Hay Time Progress Report

May – September 2011

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Hay Time - Yorkshire Dales Progress Report May – September 2011 Don Gamble, Hay Time Project Manager Christa Perry, Hay Time Project Officer Contents 1. Summary

2. Hay Time surveying and monitoring

3. Machinery and harvesting /spreading methods

4. Restoration and enhancement schemes 2011

5. Project promotion

6. Community and education links

Appendix 1: comparison of seed harvesting and spreading methods

Front cover: A meadow with ox-eye daisy and crested dog’s-tail (Tanya St Pierre)

Inserts from top: Using a forage harvester to collect green hay in Nidderdale (Christa Perry)

Bumblebee and yellow rattle (Christa Perry)

The new Logic brush harvester (Christa Perry)

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1. Summary

Development work by Christa and colleagues at YDNPA, Natural England and Nidderdale AONB led to 26 schemes being implemented this summer, introducing harvested seed to 112.61 ha of meadow

This includes 34.71 ha in Nidderdale AONB schemes that Christa helped co-ordinate

The running total is now 279.39 ha

Yet another summer of persistent wet weather affected the implementation and timing of schemes

Surveying focussed on potential receptors and donors for 2011 schemes, and monitoring of all previous schemes

Results are being analysed by Roger Smith and Christa

Excellent publicity generated through the Sward! play, the 2011 Flowers of the Dales Festival, and press, TV and radio coverage

Several talks and activities provided

HLF rejected our first-round application for a new meadow conservation and education project covering a wider area

Project ends in October so alternative ‘models’ being looked at to deliver future restoration schemes

Possible further education work in 2012 and 2013 2. Hay Time surveying and monitoring

Receptor meadows from all previous schemes that had baseline data have been re-surveyed. In total, monitoring took place on 77 meadows at 27 farms. Yellow rattle has again taken in every receptor where it was previously absent or at low density. Additional species noted were wood crane’s-bill, eyebright, lady’s mantle, autumn hawkbit, selfheal, common knapweed, ribwort plantain, pignut, sweet vernal grass and crested dog’s-tail.

The collected data will be analysed using the same methodology as that used by the North Pennines Hay Time project so as to allow comparison. A copy of the data will be sent to Roger Smith as he had kindly agreed to analyse the variance to see if the differences found from the survey results are big enough to be statistically significant.

YDNPA conservation staff surveyed 13 meadows at 5 farms during June and July. The surveys followed the format trialled last season and involved a walkover of each field, noting every species seen, and then the frequency and abundance of each species summarised using the DAFOR scale at the end of the walk. The information gathered will provide a baseline data set and form the basis of future restoration advice.

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3. Machinery and harvesting/spreading methods

Seed for schemes this year was collected as green hay (by Amazone flail-mower and forage harvester), leaf vacuum, by hand, and by our new brush harvester. All methods we’ve used over the past six summers have their advantages and disadvantages (see appendix 1) but having a range of equipment at our disposal enables the best method to be used for each individual scheme, taking into account several factors such as distance between donor and receptor sites, ‘starting point’ of the receptor site, access, slope, and the donor and receptor farmers’ requirements.

The methodology of each method is set out below. Any variations are in the individual scheme descriptions which follow. Green hay An agreed area is staked out in the donor meadow. Shortly after the receptor meadow has been cut, cleared and harrowed, the tractor-pulled Amazone flail-mower is used to cut and collect the green hay. When the hopper is full it empties the green hay into a tipping trailer which, when full, is then transported to the receptor meadow. The trailer is emptied and the green hay loaded by mini-digger (or by hand) into the tractor-pulled Millcreek muckspreader. Initially we aimed for a 1:3 ratio (ie 1 ha of green hay spread on 3 ha of receptor meadow) but this was revised to 1:5.

We can also collect green hay using a forage harvester. Shortly after the receptor meadow has been cut, cleared and harrowed, the tractor-pulled forage harvester cuts, chops and blows the material either into the tractor-pulled Millcreek spreader or into a trailer, hitched behind the harvester or towed alongside by a Land Rover. The green hay is then taken to the receptor and spread. The harvester is owned by Steve Marsden. This method has the same pros and cons as using the Amazone flail-mower but it is the quickest of the large-scale seed introduction methods and it has been able to cut a sward beaten-down by heavy rain that the Amazone machine couldn’t. However, it can only be used where the slope of the donor meadow is shallow enough as to allow a muck spreader or trailer to be towed alongside. Many of the donor meadows where we have used the Amazone to collect green hay would have been too steep.

