1999 Kent 5- 6 June Main Meeting
We met our leader for the Saturday, Doug Grant, at the Dover Patrol Memorial at St Margaret's at Cliffe and started our walk northwards towards Kingsdown along the chalk cliffs of the Saxon Shore Way. We were soon admiring fine stands of Hippocrepis comosa (Horseshoe Vetch), Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin) and Anthyllis vulneraria ssp vulneraria (Kidney Vetch). A small path of Lathyrus nissolia (Grass Vetchling), just coming into flower, was found. It was most pleasing to see the uncommon Linum bienne (Pale Flax) by the side of the track. At intervals Orobanche minor var minor (Common Broomrape) was spotted. Edges of the arable field were examined yielding Valerianella dentata (Narrow-fruited Cornsalad), Anthemis cotula (Stinking Chamomile) and, with a few lingering flowers, Legousia hybrida (Venus's-looking- glass). Grasses were studied, in particular bromes and fescues. We were able to distinguish Bromus x pseudothominei (Lesser Soft-brome) from the very common B. hordeaceus ssp hordeaceus, but unfortunately B. hordeaceus ssp thominei eluded us. The dense tufts, fortunately here with glaucous leaves, of Festuca rubra ssp juncea readily stood out from the loose patches of F. rubra ssp rubra (Red Fescues). As we approached Kingsdown a few bushes of Hippocrepis emerus (Scorpion Senna), still with a few flowers, were seen. For northerners it was pleasing to find, as we descended the steps to Kingsdown, the southern chalk specialities, Polygala calcarea (Chalk Milkwort) and Euphrasia pseudokerneri (Eyebright).
We lunched on waste land on the upper shingle shore at Kingsdown. Here Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) and Atriplex glabriuscula (Babington's Orache) were on the bare shingle, the latter not exhibiting yet its critical diagnostic fruit character. On the waste land Allium vineale (Wild Onion), Sedum forsterianum (Rock Stonecrop) and Trifolium scabrum (Rough Clover) were found. However, the most significant find was about ten plants of Ophrys sphegodes (Early Spider-orchid), much past their best, but still very pleasing to see. Close by, looking very dead, was Poa bulbosa (Bulbous Meadow-grass), but still showing its distinctive bulbous bases.
After lunch we returned to St Margaret's via lanes and field edges. At Otty Bottom were Arabis hirsuta (Hairy Rock-cress) and Gymnadenia conopsea ssp conopsea (Fragrant Orchid). At the corner of an arable field Fumaria densiflora (Dense-flowered fumitory) was found. We had all had a most enjoyable day. Rain which had threatened in the morning did not arrive and, in the main, it was a sunny and pleasant day.
Our leader on the Sunday was Rodney Burton. We met him in the car park near the church at New Romney. We drove first to a lay-by near Boulderwall Farm on the way on Dungeness. On the road side were Torilis nodosa (Knotted Hedge- parsley), Medicago arabica (Spotted Medick) and Salvia verbenaca (Wild Clary). We then took a well trodden track, an excellent habitat for small clovers. We found Trifolium scabrum (Rough Clover), T. striatum (Knotted Clover), T. ornithopodioides(Fenugreek), T. subterraneum (Subterannean Clover) and T. suffocatum (Suffocated Clover). At the side of the track was a fine patch of Polypogon monspeliensis(Annual Beard-grass). In a pond close by was Callitriche truncata (Short-leaved water-starwort). Ditches revealed Carex pseudocyperus (Cyperus Sedge), Myriophyllum spicatum (Spiked Water-milfoil) and Potamogeton trichoides (Hairlike Pondweed). We proceeded to the car park of the RSPB sanctuary. Here, amongst Erodium cicutarium (Common Stork's- bill) were a few plants of the rare E. maritimum (Sea Stork's-bill) only very recently rediscovered in Kent. Also at this car park some plants of Lagurus ovatus (Hare's-tail) were found.
Having returned to the public road we drove towards the Dungeness bird observatory. We stopped on the way to look on the shingle. Here were Crambe maritima (Sea-kale), Silene uniflora (Sea Campion) and Lathyrus japonicus (Sea Pea). Near the cars Tragopogon pratensis ssp pratensis, the rare subspecies of Goat's- beard, was spotted. The plant which particularly caught our eyes near the observatory was Silene nutans (Nottingham Catchfly), showing unusual variation in colour. Sedum anglicum (English Stonecrop) was also common in the area. Teesdalia nudicaulis (Shepherd's Cress) and Moenchia erecta (Upright Chickweed) were found, both still showing their empty seed pods. Another small clover, Trifolium glomeratum (Clustered Clover) was on the bank where we lunched (this was a new record for Dungeness). On the road by the observatory was a fine stand of Cynosurus echinatus (Rough Dog's-tail). Also, there were some patches, not yet flowering, of Cuscuta epithymum (Dodder). After lunch we headed towards Littlestone-on-Sea. We stopped briefly at the entrance to a gravel pit to see Jasione montana (Sheep's-bit) and Hirschfeldia incana (Hoary Mustard). As we continued in the cars Senecio cineraria (Silver Ragwort) and Erigeron glaucus (Seaside Daisy) were common, and readily identifiable, on the roadside shingle. We parked in Littlestone in order to examine the dunes south of the Varne Boat Club. On trampled grassland on the way to these dunes were three Medicks, Medicago arabica (Spotted Medick), M. polymorpha (Toothed Medick) and M. minima (Bur Medick). We were thus easily able to compare fruits and stipules. Although we had seen much shingle during this weekend, this, our last scheduled stop, was our first visit to sand dunes. Silene conica (Sand Catchfly) was locally plentiful, a particularly small form, but still in good flower. Here also were the rare sand dune grasses Festuca arenaria (Rush-leaved Fescue), Vulpia fasciculata (Dune Fescue) and V. ciliata ssp. ambigua (Bearded Fescue). Here also was Bromus hordeaceus ssp. thominei which we had failed to find the previous day. The most striking plant on these dunes, just coming into flower, was the naturalised garden- escape Gaillardia x grandiflora (Blanket-flower). We also found Anisantha diandra (Great Brome) and Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion). Before returning to New Romney the day ended with a slight detour to see Sagina maritima (Sea Pearlwort) in cracks in the sea-wall at Littlestone. This was another excellent day, not marred by having to dodge the occasional heavy shower.
Our thanks go to Doug Grant and Rodney Burton for an excellent weekend.
VINCENT JONES