The Meadow Makers' Network Forum

Claire, if you had an abundance of rattle last year, there are really only two reasons why you wouldn't have it this year. 1. the rattle was grazed after germinating in mid-spring this year. 2. the sward was not open enough for the rattle to successfully germinate into this spring. From what you say...

Hello Sylvia, welcome to the forum. It's buttercup time of year at the moment! Buttercups are ostensibly the most common plant in many of my meadows at the moment, however, a couple of weeks ago they definitely weren't, and in a couple of weeks time they definitely won't be either. So, that may also...

Oh, that's a relief, Paul!

These are also Southern Marsh.

Privet Hawk moth

Sorry about your orchid, Paul! They are the lollipops of a meadow. Yes, deer love them. Cows do too - one year mine broke in, and in a short time seemed to have run around and eaten the majority of the orchids. I was very cross! And, yes, if you have just a few of them, it's easy to protect them whi...

Out of interest, attached is a wonderful article on the value of different tree species to wildlife (orginally shared on the email exchange by Andrew Taylor). As you will see from the table, Ash scores high for wood decay inverts and epiphyte communities (both found with old trees).

Have you watched our video on How to make and maintain mini-meadows? www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a7NmMoYNmY

20230622_093237b.jpg 20231006_141325b.jpg Hello Meadow Makers, I manage 17 acres of my haymeadows, here on Dartmoor, specifically for Greater Butterfly Orchids, and was able to find and harvest some seed spikes before cutting the meadows last month. Greater Butterfly Orchids are classified as Near ...

Hi Pippa, I can't suggest a local contractor, though often your best bet is to ask your nearest farmer. Time is of the essence, as the next few days will probably be the last decent chance of the year to make silage bales. As for machinery for small meadows, there's a topic with PDF attachment here:...

139 acres open moorland. Freehold, with vacant possession available.

https://assets.savills.com/properties/G ... 000137.PDF