The Manorial Court for the Hundred and Borough of Cricklade
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”
North Meadow is yellow with meadow buttercups this week. I visited to carry out the monthly transect for the Bumblebee Conservation bee walk project. Continue reading “Bee Walk on North Meadow”
The Fritillaries have almost finished for this year and soon the hay will grow and be full of wild flowers.
The Fritillaries are flowering
The fritillaries of North Meadow are now showing themselves and slowly over the last week the purple haze of flowers have started to bloom. Spring has definitely sprung. We now expect visitor numbers to rise and would ask you to please read right to the bottom of the page and familiarise yourself with how you can help protect the meadow. Please keep to the marked paths. Continue reading “Fritillary Watch”
Fritillary season is almost upon us
As more fritillaries are starting to appear and the weather warming up we have high hopes for a good display this year at North Meadow. Flowers are developing nicely but only a handful are showing any sign of wanting to open so we would suggest giving it a few more weeks before visiting. Continue reading “Fritillary Watch”