|
|
During your stay at Trelew Farm, follow our signposted nature trail to the stone circle Boscawen–un.
Boscawen–un is a prehistoric stone circle, which was first recorded in 1582. Of the 19 outer stones, 18 are granite and the remaining stone is quartz
– see if you can find it! Ask at the farmhouse for more information.
You can then continue along our footpaths to link up with the coastal path.
On the farm there are two tin smelting kettles, originally from a smelting works in Penzance that closed in 1912.
These remarkable structures are the trademark of the Cornish countryside. West Penwith in particular is famous for its small prehistoric fields,
bounded by stone-faced hedge banks.
While you walk, take some time to notice the hedges and how they are built. Imagine the scene hundreds of years ago, of men, women and children
stone–picking the fields looking for the stones to build the hedges – with this image in your mind you can appreciate the hedges all the more.
For wildlife, hedges are vertical wildflower meadows along which many species of insect, bird and small mammals can feed, nest and find cover from
predators. For all their wildlife value it must not be forgotten that hedges serve a vital function as stock proof boundaries, while also providing
shelter for livestock and crops.
Hedge plants vary according to the local climate, type of stone, and form of management.
As a mixed farm (livestock and arable crops), Trelew provides plenty of different habitat types and food sources for a variety of birds.
Swallows and Martins fair much better on livestock farms because of the insects that thrive on the cattle dung. You can expect to see them between
April and September, swooping low over the fields to feed.
|
|
|
|
|
Ash
Honeysuckle
Betony
Ivy
Blackthorn
Oak
Bramble
Primrose
Common polypody
Red campion
Wall pennywort
|
Cow parsley
Stitchwort
Foxglove
Sycamore
Hawthorn
Fern
Herb Robert
Yarrow
Sorrel
Scabious
Black knapweed
|
Curlew
Wren
Wheatear
Meadow pipit
Buzzard
|
|
|
|
