User:Tinminer/Sandbox: Difference between revisions
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The land on the reserve is being farmed in a way which reflects traditional [[Cornish]] farming, benefiting wildlife in many ways. Historically, Churchtown Farm was farmed for [[dairy]] and arable production. Over the last 40 years most of the fields were [[Intensive farming|intensively managed]], being re-seeded with highly productive [[rye grass]] mixtures maintained by regular applications of chemical fertilisers and heavy grazing. This intensive management has artificially increased the soil nutrients and encouraged [[pastures]] with a very limited range of plant species and little structural variation. In such a field there is little insect, animal or bird life. In an attempt to encourage wildlife back to the farm, Cornwall Wildlife Trust are using a number of less intensive management techniques aimed at reducing the soil nutrient levels and increasing the number of |
The land on the reserve is being farmed in a way which reflects traditional [[Cornish]] farming, benefiting wildlife in many ways. Historically, Churchtown Farm was farmed for [[dairy]] and arable production. Over the last 40 years most of the fields were [[Intensive farming|intensively managed]], being re-seeded with highly productive [[rye grass]] mixtures maintained by regular applications of chemical fertilisers and heavy grazing. This intensive management has artificially increased the soil nutrients and encouraged [[pastures]] with a very limited range of plant species and little structural variation. In such a field there is little insect, animal or bird life. In an attempt to encourage wildlife back to the farm, Cornwall Wildlife Trust are using a number of less intensive management techniques aimed at reducing the soil nutrient levels and increasing the number of |
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plant species. |
plant species. |
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The two disused quarries - Forder and Lowhill, were quarried in the 19th Century for roadstone. Lowhill closed in [[1915]]. [[Hornblendite|Horneblende dolerite]] was quarried for use in road construction. Both quarries are now County Geological Sites. |
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[[Image:Churchtown Farm Wildlife Reserve, Saltash.jpg|thumb|500px|Churchtown Farm nature reserve]] |
[[Image:Churchtown Farm Wildlife Reserve, Saltash.jpg|thumb|500px|Churchtown Farm nature reserve]] |
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[http://www.breathingplaces.org/public/search?location=saltash&has_js=1&x=37&y=5&search_filter=All BBC Breathing Places - Churchtown Farm (includes map location)] |
[http://www.breathingplaces.org/public/search?location=saltash&has_js=1&x=37&y=5&search_filter=All BBC Breathing Places - Churchtown Farm (includes map location)] |
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[http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2008/04/09/nature_lowhillquarry_feature.shtml BBC News Lowhill Quarry clean up] |
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Revision as of 20:28, 31 August 2008
Churchtown Farm is a community nature reserve one mile south of Saltash, Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is owned and managed by Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and includes diverse habitats such as grassland, estuarine mudflats, wetland, woodland, disused quarries and hedgerows.[1]
Situated within the Tamar Valley AONB, and positioned between the rivers Tamar and Lynher, the majority of the reserve is farmland. This includes hay meadows and arable fields. At 61 hectares, it is the third biggest reserve that the Cornwall Wildlife Trust owns.
The land on the reserve is being farmed in a way which reflects traditional Cornish farming, benefiting wildlife in many ways. Historically, Churchtown Farm was farmed for dairy and arable production. Over the last 40 years most of the fields were intensively managed, being re-seeded with highly productive rye grass mixtures maintained by regular applications of chemical fertilisers and heavy grazing. This intensive management has artificially increased the soil nutrients and encouraged pastures with a very limited range of plant species and little structural variation. In such a field there is little insect, animal or bird life. In an attempt to encourage wildlife back to the farm, Cornwall Wildlife Trust are using a number of less intensive management techniques aimed at reducing the soil nutrient levels and increasing the number of plant species.
The two disused quarries - Forder and Lowhill, were quarried in the 19th Century for roadstone. Lowhill closed in 1915. Horneblende dolerite was quarried for use in road construction. Both quarries are now County Geological Sites.
Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Egrets, Avocets and Greenshank can all be seen on the mudflats
References
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External Links
Churchtown Farm on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Website
BBC Breathing Places - Churchtown Farm (includes map location)
BBC News Lowhill Quarry clean up