Network of new meadows created

CHESHIRE Wildlife Trust has created a network of new meadows thanks to supporters of its “Save Our Marvellous Meadows Appeal”.
Nearly £12,000, has been raised to date, which will help the Trust continue its campaign to restore 100 hectares of species-rich grassland across the county over the next 10 years.
Supporters of the appeal were invited to a special plug planting event at Swettenham Meadows Nature Reserve, where they had the opportunity to plant some perennial wildflowers including bee favourite’s meadow vetchling and bird’s-foot trefoil.
Cheshire has lost 99 per cent of its meadows over the last 60 years through changes in farming practices and a lack of awareness around the importance of grasslands.
Director of conservation Martin Varley said: “Many grassland specialist pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths are in rapid decline, due to this loss in our region’s landscape.
“Insect-feeding small mammals and birds such as the yellow wagtail, lapwing and skylark have all also been impacted by the losses.”
Last year, the Trust restored eight hectares of meadows and its campaign attracted interest from across the region with many potential sites being put forward for this year.
Two years’ ago, the Trust started a project to restore meadow habitats at its Swettenham Meadows Nature Reserve, with support from the national Coronation Meadows scheme. Following the spread of a crop of green hay from nearby donor meadow Dane-in-shaw Pasture Nature Reserve in Congleton, there has already been a marked difference in the diversity of plant species. This donor site was chosen not only because it is a designated Coronation Meadow and therefore particularly rich in wildflowers, but also because it provided a local source of wildflower seed. This is important because using local sourced seed helps to conserve the local gene pool of wildflower populations. In addition to the green hay strewing some of the seed harvested was separated and grown on as plug plants, which have been planted this Autumn on the reserve to further diversify the meadow.
Anyone who would like to support Cheshire Wildlife Trust and its ‘Save Our Marvellous Meadows Appeal’ visit their website at www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/meadowsappeal.