Sylvia's Meadow

Sylvia's Meadow (SSSI) is a nature reserve owned and managed by Cornwall Wildlife Trust.cite news |title=Sylvia's Meadow |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2008/05/28/nature_sylviasmeadown_feature.shtml |publisher= "BBC" | |date= May 28, 2008 ] It is a herb rich, 5 hectare site situated near Gunnislake, in East Cornwall, United Kingdom [ [http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/sylvias_meadow] Wild About Britain] .

It is famed for the orchids that grow there, which include the Lesser Butterfly Orchid and Heath Spotted Orchid.

Sylvia's Meadow (SSSI) is an example of unimproved herb-rich pasture land containing some rare plant species. During World War II a US military camp was situated in Sylia's Meadow and since then the land has been left unploughed and unimproved. In this respect Sylvia's Meadow is unique to Cornwall.

Other species found here include: Autumn Ladies'-tresses, Sneezewort, Yellow Rattle and Bird's Foot Trefoil.

Butterflies that may be seen include The Wall, Orange Tip, Dingy Skipper and the Common Blue [ [http://parish-wildlife.org.uk/Projects/Plants/Orchids/sylvia's%20meadow.htm] Parish Wildlife] .Reptile sightings include the Common Lizard and the Slow Worm.

During World War II, Sylvia's Meadow military camp housed only white American armed forces personnel. Black American airmen were billeted in an adjacent field.cite book |last=Chapman |first=David |year=2007 |title= [http://books.google.com/books?id=EBYoqKfOaGwC&pg=PA224&lpg=PA224&dq=%22Sylvia%27s+Meadow%22&source=web&ots=EhFNPeGP-O&sig=3ZTqW6FpkVmc59H8uyeP8_8wPUQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result Wild about Cornwall] |publisher=Alison Hodge |isbn=0906720516 ]

The reserve is named after a previous owner's daughter.

References

External Links

* [http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturereserves/Nature_reserves_Cornwall_Wildlife_Trust/Cornwall_Wildlife_Trust_Sylvias_Meadow_nature_reserve_Saltash.htm Sylvia's Meadow page on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's website]

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2008/05/28/nature_sylviasmeadown_feature.shtml BBC Cornwall feature on the reserve]

* [http://www.breathingplaces.org/public/place/21984 Breathing Places Website (includes location map of the reserve)]