July 2021 started with lopping branches & cutting back along the St Faiths road fence-line. That was followed by cutting down Sycamore trees near the lodge, which were blocking out the light of mainly Yew trees, and also clearing overgrown nettles etc in front.
At this time of year, the parkland grasses and wild flowers have grown quite tall. Matt (warden) maintains walking access for the many visitors by mowing pathways between the main established paths. The park is alive with moths, butterflies etc. I was then introduced to the Ragwort. Once the wild flowers and grasses have seeded, it is usually cut for hay. However, the ragwort is toxic and could be harmful to horses eating the hay. So this month, we have been wading through the long grass and pulling up the ragwort by it's roots. This was great fun as the ragwort and field scabious attracts hundreds of moths. In particular are the Burnet and (rarer) Cinnabar moths.
St Johns Wort also grows amongst the grassland, but this does not pose as much a threat to animals like ragwort.
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