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Welcome to Upwood Meadows

Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Helen’s Close is the first meadow A Coronation Interest and as a National Nature Reserve, you reach from the road reserve Upwood Meadows is an exceptional example of entrance and is the least diverse of Meadow ancient lowland grassland, supporting over 200 the three owing to past In the past 75 years a plant species. In light of such outstanding improvement with fertiliser and shocking 97% of floristic diversity in 1977 the Wildlife Trust herbicide. Since the Wildlife Trust wildflower meadows purchased the site to protect this rare and took over management of the site in have been lost from the important habitat. 1977 this meadow has shown some British countryside. In signs of recovery hosting colourful an effort to stop this The Meadows displays of cuckoo flower and decline and in meadow buttercup in the spring. The nature reserve spans 15 acres and consists of celebration of the 60th Great three fields separated by a network of ancient The second meadow, Little Bentley, anniversary of the burnet hedgerows. The history of Upwood Meadows is has also been improved with fertiliser Coronation, HRH The Prince of Wales has called uncertain, but it is believed that its lowland location in the past, but is recovering well with for the creation at least one new wildflower and tendency to flood meant it was only used as the best displays of wildflowers in the north-east meadow in every county. agricultural land by the poorest of residents. What is corner. It is hoped that through gradual re- The Coronation Meadows Project, led by a team of certain, is that all three fields were once ploughed colonisation from neighbouring Bentley meadow, the experts from the charity Plant Life, in partnership the using ancient ridge and furrow techniques. In diversity of wildflowers in this meadow will Wildlife Trusts and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Helen’s Close and Little Bentley the ridge and eventually recover. aims to safeguard these delicate habitats for future furrow formation has been partly destroyed following Last is Bentley meadow. the richest of the three. generations. To achieve this ambitious goal one further cultivation. Whilst Bentley meadow has been Defined by ancient ridge and furrow, formed by surviving flagship wildflower meadow - a Coronation left undisturbed for many centuries, preserving this medieval ploughing, Bentley meadow has been left Meadow - is identified in each county. These sites ancient feature. undisturbed for many centuries. Yellow ant hills that will then be used as ‘donor’ meadows providing dot the landscape and along with the ridge and seed for the creation of new meadows at sites within furrow formation, create distinct wet and dry the same county. Upwood Meadows is one such microhabitats across Coronation Meadow, celebrated for its remarkable the meadow. This floristic diversity. unusual arrangement of wet and dry grassland leads to a mosaic of specially adapted plant species that rarely coexist. Yellow meadow ant Fieldfare and nest What to look for on our reserve

Wildlife Species rich ancient hedgerows, In the spring, the scrub Upwood Meadows supports a huge variety of made up of thorny species such is alive with song as wildlife throughout the seasons. Famed for its as hawthorn, blackthorn and birds such as the floristic diversity, the site also attracts many bramble, provide shelter along blackcap and representatives of the animal kingdom. the grassland margins. Well whitethroat compete managed, these scrubby borders for nesting sites. Visit Flora can support an abundance of in early summer for a wildlife, providing food in the form chance to see the It is the combination of of nectar, berries and seeds.as elusive turtle dove. Whitethroat abundant wildflowers, mature well as shelter and nesting sites Upwood meadows is an important hedgerows and veteran trees for invertebrates, birds and breeding ground for this red listed bird, which has that make this site so special. mammals. Adder’s-tongue experienced population declines in recent years. Throughout the spring and fern Listen out for its gentle purr in amongst the scrub on summer months the species Commanding veteran trees of oak calm days. In the winter, visiting migrants such as rich grasslands are awash and ash can be found along the hedgerows. Several the redwing and fieldfare feast on winter berries. with colour. Visit in early hundred years old, these trees are of high spring to admire bright conservation value. Oak trees are known to provide Historic ponds can be found in each of the blooms of yellow cowslips habitat to more species that any other tree in the meadows. Originally used to water livestock, they before thousands of elegant UK, including insects, birds, mammals and fungi. are now home to breeding populations of the green winged orchids come nationally rare great crested newt. Keep your eyes into bloom from mid-late May. peeled in the spring and summer months as these Fauna Cowslips impressive beasts emerge from the ponds to feed A rainbow of colour explodes in The rich floral diversity at on the insect rich grasslands. summer. A diverse sea of green grasses is Upwood attracts an abundance interrupted by splashes of purple, red and blue as of animals to the meadows. The saw-wort, great burnet and devils-bit scabious come nectar rich flowers provide into flower, providing excellent nectar sources for ample food many breeding many insect pollinators such as bees and butterflies. insect species. Whilst the grass Nestled amongst these conspicuous displays you sward provides the perfect place may find the subtle but aptly named adder’s tongue for moths and butterflies to lay fern, an indicator of the ancient status of these Common blue their eggs where their meadows. butterfly caterpillars will thrive. Great crested newt

How the Trust cares for the reserve

Traditional management of these species rich grasslands is essential if their floral diversity is to be maintained. Here at Upwood, we work with local graziers to implement traditional livestock Peacock grazing regimes from late April through to butterfly November. This helps to reduce competitive grasses and maintain the low soil nutrient levels needed for many wildflowers to flourish. Livestock also help to achieve a range of sward heights which promotes a range of microhabitats across the site. This diversity in habitat structure fulfils the lifecycle needs of many insect species, in particular grassland butterfly species that thrive here in the meadows.

If the hedgerows that border the grasslands were left unchecked the wildflower meadows would convert to scrub. To prevent this the Wildlife Trust periodically cuts back the hedgerow in a manner that is sympathetic to species that use this habitat. Invasive weeds such as ragwort and creeping thistle are also controlled to protect the floral diversity of the site.

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