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and a bit of mature woodland as well.
Mrs. Maureen Taylor, of the E.N.T., kindly gave us
an introductory talk on the history and natural
history of the reserve before we set off to see some
of the more interesting places.
On a spoil heap of dry sand we saw the early stages of
colonisation, with rose-bay Willowherb, brambles and
dog rose invading. Here the sticky groundsel (Senecio
viscosus) and the cudweeds (Filago gallica and F.
minima) were found. The meadow gave us carpets of
birds-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), perforate
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the hairy
tare (Vicia hirsuta). The hemi-parasite Red
Bartsia (Odontites verna) was quite abundant here.
Adjacent to the meadow is a most interesting marsh,
where the experts soon identified the true bulrush
(Schoenoplectus lacustris) and we found the gipsywort
(Lycopus europaeus) and the common spike rush
(Eleocharis palustris).
After lunch the thickets, scrub and woodland were
done. The Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris) could
hardly be missed, and in the damp, shady wood were
polypody and hart's-tongue ferns. A clearing where
soil from an old cottage garden had been dumped
provided Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), lemon-
scented thyme and spearmint.
Although primarily a botanical meeting, an ear was
kept alert for birdsong. Mike Barker was with us
and has listed among those heard:- yellow-hammer,
Songthrush, wren, jay, Chiffchaff, chaffinch, tree
sparrow, redshank, bullfinch, dunnock, moorhen and
goldfinch. Those seen include:- blackbird,
common Whitethroat and black-headed gull. From the
hide overlooking the big pond a grebe's nest was
seen, and one of the parents swimming and diving nearby
Roy Masefield