Saturday 3rd May
This is a Countryside Regeneration Trust site and we will be concentrating on surveying grassland areas of early season interest and probably also woodland areas to update plant records.
When: 10.30am – 3.30pm (note later start time).
Leader: Helena Darragh and Tom Smith.
Meeting point: Babers Farm, Mutton Street, near Marshwood. Grid ref.: SY 384988.; What 3 words – ///parkland.energetic.ranch ; Postcode: DT6 5PZ. Off the B3165 between Marshwood and Marshalsea. Directions on where to park will be provided to those who have booked a week or so before the event.
Booking essential via: dorsetfloragroupprogramme@yahoo.com; 07717 437250.
Babers and Harmshay are grazed by Hereford-cross cattle and Zwartbles sheep, a rare breed
originating from The Netherlands, owned by local farmer, Jim Strawbridge, while the
farmland also provides a variety of habitats such as ditches, ponds, and woodlands.
The farm features 5.79ha of SNCI running along a wooded watercourse and incorporating
3.78ha of pasture located to the south-west of the farm.
Notable flora observed at Babers Farm include: Corky-fruited water dropwort Oenanthe pimpinelloides, Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, Common knapweed Centaurea nigra, Devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis, Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria, Orchid spp., Adder’s-tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor and Grass vetchling Lathyrus nissolia.
More information on the farm is available on the CRT website:
https://www.thecrt.co.uk/babers-farm
Dorset Environmental Records Centre 