Conservation Interests
Gwen Finch Conservation Area, Birlingham, Pershore
Grazing is a key component of the management of wetland nature reserves. Key species such as Lapwing and Redshank breed on grasslands around pools such as those at Gwen Finch, and the right sort of cattle are needed to create the sward they favour – Short open areas for lapwing, where they can nestle down into shallow depressions in the ground and see approaching predators, relying on their camouflage to keep them hidden; tussocky areas of both long and short grass for birds such as redshank.
As cattle feed on the more succulent grasses and leave the tougher species it creates the more natural mosaic that cannot be achieved by cutting alone. Rare breed cattle are necessary to manage wetland nature reserves, as modern breeds often struggle to eat the courser vegetation that is best for wildlife.
Tiddesley Wood Conservation Area, Pershore
The orchard at Tiddesley Wood is a fine example of an old plum orchard, with many veteran trees which harbour a number of rare insects as well as being traditional varieties. The Pershore yellow egg plum was first discovered at Tiddesley.
We use sheep to graze the orchard as part of our management to create suitable flowering meadows to support the insects and improve their diversity of herbs and flowers. Aftermath grazing after hay cutting on our other meadows is valuable in controlling ranker grasses and treading in seed, which again helps improve the diversity of plant species found on them.
Grazing is a key component of the management of wetland nature reserves. Key species such as Lapwing and Redshank breed on grasslands around pools such as those at Gwen Finch, and the right sort of cattle are needed to create the sward they favour – Short open areas for lapwing, where they can nestle down into shallow depressions in the ground and see approaching predators, relying on their camouflage to keep them hidden; tussocky areas of both long and short grass for birds such as redshank.
As cattle feed on the more succulent grasses and leave the tougher species it creates the more natural mosaic that cannot be achieved by cutting alone. Rare breed cattle are necessary to manage wetland nature reserves, as modern breeds often struggle to eat the courser vegetation that is best for wildlife.
Tiddesley Wood Conservation Area, Pershore
The orchard at Tiddesley Wood is a fine example of an old plum orchard, with many veteran trees which harbour a number of rare insects as well as being traditional varieties. The Pershore yellow egg plum was first discovered at Tiddesley.
We use sheep to graze the orchard as part of our management to create suitable flowering meadows to support the insects and improve their diversity of herbs and flowers. Aftermath grazing after hay cutting on our other meadows is valuable in controlling ranker grasses and treading in seed, which again helps improve the diversity of plant species found on them.