Ledston Luck Nature Reserve, which is owned by Leeds City Council and managed in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). This local designation recognises the wildlife and enjoyment value of this site.
The reserve is 16.8ha and is a haven for wildlife. The site is home to 13 species of damsel and dragonflies, including the emperor dragonfly and large red damselfly. Butterflies can be seen in the hundreds and last year alone 6042 orchid spikes were counted. The woodland, scrub and hedgerows attract birdlife such as whitethroat, willow tit, siskin and this year saw long eared owls nesting on site.
This year Ledston Luck has seen many improvements to visitor access and natural management. A large projected funded by Caird Peckfield and Mondegreen Environmental body has seen new way-markers, steps and interpretation boards installed on site to improve the visitor experience. The grasslands have also been fenced off to allow the meadows to be grazed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Stirley Farm cattle in the winter. Conservation grazing is an essential part of meadow management as it removes the old grasses, churns up the earth allowing seeds to grow and reduces competition from the more dominant coarse grasses. This in turn will enhance the species diversity of the site so there may be an even greater number of wildflowers in future years.
Elspeth Robinson, Reserves Officer for the Lower Aire Valley, said “It is fantastic news that this site has been designated a Local Nature Reserve and it reflects the hard work of partners and volunteers in making this an important place for wildlife and people. We would encourage everyone to visit and experience this wonderful place.”
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for environment and sustainability, said: “This site in Ledston Luck is home to a variety of beautiful wildlife, and we are extremely proud that it has been granted Local Nature Reserve status by Natural England.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to ensure that Ledston Luck Nature Reserve remains a special place of calm and tranquillity for the wildlife that live there and also for visitors to the site.”
