This verge is being managed to benefit wildlife. This triangle of land is partly shaded by nearby trees and supports a number of interesting species. Here are some of the wildflowers and other species found here. 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 to visit the NatureSpot page for that species to find out more.
Bulbous Buttercup
One of three buttercup species found in meadow grassland. As the name suggests, it has an underground bulb that gives it the resources to flower early in the year.
How to ID: Look for the downward pointing sepals under the flowers.
Where to see it: Meadows and verges.
Similar species: Meadow Buttercup and Creeping Buttercup (neither have the downward pointing sepals).
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill
This is an annual plant that often appears in grassland. It is one of several native geraniums in the UK called 'cranesbills' because of the long, pointed fruits.
How to ID: Leaves with 7 divisions almost reaching the the base. Flowers are pink-purple and around 10mm.
Where to see it: Grassland, verges, rough ground.
Similar species: Other cranesbills have similar small pink flowers but lack such deeply divided leaves.
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill
This is an annual plant that often appears in grassland. It is one of several native geraniums in the UK called 'cranesbills' because of the long, pointed fruits.
How to ID: Leaves with 7 divisions almost reaching the the base. Flowers are pink-purple and around 10mm.
Where to see it: Grassland, verges, rough ground.
Similar species: Other cranesbills have similar small pink flowers but lack such deeply divided leaves.
Herb-Robert
This geranium is a very attractive shade-loving plant. The fern-like leaves often become flushed red in late summer. It was once used as an antiseptic and the edible leaves used to make tea.
How to ID: Short and hairy. Bright pale pink petals with darker pink stripes. Dark green, deeply divided leaves - becoming red with age.
Where to see it: Along hedges, woodland edges and shady places.
Similar species: None.
Creeping Cinquefoil
The name tells you a lot about this plant (if you speak French!). Cinquefoil means 5 leaved and it is certainly a creeper, sending out long runners. It is a very short plant so does best near paths and at the edges of verges.
How to ID: Yellow flowers and 5 leaflets spread in a circle.
Where to see it: Path edges, bare or disturbed ground.
Similar species: None.
Crested Dog's-tail
This grass is often seen as an indicator of good quality meadow grassland.
How to ID: Flowers July-August, growing to 60cm. The flower-head is a single spike that is flat-looking and one-sided.
Where to see it: Meadows and verges.
Similar species: None.
Sweet Chestnut
Often planted for its edible fruits, this can become a huge tree over 30m tall and live for 700 years. It was introduced by the Romans but now seeds naturally in the wild.
How to ID: Long, toothed leaves. Long, wiry, pale yellow catkins. Shiny brown fruits in a spike case that splits open.
Where to see it: Any where if planted. Naturally in woodlands.
Similar species: Horse Chestnut lacks the toothed leaves.
Wren
Our next smallest bird after the Goldcrest and Firecrest, but with the loudest voice! Though common, it forages low down in vegetation and is quite secretive so often unnoticed. The male may build up to 8 nests each year, offering a choice to his female mate.
How to ID: Small, brown and dumpy, with a thin bill and a short tail sticking up.
Where to see it: Gardens, hedgerows - anywhere with cover.
Similar species: The Dunnock is also small and brown, and often seen on the ground, but it lacks the upright tail.
Common Blue Damselfly
Damselflies can be distinguished from dragonflies as at rest they hold their wings over their body. They hunt small insects and often feed away from water. Their larvae are fully aquatic and take 12 months to grow and develop into an adult.
How to ID: Thin, blue-black body. Wings held over the body. Thick blue stripes on the thorax.
Where to see it: In and around still or slow-flowing water, often in margin vegetation.
Similar species: The Azure Damselfly has thin blue stripes on its thorax.
7 Spot Ladybird
One of our larger ladybirds (up to 8mm), sometimes seen in huge numbers.
How to ID: Red with 7 black spots.
Where to see it: Everywhere! Feeds on aphids.
Similar species: Adonis Ladybird is also red with 7 black spots but is smaller and thinner.
