Watchtree Management
Hay Meadow Management at Watchtree
The decline in traditional hay meadow management has had significant negative effects on a wide range of species dependant on this low intensity and wildlife friendly way of farming.
Low intensity grazing during the winter prevents last season's growth from accumulating on the soil surface which can lead to a thatch . Competitive rank grasses are also prevented from establishing by this aftermath grazing (after the hay cut). Light grazing also has the advantage of lightly scarifying the soil enabling seedlings to establish whilst creating ideal conditions for invertebrates; many of whose lifecycles rely on bare ground.
The type of livestock used to graze hay meadows will influence the structure of the upper soil layer and sward height. Cattle are often the best management tool as they tend to create a more diverse structure across the sward benefiting invertebrates in particular.
Ecological restoration at Watchtree created over forty hectares of species rich hay meadow and is based on the National vegetation Classification (NVC), traditional lowland hay meadow or MG5 Grassland. The mosaic of herbs and grasses in an MG5 provides ideal habitat for invertebrates and insects that in turn provide essential food ground nesting birds and small mammals. This relatively large area of hay meadow habitat should allow viable populations of target species to survive, most notably, Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Curlew and Skylark.
Stock is removed at the beginning of both the bird breeding season and also fastest period of growth for emerging shoots. Ground nesting birds including Lapwing and Skylark then begin to establish in the rapidly growing meadows. Only after these birds have successfully raised their young during June and July, is the hay then cut.
Cutting is probably the most destructive time for wildlife as, unlike grazing which defoliates at a very steady pace, cutting removes vegetation and thus food and cover in just a few hours. At Watchtree, a range of cutting options is used to minimise the damage to wildlife whilst an uncut headland if left on at least some of the field margins which act as refuges for wildlife that cannot escape. Headlands are also valuable in the winter for shelter and seed sources for the likes of the Brown Hare and Grey Partridge.
Watchtree Nature Reserve Ltd is also investigating the benefits of farming organically which would create even more advantages for wildlife.