Full text of "Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society"

See other formats

TRANSACTIONS

of the

ij | t

NORFOLK & NORWICH
NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY

Volume 40 Part 1 2007

TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORFOLK & NORWICH

NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY

Volume 40 Part 1 2007

Editor: PW Lambley
Assistant Editor: AR Leech

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY 2006-2007

President

Vice-Presidents

Chairman

Secretary

Assistant Secretary
Treasurer

Membership Committee Chairman
Membership Committee Secretary
Programme Committee Chairman
Programme Committee Secretary
Publications Committee Chairman
Publications Committee Secretary
Research Committee Chairman
Research Committee Secretary
Hon. Independent Examiner
Elected Members of Council

M Cocker

RE Baker, PR Banham, MA Brewster,
AL Bull, KB Clarke, DA Dorling,

KC Durrant, RC Haney, PW Lambley,

DL Pauli

S Harrap

R Carpenter

FJL Farrow

Dl Richmond

D Jones

SM Livermore

RW Ellis

SR Martin

AR Leech

PW Lambley

AL Bull

J Negal

S Pearson

DL Cheyne, K Charters, G Coupland,
P Collyer, T Dove, J Goldsmith,

AG Irwin, Dl Leech, B MacFarlane,

A Musgrove, D Robinson

Copyright: all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright
owner, except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Design and Patents
Act 1988. Applications for permission should be addressed to the Secretary (see
inside back cover for address.)

Publisher: Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society.

ISSN 0375 7226

Heaths, woods and hedges: some
historical perspectives on Norfolk’s 2008
‘natural’ landscapes j

Presidential address delivered to the Society on
13 February 2007

Tom Williamson

Department of History, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ

The study of landscape history, and natural history, have long been connected,
in the county of Norfolk perhaps more than anywhere else in England.
From the early years of the twentieth century W.G. Clarke was fully aware
that, in order to understand the character of the natural environment, some
knowledge of past forms of land use and management were essential. Indeed,
Clarke seems to have made little distinction between the study of human
settlement, and the study of the natural environment. His most famous work.
In Breckland Wilds , breaks conventional disciplinary divisions with gusto:
the particular characteristics of Breckland, a region which was itself Clarke’s
own invention, are explained through a wide-ranging consideration of both
natural and human influences, the latter including - in his description of
rabbit fanning especially - contemporary modes of exploitation.

Although people like Clarke were, in effect, doing what we would today
describe as landscape history, the latter did not really emerge as a distinct
and recognised discipline until the work of W.G. Hoskins, Maurice Beresford
and others in the 1950s and 60s. The subject developed steadily in scope and
sophistication thereafter, however, and today there are two national journals
devoted to the subject (Landscape History and Landscapes ) and numerous
undergraduate and postgraduate courses at British universities, while each
year innumerable books with the term ‘landscape’ in their title are published.
Initially, the new subject developed out of historical geography and field
archaeology, but historical ecology has also become an important influence,
especially through the work of Oliver Rackham, whose monumental History
of the Countryside was published in 1986.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Today, landscane historians usually feel some need to understand the basics
of historical ecology, at least in so far as this relates to such characteristic
components of the landscape as woods or hedges; while ecologists are usually
keen to comprehend the land use and management history of particular
habitats. Connections between the two disciplines are further encouraged by
the fact that, among amateur practitioners in particular, as with Clarke, an
enthusiasm for the countryside embraces both. Moreover, cooperation and
interplay between the two is increasingly entrenched in agro-environmental
policies which recognise the close interconnections between the cultural and
the natural landscape.

But not everything about the relationship between landscape historians, and
those interested in the natural environment, is rosy. To a significant extent
members of the two groups come from different intellectual traditions
and, while they make increasing use of each other’s work, they can remain
conceptually divided by the ‘two cultures’. Historians and archaeologists
often treat biological and botanical methods, theory and data in a naive way.
Conversely, those primarily involved in natural history often have a strangely
simplistic view of the social and economic processes that have shaped
landscapes and habitats, a view which - to those on the other side of the
cultural divide - often seems to be derived largely from the childhood reading
of Ladybird Books. In particular, while fully aware of the complexity of the
natural processes shaping the character of landscapes, natural scientists seem
often to view the past influence of human societies in a rather simpler way,
in terms of ‘rational’ economic activity following straightforward, ‘common
sense’ strategies of survival. Historians and archaeologists, in contrast, view
human societies, and thus their relationship with the environment, in more
complex terms. Questions of status and ideology also moulded the landscape
and its exploitation; economic ‘rationality’ changed its character over time;
and much about the environment was created less by ‘rational’ patterns of
exploitation, maximising outputs on the basis of the available technology,
than by the struggles between different interest groups within society - lords
and peasants, landlords and farmers, fanners and workers, or whatever. But
above all, historians and natural scientists perhaps differ in the emphasis they
each place on the respective influences of ‘natural’ and ‘social’ processes
in the formation of habitats and landscape features: and, as a landscape
historian, I would perhaps place more emphasis than many readers on the
human contribution, especially when studying a long-settled and intensively
cultivated region like Norfolk.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

HEDGES

I want briefly to examine some of these issues, in a Norfolk context, and
will begin by looking at the work of Max Hooper and Ernest Pollard on the
historical significance of the species composition of hedges (Pollard et al.
1974). As will be well known to most readers, Hooper’s study of hedges in
the 1960s and 70s culminated in the suggestion that they tend to acquire new
species at a relatively standard rate and can, in consequence, be roughly dated
by counting the number of different shrubs which they presently contain in a
standard length of c.30 yards, on the basis of the rough equation ‘one species
= one century’ (Pollard et al. 1974, p.78-84). Hooper was cautious in this
suggestion, emphasising the importance of local variations in colonisation
rates and stressing that the method only provided a very approximate guide
to a hedge’s antiquity. But, when embraced by landscape and local historians,
eager to use a method which would provide dates for field boundaries
(especially in places lacking early maps), such caution was usually thrown to
the winds. Numerous studies were produced which confidently dated hedges
to specific periods, even to particular centuries (e.g. Hewett 1974).

Pollard’s research was less eagerly embraced by students of landscape. He
reached conclusions which, although aired in the same volume as those
of Hooper, differed from his in a number of important ways. In particular,
Pollard drew attention to a type of very mixed hedge, characterised by large
amounts of Hazel ( Corylus avellana ), Dogwood ( Cornus sanguined ) and
other woodland shrubs, and containing a range of woodland plants in the
herb layer (Pollard et al. 1974, p.86-90; Pollard 1973). Pollard believed
that these ‘woodland relict hedges’ had been created by managing lines of
woodland vegetation around assarts cut from woodland early in the medieval
period. Such very mixed hedges had been species-rich from the start: unlike
Hooper’s species-rich hedges, which had acquired their character through
colonisation over time (Cameron 1984, p.204).

A substantial body of research, in Norfolk and elsewhere, has cast doubt on
many of these old suggestions, and in particular has questioned the validity
of ‘Hooper’s rule’ - although it retains support in some influential quarters
(e.g. Rackham 1986, 1976). As already noted. Hooper himself made clear
that variations in seed supply, and in the character of soils, could have a
major influence on the speed with which hedges acquired additional species.
He nevertheless seems to have underestimated the full extent to which such
things could, in practice, affect colonisation rates. In Norfolk, for example,
the kind of ruler-straight hedges established in the eighteenth and nineteenth

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

centuries, and mostly in the period 1780 - 1830, are still dominated by
the hawthorn or blackthorn with which they were first planted, and ought
everywhere to contain the same approximate numbers of adventitious
colonists. But they do not. Those established on moist clays contain on
average significantly more shrubs (4.3 per 30 metres on Beccles Association
soils, 4.2 on Burlingham soils) than those growing on light, well-drained
soils (2.6 per 30 metres on Wick 2 and 3 soils, 2.4 on those of the Newmarket
Association). The relationship between soils, and species diversity, is in part
an indirect one, relating to factors of seed supply. In Norfolk, the districts of
clay soils retained significant amounts of woodland throughout history, and
already had some hedges in the middle ages, whereas lighter soils generally
remained open and largely treeless from very early until relatively recent
times. But in part the relationship is probably direct: new species simply
became established at a faster rate in hedges growing on moist, fertile soils
than in those growing in leached, dry contexts (Barnes and Williamson 2006,
p.77-8).

A far more important problem with the ‘Hooper hypothesis’, as a series of
researchers have suggested, is that it underestimates the extent to which early
hedges may have been planted with a range of different shrubs. To some
extent, that is, older hedges contain more shrub species than younger ones
not simply because they have had more time to acquire colonists, but also
because they started off with more. Careful analysis of a substantial number of
Norfolk hedges has revealed that while those of eighteenth-century and later
date appear significantly different in composition from those planted in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the latter display few obvious differences
from those of probable medieval or earlier origins: they are simply mixed,
rather randomly, in character (Barnes and Williamson 2006, p.74). This
mirrors closely the conclusions of Willmott (1980) in Derbyshire and Hall
(1982) in Yorkshire, the latter memorably noting how pre- eighteenth-century
hedges simply formed a ‘statistically indistinguishable group’. In part at least
this is probably due to the fact that whereas eighteenth and nineteenth-century
hedges were normally planted with Hawthorn, Blackthorn, or a mixture of
these species, earlier ones were initially planted with a rather greater range of
plants, a practice which - as Wendy Johnson demonstrated many years ago
- is clearly indicated in the documentary evidence (Johnson 1978). Planting
practice, in other words, changed over time, and for a number of reasons.
Early hedges, generally planted by small fanners in a peasant economy,
were not merely intended to serve as stock-proof barriers. They were also
established to supply a range of resources - fuel mainly, but also perhaps

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

fodder and fruit. Even in the eighteenth century, in the words of William
Marshall, the entire supply of wood and timber in an area like north east
Norfolk ‘ may be said, with little latitude, to be from hedge-rows ’ (Marshall
1787, p.96). Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century hedges, in contrast, were
mainly planted by large landowners, men who obtained their firewood from
coppiced woodland or plantations, or used coal on their fires; and who had
little use for the other resources which hedges might provide. They viewed
hedges simply as boundaries, and as barriers to stock, and may also have had an
ideological hostility to ‘peasanty’ mixed hedges, and an aesthetic preference
for low, neatly trimmed, single-species ones. The early planting of multi-
species hedges was also, of course, encouraged by the difficulty of obtaining
large quantities of hedging thorn in the period before the development of
large commercial nurseries, something which, in a local context, only seems
to have occurred from the middle decades of the eighteenth century. All this,
if correct, obviously makes nonsense of Hooper’s ‘rule’. If hedges in the past
were planted with an unknown number of species - but with more than one
- then even if they acquired new colonists at a standard rate we could never
estimate their age, even approximately, from the number of different shrubs
which they contain today.

The ideas about hedges put forward by Ernest Pollard in the 1960s and 70s
have perhaps stood up to scrutiny rather better than those of his colleague
Hooper. In Norfolk, certainly, the majority of hedges which he would have
characterised as being of ‘woodland relict’ type do seem to occur on boundaries
which we might suspect are among the oldest in the landscape: on old lanes,
former common edges, parish boundaries (Barnes and Williamson 2006,
p.84-96). They were presumably established in the early medieval period in
a landscape in which woodland was relatively abundant, even on the lighter
soils of the county, thus providing an abundant source both of hedging plants,
and of seeds for colonisation. For we should not perhaps follow Pollard all the
way, and see such hedges as having been cut directly out of woodland. Indeed,
some hedges of ‘relict’ type surround fields which, to judge from their shape,
were created by informal ‘piecemeal’ enclosure from the open fields. Most
such hedges are probably characterised by a predominance of ‘woodland’
shrubs - including in a few cases such relative rarities as Wild service-tree
(. Sorbus torminalis) and Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata) - simply because
they were planted with material gathered from the local woodland. And once
again, we must be careful not to underestimate the direct influences of soils
on hedge vegetation. The distribution of ‘woodland indicator’ herb species
like Dogs Mercury ( Mercurialis perennis ) or Primrose {Primula vulgaris)

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

seems, on the Norfolk evidence, to be much more closely related to soil type
than to the age or antiquity of the hedge in question, with such plants being
particularly abundant in hedges growing on moist and fertile clays. Indeed,
both of these species can be found on occasions in hedges of eighteenth or
even nineteenth-century origin in parts of south and central Norfolk.

Landscape historians can certainly learn something about the history of
clearance, settlement and enclosure from the study of hedges: we should
not, that is, throw the baby out with the proverbial bathwater. But Hooper’s
simple ‘rule’ is incorrect and misleading not only because it oversimplifies
the complex ecology of hedges, but also because it interprets variations in
their botany almost entirely in terms of natural factors, rather than as the
outcome of the complex interplay of natural and human influences.

HEATHS

Heaths are another good example of the way that social and environmental
factors combined in the making of Norfolk’s landscape. Until the end of
the eighteenth century Norfolk probably had more heathland than any other
county in England. As William Faden’s county map (surveyed in the 1790s)
makes clear, the largest concentration was in Breckland, in the south-west
of the county, where aeolian sands were laid down during the Devensian
glaciation over boulder clay or chalk (Boulton et a/. 1984). To the north, a
second cluster of heaths extended northwards along the edge of the Wash
from Mintlyn to Snettisham, associated with the Greensand and related
formations of Cretaceous date. In earlier times there had also been extensive
areas of heath on the higher ground to the east of this belt, in the ‘Good
Sands’ region of north-west Norfolk, but most of these had been reclaimed
during the half-century or so before Faden’s map was made. The geology of
the area was broadly similar to that of Breckland, but here the layers of sandy
drift were thinner, and the soils more easily marled and cultivated (Wade
Martins and Williamson 1999, p34-43). Further areas of heathland could,
however, be found on the outwash gravels to the north of Norwich, and along
the north Norfolk coast, on the moraine ridge between Holt and Cromer. In
addition, a scatter of heaths existed, until the parliamentary enclosures of the
early nineteenth century, across the boulder clay plateau in the centre of the
county, associated with small areas of glacial sands or gravels. Some Norfolk
heaths, especially in Breckland, were grass heaths: but most were dominated
by Heather ( Calluna vulgaris ), with subsidiary populations of Gorse ( Ulex

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 6

2007 40 (1)

europaeus ) and Bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum).

Some heaths, especially in Breckland, may have remained as open ground
since the last glaciation but most were once covered in trees. These were
removed, by felling and overgrazing, by early farmers: the characteristic
heathland vegetation then developed and was subsequently maintained by
systematic exploitation. Heaths were intensively grazed, by sheep and other
livestock. But they were also regularly cut, for a range of materials: ling or
heather was used as fuel, and perhaps as thatch; gorse or furze for fuel and
fencing; and bracken as cattle bedding and fuel. In addition, "flag’ (the matted
roots of the heather) and turf were cut by the very poor, for firing. Many of
these forms of exploitation were in potential conflict, not least because they
were often enjoyed by different groups of people.

Sheep grazing was probably the most important use of the heaths. Nutrients
were rapidly leached from the poor, light soils of these districts and fertility
could only be maintained by grazing flocks on the heaths by day, and closely
folding them on the nearby arable by night, when it lay fallow or before
the spring sowing, where they dunged or ‘tathed’ it (Allison 1957). The
heaths were thus systematically depleted of nutrients, something perhaps
not always fully appreciated today when schemes for heathland restoration
are formulated. Such ‘sheep-coni’ systems could be found in many areas of
England but across much of medieval Norfolk they took a distinctive form.
The manure was considered a manorial monopoly and while the tenants might
benefit from the dung dropped as the sheep roamed over the fallows they had
to pay to enjoy the intensive night-folding (Allison 1957; Postgate 1962). The
sheep were organised into flocks dominated by the stock of the manorial lord,
and each manor had its defined ‘fold course’ which included both heath and
arable. There are signs that the fold course system may have become more
formalised, and more rigid, in late medieval times. In the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries some peasants may have had the right to erect folds, although even
then the system had been dominated by manorial lords (Bailey 1989, p.43-5).

The fold course system persisted in many places into the nineteenth century
but its character changed. From late medieval times it was increasingly used
as a way of maximising the income from commercial sheep-farming. The
tenants’ sheep were now excluded from the fold-course flocks: the grazing on
the heaths and the fallows was restricted to the lord’s sheep, and the system
became a way of running livestock over other people’s land. Nevertheless,
where - as was often the case - heaths were common land, ‘great cattle’
(horses, cows and bullocks) were pastured there by commoners, who were

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

often involved in disputes with fold course owners over grazing rights. Robert
Buxton typically complained in 1595 that ‘ The fold courses about Thetford
be 100 markes by year worse than of late they were, for where the township
were wont to keep but twenty milch neat and three or four horse, they have
now above one hundred of the one and four score of the other, and daily spoil
the ling and furze ’ (Clarke 1908, p.558).

Rabbits were also grazed on many Norfolk heaths. They were introduced into
Norfolk early in the middle ages but both the size and the number of warrens
increased considerably during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Warrens
were most numerous and extensive in Breckland but were also common in
the other heathland districts (Bailey 1988; Sheail 1971). By the sixteenth
century many were enclosed, but the rabbits still often escaped into adjacent
areas, again leading to disputes and legal cases.

Heaths were cut with a similar intensity to that with which they were grazed,
and their exploitation had to be managed accordingly. Even the cutting of
bracken might be closely regulated, as at Thetford in the 1590s (Clarke
1908, 558), and portions of heath were often ‘doled’ - that is, allocated in
strips to particular individuals for cutting, but opened for communal grazing
at certain times of the year. As a result of all these pressures heaths were
clearly often rather bare landscapes. Some sixteenth-century references even
suggest that areas of gorse needed to be carefully preserved from grazing,
so that the plants could grow high enough to provide winter shelter for the
flocks. A witness in a court case concerning Kilverstone in the 1590s, for
example, described how ‘he hathe knowne twoe or three places of furres
usually p [re] served for the layer and succar of the shepe as he thinketh in
and upon the said heath grownds’ (TNAPRO E134/35Eliz/East24). Where
rabbits were abundant they stripped the turf, leading to the development of
mobile dunes. William Gilpin, visiting Breckland in the 1760s, famously
described the scene as one of 'sand, and scattered gravel, without the least
vegetation; a mere African desert’ (Gilpin 1809, p.28-9). But it was not only
in Breckland that the activities of rabbits and warreners - compounded by
the intensive grazing of other stock and the digging of turf for fuel - could
lead to the removal of almost all vegetation. During an extended dispute in
the late sixteenth century concerning the exploitation of Cawston Heath, for
example, one witness described how:

Sand and graved is cast upp in such great heapes uppon the playne
grownd by reason of the digging therof that ther will noe grasse growe
upon the said grownde in a verie long tyme and... the... digging now

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

lately used is a great hindrance to the inhabitants of Cawston as well
in the fede of the cattell as in daggering ther said cattell (TNAPRO
E134/43&44Eliz/Mich 7).

Many Norfolk heaths were also subject to periodic cultivation, often in the
form of outfield Wrecks’ which were ploughed for a while as part of the
neighbouring open fields and then allowed to revert to rough grazing for
several years. This was an ancient practice but, once again, seems to have
become more systematic in the post-medieval period (Bailey 1989; Postgate
1962). More ad hoc cultivation of heathland also frequently occurred at times
of rising prices and the area under cultivation in heathland districts certainly
fluctuated overtime. In a late sixteenth-century dispute concerning the alleged
encroachment of Castle Rising Warren onto surrounding land one witness
typically stated that:

The most pt of the groundes of the said mannor in Southwotton wherin
the said f armors of Rysinge clayme warrenne hathe benne in tilthe
as yt maie appeare apparanntly by Rigge and furrowes ’ (TNAPRO
E 134/3 5 &3 6EI iz/Mich 16).

Heaths were thus, for much of their history, very intensively exploited as
a central part of the agrarian economy. As a result they were different in
appearance from the rather wilder and rougher environments which were
first recorded by naturalists in the late nineteenth century, when traditional
practices, including grazing, were already in decline. This reduction in
the intensity of exploitation had a major affect on the vegetation. Bracken
increased in importance, no longer kept in check by a combination of regular
cutting and the trampling of the young plants by livestock. In 1908 Clarke
described how it was ‘certainly the dominant plant of the “breck” district,
and on several heaths has usurped the position which heather occupied some
20 years ago. Bracken lacks its former economic importance’ (Clarke 1908,
p.567). By 1918 it was said to be dominant on other heaths in the county
(Clarke 1918, p.306). Gorse also seems to have become more prominent,
Bird in 1909 reporting how on East Ruston Common ‘The best parts of the
common for grazing purposes are now being much encroached upon by the
spreading of furze . . . there are not enough Donkeys to nibble down the gorse
bushes’ (Bird 1909, p.645). On Bamham Common near Thetford, similarly,
Clarke noted in 1918 that ‘the original steppe flora has been greatly reduced
by the encroachments of furze’ (Clarke 1918, p.308). Indeed, many heaths
especially those in north Norfolk - were by this stage becoming colonised by
scrub, and by woodland of birch, oak and pine (Clarke 1918, p.305). By the

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

inter- War period, some heaths were even being managed by regular burning
(Rider Haggard and Williamson 1933, p. 129), a practice unrecorded in earlier
times.

WOOD-PASTURE HEATHS

Not all Norfolk heaths had traditionally been completely open, treeless
environments, however. Somewhat surprisingly, given the intensity with
which they were grazed and cut, recent research suggests that many carried a
significant degree of managed tree-cover in the middle ages and, indeed, well
into the post-medieval period: wood-pasture heaths were a fairly common
element of the Norfolk landscape and are frequently referred to in early
documents.

In 1482, for example, Hugh Donne leased the lands owned by Mount Joye
Priory in Haveringland and Felthorpe ‘except all the woods of the place ’. The
lease agreement includes the clause: "the said Hugh shall have from the Prior
200 good faggots yearly and sufficient thorns and undeixvood for fencing the
closes ... and all the old wood, boughs, sticks and windfall wood that fortune
to fall within the said lands except great trees ’ (NRO NRS 21788 361X2).
In 1239 Robert de Hauteyn granted lands to William Lincoln in Taverham,
along with ‘common of pasture for 8 sheep, 6 beasts, in the woods, except
in the park of the said Robert ’ (Blomefield, 1805, Vol. II, p.247). As late as
the sixteenth century the inhabitants of nearby Marsham asserted that James
Brampton had felleth downe woode growinge uppon the common contrarye
to the custome of the mannor ’ (Smith et al. 1982, p.242-3). By the eighteenth
century all of these parishes were devoid of woodland, their landscapes
consisting entirely of arable and heath.

There were, moreover, private as well as common wood-pastures, for
medieval deer parks are recorded in the Patent Rolls, Charter Rolls, and Close
Rolls in many heathland parishes, including Baconsthorpe, Castle Rising,
Cawston, Costessey, Gaywood, Hevingham, Holt, Horsham, Horsford and
Roydon. In 1309 the pale at Costessey was repaired using ‘twenty fallen
oaks within the park in 1324 Robert de Morley and others were accused of
having set up tents ‘in warlike fashion in the park at Costeseye, and felled
trees in the said park’; while in the 1350s trees were cut down in, and timber
carried away from, the Bishop of Norwich’s park at Gaywood, Hevingham,
Thomage, and Thorpe. In c. 1560 John Gray, leasing Costessey park, reserved
the right do remove loads of wood ... at all convenient times ’ (NRO NRS
10381 25.A.6).

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

A number of early maps show wooded heaths, including a survey of New
Buckenham made in 1597 (NRO MC 22/11); a map of Haveringland of
1600 (NRO MS4521); an undated 16th-century map of Castle Rising; and
a survey of Appleton of 1596 (NRO BL71; NRO BRA 2524/6). Indeed,
close examination indicates that a number of residual fragments of wood-
pastures are actually shown on Faden’s 1797 map of Norfolk, within areas
denoted ‘heath’. But what is perhaps even more striking is that remnants
of these heathland wood-pastures still survive in a number of places. On
the Bayfield estate in north Norfolk, for example, over 30 pollarded oaks -
some Pedunculate ( Quercus robur ), some Sessile ( Q . petraea) - grow on dry,
leached soils of the Newport 4 and Barrow Associations. The youngest may
be less than 300 years old but the largest, the so-called ‘Bayfield Oak’, is
probably around 700 years old. Most are to be found within estate woodland
which was already in place by the late eighteenth century, but some are
growing in areas still described as heathland on the Tithe Award map of 1838
and, in one case, on the OS 6" Second Edition of 1906. Further examples
of relict heathland wood pasture occur on the Letheringsett estate, some 1.5
kilometres to the east, where more than eighty oak pollards are again hidden
away within an eighteenth-century plantation (‘Pereer’s Hills’); and at Holt
Hall, less than a kilometre further to the east.

Similar evidence comes from the Goodsand ridge to the north of Kings Lynn.
Buried within the eighteenth and nineteenth-century woodland around Ken
Hill House (centred on TF679349), surrounding a small area of surviving
heath, are a number of oak pollards with girths of between c.4.5 and 5.5
metres. The area is shown as ‘Caen Wood’ on Faden’s map of 1797 but
appears to have been heathland in the early seventeenth century, and by the
time of enclosure in 1 766 had partly been enclosed for use as a rabbit warren
(NRO Le Strange OB2; NRO BOl) (something which may explain the low
pollarding height of some of the trees). Once again there are other, more
fragmentary survivals in the vicinity, most notably the scatter of oak pollards
within Refley Wood, immediately to the west of Kings Lynn.

Further examples of relict wood-pastures can be found, although perhaps
less surprisingly, on the areas of former heathland scattered across the clay
plateau of mid-Norfolk. Ancient oak pollards thus exist within Thursford
Wood, the nature reserve managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (TF978332)
which partly overlies sands and gravels: and in Little Heath Plantation, some
c.2 kilometres to the north east (TF993346), which lies entirely on sandy
soils. Before enclosure in the early nineteenth century the latter formed the

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

northern section of an extensive tract of common called Stock Heath , which
was shared by a number of parishes in the area.