Green hay is the preferred method normally, as it collects a large quantity of seed from the widest range of plants. It is the most flexible of the large-scale seed introduction methods, as the donor farmer can cut the rest of the meadow before or after we harvest the green hay. Crucially, green hay is the least affected by wet weather. As long as the ground isn’t too wet for tractors, the green hay can be cut and spread during light rain. The disadvantage is that a large volume of material has to be transported and spread within an hour or so of being collected, which means that the donor and receptor sites have to be within about 40 minutes of each other.

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Hay concentrate This method is similar to green hay except that it only removes the top third to a half of the standing herbage from the agreed area, leaving the rest to be made into hay as usual. Obviously seed has to be collected before the donor farmer cuts the meadow. The seed also has to be collected during dry weather. The seed collected by the quadbike-pulled hay concentrate harvester is blown directly into 1m3 builders’ bags mounted on the harvester. Full bags are transported to the receptor meadow and a few bags at a time are emptied into the quadbike-pulled spreader or tractor-pulled Millcreek muck spreader. The receptor site is either harrowed or plots are scarified. We aim for a 1:5 ratio. Normally the hay concentrate is spread the same day but it can be dried if a large enough space is available to spread it thinly on tarpaulins. Hay concentrate is used when the donor farmer wants to reduce the hay loss, or the donor site is too far away for green hay to be used, or where tractor access is difficult. However, seed can only be collected in dry weather. This method wasn’t used this year. Brush harvester With funding from four Nidderdale funding sources we bought a Logic quad-towed brush harvester and used it in a number of restoration schemes. The brush harvester collects ripe seed but does not cut the grass so hay can be made afterwards (although the sward is slightly flattened). Brush harvesting is a fair-weather operation that must be carried out in dry weather and once the morning dew has evaporated. Ideally there needs to be at least two dry days prior to harvest. The harvester is towed across the site and the seed brushed into a hopper. When full, the seed is emptied onto tarpaulins, spread out and raked to help it dry and to prevent the seed heating up and becoming unviable. It is then laid out in a well-ventilated barn and regularly raked through to prevent it becoming mouldy. It can take between two and seven days to dry completely. It’s possible to harvest around 2 ha per day and the seed collected would be sufficient to sow 5 ha. Once dry the seed can be cleaned using a sieve to remove most of the stalky material and then stored. Seed is then spread by hand on prepared plots but it can also be broadcast using a push spinner as was used in schemes in Arkengarthdale and Hawkswick. Leaf vacuum Seed is harvested from one or two circular plots marked out in the donor site. The seed is then spread on a tarpaulin in an airy barn, usually at the receptor farm, to dry. Over the course of a week or so, the seed is regularly turned so that it thoroughly dries and it is then bagged in pillow cases. When the receptor meadow has been cut and cleared the seed can be spread by hand on either plots harrowed by the receptor farmer, on patches of bare ground created during hay making, or on plots approximately 2m x 5m scarified by the Amazone flail-mower fitted with a different set of cutter blades. To enable future monitoring the location of the plots is recorded, either by measuring the distance and bearing of the centre of the plots from a fixed feature such as a gate post, or by recording the national grid reference of the plot centre using a hand-held GPS. This method can be used when the donor farmer doesn’t want to lose any hay, or the donor site is too far away for green hay to be used, or when the receptor

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site is already fairly species-rich and only needs seed of targeted species introduced, or where the receptor is too small to justify the expense of large-scale introduction. Although cost-effective, this method collects the least amount of seed and seed can only be collected in dry weather. Hand-collected seed This involves collecting seed from appropriate species in nearby road verges, such as wood crane’s-bill, great burnet, melancholy thistle, lady’s mantles, meadowsweet, common knapweed and water avens. Ripe seed heads are removed by hand or using scissors dried and stored in marked envelopes. Hand-collected seed is used to supplement seed collected by leaf vacuum and hay concentrate. For vacuum schemes the seed is added to the stored seed or kept separate and put on particular plots. 4. Restoration and enhancement schemes 2011

Twenty six schemes were implemented this summer, involving a total of 112.61 ha of receptor meadow. Three of these (totalling 21 ha) were schemes deferred from last year.

For the fifth summer in a row we have had prolonged wet weather with heavy downpours. The weather again turned bad around mid-July (when meadows can start to be cut) and lasted into early August, with too few consecutive days to allow farmers to make hay. The poor weather affected the implementation of many schemes, as farmers were delayed in cutting and clearing their receptor meadows in preparation for seed addition. The late growing season also meant hand collection took place after many meadows had been cleared, with the after-growth making seed addition difficult. In the majority of cases the regrowth had to be cut and the ground scarified by hand.

