The wildlife in our meadows

A neglected plot of land in the Crook O’Lune that was once full of weeds has been transformed into a wildflower meadow home to hundreds of species of wildlife thanks to a community of local volunteers.

Hermitage Field is in the parish of Halton-with-Aughton, which overlooks the Crook O’Lune, a beauty spot on the River Lune close to Lancaster. The Hermitage Field Community Meadow charity was set up by local residents to transform a neglected five-acre field into a haven for wildlife, enhancing this well-loved spot for the whole community.

In 2023 we were delighted to support the Hermitage Field Community Meadow bioblitz – where wildlife watchers recorded an amazing 398 species of plants, animals and fungi. A variety of butterflies, bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies, grasses and wildflowers were observed, including a sighting of the rare Purple Hairstreak butterfly. Not bad for a site where only seven species of plant were recorded in a botany survey only three years ago!

Work to bring about the transformation of Hermitage Field started in spring 2020. YDMT Hay Time Officer Carol has been on hand to provide specialist meadow advice and guidance, alongside support from YDMT and Forest of Bowland National Landscape to fund seed introduction, monitoring surveys, guided walks and National Meadows Day events in 2023.

Lancaster City Council, who own the land, also allowed volunteers to grow plug plants from local provenance seed in redundant glasshouse and polytunnel space.

But the driving force behind the project has always been the local community members who first recognised the potential of the site and worked tirelessly to transform it into a haven for wildlife and a valuable resource for the community.

Erica Sarney, who spearheaded the initiative and is trustee of the charity, said: “By restoring Hermitage Field to a flower-rich meadow we are helping to create habitat for flowers, pollinators and birds, enriching the landscape and providing a wildlife-rich space for people to enjoy.”

To ensure that Hermitage Field continues to thrive it must be managed in a traditional way – which means, grazing in the spring and delaying
cutting until later in the year, usually July or August, allowing for native species to flower and set seed.

This is followed by a period of ‘aftermath’ grazing in autumn. Management of weeds such as docks and thistles is also needed throughout the year.

 

Help save our meadows 

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The support of local communities and people like you is critical to ensure the survival of our meadows. It is brilliant to see people coming together to champion our wildflower habitats and to take action to protect and restore them. Find out how you can be part of it...