More Meadow Management

Cutting and raking of the wildflower habitats is still ongoing at the reserve. This year, cutting has been carried out much later than in previous years as the flowers have flowered later than usual. The area next to Spigot Mere is one of the last meadows to be cut and as it is inaccessible to large machinery it has to be done the hard way; with strimmers and then old fashioned wooden hay rakes!

Incredibly, some flowers were still out, including Sneezewort and Devil's Bit Scabious. Care was taken to cut around them as they are a precious late source of nectar for wildlife.

It was hard going wading through the wet grass with strimmers and is a bigger area than it looks from the path!

Luckily, help came from many different people; mid-week volunteers, work placement students, Interns and for the first time since the lockdown a small team from the PRC (Personnel Recovery Centre) at Catterick Garrison. 

Our sincere thanks to everyone who has helped with this important job from cutting and raking to removing the hay, we couldn't have done it without you!