The grassland and meadows are full of colour and as soon as the spring sun comes out it begins to grow vigorously in the warm conditions (with enough rain.) In spring the grassland is great for birdsong, the meadows and grassland are rich in wildflowers that can attract insects such as butterflies and spiders. Yesterday we found cinnabar caterpillars.
A Ragwort plant, a type of grassland weed at Saltholme - grows upright and sometimes 60cm plus high. You will notice the ragwort in the grassland with its yellow flowers, standing high bunched up together from midsummer until October.
When the horses and cattle are grazing on the grassland they shouldn’t eat too much of ragwort as it is toxic to them, Sheep are less vulnerable to the toxins and are allowed to eat it in the winter here at Saltholme, this is one way to manage the ragwort growing on the grassland. The reserves duty for the grassland management (and for surrounding land) is to stop ragwort invading the grassland as well as the health of the livestock.
The estate team including me, yesterday were in the grassland, the walk to Saltholme pool hide is nearby. We tried to get as much of the ragwort out by pulling it from the grassland before they produce seed, this is so seed production won’t impact the grassland as much next year hopefully.
To see the butterflies emerge from the grassland you would have to watch them for a long time or be very lucky, at Saltholme in the classroom you can take a look at the back of the room to see a tank with caterpillar chrysalises which will emerge in the weeks coming. Most or all of them are cocooned peacock butterflies.
- Josh McGowan