Long Meadows
The North Littleton Long Meadows are a series of narrow parcels of floodplain grassland stretching from the base of Cleeve Hill to the river Avon. As recently as the 1980s these meadows were important wildflower meadows containing many species characteristic of the Avon floddplain. Great Burnet, Dropwort, Ladies-bedstraw and Cowslips were all common across the meadows. Due to agricultural improvements (mainly the application of fertilizers) and early hay cutting, most of these species have been lost. VLHT own two of these meadows, Brodie's and Wheeler's with Brodie's being the best example of floodplain haymeadow left in this part of the Avon floodplain. Ladies-bedstaw is still common on Brodie's Meadow and Great Burnet is still frequent along with occassional Pepper Saxifrage and Dropwort. Wheeler's was once a Cowslip meadow but sadly this species appears to have been lost before VLHT was able to purchase the meadow.
Since the purchase of these two meadows fertilizer application has stopped and hay is now cut once per year after mid-summer. |
Brodie’s Meadow
This 10acre meadow is a narrow strip of Avon floodplain located on the west bank of the river below Cleeve Hill. The meadow was intensively grazed for many years until more recently when it has been cut for hay annually. Aftermath grazing has not been possible so the dominant grasses are coarse and dense. However, this meadow has not been heavily fertilized and so many wildflowers typical of floodplain meadows are still present including Lady’s-bedstraw, Great Burnet and Dropwort; the latter is a species characteristic of the Avon floodplain meadows. |
These flower-rich meadows were once a common sight along the Avon, as with much of lowland England. But many have been agriculturally improved resulting in the loss of the characteristic wildflowers, others have been ploughed up and some have been lost to neglect and lack of appropriate management. Reports suggest that lowland England has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the early 1900s, so every acre left is important on a National level. Brodie’s Meadow will be retained as a hay meadow, taking the hay in late summer to allow the flowers to set-seed and the insects to breed.
Great Burnet is a typical plant of traditionally managed wet grassland but is becoming scarce as these grasslands are lost. The white flowers of Dropwort can be seen here, this species is unusual in floodplain meadows away from the Avon. It appears to have originated on the limestone grassland of Bredon Hill and its seeds have washed into the river over hundreds or thousands of years, eventually germinating in the river-side meadows, fed by the calcareous waters of the Avon.
This narrow meadow is bordered by mature hedges giving it protection from cold winds which makes it ideal for insects such as butterflies and grasshoppers. It also provides ideal habitat for dragonflies and damselflies to hunt. One of the most familiar river species is the Banded Demoiselle which perch along the river banks catching small insects to eat. The males open and close their banded wings butterfly-like, in display to attract female demoiselles.
Birds such as Reed Bunting benefit from the abundance of insects and this quiet site is ideal for these birds to find nesting places. Hobbies are seen during some summers as they hunt dragonflies along this quiet part of the Avon.
Birds such as Reed Bunting benefit from the abundance of insects and this quiet site is ideal for these birds to find nesting places. Hobbies are seen during some summers as they hunt dragonflies along this quiet part of the Avon.
Wheeler’s Meadow
This 8.5acre meadow is a narrow strip of Avon flood-plain located on the west bank of the river below Cleeve Hill. Much of the meadow remains water-logged through the winter and early spring affecting the plants which will grow here. It has been agriculturally improved and has been cut for silage in recent years. Silage is taken early in the year and several times per year so wildflowers cannot flower and set seed. The use of artificial fertilizers has now been stopped on this meadow which will help to reinstate the floodplain plant community that was once here. A survey of the meadow flora carried out by Terry Knight in 1983/84 found Wheeler’s Meadow to have a large area of Cowslips as well as patches of Great Burnet and Dropwort. Subsequent management has sadly all but eradicated these wildflowers.
Wheeler’s Meadow will be managed as a hay meadow, taking the hay once per year in late summer to allow the flowers to set-seed and the insects to breed. Grazing had to cease due to anti-social behaviour but aftermath grazing with cattle would help reduce the vigour of the grasses allowing more wildflowers to bloom, so this may be reintroduced when the situation allows. Seed and/or green hay from Brodie’s Meadow and other sources will be used to reintroduce the wildflowers which were once common here. Yellow Rattle seed will be spread to help reduce the grass vigour which will help with the re-establishment of the meadow flowers. It will take time, but eventually Wheeler’s Meadow will be returned to a traditionally managed floodplain meadow alive with insects and with the typical flowering plants of this area including Great Burnet, Meadowsweet, Dropwort and Cowslips.
Wheeler’s Meadow will be managed as a hay meadow, taking the hay once per year in late summer to allow the flowers to set-seed and the insects to breed. Grazing had to cease due to anti-social behaviour but aftermath grazing with cattle would help reduce the vigour of the grasses allowing more wildflowers to bloom, so this may be reintroduced when the situation allows. Seed and/or green hay from Brodie’s Meadow and other sources will be used to reintroduce the wildflowers which were once common here. Yellow Rattle seed will be spread to help reduce the grass vigour which will help with the re-establishment of the meadow flowers. It will take time, but eventually Wheeler’s Meadow will be returned to a traditionally managed floodplain meadow alive with insects and with the typical flowering plants of this area including Great Burnet, Meadowsweet, Dropwort and Cowslips.
This narrow meadow is bordered by mature hedges giving it protection from cold winds which makes it ideal for a few butterfly species including Specked Wood and Gatekeeper. The enhancement of the grassland will see other species such as Brown Argus, Common Blue and members of the skipper family colonise from the surrounding area. It will also provide ideal habitat for dragonflies and damselflies to hunt.
Birds such as Blackcaps nest in the overgrown hedges and Hobbies are regularly seen patrolling, hunting for dragonflies and small birds. |