So today I took at look at a site, a 'receiver site', where locally harvested seed was introduced in 2009 using the method known as Green hay strewing. The idea being to create a hay meadow rich in wildflowers and eventually create UKBAP priority habitat, Lowland Meadow. The green hay came from a spectacular site that is filled with wildflowers and amazes me every time I go to see it.
The receiver site has transformed beyond belief and today's survey showed that it has at least 6 species that indicate it is getting closer to a species-rich meadow. Common knapweed, Rough hawkbit, Common bird's-foot-trefoil, Oxeye daisy and the two hemi-parasitic plants, Eyebright and Hay-rattle, have all spread through the field. The latter 2 species help to control the grasses and these are also changing, from a perennial rye-grass sward to one which includes much more herbaceous species and more traditional meadow grasses.
I'm really hopeful for this meadow and this is down to the dedication of the farmer who has been crucial to managing the field. We need more farmers to make species-rich hay and I encourage any landowner to think about doing it - it could be very rewarding!
