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| Meadow Buttercups and Sorrel |
Some exciting news! We have just been awarded a grant by North Devon Biosphere to develop more wild flower-rich grassland on the Recreation Field site. We put together a nature recovery plan to manage some grassy areas by changing the cutting regime. So now some areas will be left to grow long throughout the Spring and Summer, only being cut in September, with the cut grass being removed to reduce the fertility of the soil. We will be keeping a close eye on the flower which bloom, hoping to increase the abundance and the diversity of flowers in the meadow areas. In preparation, I have surveyed what is already on site (including the hedge-banks, the copses, the main field and the shaded areas). All our plant records will be sent to Devon Biodiversity Records Centre. The plan is to see what species appear naturally, or move in from less intensively managed spaces, such as the Biodiversity Area. Then the grant can be spent wisely on wild flower seed, such as Yellow Rattle or plant plugs of relevant local species. This work cannot be started until September. So meanwhile, it will be interesting to record all the flowers which bloom this Summer.
Today (27th May 2022), I saw in the main strip between the tennis courts and the football pitch, the following species:
Meadow Buttercup Abundant
Yorkshire Fog Abundant
Common Sorrel Frequent
Catsear Rare
Common Fumitory Rare
Common Vetch Rare
Marsh Thistle Rare
Pignut Rare
Lady's Smock Rare
Germander Speedwell Rare
Common Knapweed Rare
| Value | Percentage cover | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| D - Dominant | > 75% | Rarely used in practice. |
| A - Abundant | 51 - 75% | Very common over most of site |
| F - Frequent | 26 - 50% | |
| O - Occasional | 11 - 25% | |
| R - Rare | 1 - 10% |
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