The age of surviving pollards makes it clear that new trees must have been
established on some heaths well into the post-medieval period. New species
may sometimes have been used. The pollarded beeches within Felbrigg Great
Wood in north Norfolk have been discussed on a number of occasions. The
trees lie immediately to the north of Felbrigg Park: a sketch map of 1777
shows that many at this time grew in an area described as ‘heath’ (NRO C /
See 2 Road Order Box no.21). It has been suggested that they are among the
most northerly indigenous examples of this species to be found in England
(Rackham 1986, p. 1 4 1 ; Rackham 1976, p.27). But even the largest of the
trees have girths of only a little over seven metres, many are considerably
smaller: when compared with the size of beeches of known date in the county
it is hard to believe that any of the Felbrigg trees were planted before the
late 17th century. William Windham began a sustained campaign of tree-
planting in and around Felbrigg Park in c.1676 and it is probable that the
beeches represent estate planting using plants brought in from elsewhere,
rather than relics of the local natural vegetation. Heathland wood-pastures
probably existed in the locality in the middle ages, and perhaps later. In the
1490s William Hamund of Felbrigg was granted the right to take ‘all the
underwood and lop all the trees that grow on the land of the said cottage
and upon the separate common fcommunam separalemj opposite ’ (NRO
WKC2/115). But the Felbrigg beeches seem, on present evidence, to be
relatively recent additions to the landscape.

What is particularly intriguing is the fact that wood pastures were not equally
common in al 1 heathland areas of Norfolk. There is, in particular, little evidence
for significant tree cover surviving far into the middle ages in Breckland, or in
the ‘Goodsands’ district of north west Norfolk. Major and minor place names
suggest the presence of some woodland in both of these districts in the early
middle ages but no maps or documents refer to or show existing woodland or
wood-pasture. The reasons for this broad difference between Breckland and
the Good Sands on the one hand, and the other heathland areas in Norfolk on
the other, are probably in the last analysis related to soils and geology. In the
former districts, chalk or boulder clay underlies acid sands at depths which
vary from a few centimetres to around three metres. Where the sands lay
less than c.0.3 metres deep they could be cultivated as outfield ‘brecks’ and
this would obviously have militated against the survival of trees. Moreover,
where the sands lay thicker extensive warrens were widely established from

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

an early date. While rabbit grazing would not have affected mature trees
it would have helped prevent the successful establishment of new ones. In
addition, the poor heathy soils in these areas were interspersed with ribbons
of rather better, more calcareous land on which settlement was relatively
extensive in prehistoric and again in Saxon times, presumably ensuring
considerable pressure on the adjacent areas.

Rabbit warrens, and sporadic outfield cultivation, were also features of the
other heathland districts in the county: of the areas of glacial sands and gravel
to the north of Norwich and on the Holt-Cromer ridge, and of the Greensand
ridge north of Kings Lynn. But they were here rather less prominent. In these
areas there were often hard pans of gravel, as well as sand; while in places
there was a high water table. Above all, these areas lacked underlying deposits
of chalk, or boulder clay, which might be dug out and spread on the surface
to neutralise soil acidity, a precondition for successful long-term cultivation.
Such areas were thus less attractive both to agriculturalists and to warreners.
The sands and gravels in these areas are, moreover, generally less interspersed
with ribbons of more amenable soils than is the case in Breckland or north-
west Norfolk. In most periods these districts had relatively low population
densities, something which would presumably have meant lower pressures
on the surrounding heaths.

CONCLUSION

Not only were heaths thus created, and maintained, by human agency. Their
varied character was as much the consequence of varied forms of management
and exploitation as it was of direct ‘natural’ influences. All this is doubtless
true of other ‘semi-natural’ habitats and environments in the county, although
I do not have the space to discuss any of them in detail here. The various
forms of ancient woodland, in particular, raise similar questions about the
relative balance of human and natural influences: and also, once again, of
how far present character is the consequence of relatively recent social and
economic developments. The distribution of Hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus)
woodland, for example, in south east Norfolk and north east Suffolk, is only
in part a consequence of the fact that this plant grows well on the moist
Beccles Association soils characteristic of these areas. On similar soils in
mid-Norfolk hornbeam is a minor component of ancient woods and often,
as at Wayland, seems to have been deliberately planted, at a relatively late
date. The marked western boundary of the distribution of Hornbeam woods,
roughly along the Tas valley, suggests that economic as much as ‘natural’

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

factors may have been at work. But why was hornbeam favoured, or
encouraged, as an understorey plant in some areas rather than in others? The
issue is complicated by the fact that the present predominance of hornbeam in
these woods is almost certainly, in part at least, a consequence of quite recent
changes. Even woods (such as East Wood, Denton) where Hornbeam is today
overwhelmingly dominant were, before the mid nineteenth century, probably
much more mixed in character. Decline of management, and the consequent
growth of the coppice stools to canopy level, has served to suppress other
understorey shrubs. Similar issues, and questions, are raised by other types of
woodland in the county. Hockering wood is thus dominated by outgrown and
singled coppice of Small-leaved Lime ( Tilia cordata). Lime was doubtless a
significant element of the natural vegetation here but why was it encouraged
by medieval woodland managers? The long strings of ponds within the
wood - perhaps used for retting the bast - together with the associated
moated site hint that in medieval times the wood may have functioned, in
effect, as a rope factory. But once again we need to ask how the present
overwhelming dominance of lime is, in fact, the result of developments since
the mid nineteenth century - the neglect of ‘traditional' management, and the
deliberate encouragement of lime as a single species.

Questions like these will only be answered by further research, carried
out by natural scientists and landscape historians working together. The
‘semi-natural’ environments of Norfolk are precisely that - semi- natural.
Establishing which aspects of their character are the result of social and
economic factors, which the result of natural influences; and unravelling the
complex interplay of natural and human agency in their development; will be
fascinating tasks, but not easy ones.

Abbreviations

NRO Norfolk Records Office

TNAPRO The National Archive: Public Records Office.

REFERENCES

ALLISON, K.J., 1957. The sheep-corn husbandly of Norfolk in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries. Agricultural History Review 5:12-30.

BAILEY, M., 1988. The rabbit and the medieval East Anglian economy’. Agricultural
History Review 36( 1 ): 1 -20.

BAILEY, M., 1989. A Marginal Economy? East Anglian Breckland in the Later Middle
Ages. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

BARNES, G. and WILLIAMSON, T., 2006. Hedgerow History: Ecology, History and
Landscape Character. Windgather Press, Macclesfield.

BIRD, M. C. H., 1909. The rural economy, sport, and natural history of East Ruston
Common. Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists ’Society 8(5): 63 1-
670.

BLOMEFIELD, F., 1805. An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of
Norfolk , 1 1 volumes. London.

BOULTON, G. S., COX, F., HART, J. and THORNTON, M., 1984. The glacial
geology of Norfolk. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Norfolk 34:103-122.

CAMERON, R.A.D., 1984. The biology and history of hedges: exploring the
connections. Biologist 31(4): 203-209.

CLARKE, W. G., 1908. Some Breckland characteristics. Transactions of the Norfolk
and Norwich Naturalists ’Society 8(4):555-578.

CLARKE, W. G., 1918. The Natural History of Norfolk Commons. Transactions of the
Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists ’Society 1 0(4):294-3 18.

GILPIN, W., 1809. Observations On Several Parts of the Counties of Cambridge,
Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. London.

HALL, J., 1982. Hedgerows in West Yorkshire: the Hooper method examined. Yorkshire
Archaeological Journal 54: 1 03- 1 09.

HEWLETT, G., 1974. Reconstructing an historical landscape from field and

documentary evidence: Otford in Kent. Agricultural History Review 21:94-1 10.

JOHNSON, W., 1978. Hedges: a review of some early literature. Local Historian
13:195-204.

MARSFLALL, W., 1787. The Rural Economy of Norfolk, 2 Volumes. London.

POLLARD, E., 1973. Hedges, VII. Woodland relic hedges in Huntingdonshire and
Peterborough. Journal of Ecology > 61 :343-352.

POLLARD, E., HOOPER, M.D., and MOORE, N.W., 1974. Hedges. Collins New
Naturalist, London.

POSTGATE, M. R., 1962. The field systems of Breckland. Agricultural History Review
10:80-101.

RACKHAM, O., 1976. Trees and Woodlands in the British Landscape. Dent, London.

RACKHAM, O., 1986. History of the Countryside. Dent, London.

RIDER HAGGARD, L. and WILLIAMSON, H., 1933. Norfolk Life. Faber and Faber,
London.

SHEAIL, J., 1971. Rabbits and Their History. David and Charles, Newton Abbot.

SMITH, A. H., BAKER, G. M., and KENNY, R. W., 1982. The Papers of Nathaniel
Bacon ofStiffkey, Vol. 2. Centre of East Anglian Studies, Norwich.

WADE MARTINS, S. and WILLIAMSON, T., 1999. Roots of Change: Farming
and the Landscape in East Anglia 1680-1879. British Agricultural History Society
Monograph, Exeter.

WILLMOTT, A., 1980. The woody species of hedges with special reference to age in
Church Broughton Parish, Derbyshire’. Journal of Ecology’ 68:269-286.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

An annotated list of plants of Blakeney
Point, Norfolk, with selected distribution
maps

John Pearson', Kenneth Taylor2, Janet Woodall '&
David HavilV

1 Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT

2 Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue,
Bailrigg, Lancaster LAI 4 AP

3 School of Biological Science, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London
WCIE 7HX

INTRODUCTION

The topography and vegetation of Blakeney Point was first described by
Oliver & Salisbury ( 1 9 1 3a). A revised list of the flowering plants of Blakeney
Point was published by White (1960). This list was updated together with
the inclusion of the ferns (White 1967a, b), and further additions to the flora
were made by White (1972) and White & Taylor (1984). A revised account
of the flora and plant ecology was produced by White (1989). Recording has
continued over the past decade and the distribution of some of the rarer and
critical elements of the flora have been mapped. In addition, the perception
is that some scarce or very localised species on the Point have recently
begun to spread e.g. Sea-holly Eryngium maritimum, Sea Spurge Euphorbia
paralias, Sea-heath Frankenia laevis and Curved Hard-grass Parapholis
incurva. Whether this can be attributed to climate change, an increase in
air pollution (nitrogen), or rabbit decline is uncertain, but it is hoped that
the selected distribution maps will provide useful information for future
botanical investigations on Blakeney Point. An opportunity has now arisen
to update the list to include the new records and to take account of changes in
the nomenclature and classification of the flora.

The names and synonyms used in this list and their sequence follow as far as
possible that of the New Flora of the British Isles (Stace, 1997). An attempt
has been made to include every plant which has ever been recorded for the
Point. In such a habitat there are inevitably some transient species. Propagules

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

arrive by sea, are carried by the wind and dispersed by birds. The resulting
plants may survive for some years and then die out. Where known the dates
of arrival and of disappearance of a species are given since in some cases
these may be of biological interest.

The original list of Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) contained about 120 species,
while the present list records over 300 species of flowering plants, of which
36 are grasses. There are seven species of ferns.

METHODS

Recording of species over the last ten years has taken place on visits to
the Point every June and again in August/September of each year with an
occasional visit in April. Access to the western end of Blakeney Point is
restricted between April and August, due to nesting birds. For this reason
more detailed mapping and surveying of selected species took place in late
August to early September between 2000 and 2004. The whole of Blakeney
Point above the high water mark, from the Hood to Far Point, was surveyed
in squares c 25m x 25 m simply by pacing out the distances. Because of the
difficult nature of the terrain and the impossible task of pacing out perfect
squares, an accurate grid reference for the centre of each square was obtained
from a GPS positioner. Mapping of plant distributions was carried out using
hand-held GPS positioners (Garmin eTrex) set to UK OS grid reference mode
(OSGB36) and grid north. The maps in this paper have been produced using
Dr Alan Morton’s DMAPW software (www.dmap.co.uk). The recent (2000)
outline for Blakeney Point was produced by walking all of the extreme high
spring-tide line and logging this using the GPS trail facility. The trail was
then downloaded to a computer for transfer to DMAPW and subsequent
digitization to produce the base outline. For details of the Watch House bank
and the Marams beyond the Hood refer to the 1961 map (White 1989).

The time series of westerly extensions to the headland, the laterals, each the
result of a shingle spur built out from the end of the Point, was catalogued
by Salisbury (1922). The terminal hook of 1921, Far Point (now named
Near Point), has survived despite tidal flooding, changes in shape, size and
orientation. In 1966 a new terminal lateral (now named Far Point) appeared
to seaward of Near Point and by 1979 had become consolidated to provide
a range of new habitats (Barfoot & Tucker 1980). To clarify any possible
confusion with references to locations in some of the older species lists some
of the important locations mentioned in the present text are indicated on Map
1.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Map 1 Blakeney Point from the Hood to Far Point: (ALBH) Life Boat Houses; (P)
Plantation; (L) Laboratory; (NT) National Trust exclosure; (BH) Beacon Hills.

PLANT LIST

Ophioglossaceae

Ophioglossum vulgatum L. - Adder’s Tongue.

In June, 1970, a patch of this fern was found on the Hood. In 1971 there
were fewer plants, but those present were sporing. Not now present.

Polypodiaceae

Polypodium vulgare agg. - Polypody.

This aggregate species was recorded in Oliver & Salisbury (1913a), for
the Long Hills. Nine clumps, each of some considerable size and all
aggregated together in fairly close proximity, occurred in the central area
of the Long Hills. Only a remnant of the Long Hills now remains since
much of this dune system was blown away in the late nineteen-thirties,
and no Polypodium has been seen in this region since the war. It was
recorded for the Old Grey ( Carex ) dunes in 1947 and has since spread
vigorously.

It is now known that two species of the aggregate occur on the Point:

P. vulgare sensu stricta L.

Found on the Old Grey (Carex) dunes; on the main ridge and on the
eroded dunes bordering Boathouse Low.

P interjectum Shivas

Found with P. vulgare on the Old Grey (Carex) dunes and on the eroded
dunes bordering Boathouse Low. It is also found on the Lichen Heath and
on the Hood. The large patch of Polypodium opposite the Laboratory is

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

a pure stand of P. interjectum. These two species may occur together and
appear to occupy similar types of habitats. They are now very widespread
across the grey dunes. A fuller account of these two species on Blakeney
Point is published by White, White & Feterken (1970).

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L. - Black Spleenwort.

Found in 1 970 growing on the headland dunes (identification determined by
A.C. Jenny). The plant was growing mingled with a patch of Polypodium
vulgare. It had three fertile, current year’s fronds. There were also several
dead fronds from the previous year so that the plant was certainly two
years old. From its size this plant may well have been several years old.
Not seen recently.

Woodsiaceae

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth {As pi din m filix feomina) - Lady-fern.

Described in Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) as being the rarest plant on the
Point. A single plant occurred on the Hood, growing in a disused rabbit
hole. The plant has not been seen for many years.

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott - Male-fem.

Found on the Hood where there were about ten plants in 1967. Only a
single crown was observed on the Hood in 2003. In 2000 four clumps
were seen at the top end of the NT enclosure (see Map 2).

99 00 01

Map 2 Dryopteris filix-mas

Dryopteris dilatata (Hoffm.). A. Gray - Broad Buckler-fern.

Found in small amount on the Hood. One very young plant was found in

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

1964 on the slope of the dunes adjoining Great Sandy Low. In 1970 it was
found growing in a small depression on the dune forming the ‘outlier’ of
the Long Hills. In 2002 two to three crowns seen at the westerly end of
the NT enclosure. In 2003 also occurring in patches across the Hood (see
Map 3).

99 00 01

Map 3 Dry opt er is dilatata

Pinacea

Pinus nigra L. - Corsican Pine.

Planted in the plantation by Professor Oliver in 1916-17.

Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus repens L. - Creeping Buttercup.

A rare casual, occasionally recorded for the main shingle bank.
Ranunculus bulbosus L. - Bulbous Buttercup.

Two plants were found on the main dune ridge in June, 1964.

Thalictrum minus L. - Lesser Meadow-rue.

First observed on the dunes in 1957. It was still there in 1959. Seen in
2006 in dunes fringing south side of Great Sandy Low.

Papaveraceae

Pap aver rhoeas L. - Common Poppy.

A rare casual. Flowering in the main temery on Near Point in 1999.

Pap aver somniferum L. - Opium Poppy.

Accidental. Seen in local abundance on the main shingle bank towards
the Hood and on the Watch House bank.

Glaucium flavum Crantz - Yellow Horned-poppy.

A biennial, sometimes perennial, plant of the shingle. Especially abundant

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

on the main shingle ridge between the Hood and the Marams. It produces
many seeds. According to Salisbury (1952) a single plant may produce
up to 60,000 seeds. Germination is good; a crop of seedling rosettes can
often be seen surrounding a parent plant. There was hardly a plant to
be found on the main ridge in the summer of 1953 following the great
flood of the previous February. It was there in fair numbers in 1954, and
by 1957 was again abundant. During recent years this plant has become
more abundant on the shingle between the Hood and The Headland (see
Map 4).

99 00 01

Map 4 Glaucium flavum

Urticaceae

Urtica dioica L. - Common Nettle.

Recorded as a casual on the Long Hills by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a).
Also recorded for the Hood where it is still present, and now around parts
of the NT enclosure.

Urtica urens L. - Small Nettle.

Several flowering plants of this annual were found in 1961 in disturbed
ground among the lupins near the Old Lifeboat House. It probably occurs
most years. Still present in 2004.

Betulaceae

Betula pubescens Ehr. - Downy Birch.

Already present in the NT enclosure in 2004.

Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodium album L. - Fat-hen.

An occasional plant of the shingle. Found in the main temery on Near
Point in 1998.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Atriplex prostra+a L. (A. hastate auct. non L.) - Spear-leaved Orache
Atriplex prostrata x A. littoralis = A. hulmeana .

A fertile hybrid.

Atriplex littoralis L. - Grass-leaved Orache.

Abundant on the upper limit of the drift line on the marsh side of the
main bank, and on both drift lines of the lateral banks.

Atriplex laciniata L. - Frosted Orache.

Common on the strandline in 2004.

Atriplex pa tula L. - Common Orache .

All the above species of Atriplex are found on the strandlines and on the
Main Shingle Ridge.

Atriplex portulacoides L. [Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen] - Sea
Purslane

A perennial plant found at all levels of the marsh. In the lowest marshes
the plant occurs along the sides of the creeks, i.e. in the better drained
areas.

Beta vulgaris L. ssp. maritima (L.) Arcang. ( Beta maritima L.) - Sea Beet.

A characteristic plant of the shingle. It is found on the main shingle bank
towards and beyond the Watch House, and on parts of Yankee Bank.
Sarcocornia perennis (Mill) A.J. Scott ( Salicornia perennis Mill)

Perennial Glasswort.

A somewhat woody perennial plant found at the upper levels of the
marshes and, restricted to the sides of the drainage channels, in the lower
marshes. Some of the shoots possess a fine coppery-bronze colour.
Salicornia europaea L. agg. - Glasswort, Samphire.

The following annual diploid (2n = 1 8) species have been recognized on
the marshes (Beckett & Bull 1999; Davy et al. , 2001):

S. ramosissima Woods.

Widespread in the upper levels of the marshes.

S. europaea L.

Frequent in the upper levels of the marshes.

S. obscura P.W. Ball & Tutin.

Found only on the marshes at Blakeney and Scolt Head Island.
Salicornia procumbens Sm. agg.

Includes the following annual tetraploid (2n = 36) species recognised on
the marshes (Beckett & Bull 1999; Davy et al., 2001):

S. nitens P.W. Ball & Tutin.

Found only once at Blakeney.

S.fragilis P.W. Ball & Tutin.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

Has a restricted distribution on the north coast marshes between
Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea
S. dolichostachya Moss.

Tetraploid variant (Ingrouille et al., 1990) found at the lowest levels
of the marshes.

Species of the annual Salicornias are among the earliest colonists of mud,
leading to marsh formation.

Suaeda vera Forssk. Ex J.F. Gmel. (S. fruticosa sensu Coste non Forssk.) -
Shrubby Sea-blite.

A woody shrub of the shingle. It grows on the marsh side of the main
ridge and on both flanks of the lateral ridges. When partially buried by
shingle the plants are stimulated into vigorous growth. They help to
stabilise the shingle and since during moderate movement of the shingle
the plants will accumulate it around their stems they will tend to increase
the height of the shingle bank, in their immediate neighbourhood (Oliver
& Salisbury 1913b).

Under natural conditions S. vera establishes itself by seed dispersed with
tidal drift. Abundant in the main temery on Near Point in 1998. By 1999
it had. spread so much that the terns stopped using this area for nesting
and have now moved on to Far Point. Suaeda vera is a mediterranean
species and is here nearing the northern limit of its range.

Suaeda maritima (L.) Dum. - Annual Sea-blite.

An annual salt-marsh plant occurring usually well below the high tide
level but also always abundant along the high tide mark behind the main
ridge.

Salsola kali L. ssp. kali - Prickly Saltwort.

An annual plant of the strandline and, less abundantly, of the drift line
on the marsh side. The plants have a very deep root system, and a tiny
seedling will have a main root going down for twelve inches or more.
Saltwort is tolerant of sea water. It was formerly collected and burnt (like
Salicornia) to provide soda for glass-making.

Caryophyllaceae

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. - Thyme-leaved Sandwort.

An annual, sometimes perennial, plant found regularly on the stabilised
shingle of the lateral banks.

Honckenya peploides (L.) Ehrh. - Sea Sandwort.

A shingle plant with an extensive underground system. Its leaves die back
in winter, growth taking place the following spring from subterranean
buds. It can tolerate some shingle movement but seems to prefer shingle

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

in which there is plenty of sand. It can tolerate a high concentration of salt
and is often found on the strand line where it will accumulate sand and
form miniature dunes in advance of the dune system proper. Seedlings
are rarely seen although Honckenya is one of the commonest plants of the
shingle and produces a very large number of seed capsules.

Stellaria pallida (Dum.) Pire (S. apetala auct.). - Lesser Chickweed.

An annual plant of the dunes. Seed germinates mainly in the spring.
Cerastium fontanum ssp. vulgare (Hartm.) Greuter & Burdet - Common
Mouse-ear

This plant, which is normally a perennial, probably behaves as an annual
in the dunes. Its distribution is similar to the two following species.
Stellaria pallida (Dum.) Pire (S. apetala auct.). - Lesser Chickweed.
Cerastium diffasum Pers. (C. atrovirens Bab.) - Sea Mouse-ear.

A winter annual distributed like C. semidecandrum, but probably not so
abundant. It comes into flower later than C. semidecandrum.

Cerastium semidecandrum L. - Little Mouse-ear.

A very abundant winter annual occurring on the fixed dunes, stabilised
shingle and in the shingly-sandy lows.

Sagina nodosa (L.) Frenzl. - Knotted Pearlwort.

No recent records.

Sagina procumbens L. - Procumbent Pearlwort.

On the Watch House Bank near the house in 1956. Also among the stones
near the Laboratory.

Sagina apetala Ard. - Annual Pearlwort
No recent records

Sagina maritima Don. - Sea Pearlwort.

No recent records.

Spergularia media (L.) C. Presl. (S. marginata Kitt. nom. illeg.) - Greater
Sea-spurrey.

A perennial plant of the upper salt-marshes.

Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb. (S. salina J. & C. Presl.) - Lesser Sea-
spurrey.

An annual plant of upper and drier margins of the salt-marshes.

Silene uniflora Roth ( S . maritima With.) - Sea Campion.

A deep-rooted plant with an extensive underground system. It can tolerate
some movement of shingle when growing on the main bank. Salisbury
has described it as an ‘Ammophila of the shingle.’ Also grows on sand.
It was abundant on the eroded dunes of the Long Hills. Its leaves remain
green throughout the winter, but the buds from which the following year’s

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

growth will occur are subterranean. Silene appears to have become very
much less abundant these last few years. This may be due to competition
from grasses. The Yankee Bank is developing a closed carpet of vegetation
and this appears to have been paralleled by the decrease in Silene. The
absence of rabbits with its effect upon the grasses may be tied up with
the decrease. The flowers of S. uniflora are very variable. They have
been investigated by Salisbury (1912), who recognised several different
forms.

Silene latifolia Poir. [S. alba (Mill.) E. H. L. Krause] - White Campion.

A casual. This cornfield plant was recorded on the Hood by Oliver &
Salisbury (1913a).

Polygonaceae

Polygonum oxy sperm um C.A. Mey. & Bunge ex Ledeb. (P. raii Bab.) -
Ray’s Knotgrass

First recorded in 1955 growing among P. aviculare on the main shingle
ridge. The identity of this plant was confirmed by Professor T. G. Tutin.
(Jane 1958). In 1985 many plants found on Near Point in front of the big
Hide and in 2004 several plants found at the end of Far Point.
Polygonum aviculare - Knotgrass.

On the main shingle ridge.

Fallopia convolvulus (F.) A. Fove ( Polygonum convolvulus L.) - Black-
bindweed.

Two shoots found in 2004 at the end of Far Point and one plant on Near
Point.

Rumex acetosella F. - Sheep’s Sorrel.

A common plant, occurring in patches on the lateral shingle banks, the
Fichen heaths, and on the older dunes where the marram is deteriorating.
Flowers freely. An indicator plant of somewhat acid conditions.

Rumex acetosa F. - Common Sorrel.

Recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) for the main shingle bank. Very
rare. Not seen recently.

Rumex crispus L. ssp. littoreus (R. crispus var. trigranulatus) - Curled Dock
A perennial plant, growing on the main shingle ridge and, less abundantly,
on the lateral ridge.

Plumbaginaceae

Limonium vulgare Mill. ( Statice limonium L.) - Common Sea-lavender.

A widespread plant of the salt-marshes. A lax-flowered variant of L.
vulgare which is very variable in this respect, having a panicle intermediate

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

between L. vulgare and L. humile (possibly as a result of introgression, but
not recently) also occurs. The lax flowered plants in Norfolk are in other
respects unlike real L. humile , they are much more robust and spread
vegetatively (M.J. Ingrouille personal communication). These variants
are most probably those described by Choudhuri (1942) as hybrids ( L x.
neumanii C.E. Salmon) between L. vulgare and L. humile in the Blakeney
Point populations.

Limonium humile. Mill. ( Statice rariflora Drejer) - Lax-flowered Sea-
lavender.

A rare perennial found at lower levels of the salt-marshes in deep mud.
Seen recently in 1991 in Blakeney Harbour, K. Ferrousat (Beckett & Bull
1999).

Limonium bellidifolium (Gouan) Dumort ( Statice reticulate auct. angl. Non
L.) - Matted Sea-lavender.

Occurs on the shingle where there is a good deposit of mud, e.g. on
the edges of the lateral shingle banks, and in the shingly lows such as
Boathouse Low. It appears always to occur in places which are flooded
occasionally by the higher tides. In 2004 abundant at the edges of Great
Sandy Low. It is often associated with Frankenia laevis (q.v.). This plant is
a mediterranean species and is here near the northern limit of its range.