The schemes are summarised in the tables below and described overleaf. Yorkshire Dales National Park

Receptor Donor Restoration Enhancement Funding Method

Coates Coates 12.20 HLS FH

Parker Markham 4.79 HLS BH

Blakes Blakes 1.66 HLS HH

Pratt Pratt 4.16 HLS GH/FH

Anderson Anderson 2.06 HLS FH

Brown Brown 1.24 HLS FH

Crick Markham 5.02 Private BH

Goad Winn 4.90 HLS FH

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Key:

Restoration = introduction of key species to meadows with some botanical interest, coupled with a return to traditional management

Enhancement = introduction of ‘missing’ species to traditionally managed meadows

LV = leaf vacuum GH = green hay (Amazone) FH = forage harvester

HC = hay concentrate BH = brush harvester HH = hand harvested

Clark Horner 3.71 HLS FH

McKenzie Heseltine 1.87 HLS LV

Rushton Wood 7.05 HLS HH

McEvoy Colt Park SSSI 3.18 HLS HH

Labbatte hand collection 4.90 HLS HH

Metcalfe (R) hand collection 6.59 HLS HH

Mason hand collection 4.28 HLS HH

Henderson hand collection 0.55 HLS HH

Metcalfe (LB) hand collection 5.60 HLS HH

Harris Hudson 4.14 Private LV

Totals 26.49 51.41

Total area 77.90 ha

Nidderdale AONB

Receptor Donor Restoration Enhancement Funding Method

R Ryder G Ryder 10.01 HLS BH

C Ryder G Ryder/ Campbell

13.04 HLS FH

Mason Murgatroyd 0.62 HLS BH

McKendry Ramsden 2.03 HLS BH

Bowles Ramsden 1.50 HLS BH

Ewbank Murgatroyd 2.41 HLS BH

Peel Benson 4.70 HLS BH

Pullan Addyman 0.40 Private BH

Totals 34.71

Total area 34.71ha

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Yorkshire Dales National Park schemes Receptor: Martin Coates, Redshaw Farm, Widdale Donor: Martin Coates Method: Enhancement using forage harvester Reason for choosing method: Work undertaken by farmer using own machinery These were three MG8 meadows totalling 12.20 ha which had been deferred from 2010 while a new capital works plan was produced as part of Martin’s HLS agreement. Martin undertook the restoration of his three meadows himself using a forage harvester and muck spreader. The dry start to the summer allowed him to collect green hay from species-rich flushes within the fields, moving seed into less species-rich areas, the majority of which had previously been managed to control rush. It is hoped this will encourage species such as globerflower, ragged robin, lady’s mantle, and marsh hawk's-beard to spread throughout the fields. Receptor: Mr Parker, Bouldershaw, Arkengarthdale Donor: Cocker House, Langthwaite Method: Restoration using brush-harvested seed Reason for choosing method: Availability and size of nearby donor This was another field deferred from 2010 as no money was available last financial year for the GS Supplement. Field NY99019275 (4.79 ha), whilst relatively species-poor, was suitable for restoration with a neutral pH and low phosphate level. Brome control had been undertaken in 2009 and 2010 and there were signs of a developing sward. Seed was collected on 14 July using the brush harvester from a 0.9ha species-rich meadow at Cocker House, Langthwaite and broadcast using a push spreader on 3 August once the field had been cleared and harrowed. Receptor: Mrs Rita Blakes, Mill Gill House, Askrigg Donor: Rita Blakes, verges around Askrigg Method: Enhancement using hand collected seed Reason for choosing method: Targeted species introduction; archaeological concern Due to its high levels of yellow rattle Rita Blakes’ meadow at Mill Gill House had been used in the past as a donor for nearby meadows. It is, however, missing some of the more traditional upland meadow species such as wood crane’s-bill, lady’s mantle, common knapweed and autumn hawkbit. The fields contains a very visible lynchet field system so any ground works had to be in a north-south direction only and avoidance of the banks of the lynchets themselves. Rima Berry (YDMT) collected seeds of these species throughout July from another of Rita’s fields and local verges. Seed was spread by hand onto bare patches created from hay timing on 31 July.

