The Meadow Makers' Network Forum

Devon Wildlife Trust will be working across Dartmoor from the middle of August restoring meadows for farmers and landowners using green hay.

While their equipment is in the area, they would like to make best use of it and help to restore more grasslands using green hay.

There should be a mower, baler and straw chopper in operation. There will be no harrowing provided, that would need organising through a contractor unless you have your own.

If you have a species-rich meadow and would like your own green hay transferred to an adjacent field and have DWT do some of the work and spreading of hay for you, they can offer this service (for a fee unless you are in the Dart catchment where it can be funded through the Upstream Thinking Project – see the Map below for the catchment area, it covers a large portion of Dartmoor). Each case will be different however so will need firming up with DWT beforehand.

Also, if you have a species poor site and would like help restoring it - prepping the site then spreading the green hay - DWT maybe able to help you and match you to a suitable donor site.

DWT will be looking for species-rich grasslands on Dartmoor to act as green hay donors to carry out this additional work. If you have a meadow, would you be interested in donating or selling the bales, or a portion of them, to help restore species diversity to other suitable meadow sites nearby? Green hay needs to be harvested and spread quickly as it heats up easily and the seeds can end up being composted. Hence the need for the donor site to be close by.

For more information email Simon Tomasso: stomasso@devonwildlifetrust.org

Hi , our meadow is looking great at the moment. Lots of knapweed , sneezewort, meadowsweet, fleabane, watermint ,goldfinches , butterflies and bumblebees etc. Would be pleased to provide small lots of green hay and seed subject to level of interest.

A few photos taken yesterday ,notice the feeding goldfinches and the corn harvest in the distance.

Best Wishes, Philip Brown

Species list and Meadow Assessment , from a survey by Lynne Kenderdine, Land Management Advisor for Devon Wildlife Trust in May and July 2021 attached. Reference earlier post today.

Hi Philip, what a lovely meadow you have. Thank you for including Lynne Kenderdine's survey. I would love some sneezewort and corky fruited dropwort seeds/green hay if any available.
Many thanks
Donna

Hi Donna ,

Yes thats fine , I will save you some seeds of sneezewort and corky waterdropwart and some greenhay or if you prefer I can meet you at the meadow sometime in the next week or so . I'm looking for some yellow rattle seed for sowing August onwards if anyone has some to spare.

Kind Regards , Philip Brown