Limonium binervosum (G.E.Sm.) C. E. Salmon ssp. anglicum ( Statice
binervosum G. E. Smith) - Rock Sea-lavender.

On Blakeney Point this is the sea lavender of the shingle. It is especially
abundant on the shingle plateau on the N.W. side of the upper Pelvetia
marsh, where it approaches the main shingle beach. It first became
abundant in this region about 1914. Occasional plants occur on the main
shingle bank, but it appears to prefer areas where there is much sand
mixed with the shingle. It often forms a distinctive zone on the flanks of
the lateral banks, e.g. on the Marams and, in places, on the Yankee Bank.
Now also found in the Lows. The sea-lavenders provide one of the three
main flowering ‘seasons’ on the Point. Their flowering usually extends
from the third week of July until the middle of August.

Armeria maritima Willd. ssp. maritima - Thrift.

On Blakeney Point this is essentially a plant of the shingle and drier parts
of the lows. It is often one of the dominants on the crests of the lateral
shingle banks e.g. on Watch House Bank. It occurs, less abundantly, on
the upper edges of the older marshes of the Marams.

Malvaceae

Lav at era arborea L. - Tree-mallow.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

A single plant found on the seaward side of Far Point in 2003, not present
in 2004.

Violaceae

Viola canina L. - Heath Dog-violet.

Large clumps and spreading patches over an area of about 10m2 just
outside the NT enclosure, near the fence and the last hut, in 2002. Still
locally abundant in 2004 and also found in the grey dunes.

Viola arvensis Murray - Field Pansy.

First recorded in June, 1998. About 24 plants just above the strandline in
an area near the bird hide on Near Point. Still present in 2002 and 2003,
but not seen in 2004. Found again in numbers at a separate location, the
dune crest in Beacon Hills some 100m eastwards.

Tamaricaceae

Tamarix ga/lica L. ( T. anglica Webb) - Tamarisk.

Clump by the laboratory planted in 1 9 1 2 by Professor F. W. Oliver where
it still occurs. More plants were put in the edge of the plantation and on
the paths behind the main dunes in January, 1956, but these have failed
to survive.

Frankeniaceae

Frankenia laevis L. - Sea Heath.

A mediterranean plant almost at the limit of its northern range. It grows
in the Suaeda vera zone on the flanks of the older laterals, where the
shingle is stabilised and there is a good mixture of sand. It is a constant
associate of Limonium bellidifolium (q.v.) in muddy shingly lows which
are regularly flooded by the higher tides, e.g. in Boathouse Low and in the
small low at the side of the Yankee Bank. Frankenia laevis appears to be
spreading on the Point, although it is said to produce a few fertile seeds in
its Norfolk stations (see Map 5).

Cucurbitaceae

Bryonia dioica Jacq. - White Bryony.

Growing near Tamarisk bushes next to the Laboratory in 1987, but not
seen recently.

Salicaceae

Populus alba L. - White Poplar.

The original trees in the plantation planted by Professor F. W. Oliver
in 1916-17 are now dead. Since 1955 they suckered very freely on the
slopes about the plantation and these shoots are now forming quite a dense

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

thicket. Perhaps the absence of rabbits has encouraged the regrowth.
Populus balsamifera L. - Eastern Balsam Poplar.

Planted in the plantation by Professor F. W. Oliver in 1916-17. The
original tree has gradually been dying back since the floods of 1953 but
several suckers survived. Not seen recently.

99 oo 01

Map 5. Frankenia laevis

Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)

Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. - Hedge Mustard.

Localised patches found on Far Point in 2004. Occasional on the Watch
House bank.

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl. ( Sisymbrium sophia L.) -
Flixweed.

Found in disturbed ground near the Old Lifeboat House in 1960.
Armoracia rusticana P. Gaertn., B. Mey & Scherb. - Horse-radish.

One plant occurred on the dunes in front of the New Lifeboat House.
Cardamine pratensis L. - Cuckooflower.

In 2004 six plants found in the dunes near Glaux Low.

Erophila verna (L) DC - Common Whitlowgrass.

A very short-lived spring-flowering dune annual. Abundant on the fixed
dunes and lichen heaths. By early summer only the dried remains of this
plant will be found.

Cochlearia officinalis L. - Common Scurvygrass.

A perennial plant, a member of the so-called ‘general salt-marsh
community.’ Comes into flower very early in the season.

Cochlearia anglica L. - English Scurvygrass.

Rather rare, mainly confined to the Suaeda vera zones on the flanks of the
older lateral shingle banks.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

Coclearia dcmica L. - Danish Scurvygrass.

A biennial plant. Recorded on the Yankee Bank , parts of the grey dune
near the Lifeboat houses and from the upper edges of the marsh.

Capsella bursa-pastor is (L.) Medik. - Shepherd’s-purse.

In disturbed ground near the Lifeboat Houses. Recorded in 1998 in the
main temery on Near Point.

Cakile maritima Scop. - Sea Rocket.

An annual plant of the strand line. Plants will also be found on and behind
the seaward face of the main dune ridge, where seed has been carried by
the high tides during winter storms.

Crambe maritima L. - Seakale.

A single specimen of this plant occurred on the main shingle ridge beyond
the Watch House towards Cley. This established itself from seed (derived
from the Calshot Shingle Spit) sown on the selfsame spot in January 1912,
by Professor F. W. Oliver. It was destroyed in the floods of 1953. However,
by 1968 there were three plants on the main shingle bank between Cley
beach and the Hood. The largest plant growing on the seaward edge of
the shingle bank, east of the Hood and about one-third of the way along
towards the Watch House, flowers annually. Have these plants come from
long-buried seed derived from the original plant which was destroyed in
the storm-surge of 1953?

Resedaceae

Reseda luteola L. - Dyer’s Rocket, Weld.

A casual in disturbed ground by the Lifeboat Houses where it may be
found in most years. More widespread in 2004.

Primulaceae

Anagallis arvensis L. ssp. arvensis - Scarlet Pimpernel.

Found occasionally on the shingle banks, shingly lows and on the ‘older’
dunes.

Glaux maritima L. - Sea-milkwort.

Salisbury (1932) described this plant as a pseudo-annual, it perennates
and spreads by means of fleshy stolons, while its aerial shoots are annual.
It grows in places where there is some deposition of mud or sand, usually
as a result of flooding by high tides. The plant gives its name to Glaux
Low, over which it eventually formed a more or less complete carpet.
This colonization began to take place in 1910 and by about 1917 it had
occupied more than half the Low. However, by 2003 and 2004 the plant
was in decline in Glaux Low where it is being out-competed by Agrostis

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

stolonifera It is now abundant in parts of Great Sandy Low, and it also
occurs in Boathouse Low.

Crassulaceae

Sedum acre L. - Biting Stonecrop.

An abundant plant on the fixed dunes and shingle.

Sedum anglicum Huds. - English Stonecrop.

A beautiful plant with pink and white flowers found on the shingle.
Locally abundant on Yankee and Watch House Banks. Not so widespread
nor so abundant as S. acre. There was a particularly good show of this
plant on Yankee Bank in 1966.

Rosaceae

Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. - Meadowsweet.

A plant was found growing with a patch of Scutellaria in a hollow on
the main dunes in 1956. It was still there in 1959, but has not been seen
recently.

Rubus idaeus L. - Raspberry.

A single bush present for many years on the fixed dunes next to the Yucca,
between the laboratory and the plantation. Found in fruit in 1986 and in
2004. Four shrubs have become established at the same site.

Rubus fruticosus agg. - Bramble, Blackberry.

Known for some years as an occasional plant on the dunes (see Map 6).
Samples of the following species (in Rubus F. subgenus Rubus section
Glandulosus (R. fruticosus L. agg.)) were collected in the summer of
1980, and kindly identified by the late E.S.Edees:

99 00 01

Map 6 Rubus fruticosus agg.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

R. ulmifolius Schott.

Vigorous specimens occur on the Hood, the Long Hills and on the
dunes at the head of Great Sandy Low. In 1986 occurring near the Old
Lifeboat House and at the head of the Lagoon near an old stand of
Leymus arenarius.

R. boraeanus Genev.

Found growing with R. ulmifolius on the Hood. A local and rather
variable species in Norfolk.

Rubus caesius L. - Dewberry.

Samples collected for identification from the Beacon Hills at the same
time as the bramble samples above. A few plants present for some years
and now spreading (see Map 7).

Map 7 Rubus caesius
Potentilla anserina L. - Silverweed.

Occurs around the margin of Glaux Low, where it is spreading, on the Hood,
and in odd places on the seaward side of the dunes where flotsam gets
washed up. Present in Glaux Low in 2002.

Aphanes arvensis L. - Parsley-piert.

Occurs sparsely on the older shingle laterals. Recorded on the Yankee
Bank in 1956.

Rosa pimpinellifolia L. - Burnet Rose.

A plant has been known for some years on the main dunes.

Rosa canina L. - Dog-rose.

Found at the top end of the Beacon Hills enclosure near the fence of the
NT exclosure and a single plant in the grey dunes in 2000.

Traus. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Rosa rugosa Thunb. ex Murray - Japanese Rose.

Several plants found in 2002 around Glaux Low, but removed by the
wardens.

Prunus domestica L. - Wild Plum.

Four saplings found on the Hood in 2003. In 2004 a single sapling
was found in the Grey dune near the Laboratory and another near the
boardwalk.

Crataegus monogyna Jacq. - Hawthorn.

A single small (ca. 30cm), stunted plant was found in the dune on the
Hood and also a single plant in the Main Dunes near the boardwalk in
2003.

Mimosaceae

Acacia dealbata Link- Silver wattle.

An accidental. A native of S.E. Australia and Tasmania. Widely naturalized
in S. Europe. Seedling by the side of the boardwalk found in 2004. Still
surviving in 2005 and 2006.

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Anthyllis vulneraria L. - Kidney Vetch.

Ten plants found near the bird hide on Near Point in 2004.

Lotus corniculatus L. - Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil.

This plant grows on the crest of some of the lateral shingle banks, e.g.
Watch House and Yankee Banks. It is quite common on the Hood., where it
was recorded as locally abundant in lower shingle depressions in 2003.
Vicia sativa ssp. nigra L. (ssp. angustifolia (L.) Gaudin) - Common Vetch.
Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) recorded it as an occasional plant on the Watch
House Bank and on two of the Marams. More recently it has appeared on
Yankee Bank, and in 1965 it was recorded for the first time on the Hood.
Vicia lathyroides L. - Spring Vetch.

A single plant found on the Watch House Bank in 1985.

Lathyrus japonicus Willd. (Lathyrus maritimus (L.) Bigelow) - Sea Pea.
Probably introduced to Blakeney Point; in 1954 E. A. Ellis sowed 100
seeds in the shingle at Cley Beach over a distance of about 300 yards
running west from where the road comes down to the beach. The seed
was collected in 1953 from Shingle Street in Suffolk. Several plants were
found in flower on the shingle near East Point in 1959. In 1970 several
plants were found on the main shingle bank east of Watch House. Still
to be found in 1996, but after the main shingle ridge was overrun by the
sea in spring storms in 1997 it could not be found (Beckett & Bull 1999).

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Present in 2006 (P. Lambley pers. com.J.

Trifolium repens L. - White Clover.

There is a small patch of this plant persisting on the Headland dunes. Still
present in 2004.

Trifolium campestre Schreb. - Hop Trefoil.

Occurs on some of the older lateral shingle banks.

Trifolium dubium Sibth. - Lesser Trefoil.

On some of the lateral shingle banks and in some dry shingle lows (e.g.
Long Low).

Trifolium striatum L. - Knotted Clover.

Occurs on some of the older shingle laterals.

Trifolium scabrum L. - Rough Clover.

Has been recorded for the Watch House Bank.

Trifoljum arvense L. - Hare’s-foot Clover. On the Marams,

Watch House and Yankee Banks. In 2003 it was locally abundant in lower
shingle depressions on the Hood.

Lupinus arboreus Sims - Tree Lupin.

Originally planted near the Lifeboat Houses and the Laboratory. It appears
to be spreading particularly in the shingle of Long Low. Still present but
many dead older plants found in 2003 and lots of seedlings in 2004 (see
Map 8)

99 00 01

Map 8 Lupinus arboreus

Elaeagnaceae

Hippophae rhamnoides L. - Sea Buckthorn.

Several plants on the trackways behind the main dune ridge where they
were planted in January, 1956. Two of the plants were going ahead nicely

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

and producing suckers by 1959. One had a long row of sucker shoots
forming. But neither these plants nor the three or four plants on the Hood
which were planted in 1956 or 1957 have survived.

Onagraceae

Epilobium hirsutum L. - Great Willow-herb.

Very rare. Was first recorded for the main shingle bank by Oliver &
Salisbury ( 1913a). Now much more widespread.

Epilobium montanum L. - Broad-leaved Willowherb.

Several plants around the edges of Glaux Low in 2002 and 2003, and on
the Yankee Bank in 2004.

Epilobium ciliatum Raf. (E. adenocaulon Hausskn. ) - American
Willowherb.

A plant was found on the Yankee Bank in 1967. Another plant was found
on the main dunes in 1970. Found on the Hood in 2004 in the shingle
interface and on the dunes locally frequent.

Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub (Epilobium angustifolium L.) -
Rosebay Willowherb.

A casual originally found occasionally on the main shingle ridge but
now found more frequently. In 2003 forming extensive localized patches
around the higher parts of the Grey Dune and in the dunes on the Hood.

Celastraceae

Euonymus europaeus L. - Spindle.

Two plants behind the plantation, possibly from bird-sown seed or possibly
planted. The plants are flourishing, sending up suckers and fruiting. Also
now occurs in the NT enclosure and elsewhere.

Euphorbiaceae

Mercurialis annua L. - Annual Mercury.

Three plants (one male, two female) were found growing near the New
Lifeboat House in 1934, but not seen recently.

Euphorbia lathyris L. - Caper Spurge.

A biennial, casual or naturalized alien. First occurred in 1964 inside the
NT fenced area near the Lifeboat Houses. By 2000 had spread to 30-40
plants.

Euphorbia paralias L. - Sea Spurge.

Found in 1959, on the dunes near the neck of Glaux Low. Still present
and flowering in 1960. In 2001 two mature plants and 20-30 young shoots
found in the neck of Glaux Low, and several plants around Great Sandy
Low. Now more widespread (see Map 9).

Tram. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

99 00 01

Map 9 Euphorbia paralias

Aceraceae

Acer pseudoplcitanas L. - Sycamore.

Several trees in the plantation present in 2004. It was probably planted
about 1916 or 1917.

Geraniaceae

Geranium molle L. - Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill.

Occasional plants occur on the stabilised shingle banks and on the older
grey dunes. In 2004 good colonies forming on Yankee Bank, Far Point
and Near Point.

Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Herit. - Common Stork’s-bill.

A common, somewhat variable plant of the fixed dunes and lichen
heaths.

Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Eyngium maritimum L. - Sea Holly.

A perennial plant of mobile sand dunes and of shingle which contains a
good deal of sand. Initially not a particularly common plant on Blakeney
Point, but now spreading. It occurs mainly among the derelict small dunes
at the eastern end of the main ternery where it is perhaps now rather more
abundant than hitherto. One small plant found on the main shingle bank
in 1992, not seen since. A single flowering specimen found in low yellow
dune near the foreshore in 2002. Occasional in yellow dune on New Far
Point and the main dune in 2002. Now spreading further (see Map 10).

Trans. Norfolk Nor~wich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

99 00 01

Map 10 Eryngium maritimum

Anthriscus caucalis M. Bieb. - Bur Chervil.

In disturbed ground near the Lifeboat Houses where it still occurs. In
1968 several plants were also found flowering and fruiting on the Watch
House Bank.

Heracleum sphondyllium L. - Hogweed.

Found on Far Point.

Solanaceae

Lycopersicon esculentum Mill - Tomato.

Four plants found towards the end of Far Point in 2004.

Solarium nigrum L. - Black Nightshade.

A casual that has been recorded from the Long Hills, and from the Beacon
Solanum dulcamara L. - Bittersweet.

A rare casual which has been recorded at the edge of the fence surrounding
the NT enclosure near the Old Lifeboat House. In flower also inside the
enclosure in 1994. A good shrub 1-1.5 m wide still present in 2003.
Spreading in 2004
Solanum tuberosum L. - Potato.

Found in the NT enclosure and on the Hood in 2004

Convolvulaceae

Convolvulus arvensis L. - Field Bindweed.

An odd plant on the seaward edge of the dunes where detritus has been
washed up.

Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. - Hedge Bindweed.

Several shoots in dune fringing the south side of Great Sandy Low and
near the neck of Glaux Low.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

Calystegia soldanella (L.) R.Br. ( Convolvulus soldanella L.) - Sea
Bindweed.

A small patch was growing on the mobile sand behind the big blow-outs
in the Beacon Hills. Since the disappearance of rabbits this has spread
extensively and flowering is profuse. The plant is now appearing in many
other parts of the Point. Continuing to expand in parts of the grey dune
and flowering profusely in 2003.

Boraginaceae

Echium vulgare L. - Viper’s-bugloss.

One specimen of this plant was found in flower on the Hood in 1959. It
had not previously been seen on the Point and it has not been seen since.
Anchusa arvensis (L.) M. Bieb. ( Lycopsis arvensis L.) - Bugloss.

In 2004 three plants found in the NT enclosure.

Mertensia maritima (L.) S. F. Gray - Oysterplant.

First seen at Blakeney Point in 1905. In 1914 there were five plants. Last
seen in 1921. This was the most southerly station on the east coast for this
rare shingle plant.

Myosotis ramosissima Rochel ( Myosotis collina Hoffn.) - Early Forget-me-
not.

A very abundant, short-lived, dune annual. It is common on the fixed
dunes and Lichen heaths, but less common in the shingly lows and on the
stabilised lateral shingle banks.

Myosotis discolor Pers. - Changing Forget-me-not.

Was recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) as a rare plant on the Long
Hills.

Cynoglossum officinale L. - Hound’s-tongue.

A biennial plant with a stout fleshy taproot, found scattered in small groups
mainly on the yellow dunes. The plant is said to have a “mouse-like odour
which is unmistakeableT It has an efficient dispersal mechanism in the
fruits with hooked spines. Now frequent in all parts of the grey dunes.

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Stachys palustris L. - Marsh Woundwort.

Nine plants, one in flower, found in 2000 near the bird hide. In 2004 more
than 50 shoots present. Probably an accidental.

Lamium purpureum L. - Red Dead-nettle.

Several flowering plants of this annual were found in 1961 in disturbed
ground among the lupins near the Old Lifeboat House. Several plants
found in 2004 on Near Point.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Scutellaria galericulata L. - Skull-cap.

First noticed in 1955 on the seaward face of the main dunes, where
detritus bad been washed up. In 1957 another patch of this plant was
found elsewhere on the dunes. The plant has been gradually disappearing
and in 1965 there were only two flowering shoots. Not seen recently.
Lycopus europaeus L. - Gipsy-wort.

A single plant was found on the dunes in 1956. Not seen recently.

Plantaginaceae

PI ant ago coronopus L. - Buck’s-hom Plantain.

A very variable plant of the stabilised shingle and of the sandy-shingly
lows. Normally biennial, but some of the plants are undoubtedly perennial
(Oliver & Salisbury 1913a). It can tolerate a high salt concentration and
will tolerate periods of submergence by high tides.

PI ant ago maritima L. - Sea Plantain.

Found as scattered plants about the mid-level of the Salicornia marshes.
On the higher level marshes it is a component of the so-called ‘general
salt-marsh community and here it occurs in patches as, for example, on
the marshes by the Marams. Occasional plants of P. maritima may be
found in the lows (e.g. in Glaux and Boathouse Lows), among the embryo
dunes and even on the strand line, due to tidal distribution.

Plantago lanceolata L. - Ribwort Plantain.

Found occasionally. Recorded on the Watch House Bank in 1956.

Oleaceae

Ligustrum vulgare L. - Wild Privet.

In 2004 one shrub found in NT enclosure and two large shrubs on the
north side of the main dune ridge.

Scrophulariaceae

Digitalis purpurea L. - Foxglove.

One plant was found on the Watch House Bank in 1967. More plants were
seen in 1968. In 1969 there were two patches growing on the shingle by
the Laboratory; one patch had white flowers and the other pinkish. By
197 1 they had spread further into Long Low. Not seen recently.

Veronica officinalis L. - Heath Speedwell.

Occurs regularly on the Hood although not in great quantity. Several
patches of the plant were found in 1966.

Veronica arvensis L. - Wall Speedwell.

Reported by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) as occurring on the Long Hills
but rather rare. In 1969 several plants were in flower on the dunes near

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Glaux Low.

Veronica persica Poir. - Common Field-speedwell.

A small localized patch found on Far Point in 2004.

Rubiaceae

Sherardia arvensis L. - Field Madder.

Recorded for the Hood. Very rare.

Galium verum L. - Lady’s Bedstraw.

Found on the Hood, the Long Hills and on some of the older, lateral
shingle banks. It was first recorded from the Yankee Bank in 1956. A good
localised colony growing in the grey dunes in 2002. Locally frequent
amongst the dune grasses (except Ammophila) on the Hood in 2003.
Galium saxatile L. - Heath Bedstraw.

Found on the older dunes near the Long Hills in 1957, and in 1964 it was
found on the old dunes along Great Sandy Low.

Galium aparine L. - Cleavers.

In 1 970 several plants were found in flower growing in the detritus which
had accumulated among the Suaeda vera bushes on the shingle in the
western angle between the Watch House Bank and the main ridge. In 1971
there were several plants in flower among the Tree Lupins surrounding
the well in the NT enclosure. Many plants found in the semi-fixed dunes
in the Beacon Hills near the Lifeboat houses in 1984 and still present in
2004.

Caprifoliaceae

Sambucus nigra L. - Elder.

Several specimens of this shrub are to be found on the Point, e.g. on the
Hood, the Long Hills and the grey dunes. Probably the results of birds
distributing the fruits (see Map 11).

Lonicera periclymenum L. - Honeysuckle. Several shoots found in the
plantation in 2004.

Valerianaceae

Valerianella locusta (L.) Laterr. - Common Cornsalad

One time fairly common on the Long Hills but now rare. Has been reported
occasionally on the seaward side of the main dunes in recent years.

Dipsacaceae

Dipsacus fullonum L. - Teasel.

An occasional plant has occurred from time to time. In 1963 some 26
plants were found on the relict dune beyond the Long Hills. In 1964 there

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

were between two and three dozen plants ( 14 of which flowered) on the
margin of the dune beside Great Sandy Low. In the following year there
was an additional small patch of these plants near Great Sandy Low.

The number of these plants continues to increase and in September,
1 966, there were 62 dead inflorescences and no fewer than 1 00 first-year
rosettes (some growing on the shingle) at the Long Hills site, and 10
inflorescences and more than 20 rosettes at the Great Sandy Low sites.

99 oo 01

Map 11 Sambucus niger

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Cardans nutans L. - Musk Thistle.

A single plant was found in 1971 on the ridge south-east of the Lifeboat
House by E.A. Ellis. Now more widespread, locally frequent.

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. - Spear Thistle.

An occasional plant of the shingle and dunes.

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. - Creeping Thistle.

Found regularly in small numbers on the main dunes and the shingle.
Hypochaeris radicata L. - Cat’s-ear.

Found regularly on the older dunes. It usually occurs in patches of several
plants.

Hypochaeris glabra L. - Smooth Cat’s-ear.

An annual plant whose small rosettes may be found on the lichen beaths
and old grey dunes.

Leontodon autumnalis L. - Autumnal Hawkbit.

Rare. Recorded on the crests of some of the older lateral shingle banks.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Leontodon hispidus L. - Rough Hawkbit.

Occasionally on the older dunes and on the lateral shingle banks. It was
recorded, for example, on Watch House Bank in 1956.

Tragopogon pratensis L. - Goat’s-beard.

Two plants flowering on the top of the main dune ridge in the Beacon
Hills and near the board walk in 200 1 and 2002, spreading along the upper
parts of the main dune ridge west to east towards the boardwalk in 2003.
Still spreading amongst the dunes in 2004.

Sonchus arvensis L. - Perennial Sow-thistle.

On the shingle banks, often growing among the Suaeda vera bushes, or
among the patches of Honckenya peploides or Festuca rubra.

Sonchus oleraceus L. - Smooth Sow-thistle.

Frequent on the shingle banks including the main ridge.

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill. - Prickly Sow-thistle.

This plant, which closely resembles S. oleraceus, has been recorded for
the Point.

Lactuca virosa L. - Great Lettuce.

A tight cluster of 50 plants in flower in the dunes fringing the north side
of Great Sandy Low in 2003. By 2004 there were 100 flowering plants
and 100 first year rosettes.

Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia ( Taraxacum officinale Weber) - Common
Dandelion.

Members of this taxonomically difficult genus occur. Oliver & Salisbury
(1913a) recorded T. sect. Erythrosperma (H. Lindb.) Dahlst from the
Long Hills. It probably occurs elsewhere on the old grey dunes and lichen
heaths.

Crepis biennis L. - Rough Hawk’s-beard.

Occasional on the Watch House bank.

Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. - Smooth Hawk’s-Beard.

Small patches locally frequent between NT enclosure the and south side
of the Beacon Hills, and on the Yankee Bank.

Pilosella officinarum L. ( Hieracium pilosella L.) - Mouse-ear-hawkweed.
Found regularly but not abundantly on the older dunes and lichen
heaths.

Filago vulgaris Lam. - Common Cudweed.

Locally frequent to abundant in more stable grey dune around the in
1999. On Far Point in numbers on the salt-marsh side (landward) in the
yellow dunes in 2002.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Filago arvensis L.

At least 30 plants of this casual were found growing on the grey dunes
near the well in 1969. An introduced species from Europe now rare.
Filago minima (Sm.) Pers. - Small Cudweed.

This small, grey-green annual is extremely abundant on the grey dunes,
lichen heaths and stabilized sandy-shingles. It is very short-lived and is
easily overlooked since the specimens on the Point are usually minute.
Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bemh. - Common Fleabane.

A single plant found in Glaux Low in 1985 but not seen recently.

Aster tripolium L. - Sea Aster.

