We have been very busy on the farm this week as the cattle are still calving. These pictures show the land on Home farm that is protected by the National Nature reserve in the Gordano Valley.
The farm has many wildflowers growing within the fields including thyme, marjoram, rock-rose, autumn gentian and violets. Butterflies are also particularly notable including the common blue, brown argus, grizzled and dingy skipper, green and purple hairstreak, and dark green fritillary.
Other insects such as grasshoppers, glow-worms and moths are abundant on Home farm. The scrub and woodland edge (seen in the photo) provide food and nest-sites for buzzard, kestrel and sparrow hawk which can be seen hunting across the common at dusk at the moment.
Without farming with the environment in mind, much of the valley would revert to poor woodland and many of the grassland species for which it is famous would be shaded out.
The cattle which benefit from such varied pastures in the photos are South Devon and Hereford cross of about a year’s age. They're enjoying the new grass growth in this lovely spring weather.
Lets hope it lasts!
James & James
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