Wildlife Walks
The history of SOUTH ELMHAM HALL can be best appreciated by walking the farm on our marked paths - most of which now have kissing gates, replacing styles
Five
different routes of varying length can be easily followed with the help of the Wildlife Walks map.
Further new routes are now available for dog walkers avoiding meadows where livestock are present.
Spring
The migrants have arrived back with the hedgrerows full of birdsong. Willow warblers, chiffchaffs and turtle doves. among the most notable. Best of all the spotted flycatchers have returned and can be seen around the barn. Hopefully if we have a decent summer, they will rear young this year. They may even use the nest boxes we have put up
HORNBEAMS
The surviving trees and meadows of the medieval deer park feature on most of the routes. There are some superb oaks and beeches, many of a great age, and 500-year-old pollarded hornbeams. Once again we are working on the trees this winter to conserve these veteran specimens.
HEDGES
Also this winter we are busy coppicing hedgerows, it may look as though the hedge is being removed but by cutting the shrubs down to almost ground level it allows a regeneration of the plants. The hedge will grow back with renewed vigour, thicker and denser supporting a greater variety of wildlife. It is also essential to regularly coppice elm stands, if elms grow beyond a certain size they will fall victim to Dutch Elm Disease. By keeping the plants small it preserves this characteristic English countryside species.
CATTLE
Also rarities are our British White cattle, an ancient breed traditionally kept in parks or by religious orders. Winners of many show prizes over the years they can be seen grazing some of the meadows together with our brown Simmental cows. In the winter the cattle are all inside, it is too wet for them to graze.
AWARD WINNING
Our award winning policy of replanting hedgerows has added to the cover required by many species of birds. Field margins are sown with rough grasses to encourage invertebrates and small mammals. Areas of woodland are planted each year with traditional native species.
For the last two years we have planted areas of pollen and nectar mix to attract and feed insects particularly butterflies and bumble bees. Other areas have been planted with plants to feed the birds through the winter. So if you see what looks like a strange crop in a field corner or edge it serves a special purpose.
FINE VIEWS
Most routes go past the Minster, whose wooded enclosure creates a timeless air. Others lead up Debbs Lane to the meadows and ponds of the Common, formerly known as Greshaw Green, or to Park Barn with it's fine views back to the Minster and the Hall.