A very abundant, marsh-forming plant. It forms tussocks among the
Salicornia europaea at the lower levels of the marsh. It accumulates mud
and causes the general level of the marshes to increase and gradually
forms a continuous sward. (Aster marsh). The Aster on the marshes on
Blakeney Point is nearly all of the ray-less form (var. discoideus Rchb.)
with only the yellow disc florets. A very occasional plant with the mauve
ray florets will be found.

Erigeron acer L. - Blue Fleabane.

Occasional throughout the grey dunes and on shingle/sand areas of Far
Point in 2004.

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist ( Erigeron canadensis L.) - Canadian
Fleabane.

Observed in 1957 on the main shingle bank. In 1966 there were a number
of plants in the main temery on Near Point and it was still present in 1 998.
In 2002 the plant occurred on the landward side of the dunes on Far Point
where it is now locally frequent.

Beilis perennis L. - Daisy.

Recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) for the Watch House Bank. Its
occasional presence there, and perhaps elsewhere on the Point is probably
due to human activity. It was noted on the main shingle ridge in 1957.
Seriphidium maritimum (L.) Polj. ( Artemisia maritima L.) - Sea
Wormwood.

This grey-green plant, which has a very characteristic smell when
crushed, is found at the upper margins of the older marshes, and on the
shingle fringing such marshes. It also occurs in some of the lows and has
appeared on the Yankee Bank. Spread on to Far Point in 2002 where it
occurs above the strand line in sandy shingle. There are patches where it
is now locally frequent on Far Point.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Achillea millefolium L. -Yarrow.

Found in 2003 and 2004 at the side of the tractor path where the Yankee
Bank meets the Main shingle bank.

Tripleurospermum maritimum (L.) W.D.J. Koch ( Matricaria maritima L.) -
Sea Mayweed.

A rare plant (on the Point) found occasionally on the main shingle bank
where it was noted, for example, in 1958. There were several plants on
the embryo dunes near Great Sandy Low in 1966. Now spreading and
more numerous, as on Far Point.

Senecio jacobaea L. - Common Ragwort.

A common plant on both dunes and the shingle. It seems to favour disturbed
ground and was especially abundant on those regions of the older dunes
where there were extensive rabbit burrows, many of which had collapsed.
It was much less abundant in the years following the disappearance of
the rabbits. Many of the areas in which it formerly grew abundantly had
become more stabilised following the disappearance of the rabbits and
the consequent better growth of the grasses especially Festuca (White
1961). There was more Senecio flowering in 1966 than for some years,
and there was a particularly fine show on the “rotten” dune opposite the
Laboratory. Senecio jacobaea is the food plant of the caterpillars of the
Cinnabar moth, which sometimes defoliate the plants.

Senecio vulgaris L. - Groundsel.

Found occasionally on the shingle and dunes, and in disturbed soil e.g.
around the Lifeboat Houses.

Senecio sylvaticus L. - Heath Groundsel.

Recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) as very rare, occurring only on
the highest part of the eighth lateral shingle bank. For some years it has
been found regularly on the Hood. In 1968 it was observed on the relict
dune forming the 'outlier’ to the Long Hills. In 2004 found occasionally
throughout the dunes and on Far Point, spreading at the end of Yankee
Bank.

Tussilago farfara L. - Colt’s-foot.

This plant of stiff, heavy soils is occasionally recorded as a casual.
Recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a). A plant was found growing on
the drift line in 1956 and was still there in 1959. It was probably the result
of a piece of rhizome washed up by the tide. In 2004 two plants were
recorded on Far Point.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Juncaginaceae

Triglochin maritimum L. - Sea Arrowgrass.

Found as scattered plants about the mid-level of the Aster marsh. At
higher levels it can be found in patches forming part of the mosaic which
is referred to as the “general salt-marsh community.” Odd plants of T.
maritimum may be found in the lows where they may have been carried
by high tides. It has been observed in both Glaux Low and Boathouse
Low. More than 40 robust plants were found in Glaux Low in 2002.

Zosteraceae

Zostera marina L. - Eelgrass.

It is less tolerant of exposure than Z. noltii (see below) and occurs just
above the low tide level. On the Point it is often found growing in small
runnels left when the tide retreats. It is less common than Z. noltii on the
Point.

Zostera angustifolia (Homem.) Rchb. (Z. hornemanniana Tutin) - Narrow-
leaved Eelgrass.

Found in 1962, growing in association with Z. noltii. The plants were
intermediate in frond size between Z. marina and Z. noltii. Fertile specimens
were collected and sent to Professor T. G. Tutin for identification.
Zostera noltii Homem. ( Zostera nana Roth) - Dwarf Eelgrass.

More abundant than Z. marina and more tolerant of exposure. It grows
upon sloppy mud and is often exposed at low tide.

Juncaceae

Juncus gerardii Loisel. - Salt-marsh Rush.

A single plant appeared in Glaux Low in 1916. This was thought to be due
to the tidal entry the preceding November. The plant has spread into Great
Sandy Low, and is now common in Glaux Low where it is still spreading
in 2003.

Juncus bufonius L. - Toad Rush.

A small, tufted, annual plant abundant in Glaux Low. In 1958 it appeared
in Long Low where it is now in great quantity.

Juncus articulatus L. - Jointed Rush.

Several plants, forming an extensive patch were found flowering in Glaux
Low in 1964.

Juncus maritimus Lam. - Sea Rush.

Occurs in the bay formed by the depression in the Hood where it was
recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a). For many years this was the
only station for this plant on the Point, but in 1958 several plants appeared

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

in Great Sandy Low near to where it joins Glaux Low. There were nine
clumps present in 1960, and in 1966 there were thirteen with two further
clumps in Glaux Low. The clumps appear to be spreading and several have
flowered. The plant was spreading in Glaux Low in 2003 (see map).
Luzula pilosa (L.) Willd. - Hairy Wood-rush.

Found on the Hood in 1958.

Luzula campestris (L.) D.C. - Field Woodmsh.

Recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) as common on the Hood, and
still present there but by no means abundant.

Cyperaceae

Carex otrubae Podp. - False Fox-sedge.

First recorded in 1956, on the Yankee Bank. Found in the following year
in two other places on the dunes where detritus had been washed up.
Carex arenaria L. - Sand Sedge.

Abundant on the old grey dunes ( Carex dunes) and on the Lichen heaths.
Common on the Hood (see Map 12).

Map 12 Carex arenaria

Carex distans L. - Distant Sedge.

Found in Glaux Low in 1959.

Carex extensa Gooden. - Long-bracted Sedge.

Found in Glaux Low in 1984, identification confirmed by A. C. Jenny.
Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa (Andersson) B. Schmid (C. demissa
Homem). - Yellow Sedge.

A few plants of this sedge were found in Glaux Low in 1964. In 1965
and again in 1966 there were upwards of 100 plants present, all flowering
abundantly.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Festuca arenaria Osbeck. [F rubra ssp. arenaria (Osbeck)] - Rush-leaved
Fescue.

Common throughout the dune-system. Two divergent types occur;
one is restricted to the main dune ridges where wind blown sand is
actively accreting, the other is widespread on the semi-fixed and fixed
dunes (Anderson & Taylor 1979). There are measurable morphological
differences between the two forms, which are accentuated by rabbit
grazing; on the mobile dunes the fescue grows to a height of 20-90 cm,
whereas on the fixed dunes it attains a height of between 8-16 cm. They
also show different morphological and physiological responses to sand
accretion. Plants of both types are octaploids (2 n =56). Identification was
confirmed by C.A. Stace.

Festuca rubra L. ssp. rubra - Red Fescue.

Common, occurring on the consolidated shingle. Specimens collected for
identification by C.A. Stace from the terminal hook of the Yankee Bank
in 1984.

Festuca ovina L. - Sheep’s Fescue.

Not common on the Point. Oliver & Salisbury (1913) recorded it as
rather rare for some of the older lateral shingle banks. It was found on the
Yankee Bank in 1956. A patch of this grass was found in flower on the
crest of the main dune ridge above the Carex dunes in 1964. It was still
there in 1966.

Lolium perenne L. - Perennial Rye-grass.

A casual found very occasionally. A patch was found on the Headland
dunes in 1958.

Vulpia bromoides (L.) Gray - Squirreltail Fescue.

Recorded for the Watch House Bank in 1956.

Cy nos liras cristatus L. - Crested Dog’s-tail.

Found on the Hood in 1958.

Puccinellia maritima (Huds.) Pari. - Common Salt-marsh-grass.

This grass occurs at various levels in the salt-marshes, and along the marsh
edge of the shingle. At the upper levels of the marsh it may become more
or less dominant as it does locally on some of the marshes in the Marams.
Provides good grazing on ‘saltings’. In 1984 the plant was spreading in
the upper parts of the salt-marsh below the Yankee Bank.

Poa annua L. - Annual Meadow-grass.

Sometimes, in spite of its specific name, a short-lived perennial. Can be
found on the shingle, in the lows and on the eroded margins of the older

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

dunes.

Poa humilis Ehrh. ex Hoffm. (P. subcaerulea Sm.) - Spreading Meadow-
grass.

Found on the older dunes of the Headland and in the Beacon Hills. In the
absence of rabbits it may play an important part in the dune succession at
the stage when the Marram ( Ammophila arenaria ) is deteriorating.

Poa pratensis L. - Smooth Meadow-grass.

Found on some of the older shingle banks, and also on the consolidated
dunes of the Headland, notably behind the big blow-outs.

Dactylis glomerata L. - Cock’s-foot.

A casual not often seen on the Point. A patch was seen on the Hood and
another on the Headland dunes in 1959.

Catapodium rigidum (L.) C. E. Hubbard [ Desmazeria rigida (L.) Tutin] -
Fern-grass.

A small annual grass whose leaves often have a slight purplish tinge.
Found on the sandy-gravel

Catapodium marinum (L.) C. E. Hubb. [Desmazeria marina (L.) Druce] -
Sea Fern-grass.

Regularly found on the shingle at the beginning of the Yankee Bank
where the vegetation cover is relatively sparse, and in the sandy-gravel
elsewhere on the Point.

Parapho/is strigosa (Dumort) C. E. Hubb. [Lepturus fihiformis (Roth.)

Trim] - Hard-grass.

A rather rare annual grass occurring on the sandy or muddy consolidated
shingle of the older lateral shingle banks.

Parapholis incurva (L.) C. E. Hubb. [Lepturus incurvus (L.) Druce] -
Curved Hard-grass.

An annual grass occurring on muddy gravel, near the edges of salt-
marshes. A mediterranean species. It was recorded near the base of the
Yankee Bank in 1956. In abundance in this area from 1993-2004. Also
fairly widespread at the edges of Great Sandy Low in 2004.
Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P. Beauv. ex. J. & C. Presl - False Oat-grass.

A casual. This plant was recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) as very
rare on the main shingle bank. A patch of this grass was found on the
Headland dunes in 1958 and near the board walk in 2003. Found on the
Hood in 2004, may be spreading.

Trisetum fiavescens (L.) Beauv. - Yellow Oat-grass.

A patch of this stoloniferous grass was found on the Beacon Hills in
1958.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) [Koeleria cristata auct. non (L) Pers.,

Koeleria gracilis Pers.] - Crested Hair-grass-

Recorded by Oliver & Salisbury (1913a) as occurring on the eighth lateral
shingle bank. Very rare. A clump of this grass was found near the well in
1957 and another patch on the main dune ridge. In 2004 two clumps were
found between the Beacon Hills and the NT enclosure.

Holcus lanatus L. - Yorkshire-fog.

Relatively rare on the Point. It was seen on the Hood in 1958 and 1959 and
is now quite common there especially along the footpaths. A small patch
of this grass was found in Glaux Low in 1964. Small patches found on
stable dune heath and spreading in 2004.

Holcus mollis L. - Creeping Soft-grass.

A single clump found on dunes near the strandline on Far Point in 2002.
Corynephorus canescens (L.) P.Beauv. [ Aira canescens L., Weingartneria
canescens (L) Bemh.] - Grey Hair-grass.

A rare grass, native to Norfolk, Suffolk and the Channel Islands. Elsewhere
in the British Isles it is probably introduced. On the Point it was well
established in a relatively isolated colony on the Hood in 1923. Further,
there was a smaller population near the laboratory on the old Carex
Dunes. This colony showed signs of expansion in 1956 (Jane 1960). The
grass began to spread after the disappearance of the rabbits in 1 954. It was
noted on the Yankee Bank for the first time in 1956 and on the main dune
ridge in 1957. Many seedlings were found on the Old Grey Dune in 1966.
The rate of spread appears to have increased in recent years and by 2000

99 oo 01

Map 13 Corynephorus canescens

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

this plant had spread to cover most of the more stable sand dune areas on
the Point. It was still well established on the Hood. No plants were found
on the newly evolving shingle and sand spit of Far Point in 1996, but an
isolated colony of C. canescens had appeared by 2000 and by 2004 was
spreading on Far Point (see Map 13).

Air a praecox L. - Early Hair-grass.

A small, short-lived, annual plant extremely abundant on the consolidated
dunes, grey dunes, lichen heaths, and on sandy shingle in the lows and on
the lateral shingle banks. It flowers abundantly in the early part of the year
but in summer only dried remains of this plant can be found, so giving a
very inadequate idea of the abundance and distribution of this species. It
was exceptionally abundant in 1959 and again in 1960. There were huge
drifts of it every where.

Anthoxanthum odoratum L. - Sweet Vernal-grass.

In 1958 it was found on the dunes where detritus bad been washed up.
Also found on the Beacon Hills in the same season.

Agrostis capillaris L. (A. tenuis Sibth.) - Common Bent.

Found among the brambles on the Hood in 1962.

Agrostis stolonifera L. - Creeping Bent.

Forms a definite zone on the crest of the lateral shingle ridges. A zone of A
stolonifera occurs at the Hood on the sandy shingle in the depression, and
it is also found in Long Low. Now abundant in Glaux Low and displacing
Glaux maritima and annual Salicornia.

Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link - Marram.

On the Point is the dune builder par excellence. Continued deposition
of wind-blown sand stimulates it to vigorous growth. The plant remains
bright green and inflorescences appear in large numbers. When the supply
of fresh sand is cut off the Marram deteriorates, the plants becoming less
green, many of the leaves and shoots dying and turning brown. Under
these conditions it does not flower. Such degenerate Marram can be
rejuvenated by the arrival of fresh supplies of sand. Such rejuvenated
dunes can be seen near the big blow-outs on the Headland, where the sand
from the blow-outs has been deposited on an old dune.

While Elytrigia juncea is regarded as the real pioneer dune former,
the Marram can, and on Blakeney Point does, function as a pioneer if
numerous individuals are present to ensure good deposition of sand.

Phleum arenarium L. - Sand Cat’s-tail.

Very abundant, short-lived annual plant of the consolidated yellow dunes,
Carex dunes, lichen heaths and sandy shingle.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus ( B . mollis L.) - Lop-grass.

Occurs in some abundance on the Watch House Bank. Has been recorded
by Oliver & Salisbury ( 1913a) as very rare on the Long Hills, and as rare
on the Hood.

Anisantha sterilis (L.) Nevski ( Bromus sterilis L.) - Barren Brome.

Found on the Long Hills in 1958.

Elymus caninus (L.) L. [Agropyron caninum (L.) P.Beauv] - Bearded
Couch.

A native plant of hedgerows and woods which was found growing in
some quantity on Yankee Bank in June, 1956. It was still there in 1959.

Elytrigia atherica (Link) Kerguelen ex Carreras Mart. [Agropyron pungens
(Pers.) Roem & Schult] - Sea Couch.

A glaucous, grey-green, stiff, grass which occurs occasionally on the
yellow, consolidated dunes and, more abundantly, on the shingle and
especially on the muddy sand or gravel at the margins of salt-marshes.
Fine specimens of this grass will be found on the Marams. E. atherica is
less tolerant of saline conditions than E.juncea. Its leaves are rolled and
their margins are toothed. The two species may hybridize

Elytrigia jnncea ssp. boreoatlantica (Simonet & Guin.) Hyl. [Agropyron
junceiforme (A. & D. Love) A. & D. Love - Sand Couch.

The main grass forming fore-dunes which, however, never reach more than
four feet in height. The habit of the grass is spreading, a distinct contrast
to the other dune forming grasses. When marram grass ( Ammophila
arenaria) starts to grow on a fore-dune the E.juncea is soon eliminated.

Leymus arenarius (L.) Hochst. ( Elymus arenarius L.) - Lyme-grass.

One particular patch on the main dune ridge beside a path held its own
for some years and then began to spread. There were 220 shoots in 1957,
340 in 1958, 722 shoots in 1959 and 972 in 1960. This patch reached a
maximum of 1969 shoots in 1963 and has since fallen. There were 1051
shoots present in 1966. It is in a very vulnerable position. In 1959 two
other patches of this plant were found. One, on the edge of the dunes near
the lagoon, growing among Elytrigia juncea, had twenty-nine shoots, and
the other on the shingle leading to Near Point had forty shoots. In 1960
these two clumps had eighty and sixty shoots respectively. The number
of shoots in the lagoon patch has varied from year to year, reaching 385
shoots in 1966. The patch on the shingle has steadily increased in size.
There were 499 shoots in 1964, the last time this patch was counted. Now
widely established in the fore dunes, Leymus will be recognised among the
Marram by its broad leaves, which roll up in dry conditions. The foliage

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

dies away in autumn and thus the plant gives but limited protection to the
dune surface. It is not such an efficient dune builder as Marram. Now in
isolated patches on Far Point.

Hordeum murinnm L. - Wall Barley.

Occasional plants occur near the Lifeboat Houses.

Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. (P communis Trin.) - Common
Reed

Several plants appeared in Glaux Low in 1959. One was sending out long
runners over the ground. These plants almost certainly originated from
pieces of rhizome brought in by the tides during the previous winter. The
plants have persisted and spread. They were looking very healthy in 1 966
and several shoots flowered. Not seen recently.

Spartina maritima (Curt.) Femald - Small Cord-grass.

Reported by Oliver & Salisbury (191 3a) to occur in the Blakeney Channel
adjacent to the reclaimed salt-marshes. It has not been recorded in recent
years

Spartina anglica C.E.Hubb. [ S . v townsendii auct. non H. & J. Groves (S'.
maritima x S. alternifolia )] - Common Cord-grass.

Spartina anglica is an amphidiploid of S. x townsendii and is highly
fertile. In January, 1925, Professor Oliver sowed a few seeds on the
marsh in wet, sloppy mud. There were well-developed, flowering plants
present by the autumn of 1 927. Oliver attempted to eradicate these plants.
Probably there was some survival, perhaps of seed. This marsh is now
an S. anglica meadow and the plant is widely spread over the Blakeney
marshes. In 1979 patches of the species had appeared in the new salt-
marsh developing between Far Point and Near Point. To date the plant
has spread extensively in this new marsh. It is uncertain whether all the
Spartina has come from the original plantings since Spartina has been
widely planted around other parts of the coast.

Liliaceae

Kniphofia sp. (cultivar) - Red-hot Poker.

Originally planted at least sixty years ago. They appear to have maintained
themselves satisfactorily for many years, but have not been seen since
2000.

Hyacinthoides non-scripta (L.) Chouard ex Rothm. [Endvmion non-scriptus
(L.) Garcke.] - Bluebell.

In 1968 five small patches were found growing on the relict dune near
the Long Hills. This patch contained bulbs of various sizes including
some which were one year old. There were two inflorescences at this

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

time. The plants must have been present for several years. The dune
was accidentally burned over in the autumn of 1969 and the patches of
bluebells were sprouting in the following April. No plants were located in
1971, but present in 2005 .

Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. (cultivars) - Daffodil.

Planted in the sand near the Laboratory. They appear to be maintaining
themselves and flower each year.

Asparagus officinalis L. - Asparagus.

There was a single plant to be found near the well in the NT enclosure; it
was first observed in 1957 and persisted for several years. Dotted about
the NT enclosure in 2002, and also next to the Elder bush in the Beacon
Hills and in the Plantation. Now spreading (see Map 14).

99 00 01

Map 14 Asparagus officinalis

Iridaceae

Iris pseudacorus L. - Yellow Iris.

A solitary specimen occurred on one of the dunes in the main dune system;
it was known for some years and first flowered in 1913. Yet another plant
appeared in 1914. More recently a plant was found on the dunes in 1955.
These plants probably originated from fragments of rhizomes brought in
by the tidal drift.

Agavaceae

Yucca recurvifolia Salisb. - Yucca, Spanish-dagger.

Planted on the dunes between the Laboratory and the plantation in 1912. It
is flourishing and flowers most years. In 1956 the main plant bore eleven
inflorescences. Has spread more recently.

Trans. Norfolk Norwnch Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

Orchidaceae

Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz - Marsh Helleborine.

A solitary flowering specimen was found in 1 9 1 4 by the late Sir Frederick
Hooper, high up on the dunes of the Headland some distance north of
Great Sandy Low.

Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) Rich. - Pyramidal Orchid.

A single plant was found in 1969, growing on the slope of the dunes on
the west side of Glaux low nearly opposite to the ‘neck’ of this Low. A
single plant present in 2006 at the same site
Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soo - Common Spotted-orchid.

Found for the first time in 2007 just 1 00m east of the laboratory.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This list owes much to the collaboration of colleagues, especially Dr. D.J.B.
White, and students who have botanised regularly on Blakeney Point. Our
thanks are given to all the wardens at the National Trust, Blakeney Point, over
the years, especially Joe and Janet Reed and David Wood. Their enthusiasm
and support has been of great help.

REFERENCES

ANDERSON, C. & TAYLOR, K. 1979. Some factors affecting the growth of two
populations of Festuca rubra var. arenaria on the dunes of Blakeney Point,
Norfolk. Ecological Processes in Coastal Environments (Eds. R.L. Jeffries & A. J.
Davy), pp. 129-143. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.

BECKETT, G. & BULL, A. 1999. A Flora of Norfolk. Published privately.

BARFOOT, P.J. & TUCKER, J.J. 1980. Geomorphological changes at Blakeney Point,
Norfolk. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 25:49-60
CHOUDHURI, H. C. (1942) Chromosome studies in some British species of Limonium.
Ann. Bot. Lond. N.S. 6: 183

DAVY, A.J., BISHOP, G.F. & COSTA, S.B. 2001. Biological Flora of the British Isles:
Salicornia L. ( Salicornia pusilla J. Woods, S. ramosissima J. Woods, S. europaea
L., S. obscura P.W. Ball & Tutin, S. nitens P.W. Ball & Tutin, S.fragi/is P.W. Ball
& Tutin and S. dolichostachya Moss). J. Ecol. 89: 681-707.

INGROUILLE, M.J., PEARSON, J. & HAVILL, D.C. 1990. The pattern of

morphological variation in the Salicornia dolichostachya Moss group from
different sites in southern England. Acta Botanica Neerlandica 39: 263-273.

JANE, F. W. 1958. Ray’s Knotgrass. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 18:15.

JANE, F. W. 1960. Notes on the vegetation of Blakeney Point, Norfolk in 1956. Trans.
Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 1 9(2): 52-55.

OLIVER, F. W. & SALISBURY, E. J. 1913a. Topography and vegetation of the National

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Trust Reserve known as Blakeney Point, Norfolk. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat.

Soc. 9: 485 - 542.

OLIVER, F. W. & SALISBURY, E. J. 1913b. Vegetation and mobile ground as
illustrated by Suaeda fruticosa on shingle. J. Ecol. 1: 249-272.

SALISBURY, E.J. 1912. Polymorphism in the flower of Silene maritima, New Phytol.

10: 7.

SALISBURY, E.J. 1922. The soils of Blakeney Point, a study of soil reaction and
succession in relation to the plant covering. Ann. Bot., 36: 391-431.

SALISBURY, E.J. 1932. The East Anglian flora: a study in comparative plant
geography. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc 13: 191.

STACE, C. 1997. New Flora of the British Isles, 2nd edition. Cambridge University
Press.

WHITE, D. J. B. 1960. An annotated list ofr the flowering plants on Blakeney Point,
Norfolk. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 19(4): 179

WHITE, D. J. B. 1961. Some observations on the vegetation of Blakeney Point, Norfolk,
following the disappearance of the abbits in 1954. J. Ecol. 49: 113-118.

WHITE, D.J.B. 1967a. Additions to the flora of Blakeney Point, Norfolk. Trans. Norfolk
Norwich Nat. Soc. 21:1 9-20.

WHITE, D.J.B. 1 967b. An Annotated List of the Flowering Plants on Blakeney Point,
Norfolk, 2nd edn. The National Trust, London.

WHITE, D. J. B. 1972 Additions to the Flora of Blakeney Point, Norfolk - 2. Trans.
Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 22: 307-310.

WHITE, D.J.B. 1989. The botany and plant ecology of Blakeney Point. Blakeney Point
and Scolt Head Island (eds H. Allison & J. Morley) pp. 33-48. The National Trust,
Norfolk.

WHITE, D.J.B. & TAYLOR, K. 1984. Additions to the flora of Blakeney Point, Norfolk-
3. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 26(5): 317-318.

WHITE, D.J.B., WHITE, M.F. & PETERKEN, G.E 1970. Polypodium on Blakeney
Point, Norfolk. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 21(6): 372-377.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Whorl Snails of the Genus Vertigo in
Norfolk

Roy Baker, Geraldine Holyoak & Derek Howlett

126 Norwich Road, Tacolneston, Norwich NR 16 1AL

Of the fifteen European species of whorl snails Vertigo (Gastropoda:
Vertiginidae) eleven are recorded from the U.K. of which seven are known
from Norfolk. They are all very small with mature sizes between 1 .7mm and
3mm. This paper aims to describe the Norfolk distribution, to examine each
species in its Norfolk habitats and to indicate conservation strategies within
the Norfolk context.

Vertigo angustior

The Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail Vertigo angustior Jeffreys is an extremely
small snail, being under 2mm in height. It has four and a half moderately
convex whorls with fine sculptured striae. The suture is deep and the sinestral
mouth is subtriangular with four teeth. Outside Norfolk it is known from a
further ten UK sites, although it is more widespread on the west coast of
Ireland.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Vertigo angustio^has a short life-span, but a percentage of the population have
been shown to be aphallic, no penis develops, thus allowing the population to
recover from reduced density levels (Pokyrszko, 1987). Killeen (1993) and
Cameron (2003 ) note that the Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail can produce large
numbers of young in a very short time when conditions are favourable.

Status

Vertigo angustior is listed under Annex II of the European Union Habitats and
Species Directive. This Directive requires E.U. States to designate Special
Areas of Conservation (SACs) and to maintain ‘at a favourable conservation
status’ those species listed in the Annex II. In Norfolk Natural England is the
responsible body. Vertigo angustior is placed in the Red Data Book Category
1 (endangered) for the U.K. (Bratton, 1991).

