Mill Bank
Mill Bank Meadows covers an area of 20 acres, approximately half of which lies in the Avon floodplain with the northern half rising up to drier ground which is sandy and mostly free draining with a few small spring-fed wet areas. The two low-lying fields are divided by a canalised spring-fed water-course. These two areas flood annually and it is this annual event combined with the site’s location adjacent to Mike’s Meadow that make it ideal for floodplain meadow restoration. |
There are large patches of nettles and thistles across the site, the result of fertilizer applications and poaching from livestock and an apparent ad-hoc mowing regime in the past. The south-west corner of the site lies wet al year and is flanked by Crack Willows. This area has been opened up in 2020 to re-instate an old farm pond to restore another important habitat.
The Oxton Ditch starts at the north-eastern edge of Mill Bank Meadows, fed by the river passing under the road from the Mill and a series of springs along the meadows which keep some water in the ditch through the year. The Oxton Ditch winds its way south and west passing Mike’s Meadow and Gore Meadows for 2.75km before entering the river Avon south of Lower Moor. It was created as part of the water-management systems along this part of the Avon, aiding drainage and providing drinking water for livestock. Its banks at Mill Bank are lined with Crack Willows, Blackthorn and a few fruit trees. There are at least four springs on site; one entering the ditch just inside the entrance; one rising 60 metres from the entrance; the main spring rising in the middle of the site feeding a canalised ditch; one rising at the furthest west corner at the top of the bank. In 2020/21 we are planning to re-instate and old farm pond and create other wetland features.
A few flowering plants have been noted including Meadowsweet, Creeping Buttercup, Lady’s Smock and Yarrow but overgrazing and agricultural improvements have all but eradicated the wildflowers once characteristic of the Avon floodplains. The rough grassland attracts many small mammals including Field & Bank Vole, Wood Mouse and Pygmy Shrew providing good hunting for Kestrels and Barn Owls. Skylarks are regularly seen here and may breed on the bank. Insects include Yellow Meadow Ants whose mounds are abundant and in summer the site is “alive with grasshoppers and bush-crickets”. Seed and green hay from local sites will be spread on the floodplain areas which are now under hay meadow management which will slowly increase the number of native plants.
The Oxton Ditch starts at the north-eastern edge of Mill Bank Meadows, fed by the river passing under the road from the Mill and a series of springs along the meadows which keep some water in the ditch through the year. The Oxton Ditch winds its way south and west passing Mike’s Meadow and Gore Meadows for 2.75km before entering the river Avon south of Lower Moor. It was created as part of the water-management systems along this part of the Avon, aiding drainage and providing drinking water for livestock. Its banks at Mill Bank are lined with Crack Willows, Blackthorn and a few fruit trees. There are at least four springs on site; one entering the ditch just inside the entrance; one rising 60 metres from the entrance; the main spring rising in the middle of the site feeding a canalised ditch; one rising at the furthest west corner at the top of the bank. In 2020/21 we are planning to re-instate and old farm pond and create other wetland features.
A few flowering plants have been noted including Meadowsweet, Creeping Buttercup, Lady’s Smock and Yarrow but overgrazing and agricultural improvements have all but eradicated the wildflowers once characteristic of the Avon floodplains. The rough grassland attracts many small mammals including Field & Bank Vole, Wood Mouse and Pygmy Shrew providing good hunting for Kestrels and Barn Owls. Skylarks are regularly seen here and may breed on the bank. Insects include Yellow Meadow Ants whose mounds are abundant and in summer the site is “alive with grasshoppers and bush-crickets”. Seed and green hay from local sites will be spread on the floodplain areas which are now under hay meadow management which will slowly increase the number of native plants.