Meadows

Only tiny fragments of unimproved grassland survive across the Limewoods area either as small meadows, grass verges or alongside ditches and streams.

One area has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – Little Scrubbs Meadow within the Chambers Farm Wood complex. This valuable habitat has been doubled in size through work funded by the Limewoods Project: an area of conifer woodland adjacent to the existing meadow was felled before the ground was prepared for seeding. This was no mean feat due to the heavy clay soil clinging to the remaining tree roots!

Seed was collected from the existing meadow and woodland rides and spread onto the prepared soil. The new meadow area is still developing but so far a good range of species have been recorded. The new meadow area will be managed by annual mowing, to reduce the vigourof competitive species and allow a greater species diversity overall.