The restoration of this meadow must first address the marked encroachment of scrub that will, if left unchecked, lead to full canopy cover as it is absorbed into Toll Wood. The loss of this habitat would injure ambitions to improve biodiversity across the whole plot.
To restore biodiversity in this meadow, we planned to push back the scrub to the margins of the defined meadow. It is important to open the meadow to maximum light to encourage recovery of meadow vascular plant species - graminoids (grasses), clovers, small rushes, dormant seeds of herbs (e.g. trefoils, daisies, etc.). Associated with this biodiverse flora, a thriving chalkland meadow offers significant benefits for invertebrates, small mammals, birds, and fungi. As this story unfolds, we will share results here.
Decades of neglect has led this meadow to turn into a 'rank meadow' with poor diversity. The widespread presence of ground ivy and other colonising plants suggests intervention is needed to restore a more complex and diverse environment for more species. A particular problem is the pioneering species - sycamore - that should be removed if the meadow is to recover.
Whether or not reseeding is needed will depend on the degree of natural recovery once the scrub is pushed back to the meadow and woodland boundaries as should happen with well-husbanded/mowed meadowland. [cf. George Peterken, Meadows]
Restoring a more diverse environment will benefit from further advice from and surveys by experienced ecologists and other specialists and specialist groups. The intention here is to set the scene to support complex invertebrate and mammal diversity.
In February 2023, Mike Phillips (Kent Reptile and Amphibian Consultant) visited and hopes to return later in the year, when the mix of flora and fauna will be clearer.
Early actions suggested include:
- removal of mature sycamores and their many saplings.
- placing 500cm2 roofing felt pieces alongside cover such as brambles and thick scrub for small mammal basking and protection.
- push back the scrub at least one or two metres as a first step. Note: this would restore the meadow closer to its natural habit.
- (alternative strategy) clear successive one-tenth patches of the northern scrub per annum to the meadow boundary to maintain complex cover for nesting birds and feeding fauna of all kinds and habitat renewal. For example, pheasants need a mix of thick scrub (protected nesting sites) and access to low branches for overnight roosting.
- older dead elms in the meadow should be removed (a couple are displaying historic beetle galleries under bark).
A subsequent visit by Dan Tuson has help us elaborate the principles of restoration suited to this meadow. Significant advice included:
- The meadow and its proximity to the ancient woodland makes this potentially interesting and worth investing time and effort into gradually restoring it to an unspoilt chalkland meadow.
- Next year should be “watch and understand”. With some early interventions to encourage the longer-term recovery.
a. Firstly, get rid of the sycamore from the centre of the meadow – I shall be very happy to oblige;
b. Similarly, remove sycamore (and other) encroachment from the direction of the edge of Toll Wood – working towards the defined edge of the Ancient Woodland Inventory footprint to secure its distinct identity. The intention being to define a transition ‘zone’ between meadow and woodland.
c. Equally, remove the woodland encroachment between the meadow (as is) and gate access. At the same time, push back the trees occupying the flatter section of the meadow to encourage vascular plant recovery;
d. Push back the scrub in all directions – but, optionally, allow scrub resurgence in patches for the sake of biodiversity and shelter/food. Review and manage on annual cycle.
e. Waste from felling to be employed as invertebrate and fungi ‘island’ habitats adjacent to the meadow (transition zone);
f. Brush-cutting the meadow to remove the thick grassy sward - following the traditional cycle of equinox fallow/reduction of the sward. I am thinking of George Peterken’s discussion in his “Meadows” book (the author whose name escaped me yesterday). We have rejected the idea of sheep-grazing for now, so brush-cutting will be the proxy for grazing. That suggests:
g. All waste/cuttings to be set aside to the northern boundary/scrub/hedge (or similar) in mounds for rotting and benefit of other creatures and to reduce fertility of the meadow;i. Autumn equinox/Winter – brush-cutting as proxy for livestock grazing
ii. Spring equinox/mid-summer leave it alone for grass and other vascular plants to show themselves;
iii. Midsummer – if conditions are right (e.g. seed set) – brush-cutting again as if for hay-fodder that would normally have been cut and stored for animal feed.
h. Brambles – leave the large clump at the southern margin. Reduce/remove other clumps – but tie in with any ‘clumps’ under “d” (above).
Long-term vision
A healthy chalkland meadow managed for its diversity, pollinator/nectar production, colour, beauty and enjoyment. Broadly, hay management phases would become:
- Spring equinox (between 19th and 21st March) to Summer solstice (June 21st): the period of maximum growth - no grazing, no cutting.
- Immediately after the Summer solstice, mow the hay and remove for fodder (seed will be released by this action). Afterwards, allow periods of grazing (or flailing). During the depth of winter remove livestock if they are cutting up the sward badly.
Mowing and removal of hay may be sufficient. If grazing is considered, we will have to fence-off the woodland to prevent livestock eating toxic woodland plants and damaging saplings and understorey. Temporary electric fencing may do the job.
Meadow species
Without removal of scrub the natural diversity of a healthy meadow will deteriorate. No two meadows are the same. To discover what is 'natural' in an unspoilt Lyn Valley meadow, our first step must be to survey the flora.
Colonising Plants that may dominate in a meadow (or its margins) that is being taken over by scrub
Grasses: Barren Brome, Creeping Soft-grass.
Herbs: Bluebell, Bracken, Bramble, Cleavers, Common Nettle, Cow Parsley, Creeping Thistle, Ground-elder, Ground-ivy, Herb-Robert, Ivy, Nipplewort, Red Campion, Rosebay Willowherb, Wood Sage.
Examples of a healthier mix of grassland species.
Grasses: Cock's-foot, Common Bent, Crested Dog's-tail, False Oat-grass, Quaking-grass, Red Fescue, Rough Meadow-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Sweet Vernal-grass, Yorkshire Fog. Indicator grasses to spot include: Perennial Rye-grass, Meadow Fescue, Yellow Oat-grass, Sheep's Fescue, Yellow Oat-grass, Crested Hair-grass, Heath-grass.
Grass-like: Indicator plants: Hard Rush, Glaucus Sedge, Field Wood-rush, Spring-sedge.
Yellow herbs: Bulbous Buttercup, Cat's-ear, Common Birds-foot-trefoil, Cowslip, Dandelion, Lesser Trefoil, Meadow Buttercup, Rough Hawksbit, Yellow Rattle. Indicator plants: Meadow Vetchling, Lady's Bedstraw, Autumn Hawkbit, Tormentil.
White herbs: Common Mouse-ear, Hogweed, White Clover. Indicator plants: Daisy, Oxeye Daisy, Yarrow, Burnet saxifrage, Pignut.
Red-blue herbs: Common Knapweed, Creeping Thistle, Germander Speedwell, Red Clover. Indicator plants: Field Scabious, Betony, Devil's-bit Scabious, Selfheal.
Brown herbs: Common Sorrel, Ribwort Plantain. Indicator plants: Salad Burnet.
19th March 2024 - UK Power Networks
Years of neglect in the wood and meadow has allowed pioneer species of tree to climb close to 11kV overhead cables that serve the village and surroundings. This has led to a reduction of a 4-meter-wide swathe along the western edge of the wood (looking south) and through the scrub spreading through the meadow (looking north). While it appears stark, this action may open up opportunities for suppressed ground-cover plants to return. In future, we can prevent a repetition through active continuous management of scrub and pioneering tree-species.
All waste and tailings have been left on the ground to create a long insect and mammal habitat at the edge of the clearance
UK Power Networks clearance View south. View north.