Distribution

Vertigo angustior has been
recorded from nine sites
in Norfolk. These include
sand dunes, sea walls, river
walls bordered by saltmarsh,
grazed marshes and tufa
mounds. Many of these sites
are in SSSIs and some are
designated as SACs under the
European Habitats Directive
which offer some protection
for the species, although the
sea and river walls are often repaired and sites altered.

Conservation

Surveys of the known Norfolk sites for Vertigo angustior indicate that there
are no consistent associations with specific plant communities but there are
some associations with particular environmental conditions. The Narrow-
mouthed Whorl Snail occurs in Norfolk in sites which are permanently damp
but which are not subject to inundation, although in November 2006 a tidal
surge overtopped the wall of the River Chet and flooded the marshes, which
includes one of the Vertigo angustior sites, for several weeks. The soils are
friable and not the heavy clay form of much of the county. The vegetation
shows a relative openness where trees and tall herbs are absent. Lightly grazed
turf, often of fine grasses and/or sedges, is preferred. However, as with other
species of Vertigo heavy grazing can have a marked detrimental affect on the

Vertigo angustior (Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail)

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

populations. Vertigo angustior has a short life-span and is known to recover
from very reduced levels quickly.

Vertigo pusilla

The Wall or Wry-necked Whorl Snail Vertigo pusilla Muller has five
moderately convex whorls with irregular striae which range from being weak

to prominent. The snail has an adult height between 1 .9-2. 1 mm and a breadth
of 1.0- 1.2mm. The sinestral heart-shaped mouth has a slightly thickened
and reflected edge and shows six teeth (sometimes nine): two parietal, two
columellar and two palatal. The umbilicus is open and deep. The shell colour
ranges from a yellowish to a golden-brown.

Status

The Wall Whorl Snail is
rare in Norfolk. Nationally
it is not included in any
Biodiversity Action Plan or
Red Data Book categories.

Distribution

Vertigo pusilla has been
recorded from four sites in
the county in the last fifty
years. In the post-glacial
period the snail was widely

Vertigo pusilla (Wall Whorl Snail)

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

distributed but wich changing land use it has sharply declined. Kemey (1999)
in the Atlas of the Land and Freshwater Molluscs of Britain and Ireland noted
three Norfolk sites. It is a mesophile species which often chooses humid
spots in otherwise dry habitats. Two of the Norfolk sites are grass swards;
at Bio Norton in a lane and at Billingford near Dereham under oak trees. At
Narborough it was recorded in leaf litter in a small wood whilst in the Craft
Plantation at Raveningham it lives on sycamore tree trunks up to 2m from
the ground. The sycamore trees grow on either side of a woodland track but
similar trees within the plantation show no evidence of the snail.

Conservation

So little is known of the ecological requirements for this species that no
meaningful advice can be given for continuing conservation. The isolated
colonies discovered in Norfolk can only be noted and monitoring of the
populations be recommended.

Vertigo geyeri

The discovery in 2004 of the RDB1 species Vertigo geyeri Lindholm in a
calcareous valley fen in central Norfolk indicated that the species could occur

elsewhere in suitable lowland habitats.

The dextral, tumid shell of Vertigo geyeri is small with a length of 1 .7- 1 .9mm
and a breadth of 1.1 -1.2mm. It is ovate with indistinctly, spaced striae giving
a glossy reddish-brown colour. The mouth normally has four teeth (one
parietal, one columellar and two palatal). There are 4.5 moderately convex
whorls rapidly increasing. The penultimate whorl is nearly as broad as the

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

body whorl. The umbilical opening is shallow.

Status

Vertigo geyeri is listed in the Red Data Book (Bratton 1991) as an RDB1
(endangered) species. It is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action
Plan (HMSO 1996) and its status is currently being reviewed as part of the
U.K. BAP Terrestrial Mollusc Steering Group as one of the top five U.K.
species. It is listed under Annexe II of the European Union Habitats and
Species Directive which requires the U.K. to maintain favourable conservation
status and to initiate monitoring programmes for the species. There is no
Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan for this species at present.

Distribution

The species is restricted
in Europe mainly to the
mountains of Scandinavia,
the Alps of Switzerland and
S.W. Bavaria and to isolated
sites in the lowlands of
Ireland, Denmark, the islands
of the southern Baltic, and
in N.E. and S.E. Germany.

In Britain it is known from
a few sites in Anglesey,

Caernarfon, Westmorland,

North York-shire, Perthshire
and Islay. One of the authors (GH) has extended its range to a number of sites
in Northern Ireland and Ireland (Holyoak, 2005). It remains an extremely
rare snail throughout the U.K.

Vertigo geyeri was once common in lowland Britain after the last glaciation
so its discovery in 2004 by one of the authors (GH) in central Norfolk is
of major significance. The decline in lowland Britain has been attributed to
both postglacial forest growth and subsequent land drainage by man (Kerney,
1999).

Seaming Fen is a small calcareous valley fen on shallow peat. The central area
of the fen is dominated by bryophytes, Black Bog-rush Schoenus nigricans and
Blunt-flowered Rush Juncus snbnodulosus . Other species include Bogbean
Menyanthes trifoliata , Marsh Lousewort Pedicularis pains tr is, Common

Trans. Norfolk Non\>icli Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Quaking-grass Brizia media and Cotton-grass Eriophorum angustifolium.
The vegetation does not fonn a closed community such that bare ground, or
ground covered by liverworts etc, occur between the rush clumps. (National
Vegetation Community Ml 3)

This fen vegetation is typically associated with oligotrophic, calcareous fens
which are supplied by chalk ground water discharges.

Vertigo geyeri is found in this central fen community. The densities of the
snail are very low and it appears to have a restricted area within the fen. Bare
soil between the clumps of Black Bog-rush Schoenus nigricans means that
Vertigo geyeri is to be found on the slightly raised clumps of the rush. At
some lowland sites in Ireland Vertigo geyeri has been shown to be associated
with Schoenus nigricans in calcareous fens and flushes. (Holyoak, 2005).

The water table is stable and is at or near the surface such that the fen, even
in high summer, remains damp to wet. In autumn-winter conditions water
collects between the tussocks but the fen is rarely, if ever, flooded. The
shallow surface peat layer (30cm) lies on sandy-gravel deposits underlain by
the Upper Chalk aquifer. In a number of places calcareous water seeps into the
fen from the chalk aquifer. The balance between the rainwater input and run-
off from the surrounding land is in part balanced by the calcareous waters of
the chalk aquifer. Any lowering of the water table by extraction could be very
critical to the fen communities. The increasing housing demands of Dereham
and the need for water could have a detrimental affect on the hydrological
balances within the fen.

The water in the upper peat layer is acidic pH 6. 1 and it has a low conductivity
level 724pS_1. Whilst these Seaming sites appear to be acidic Holyoak (2003)
recorded Vertigo geyeri in small highly calcareous sites even though the
surrounding flush habitats were predominantly acidic moorlands. This is
probably the situation at Seaming Fen where the calcareous flushes may be
limited in size and distribution.

Conservation

Seaming Fen is currently managed by biennial strip mowing and the removal
of scrub and vegetation. This appears to be favourable for Vertigo geyeri.
The critical importance of maintaining water levels for this fen should be
central to any management plan. Abstraction and or new drainage ditches
are to be discouraged. The Environment Agency monitors water levels and
abstraction.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Cattle grazing at Seaming Fen is currently low. One or two cows and one
or two calves graze for 3-4 weeks every summer. This mixed management
strategy of mowing and grazing appears to benefit the fen flora and fauna.

Seaming Fen is of international importance and forms part of the Norfolk
Valley Fens SAC and is thus protected under the European Habitats
Directive.

Vertigo moulinsiana

Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy) has a reddish-brown
shell. It is larger than other British Vertigo species with a height of 2.2-2. 7mm

and a width of 1.5mm. The shell is dextral, and the body whorl is twice the
height of the spire. The shell mouth has four large teeth (occasionally five).
Vertigo moulinsiana is hermaphrodite and mostly self-fertilising (Pokryszko,
1 987). The eggs develop in less than two weeks. Records from other U.K. sites
show that the main reproductive period is in the summer with peak densities
of adults being present then, with large numbers of juveniles appearing in
the autumn. In the three years 2004-2006 a monitoring programme for the
Trinity Broads, Ormesby, Rollesby and Filby, confirms this picture. Whilst
densities of more than 1000/m2 have been noted for the species the norm
appears to be densities of between <100 and 200/m2 which reflect the Trinity
Broads populations (Baker et al., 2004/5/6).

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Status

Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail is listed under Annex II of the European Union
Habitats and Species Directive. It is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity
Action Plan (HMSO, 1 996) and is listed in the Red Data Book (Bratton, 1991)
as an RDB3 (Rare) species. This Directive requires the U.K. to maintain
favourable conservation status and to initiate monitoring programmes for the
species.

Distribution

The snail inhabits
calcareous fens and
marshes bordering rivers,
lakes and broads. In the
Trinity Broads complex it
is associated with sedges
(eg Carex paniculata,

Cladium mariscus ) and
Reed Phragmites australis.

Other associated species
include Yellow Flag Iris
pseudacorus L., reedmaces
(Typha latifolia And Typha
angusti folia), and Branched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum. Desmoulin’s
Whorl Snail is also known to inhabit wet alder-sallow carrs where sedges
( Carex spp.) and Yellow Flag form small dense stands of vegetation (Ellis,
1941). The snail is widespread in the Norfolk Broads and in suitable habitats
in central and west Norfolk, excluding the fens.

Conservation

In general Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail requires few active conservation
measures in Norfolk, although the authors, in a three-year study on Burgh
Common have observed that grazing does adversely affect populations
numbers (Baker et ah, 2004/5/6). The critical factor in the changes in the
population densities between August and October is the increased effects of
grazing which reduces the plant cover to between 10-20cm in height. In both
2004 and 2005 the total population peaked in August but as grazing continues
so the densities dramatically declined. The overwintering adult populations
for the three years remains low.

On Burgh Common it is difficult to advise on management since the levels
of cattle grazing (approximately 20 beasts graze the Common during the

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 62

2007 40(1)

Vertigo moimnsiana (Des Moulrns' Whorl Snail)

5 A

<_/ .[

\ : /

3 A i J

j \ : |

/ #• •

• • A

' ‘‘I

/ U ..J

# -

1...L /

1 i 1 Y i 1

<*k/

i 1

4 5 k\ 8 9

1 2 3 4 J 5 6

summer months) are probably determined by the farmer(s) and trustees.
Clearly the overall affect of the browsing and trampling by the beasts is
detrimental to the health of the fen plant community and consequently to the
invertebrate populations. The vegetation is cropped at a height of 10-20cm
and as a habitat for Vertigo moulinsiana is effectively destroyed. The tussock
sedge mounds are comparatively dry since their sides are exposed to direct
sunlight rather than being shaded by other fen plants. At other Norfolk sites
tussock sedge is a favourite habitat for Vertigo moulinsiana but the exposed
mounds at Burgh Common show low densities of the whorl snail. The cattle
are removed from the Common by 3 1st October.

Table 1. Density of Vertigo moulinsiana in Site 8 Burgh Common: July-October
2004/5/6

18 Aug 2004

9 Oct 2004

29 Oct 2004

Density/m2 total

n/a

adults

juveniles

17 Jul 2005

29 Aug 2005

21 Oct 2005

Density/m2 total

n/a

adults

juveniles

14 Jul 2006

5 Sep 2006

22 Oct 2006

Density/m2 total

n/a

adults

juveniles

Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail can survive in habitats subjected to heavy grazing
but the effects are
detrimental for heal-
thy populations. In
ungrazed Burgh
Common the snail
attains densities
noted elsewhere in
the Trinity Broads.

Vertigo
substriata

The Striated Whorl

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Snail Vertigo suhstriata (Jeffreys) has 4.5 strongly convex whorls with deep
sutures. The shell sculpturing is formed of strongly regular striae. The yellow-
brown shell has a height of 1.48- 1.98mm and a breadth of 0.95- 1.1 9mm.
The semi-circular aperture normally has 5-6 teeth; two parietal, one or two
columellar and two palatal. The umbilicus is shallow and closed.

Status

The Striated Whorl Snail is rare in Norfolk. Nationally it is not included in
any Biodiversity Action Plan or Red Data Book categories.

Distribution

The Striated Whorl Snail
is intolerant of human
disturbance and is mainly
confined to marshes, damp
deciduous woods and
hillside spring flushes.

It tolerates acidic soils
and is infrequent in base-
rich habitats with a high
diversity of mollusc species.

Of the nine sites in Norfolk
a number reflect the spring
flush requirements for the snail. At Flordon and Saxlingham Thorpe
(Smockmill Common) there are numerous spring line flushes whilst in the
headwaters of the Mermaid River near Aylsham the Striated Whorl Snail can
be found in grass sward below the spring line. The other Norfolk sites are
at Whitwell Common, East Walton/Adcock’s Commons, Booton Common
in mixed fen, Wheatfen Broad, where the snail occurs in mosses and mossy
stumps of alder and sallows, Great Cressingham Fen along the spring line
and Langley Marsh where a spring fed calcareous grass sward on the edge of
the River Yare flood plain supports a healthy population.

Conservation

Eight of the Norfolk sites are SSSIs or managed by the local council or a
conservation trust so some protection is given to these habitats. Four of the
sites form part of the Norfolk Valley Fen SAC (E. Walton, Flordon, Booton
and Great Cressingham) and one (Wheatfen) part of the Broads SAC. A
potential problem is the maintenance of the water table for the spring flushes.
At East Walton Common and Wheatfen Broad the Environment Agency
monitors water levels but there is little information on the autoecology for

Yeiligo substnata (Striated Whorl Snail)

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

the Striated Whorl Snail at these sites.

Vertigo pygmaea

The ovate shaped Common Whorl Snail Vertigo pygmaea (Drapamaud)
has five gently convex whorls with very fine sculptured striae. The shell is
between 1.7-2. 2mm in height and 1.0- 1.2mm in breadth. The semi-circular
aperture shows a slightly thickened mouth edge with a strong pale transverse
rib present behind the outer lip, separated from it by a depression. There are
normally between four and seven teeth but only one parietal tooth is present.
The shell colour is brown.

Status

No special status is given to the Common Whorl Snail either in Norfolk or
nationally.

Distribution

The Common Whorl Snail is
widely distributed throughout
Norfolk where it can be described
as common. The snail is a
frequent species at the roots of
grasses in dry, base-rich places,
roadside banks and marshes.

Conservation

No special measures are

Vertigo pygmaea (Common Whorl Snail)

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

necessary for the conservation of the Common Whorl Snail in Norfolk.

Vertigo antivertigo

The Marsh Whorl Snail Vertigo antivertigo (Drapamaud) has five moderately

convex reddish-brown whorls with shallow sutures. The sculpture is weak.
The height ranges between 2. 0-2. 2mm and the breadth from 1.2-1 .4mm. The
heart-shaped aperture has a deep palatal incision and the basal and palatal
margins are reflected. There are normally 6-10 teeth, at least two parietal, two
columellar and two palatal. The umbilicus is shallow and closed.

Status

No special status is given to this snail.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 66

2007 40 (1)

Distribution

The Marsh Whorl Snail is
found across the county
in fens, reed swamps and
marshes, often on the dead
leaves of sedges. Kemey
(1999) observes that it
avoids places where the
water table fluctuates but
this is at variance with the
authors observations along
the primary reed swamps

Vertigo antivertigo ( Marsh Whorl Snail )

of the Trinity Broads where the water table fluctuates throughout the year and
the tidal margin of Rockland Broad where at times the area can be completely
engulfed. The snail is widely distributed and common in Norfolk.

Conservation

No special measures are necessary for the conservation of the Marsh Whorl
Snail in Norfolk. Site management is dependent upon maintenance of the
microhabitat conditions and this is best achieved on a site-to-site basis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Stephen Bennett, School
of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, for the production of
the scanning electron microscope photographs used in this paper. Funding for
some of this work came from the Environment Agency, Norfolk Biodiversity
Partnership, Broads Authority and the Essex and Suffolk Water Company.
We thank all these bodies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BAKER, R., CLARKE, K. & HOWLETT, D, 2005. Survey of Vertigo angustior Jeffreys
on River Waveney Banks, 2005. Unpublished report for Broadland Environmental
Service, Norwich.

BAKER, R. CLARKE, K, & HOWLETT, D., 2004; 2005; 2006. Desmoulins Whorl
Snail in the Norfolk Trinity Broads Complex. Annual Monitoring Reports. Essex and
Suffolk Water Company.

BAKER, R. & HOWLETT, D., 1999. Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan for Vertigo
moulinsiana. Unpublished report for English Nature.

BRATTON, J.H. 1991. British Red Data Book 3: Invertebrates Other Than Insects.
Peterborough JNNC.

CAMERON, R.A.D. 2003. Life cycles, molluscan and botanical associations of Vertigo
angustior and Vertigo gey eri. Heldia 5(7): 95-110. Mtinchen.

DRAKE, C.M. 1999. A review of the status, distribution and habitat requirements of
Vertigo moulinsiana in England. J. Concho/. 36(6): 63-79
ELLIS, A. E. 1941. The Mollusca of a Norfolk Broad. J. Concho!. 21(8): 228-243.
HOLYOAK, G.A. 2003. Upland habitats for Vertigo geyeri in Ireland. Heldia, 5(7): 1 19-
124. Mtinchen.

HOLY OAK, G.A. 2005. Widespread occurrence of Vertigo geyeri (Gastropoda

Vertiginidae) in north and west Ireland. The Irish Naturalist’ Journal. 28(4): 141-
150.

HOLYOAK, G., HOWLETT, D. & BAKER, R. 2006. Vertigo geyeri Lindholm in
Norfolk. A Sun’ey of Small Calcareous Valley Fens. Unpublished report for
Environment Agency.

HOWLETT, D. & BAKER, R. 2004. Vertigo angustior Jeffreys in Norfolk. Trans.

Trails. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Norfolk Norwich Nats1 Soc. 37(1): 46-53.

HOWLETT, D. & BAKER, R. 2006. The Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail Vertigo
angustior Jeffreys in Norfolk: Survey Data for 2006. Unpublished report for
Environment Agency.

KERNEY, M.J. 1999. Atlas of the Land and Freshwater Molluscs of Britain and Ireland.
Harley Books, Colchester.

KILLEEN, I.J. 2003. A review of EUHSD Vertigo species in England and Scotland.
Heldia , 5(7): 73-84. Miinchen.

POKRYSZKO, B.M., 1990. The Vertiginidae of Poland (Gastropoda: Pulmonata;
Pupilloidea) - a systematic monograph. Ann. zool. 43 (8): 133-257. Warszawa.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Fenland drainage and the effects on the
spider fauna: a case study at East Ruston
Common, Norfolk

Eric Duffey

Le Dougnoux, 19120 Altillac, France

INTRODUCTION

Fenland wildlife habitats are particularly vulnerable to destruction by
agricultural

drainage, deepening of nearby rivers, creation of cut-off channels to alleviate
flooding and by siting boreholes for public water supply on their boundaries.
The two boreholes sited by Redgrave and Lopham Fens on the Norfolk/
Suffolk boundary in the 1950s until their removal in 2002 caused profound
changes to the vegetation when the water table fell by as much as a metre, but
very little is known about the effects on the wetland invertebrate fauna. Two
boreholes were also sited by the fens on East Ruston Common, Norfolk, in
the 1950s and by the mid-1980s when abstraction of water was doubled, the
fens seemed to be quite dry. In this case, however, two invertebrate surveys
separated by 20 years were able to record some of the changes to the spider
fauna.

The nomenclature of spider species follows Harvey et al. (2002).

EAST RUSTON COMMON

This SSSI was first scheduled in 1959 and again in 1986 when it was given a
more secure degree of protection under the 1981 Wildlife and Conservation
Act. It covers 38 ha (94 acres) and consists of two fens which make up about
two-thirds of the total area. Both merge into dry sandy heathland (Figure 1).
The distinguished Norfolk naturalist, the late Dr E.A. Ellis, wrote a short
article about the fens in the mid 1960s:

In 1810 300 acres of common were allocated to the poor of East Ruston.
Much of the land consisted of fen and reedswamp with turf pits from
which common-holders were permitted to cut up to 5000 hovers each
annually. People gathered rushes for candle-wicks and sent them to the

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

rush fair held each year in Norwich. Regular summer mowing of litter
made the fens very attractive to snipe and there can be little doubt that
parishioners never went hungry for rabbits and wildfowl with so vast a
paradise in their midst.

I first visited the fens in 1962
and was impressed by the flora,
the wetland habitat, the number
of Swallowtail butterflies and
the abundance of the larval
foodplant Milk-parsley

Peucedanum palustre (L.)
Moench. From 1969 to 1974 I
Fig. 1. East Ruston Common SSSI. A, Kings organized a survey

F.7lB’5°.W“F.e"' (unpublished) of the spider

faunas of over 50 fens in
Norfolk and Suffolk with
seven members of the British
Arachnological Society and we were able to spend a day collecting by hand
on both fens at East Ruston. We did not know at the time that two boreholes
had been sunk to a depth of 40m on the northeast boundary of Mown Fen
(Figure 1). The Environment Agency (Water Resources) report that work on
the first borehole began in 1953 and the second in 1956 but water abstraction
was low up to 1984. In 1985 the abstraction rate jumped from 159 thousand
cubic metres (tern3) to 794 tern3 and increased further in the following five
years. In 1974 I noted in my diary that the fens seemed rather dry although
the ground leaf litter and peaty soil were moist. Mown Fen was also being
invaded by bush growth, a sure sign of drying out.

extent of removal of surface vegetation and
oxidised peat in 1998-99. Copied by hand from
aerial photograph.

Low-level exploitation by
local people who did not
have modem machinery
seemed to be in balance with
the preservation of wildlife.
The produce taken from the
fen required the maintenance
of a high water-table and
habitat diversity was probably
enhanced by peat-cutting and
mowing in certain areas.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

I visited the fen again in 1980 and made another collection on my own. On
a third visit in 1984 the fens were so dry I could have walked across them
barefoot without finding moisture anywhere. In the very dry period which
followed there was a severe fire in 1990 which burnt the top 15-20 cm of the
peat surface.

After the fire English Nature decided that the oxidised peat and ash had to
be removed before normal water levels could be restored. This was done
in 1998 and 1999, the peat surface being lowered to below the level of the
normal permanent water-table in the fens so that eventually two large ponds
were created (Figure 2). In 1999 the Water Company voluntarily reduced
pumping by 50% and in 2005 water abstraction ceased as a new borehole site
had been found.

THE CHANGE IN THE SPIDER FAUNA 1974-1994

IWiira ' f jS llfiisfri

Fig. 2. The 1994 invertebrate survey. The

distribution of pitfall clusters (•) during May
and June. Each cluster consisted of five pitfall
traps and one water trap. The comments
‘regularly visited’ and ‘intensive survey’ were
made by the 1994 Report compilers.

The concern expressed by English
Nature about the future of the
fens prompted the National Rivers
Authority to commission an
invertebrate survey in 1994 by
Binnie and Partners in association
with the Environmental
Consultancy, University of
Sheffield. This survey studied
numerous invertebrate groups
including spiders. During the
months of May and June 1994 65
pitfall traps and 13 water traps
were operated (Fig. 2) in the two
fen areas, Kings Fen and Mown
Fen. 1994 happened to be a very
wet year and the Report of the
Survey (Anon. 1995) claims that
36% of the pitfall traps and 53%
of the water traps were lost due to
flooding and vandalism. In
addition to collection by trapping
the survey included sweep-

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

netting, beating shrubs and trees, sieving leaf litter, and hand searching
tussocks and tall fen vegetation.

On 13 June 1974 my party spent a total of eight hours timed hand-collecting
in Mown Fen and the same in Kings Fen. Each hourly collection was bottled
separately so that the number of species and individual spiders could be
related to the duration of fieldwork, 16 hours. During each hour every spider
seen, whether adult or immature, was collected.

The very different collecting methods and durations of study of these two
surveys means that comparisons can only be made in terms of species
recorded.

Table 1 lists the 62 species of spiders recorded in May-June 1994 and Table
2 the 65 species recorded on 13 June 1974. The larger total for 1974 suggests
that the spider fauna was richer in that year than 20 years later because more
species were taken in a day by hand collecting than in two months trapping
by pitfall and water traps.

In 1 994 the survey found that the fauna of Kings Fen was much less interesting
than that of Mown Fen. The former recorded 25 species and the latter 44,
while 20 were taken in both fens. In addition five species were found only in
Kings fen while Mown Fen recorded 34. This difference in species diversity
of the two faunas was not noted in 1 974, when both species lists were similar.
Perhaps this suggests that desiccation was more advanced in Kings Fen in
1994. Only one species, Theridiosoma gemmosum, was classified as Notable
B in that year, following the system of Merrett (1990). This has six categories
based on an assessment of rarity and vulnerability, RDB 1 (Endangered),
RDB2 (Vulnerable), RDB3 (Rare), Notable A (recorded in 16-30 National
Grid 10-km squares), Notable B (31-100 National Grid 10-km squares).

The remainder of the 62 species (1994) were widespread or common and
capable of living in different habitats. Nevertheless, 16 could be labelled as
preferring wet places based on assessments in Harvey et al. (2002) and my
personal experience in East Anglia. Habitat preferences may differ according
to geographical location of a species so it is important to assess this in terms
of East Anglia rather than to assume that preferences are the same all over
the country. Using the same criteria the 1974 list includes 32 wetland species,
of which one was classified RDBK, Baryphyma gowerense (the ‘K’ indicates
status unknown but see comment below), one Notable A, Entelecara omissa ,
and two Notable B, Notioscopus sarcinatus and Sitticus caricis. Another
Notable A has been claimed for East Ruston ( Hygrolycosa rnbrofasciata ) but

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Table 1. Species of spiders recorded on Mown Fen and Kings Fen in 1994. Using 65
pitfalls and 13 water traps during May and June. Total 62. Wetland species indicated*.

