Searching for the Adder’s tongue ferns
In early April we headed to Much Marcle to visit Lower Bridge Meadow, owned by Wye Valley Wilding member and conservationist James Marsden. Lower Bridge Meadow is the last traditional hay meadow in Much Marcle, with huge biological diversity, surveys have recorded more than 80 different species in Lower Bridge Meadow’s 2.4 acres!
The April visit was timed to see the tiny, rare Adders tongue fern at their best. Their green colour makes them well camouflaged in the grassland, with much crawling about and “getting your eye in” before we were able to find them.
While walking down to the meadow through native wild daffodil meadows which had just finished flowering, James showed us a map of the meadow and the surrounding meadows, which he is working with the landowners of, to bring into conservation management. If successful he will be able to create a sustainably farmed, wildlife corridor, linking sites to create a large dynamic area, better able to support wildlife.
James is a phenomenal conservationist and hugely knowledgeable, between the young ornithologist in the group, a botanist and two ecologists, we were able to identify much of what we saw and help other members improve their plant ID skills. The diversity of the meadow is striking, even in early spring before it begins to flower. The ability of hay meadow management to enable this diversity was hugely inspiring for many members taking on “improved” species-poor farmland, who want to improve the floristic diversity of their grasslands.
After visiting this jewel of a meadow, we walked back through the traditional orchard James manages for both wildlife and producing cider and Perry. After meeting the beautiful, well spaced, characterful old trees in this traditional orchard, and hearing about the orchard management with its mix of cutting and grazing, we were excited to visit the “cider shed”. This was no ordinary shed - instead a beautiful oak framed building set within the orchard, with a wonderful mix of traditional and modern. To the front of the building is an ancient stone press, dating from the 18th century, behind this the oak framed building with its modern stainless steel vats, where the cider and perry ferment for months before they are ready. Happily we were invited to taste the latest batches of both perry and cider, which were wonderful - delicious and fragrant, single variety and named varietal blends of cider and perry - no wonder this is an award winning brewery. Not many of us went home without buying a few bottles! To find out more or taste it for yourself visit https://www.greggs-pit.co.uk/