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Receptor: Andrew Pratt, Lowgate Farm, Burtersett Donor: Andrew Pratt Method: Enhancement using green hay Reason for choosing method: Own donor on farm Three meadows totalling 4.16 ha were surveyed in 2010 and found to be suitable for seed introduction as part of Mr Pratt’s HLS agreement. Unfortunately whilst the GS supplement had been added to his agreement no money had been allocated and so the restoration work took place this year. The bottom sections of each of the three fields were far more species-rich than the northern sections so the forage harvester and tractor-driven muck spreader were used on 1 August to cut 0.8 ha of green hay and spread it onto the cleared and harrowed sections of the receptor fields. A third field was cut on 3 August using the Amazone as the gateway was too narrow for the forage harvester to fit through. Receptor: Paul Anderson, Mid-Mossdale, Hawes Donor: Pry & Bottom SSSI, Hawes Method: Restoration using forage harvester Reasons for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor

One receptor field (2.06 ha) adjacent to Pry & Bottom SSSI had been identified for seed addition under Mr Anderson’s HLS agreement. Soil analysis showed low pH and so the field was limed last autumn prior to any seed addition. On 2 August the forage harvester was used to collect seed from the SSSI meadow with the tractor-driven muck spreader used to spread the green hay onto the cleared, harrowed receptor field. Mid-Mossdale was chosen as the location for this year’s Flowers of the Dales event where members of the public can see a Hay Time scheme in action. The event was attended by seven people. Receptor: Thomas Brown, Brokes Farm, Hudswell Donor: Richmond Meadows SSSI Method: Enhancement using green hay Reason for choosing this method: Adjacent donor This field totalling 1.24 ha is adjacent to and under the same ownership as Unit 2 (Holly Hill Meadow) of Richmond Meadows SSSI. This was another field with a low pH and the field was limed this spring. The receptor field, whilst under the same management as the SSSI, had several positive indicator species present but was not of SSSI quality. 0.25 ha of the SSSI was marked off for green hay and the forage harvester was used on 3 August to collect green hay, blowing the seed directly into the muck spreader before being spread onto the cleared and harrowed receptor field. Receptor: Tim Crick, Beach Farm, Beccles Donor: Cocker House, Arkengarthdale Method: Restoration using brush-harvested seed Reason for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction This privately funded scheme saw the restoration of three fields at Gayle totalling just over 5 ha. Since purchasing the meadows they have been traditionally managed with hay cut, aftermath grazing and no FYM as previous

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soil tests had revealed a high phosphorus index. Seed was added this year on 1 September as further soil testing following a couple of years of low input showed favourable results. The owner hopes to convert the barn into a stone tent for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and is keen to have it surrounded by a rich variety of flowers. Receptor: Thomas Goad, Side Farm, Garsdale Donor: Mr Winn, Garsdale Rigg, Garsdale Method: Restoration using green hay Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor Four meadows totalling 7.35 ha were identified for restoration under Mr Goad’s HLS agreement. The pH of the fields was low so lime was added last autumn. Survey indicated that only three of the meadows required any seed addition and Mr Winn’s fields at Garsdale Rigg were identified as a suitable donor. This was the first of this year’s schemes to be undertaken and on 29 July the forage harvester was used to cut 0.97 ha green hay. The farm track to Side Farm was very narrow and it meant the mini-digger couldn’t be used to load the muck spreader. A tractor and loader bucket was loaned from Mr Goad and the scheme was completed the same day. Receptor: Chris Clark, Nethergill Farm, Oughtershaw Donor: Low Greenfields, Langstrothdale Method: Restoration using green hay Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor. Three meadows totalling 6.33 ha were identified under Chris Clark’s HLS for restoration. A site visit earlier this year indicated that only two former pastures required restoring (i.e. addition of yellow rattle and other key facilitator species) with the third field developing into a well-structured sward. The National Trust’s meadows at Low Greenfield were identified as suitable donors and 0.75 ha were marked off for use as green hay. The forage harvester was used on 4 August and the cut grass was blown into the tipper trailer and driven a couple of miles to the prepared receptor site. Wharfedale Naturalists were due to hand-collect some seed from around Low Greenfield for the enhancement of the third meadow but unfortunately their busy schedule meant they weren’t able to fit it in. Receptor: Mike McKenzie, Blue Scar Farm, Arncliffe Donor: Neil Heseltine, Hawkswick Cote Method: Restoration using leaf-vacuumed seed Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor; archaeological findings This was the final of the four fields to be restored under Mr McKenzie’s HLS agreement. Survey of the meadows found it lacking in yellow rattle and eyebright with an abundance of coarser grasses. The southern half of the field contained well-defined earthwork remains so restoration was restricted to the top part of the field. Neil Heseltine’s field opposite was identified as a suitable donor but as he had promised the hay crop to a neighbour leaf-vacuuming seed was the only collection option. Seed was collected from 67m2 by Marsden AES