Agyneta conigera
Arctosa leopardus
Bathvphantes gracilis
Ceratinella brevipes
Clubiona lutescens
Clubiona phragmitis
Clubiona reel us a
Dicymbium tibiale
Dismodicus bifrons
Drassodes cupreus
Episimus angulatus
Entelecara erythropus
Erigone atra
Erigone dentipalpis
Gnathonarium dentatum
Gongylidium rufipes
Gongylidiellum latebricola
Gongylidiellum vivum
Haplodrassus signifer
Hypomma bituberculatum
Kaestneria pullata
Lepthyphantes tenuis
Linyphia clathrata
Maso sundevalli
Micrargus herbigradus
Micrargus subaequalis
Oedothorax fuscus
Oedothorax gibbosus
Oedothorax retusus
Ozyptila brevipes
Ozyptila trux

Pachygnatha clercki
Paidiscura pallens
Pardosa amentata
Pardos a nigriceps
Pardosa palustris
Pardosa prativaga
Pardosa pullata
Pardosa saltans
Phylo dr omus dispar
Pirata hygrophilus
Pirata latitans
Pirata piraticus
Porrhomma pygmaeum
Pisaura mirabilis
Pocadicnemis juncea
Robertus lividus
Savign ia front at a
Silometopus elegans
Silometopus reussi
Taranucnus setosus
Tetragnatha montana
Theridiosoma gemmosum
Tiso vagans
Trochosa ruricola
Trochosa terricola
Walckenaeria alticeps
Walckenaeria nudipalpis
Xysticus cristatus
Xysticus ulmi
Zelotes latreillei
Zora sp ini man a

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Table 2. Species of spiders recorded on Mown Fen and Kings Fens in 1974. Sixteen
hours hand-collecting on 13 June. Total 74. Wetland species indicated*.

Agyneta conigera
Agyneta decora
Agyneta ram os a
Antis tea elegans
Aphileta mis era
Baryphyma gowerense
Baryphyma pratensis
Baryphyma trifrons
Bathyphantes approximate
Bathyphantes gracilis
Bathyphantes parvulus
Centromere dilute
Centromere sylvaticus
Clubiona lutescens
Clubiona phragmitis
Clubiona reclusa
Clubiona stagnatilis
Clubiona sub til is
Cnephalocotes obscure
Crus tu l in a guttata
Dictyna arundinacea
Diplocephalus permixtus
Dismodicus bifrons
Enoplognatha ovata
Entelecara erythropus
Entelecara omissa
Ero cambridgei
Euophys frontalis
Gongylidiellum vivum
Hypomma bituberculatum
Kaestneria pull at a
Lepthyphantes ericaeus
Lepthyphantes mengei
Lepthyphantes tenuis
Lepthyphantes zimmermanni
Linyphia clathrata

Micaria pulicaria
Micrargus herbigradus
Neottiura bimaculata

* Notioscopus sarcinatus

* Oedothorax gibbosus

* Ozyptila brevipes
Ozyptila praticola
Ozyptila trux
Pardos a nigriceps
Pardosa prativaga
Pardosa pullata
Pholcomma gibbum
Pi rata hygrophilus

* Pirata latitans

* Pirata piraticus
Pocadicnemis juncea
Pocadicnemis pumila
Porrhomma pallidum
Porrhomma pygmaeum
Robertus lividus
Rugathodes instabilis

* Silometopus ambiguus

* Silometopus elegans

* Sitticus caricis

* Taranucnus setose

* Tetragnatha extensa

* Ti bell us maritime

* Trochosa spinipalpis
Trochosa terricola
Walckenaeria acuminata

* Walckenaeria antica

* Walckenaeria kochi
Walckenaeria nudipalpis

* Walckenaeria unicornis

* Walckenaeria vigilax

* Xysticus ulmi

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

I cannot find this species in any of the lists compiled by my party in 1974. In
view of this doubt I have not included this species in the faunal list.

Baryphema gowerense . First recorded as new to science in July 1964
(Locket 1965). It was taken on the upper saltmarsh of Whiteford Dunes in
Gower, South Wales. Since 1984 B. gowerense has been found on several
Welsh coast sites from Gower to Anglesey and appears not to be endangere.
In England it was discovered at Woodbastwick Fen and Sutton Fen in the
Norfolk Broads in 1988. (D. Procter pers. comm.) and these are the only
known English sites if we assume, for the time being, that it is extinct at
East Ruston. Outside the UK it is known from freshwater sites in Sweden
and Ireland so it is adapted to inland wetlands as well as saline habitats as
are several, more common, British spiders. The present-day information
available for this species suggests that its rarity/vulnerability assessment
should be RDB2 or 3 as it is very rare in England but not so rare in Wales. In
1974 it seemed to be fairly widely distributed in the East Ruston fens, though
not numerous. Five members of our party, out of eight, took specimens. Eight
were taken in Kings Fen and three in Mown Fen. The party collected over a
wide area which coincided with the distribution of the 1994 pitfalls as shown
in Figure 2.

Entelecara omissa . Widely distributed in the East Anglian fens of Norfolk
and Suffolk but appears to be very rare elsewhere in England. In the period
1969-74 our survey of 53 collecting sites on fens in Norfolk and Suffolk
recorded E. omissa in 19 of them which together with previous records
now total 29 localities. Some of the large fens had more than one recording
location. Harvey et al. (2002) show no records for Wales and Scotland and of
the eight for England outside East Anglia only one is post- 1980.

Notioscopus sarcinatus. Recorded from England, Wales and Scotland
(Harvey et al. 2002) but from very few localities. In 1969-1974 we took
specimens in five Norfolk wetlands but it appears not to have been recorded
during the 1988 Nature Conservancy survey. Perhaps it is able to avoid pitfall
and water traps.

Sitticus caricis . A very local jumping spider taken in open unshaded wetland
vegetation. There are scattered records for southern and eastern England and
two for Anglesey

Table 3 lists the 10 most numerous species in 1974 and similarly for 1994.
Most of those recorded in 1994 are common or even abundant throughout
the UK. Three (1,4,10) are associated with wet places but not confined to

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

them. The 1974 list includes five specialised wetland species (2,6,8,9,10),
three normally found in wetlands (1,3,7) and two which may be found in
a variety of different habitats (4,5). The 1994 list is a clear demonstration
of a change to dry conditions. However, the floods of summer 1994 may
have influenced the fauna by maintaining a strong population of Pirata
hygrophilus . Another Pirata species, P. uliginosus was recorded in 1980 and
1984 by hand collecting but does not appear in the 1974 or 1994 lists. This
species is not closely associated with wet habitats.

Collections at East Ruston fens between 1974 and 1994

In 1980 and 1984 I was able to make personal visits to East Ruston and make
collections in Mown Fen. In the former year I collected 33 species and in the
latter 19. These collections only give an indication of the survival of certain

Table 3. The ten most numerous species. Taken by hand-collecting at East Ruston
Common on 13 June 1974 and in pitfall traps and water traps during May and June

Rank Hand-collecting 1974

Num-

ber

Traps 1994

Num-

ber

Oedothorax gibbosus

132

Pirata hygrophilus

1479

Entelecara omissa

Erigone atra

386

Pirata hygrophilus

Pardosa prativaga

249

Kaestueria pull at a

Pirata piraticus

Pocadicnemis pumila

Bathyphantes gracilis

Taranucnus setosus

Pardosa amentata

Silometopus elegans

Oedothorax fuscus

Aphileta mi sera

Erigone dentipalpis

Sitticus caricis

Silometopus elegans

Baryphyma gowerense

Oedothorax gibbosus

species. Table 4 lists nine specialist wetland species for 1974, of which three
were taken again in 1980, one in 1984 but none in 1994. In both these middle
years Mown Fen was dry with increasing bush growth. On the other hand
much more tolerant species, capable of living in drier habitats, B. trifrons,
O. gibbosus, P clercki and others (see Table 2), survived in 1994, perhaps
helped by the wet summer of that year.

DISCUSSION

The creation of large scrapes (Figure 2) which removed the surface burnt peat
and vegetation in July 1990 probably had little effect on the specialist spider
fauna most of which was already extinct except possibly for Theridiosoma

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

gemmosum. Harvey et al. (2002) list over 60 localities for this species in the
south of England and Wales. In Europe it is recorded from reed beds, alder

Table 4. The decline of some wetland species in relation to the duration of desiccation.

Present + Not recorded -

Wetland species

1974

1980

1984

1994

Baryphyma gowerense

Notioscopus sarcinatus

Walckenaeria kochi

Trochosa spinipalpis

Tibellus maritimus

Entelecara omissa

Rugathodes instabilis

Aphileta misera

Antis tea elegans

carr, willow shrub mires and dry beech forests (Hanggi et al, 1995) so may
be more tolerant of habitat change than other wetland species.

On 18 September 2006 I was able to visit East Ruston Fen to inspect the
two excavations dug in 1 998-99 to remove oxidised peat. I found two lakes
fringed by dense reedbeds of Common Reed Phragmites australis and
Bulrush Typha latifolia. The water depth is not known but appears to be
deeper than the 6"-8" (15-20 cm) of oxidised peat which it was intended to
remove. The water surface may persist for many years and even when the
lakes become shallower it seems most likely that large reedbeds will form
so that the previous mixed fen vegetation and acidic flushes will not be able
to re-establish. However, Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata and Milk-parsley
Peucedanum palustre are said to have survived and it is still important to
survey the spider fauna at regular intervals to find out how it has changed.

SUMMARY

1 The impoverishment of the spider fauna due to desiccation by two
boreholes is recorded during 20 years, 1974-1994, in East Ruston
Common, Norfolk.

2 In 1974 74 species were recorded in one day (13 June) by eight
arachnologists, while in 1994 62 species were taken in pitfall and water
traps during May and June. The spider fauna appears to have been
substantially more diverse in 1974.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

3 Thirty-two species known to prefer wetland habitats were recorded in
1974, including one national rarity and three classified as Notable. Twenty
years later 16 wetland species were recorded and only one classified as
Notable.

4 In 1994 the spider fauna of King’s Fen was found to be much inferior to
Mown Fen. In 1974 no difference between the two fens was recorded.
This suggests that desiccation was more severe in Kings Fen.

5 The survival of nine specialised wetland species is plotted from 1974 to
1994. Three were last recorded in 1980, one in 1984 and none in 1994.

6 The 1 0 most abundant species in 1974 included only three recorded again
in 1994. The 1994 list consists mostly of common and widespread species
and only three normally associated with wet places but not confined to
them.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to Dr Martin George, former East Anglian Regional Officer of

the Nature Conservancy, and Clive Doarks of English Nature, Norfolk Team,

for advice and information about East Ruston Common and for comments on

the first draft of this paper.

REFERENCES

ANON. 1995. East Ruston Common SSSI Alleviation Scheme combined investigations.
National Rivers Authority, Vol. 3, Appendix G, pp.75. Binnie & Partners and
Environmental Consultancy University of Sheffield.

HANGGI, A., STOCKLI, E. & NENTWIG, W. 1995. Lebensraume mitteleuropaischer
Spinnen. Misc. Faun. Helvet. 4: 1-460. Centre Suisse de cartographic de la faune,
Neuchatel.

HARVEY, P., NELLIST, D., TELFER, M. 2002. Provisional Atlas of British Spiders
(Arachnida, Araneae), Vols. I and II. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Centre
for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Huntingdon.

LOCKET, G. H. 1965. A new British species of Linyphiid spider. Entomologists Mon.
Mag. 101: 48-50.

MERRETT, P. 1990. A review of the nationally notable spiders of Great Britain.

Research and Survey in Nature Conservation, No. 127, Peterborough, Nature
Conservancy Council.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

The changing status of Lepidoptera in
Norfolk and its possible causes

C.D. Jones

32 Henstead Road, Hethersett, Norwich NR9 3JH

INTRODUCTION

Since the late Georgian period of British history the study of lepidoptera has
been quite prolific. These studies, along with those of many other taxa, were
enhanced by the inquisitive nature of the Victorians and were predominantly
carried out by wealthy landowners or the clergy. This has left modern-day
lepidopterists with a wealth of records that can be compared with current
findings.

In Norfolk, C.G. Barrett and E.A. Atmore compiled an extensive record of
all lepidoptera found within the county and commented on the status of each
species at that time. Much of this information was subsequently published in
the Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society (NNNS),
between 1873 and 1913 (Hall, pers. com.). In June 2006, funding from
Norfolk County Council Planning and Transportation Section (Environment
- Policy and Planning) for the Norfolk Biological Records Centre enabled
my employment on contract to input data. In consultation with the County
Moth Recorder, Ken Saul, it was agreed that the input of data from Mike
Hall’s unpublished Annotations of Norfolk Lepidoptera recorded by Barrett
and Atmore in Transactions of the NNNS (1873-1913) would provide useful
comparative historical data to facilitate research into changes of status and
the possible causes.

Mike Hall’s work was aimed at comparing the nomenclature used by Barrett
and Atmore with current names. It was taken from a literature search carried
out to provide historical detail for the on-going Norfolk Moth Survey but
remained unpublished in the Transactions of the NNNS as he regarded it as
excessively long (72 pages). In this short paper I have compared the findings
of Barrett and Atmore with modem records and given selected examples.

CHANGES IN STATUS

Many species have exhibited no obvious change in their status over this

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

period. In general, it appears that those species that exhibit less specific
requirements, both in habitat and food resource, have remained at a relatively
stable level, both in population and distribution, over the study period.
However, most of the more specialised species have suffered declines and, in
some cases, extinction, either locally or at a national scale (see Appendices
1 & 2). Habitat specialist butterflies have not only fared badly in Britain but
also elsewhere in Europe and indeed globally (Wenzel et al. 2006; van Swaay
et al. 2006). This trend is almost certainly reflected in moth populations,
although by comparison little research has been carried out on this more
numerous taxon.

In addition to those species present on Barrett and Atmore ’s lists, Norfolk
has also ‘gained’ a number of records. These have tended to be the result of
species extending their ranges, the advent of continental migrants such as
the Vestal ( Rhodometra sacraria Linnaeus), or a simple reallocation of the
species concerned. This third point is well demonstrated by the Fen Square-
spot ( Diarsia florida Vieweg), which is now considered to be undergoing
an evolutionary separation from the more common and widespread Small
Square-spot (. D . rubi Vieweg) (Waring & Townsend 2003). There may also
be cases of ‘difficult’ species being overlooked or misidentified. Even today
it is likely that some moths are under-recorded and this may be particularly
true of those species that are not attracted to light traps or those that are
active during the hours of daylight. This problem has long been suggested for
certain groups such as the Sesiidae (clearwings), which are easy to overlook
in the field, are only attracted to pheromone lures and have a lifecycle that is
difficult to study.

In contrast to many moth species, Britain’s butterflies are well studied
and understood. Recent publications by Fox et al. (2006a) and Watts and
Mcllwrath (2002) have made it possible to contrast the fortunes of all species
present in Norfolk today with those present in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries (Barrett & Atmore 1873-1913) (see Appendix 1).

Butterflies

As previously stated, those species that specialise in a particular habitat or
food resource have, in general, suffered significant declines. Some butterfly
species, such as the Silver-studded Blue {Plebeius argus Linnaeus), have
shown such substantial declines that they are now designated as Biodiversity
Action Plan (BAP) Priority Species. However, Barrett and Atmore (1873-
1913) recorded that P. argus could be found on every heath in Norfolk and

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

this was probably true for Southern Britain as a whole.

Another heathland species that was generally common in the late 1 9th century
(Barrett & Atmore 1873-1913) is the Grayling (Hipparchia semele Linnaeus).
However, modem records show that this species has suffered a significant
long-term national decline (Fox et al. 2006a) and this is reflected in records
for Norfolk, although the coastal population appears to be stable (Watts &
Mcllwrath 2002). This decline has been so substantial that H. semele has
been proposed as a BAP species (Fox et al. 2006a).

The butterfly family that has suffered possibly the greatest declines in Norfolk,
and indeed nationally, is Nymphalidae, more specifically, the fritillaries. Of
the six species that occurred in Barrett and Atmore’s records, all but one is
now extinct as a breeding species within the county. The remaining species,
the Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja Linnaeus) was regarded by Barrett
as “local and almost exclusively coastal” in distribution. This status appears
to remain true today (Watts & Mcllwrath 2002). These fritillaries, with the
exception of A. aglaja, have also suffered long-term (1976-2004) national
distribution declines ranging from 29%-79% (Fox et al. 2006a). Specific
studies carried out on the Pearl-bordered Fritillary ( Bolaria euphrosyne
Linnaeus) show that this species currently shows a 61% loss in distribution
and a 66% decline in population nationally, over the last 30 years (Hoare
2006). Therefore it seems unlikely that B. euphrosyne will become re-
established in the county and this is probably the case for the other fritillary
species. However, while the fritillaries have suffered dramatic declines other
nymphalids have shown the opposite trends.

Of the resident species the most dramatic changes have occurred with the
population and distribution of the Comma ( Polygonia c-album Linnaeus).
Barrett and Atmore recorded this species as “very rare in Norfolk” whereas
the present national status shows a 305% increase in population size and a
37% increase in distribution, over the last 30 years (Fox et al. 2006a) and
this is reflected within Norfolk. The Peacock (Inachis io Linnaeus) has
also shown a considerable positive long-term change in status (population
+90%, distribution +17% nationally) (Fox et al. 2006a), while the Small
Tortoiseshell ( Aglais urticae Linnaeus) has remained at a relatively unaltered
status. However, Barrett and Atmore already regarded the last two species as
common.

Notable changes in population and distribution have also been recorded in
migrant species. The Red Admiral ( Vanessa atalanta Linnaeus), Painted Lady

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

( Vanessa cardui, Linnaeus) and Clouded Yellow ( Colias croceus Geoffroy)
have all shown large long-term national population increases. In the case
of C. croceus this is a massive increase of 1117% in 30 years (Fox et al.
2006a). The changes of status have not been as dramatic in Norfolk but the
general trend is for increasing numbers and more numerous records of adults
overwintering.

Another species that has exhibited a substantial expansion of its range and an
increased population is the Speckled Wood ( Pararge aegaria tircis Linnaeus).
Nationally this shade-loving species has shown a 160% population rise
and a 31% expansion in its distribution (Fox el al. 2006a). This success is
mirrored in Norfolk where the species had greatly declined by the end of the
1 9th century; Barrett and Atmore described it as “not common” and it was
regarded as sporadic and uncommon until the 1980s, at which time it began
to expand from its core population in Breckland (Watts & Mcllwrath 2002).
Current records now show that P. aegaria tircis has spread to all parts of the
county.

Moths

Changes in the population and distribution of British moths have, until very
recently, been relatively poorly studied. The publication of Fox et al. (2006b)
has been a great step forward in showing the downward trends being exhibited
by a majority of Britain’s larger species. Flowever, many of the smaller
species (micros) remain poorly understood and are certainly under-recorded.
This is in part due to a lack of interest and the difficulties encountered when
identifying species, some of which can only be achieved by dissection.

Within Barrett and Atmore’s moth lists there are, potentially, two anomalous
records; these concern the Chocolate Tip ( C/ostera curtula Linnaeus) and the
Small Chocolate Tip ( Clostera pigra Hufnagel). C. curtula is described as
“rare” while C. pigra is regarded as common and “probably in all fens and
boggy heaths”. Hall (pers. com.) suggests that Barrett and Atmore (1873-
1913) almost certainly have the records of distribution and comments for
these two species in reverse. If this is not the case C. curtula has suffered a
dramatic decline over the ensuing period.

In common with butterflies, specialist moth species have exhibited the greatest
negative trends over the last 130 years. However, a number of species have
shown an increase in population and distribution and, as has been the case
with the butterflies, there have been some species added to the county list.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

Of those species exhibiting population or distribution declines perhaps
some of the more striking examples include the Garden Tiger ( Arctia caja
Linnaeus), the Tapestry Moth ( Trichophaga tapetzella Linnaeus), the
Dentated Pug (Anticollix sparsat Treitschke ) and the Coast Dart (Euxoa
cur soria Hufnagel). These examples have all suffered significant declines but
it is possible that the driving factors for each species are different, although
all are likely to be anthropogenic in origin.

The Garden Tiger moth (A. caja ) was once widespread and common in the
UK. However, over recent decades this species has shown a dramatic decline
(Conrad et al. 2002), both in Norfolk and nationally. This decline appears
to have accelerated since the mid 1980s (Waring & Townsend 2003) and
although this species still has a widespread distribution its population has
significantly decreased. It is now an uncommon species in many locations and
completely absent from some. Yet Barrett and Atmore describe this species
as “common everywhere”. The Tapestry Moth (T. tapetzella) was also found
everywhere and even considered a pest species; it is now a nationally scarce
moth as are the Dentated Pug (A. sparsata ) and the Coast Dart (E. cursoria )
(Waring & Townsend 2003).

Barrett and Atmore (1873-1913) recorded that A. sparsata was common in
fen areas while E. cursoria was regarded as “excessively” abundant on coastal
sand dunes. Present records indicate that both species are now extremely
restricted in their distribution within Norfolk and nationally. This should
perhaps not be surprising as both are habitat specialists and, as previously
mentioned, more likely to have suffered declines since the 19th century.

Several species that were either highly specialised or extremely local in their
distribution during the late 19th century have now disappeared completely
from Norfolk. Indeed, species such as the Marsh Dagger ( Acronicta strigosa
(Denis & Schiffermiiller), Viper’s Bugloss (Hadena irregularis Hufnagel),
Spotted Sulphur ( Emmelia trabealis Scopoli) and the pyralid moth Loxostege
sticticalis (Linnaeus) are now extinct nationally (see Appendix 2) (Waring &
Townsend 2003). With exception of A. strigosa, which had a core population
in the Cambridgeshire fens, these species were already predominantly
restricted to the Breckland area of Norfolk (Barrett & Atmore 1873-1913)
and had little potential for extending their range.

In common with butterflies, there have been success stories since the
publication of Barrett and Atmore’s lists. Species such as the Pine Hawk-
moth ( Hvloicus pinastri Linnaeus), Triple-spotted Clay ( Xestia ditrapezium

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Denis & Schiffenniiller) and Beautiful Golden Y ( Autographa pulchrina
Haworth) have improved their status from rare, very rare or scarce and are
now well established within Norfolk, indeed occasionally abundant (Waring
& Townsend 2003). Other species are more recent additions to the county
list with the majority being species that have extended their range nationally.
Examples of this are the Spruce Carpet ( Thera britannica Turner, H.G), Twin-
spotted Wainscot (. Archanara geminipuncta Haworth) and Vine’s Rustic
(. Hoplodrina ambigua Denis & Schiffermuller); H. ambigua, has undergone
quite a rapid and significant distribution increase since the 1940s (Waring &
Townsend 2003).

Perhaps the most dramatic addition to the county, and indeed the national
record, is Blair’s Shoulder-knot ( Lithophane leautieri Boursin). This species
was first recorded in Britain in 1 95 1 , on the Isle of Wight, (Waring & Townsend
2003) but has since spread to most areas, including Scotland, by 2001. It
is now a well-established species in Norfolk and is occasionally abundant,
its larvae feeding on cypresses. Nationally L. leautieri has undergone a
population growth of 21000% (Fox et al. 2006b) and this is probably due to
increase in the use and popularity of Cupressus leylandii hybrids in domestic
gardens over the last 50 years.

CAUSES OF STATUS CHANGES

It is probable that anthropogenic forces drive the significant majority of
lepidopteran population and distribution changes, both at national and county
levels. These factors may be either direct (e.g. habitat loss) or of a more
subtle nature (e.g. climate change).

Habitat loss and fragmentation has long been heralded as one of the
foremost drivers of species decline and extinction. This is particularly true
for specialist species and is applicable at county, national and global scales.
Many lepidopteran specialist species are declining as a result of this process
and although conservation actions typically aim to stem rates of decline
they are not generally structured to bring about genuine recovery (Davies
et al. 2005). It has even been suggested by Davies (2005) that government
targets to achieve ‘favourable status’ for SSSIs may be detrimental to some
threatened species. This has already been shown by recent research using
butterfly transect data from protected areas in Britain (Davies 2005). Many
of Norfolk’s butterfly species, threatened and common, rely on traditional
agricultural practices and the advent of agri-environment schemes designed
to maintain or reinstate appropriate management have indeed benefited

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

target butterfly species nationally. However, recent research has suggested
that these schemes have failed to halt the general decline of butterfly species
on farmland (Brereton et al. 2005) and this decline includes areas protected
as SSSIs as well as the wider countryside. Norfolk may be particularly
susceptible to this form of species loss and decline due to the intensive
nature of modem agriculture within the county, although many farmers are
now more conscious of the need for conservation and indeed get payments
for implementing conservation strategies. Again, it is probable that similar
effects could be detected within moth species. However this requires more
long-term studies.

A moth species that may exhibit this reaction to agricultural intensification is
the Ruddy Carpet ( Catarhoe rubidata Denis & Schiffermiiller). This species
prefers rough banks, hedgerows and field edges, usually on calcareous strata
(Waring & Townsend 2003). As farms have become more efficient and fields
have become larger, particularly in Norfolk, and more of a monoculture this
type of habitat has declined. Thus it is likely that this was partially responsible
for the decline of C. rubidata.

Changes in fanning practice since the late 1 9th century have probably led to the
loss and decline of several species of lepidoptera in Norfolk. During the 19th
century the Small Ranunculus ( Hecatera dysodea Denis & Schiffermuller)
was recorded in large numbers on cultivated lettuce crops, particularly in
Norfolk and the South-East of England (Waring & Townsend 2003). The
larvae of this species eat mainly the flowers and seeds of the lettuce. It may
be that in the 1 9th century large numbers of the lettuces were allowed to form
seed whereas modem horticultural practice harvests the plants long before
they reach this stage. It is also possible that the natural food items, Prickly
Lettuce and Great Lettuce, were reduced in abundance, due to intensification
and the use of herbicides. The resulting effect on H. dysodea was its virtual
extinction in Britain by 1914 and complete disappearance by 1939. However,
the species has since returned to Britain, possibly as a migrant, but not to
Norfolk.

Ashwin & Davison (2005) show large areas of Norfolk as marsh or fen in
the late 1800s that today have been ‘drained and improved’. This policy has
caused the decline or loss of several wetland species. An example of this is
the Marsh Fritillary ( Euphydryas aurinia) recorded on marshy meadows by
Barrett and Atmore (1873-1913) but which has now disappeared from the
county and has suffered a severe decline nationally. The Marsh Dagger (A.
strigosa ) has also gone and was last recorded in Britain in 1933 (Waring

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

& Townsend 2003). The Purple-bordered Gold ( Idaea muricata Hufnagel)
was described as “rather common” in wet fens but is now highly localised
in Norfolk and designated as Nationally Scarce A. These declines and losses
clearly demonstrate the vulnerability of habitat specialist species to landscape
changes and habitat loss.

