Why do we care?
Every year the meadows in Langdale show more signs of improvement as sensitive management enables more wildflower species to gain a foothold.
Established wildflower haymeadows can support a staggering 50 plants per square metre – providing a huge food and nectar source for wildlife. It is the variety and abundance of grasses and flowers which make traditionally managed meadows so valuable for wildlife, providing a plentiful supply of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, moths and other invertebrates. These in turn attract insect eating birds such as swallows and martins, with bats hunting over them in the evening.
The long summer grassland also provides valuable cover for nesting birds like curlew and mammals such as voles, shrews and brown hares. This biological richness is reflected in the soils beneath which support an amazing array of fungi, bacteria and invertebrates keeping the soil living.
What can you do to help the cause?
Come along to our free National Meadows Day celebration in Langdale on Saturday 1 July. Or join one of our guided walks on Wednesdays in July at 2pm. Tickets are £5, including free tea and cake at Sticklebarn.
Just by being a member of the National Trust, visiting our places, cafes and carparks you are already supporting our work to restore traditional hay meadows, every penny you spend with us helps us to look after the Lake District. So, thank you very much.