Glow-worms in danger after habitat destruction

Glow-worms are in danger at a Warwickshire nature reserve, as a wildlife trust asks cyclists to use their bikes wisely.

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".

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.

"This is disastrous for the glow-worms and the other wildlife" living at the common, said a spokesperson.

The trust said it has been working with Warwick District Council to help protect the habitats inside the nature reserve.

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.

"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."

The trust asked people to consider other, more appropriate locations for bikes and to not use the designated nature reserve for this activity.

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.

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.

"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.

"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. So please do stick to the paths and avoid damaging activities."

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