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Ltd on 14 July and then stored until the field was cleared and harrowed. The seed was broadcast using a push spreader on 3 August. Receptor: Tony Rushton, Twistleton Dale House, Ingleton Donor: Dismal Hill SSSI, High Birkwith Method: Enhancement using hand collected seed Reason for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction Two fields totalling 7.05 ha were identified for restoration under Tony Rushton’s HLS agreement. The fields were surveyed in 2010 and whilst many key species were present they weren’t widespread and were largely restricted to boundaries and across the dry bank. Seed was collected by hand on 22 August from Dismal Hill SSSI at High Birkwith. Species collected included great burnet, devil’s-bit scabious, meadowsweet, water avens and globeflower. The seed was spread by hand onto cut and scarified plots on 1 September. Receptor: Mr & Mrs McEvoy, Jop Ridding, Wharfe Donor: Colt Park SSSI Method: Enhancement using hand collected seed Reason for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction The three meadows totalling 3.18 ha were cleared well into July but the late growing season meant that the desired species for hand collection weren’t ripe and plots within the meadows had to be strimmed before seed addition on 19 September. Receptor: Robert Labbatte, West Bridge End, Garsdale Donor: Road verges from within Garsdale and Dentdale Method: Enhancement using hand collected seed Reason for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction The 2010 survey of the three meadows identified for restoration as part of Mr Labbatte’s HLS agreement found them to be suitable for enhancement. All of the meadows had a well-structured sward rich in herbs, however some upland species such as great burnet, water avens, meadow vetchling and lady’s mantle were missing. These species were targeted through hand collection in Garsdale on 23 July and sown by hand onto scarified plots on 1 September. Receptor: Thomas Metcalfe, Raygill, Garsdale Donor: Road verges from within Garsdale and Dentdale Method: Enhancement using hand collected seed Reason for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction The three meadows totalling 6.59 ha identified for restoration under Mr Metcalfe’s HLS agreement were already nice examples of an MG8 grassland community. Species which were missing or low in abundance such as meadowsweet, hawkbits and water avens were collected by hand from verges within Garsdale on 22 July with some globeflower being collected from Dismal Hill SSSI on 23 July. The seeds were then sown onto bare patches created by hay timing and the aftermath grazing by cattle on 1 September.

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Receptor: R Mason, Hill Top Farm, Dent Donor: R Mason, Hill Top Farm, Dent Method: Enhancement using hand-collected seed Reasons for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction Field SD72834265 (4.28 ha) was one of six receptor fields totalling 13.43 ha identified for seed addition under Mr Mason’s HLS agreement. Two fields had seed added in 2010 and two remain under traditional management because of high phosphate levels. It was planned to use Deepdale SSSI meadows as a leaf- vacuum donor for this scheme but the late growing season meant that none of the desired species were ripe before the SSSI was cut. Instead seed was collected from nearby verges in Dentdale on 22 August and then sown into bare patches created by hay timing on 1 September. Receptor: Heather Henderson, Nun House, Deepdale Donor: Road verges, Dent Method: Enhancement using hand-collected seed Reasons for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction; private funding There was one remaining field 7532 (0.55 ha) from Mrs Henderson’s HLS agreement to be worked on in 2011. There was no funding available as part of the HLS scheme so seed was collected by hand from verges in Dentdale on 22 August and spread onto bare patches created by hay timing on 1 September. Receptor: Shane Metcalfe, Low Blean, Semerwater Donor: Colt Park SSSI, road verges from within Wensleydale Method: Enhancement using leaf vacuumed and hand collected seed Reason for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction; archaeological concerns Three fields totalling 5.6 ha had been identified for seed addition under Mr Metcalfe’s HLS agreement at Low Blean. There are well-pronounced field banks/potential medieval earthworks in the fields which restricted ground disturbance to the flatter areas. These banks supported a species-rich sward with a high proportion of herbs to grass whereas flatter areas were fairly grassy and had bare patches following treatment of weeds. The two fields at Semerwater had been cleared well into July so a strimmer was used to clear the regrowth and create bare ground. It was planned to use Muker Meadows SSSI as a leaf-vacuum donor for this scheme but the late growing season meant that none of the desired species were ripe before the SSSI was cut. Instead seed was collected from Colt Park SSSI by Natural England staff using the leaf vacuum and hand-collected from road verges in Wensleydale. The seed was then sown by hand on 22 September in plots throughout the field, concentrating on the grassier areas as the leaf-vacuumed seed contained yellow rattle. The field at Askrigg contained remains of an earthwork field system but was on the steeper slope which wasn’t cut for hay. The field was only cleared of the hay crop on 15 September so seed was sown by hand onto bare ground created by hay making and subsequent grazing of cattle on 22 September.

