Williamwood Farm is where farming and nature go hand in hand. It has about 300 acres of grassland, producing beef and lamb - but nature and conservation are very important too. Improving biodiversity is very important to Michael and Shirley Clarke.
Plantlife is working with farmers to help them provide homes for wildlife on their farms, but are also working with politicians and the general public to recognise that the wildlife we have depends on farming.
Williamwood were hosting a visit from Plantlife yesterday and encouraging visitors to go for a Wild Flower Walk with them on the farm. To give visitors an insight into some of the wildlife that is on the farm - although not always visible during the day! - Michael had asked us to put out our moth traps on Friday night and see what was about.
We were quite lucky on Friday night as the wind died down and the anticipated rain showers held off, so with the County Moth Recorder we set 5 traps. Saturday started with sunshine so we began by emptying the traps.
This was also the final weekend of the Riding of the Marches in Annan, and Williamwood Farm is a traditional stopping off point for the Principle Riders. Luckily we had just finished emptying the traps in time to see their arrival.
What a sight were the approximately 100 horses that came through the farm!
The principles were given refreshments at the farm before they rode off across country to rejoin the rest of the parade.
As the wild flower walk wasn't until the afternoon we then had time to go home and see the Riding of the Marches parade through Annan.
The streets were full of people and the band were having a last minute practice.
The horses and riders we had seen at Williamwood were joined by riders from surrounding towns so that they were now about 200 in number! Then the rest of the parade followed on!
What a brilliant show - and only one quick shower of rain!
Then it was back to Williamwood for the wild flower walk.....
While we were waiting for walkers to assemble we showed them the moths caught on Friday and answered any questions that arose ... and then we set off for the walk.
Not only did we see and hear about wild flowers, but Michael gave us an insight into running the farm and explained about their breeding programme too. There were masses of wild flowers in areas that had been planted with new trees ...
We were also keeping a look-out for other wildlife as we walked around the farm...
The damselflies were all around the loch - too many to count - and many looking as if they had only just emerged and were drying out before flying off.
We learned a lot from the other members of the group about the wild flowers, and saw fields of them as we followed Michael around the farm. The orchids in one field were a fantastic sight to see. The Plantlife volunteer and members were all very knowledgeable and passionate about flowers, but were willing and eager to share that passion with others - at a level that was appropriate to those who were not such experts!
To conclude the afternoon we were offered tea and cakes on our return. Michael and Shirley's hospitality was excellent, the talk at the tables was interesting and there was no sense of a need to rush away. An excellent afternoon with knowledgeable, passionate and informative people.
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