Introduction
Foster’s Green Meadow, named after the original Foster’s Green Farm, is a remnant of the flower rich meadows that covered large swathes of England prior to the first world war. Having not been ploughed for at least 100 years or treated with chemical fertilisers, herbicides or other agricultural chemicals, it retains the array of wild flowers that would once have been a common site in farms across the country.
Habitats
These fields, situated in north Worcestershire are important ancient meadows that have developed on damp rich soils.
Lowland Hay Meadow
Old, ridge and furrow meadows of exceptional quality have developed a rich flora typical of typical neutral meadow plants. The loss of so much semi-natural grassland over the last century makes this traditional meadow of particular importance.
Hedgerows
Ancient hedgerows surround the site, with large oak trees growing in the boundaries and unusually, within the meadows themselves. Unfortunately the large elms previously found here have been lost due to Dutch elm disease and the ash trees may follow their fate.
Key species
Meadow plants
Eades Meadow is particularly famous for its green-winged orchids in spring, and meadow saffron in autumn. However over 180 species of plant have been recorded here including adder’s tongue fern, pepper saxifrage, cowslip, common spotted orchid and dyer’s greenweed.
Historically, the other fields on the reserve were grazed as pasture rather than used for hay and so have developed different plants such as devil’s-bit scabious, lady’s mantle and hoary plantain.
Insects
The wealth of wildflowers attracts a rich array of insect life. Fourteen species of butterfly have been recorded, with marbled white and common blue being regularly seen. In summer chimney sweeper moths are a frequent sight flitting between the flowers.
Further info
Worecestershire NNRs:
Worcester Wildlife Trust
https://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/nature-reserves/fosters-green-meadows
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