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Receptor: James Harris, Prospect House, Thirn Donor: Newton-le-Willows Meadows SSSI, Newton-le-Willows Method: Restoration using vacuum-collected seed Reason for choosing this method: Targeted species introduction The restoration of these three fields totalling 4.45 ha was privately funded by the landowner who is keen to restore the former pastures into traditional dales meadows. Survey in 2010 showed the fields were developing nicely but still fairly dominated by coarse grasses and lacking in yellow rattle. Leaf-vacuumed seed was collected from 150m2 of Newton-le-Willows SSSI on 13 July. Once dried the seed was posted to the landowner who then sowed it onto harrowed strips throughout the field once hay had been taken. Nidderdale AONB schemes Receptor: Ros Ryder, Kex Gill Farm, Blubberhouses Donors: Geoff Ryder’s field at the Sun Inn, Mr Murgatroyd’s Banks Farm, Ken Addyman’s field at Timble, and Stephen Ramsden’s field at Northside Head Farm Method: Restoration using brush-harvested seed Reasons for choosing this method: Large scale restoration with late cutting date in need of multiple donors Four fields totalling 10.01 ha were identified for seed addition under Ros Ryder’s HLS agreement. The fields are cut late usually in late August so unsuitable for green hay addition. The purchase of the brush harvester allowed seed to be collected from the four donor sites and stored until the fields at Kex Gill had been cleared. Plots were scarified using the Amazone and seed sown by hand on the 10 August. Receptor: Chris Ryder, Scaife hall Farm, Blubberhouse Donor: Shaw Hall, High Snowden, Geoff Ryder’s field at the Sun Inn Method: Restoration using green hay Reason for choosing this method: Large scale restoration with availability of nearby donors Eight fields have been identified for restoration as part of Chris Ryder’s HLS agreement. Four of these totalling 13.04 ha have had seed added this year. Scaife Hall Farm was the venue for the two Nidderdale AONB meadow events and a meadow mix purchased from Emorsgate Seeds was added to one of the prepared receptor fields at the first event on 13 May. The second event on 27 July saw green hay collected from Rebecca Campbell’s meadows at Shaw Hall and Geoff Ryder’s field adjacent to the Sun Inn at Braeme Lane. This was spread over three cleared, harrowed fields and the scheme was completed on the 28 July. Receptor: Kevan Mason, Spoil Heap Meadow, Greenhow Donor: Mr Murgatroyd, Banks Farm Method: Restoration using brush harvested seed Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor and late cutting date.

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Seed was added to Spoil Heap Meadow as part of Kevan Mason’s HLS agreement. This semi-improved grassy sward was dominated by yorkshire fog so yellow rattle addition together with traditional management was recommended. The landowner relies on a neighbour to take hay from the field and therefore the field is often cut late. Seed was collected using the brush harvester from Banks Farm, Thruscross on 25 July and then stored and dried until sown into harrowed plots on 10 August. Receptor: Stean Estate, Moorhouse Farm, Lofthouse Donor: Steven Ramsden, Northside Head Farm, Middlesmoor Method: Restoration using brush harvested seed Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor One field of 2.03 ha at Moor House Farm had been identified for meadow restoration as part of the Stean Estate’s HLS agreement. Seed was collected using the brush harvester from the nearby Northside Head Farm on 25 July and dried and stored until being sown by hand onto scarified plots created by the Amazone on 10 August. Receptor: Diana Bowles, Meadow at Stean Donor: Steven Ramsden, Northside Head Farm, Middlesmoor Method: Restoration using brush harvested seed Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor The remaining brush harvested seed from Northside Head Farm was used to restore a 1.5 ha meadow belonging to Diana Bowles at Stean. The field had been cut in early July and cattle were used to graze the aftermath prior to using the Amazone to scarify plots so seed could be spread by hand on 10 August. Receptor: Mark Ewbank, Intake Farm, Middlesmoor Donor: Steven Ramsden, Northside Head Farm, Middlesmoor Method: Restoration using brush harvested seed Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor, late cutting of receptor meadow Seven fields have been identified for seed addition under Mark Ewbank’s HLS agreement. However, soil tests revealed many of the fields had low pH and liming is required. Brush harvested seed collected from Northhead Farm was added to West Bense, a 2.41 ha field with favourable soil results. The seed was sown into bare ground created by the late hay cut on 7 September. Receptor: Geoff Peel, Lane Bottom Farm, West End Donor: John Benson, Lodge Farm, Rylstone Method: Restoration using brush harvested seed Reason for choosing this method: Availability of suitable donor Following attendance of the Nidderdale meadow events, Geoff Peel identified a suitable donor for the restoration of his meadows whilst attending a friend of the family’s wedding party held in a barn at Rylstone. Anne Blackburn was working with John Benson to restore the fields at Lodge Farm as part of their HLS agreement and it was agreed to use Marsden AES Ltd to brush collect enough seed to be used on three meadows. Seed was collected on 9 August and

