Davies Meadows
This tranquil 20-acre nature reserve in west Herefordshire is bordered by thick hedgerows, which enclose three unimproved hay meadows, a perry pear orchard and a pond.
Colourful old hay meadows such as those found at this nature reserve are now extremely uncommon in the British countryside – more than 98% of unimproved meadows have been lost over the last 60 years.
Summer visitors to Davies Meadows can enjoy wandering amongst an array of wild flowers including Green-winged Orchid, Yellow-rattle, knapweed, Pignut and Meadow Vetchling.
The mixed hedgerows, pond and old meadows also provide excellent habitat for other wildlife. Frogs and toads are regularly seen and grass snakes have been recorded in the past.
May: Green-winged Orchid, Cowslip, Pignut, Meadow Buttercup
June: Common Spotted-orchid, Yellow Rattle, Lady's Bedstraw, Common Catsear, Lesser Spearwort, Tormentil
July: The hay is usually cut around the middle of July, but in the first two weeks of this month you can see late flowering meadow species such as Black Knapweed, Pepper-saxifrage and Betony
The meadows are cut for hay in the summer and grazed during the autumn, as would have been the traditional practice. A project is also underway to restore the perry pear orchard and its associated wildlife.
Location: near Calver Hill, Norton Canon, Herefordshire. Grid Reference: SO 375 485
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links
Map and directions Click below to see the map and directions for the reserve
Management
Davies Meadows is managed by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of Plantlife
Further details
For further details contact the Plantlife Office or e-mail joe.costley@ plantlife.org.uk