Wild flower meadow enhancement at Seaton and Lyddington Meadows, Rutland

lantlife’s Seaton Meadows reserve is the most important surviving example of Welland Valley floodplain meadow. Unimproved, species-rich floodplain meadow habitat of this type is internationally rare. Due to its importance, the reserve is the Coronation Meadow for Rutland. The project will undertake works to conserve this outstanding meadow. These will include tree and scrub management along a backwater ditch to reduce shading and maintain drainage function that is vital for the ecology of the meadows; and restoration of ground water-fed open ditch used for drinking by livestock. Wild flower seeds collected from Seaton Meadows will be used, with the help of volunteers, to inoculate a 1.2-hectare meadow at Lyddington (4km away) to enhance the flora of this receptor meadow which has a lower species diversity.