Grassland meadow
Each year the grass is cut after the campsite closes and the plants have had time to set seed. The meadow environment then comes alive again in the spring and the grass reaches its full height by the end of June. Each year is different depending upon weather conditions. We never quite know how it is going to look and which plants and wildlife are going to thrive this year.
Sheep are sometimes run on the meadow between autumn and late spring so that the grass can be grazed rather than cut. This helps us to control the dominant grasses in the meadow environment and allow room for the wild flowers to thrive. We have gradually added more local wildflowers to improve diversity.
Our actions for improving the diversity of wildlife on the meadow:
- Dead hedges and native hedges as boundary fencing to create habitat
- Bug and snake hotels to give smaller insects and mammals a winter home
- Pitches and paths cut into the grass leaving a large area of meadow undisturbed
- Minimal lighting at night
- Overseeding of wild flowers across the meadow
- Planting of native trees in corner areas of the meadow
- Minimal trimming of hedges after young birds have left nests in later summer
- Records of wildlife sightings on the meadow so that we can compare one year to the next
- Plant species recorded by Suffolk Wildlife Trust
- Conservation grazing with Shetland sheep
Wilder farm
Our small, 80 acre farm grows herbal leys, wildflower meadows and bird seed mixes. The small fields are no longer suitable for modern arable farming but they are perfect for providing spaces for wildlife to thrive. The herbal leys and clover mixes also improve soil health and provide a rich source of vitamins and vitamins for our livestock. We have planted trees and filled in hedgerow gaps to provide shelter. A spread of different habitats across the farm provides as much diversity as possible for pollinators and birds. Plans for the future include more ponds and scrapes and adding scrubland and wood pasture.
