Mickletown Ings

Saturday 4th August 2018

Leader: Jesse Tregale

From our meeting place on Fleet Lane, we took a footpath over the River Aire into St Aidan’s RSPB reserve, where we completed a circular walk on this gloriously hot sunny day. Some members of the group took the opportunity to do some bird-watching before the walk officially started, spotting three Spoonbills and a flying Bittern. Some interesting plants were seen in the car park, where Jesse showed us Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and the hybrid between Greek Dock and Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex cristatus x R. obtusifolius = R. x lousleyi). This Dock was to be the first of several Dock species and their hybrids we would see throughout the trip. One of the main diagnostic features of Docks is their fruits which, when closely observed, come in a wide range of shapes.

Shortly after entering the RSPB reserve, Greek Dock (Rumex cristatus) and Wood Dock (Rumex sanguineus) were seen. An introduction from Australia and New Zealand, Great Soft-rush (Juncus pallidus), was pointed out, along with the hybrid between that species and the native Soft-rush (Juncus effusus). Another hybrid Dock followed, Rumex x weberi (the hybrid between Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) and Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)). Both Nodding Bur-Marigold (Bidens cernua) and Trifid Bur-Marigold (Bidens tripartite) were seen. An opportunity arose to look at the Spoonbills again, through the telescope of a RSPB volunteer, before we sat down for lunch.

After lunch, we observed Least Duckweed (Lemna minuta) with its distinctive grey-green colouration and identified Marsh Dock (Rumex palustris) and Clustered Dock (Rumex conglomeratus). We also learned the difference between Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris) and Grey Club-rush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani). Common Club-rush is generally taller, is green rather than glaucous and usually has three stigmas rather than two. The differences between Fan-leaved Water-Crowfoot (Ranunculus circinatus) and Common Water-Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) were also observed. Fan-leaved Water-Crowfoot only has rigid, finely-divided, fan-shaped submerged leaves, whereas Common Crowfoot often also has floating, less finely divided leaves. We also saw Mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris) growing at the water’s edge.

Several members were also excited to see two Black-necked Grebes, a relatively rare bird species, along the way. This is a wonderful wetland site and we all thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere of the place as well as seeing the many interesting plant species.

Water plantain (Alisma plantago aquatica) with Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris)

Text by Tom

Photographs by Susan