Conservation
Just before 2000, the Hagbourne Environment Group started conservation work in both East and West Hagbourne parishes. The Hagbourne Wildflower Meadow and Butts Piece woodland are two key areas of work. HUGS today continues to support this legacy of conservation work.
Wildflowers
Marbled White on Knapweed in Cemetery Meadow (by Caroline Hunt)
Hagbourne Cemetery Meadow raking 2021 (by Caroline Hunt)
Hagbourne Cemetery Meadow is rich in different species of wildflower. It is cut once a year and green hay is available in July. In May 2022 we worked with pupils from Hagbourne Primary School to plant more yellow rattle in the meadow to encourage more species diversity.
With funding from our SODC Owl Project funding in 2021 / 2021 we planted more wildflower plugs in East Hagbourne Parish. We chose species that are abundant along the banks of the old railway line and also those thriving in both the Hagbourne Cemetery Meadow and the nearby Earth Trust managed Mowbray Field Meadow.
Woodland and Scrub
Hawthorn (by Simon Stevenson)
Footpath (by Simon Stevenson)
Butts Piece in East Hagbourne is a mix of woodland and scrub that has been opened up with paths and glade for access. Hazel has been planted and coppiced and sold for firewood in previous years. HUGS is working with East Hagbourne Parish Council to negotiate more areas around Butts Piece to be less managed. This creates wider corridors for nature and links up to the old railway line.
Hedgerows and Trees
Hedge planting winter 2022 (by Caroline Hunt)
Filling gaps (by Caroline Hunt)
SODC Owl Project funding also allowed us to plant a new hedgerow with trees in East Hagbourne to link up Butts Piece with an old tree line. Linking the two areas with hedge creates food and shelter for invertebrates and small mammals. Birds and bats can also use the hedge to navigate by as it matures.
East Hagbourne parish has many footpaths. These routes are home to many of our veteran trees and old hedge rows. We are conducting surveys and filling gaps in hedgerow where we can.