This verge lies opposite the church and a survey by NatureSpot has revealed that by simply not mowing, a wonderful variety of wildflowers and grasses have emerged, providing excellent food and habitat for pollinators and many other species. Here are a few wildflowers and other species found during the survey. To see a full list and get up to date with the verge project, visit NatureSpot's Wild Place feature page for this verge.
Click on any header below to view the NatureSpot species page.
Germander Speedwell
A beautiful early summer flower and an indicator of quality meadow grassland.
How to ID: Typically grows to 20cm. Bright blue flowers with white centres, held above the leaves. Leaves stalkless.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges, woodland edges
Similar species: Other Speedwells, but only Germander Speedwell has an upright flower spike with this colour.
Yarrow
Flowering July to October and common on verges and in meadows. The feathery leaves are distinctive.
ID: Feathery leaves and creamy-white dense flower-heads (can also be pinkish).
Lords-and-Ladies
Also called Cuckoo Pint, this strange plant produces leaves in early Spring then a single blade-like white flower in April/May. It traps small flies overnight to ensure they get covered in pollen, then releases them in the morning.
How to ID: Large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves. Large white flower is unmistakeable. Only a stick of red berries is visible by Autumn.
Where to see it: Woodlands, hedgerows, shady places.
Similar species: Italian Lords and Ladies (has marbled leaves)
Cow Parsley
These tall white umbrella-like flowers are a familiar sight in May. Sometimes called 'keck' in Leicestershire.
How to ID: Strongly divided leaves. Large plant to 1.5m. Flowers in 'umbels', held aloft in May.
Where to see it: Woodland, hedges, verges. Likes nutrient-rich soil.
Similar species: Hogweed is the other very common white umbellifer. Upright Hedge-Parsley looks similar but flowers later in the year.
Cuckooflower
Also called Lady's Smock. It is the main caterpillar food plant for the Orange-tip Butterfly.
How to ID: Short, clusters of pale lilac flowers on a single stem.
Where to see it: Damp grassland, April-June.
Similar species: None.
Green Alkanet
A bristly plant usually of 30 to 60 cm in height. Stems branched, stem leaves unstalked. Flowers bright blue with a white scaly throat
This plant has become much more common in recent years.
How to ID: Bristle, growing to 60cm, with bright blue flowers which have a scaly white throat.
Where to see it: Shady areas, such as hedges, gardens and woodland edges.
Similar species: None.
Lesser Celandine
One of the first flowers to appear in early Spring, bringing a welcome nectar source to bees and butterflies emerging from hibernation.
How to ID: Glossy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves. Bright yellow flowers.
Where to see it: Woodland, hedges, verges - prefers shady areas.
Similar species: None.
Donacia clavipes
A Reed Beetle, this image was taken on the Cotesbach verge and was the first record of the beetle in Leicestershire!
How to ID: 7-12mm. Metallic golden body with pale, red/yellow legs and antennae.
Where to see it: Usually on Common Reed (Phragmites) by water.
Similar species: There are several other Reed Beetles but none have all-pale legs.
Goldcrest
Europe's smallest bird! One of the very few warblers that stays in Britain all year.
How to ID: Small! Always on the move, searching for food. The yellow 'crest' is partly hidden most of the time but just visible.
Where to see it: Woodland, parkland - especially around conifers.
Similar species: The very rare Firecrest is the same size but has a bold white eye-stripe.
Tipula vernalis
One of the commonest Craneflies in Spring. They get their name from their very long legs!
How to ID: To 20mm. Long legs and wings. Yellow body with a central dark stripe. Large green eyes. Patterned wings (see image).
Where to see it: Any long grassy area in Spring, particular if damp.
Similar species: There are lots of other craneflies so a good view is needed to see the key features mentioned above.
