A NATURE reserve near Hereford is having to battle fires, out-of-control dogs, fly-tipping and vehicles being driven across the land, bosses say.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust said wildlife has been surviving at Lugg Meadows, just outside the city on the Ledbury Road, despite the problems it is facing.

Bosses said the meadows are one of the few remaining places to see the rare snake’s head fritillaries flower in the wild and are also, just, home to breeding curlew – a bird now on the red list of conservation concern.

Hereford Times: Day-trippers littered Lugg Meadows with disposable barbecues in 2020 Day-trippers littered Lugg Meadows with disposable barbecues in 2020

But those who manage a proportion of the historic Lammas meadows, are more often contacted about anti-social behaviour at the nature reserve than about wildlife sightings.

The trust’s Ian James, who oversees management at the site, said: “Lugg Meadows is one of our most visited sites and sadly, one which receives the most mis-use.

"In spring and summer we often receive multiple reports each week of fires, rubbish dumping or vehicles on the meadow.

"During the bird breeding season, access is restricted to sensitive areas and we also ask visitors to keep dogs on leads – but this is often ignored.”

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The snake’s head fritillary flowers, in bloom now, look particularly lovely this year, the trust said.

Hereford Times: A bike and beer bottles were among the rubbish left behind by day-trippers visiting Lugg Meadows last year A bike and beer bottles were among the rubbish left behind by day-trippers visiting Lugg Meadows last year

A good number of curlews were heard on and around the meadow in early spring and at least one pair is thought to be nesting on the Lower Lugg Meadow, it added.

"Natural England has withdrawn open access rights for the duration of the breeding season to reduce disturbance to the curlew which have long bred at Lugg Meadow and nearby Hampton Meadow – possibly for centuries," the spokesperson said.

Hereford Times: Snake's-head fritillary at Lugg Meadow, Hereford. Picture: Frances Weeks Snake's-head fritillary at Lugg Meadow, Hereford. Picture: Frances Weeks

"Today, however, the species has become endangered and now face extinction.

"One of the many pressures that curlew face is disturbance: curlew will abandon their nests and chicks, which will then perish or be predated, if disturbed by people or dogs."

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"The temporary restricted access is a vital part of ensuring a breeding population of lowland curlew for generations to come," they added.

Hereford Times: The Lugg Meadows are an important breeding ground for Curlews The Lugg Meadows are an important breeding ground for Curlews

Mr James said: "The number of caring and responsible visitors and volunteers far outweighs the small number of trouble makers.

"Many people living locally help with litter picking, we have a new volunteer warden this year and a great volunteer team who work hard to keep this a special place for everyone to enjoy.

"If anyone does see anti-social behaviour taking place here they should report it to the police.

"It’s never been more important that we value and care for our green spaces.”