Country diary: some wildflowers are more valuable than others

Sunart farm, Derbyshire: Not all farms make good decisions about which fauna to prize, but this one doesAnyone driving into Chesterfield last month could well have seen a spectacular display of wildflowers in the margins to several cereal fields near the road. Running like an embroidered hem around the green quilt was a border of cerise, lilac, lavender, purple, gold and almost vulgar lipstick pink and scarlet. The driver's eye would be bombarded with sensation. How wonderful, you might have reflected as you passed, that the farmer was making such a bold statement about their efforts for nature. Continue reading...