WILDFLOWER MEADOWS
You might have noticed over the past few months a small patch of brilliantly bright blooming wildflowers near the War Memorial in Lochinver. At its height there were red, blue, yellow and white flowers along with associated bees, butterflies and other harmless ‘bugs’.
This is just one of at least 60 new small meadow sites that have been created across Highland. The initiative was lead by the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers working with volunteers and schools. Assynt Field Club provided the volunteers for the local sites at the Church of Scotland and War Memorial in Lochinver along with one each at Inchnadamph and Clachtoll.
WHY?
Wildflower meadows and grasslands are some of the most important habitats for a huge variety of wildlife. We’ve mentioned some earlier but a few more are night-flying moths, birds that feed on the smaller insects. Then later, once the flowers set seed they feed the birds again.
Sadly, these bright and buzzing habitats are now a rare sight in the UK as we have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s. That’s why these small examples of what can be done are so important.
They are such an easy way to demonstrate how beautiful these habitats are, and what we could all do to help reverse the loss of wildflower meadows and their reliant wildlife.
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
The RSPB have lots of information on their website about wildflower meadows. Here are just two links that are worth a read
We hope to be able to keep these small meadows going and maybe even create more and/or enlarge the existing ones.
Of course, don’t forget to check our own website and Facebook page. Both great to find out about the wildlife that is currently being seen near you in Assynt.
David Haines