Sidmouth Grasslands

In this topic so far, we have explored what makes a grassland special and how to tell them apart. But where can we find these habitats in our own backyard? In the Sidmouth area, grassland is a vital part of the landscape, making up 35.3% of the sites surveyed for the Sidmouth Nature project.

These sites are often precious fragments of land that have escaped modern development or intensive farming.

Not All Grass is "Grassland"

It is important to distinguish between a simple mown lawn and a functional grassland habitat.

• Amenity Grass: Areas like the bulk of The Byes are maintained as mown lawns. While green, these are classified as amenity grass rather than species-rich habitat.

• Rough Meadows: Nearby areas like Margaret’s Meadow, Gilchrist Field, and Livonia Field are managed traditionally as pasture or hay meadows for wildlife. Margaret’s Meadow, for instance, is home to healthy populations of Pignut and Hogweed.

Local Highlights: Where to Explore

Sidmouth’s grasslands vary from ancient remnants to modern restoration projects:

1. The Ancient Remnants

Sites like The Knapp Nature Reserve, Delderfield, and Sid Meadow are remnants of the ancient grasslands that once covered the Sid Valley. Along with the cliff tops of the Sidmouth to Beer SSSI, these areas support:

• Rich Flora: A wide variety of wildflowers.

• Diverse Insects: Pollinators, Meadow grasshoppers, and Common field grasshoppers.

2. The Cemetery: A Fungal Stronghold

Sidmouth Cemetery is a unique site managed as a wildflower meadow.

• Fungi Indicators: It is noted for Waxcaps and Fairy Rings, which are indicators of rare, ancient grazing pasture.

• Historical Growth: Because the ground has a history of disturbance, only the areas dating back over 100 years have fully regained these valuable grassland characteristics.

3. Road Verges: Linear Refuges

Even the strips of grass alongside our roads act as "refuges". Areas like the verges at Bowd and the former council offices at Knowle are now managed with reduced mowing. This allows flowers to set seed and provides a vital bridge for pollinators.

The Sidmouth Summary

While our parks and cemeteries are gradually being restored, many are still species-poor. The truly species-rich areas are those where soil conditions and traditional management have been allowed to thrive. By recognising these "rough" areas as valuable habitats rather than "untidy" grass, we can help protect Sidmouth’s natural heritage.