Pollington Quarry

Saturday 12th May 2018 (1.30pm start)

Leaders: Louise Hill and John Scott

We were expertly guided today by Louise Hill and John Scott around this interesting former sand quarry. As expected, it was very much a case of getting down on your hands and knees and peering at very small plants, but this was well worth the effort. There were pockets of scrub interspersed with grassland, much of which was closely cropped by rabbits.

On close inspection there were many species in flower including Bird's-foot (Ornithopus perpusillus), Changing Forget-me-not (Myosotis discolor), Dove's-foot Crane's-bill (Geranium molle), Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Corn Spurrey (Spergula arvensis) and Wall Speedwell (Veronica arvensis). We were shown a species of sedge uncommon in this part of the world, Prickly Sedge (Carex muricata), in flower at the edge of the grassland.

There was much discussion as to which species of Parsley-piert we had, which involved intently studying the stipules surrounding the minute flowers, with the conclusion that we thought that both Parsley-piert (Aphanes arvensis) and Slender Parsley-piert (Aphanes australis) were present.

It was interesting to see Common Cudweed (Filago vulgaris), Small Cudweed (Filago minima) and Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum) in close proximity, allowing us to easily compare the differences between them.

A short single stemmed Wayfaring-tree (Viburnum lantana) was very conspicuous, topped with a showy umble-like flower head of creamy white flowers.

Other highlights included Lesser Chickweed (Stellaria pallida), the red tinged basal leaves of Smooth Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris glabra), Bugloss (Anchusa arvensis), Spotted Medick (Medicago arabica), Celery-leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus), Field Pansy (Viola arvensis), a subspecies of Common Vetch with deep pink-purple flowers (Vicia sativa subsp. nigra) and a good stand of flowering Field Mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense).

When occasionally distracted from the plants, we spotted other wildlife too, such as a probable Brown Argus butterfly and a close up view of a Buzzard. This is a great site, and we felt even more plants could have been found if we’d had the time. We finished this enjoyable afternoon with a meal out at the Jug Inn. It was a rather memorable meal as we were located in a chilly marquee outside the pub with the rain lashing down outside. Thankfully the weather had remained dry throughout the field trip itself. Many thanks to Margaret Rees for organising the meal.

Text by Susan and Tom

Photographs by Brigid, Susan and Tom