1996 Cambridgeshire 20th to 21st July Main Meeting
Sixteen members met our leader, Mr Derek Wells, on the track leading to Chippenham Fen, at 9.40 a.m. beneath a cloudless blue sky. He explained that the fen was special as it was a spring fen, fed by calcareous spring water from the chalk, and then outlined the plans for the weekend.
Beside the track we found Equisetum palustre (Marsh Horsetail), Eupatorium cannabinum (Hemp Agrimony), Lythrum salicaria (Purple-loosestrife) and the rushes Juncus subnodulosus (Blunt-flowered Rush), and J. articulatus (Jointed Rush). Further into the marsh were large stands of Cladium mariscus (Great Fen Sedge) and then beside the track was the plant of the morning, Selinum carvifolia (Cambridge Milk- parsley).
We next came into a fen meadow ready for haymaking, with more Milk-parsley and Silaum silaus (Pepper-saxifrage) for comparison; and the sedges Carex viridula ssp. brachyrrhyncha (= lepidocarpa), C. flacca (Glaucous Sedge), C. panicea (Carnation Sedge), C. elata (Tufted Sedge) and C. hostiana (Tawny Sedge). Also in the meadow were Cirsium dissectum (Meadow Thistle) and Gymnadenia conopsea (Fragrant Orchid). In damp clearings in the wooded area of the fen we found both Calamagrostis epigejos (Wood Small-reed) and C. canescens (Purple Small-reed).
After lunch we travelled in convoy to Devil's Dyke and by now the heat was relentless; our only distraction was the race meeting on the July course, for which we had a grandstand view. The Dyke is one of the few remaining areas of chalk grassland in Cambridgeshire and together with several other typical species we found Asperula cynanchica (Squinancywort), Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort), Thesium humifusum (Bastard Toadflax) and Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid). Further on we found Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin), here considered to be a true native, and Ononis spinosa (Spiny Restharrow). At the end of a walk in the hot sun was our reward, a magnificent pristine specimen of Himantoglossum hircinum (Lizard Orchid).
On the Sunday morning the group met at Fowlmere RSPB Reserve, again under a fierce sun and cloudless sky. Members found Galega officinalis (Goat's-rue) beside a wheat field, with Alopecurus myosuroides (Black-grass), a once very common cornfield weed, now decreasing. On some 'set-aside' we found Senecio erucifolius (Hoary Ragwort), and Centaurium pulchellum (Lesser Centaury) but due possibly to adverse seasonal factors the search for Lythrum hyssopifolia proved fruitless. In the reserve proper there was a pond with Ranunculus penicillatus (Stream Water- crowfoot), and at the edge the Speedwells Veronica catenata (Pink Water-speedwell) and V. anagallis-aquatica (Blue Water-speedwell). Beside the path was Myosoton aquaticum (Water Chickweed) and in the picnic area Verbena officinalis (Vervain).
After lunch we made for the vicinity of Hardwick. Beside a wheat field near the large lay-by we found Kickxia spuria (Round-leaved Fluellen), Euphorbia exigua(Dwarf Spurge) and Bromus commutatus (Meadow Brome). On the grass track leading to the wood were Trifolium fragiferum (Strawberry Clover) and Hordeum secalinum (Meadow Barley); in a field was Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat), grown for the pheasants, and beside the track as our leader returned to his car he found Lathyrus aphaca (Yellow Vetchling). However, the plant of the day was in the ditch near the wood, Melampyrum cristatum (Crested Cow-wheat).
Many different insects were noticed including several dragonflies, beetles and butterflies.
Thanks to our leader, Derek Wells for a most enjoyable and stimulating weekend.
GRAHAM GUEST