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Geoff Peel collected and sorted the seed before sowing using a fertiliser spinner the following week. Receptor: Nick Pullan, Throstle Nest Close,Otley Donor: Ken Addyman, Sandhill Farm, Low Snowden Method: Restoration using brush harvested seed Reason for choosing this method: Availability of nearby donor Nick Pullan attended the second of the Nidderdale meadow events as he was interested in restoring his small field (0.4 ha) just outside Otley. Ken Addyman’s fields at Timble were identified as suitable donors and the collected seed was posted to Nick who spread the seed by hand onto the cleared and harrowed field. 5. Project promotion

The project has continued to get a lot of publicity, including articles in the Craven Herald, the Yorkshire Post, the Westmoreland Gazette and the Darlington and Stockton Times. The project was also mentioned in articles in The Times and Countryfile magazine.

The project takes up a whole chapter of our Hay Time in the Yorkshire Dales book published last year (see below). The book has been widely promoted and has had excellent reviews in The Dalesman, the Yorkshire Dales Review, British Wildlife, and The Land magazine.

Two meadow events working in collaboration with Nidderdale AONB and Natural England were held on 13 May and 27 July. The events covered the practical aspects of meadow restoration, from ground preparation to harvesting and sowing seed. They were hosted by Chris Clark from Scaife Hall Farm, Bluberhouses who was one of this year’s restoration schemes within the Nidderdale AONB. The events were well attended with around 50 attendees, the majority of which were landowners or contractors with a keen interest in restoring their meadows, so very much the target audience we were aiming at.

Mid-Mossdale’s green hay scheme was the venue for this year’s Hay Time demonstration event. The event, advertised through the Flowers of the Dales Festival, allows members of the public to see a Hay Time scheme in action. The event was attended by seven people.

Christa presented talks on the project to the Two Dales gardening club in Reeth on 14 February and at the Dales Countryside Museum on 8 March. Both talks were very well attended and very well received by its members. The DCM talk was the first event of this year’s Flowers of the Dales Festival. There is another talk planned for the Friends of Nidderdale AONB on 30 September at Sawley Village Hall.

Hay Time is one of six biodiversity projects featured as a case study in a booklet to celebrate some of the achievements in implementing Nature in the Dales, the first LBAP for the National Park.

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The project will be included as a case study in a proposed book aiming to become ‘the main source of reference for a wide range of people and organisations interested in dry grassland management and restoration in Britain, including farmers, landowners and conservation organisations’. The book is being written with the support of the RSPB, The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Butterfly Conservation and the Eden Project. 6. Community and education links

Continuing to build on the success of the last two annual Flowers of the Dales Festival, Tanya St Pierre, the Flowers of the Dales Project Officer, has been co-ordinating the 2011 Festival. This comprises over 120 events and activities delivered by a range of providers from spring through to autumn in locations throughout the Yorkshire Dales. About a quarter of the events have a hay meadow theme. This year Tanya ran more YDMT events than last year, including several events and activities for children. Feedback received so far has again been extremely positive. While previous Festivals were largely funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this year’s Festival has been funded using private donations made to YDMT and a contribution from the Yorkshire Dales Society. YDMT intends to run the Festival next year and we are approaching event providers, local tourism businesses etc for support.

We helped with the development and promotion of Sward! The story of a meadow, a specially-commissioned play based on the history and complex web of life of an upland hay meadow. The play was written by Simon Corble, winner of the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, and performed by Blaize Theatre Company. The play, aimed at children aged 8+ and their families, was very funny and entertaining but delivered clear messages about the importance of hay meadows and their fragile nature. Of the 34 villages that the show was performed in during April to June, we organised 9 performances in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale AONB. A total of 371 people (283 adults and 88 children) saw these 9 shows. The shows were supported using funding from the Yorkshire Dales LEADER programme.

