It is a great year for both of these plants on the Marsh. The Yellow Rattle is found concentrated in areas where there are grasses and sedges which it can semi-parasitise. It is nowhere near as common in the Blunt Flowered Rush community because this does not lay itself open to becoming parasitised by this plant as it has an altogether different root and stem structure. Ragged Robin is scattered over the wetter areas and is more prolific this year than it has been for a long time.
May 7th 2017. Not far down the path from the gate you will find two plants. Marsh Valerian and Bugle. Compare the Marsh Valerian with the Common Valerian we will see later on. Bugle is supposed to get its name not from the musical instrument but from mediaeval glass ornaments which were sewn into clothing, Bugle refers to the unusual purple/blue colour. Turn left along the boardwalk and go into the wood. If it is a sunny day you will find the following butterflies, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip (male and female), Green veined White and Peacock. Also in the wood you will find the bird feeder station on the left. Only common birds visiting at the moment notably Great Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
If you visit the Marsh now these are some of the things that you can look out for. The Yellow Flag Iris is just coming on bloom throughout the reserve. One of the rarities for which the Marsh is a SSSI, is the Brown Sedge. There are a good number of damselflies flying along the ditches and the pond in the wood. Also in the ditches you will find the Celery-leaved Crowfoot on bloom. Ragged Robin can be found throughout the reserve. The Southern Marsh Orchids are just coming on bloom. They can be found at a number of places but start looking about 25 m down from the entrance. Also the pale pink Early Marsh Orchids are on bloom. Look in the paddock to the left of the entrance but beware that the ground is very soft and peaty underfoot. Look carefully along the sides of the paths and you will find the blue flower of Brooklime. G rowing on the water in the ditches you will find an unusual type of duckweed, the I...
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