Entomological Section Meeting – Blaxton Common, Doncaster July 9th 2000
Botanical Report – J. A. Newbould.
This area is located in NGR SE6801 and SE6802, is owned by Tarmac pls. and has been previously worked for sand and gravel, Following the suggestion of one of the tenant farmers, we worked the site to the north and east of Levels Lane. At one location, we walked through a gully, which to the right had not been worked and it was possible to see the geological formation. Close to the surface was a 200mm. layer of golden sand, then a later of pebbles of between 15 and 30mm. mixed with sand then a lighter coloured sand layer
Typically, the virgin sand layer had early sand colonizing plants such as Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha), Bugloss (Lycopsis arvensis), Common Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium), and Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis ssp arvensis). Small Cudweed (Filago minima) was common in sandy areas whilst Common Cudweed (F. vulgaris) was thinly scattered through the area. Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum) was only found in one place to the north of the site. Large herbs, common on disturbed ground, such as Ragwort (Senecio jacobea) and Rosebay (Chamerion angustifolium) was quite common across the area. Grasses included Rat’s-tail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides). Margins were often characterized by trees such as Silver Birch (Betula pendula) and Oak (Quercus robur). The low water table of the area was typified by an old field margin consisting of a ditch which had Remote Sedge (Carex remota), Meadow sweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and soft Rush (Juncus effusus). The adjacent hedge contained Hawthorn and Ash.
A standard 2 metre quadrat illustrates the typical plants of an inland sand dune system. The Domin cover-abundance scale was used to measure abundance, where D1m is <4% cover with few individuals, D2 is >4% cover with several individuals, and D3 is >4% cover with many individuals, D4 is 11-25% cover, D6 is 26-33% cover, D7 is 34-50% cover, D8 is 51-75% cover, D9 is 76-90% cover and D10 is 91100% cover.
| Common Bent | Agrostis capillaris | D3 |
| Yorkshire Fog | Holcus lanatus | D3 |
| Squirrel-tailed Fescue | Vulpia bromoides | D4 |
| Sheep’s Fescue | Festuca ovina | D5 |
| Bramble | Rubus fruticosus s.l. | D4 |
| A lichen | Cladonia subulata | D3 |
| A lichen | Cladonia chlorophaea | D3 |
| Bird’s-foot Trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | D4 |
| Small Cudweed | Filago minima | D3 |
| Common Centaury | Centaurium erythraea | D1 |
| Sorrel | Rumex acetosa | D1 |
| Cat’s-ear | Hypochaeris radicata | D2 |
| A moss | Polytrichum piliferum | D2 |
| Broad-leaved Willowherb | Epilobium montanum | D1 |
| Thyme-leaved Sandwort | Arenaria serpyllifolia | D3 |
| Ragwort | Senecio jacobaea | D1 |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale s.l. | D1 |
| Bare ground | D4 | |
| Pebbles | D3 | |
| Smooth Hawk’s-beard | Crepis capillaris | D3 |
| Spear Thistle | Cirsium arvensis | D1 |
Adjacent were trees of Silver Birch, there was Gorse – Bramble (NVC W23) with Hemlock (Conium maculatum), the Speedwell (Veronica montana) in the Gorse and a small area of Wood-sage (Teucrium scorodonia). Few mosses were seen but Polytrichum juniperinum formed a conspicuous patch here whilst Hypnum cupressiforme was around.
To the east a wet area had Silver Birch surrounding it with Salix cinerea s.s. in the water. Quick sand had Juncus effusus and Salix alba. A small area of open water had Typha angustifolia. Adjacent was another pond with Juncus compressus, Eleocharis palustris and Lesser Water Plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides) – (get a second opinion on this, it was definitely not A. plantago-aquatica).
During the course of the afternoon, at least 2 Oystercatcher were heard calling, whilst 14 Curlew flew over.
We next examined the large water body where sand martin nested in numerous nests along the north and west banks. I estimate the NGR here to be SE8610195. Recording from the eastern bank, the open water had Spiked Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and Canadian Pond-weed (Elodea canadensis). The sandy banks were being invaded by European Gorse and Silver Birch, whilst adventives included Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum), Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum), Colt’s-foot (Tussilago farfara), Common Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum), the Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella), Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Common Cudweed (Filago germanica), Smooth Hawk’s Beard (Crepis capillaris). A wet patch had Celery-leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus), and Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia). The sand banks had numerous areas of Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica), and Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) which is a common plant of sand dunes and sandy soils. In wet areas adjacent to the water, Marsh Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus), Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), and Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata) was to be found. The eastern end of the waterbody had various Willows, including Common Willow (Salix cinerea subsp. cinerea), White Willow (S. alba), and Silver Birch. Two mute swans were present on the water body.
In a nearby arable field to the north the non-native species Fiddleneck (Phacelia tanacetifolia) was present in a wheat crop.
John Newbould.
P.S.
Colin, I was unable to put a definitive NVC classification. I suppose it is fair to say that there are areas moving towards NVC W10 – Oak / Birch woodland with some W23 – Gorse / Bramble.
Whilst, I suppose, the water body could be classed as A11 – Aquatic sub-community, there was no Potamogeton.
It is a young barely started and developing community. The sand species fitted nowhere.
John.