Meadow species spotted

I’ve created this page as notes for myself on what species we’ve seen in our meadow and how many of each. I’ll be updating this over time, so it’s worth popping back in the future if you’re interested.

Population density

5 = prolific, found in almost every metre across entire field
4 = found across entire field but in large to medium patches
3 = found throughout field but in many medium to small patches
2 = a number of plants dotted around the field individually or in small groups
1 = only one or two plants

2021 notes

We had our field cut in our first year on the 15th July because this is when local farmers needed it for the hay to be of usable quality, though most fields around us were cut long before this in early June for feed.

This date is kinda OK, as most plants had gone to seed but for increasing biodiversity it would be far better to cut in mid to late August. You’ll see from my notes below, that the numbers of late season perennials like lady’s bedstraw, knapweed, cats ear and the vetches are low. That’s because they have only started flowering now, in mid-July here, just as they’re cut.

If I can delay our cut until late-August, I expect I can increase the quantity/range of flowering species by at least 30% if not 50%, which obviously has knock on effects for species of insect, bird and other wildlife.

2022 notes

It’s 15 July, exactly a year to the day the field was cut last year. Many late season perennials are just coming into flower: knapweed, field scabious, lady’s bedstraw, hogweed. It would be impossible for these to set seed if cut now. I counted the eyebright flowers and only 6 out of 15+ flowers had set seed on the few I looked at, approximately. Although those numbers of flowers are approximate, it was true of all of them that only the lower flowers had even begun setting seed. And so with more time, the number of seeds will be 50 – 70% greater in quantity.

2023 notes

30 May: So far this year, the yellow rattle is still prolific and grasses seem extremely reduced in centre of the field, but the yellow rattle doesn’t seem as vigorous as last year yet. Though I haven’t seen any eyebright this year yet either. On the plus side, I have noticed a lot more pignut this year. Not large numbers but the odd plant in various spots around the meadow, particularly in one area that also has good amounts of fungi. Cow parsley is increasing in number.

Flowering plants

Anthriscus sylvestris, cow parsley

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Density222

2023: cow parsley is definitely increasing in number

Betonica officinalis, betony

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Density1

2022: spotted this for the first time near the stream, top.

Centaurea nigra, common knapweed

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Density11

2022: Perhaps a couple more plants this year on the left of the meadow (looking down hill).

Cerastium fontanum, common mouse ear

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Density222

2023: spotted throughout meadow as of 30 May.

Conopodium majus, pignut

[no photo yet from in field]

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Density12

2022: none seen

2023: spotted quite a few across the field, usually individual plants, though in one spot there is a small colony, though sparse. Not huge numbers, but I have seen about 30 or so plants across the meadow.

Digitalis purpurea, foxglove

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Density11

2022: perhaps slightly fewer at the top of the meadow this year.

Euphrasia arctica (suspected species), eyebright

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Density32

2022: eyebright is less visible this year, perhaps it’s there beneath plantain and yellow rattle but it is less visible.

Lathyrus pratensis, meadow vetchling

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Density21

2022: on 15 July, this plant is not visible yet, except for one plant. By 18th, I think I’ve now spotted a few more plant leaves and some flowers but behind last year.

Galium verum, lady’s bedstraw

Galium verum
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Density11

2022: a patch up by the gate leading to the path.

Geranium pratense, meadow cranesbill

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Density1

2022: on 15 July, none visible

Heracleum sphondylium, common hogweed

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Density32

2022: as of 15 July, appear to be less flowers than last year – but potentially because deer are eating the flowers.

Hypochaeris radicata, cats ear

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Density23

2022: appear to be more this year than last year, on 15 July, almost all flowers were over, which is earlier than last year, with plenty of seedheads

Knautia arvensis, field scabious

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Density1

2022: spotted a plant today where the ragged robin was last year – field scabious possibly here last year too but didn’t note it down. Deer are eating the flowers.

Leucanthemum vulgare, ox-eye daisy

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Density21

2022: on 15 July, only one flower, much less vigorous this year.

Myosotis discolor, changing forget-me-not

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Density11

2022: saw one plant in the same place as last year earlier in the summer

Plantago lanceolata, ribwort plantain

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Density55

2022: prolific this year, very dense

Ranunculus arvensis, meadow buttercup

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Density55

2022: all over field but feels like fewer plants

Rhinanthus minor, yellow rattle

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Density55

2022: extremely prolific this year, by far the most dominant plant this year. Too many.

Rumex acetosa, common sorrel

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Density54

2022: fewer this year

Silene flos-cuculi, ragged robin

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Density11

2022: on 15 July none visible

2023: on 30 May visible with two patches close to one another

Trifolium dubium, lesser trefoil

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Density2

2023: I didn’t notice this plant in previous years but it’s quite widely spread across the very top of the main meadow.

Trifolium pratense, red clover

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Density55

2022: a lot this year, almost all over by 15 July.

Trifolium repens, white clover

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Density55

2022: as visible, perhaps slightly fewer this year, hard to know

Veronica chamaedrys, germander speedwell

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Density22

2022: same as last year, perhaps slightly less, hard to tell under all the yellow rattle and plantain

Vicia cracca, tufted vetch

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Density22

2022: still only a couple of patches but perhaps slightly more than last year. And it’s only just coming into flower on 15 July, so with more time it will be interesting how the later cut affects it.

Vicia sepium, bush vetch

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Density11

2022: less visible as of 15 July, but probably the same amount.

COMING SOON
I’ll be updating this page with the names of the grasses and fungi soon – stay tuned!

Fungi

Entoloma sericeum

2021
TBC

Grasses

Bromus hordaceus, Cynosurus cristatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Festuca cf. rubra

Anthoxanthum odoratum, Sweet-vernal grass

Sweet-vernal grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum

Cynosurus cristatus, crested dog’s tail

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