Southampton City Council

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Managed wildlife

Managed-areasYou may have noticed some areas of long grass and wildflowers in the city. We haven't forgotten to maintain them, they have been left deliberately to encourage wildlife, including, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies and other insects and even mammals.

Note: Areas marked as “Rough grassland” form part of a strategic network of similar areas designed to provide “stepping stones” for species that require safe areas to shelter e.g. many butterflies are happy to feed in shorter flowery grassland but need longer grass in which to roost. Several species also lay their eggs in longer grass. Since we have been creating this network of longer grass areas Marbled white and Ringlet butterflies have reappeared in areas from which they had been lost and are gradually spreading throughout the City.

FAQs on mowing regimes

1. Bitterne underpass - Bee Orchids

Mowing regime: A. 1m strip around outside cut to service promise standard. The rest is left uncut.
B. Single cut in September and the arisings removed

2. Neva Road - Wildflowers including Cowslips

Mowing regime: A. Leave bank uncut. Mow flat area in front of houses to service promises
B. Future potential with agreement of residents

3. West End Road - Rough grassland

Mowing regime: A. 1m along footpath to service promise, B. Annual cut in Autumn leaving 2m strip adjacent to hedge uncut

4. Mansbridge meadows - Butterflies and other insects.

Mowing regime: Scrub provides link from Itchen Valley along river for birds, bats etc. A. Desire lines – 1st cut three tractor widths in Spring (March/April). 2nd cut two tractor widths in July. 3rd cut one tractor width in October. Central willow to be coppiced by Eco Team. Leave rest uncut.
B. 1m back from highway and footpath to service promises, C. 1m back from path to service promises. Leave rest uncut

5. Meggason Pond meadow - Rough grassland

Mowing regime: Also providing refuge for pond wildlife in particular amphibians and dragonflies. Cut footpaths one tractor width 3 times a year and remove arisings. Leave rest of area uncut.

6. Frogs Copse meadow - Wildflowers, insects, amphibia and mammals

Mowing regime: Desire lines – 1st cut three tractor widths in Spring (March/April). 2nd cut two tractor widths in July. 3rd cut one tractor width in October. Central willow to be coppiced by Eco Team. Leave rest uncut. Sycamore and scrub encroachment to be removed by Eco Team.

7. Lordshill Way East - Rough grassland with wildflowers, butterflies and other insects

Mowing regime: 1m cut adjacent to highway to service promise. Single cut in September leaving 2m strips adjacent to trees or back of properties.

8. Lordshill Way West - Rough grassland with wildflowers, butterflies and other insects

Mowing regime: A. 1m cut adjacent to highway to service promise. Single cut in September leaving 2m strips adjacent to trees or back of properties.

9. Romsey Road roundabout - Rough grassland

Mowing regime: scrub and small berry-bearing trees for birds and insects A. 1m around edge to service promise. Leave rest uncut.

10. Bakers Drove - Rough grassland with wildflowers, butterflies, other insects, amphibian, reptiles, birds and mammals

Mowing regime: Desire lines – 1st cut three tractor widths in Spring (March/April). 2nd cut two tractor widths in July. 3rd cut one tractor width in October. Central willow to be coppiced by Eco Team. Leave rest uncut.

11. Montgomery Way - Rough grassland

Mowing regime: 1m around edge and leave rest uncut.

12. Wavell Road - Shaded bank containing violets and rough grassland

Mowing regime: Single cut late Autumn

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