In October 2023 work began here on restoration of one of the fields onsite. Eleven strips of ground were rotavated using our tractor and rotavator, and Yellow-rattle seed was spread and trodden in, during November 2023.
Yellow-rattle thrives in grassland and soaks up the nutrients of nearby grasses allowing other wildflowers to grow and flourish in these previously grass dominated areas.
In addition to the seeding, 100m2 of new hedgerow including Hawthorn and Blackthorn has been planted, as well as woodland edge creation using the same species adjacent to existing woodland.
Throughout the rest of the field, in between the Yellow Rattle strips, a further 75 native fruiting trees have been planted, including Rowan, Crab Apple, Cherry Plum, Bird Cherry and Wild Cherry. The combination of hedgerow, scrub and fruiting trees has diversified the available nectar sources for insects and food sources for birds and other wildlife found in this area.
The field already contained some wet features and these have been enhanced by scraping back some of the soil down to the clay layer and they have already begun to fill with water. Having wet pools here will add further diversity for wildlife in this area.
Overall, the field has been transformed from a rush-dominated and mostly featureless field, into a nectar and fruit rich, diverse habitat that will benefit a wide range of species in the coming years.
This work has been completed with funding from the Nature Restoration Fund. Many thanks to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park for their support with this work.
Photos by RSPB Loch Lomond and Ben Andrew (RSPBIMAGES.COM)