These inquisitive pilgrims might well know the hushed, wildlife-friendly fields to be found at Tregew, with their picturesque views over Cowlands Creek and the village of Coombe on one side, and oak-fringed Lamouth Creek on the other.
If you aren’t familiar, this article can serve as an introduction and maybe even tempt you to come and take a look at a different side of Trelissick.
The countryside team receive a fair degree of questioning about our management – or perceived lack of it – by visitors who are possibly not accustomed to walking in fields managed to enhance their benefit to wildlife rather than for productivity and profit. We’ve weathered such questions as, ‘why have you abandoned Tregew?’ or ‘can you explain why the National Trust have let the land around Roundwood go to rack and ruin?’
Hopefully this blog can perform a second (though not secondary) function by alleviating a few of those concerns and demonstrating why Tregew offers a unique opportunity for us, as a conservation charity, to put the needs of our native wildlife before more commercial concerns.
Background
It was only in 2008 that the National Trust purchased the land at Tregew. Prior to our involvement, the area was privately owned, with no public access, and intensively farmed for wheat and broccoli; both ‘greedy’ crops that often require a large amount of inputs. The land was ploughed vertically (or up and down the slope, if you prefer), resulting in highly detrimental soil and nutrient run-off into Lamouth Creek below.
Current management
Farming tenancies
There are six fields in total at Tregew, encompassing an area of 65 acres. The first step in addressing how we wished to manage the newly gained site was to carry out what is known as a Land Capability Assessment. The two ‘top’ fields, known as ‘Top Kestle’ and ‘New Close’ were chosen to remain as arable land, owing to the fact that they do not directly bound onto a creek or body of water. Along with the other grassland dominated areas (more on that in a moment) and the respectful practice of traditional crop rotations, this creates what is known as a ‘patchwork quilt’ type of landscape. This term refers to a balanced, yet diverse mosaic of habitat where field dwelling animals can find food, cover and nesting sites throughout the year.