June Visit to Herefordshire - Part 3: Ledwyche Meadow and Burford House Gardens

 

On the Friday we decided to go and have a look at Ledwyche meadow at Burford House Gardens as June seems to be the month when it looks its best.

Ledwyche Meadow was created for the Millennum and changed what was farmed arable land into a wildflower meadow. It covers around one and a half acres of meadow with a small section of woodland which contains a Beech Dragon Maze.  Over the last few years remedial work has been carried out on the Ledwyche Brook and the meadow only re-opened two years ago.

Initially, the meadow was left to its own devices for a few years and it naturally rewilded with fauna and flora species increasing.  In June 2022 the Marches Meadow Trust helped a survey a small section of the meadow and found 61 species of plant including Teasel, Wild Carrot, Meadow Cranesbill and Ox-eye Daisy. The survey helped to demonstrate how best the manage the site.  It will benefit wildlife in the area as there are larval food plants for insects especially moths and butterflies and flowers provide nectar and seed for birds.

Ox-eye Daisies, Knapweed and Hogweed.

A yellow and black longhorn beetle on Hogweed flowers.

Red campion is still flowering.

Ledwyche Brook which joins the River Teme nearby.

Before we left we had a look round Burford House Gardens - there have been a lot of changes flower wise since we visited in May.  I do love these gardens they are so quiet and peaceful. We didn't see anyone at all and only saw two people in the meadow.

We saw a few butterflies - Large Skipper, Comma, Red Admiral and "whites" which was a lot more than we managed at Ivycroft Gardens where B just glimpsed one Meadow Brown.  This year seems better for bees but butterflies sadly still seem in short supply.

Timothy was relieved he was finally wearing his t-shirt. It was another hot and humid day!

We returned home on Saturday afternoon to be greeted by a chocolate cake D had made for us :)

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 of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).

Herefordshire 2023 (4) - Part 2: Stockings Meadow

 

For several years now I have wanted to visit Stockings Meadow, a Herefordshire Wildlife Trust reserve near Bromyard which is good for wild flowers including orchids.

On Saturday, 20th May we finally visited!

The habitat at Stockings Meadow is comprised of unimproved neutral grassland. As the reserve is managed as a hay meadow you are asked to walk only round the edge.  The meadow lies on a fairly steep west facing slope leading down to Hackley Brook.

For 40 years the meadow belonged to a nearby farm and it had been managed as a hay meadow with no artificial manures or herbicides used. This habitat management has meant that a rich flora has been retained and the Wildlife Trust are continuing this form of management. The meadow covers about ten acres.

The name "Stockings" suggest that the site was once covered with stocks (ie tree stumps) suggesting that the site was once woodland but was cleared for agricultural use.  Earthworks indicating an old road (the A44 which has now been re-routed) can be seen.

Today the meadow is filled with wild flowers from Spring onwards and it is cut for hay in mid to late July. The species  change throughout the site depending on the conditions.  The marshy area of the old sunken holloway contains plants such as Ragged Robin and Marsh Marigold (sadly I didn't see any of these in flower).  Many meadow butterflies and pollinators can be seen on the meadow. The large old hedges and bramble thickets around the site are used as breeding sites by Blackcaps, Garden Warblers and Long Tailed Tits.  

Plant species which occur include Common Spotted Orchids, Heath Spotted Orchids, Green Winged Orchids, Cowslips, Yellow Rattle, Wild Angelica, Meadowsweet, Knapweed, Bugle, Marsh Marigold, Devil's Bit Scabious, Sorrel, Meadow Vetchling and Ragged Robin.

There were buttercups galore and loads of Yellow Rattle flowers.

Cowslips were past their best but it must have been a beautiful sight a few weeks ago.

Hawthorn seems to be having an incredibly good year.

Bugle

Meadow Vetchling I think

At the bottom of the hill there were hundreds, if not thousands, of orchids.  Common Spotted, Heath Spotted and hybrids of the two species occur.  In a few weeks when they are fully out it will be a beautiful sight.

Cuckoo Flower or Lady's Smock

Germander Speedwell

Me enjoying myself!

*D

We sat in the car and had a late lunch eating the sandwiches and I had a quick look at some of the flowers on the verge in the lane - Greater White Stitchwort, Yellow Archangel and White Dead Nettle along with loads of Cow Parsley.  I really don't think you can beat the May Spring flowers.

We decided to stop off for a drink on the way home - we stopped at two local pubs but for various reasons B wasn't keen on either so we ended up at the lovely Fountain Inn in Tenbury Wells.

The pint of Hereford Pale Ale - it was a lovely beer.

I spotted an old Lotus Elan in the car park - gosh I loved these cars years ago but checking out the prices I won't be having one anytime soon!  Must admit an open top old sports car preferably an old MGB is something I still hanker after!

Photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera - the one marked *D taken by my son with the Canon SX50HS.  I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one I would be grateful for an email first - thanks.

Reference:  Information Board at the Meadow and

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Guide to Reserves