The Manorial Court for the Hundred and Borough of Cricklade
North Meadow is in full flood this week. The National Nature Reserve is part of the floodplain for the River Thames and River Churn. Floodplains take the excess water when river levels are high and can extend over a wide area. It is quite normal for the floodplain to be inundated during the winter months and is one of the features which creates this species rich for lowland hay meadow habitat. Continue reading “North Meadow in Flood”
Conservation grazing is about to start on North Meadow National Nature Reserve . Grazing with cattle following the hay cut is of vital importance to maintain biodiversity. North Meadow is a species rich lowland hay meadow habitat which is now very rare in the UK. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) estimate that less than 1500 ha of this habitat remain in the UK today. Continue reading “Conservation Grazing Vital for Biodiversity”
Please help to protect North Meadow by not visiting until further notice. Natural England have posted the notice below at all entrances to North Meadow.
The start of the fritillary season is rapidly approaching and North Meadow is still flooded. The picture above, taken this morning, shows the water level is very high, as high as it has been all winter. Continue reading “Fritillary Season on North Meadow”
Large numbers of birds seen on North Meadow today. North Meadow has been flooded since mid October last year, almost 4 months. The water level has started to drop over the last few days. Hopefully this will continue to fall in time for the Snakes Head Fritillary season in April. Continue reading “Birds on North Meadow”
The recent heavy rain has caused flooding on North Meadow this week. We have been watching the water levels closely as we are in the middle of the grazing season. Fortunately the water levels have now started to drop. Rain is not expected for the next few days and this will give time for the water to drain away. Continue reading “Flooding on North Meadow this week”
Conservation grazing, which is so important to the management of North Meadow, started on Monday this week. Twenty two cows and their calves, forty four animals in total, were turned out onto North Meadow. A further fourteen cows and calves will go onto the meadow this weekend. Continue reading “Grazing of North Meadow Started On 9th September”
Members of the Court Leet have been preparing North Meadow for grazing in the last two weeks. This involves the installation of 2.5km of electric fencing and eight pasture pumps. Continue reading “Grazing Preparation for North Meadow”
Grazing animals would normally drink from the River Thames and River Churn which skirts North Meadow. By entering the rivers the animals introduce silt into the water. This creates a water quality problem which damages fish spawning beds, resulting in poor fish populations. Continue reading “Pasture Pumps on North Meadow”
The hay cut started early this year to help to reduce the nutrient levels on the meadow. Nutrient levels have been rising, mainly caused by increased flooding in recent years and this reduces plant diversity. The hay cut would normally start in July. Continue reading “Hay Cut Started on Thursday 27th June”