and the other wildlife” living at the common, said a spokesperson.<\/p>\n
The trust said it has been working with Warwick District Council to help protect the habitats inside the nature reserve.<\/p>\n
They said: “Glow-worms are extremely rare in Warwickshire, and Kenilworth Common is one of a small number of places with a glow-worm population.<\/p>\n
“What was once an area filled with wildlife is now a barren, dusty area of bare earth with no ground vegetation to support the creatures that once lived there, including nesting birds, woodland flowers [and] invertebrates.”<\/p>\n
The trust asked people to consider other, more appropriate locations for bikes and to not use the designated nature reserve for this activity.<\/p>\n
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The trust has asked people to stick to the designated paths [BBC]<\/p>\n
Karl Curtis, Director of Nature Reserves at the trust, said the common is a unique place for people and wildlife with a long history of local use dating back to 1796.<\/p>\n
He said: “Since then, it has become a wild space for our local and rare wildlife to thrive, but with less green spaces and more people, humans are having a negative impact.<\/p>\n
“The local glow-worm population, not in fact a worm but a beetle, are under threat from the pressure of people accessing areas that we need to keep safe for nature, particularly by bikes. \u202f<\/p>\n
“We want Kenilworth Common to remain rich in nature and a stronghold for the glow-worms, but that won’t happen if we don’t share the space respectfully with nature. \u202fSo please do stick to the paths and avoid damaging activities.”<\/p>\n
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