Take a trip to Barbury Castle and you will notice that the grass has been left to grow longer than in previous years.

That's because Swindon Services' Ranger Team is undertaking surveys at the nature reserve to discover the range of grass and flower species present at Barbury.

The grass has been left to grow to ensure that ranger team can survey the whole range of species as they grow throughout the spring and summer.

The survey method being used is called National Vegetation Classification.

This divides grasslands into different categories depending on factors such as soil type and the species present.

By comparing the results with a national classification, the rangers can find out which grassland types are present.

This will help them to plan a grazing scheme for the site which will enhance the flora and fauna at Barbury.