Technical Notes 2021, Issue 39 - Wildflower Meadow Creation

Report by: 
Thomas Glen, Depute Chief Executive – Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets
TN Number: 
039-21
Subject: 
Wildflower Meadow Creation
Responsible Officer: 
Thomas McMenamin, Executive Officer – Roads & Environment
Publication: 
This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.
Details: 
  1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide Elected Members with information on the types and locations of wildflower meadows to be created in 2021/22 across East Dunbartonshire. There is a mix of meadow types proposed. These are:
  1. Native traditional meadows – created by clearing the site and sowing with a native wildflower meadow mix. These meadows include both grasses and wildflowers.
  2. Pictorial wildflowers – created by clearing the site and sowing with a native pictorial wildflower mix. These are 100% wildflowers and so produce a vibrant and colourful display. Pictorial meadows can be native, non-native or a mix of both, however, they are always nectar-rich.  
  3. Reduction in mowing regime - these are areas of amenity grass where wildflowers are already present in the sward. Reducing the cutting regime allows the existing plants to flower and set seed. The areas proposed for less intensive management are proposed as a trial and will be monitored over the course of the year.  
  1. All meadows will be maintained with a mown perimeter and/or a wide amenity grass edge where adjacent to a road.
  1. Indicative maps are provided below showing the locations and type of the proposed meadow.

Background

  1. Wildflower rich meadows are now rare across the country. Changes in agricultural practices and urbanisation have contributed to their loss, and led to fragmentation of habitat which has resulted in huge declines in pollinator species.
     
  2. Recreating traditional wildflower meadows, introducing pictorial meadows and relaxing mowing regimes in suitable areas will provide excellent habitat and food sources for wildlife including pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
  1. Over the past ten years the Council has worked with community groups, volunteers and partners, including Buglife Scotland, to plant over 64,580 square metres of nectar rich meadows across East Dunbartonshire.

  2. Creating and managing wildflower areas across the authority helps the Council deliver on objectives in the East Dunbartonshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan; contributes to our statutory duty for biodiversity as a public body; and supports the Pollinator Strategy for Scotland.

Meadow Locations

  1. Bearsden and Milngavie

Cluny Park, Bearsden – Traditional wildflower meadow

The existing meadow is shown in blue. Areas of red show the proposed extension while still leaving adequate area of amenity grass within the park.

Cluny Park

Bonnaughton Rd, Bearsden – Pictorial meadow

Bonnaughton Road

Langfaulds, Bearsden – Traditional wildflower meadow

Langfaulds Bearsden

Stirling Ave, Bearsden – Reduced mowing regime with amenity perimeter cut

Stirling Ave

Bailie Dr, Bearsden – Traditional wildflower meadow

Baillie Dr

Kilmardinny Loch Local Nature Reserve – Reduced mowing regime

Kilmardinny Loch

Switchback Rd, Bearsden – Reduced mowing regime with amenity cut to road edge

Switchback Rd

Allander Toll – Traditional wildflower meadow

Allander Toll

  1. Bishopbriggs & Torrance

Tower Rd, Torrance – Pictorial Meadow

Tower Rd, Torrance

Kirkintilloch Rd, Bishopbriggs – Traditional wildflower meadow

Kirkintilloch Road

  1. Kirkintilloch & Villages

Crosshill Rd, Lenzie – Traditional wildflower meadow

Crosshill Road Lenzie

Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch – pictorial meadow

Woodhead Park

Distribution List: 
All Elected Members Corporate Management Team Executive Officers HSCP Management Team Corporate Communications