It has been suggested that many species are dependent on a metapopulation
structure and many threatened British butterfly species appear to conform to
the metapopulation theory including the Silver-studded Blue ( Plebeius argns )
(Thomas et al. 1992), a BAP priority species for Norfolk and nationally.

Metapopulation theory suggests that species will not survive on individual
fragments of habitat, but require a network of sites between which they can
migrate (Thomas et al. 1998). Therefore, habitat fragmentation may cause
the eventual extinction of a species, even in those remaining patches of
apparently suitable habitat (Hanski 2003). The size and degree of isolation
of a habitat fragment will influence long-term persistence of a species in
that patch (Thomas et al. 1998). Data from butterflies, birds and plants
demonstrate that populations with reduced genetic diversity often experience
reduced growth and increased extinction rates. Thus, it may be necessary to
retain gene flow among increasingly fragmented habitat patches to sustain
populations that are sensitive to inbreeding (Keller & Waller 2002).

Conservation efforts therefore need to be on a landscape-scale in order to
create a network of suitable habitats and so ensure the long-term survival and
enhancement of threatened lepidopteran populations. This is rather stating the
obvious as the loss and fragmentation of habitat, along with the associated
effects on biodiversity, has occurred on a landscape-scale, particularly over
the last 200 years (Ashwin & Davison 2005).

It is likely that environmental changes on a landscape scale would have
influenced lepidopteran populations prior to Barrett and Atmore’s records.
The effects of these changes would almost certainly be apparent in moth and
butterfly communities today.

A possible example of this is the increase in both number and distribution
of the Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago Haworth). This species
prefers open habitat with isolated Ash trees, including hedgerows, riverbank
and gardens (Waring & Townsend 2003). It is possible that the advent of
Parliamentary Enclosure in the 1 8th and 19th centuries encouraged the creation
of this type of environment through the planting of hedgerows and the use of
large, isolated trees as boundary markers (Rackham 2001).

Trans. Norfolk Nonrich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Barrett and Atmore described A centrago as “local and scarce” and although
the last act of enclosure in Norfolk was at Saxlingham in 1863 (Ashwin &
Davison 2005), some ten years prior to their records, this is a rather short
period in ecological time in which to observe trends in distribution and
abundance. The expansions in range and population of this moth would
probably have occurred at a much slower rate and are possibly still ongoing.

Habitat loss has not been restricted to the open countryside, it has also
occurred within human habitation and wider urban areas. The larvae of the
Tapestry Moth (T tapetzella) were recorded by Barrett and Atmore (1873-
1913) as “devouring stuffing of saddles, chairs, sofas; carpets, furs etc and
articles of wool and hair generally”. This species was regarded as a pest and
extremely common within houses and warehouses but occupied a specific
ecological niche. However, as warehouses, particularly those in Norfolk’s
ports, disappeared and man-made materials replaced many organic products
the decline of this species became inevitable. This decline has been shared
by several species that use human environments to reproduce. As modem
products and lifestyles have changed the opportunities for species such as T.
tapezella have disappeared.

Not all landscape changes have led to species decline. The planting of large
areas of conifer forest has led to the increase in those species dependent
upon them. However, it might be argued that those areas used for forestry,
generally in Breckland, were specialist habitats and potentially had their own,
sometimes unique, species. The advent of large-scale conifer forests has led
to the addition of the Spruce Carpet ( Thera britanica Turner) to the county
list and an increase in abundance and distribution of the Pine Hawk-moth
( Hyloicus pinastri Linnaeus) and the Pine Beauty ( Panolis flammae Denis
& Schiffermuller). The spread of H. pinastri may have also been affected by
changes in Britain’s climate.

Potentially the most important long-term factor driving changes in lepidopteran
status is global climate change. Studies have shown some indication of this
process since the industrial revolution and it is clear from current research
that the climate is changing. This will have a profound effect on invertebrate
and indeed all life on the planet (King 2005). The effect of climate change
on butterfly population size and distribution has been clearly demonstrated
using British monitoring data (Brereton et a/. 2006) and these alterations to
butterfly phenology, ranges and ecology will almost certainly be reflected in
other lepidopteran species.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

While there are no records of any butterfly species colonising Britain during
the current period of human-induced climate change, two migrant species
that have bred here during the summer (Clouded Yellow and Red Admiral)
now appear to be able to successfully overwinter. Therefore it is reasonable
to assume that this may be the prelude to these species becoming resident
(Dennis et al. 2006). Potentially this may also apply to all migrant species
so that it is conceivable that the Painted Lady (V. cardui) would also become
resident. Similar processes may also apply to migrant moth species and
records of increasing numbers of overwintering Hummingbird Hawk-moths
may support this theory (pers. obs.). This may also result in the Bedstraw
Hawk-moth (. Hyles galli Rottemburg) re-establishing a resident population,
as this species was briefly resident in North Norfolk between 1956 and 1958
(Waring & Townsend 2003).

Climate change may also have contributed to the range expansions and
population increases encountered in other Norfolk lepidoptera. Species such
as Maple Prominent ( Ptilodon cucullina Denis & Schiffermuller ), Vine’s
Rustic (H. ambigua ), Golden Plusia ( Polychrysia moneta Fabricius), Beautiful
Golden Y (A. pulchrina ) and Twin-spotted Wainscot (A. geminipuncta ) have
all exhibited increases in range and population within Norfolk. However,
the positive changes in the status of A. geminipuncta may also have been
influenced by more recent policies of reed bed creation and management.

Although climate change may have been favourable for many of Norfolk’s
moths and butterflies it may also have had negative effects on some species.
It has been suggested that those species of moth that overwinter as larvae
may suffer declines brought about by this period being warmer and wetter
(Conrad et al. 2002). As previously stated, the Garden Tiger ( Arctia caja
Linnaeus) was once widespread and common but over recent decades has
shown a dramatic decline. It has been suggested that warm, wet winters and
springs may be detrimental to A. caja (Conrad et al 2002) and it is therefore
predicted to decrease further in line with global climate change. These
declines may be a result of a number of factors, either singly or combined. It
is possible that the increasingly mild winters have led to increased survival
rates of certain parasitoid species that are then able to prey on the moth
larvae. Equally, it is possible that the milder, wetter conditions lead to an
increase in fungal pathogens or that the larvae require cold, dry winters to
trigger certain genetic responses. These are all plausible theories but require
further long-term research.

Although pollution is not generally thought of as a directly contributing factor

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

to species decline in Norfolk, it should be considered outside the realms
of global climate change. It is probable that agricultural and atmospheric
depositions have a more direct and immediate effect on biodiversity. Along
with the obvious effects of pesticides it has been shown that, in agricultural
areas, species dependent on nutrient-poor conditions tended to decrease
while species dependent on nutrient-rich conditions tended to increase. This
indicates a negative effect of increased soil nitrogen levels resulting from the
active use of fertilisers and/or atmospheric nitrogen deposition (Ockingera
et a/. 2006).

CONCLUSION

Clearly there have been changes in Norfolk’s lepidopteran species, between
the late 19th century and today, but the overall diversity recorded by Barrett
and Atmore (1873-1913) appears to be predominantly intact within Norfolk
today. However, assessing trends in distribution and population is somewhat
problematic. There have been some losses from the county list but these have
mainly consisted of species that were already uncommon, localised and /
or habitat specialists in the 1800s. The more noticeable status changes are
illustrated in Appendices 1 & 2.

Population trends in moths are difficult to accurately assess as Barrett and
Atmore show very little numerical data. It might also be considered that
attracting moths to light was still at a relatively primitive stage and the
understanding of the ultraviolet spectrum was limited. The wavelengths at
which moths are attracted had not yet been defined and the ability to produce
that particular light source was not available. Therefore the number, and
possibly species, of moths attracted to light would have been limited. By
comparison the ongoing Rothamsted trapping network and the National
Moth Recording Scheme are designed to give a good overview of the state of
moth communities. However, it remains likely that individual species were
more numerous in the 19th century and this may have helped to balance the
possible inefficiency of the light sources. Furthermore, much of recording
for certain species would have been done using direct search techniques (i.e.
simply looking for them) either for larvae or the adult insects.

Unlike moths, butterflies present no such problems and are therefore likely
to be more accurately represented, although there is still no numerical data.
Within this group there seems to be a significant change within the community.
Approximately a third of the butterfly species recorded by Barrett and

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Atmore (1873-1913) have either suffered declines or have disappeared from
Norfolk completely. These declines appear to have been driven by habitat
loss or fragmentation. A further 1 1 species show increases in distribution or
population and this appears to be the result of species adjusting to changing
environments. This may be habitat change or dietary adjustments, although it
has also been suggested that climate change is, for the time being, beneficial
to these species.

Although most responses have been favourable thus far, predictive climate
change models suggest that climate change will become a significant influence
on rates of decline and extinction in butterflies (Fox et al. 2006) and this will
almost certainly be mirrored in moth populations. Until recently, published
evidence for the responses of species to climate change had revealed more
examples of species expanding than retracting their distributions. However,
recent papers on butterflies now show that population-level and species-level
extinctions are occurring (Thomas et al. in press). Indeed, this new evidence
suggests that climate-driven extinctions and range retractions are already
widespread (Thomas et al. in press).

Habitat loss and fragmentation are potentially easier to deal with. Although
some areas may have been irrevocably lost, the creation of new sites and
utilisation of other habitats, by lepidopteran species, may partially offset the
initial problems. Current initiatives for heathland and reed bed recreation,
plus continued management of woodland and the Breckland area, will aid
the habitat specialist species dependent on those environments. However,
recreating ancient woodland habitat in Norfolk may be impossible. The
creation of a network of SPAs (Special Protected Areas), SSSIs (Site of Special
Scientific Interest) and other conservation areas will aid in the reconstruction
of connective habitats, although there will be inherent problems caused by
government conservation targets.

A more flexible approach to habitat management is required to conserve such
habitats as late-successional grassland. This is an important environment
supporting a diverse ecosystem, often containing habitat specialists and often
threatened species (Balmer et al. 2000). It is possible that some grassland
species can be encouraged to utilise road verges, therefore these areas should
be considered an important reserve for species dependent on semi-natural
grasslands (Saarinen et al. 2005). Evidence of the effectiveness of these areas
can be observed along many of the county’s roads, including the major trunk
routes (pers. obs.). High nectar abundance may be the most important factor
governing increased numbers of meadow butterflies along road verges, while

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

meadow moths largely favour areas of shelter provided by taller vegetation
(Saarinen et al. 2005). Therefore the planting of shrubs and the use of wild
flowers is critical to the success of these areas.

Brownfield sites often become refuges for early-successional moth and
butterfly species, and for wildlife in general. However, this habitat often
does not have a history of management, either for agriculture or woodland
purposes. (Benes et al. 2003; Key 2000) and may not receive sufficient
protection. Although these areas are probably sub-optimal habitat they will
allow species to persist in an otherwise hostile environment.

The butterfly list for Norfolk (Appendix 1) and the selected moth species
(Appendix 2) used in this paper indicate some striking changes to the
status of many species. The reasons behind these trends in general remain
unproven and potentially require many years of research to fully understand
the processes. It is unlikely that a single factor resulted in any status change.
However, it does appear that the majority of species decline in Norfolk have
been strongly influenced by habitat destruction and fragmentation, while
many population and distribution increases may have been predominantly
driven by climate change.

Climate change may bring opportunities for some species as well as threats
but grave concerns have been raised about the overall and long-term impact
on biodiversity and the ecosystem as a whole (Thomas et al. 2004). It should
not be forgotten that lepidoptera form a key link in the ecological chain, both
as pollinators and as a food source, without which many other species may
not survive.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to the Norfolk Biological Records Centre and in particular Pat Lorber
for providing the information on which this article is based. Thanks are also
due to Fiona Meardon for useful comments.

REFERENCES

ASHWIN, T. & DAVISON, A. 2005. An Historical Atlas of Norfolk. Phillimore & Co.
Ltd. Chichester, England.

BARRETT, C.G. & ATMORE, E.A. 1873-1913. In Hall unpublished (Annotations to
Bradley, 2000).

BALMER, O. & ERHARDT, A. 2000. Consequences of succession on extensively

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

grazed grassland for Central European butterfly communities: rethinking
conservation practices. Conservation Biology 14:746-757.

BENES, J., KEPKA, P. & KONV1CKA, M. 2003. Limestone quarries as refuges for
European xerophilous butterflies. Conservation Biology 17:1058-1069.

BRADLEY, J.D. 2000. Checklist of Lepidoptera Recorded from the British Isles. D.J.
Bradley & M.J. Bradley, Fordingbridge.

BRERETON, T., ROY, D. & GREATOREX-DAVIES, N. 2006. Thirty years and
counting. The contribution to conservation and ecology of butterfly monitoring in
the UK. British Wildlife 17, 162-170.

CONRAD, K.F., WOIWOD, l.P AND PERRY, J.N. 2002. Long-term decline in

abundance and distribution of the Garden Tiger Moth ( Arctia caja) in Great Britain.
Biological Conservation 106(3):329-337.

DAVIES, H. 2005. The Consequences of Positive Management of Protected Areas
to Achieve Government Targets - How Threatened UK Butterflies Are Faring.
Unpublished MSc Thesis. University of Oxford.

DAVIES Z.G., WILSON R.J., BRERETON T.M. & THOMAS C.D. 2005. The re-
expansion and improving status of the Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly ( Hesperia
comma) in Britain: a metapopulation success story. Biological Conservation
124(2): 189-198

DENNIS, R.L.H., STEFANESCU, C. & TREMEWAN, W.G. 2006. Why does Vanessa
atalanta (Linneaus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) engage in late summer territorial
disputes when close relatives are feeding up for overwintering? Entomologist’s
Gazette 57:83-89.

FOX,R., ASHER, J., BRERETON, T., ROY, D. & WARREN, M. 2006a. The State of
Butterflies in Britain and Ireland, pp 94-95. Pisces Publications, Newbury.

FOX, R„ CONRAD, K.F., PARSONS, M.S., WARREN, M.S. & WOIWOD, l.P.

2006b. The State of Britain s Larger Moths. Butterfly Conservation and Rothamsted
Research, Wareham, Dorset.

HALL, M. Unpublished. Annotations to Bradley (2000) from lists by Barrett, Atmore
and others in Transactions of Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists ’Society, 1873-1913.

HANSKI, I. 2003. Biology of estimations in butterfly metapopulations. In Butterflies -
Ecology ; and Evolution Taking Flight, (eds. C.L. Boggs, W.B. Watts and P.R. Erlich)
pp 577-602.

HOARE, D. 2006. Status of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary in England and Wales 2004.
Butterfly Conservation Report 506-03, Wareham.

KELLER, L.F. AND WALLER, D.M. 2002. Inbreeding effects in wild populations.

Trends

in Ecology & Evolution 1 7(5 ):230-24 1 .

KEY, R. 2000. Bare ground and the conservation of invertebrates. British Wildlife
11:183-191.

KING, D. 2005. Climate change: the science and policy. Journal of Applied Ecology ’
42:779-783.

OCKINGERA, E., HAMMARSTEDTB, O., NILSSONA, S.G. AND SMITH, H.G.
2006. The relationship between local extinctions of grassland butterflies and
increased soil nitrogen levels. Biological Conservation 128(4):564-573.

RACKHAM, O. 2001. The History of the Countryside. Phoenix Press, London

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

SAARINEN, K., VALTONEN, A., JANTUNEN J. AND SAARNIO S. 2005. Butterflies
and diurnal moths along road verges: does road type affect diversity and abundance?
Biological Conservation 123(3):403-412.

THOMAS, C.D., THOMAS, J.A. & WARREN, M.S. 1992. Distribution of occupied
and vacant butterfly habitats in a fragmented landscape. Oecologia 92:563-567.
THOMAS, C.D., HILL, J.K. & LEWIS, O.T. 1998. Evolutionary consequences of
habitat fragmentation in a localised butterfly. Journal of Animal Ecology 67:485-
497.

THOMAS, C.D., CAMERON, A., GREEN, R.E., BAKKENES, M„ BEAUMONT,

L. J., COLLINGHAM, Y.C., ERASMUS, B.F.M., FERREIRA DE SIQUEIRA,

M. , GRAINGER, A., HANNAH, L., HUGHES, L„ HUNTLEY, B., VAN
JAARSVELD, A.S., MIDGLEY, G.F., MILES, L„ ORTEGA-HUERTA, M.A.,
PETERSON, A.T., PHILIPS, O.L. & WILLIAMS, S.E. 2004. Extinction risk from
climate changes. Nature 427:145-148.

THOMAS, C.D., FRANCO, A.M.A. AND HILL, J.K. Trends in Ecology & Evolution.
In press.

VAN SWA AY, C, WARREN, M. & LOIS, G. 2006. Biotope use and trends of
European butterflies. Journal of Insect Conservation 10:189-209
WARING, P. & TOWNSEND, M. 2003. Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and
Ireland. British Wildlife Publications, Hook, Hampshire, England.

WATTS, B.R. & MCILWRATH, B.J. 2002. Millenium Atlas of Norfolk Butterflies .
Butterfly Conservation, Norfolk Branch.

WENZEL, M., SCHMITT, T„ WEITZEL, M., & SEITZ, A. 2006. The severe decline
of butterflies on Western German calcareous grassland during the last 30 years: a
conservation problem. Biological Conservation 128:542-552.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Appendix 1: BUTTERFLY SPECIES OCCURRING IN NORFOLK; THEIR STATUS IN THE LATE
19th CENTURY AND THE PRESENT. Declining species in bold type; increasing species in italics.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

continued

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

continued

Tram. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

Appendix 2: SELECTION OF MOTH SPECIES OCCURRING IN NORFOLK; THEIR STA-
TUS IN THE LATE 19th CENTURY AND THE PRESENT Declining species in bold type;
increasing species in italics.

’©

.03

C/2

(Z)

6
tj
©
03
©
C/2

"•p

.£

■©

”©

%->

C«

•O

©-

^•4

C/2

®p*a

*■»

*-C

■a

4—

C/2

4-i

-is:

too

-55

_©

„s

t/i

i^-

C//2

4—

-©

<Z2

.co

-G

-is:

S§

jjj

r-*

C/2

*■©

n
r-
oo
C/2 ^

U £

H o

^ s

H x

C/2 <h

fc!

C/5

. CO

X ©

G
G
O
X CO

4->

£ B

U ©

4— >

C/5

-a

O
co

G
X>

T3
G
03

PQ ©

G ^

• G aj

G c^
O X

• i— < >

95 1>

G ^

2 °
^ T3
w G

O §

u c2

4— >

_©

’©

co G

G 2

2 ^

2 CQ

co p|

4— i
CO

>=>

+-*

4-4

4—*

C/2

4— »

C/2

,5j

.55

•©

too

4~w

--2

.03

0
X

C/2

(30

C/2

(30

4-4

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

continued

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

continued

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Swanton Novers Wood NNR, Norfolk,
and its Coleoptera: Supplement No.l

Bryan Sage

Waveney House, Waveney Close, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1HU

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to update that by Sage (2006), particularly in
respect of the additional 37 species of beetle recorded there during 2006.

In the original paper mention was made of the fact that both Great and Little
Woods were once surrounded by a number of commons, as shown on Faden’s
map of Norfolk (Barringer 1989). One drawback of this version of Faden’s
map is that it does not accurately depict how the distribution and shapes of
commons and heaths varies so much over the county. This problem has now
been rectified with the publication in 2006 by the Society of Cartographers
of a digitalised version of Faden’s 1797 map. This is a map of great clarity
on which the woods are shown in green, and commons and heaths in light
brown (on my copy of this map these are in a dark yellow or mustard colour).
The area labelled Stock Heath shows Great and Little Woods surrounded
by Fulmodeston Common to the south-west, Barney Common to the west,
Orbury Common to the north, Swanton Common to the east, and Hindolveston
Common to the south-east. What is of particular interest here is the fact that
because the parliamentary enclosures were later in Norfolk than in many
other counties, the map essentially shows the situation at Swanton Novers
before enclosure. In contrast, Bryant’s 1826 map of Norfolk (Barringer 1998)
shows the landscape after nearly all enclosure acts had been put into effect.

Ancient woodland and wood-pasture

The publication of Rackham (2006) has reopened discussion of these
aspects. Woodland is defined as having “ trees so close together that their
canopies meet. Trees are managed by coppicing or are allowed to grow on
into timber ” From this it follows that since woodlands have been enclosed
and are managed for coppice or timber, old trees and deadwood would be
extremely rare. Ancient woodlands are defined as woodlands which have
been in existence since 1600. The present boundaries of the Great Wood are
all delimited by old banks with associated ditches, and similar features can

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 1 00

2007 40 (1)

be seen to a large extent in Little Wood. Within the Great Wood old banks
can be seen in various locations. There seems little doubt that these features
are of medieval origin. The current management of Swanton Novers Wood
includes the continuation of coppicing (albeit on a much smaller scale than
in earlier times), particularly in the south of the Great Wood and in Little
Wood. One example of former oak coppice left to grow into high timber can
be seen in Compartment 8 in the Great Wood. Scattered through the wood
are a number of quite old oak trees, and dead trees and fallen timber are now
left in situ , unless blocking a ride. This is of great importance insofar as
saproxylic beetles are concerned.

This brings us to the wood-pasture habitat which Rackham {op. c/7.) defines as
“ where the trees are widely spaced and grassland, heather, etc. grow between
them. There are grazing animals (cattle, sheep, deer), and the trees are mostly
a secondary land use.” This describes very well the conditions which must
have existed widely around the Swanton Novers area in earlier times and,
as shown in Sage {op. cit. ), certain beetles on the site list are known to have
been strongly associated with ancient wood-pastures, for example Ampedus
quercicola , Bitoma crenata , Eledona agricola , Hallomenus binotatus and
Prionychus ater. Grazing pastures are still present around the Swanton
Novers woodland complex. It seems clear that many woodlands are actually
derived from wood-pastures, because early peoples enclosed trees and made
the enclosures stock-proof so that regrowth from cut stems would not be
browsed off.

Precipitation

For the period September 2005 to August 2006 the average rainfall was
698.5mm. This is 5.7% below the average rainfall for the five-year period
2001/2002 to 2005/2006 which was 740.5mm. The summer rainfall in 2006
was the second highest recorded in the past five years, being 29.5mm above
average (Baker, 2007).

Woodland management

Management activities within the wood are clearly of great importance in
the ecological context. In Sage {op. cit.) mention was made of the increase
of Holly Ilex aquifolium that has taken place in recent years, a phenomenon
that may partly be related to climate change. Action has been taken to reduce
the extent of this species and extensive clearance has been undertaken in
Compartment 8 in the Great Wood, and on a smaller scale elsewhere in the

101

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

wood, as for example in the northern part of Compartment 6. One beneficial
result of this action can be seen in Compartment 8 where there are signs that
the ground-living moss Leucobryum glaucum may be increasing. During the
winter of 2006/2007 Compartment 20 in the south-east comer of the Great
Wood was coppiced as part of a long-term programme to restore areas of
over-age coppice. This is the first occasion in recent history that such a large
area has been coppiced. Work also began on the widening of the main rides
by the removal of encroaching scmb. It is to be expected that the flora in
these areas will benefit accordingly. New and highly efficient deer fencing
has been put in place round Compartment 20, and long-term monitoring of
the vegetation changes will be carried out. In order to encourage the spread
of Heather Calluna vulgaris , during the winter of 2005/2006 and again in the
winter of 2006/2007, a section of Ride 61 was litter-stripped to remove dense
Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea tussocks to promote a more varied heath
sward dominated by ericoids.

BIODIVERSITY

Flora

There were no additions to the list of flowering plants during 2006. It is
perhaps worth commenting further on the Bird Cherry Primus padus which is
so much a feature of Great and Little Woods in spring. It is generally accepted
that this species is native to Norfolk. However, the Norfolk populations are
effectively an outlier, since its natural range otherwise is in the north from the
Derbyshire Dales right up to the north of Scotland, and in the west in Wales
and the Welsh borders (Preston et al. 2002). Where the species occurs in the
intervening area it is a result of introductions.

There are three additions to the list of fungi, bringing the total number of
species to 753. The first of these is the parasitic fungus Vouauxtomyces
truncates which was found on the lichen Flavoparmelia caperata in the Great
Wood on 21 October 1989. This was only the sixth record of this fungus for
the United Kingdom. During 2006 Ash Murray found Helvella crispa and
Volvariella gloiocephala in the Great Wood.

Mammals

The species total is increased from 21 to 22 with the addition of Chinese
Water Deer Hydropates inermis , two of which were seen recently in the
Great Wood by a deer stalker (Baker op. cit.).

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

102

Birds

There is no change in the number of breeding species, but it may be noted that
the Common Redstart is barely hanging on with just one territory recorded in
the Great Wood in 2006. On the credit side two pairs of Common Buzzards
nested in the Great Wood, and a post-breeding group of 1 1 were seen over
this wood on 1 4 August. The total number of species recorded in Great and
Little Woods, excluding species only seen passing over, is about 70. Two
further species were noted in 2006: a male Woodlark was singing in display
flight in Little Wood on 29 April but did not stay; Approximately a dozen
Rooks were seen feeding in the treetops in May, and later in the month small
groups were frequently found feeding amongst leaf litter in both Great and
Little Woods (Baker op. cit.).

Woodlice (Isopoda)

Although woodlice are a common feature of the woodland ecosystem and a
number of species are present at Swanton Novers, no research on this group

has been carried out there. However, whilst
looking for ground beetles in the Great Wood
on 24 September 2006, Dr Mark Telfer found
a woodlouse beneath Heather in ride 61. He
believed it to be Armadillidium pulchellum
which later proved to be the case (Telfer
2007). This is a most extraordinary record of
what, according to Sutton (1972), is a very
rare species only rediscovered in Britain in
1971 in the southern Lake District, amongst
Juniper on limestone. More detailed
information is given in Harding & Sutton
(1985) which summarises data gathered by
the Isopod Survey Scheme from 1970-1982.
Most British records were from inland
districts on Carboniferous limestone in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, north Wales
and the Lake District, or from coastal cliffs and cliff tops on various Paleozoic
rocks. The species is also found sparsely in Ireland. The distribution map in
this book clearly shows this northern and western distribution pattern, An
updated map recently obtained from the National Biodiversity Network
(NBN) Gateway, based on the British Myriapod and Isopod Group database,
shows little change in this distribution (see Figure 1), the most noticeable
being a number of records in Cornwall and two from Hampshire. Other than

1 07 Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Figure 1 Distribution of
Armadillidium pulchellum in
Britain

the current Norfolk occurrence, the most recent records are one from north
Hampshire and one from north Derbyshire in 1986. The nearest known
location to Norfolk is the Derbyshire Peak District (about 200km NNW). The
British Isles probably contain the greatest concentration of known sites of
this species, which appears to be confined to north-western Europe including
southern Scandinavia.

