After looking round Burford House Gardens we went and had a look at the meadow - the first time it had been open since we first discovered these gardens.
Ledwyche Brook where we watched a Dipper and dozens of Banded Demoiselles.
An information board explained about the meadow and why it had been closed. It was created for the Millennium and changed what was farmed arable and pastoral land into a wildflower meadow. It covers one and a half acres mainly meadow but with some birch and chestnut trees and a Beech Millennium Dragon Maze (not sure how but we completely managed to miss the maze 😒). Over the last few years remedial work has been carried out on the bank of Ledwyche brook.
Initially the meadow was left to its own devices for a few years and it naturally re-wilded with flora and fauna species increasing. In June 2022 the Marches Meadow Trust helped survey a small section of meadow and found 61 species of plant including Teasel, Wild Carrot, Meadow Cranesbill and Ox-eye daisy. The survey helped to demonstrate how best to manage the site and enjoy the re-wilding of the meadow. The meadow will benefit wildlife in the area as they are many larval food plants for insects especially butterflies and moths and flowers provide nectar and food for insects and birds.
A path meanders through this delightful meadow.
Sparrowhawk attack?
A small patch of Ragged Robin.
Timothy surrounded by buttercups.
I look forward to visiting the meadow again when we next visit the gardens. I have decided I could quite happily live in Burford or Tenbury Wells with such delights on the doorstep.
Timothy braving the fearsome dragon!!!!
We returned home the following day but we were to return in about 3 days time although that was not the plan at the time!
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one I would appreciate an email first - thanks).
13 comments:
Almost overwhelming to the senses! It must be stunning to see in person because few things can match a British meadow or hedgerow at this time of year. Lovely photos too. Timothy will have to change his name to St George! What a brave little chap he is.
I have a crisis of consciousness with nature reserves. I'm very much in favour of giving people access to the natural world, yet for the nature there to truly thrive often access needs to be declined. A dilemma for open access nature reserve management.
Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much - places like that do have to be experienced in person to fully appreciate them because you can soak in the smells and sound etc. Timothy is swelling with pride :) If it remains open I can see myself visiting a lot!
The Wessex of Reiver - Thanks so much and I totally agree with your comment. I seem to remember an awful lot of damage was done to some reserves during the height of covid where people were descending on local places in their hordes. It is a difficult one and the other connected problem is should dogs be allowed especially if irresponsible owners let them off leads to do all sorts of harm. I've certainly seem examples of this. The reserve I visited recently at Bodenham Lakes had a large part closed off permanently I think to give some peace and quiet for wildlife in that area.
What a lovely meadow to wander and explore. I bet you will be back before too long. The wild flowers look amazing.
Bovey Belle - Thanks so much. It was another good discovery :)
It looks a beautiful and tranquil place no wonder you feel that you could return to visit many times. There are so many lovely wild flowers there:)
Rosie - Thanks so much. There is a community orchard too fairly close which I must visit one day.
that looks lovely!!
Hello Timothy
The Quacks of Life - Thanks Pete. You must have been to Burford church in the Jenkins' book. Burford House Gardens and that meadow next to church. Worth another visit when you are next in Herefordshire/Salop.
Burford church in the book is oxfordshire isn't it? there isn't one in Herefordshire.... I'll start planning Herefordshire in August :)
The Quacks of Life - Thanks Pete. Yes there is a Burford church in Oxfordshire quite a well known one I think. This Burford is in Shropshire and in the Jenkins' book under that county. Just double checked. A few miles from Tenbury Wells if that. Also a few more miles down the road is a lovely church at Little Hereford. Both open :)
The meadow looks lovely and Timothy seems quite at home there :-)
CherryPie - Thank you.
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