Tony Norman and Catherine Janson have sent in fabulous photos of unusual double form of cuckoo flower (also known as ladies smock) in profusion in a meadow in Pembridge earlier in May. Tony thinks that the grazing regime has really suited these plants and they are increasing in number each year. “We tend to graze the fields with groups of… Read more →
Monthly Archives: May 2018
How to assess your grassland for Mid Tier grassland options
Several of the Mid Tier Stewardship grassland options need evidence of the range and abundance of flowering plants in the sward to be submitted with the application before the end of July: GS2 and GS5 – Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside or in SDAs) 9 species / m2 GS6 – Management of species rich grassland (previously only… Read more →
Bumblebee ID training day a buzzing success at Blakemere
On a hot sunny May day Herefordshire Meadows members learned about what bumblebees need to thrive and all about their life cycle as well as how to look for the Big 8 common species we are most likely to find in our landscape. These are buff tailed, white tailed, garden, heath, early, red tailed and tree bumblebees and the common… Read more →
Species rich grassland options available in Mid Tier Stewardship
Following our April evening workshop on the range of grassland options now available in Mid Tier Stewardship there is only a short time left to request an application form for a scheme to start on 1 January 2019. You must request a form from Natural England before end May 2018. If you need some help with this please see our Mid… Read more →
Herefordshire Hay Exchange
Time to think about meadow enhancement work for this summer. We are supporting Herefordshire Hay Exchange to help meadow owners collaborate to share green hay and seed locally and to encourage meadow restoration projects across the County – whether in or outside of Stewardship schemes. If you have a flower rich meadow and are willing to be a hay /… Read more →
Wye Valley AONB Farming Awards 2018
If you farm or manage meadows and other land near or in the Wye Valley AONB you can apply to enter this prestigious competition before 21 May 2018. Please ask Caroline Hanks for any help and advice if you are considering entering your meadows For full details please see the invitation to enter Read more →
Shropshire Hills Hay Meadow Festival
Details of the festival on 7th July and a scything course on 5th July are out now Read more →
Golden Grassland celebration
Herefordshire Grassland Society (HGS) are celebrating 50 years with a lunch and talk by Prof Wynne Jones on the changes in grassland management during that period. All welcome. Please book through HGS. Details on their Poster Read more →