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The Hay Meadows |
| 1.75 hectares of species rich grassland |
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Although this picture doesn't do it justice, the top meadow is particularly full of all 5 types of orchid that we have and many, many other wildflower species. |
When we first looked over Beechwood we knew the meadows would make the property very special but at that time we didn't realise quite how special. The collection of wild flowers and plants that appeared as spring got under way and then the proliferation in early summer were nothing short of extraordinary. This year the common twayblade is already starting to flower and heath spotted and common spotted orchids are preparing to come along afterwards. The survey sponsored by the DNPA last year for our Wealth of Wildlife folder, eventually showed up over 80 species of wildflowers and plants at Beechwood.
< Click here> for a full description of Dartmoor haymeadows
< Click here> to view the photos in the hay meadows gallery
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Greater Butterfly Orchids
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Guided Walks in 2007
As a result of a visit by the DNPA's ecologist Miriam Glendell, we are delighted that 4 guided walks will take place in our meadows in 2007.
< Click here> for further details
< Click here> for the species list.
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""The meadows of Beechwood were a perfect delight this year (2006) with a profusion of orchids and other flowers and also butterflies and other insects." - J. Lavington-Evans
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Dartmoor Hay Meadows
by J. Lavington-Evans
The traditional Dartmoor hay meadows evolved from the farming practice of long ago. Because of poor acid soil on the moor, many wild flower species thrived, which in turn attracted a wide variety of butterflies. The method of farming before the 1939-45 war meant that hay was cut fairly late in the year as no lime or artificial fertilizer was used, unlike today’s silage making which is done early and uses artificial fertilisers making use of modern technology in order to obtain a better yield. This practice resulted in the decline of wild flowers which were cut too early to allow them to seed, or were squeezed out by vigorous strains of aggressive grasses sown to increase yields – very necessary in wartime when the cry from the government was ‘grow two blades of grass where formerly there was only one!’
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In certain meadows today, on farms which have management agreements with the DNPA, the flora has increased again and so have the butterflies and other insects. |
Common Twayblade
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