The Wildlife Trust BCN are excited to announce they have acquired a new nature reserve. White Mills Meadow, near Earls Barton in Northamptonshire, is their 34th in the county. White Mills Meadow has been generously gifted to the Trust by Judith Thompson.
The new reserve consists of 2 floodplain meadows of around 6 ha in total on the banks of the River Nene to the South of Earls Barton village. The fields are no longer central to the Thompson’s farm operations and have recently been let out for grazing. They plan to restore them to the wildflower rich hay meadows they once were, and by gifting them to the Trust, the family can be assured they will be protected for future generations.
Floodplain meadows are one of our most important and scarce habitats with only around 1000 ha remaining in England. The Nene Valley is of national importance for floodplain meadows. As well as being an important stepping stone habitat within the valley, the site, once restored, will add to the valuable suite of floodplain meadows already owned or managed by the Trust (such as Bugbrooke and Ditchford Meadows).
The meadows are already recognised as Local Wildlife Sites and restoration through management will be the first objective: reverting to an annual hay cut with aftermath grazing of the floodplain meadow. Fencing repairs will be needed along the riverside. They hope to be able to provide some access to the reserve to the public once they have visitor and grazing infrastructure in place.
https://www.wildlifebcn.org/
Photo credit and words: Matt Johnson Wildlife Trust BCN
