Call of nature as meadows thrive
The corn bunting’s song is almost as dreary as its bland plumage. Hour after hour, the biscuit-brown bunting rolls out a mating ditty that sounds like a bunch of keys being rattled.
Thankfully, listening to the bird’s incessant jangling is often offset by appreciating the stunning atmosphere of its choice of auditorium.
Corn buntings are at home in landscapes with big skies hovering over vast fields rolled out to the horizon. Cereal prairies have long been the best place to hear a corn bunting before playing spot the bird as they give voice from a telephone wire or distant hedgerow.
Earlier this spring, my morning dog walk around the margins of a beautiful meadow packed with cowslips was accompanied by the unexpected jingles of a corn bunting.
This meadow is a shining example of local authority conservation efforts to turn a plain, grassy area into a kaleidoscope of seasonal colours. Soon, buttery cowslips will give way to lilac scabious, purple knapweed and red campion.
Efforts to restore flower meadows nationwide are being highlighted this weekend, with news that King Charles’ vision to revive these natural wildlife havens is blossoming.
In 2013, Charles launched the Coronation Meadows project to honour the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The aim was to thwart the catastrophic loss of wildflower habitats which have shrunk 97% since the 1930s.
The Wildlife Trusts and Plantlife – the former Prince of Wales was patron of both – worked together to identify 60 species-rich meadows that could become seed donors to increase the amount of wildflower-rich habitat elsewhere.
A recent audit by the charities shows that 101 new meadows have subsequently been created or restored, benefitting bees, butterflies, bats and birds.
Under the shadow of hovering skylarks, a host of rare and precious wild orchids and traditional meadow flowers such as bird’sfoot trefoil and snake’s-head fritillary are flourishing.
As the charities continue to harvest and spread wildflower seeds close to the original sites, may the sounds and colours of summer long continue.
101 meadows have been created or restored to benefit bees and wildlife