Stirley Farm YWT
Holmfirth
Site Description
Recorders: Toby Needs Length 1788m Walk Time Approx: 1 hour Altitude 184m Established 2012
Stirley is an abandoned dairy farm has been restored for wildlife but also as a community farm. The grasslands are being restoring increasing the diversity of flowers, insects, birds and mammals.
Grassland grazed periodically by shorthorn cattle at low stocking density. Hay meadows cut late in the year to encourage wildflower growth. Unmanaged hedges consist primarily of hawthorn, oak and sycamore.
The threatened species Small Heath is present in moderate numbers
Sections
S1 and S2 meadows are good smal skipper and Large skipper seen
S2 with S11 has teh highest numbers and most interest with Small Heath here and nectar for the vanessids
S11 This damp grassalnd has teh most interesting array of species. Teh damp brings Orange Tip and Green-viened whites but alos best section for Small heath after S2
S12 is shaded hedgerows and contains good numbers of speckled wood and Holly blue seen
