2004 Fens Pools Reserve Dudley 23rd June One Day Meeting
This local Nature Reserve, an SSSI, provides a haven for wildlife in the heart of one of the most intensively developed parts of the Black Country. Over 400 taxa have been recorded among the large pools, small ponds, canal, marshes, grassland, scrub, and dry banks, which provide many kinds of habitat - all of which were explored on this meeting. The number of explorers was small, owing to the inclement weather in the morning, but those who did brave the elements found it well worthwhile - and it was warm and dry in the afternoon. We were joined by a local resident (Tony) who is a regular visitor to the reserve, and without whom we would certainly not have found all the secret hidden paces where plants grow undisturbed - such as a mass of Ophioglossum vulgatum (adder's-tongue fern), tucked in among some tall bracken.
The Staffordshire Recorder, John Hawksford, was also present, and was most helpful in identifying some aquatics including Callitriche platycarpa, (various-leaved water-starwort), and Potamogeton pusillus (lesser pondweed), willows, Cotoneaster spp, and Hieracia.
Among the many other plants seen were Catapodium rigidum (fern-grass) on dry banks, with Verbascum lychnitis (white mullein), Daucus carota (wild carrot). Reseda lutea (wild mignonette) and Reseda luteola (weld). In wet places were Eleocharis palustris (common spike-rush), Hippuris vulgaris (mare's-tail), Nymphoides peltata(fringed water-lily), Persicaria amphibia (amphibious bistort), Eupatorium cannabinum (hemp-agrimony), and Dactylorhiza praetermissa (southern marsh- orchid). Ferns included Polystichum setiferum (soft shield-fem), Athyrium felix-femina (lady fem), and Phyllitis scolopendrium (hart's-tongue). Many grasses, sedges, and rushes were also identified.
For variety of habitat and number of species, it was a good day's botanising - a shame more members did not join us!
ANNE P.DALY