Calcareous grassland restoration

[Matthew Arnold]

Some shots of Harebell on Milldown. The first set of pics are of Harebell in the butterfly area. Each time we strim/brushcut the butterfly area we beat over an area (2mx2m) with an old brushcutter blade to loosen the seed bank.

[Matthew Arnold]

Whilst out on a fung hunt this afternoon i spotted this little beauty. It hasnt been recorded on the site for 20 years and this year it decided to show itself. Last year i went over the entire Hangings (part of Milldown) with a flail mower around the edge to knock out the brambles encroaching into the grassland. A few patches of grass/soil were munched up and i think it has disturbed the seed bank enough to uncover this group of Clustered Bellflower.

[Matthew Arnold]

Time to bump this thread i think. Some species i have found on the hangings part of Milldown.

 

1-2 - Wild Mignonette

3-6 - Eyebright - Semi-parasitic on finer grasses. Used as an medieval eye anti-septic to treat conjunctivitus.

7-10 - Lesser Trefoil

11-14 - Unknown species as of yet. If anyone has a clue as to what this is it would be of great help.

[Luke Quenby]

Cool pics, good thread, thanks for sharing Matt

[Matthew Arnold]

Some of this afternoons pic between the showers.

 

1 - Late Cowslip

2-3 - Hedge Bedstraw

4-8 - Greater Knapweed in area of brambles we flailed then mulched with rotavator

[Matthew Arnold]

Some pics of various flowers from today.