View across Bartonsham Meadows, Hereford (c) Tom Booth
Bartonsham Meadows
National Grid (Formerly Western Power Distribution) will be undertaking works on the meadows over the coming weeks. This works is to install underground ducting across the site for new power cables. This will in time allow for the removal of the majority of overhead cables crossing the land. Whilst there will be some disturbance and disruption whilst the works take place, they will have an overall net positive impact by improving the visual amenity of the area. Undertaking these works now will also mean that it avoids conflict with future stewardship schemes to be undertaken on the holding. National Grid are also aware of the rights of way crossing the holding and will ensure wherever possible that disturbance to their use is kept to a minimum.
Location
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Dawn to duskBest time to visit
Year-roundAbout the reserve
Bartonsham Meadows lie within the meander of the River Wye to the south east of the city and are a popular place for walkers as they are circled and crossed by footpaths. The meadows have been owned by the Church Commissioners for England since the 1850s and has previously been used for cattle grazing. From this spring 2023, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have been responsible for management of the site, having signed a long-term lease, and plan to restore the meadows for wildlife and for people.
Floodplain Meadow
We plan to restore part of the site, which is regularly inundated by the River Wye, to be species-rich, floodplain meadows. These will give a home to iconic meadow wildlife such as skylarks, barn owls and voles while pollinators including orange-tip butterflies and bumblebees will benefit from the spring and summer flowers. It will take some time to restore the grassland which we will reseed with locally sourced wildflower and grass seed before beginning sympathetic management through some seasonal cattle grazing as well as cutting the meadow annually and making hay.
Managed Natural Regeneration Â
The remainder of the site will be managed to allow natural processes to create habitats for wildlife. A few grazing animals will be allowed to roam within the fence which will be erected this summer, over time the vegetation will create a patchwork of grassland and scrub which will be a fantastic habitat for all kinds of wildlife. We would like to make this area a haven for wildlife, for this reason access to the area will be restricted apart from occasional guided walks and wildlife recording sessions. Free access around the outside will be maintained and we hope to create one or two raised viewing points to allow people to see into the area.Â
We also plan to restore old hedgerows and consider reintroducing former ponds.
