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Orchids and wild meadows

We've lost over 98% of our hay meadows in the last 50 years but in Monmouthshire there are a few special hay meadows which are thriving and home to several rare orchid species.

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Last updated: 05 April 2011

This amazing old hay meadow in Monmouthshire is spectacular in June when it's full of orchids and just walking through the fields trying to avoid them can be difficult.

Iolo Williams met reserve manager Eric Hawkswood from the who explained how the field is grown and managed.

The fields here are full of common spotted orchids as well as bee orchids, marsh orchids and plenty of hybrids as well as a host of insects and butterflies.

The land is carefully but severely managed as from mid July onwards, the hay is cut and harvested. Following a short initial regrowth period, livestock is then brought onto the site to graze it back down.

By using traditional management the fields are thriving and continue to come back year on year. Sadly we've lost over 98% of our hay meadows in the last 50 years making this site vitally important.

These kinds of hay meadows compliment wildlife beautifully but changes in farming practices have turned these once common sights into something very rare in the UK.