“Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam” – Dr. Brewster Higley (1874) This is not exactly the Hebridean equivalent of the Great Plains, but it is an example of unimproved grassland and although it looks like a completely natural habitat, it is the product of careful grazing management. If left unattended it would […]
conservation grazing
Winter chores with a little help from my friends
Not a great deal happens on the croft during the winter months, just a meander around the estate to check the fences and the giant hedge, cast an eye over the desolate vegetable and cottage garden and scan the beach for driftwood. I also look in the polytunnel on a regular basis to ensure that […]
Nine men went to mow, went to mow a meadow
or in my case 9 cows and their calves…..The Ladies are back! These are my contract mowers who arrive every year for 4-6 weeks in October to graze the grass on our headland. The grassland on our croft is managed to produce suitable breeding habitat for corncrakes, breeding waders such as lapwings, oystercatchers, redshank and […]