Those objects look like the things we had sunk into the allotments in Sandy when they bought the land to turn into a graveyard. They were for monitoring the level of the water table - assuming they are the same thing.
Yes I think they are ...... I was told they were "moisture meters" so same thing really. The irony is that those calling the shots believed the fields were drying out so even went as far as blocking a nearby drainage channel ...... which now appears to be drowning the area as a result !!! Hope they get this sorted out fast !
I ought to ask and find out. I have been told by others from the area that it was under water for several months as a result of a drainage channel being deliberately blocked after "experts" had declared the area was too dry. Seems they might have overdone things !!!
@OrchidHunter yes, it may well be that. However, the range of wildflowers has diminished since sheep grazing has continued into the summer. I think they are still on site now! They are just moved from one part of the field to another!
@OrchidHunter the sheep have been there since at least the spring. They move them about the site, so you may have missed them. At this time of year, it should be full of wildflowers, but the abundance/diversity just doesn't appear to be there, which I believe is due to the sheep grazing. The levels in the grass contrast greatly from where you normally see the Early Marsh Orchids (low and nibbled!) and the fenced off area (much higher) by the ponds close to the sheds where the sheep have not been allowed to graze. It's not due to flooding that the grass level is so low because the conditions are similar on both sides of the fence. If anything, the fenced off area is usually wetter.
I've always considered Late Winter into Spring as more important for these orchids and it was pretty wet last year at that stage. Once they are up and flowering, its unlikely the conditions are going to have much impact.
I had various southern marsh self seed into pots, last year I lost several in the pots during the dry June weather, they have a thick root which is a little like a tuber, white in colour and going down several inches. These cannot cope with drying out at all. At Kenfig several of the fens are under water in winter for several months, which is no problem at all for them. If the water table is very low they will suffer. My garden has several hundred in flower, but only those that were part shaded really survived well for this year. I did see your trip to Kenfig last year, not sure whether you ever saw the FO or LL, but would be willing to assist if you need a little direction.
Those objects look like the things we had sunk into the allotments in Sandy when they bought the land to turn into a graveyard. They were for monitoring the level of the water table - assuming they are the same thing.
Yes I think they are ...... I was told they were "moisture meters" so same thing really. The irony is that those calling the shots believed the fields were drying out so even went as far as blocking a nearby drainage channel ...... which now appears to be drowning the area as a result !!!
Hope they get this sorted out fast !
To my untutored eye, it looks like over grazing of sheep in the north field. Compare with the orchids found in the fenced off area.
I ought to ask and find out. I have been told by others from the area that it was under water for several months as a result of a drainage channel being deliberately blocked after "experts" had declared the area was too dry. Seems they might have overdone things !!!
@OrchidHunter yes, it may well be that. However, the range of wildflowers has diminished since sheep grazing has continued into the summer. I think they are still on site now! They are just moved from one part of the field to another!
Honestly can't say I've ever seen a sheep down there but then I only visit in May/June.
@OrchidHunter the sheep have been there since at least the spring. They move them about the site, so you may have missed them. At this time of year, it should be full of wildflowers, but the abundance/diversity just doesn't appear to be there, which I believe is due to the sheep grazing. The levels in the grass contrast greatly from where you normally see the Early Marsh Orchids (low and nibbled!) and the fenced off area (much higher) by the ponds close to the sheds where the sheep have not been allowed to graze. It's not due to flooding that the grass level is so low because the conditions are similar on both sides of the fence. If anything, the fenced off area is usually wetter.
Last early summer was very dry and not good for the marshy orchids
I've always considered Late Winter into Spring as more important for these orchids and it was pretty wet last year at that stage. Once they are up and flowering, its unlikely the conditions are going to have much impact.
I had various southern marsh self seed into pots, last year I lost several in the pots during the dry June weather, they have a thick root which is a little like a tuber, white in colour and going down several inches. These cannot cope with drying out at all. At Kenfig several of the fens are under water in winter for several months, which is no problem at all for them. If the water table is very low they will suffer. My garden has several hundred in flower, but only those that were part shaded really survived well for this year. I did see your trip to Kenfig last year, not sure whether you ever saw the FO or LL, but would be willing to assist if you need a little direction.
Believe me, it is still in flood down there this week !