We commissioned Blaize to produce a DVD of the play by filming the live performance at the Victoria Hall in Settle on 16 June. The forthcoming DVD, funded by Yorkshire Dales SDF and LEADER, will include a 4-page colour booklet with text and images about hay meadows and the importance of the National Park as a key area for hay meadow conservation and restoration. The DVD should be available in November and copies will be free to schools and community groups but will cost £4 to individuals.

Linked to many of the Sward! shows we organised, Tanya provided educational activities and hay meadow visits for primary schoolchildren. Over 300 children enjoyed learning about the meadows through drama activities and interactive lessons in school, and by visiting meadows where they spent a fun day out identifying and recording wildflowers and grasses.

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Hay Time in the Yorkshire Dales has been selling well. This 270-page, full-colour book explores the types of meadows in the Dales and their history and culture, their flora and fauna, the science behind their botanical richness, and the efforts being made to protect the remaining meadows and, where possible, to restore degraded meadows. As well as a foreword from John Craven, the book includes contributions from Roger Smith, John Rodwell, Bill Mitchell, farmers, and YDMT, YDNPA and NE staff. Of the 2,500 copies printed, well over half been sold. The book is available from YDMT (phone or website), National Park visitor centres and numerous bookshops.

We suggested potential study sites for a PhD student from the University of York carrying out research into the viability of producing biogas from upland grasslands, and we provided input into the Defra project ‘Setting Indicators of Success for Species-rich grassland’, being carried out by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research.

Appendix 1: Comparison of seed harvesting and spreading methods

Green hay: mower-collector Green hay: forage harvester Hay concentrate Brush harvester Leaf vacuum

Seed range and quantity

Collects widest range Collects widest range Only collects seed from taller plants so more limited range

Only collects seed from taller plants so more limited range

Collects wide range of seed or seed of targeted species

Machinery needed

Mower-collector and Millcreek muck spreader, both tractor-pulled

Forage harvester and Millcreek or other muck spreader

Ian Fletcher harvester and spreader, both quad-bike pulled

Quad-pulled Logic brush harvester and possibly a spinner to spread seed

Hand-held leaf vacuum

Seed harvesting / collecting

Cuts and collects rapidly Fastest green hay harvesting method on level sites

Slower than mower-collector as have to replace bags frequently

Fairly rapid Manual operation

Transport to receptor

Material dumped straight into muck-spreader or high-sided trailer

Material blown directly into muck-spreader or high-sided trailer

Bags lifted by hand onto trailer Least bulky mechanical method

Very little material harvested

Spreading

Seed needs to be spread within one hour of harvesting

Material dumped in a heap and loaded into spreader by digger / hand

Receptor farmer can do the spreading with their own muck spreader

Seed needs to be spread within one hour of harvesting

If material blown into a trailer, it is then dumped in a heap and loaded into spreader by digger / hand

Receptor farmer can do the spreading with their own muck spreader

Seed can be either spread on same day or dried and spread later

Bags emptied straight into quad-bike pulled spreader

Seed can be either spread on same day or dried and spread later (but seed may be scorched because no chaff to protect it)

If unprocessed (same day spreading), spreading is by hand

If processed, by hand or seed spreader

Seed spread by hand, either on same day or dried and spread later

Weather dependency

Can be operated in light rain if ground not too wet

Least affected method if ground not too wet

Needs dry conditions Needs dry conditions Needs dry conditions

Impact on hay crop

Takes 100% of harvested area Takes 100% of harvested area

Takes up to 50% of crop from harvested area – potentially difficult for farmer to harvest remainder

Takes less than 20% of crop although can flatten crop

Negligible loss and very little impact on crop

Summary

Gets widest range of seed

Cuts and collects easily but large quantity of material to be transported and spread

Least weather dependent method

The donor farmer can cut the rest of the field before or after seed harvesting, so more flexibility than other methods

Specialist machinery so needs trained operators

Available through Hay Time

Gets widest range of seed

Cuts rapidly but large quantity of material to be transported and spread

Least weather dependent method

The donor farmer can cut the rest of the field before or after seed harvesting, so more flexibility than other methods

Uses normal farm machinery

Available through Marsden

Best used for short donor swards

Intermediate option between green hay and brush harvester

Donor farmer may need to delay cutting

Specialist machinery so needs trained operators

Available through Hay Time

Main problem is spreading a small amount of material evenly over site

Reduced range of species

Donor farmer may need to delay cutting

Specialist machinery so needs trained operators

Available through Hay Time and Dinsdale Moorland Services

Relatively small amount of seed collected

Cheap and effective method to inoculate a receptor

Easiest method to implement

Available through Hay Time