PARKY MEADOW UPDATE
During the past year a considerable amount of work has been undertaken at Parky Meadow, Wigmore. Problems with fencing and water (lack of both!) resulted in a season with no grazing. However, part of the site has now been cut and new fencing and gates are being installed. A number of trees have been pollarded and once the ground conditions are slightly drier, our volunteer work parties will begin the task of brash clearing. The installation of a pasture pump is also being investigated. This is a system commonly used on Wigmore Moor which allows cattle to drink. Work on leaflets and visitor information boards for the nature reserve is also underway.
Click here to see pictures of Parky Meadow.
(Posted 10/02/06)
WAXCAPS ON THE STURTS
A wealth of waxcap fungi appeared on the new Sturts reserve last autumn.
Amongst 88 different fungi recorded for the site by local expert Sheila Spence, were 28 species of Hygrocybe, commonly known as waxcaps due to their shiny appearance. They range in colour from white and pink to the most brilliant reds and yellows. Such a large number of waxcaps makes the Sturts of national importance. It was especially pleasing to find the pink waxcap there, as this is on Herefordshire’s Biodiversity Action Plan list.
(Posted 10/02/06)
LEA AND PAGETS WOOD –CAR PARKING ALERT
Many members visit Lea and Pagets Wood to enjoy the spring flowers and woodland birds. But please be aware that there has been a recent incidence of vandalism to a car parked at the recommended parking place (detailed in our Guide to Reserves). The lane leading to Lea and Pagets Wood is narrow and winding and it is therefore difficult to recommend any safe alternative car parking area close-by.
(Posted 10/02/06)
Victory at Waterloo!
Wetlands seem to be a recurring theme in our newsletter. So it is very exciting to be able to keep up the tradition and report the purchase of another new wetland site in early January 2006.
The land comprises four small fields covering 3.65 ha adjacent to our Smith’s Meadow and Waterloo reserves. This new purchase forms a very important addition to our Sturts reserves within Letton Lakes area, one of the most valuable areas for wildlife in the county. It lies within the floodplain of the River Wye and within an area designated as a Biodiversity Enhancement Area.
The fields consist of unimproved and semi-improved grassland, are low lying and prone to flooding. They have an undulating topography with seasonally wet depressions and hollows as well as permanent ponds. A network of streams and ditches flow through and around the site. Magnificent boundary hedgerows with numerous mature trees including pollard willows are characteristic of all our Sturts reserves and here on the newly acquired land they are undoubtedly one of the special features.
The grassland supports a fine diversity of flowers and grasses. Many are typical of unimproved hay meadows and pastures including bulbous and meadow buttercups, knapweed, oxeye daisy, pignut, bird’s-foot-trefoil, sweet vernal grass and field wood–rush, all of which occur within the slightly drier areas. Species such as angelica, meadowsweet, greater bird’s-foot-trefoil, marsh bedstraw, cuckoo flower and meadow foxtail all thrive on the slightly damper and sometimes waterlogged conditions.
The ponds and seasonally wet depressions support a rich and characteristic flora with yellow flag, purple-loosestrife, lesser spearwort, creeping-jenny, hemlock and fine-leaved water-dropworts and false fox sedge occurring around their margins. Water plantain and broad-leaved pondweed can also be seen in the ponds. Aquatic surveys have been carried out on most of the ponds at the Sturts and these have identified, amongst other things, a large number of important aquatic beetles including some national rarities. It is highly likely that our new reserve will support a similar assemblage of aquatic fauna.
The fine boundary hedgerows support a wide variety of birds – blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler, reed bunting and yellow hammer. Many of these species are now declining and their occurrence in the new reserve highlights the value of hedgerow habitat.
Past owners have managed the fields as hay meadow with aftermath grazing and grazing. The Trust will continue this tradition but will also endeavour to gain more information about past practices. During the next few years fencing and gate repairs will be undertaken. As with all new reserves, survey work to gather knowledge on species present will play a vital role in order to inform our management decisions.
The Herefordshire Conservation Development Trust generously supported the purchase of this new reserve. Without their support the acquisition of the valuable addition to our Sturts reserves would not have been possible. Visitors are welcome to visit the site.
(Posted 10/02/06)