The leaves are green, the bluebells are dancing and the birds are singing. What could possibly spoil this bright post-Easter morning? Ah yes … litter. That modern bugbear. Or not so modern, judging by the fading specimens I found while joining Bradford Urban Wildlife Group (BUWG) on a much-needed spring clean.
We braved the brambles and tackled hordes of hard-to-reach litter at Boar’s Well Nature Reserve near Bradford city centre, aided by volunteers from Bradford Environmental Education Services and representatives from Bradford Council. We spent two hours at the reserve and cleared around 30 bags of litter, which the council wardens then swiftly collected.
History of the Boar’s Well Nature Reserve
Boar’s Well, which is the hilly area between Bolton Road and Kings Road, Undercliffe is the site where the last wild boar in Bradford (and possibly in England) was killed, and the head of the boar features on Bradford’s coat of arms. Older readers may also remember the Wild Boar pub which stood at the top of the hill, before it closed several decades ago.
According to local folklore, during the 14th century the boar lived in Cliffe Wood and frequently drank from a well on the site. The animal terrorised the locals and caused so much damage to land and property that John of Gaunt, the Lord of the Manor, offered a reward for anyone brave enough to slay the boar and bring its head to the manor house. However, the hunter who killed the boar cut out its tongue and offered this as proof but was not believed.
A second hunter then cut off the animal’s head and presented it to the lord but could not account for the missing tongue, so the first hunter prevailed and was awarded a plot of land for his trouble. Happily, we treat our wildlife better these days: BUWG was instrumental in setting up the nature reserve on the site, which opened in 1992 and forms part of the Forest of Bradford. And the legend of the wild boar lives on in other pub names across the city.
Bradford Urban Wildlife Group
BUWG was established in 1987 and aims to promote and generate interest in conservation of wildlife and their habitats in the Bradford Metropolitan area. It runs a range of events across the district throughout the year, including the Shipley Station Butterfly Meadow Open Day, which will be held on Saturday 14 June, managed in conjunction with Butterfly Conservation. Please see BUWG’s website for the full programme of events.
BUWG has also helped to set up the Bradford Peregrine Trail, joining forces with Natural England, Bradford Council and Bradford Peregrines to create a safe migratory corridor and places for the falcons to roost.
This was a very painstaking operation which involved steeplejacks erecting nesting boxes on the most imposing landmarks in the Bradford and district skyline and setting up a livestream webcam connection. Roosts have been established at the top of Lister’s Mill chimney in Manningham, Bradford City Hall, Bowling Green Mills in Bingley and Dalton Mills in Keighley.
The first peregrine falcon egg has since been laid at Lister’s Mill, with hopefully many more to come as these high-flying raptors settle into their new homes at the top of Bradford district’s heritage buildings and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of their fascinating surroundings. Interested parties can also attend monthly peregrine observation days which alternate at Lister’s Mill and Dalton Mills. Check out the Bradford Peregrine Trail website for more information and to view the livestream action.
Joining the group
You can join BUWG in person at one of the events, or by emailing the membership secretary at buwg.treasurer@gmail.com or by completing the contact form on the BUWG website. An annual membership costs £7.50 for individuals, £9 for a family or £4 for concessions (students and senior citizens). The general public can attend certain events and pay on the day but others are members-only and it is best to book in advance by emailing buwg.secretary@gmail.com or by completing BUWG’s online contact form to avoid disappointment.
