The croft

On 14 Drynie Park Farm during nesting times and while wildflowers develop and bloom, some fields are kept at low stocking rates and livestock are excluded in some cases.

Key species, which may be found on the croft and in the surrounding area include:

Barn Owl, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Common Eyebright, Corn Marigold, Devils Bit Scabious, Goldfinch, Knapweed, Lapwing, Ragged Robin, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Great Yellow Bumblebee, Northern Brown Argus, Cornflower, Spotted Flycatcher, Song Thrush, Tree Sparrow, Bullfinch, Linnet, Brown Hare, Grey Partridge, Skylark, Reed Bunting, Pipistrelle Bat

Some of these are closely associated with farmland or are affected by farming activities and act as indicators of the extent and health of farmland habitats.

A new hedgerow was established recently on this croft . The hedge which contains a mixture of hawthorn, blackthorn, rose and willow will become a valuable source of food and shelter to wildlife on the croft.

red poppies in a field of tall grassThis croft supports unimproved grassland on areas which were historically less intensively managed . A wildflower and grass mixture has also been sown in 2007 . These areas are now sensitively managed during the summer months to allow the development, flowering and seeding of wild grass and herb swards. Colourful displays and wonderful fragrances can be enjoyed from an array of wildflowers such as field pansy, ragged robin, devil’s– bit scabious, eyebright, red clover, yarrow and birdsfoot trefoil. The vigorous activity of bees and other insect make these areas a joy to behold.

Past amenity tree planting has lead to the development of young woodland on this croft. Birch, cherry and willow, together with Scots pine and European larch have all established well and offer good habitat for priority species such as pipistrelle bat, bullfinch, goldfinch and yellowhammer . Older woodland exists beyond the dry stone dyke outside the southern boundary of the croft and here rowan, gean, birch, whitebeam and Scots pine grow adjacent to fine open larch and Scots pine plantation .