Chelmer Valley Local Nature Reserve

Stable Field Meadow in Focus

The Chelmer Valley Local Nature Reserve is a mosaic of different habitats including woodland, ponds, the River Chelmer and grassland. The Grassland habitats in particular are challenging to manage and create greater diversity because it is a flood, which means that the soil fertile and unwanted or invasive species can get moved around easily with flood water and countrywide they are under threat. In the UK since the 1930s over 90% of grassland has been lost.

Stable field is an area that forms an important part of the nature reserve and it is becoming a vibrant mix of wildflowers and grasses supporting a vast array of insects, birds and reptiles (Slow Worms and Common Lizards). Volunteer groups have played a key role in the development through seeding, weeding cutting and control of invasive species. The meadow now has over 30 different species of flowering plant, including pyramidal and common spotted orchid (photo above). Also, a balance must be achieved between managing the area for wildflowers and for reptiles. Reptiles prefer vegetation to be left long over the winter, but many wildflowers need vegetation to be cut down to allow them to grow. To help improve the site for reptiles we have created Hibernacula (photo below) and left some areas of longer grass. We will continue to maintain and improve the area to increase biodiversity and value for all wildlife and control invasive species.