Photo Credit – Lisa Stevens
From Herefordshire Wildlife Trust:
Restoring Bartonsham Meadows: update on new fencing and access.
Plans to restore Bartonsham Meadows to wildlife rich meadows are progressing well and the next stage of our Management Plan is to install more fencing around the rewilding area to create a refuge for wildlife and so that we can introduce cattle or sheep grazing.
The grazing will create a wildlife rich mosaic of grassland and scrub which will support an abundance of wildlife from wildflowers and grasses to insects and nesting and overwintering birds.
The area will be closed to dog walking but we will have regular guided walks and access for monitoring of wildlife.
Some paths will no longer be accessible but there will be plenty of alternative routes in and around the Meadows and over half of the Meadows area will still have open access.
Signs will be up on site to show the areas of open access and wildlife refuge.
About the reserve
Bartonsham Meadows lie within the meander of the River Wye to the south east of the city and are a popular place for walkers as they are circled and crossed by footpaths. The meadows have been owned by the Church Commissioners for England since the 1850s and has previously been used for cattle grazing. From this spring 2023, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have been responsible for management of the site, having signed a long-term lease, and plan to restore the meadows for wildlife and for people.
Floodplain Meadow
We plan to restore part of the site, which is regularly inundated by the River Wye, to be species-rich, floodplain meadows. These will give a home to iconic meadow wildlife such as skylarks, barn owls and voles while pollinators including orange-tip butterflies and bumblebees will benefit from the spring and summer flowers. It will take some time to restore the grassland which we will reseed with locally sourced wildflower and grass seed before beginning sympathetic management through some seasonal cattle grazing as well as cutting the meadow annually and making hay.
Managed Natural Regeneration
The remainder of the site will be managed to allow natural processes to create habitats for wildlife. A few grazing animals will be allowed to roam within the fence which will be erected this summer, over time the vegetation will create a patchwork of grassland and scrub which will be a fantastic habitat for all kinds of wildlife. We would like to make this area a haven for wildlife, for this reason access to the area will be restricted apart from occasional guided walks and wildlife recording sessions. Free access around the outside will be maintained and we hope to create one or two raised viewing points to allow people to see into the area.
We also plan to restore old hedgerows and consider reintroducing former ponds.
Restoring Bartonsham Meadows for Wildlife and People
We are grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting us to restore the site for both wildlife and people. This 3 year funding (June 24-June 27) will enable us to not only restore both the floodplain meadow and area of natural regeneration but to involve and connect with local people.
Our Community Officer, Jenny will be developing a range of opportunities for people to get involved with – from volunteering, school visits, youth programmes, guided walks and family events. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more.
More Details – https://www.herefordshirewt.org/bartonsham-meadows