The present record is the first for East Anglia and as such is a distant outlier
from the predominantly northern and western distribution in Britain outlined
above. It may thus be the case that Swanton Novers Wood holds a truly
isolated population of this woodlouse. The Norfolk record also represents an
ecological divergence in habitat terms in that there are no previous woodland
records, though 1 1 per cent of British records were from acid heath/moorland
(Harding & Sutton op. cit.). The Great Wood site is, of course, acidic.

False-scorpions (Pseudoscorpiones)

This is another group that has not yet been studied at Swanton Novers. They
are small and easily overlooked animals but are probably not uncommon in
the wood. On 12 December whilst sieving the litter heap in Ride 61 I found
several false-scorpions one of which was collected. This was later identified
by reference to Legg & Jones (1988) as Neobisium muscorum , a widely
distributed species found in woodland litter, in moss and under stones.

Moths (Lepidoptera)

The number of species of macro-moths can now be increased from 401 to
403 by the addition of the Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli one of which was
trapped in Little Wood on 19 June, and Mother Shipton Cal/isege mi seen
in Ride 67 in Great Wood on 9 June. It is worth mentioning that the Small
Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua , a migrant species, was found in Jubilee
Avenue, near the SE entrance to the Great Wood, on 1 7 August. This location
is just outside the reserve boundary.

One species of micro-moth, the Twenty-plumed Moth Alucita hexadactyla
was trapped in Ride 65 on 20 July. This increases the number of species in
this group from 143 to 144.

Butterflies (Lepidoptera)

The Dark Green Fritillary Argyl/is (Boloria) aglaja has been regarded as
possibly extinct as a breeding species in the wood (Sage 2006). On 5 August
2006 one was seen frequently in the coppiced area of compartment 20, and it

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

104

was joined by a second individual for a few days from 1 5 August. Whilst there
was no direct evidence of breeding this was an encouraging development
(Baker, op. c/7.).

Dragonflies (Odonata)

The number of dragonfly species recorded on the reserve is increased from 1 8
to 19 by the addition of the Black Darter Sympetrum danae. A male was seen
in Ride 62 in the Great Wood on 9 October. This is a very scarce species in
Norfolk due to its preference for acid bogs, usually where Sphagnum mosses
are present, and there has been no evidence of breeding away from a cluster
of sites in West Norfolk (Taylor 2003).

Leafhoppers (Hemiptera)

During 2006 a survey was undertaken by Robert Baker to identify the species
present along the more open grassy rides in the Great Wood and nine were
recorded:

Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius which proved to be widespread
and common in less acidic areas. Recorded on every sampling visit
between 21 June and 5 September, with a total of 230 individuals found.
Stenocranus minutus , common but absent from acidic areas. Taken on every
sampling visit with a total of 336 individuals located.

Epiptera europea uncommon with only four specimens found between 12
and 29 June.

Neophilaneus lineatus , although recorded on only four visits a total of 36
were taken between 21 June and 5 September.

Cicadella viridis , frequently found on sedges Carex sp. and wood rushes
Luzula sp. with a total of 64 taken between 2 1 June and 28 August.
Delphacodes pillucida, taken on Carex sp. and Festuca sp. and common in
the rides with 1 90 individuals found on eight dates.

Aphrodian bifacutus , Uncommon with a total of nine taken on 29 June and
6 July.

Aphrophora alni , a total of 13 taken on three dates between 29 June And 14
July.

Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes, particularly common with 60+ taken in moth
traps during July (Baker op. c/7.).

BEETLES (COLEOPTERA)

The total number of species recorded in S wanton Novers Wood up to the end

105

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

of December 2005 (not the end of August as incorrectly shown in Appendix
3 to Sage, op. cit .) was 500. This figure excludes the Pterostichus nigrita
aggregate. During 2006 a further 37 species were recorded which brings
the total to 537. These additions are listed in Appendix 1 where, for ease of
reference, both families and species are given in alphabetical order. The new
species include two that have not previously been recorded in Norfolk (see
below). The number of families is increased from 54 to 55 by the addition
of the Cucujidae and Phloiophilidae, and by the transfer of the family
Scaphidiidae to the Staphylinidae as a subfamily (Scaphidiinae). A further
taxonomic point that should be noted is that the family Rhizophagidae in
Sage (op. cit.) is now considered to be a sub-family (Rhizophaginae) of the
family Monotomidae

The species list in Sage (op. cit.) included 35 that are considered rare or scarce,
using Hyman & Parsons (1992 & 1994) as the reference point. Among the 37
species added to the site list in 2006 are a further eight that come within this
category as shown below:

RDB3 (Rare)

Rhizophagus parvnlus

Nationally Notable (Scarce) Category A

Amara nitida
Epuraea distincta

Nationally Notable (Scarce) Category B

Cryptarcha strigata
Harpalus smaragdinus
Mycetoporus longicornis
Phloiophilus edwardsi
Scaphisoma boleti

The table below summarises the overall situation if the figures in this paper

are combined with those in Sage (op. cit.):

RDB1 (Endangered) 1

RDB2 (Vulnerable) 1

RDB3 (Rare) 1

RDBK (Insufficiently Known) 1

Nationally Notable (Scarce) Category A 5

Nationally Notable (Scarce) Category B 33

Nationally Notable (Scarce) L

Total RDB & Nationally Notable (Scarce) species 43

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

106

A few of the species recorded in 2006 are worth further comment. There are
two species new to Norfolk, the first of which is Amara nitida (Sage 2007).
This is a rare species that is difficult to identify and which has a widely
scattered distribution in England and Wales. The National Ground Beetle
Recording Scheme database contains a number of post- 1 970 records, amongst
which the most fully verified occurrences are singles from Hamsterley Forest,
Co. Durham, in 1985, and on moorland in Teesdale, Co. Durham, in 1990.
The nearest to Norfolk that the species has been recorded was at Skegness,
Lincolnshire, in 1950 (Riggall 1953). The Norfolk example was found in a
litter heap in Ride 61 in Great Wood on 11 June. Also new to the county is
Thamiaraea cinnamoneum taken at the same site on the same date. A banana-
baited trap on an oak tree yielded one Epuraea distincta on 1 1 June, only the
second Norfolk record, the first being just a few weeks earlier at Reedham
Marsh in the Broads on 6 May by O.M. Vorst (M. Collier pers. com.). According
to Alexander (2002), this species develops in the bracket fungi Daedaleopsis
confragosa on waterside Salix species. This fungus has been recorded in the
wood, and of course water and willows are also present. Particular interest
also attaches to Rhizophagus parvulus , one example of which was found in
a banana-baited tree trap on 10 May. The first records for Norfolk were from
Felbrigg Great Wood on 15 May and 6 June 2003 by P.Kirby (M. Collier
pers. com.) This species was only added to the British list in 1962 when a
number were taken on 12 June in Glen Affric, East Inverness-shire (Johnson,
1963). There were three subsequent records from the Scottish Highlands
but the first record for England was from Holme Fen, Cambridgeshire, on
17 October 1999 (Welch 2000). A grapefruit-baited trap on an oak tree was
checked on 27 June and found to contain one Cryptarcha strigata. The only
other Norfolk records being from Costessey in 1874 (Edwards 1893) and
an undated record from Wheatfen by Ted Ellis (M. Collier pers. com.). The
staphylinid Ischonosoma longicornis is said by Fowler (1888) to be found
in moss, haystack refuse etcetera. One was found in the litter heap in ride
61 on 19 April. There are three previous Norfolk records, all from fen-type
habitats: Homing Fen, no date or collector’s name given (Fowler, op. cit.); Old
Buckenham Fen on 6 March 1982 by P.Hammond & J. A. Owen (M. Collier
pers. com.), and Wheatfen on 19 October 1997 (by M. Collier).

The litter heap in Ride 61 mentioned above proved a rich source of beetles
providing no fewer than 26 of the 37 new species in seven different families.
One of these species, Bradycellus verbasci , was also found in moss. The
habitat in Ride 6 1 includes an area with Heather Calluna vulgaris , Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum , Western Gorse Ulex gallii (rare), Purple Moor-grass

107

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Molinia caerulea and Silver Birch Betula pendnla seedlings. Part of this
area had been litter-stripped during the winter of 2005/2006 as part of the
management to encourage the spread of Heather, and it was these cuttings
which formed the litter heap. The 26 new species taken therein were as
follows:

Carabidae

Acupalpus dubius
Amara nitida
Bembidion guttula
Bradycellus verbasci
Harpalus smaragdinus
Pterostichus diligens
Coccinellidae

Chilocorus bipustulatus
Curculionidae

Hvpera nigrirostris
Elateridae
Agriotes obscurus
Leiodidae

Agathidium nigrinum
Cat ops nigricans
Scydmaenidae

Neuraphes elongatulus
Staphylinidae

Anthobium unicolor
Ischonosoma longicornis
Ischonosoma splendidum
Lathrobium elongation
Olophrum fuscum
Rugilus rufipes
Rybaxis longicornis
Sepedophilus nigripennis
Stenus aceris
Stenus providus
Tachyporus chrysomelinus
Tacky poms pus Ulus
Tasgius globulifer
Thamiaraea cinnamomea

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

108

Fungi provided two of the new species: Autalia longicornis and Scaphisoma
boleti. Two more, Atholus duodecemstriatus and Ontholestes tessellatus,
were taken in a flight interceptor trap. Three species were sieved from moss:
Bradycellus verbasci , Demetrias atricapillus and Phloiophilus edwardsii.
The weevil Apion violaceum was found on Rumex species. Finally, in addition
to the species mentioned earlier, a banana-baited tree trap produced Pediacus
dermestoides on 10 May.

It should be mentioned that very few of the 26 species found in the litter heap
would be pennanent residents therein. Some would be overwintering, some
just using it as a temporary shelter, and others scavenging. The weevil Hypera
nigrirostris for example is normally found on clovers Trifolium species.

Saproxylic beetles

Eight of the additions to the site list are saproxylic beetles and are therefore
additional to the 72 qualifying saproxylic species listed in Appendix 5 in Sage
{op. cit.). It may be noted that the score of 4 for Lei opus nebulosus given in
Sage {op. cit.) should now be reduced to 2. The eight new species are:

Agathidium nigrinum
Cryptarcha strigata
Epuraea distincta
Pediacus dermestoides

Phloiophilus edwardsii
Rhizophagus parvulus
Scaphisoma boleti
Thamiaraea cinnamomea

These are listed in Appendix 2 which also shows the rarity score for each
species for the purpose of calculating the Saproxylic Quality Index (SQI),
and their ecology based on Alexander (2000). These additions raise the
number of saproxylic species at Swanton Novers Wood from 72 to 80 with
a total score of 333, this has the effect of increasing the SQI from 376.4 to
416.2. A full explanation of how these calculations are made is given in Sage
{op. cit.). When compared with six other sites in East Anglia, as was done in
the previous paper, the result is:

Hatfield Forest, Essex 610.9
Wimpole Estate, Cambs. 568.6
Stanford PTA, Nflk. 474.8

Staverton Park, Suffolk 473.6

Wicken Fen, Cambs. 436.5

Swanton Novers Wood, Nflk. 416.2
Felbrigg Great Wood, Nflk. 377.6

It should be mentioned that sites with the richest saproxylic beetle fauna
are not usually woodlands, but more usually old wood-pastures or ancient

109

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

parklands. Moccas Park, Herefordshire, for example has an SQI of 638.4.

Index of Ecological Continuity

Another method available for assessing the ecological importance of a site
for saproxylic beetles is the Index of Ecological Continuity (IEC). The first
attempt to use species assemblages to develop an IEC was by Rose (1974).
He was seeking a way of using site lists of epiphytic lichens to generate
a meaningful and easy to use statistic, which could then be used in site
assessment. He realised that a wide range of ecological types of lichens may
be present in a wooded site and different species may be there for different
reasons. His research at various sites revealed that a number of lichen and
bryophyte species are only normally found in mature, or old, stands of trees.
Their presence or absence may indicate continuity, or otherwise, of the forest
environment, and thus provide some evidence that particular sites really are
long established and little altered with time. Eventually a list was drawn up
of 20 lichen species that are widespread in lowland southern Britain in old
forest areas, but become rarer northwards. He suggested that these species
may be relics of the ancient forest epiphyte flora of Britain, and pointed out
that Coleoptera show a similar pattern and could be used as evidence of
continuity of ancient forest conditions. It was these 20 lichens that he then
used to calculate an IEC.

In Harding & Rose (1986) this concept is applied to the Coleoptera and a list
of 196 species of saproxylic beetles associated with wood-pastures is given.
These species are grouped 1-3 according to the extent to which they have
been consistently recorded from areas of ancient woodland with continuity
of dead-wood habitats, particularly in wood-pastures. The three groups are
as follows:

Group 1: Species which are known to have occurred in recent times only
in areas believed to be ancient woodland, mainly wood-pasture.

Group 2: Species which occur mainly in areas believed to be ancient
woodland with abundant dead-wood habitats, but which also appear to
have been recorded from areas that may not be ancient woodland or for
which the locality data are imprecise.

Group 3: Species which occur widely in wooded land, but which
are collectively characteristic of ancient woodland with dead-wood
habitats.

Each species on the list is thus given a score of 1-3, with those species in

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

110

Group 1 showing the highest affinity to sites of ecological continuity for
dead wood. Although this list was a tentative one with certain limitations, it
enabled the later development of an Index of Ecological Continuity (IEC) for
use with saproxylic Coleoptera, and this is discussed in detail by Alexander
(2004). A differential scoring system was devised to reflect the higher value
of Group 1 species in comparison to Group 3, so these groups were given
continuity grade scores of 3, 2 and 1 respectively for calculating the IEC.

In his report Alexander {op. cit .) revised the Harding & Rose list and reduced
the number of species from 196 to 180. These 180 species, which are listed
in his Table 1, are thought likely to be the remnants of the saproxylic beetle
assemblage of Britain’s post-glacial wildwood, and which have survived
through a history of wood-pasture management systems. The IEC therefore
focuses primarily on relict old forest or old growth assemblages rather than all
saproxylic species. Sites with an IEC of 80+ are of International Importance,
with an IEC of 25-79 are of National Importance , and IEC of 15-24 are of
Regional Importance (see Alexander op. cit.). The Harding & Rose {op. cit.)
list is used to calculate the IEC, and Alexander’s list to calculate a Revised
Index of Ecological Continuity (RIEC).

The total number of saproxylic species at Swanton Novers Wood is 80, of
which 22 (27%) qualify to be used in calculating the IEC, and 20 (25%) for
calculating the RIEC. All these species are listed in Appendix 3 which shows
their continuity grade scores, the IEC scores and the RIEC scores. The 22
qualifying saproxylic species give an IEC of 30, and the 20 species an RIEC
of 28. Applying the criteria given above shows that Swanton Novers Wood is
a site of National Importance. Table 3 in Alexander {op. cit.) lists the British
sites with the highest IEC values, and it can be seen that Swanton Novers is
on a par with Brampton Bryan Park, Herefordshire, Rockingham Castle Park,
Northamptonshire, Shrubland Park, East Suffolk, and Stockton’s Wood, East
Lancashire, all of which have an RIEC of 28. Staverton Park, Suffolk, has an
RIEC of 49. As mentioned earlier in the context of the SQI, it is old wood-
pastures and ancient parklands that score the highest rather than dense forests
or woodlands, and Moccas Park, Herefordshire, has an RIEC of 125, and
Windsor Great Park and Forest, Berkshire, has an RIEC of 249, both thus
being sites of International Importance.

SUMMARY

The main points of interest are the discovery of a nationally rare species of
woodlouse in the Great Wood, and the addition of a further 37 species to

111

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

the list of Coleoptera. This figure includes two species new to Norfolk, a
further eight nationally rare or scarce species, and an additional eight species
of saproxylic beetle which brings the site total for this group to 80. As a
consequence of this the Saproxylic Quality Index (SQI) has risen from 376.4
to 416.2. The Index of Ecological Continuity (IEC) is introduced for the first
time in the context of this site, and with an RIEC of 28 Swanton Novers
is ranked as a site of National Importance. There are also additions to the
mammal, moth and dragonfly lists. The first records for Pseudoscorpions and
leafhoppers are given.

CORRECTIONS

Some minor corrections to Sage (2006) are required:

Page 16, paragraph 3 - line 1, for 501 read 500; line 2, for July read
December.

Page 23, last paragraph - line 2, for August read December.

Page 36, penultimate paragraph - line 5, for 501 read 500.

Appendix 3, in the heading, for August read December.

Page 43, under Chrysomelidae - for Phyllotreta atrata (Fab.) read
Phyllotreta atra (Fab.).

Page 44, under Curculionidae - the synonym Cidnorhinus quadrimaculatus
(L.) shown after Hypera (Erirnomorphus) rumicis (L.) should be
deleted and inserted after Nedyus quadrimaculatus (L.). An * should be
placed after Magdalis (Odontomagdalis) carbonaria (L.); this does not
affect the number of Qualifying Saproxylic Species shown at the end
of page 48. For Parethelcus (Ceutorhynchus) pollinarius (Forst.) read
Parethelcus pollinarius (Forst.) = Ceutorhynchus pollinarius (Forst.).
Page 47, under Staphylinidae - insert Lordithon trinotatus (Erichson).
Appendix 5, page 51 - for Leptura melanura (L.) read Stenurella melanura
(L.).

Page 53, under Elateridae - insert Denticollis linearis (L.) 1 1999 larvae
under bark of decaying heartwood; broad-leaved trees and Pinus.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I have to thank Martin Collier and Ash Murray for reading and commenting
on this paper in draft, and the former also for checking some identifications,
providing details of the earlier records for certain species, and for help in
sundry other ways. 1 am indebted also to Dr R. Colin Welch for help with

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

112

the identification of some staphylinid species. I also have to acknowledge the
continuing help given by the Natural England (formerly English Nature) Site
Manager Ash Murray. Dr Mark Telfer confirmed my identification of Amara
nitida. Richard Shotbolt kindly provided details on the UK status of the
fungus Vouauxtomyces truncates. Finally, I am grateful to Adrian Fowles for
considerable discussion and assistance regarding the Indices of Ecological
Continuity.

REFERENCES

ALEXANDER, K.N.A. 2002. The Invertebrates of Living and Decaying Timber in
Britain and Ireland. English Nature Research Report No. 467.

ALEXANDER, K.N.A. 2004. Revision of the Index of Ecological Continuity as used
for Saproxylic Beetles. English Nature Research Report No. 574.

BAKER, R. 2007. Swan ton N overs Woods National Nature Reserve Warden s Report.
Summer 2006. Natural England.

BARRINGER, J.C. 1989. Faden’s Map of Norfolk. The Larks Press, Dereham.
BARRINGER, J.C. 1998. Bryant’s Map of Norfolk in 1826. The Larks Press,

Dereham.

EDWARDS, J. 1893. Fauna and flora of Norfolk, Part 12 Coleoptera. Trans Norfolk
Norwich Nat.Soc. 5:427-508.

FOWLER, W.W. 1888. The Coleoptera of the British Islands Vol.2. L. Reeve & Co.
London.

HARDING, P.T. & ROSE, F. 1986. Pasture-woodlands in Lowland Britain. Institute of
Terrestrial Ecology, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon.

HARDING, P.T. & SUTTON, S.L. 1985. Woodlice in Britain and Ireland: Distribution
and Habitat. Institute of Terestrial Ecology, Monks Wood.

HYMAN, PS. & PARSONS, M.S. 1992. A Review of the Scarce and Threatened

Coleoptera of Great Britain Part 1. The UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee,
Peterborough.

HYMAN, PS. & PARSONS, M.S. 1994. ibid Part 2. The UK Joint Nature Conservation
Committee, Peterborough.

JOHNSON, C. 1963. Rhizophagus parvulus Payk. (Col. Rhizophagidae) :an addition to
the British List. Entomologists ’s Mon. Mag. 98:23 1 .

LEGG, G. & JONES, R.E. 1988. Pseudoscorpions (Arthropoda;Arachnida). Synopses of
the British Fauna (New Series) No. 40, The Linnean Society of London.

PRESTON, C.D., PEARMAN, D.A. & DINES, T.D. 2002. New Atlas of the British &
Irish Flora. Oxford University Press.

RACKHAM, O. 2006. Woodlands. Collins New Naturalist No. 100.

RIGGALL, E.C. 1953. Mass movements of Coleoptera on the Lincolnshire coast. Ent.
Mon. Mag. 89:130-131.

ROSE, F. 1974. The epiphytes of oak. In: M.G. Morris & F.H.Perring, eds. The British

113

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Oak. Farringdon, E.W.Classey, pp.250-273.

SAGE, B. 2006. Swanton Novers Wood NNR, Norfolk, and its Coleoptera. Trans.
Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 39:10-56.

SAGE, B. 2007 Amara nitida Sturm (Carabidae) found in Norfolk. The Coleopterist 16:
13-14.

TAYLOR, R 2003. Dragonflies of Norfolk. Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society
Occasional Publication No. 9.

TELFER, M. 2007. Armadillidium pulchellum (Zenker) new to East Anglia. British
Myriapod and Isopod Group Newsletter No. 14: in press

WELCH, R.C. 2000. Rhizophagus parvulus (Paykull) (Rhizophagidae) from Holme Fen
National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire. The Coleopterist 9:100-101.

Appendix 1: ADDITIONAL SPECIES OF COLEOPTERA
RECORDED IN SWANTON NOVERS WOOD DURING
2006

Apionidae

Apion (Perapion) violaceum (Kirby)

CARABIDAE

Acupalpus dubius Schilsky

Amara nitida Sturm. Not. A

Bembidion guttula (Fab.)

Bradycellus verbasci (Duft.)

Harpalus smaragdinus (Duft.) Not. B

Pterostichus diligens (Sturm)

COCCINELLIDAE

Chilocorus bipustulatus (Stephens)

CUCUJIDAE

Pediacus dermestoides (Fab.)*

CURCULIONIDAE

Hyper a nigrirostris (Fab.)

ELATERIDAE

Agriotes obscurus (L.)

HISTERIDAE

Atholus duodecemstriatus (Schrank)

LEIODIDAE

Agathidium nigrinum Sturm.*

Catops nigricans (Spence)

NITIDULIDAE

Crypt archa strigata (Fab.)* Not. B

Epuraea distincta (Grimmer)* Not. A

PHLOIOPHILIDAE

Phloiophilus edwardsii Stephens* Not. B

RHIZOPHAGIDAE (a)

Rhizophagus parvulus (Paykull)* RDB3

SCYDMAENIDAE

Neuraphes elongatulus Muller & Kunze

STAPHYLINIDAE

Anthobium unicolor (Marsh.)

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

114

Autalia longicomis Scheerpeltz
Ischnosoma longicomis Maklin Not. B
Ischnosoma splendidum (Grav.)
Lathrobium elongation (L.)

Olophrum fuscum (Grav.)

Ontholestes tessellatus (Geoff.)

Rugilus rufipes Germar
Sepedophilus nigripennis (Stephens)
Stenus (Hemistenus) aceris Stephens
Stenus (Hemistenus) impressus Germar

Stenus providus Erichson
Tachyponis chrysomelinus (L.)

Tachyporus pusillus Grav.

Tasgius globulifer (Geoff.)

Thamiaraea cinnamomea (Grav.)*

Pselaphinae

Rybaxis longicomis (Leach)

Scaphidiinae

Scaphisoma boleti (Panzer)* Not. B

It may be noted that the Family Rhizophagidae used here is, under the latest classification,
regarded as a subfamily (Rhizophaginae) of the Family Monotomidae.

*Qualifying saproxylic species: 8 Total species: 37

Appendix 2: QUALIFYING SAPROXYLIC SPECIES

Species Index

CUCUJIDAE

Pediacus dermestoides (Fab.) 4

LEIODIDAE

Agathidium nigrinum Sturm 2

NITIDULIDAE

Cryptarcha strigata (Fab.) 8

Epuraea distincta (Grimmer) 8

PHLOIOPHILIDAE

Phloiophilus edwardsii Stephens 8

RHIZOPHAGIDAE

Rhizophagus parvulus (Paykull) 24

STAPHYLINIDAE

Scaphisoma boleti (Panzer) 8

Thamiaraea cinnamomea (Grav.) 2

Ecology

Develops beneath bark on dead broad-
leaved timber in early stages of decay

Under bark on dead timber, usually
associated with fleshy fungi

Associated with freshly exposed and
fermenting sap on oak
Develops in the bracket fungi
Daedaleopsis confragosa on waterside
willows

Develops in the fungus Phlebia
merismoides which grows on the bark
of dead boughs and branches of
various broad-leaved trees

Under bark of dead broad-leaved trees

A specialist of wood-decay fungi
At the exuding frass of Goat Moth
Cossus colonised trees

115

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Oxborough Hythe

NNNS Research Committee project
Alec Bull (Chairman, Research Committee)

Hillcrest, Main Road, East Tuddenham, Dereham, Norfolk NR20 3JJ

INTRODUCTION

Oxborough Hythe is situated in west Norfolk, 12km east ofDownham Market
on the edge of the Fenland Basin, map reference TF730001. It is a 12 hectare
compartment of long-term pasture almost surrounded by arable land. There
is about three hectares of scrub which is largely mature Hawthorn Crataegus
monogyna with some scattered Gorse Ulex europaeus and bramble Rubus
sp. It was formerly part of the Oxborough estate and records show that it has
been grazed grassland for more than a century. In 2001 the estate sold the
Hythe to Mr & Mrs Brearley of Cambridge who have continued the long-
term grassland management by letting the grazing to the owner of a summer
calving beef suckler herd. The fact that the area is close-grazed by cattle
helps maintain the botanical importance of the site. However, this regime
may not be beneficial to certain groups of invertebrates such as Lepidoptera,
but is preferable to sheep which can eliminate many of the choicer plant
species. It is a County Wildlife Site and is being managed to prescription in
an ongoing DEFRA environmental scheme.

The higher part of the site towards the north and north-eastern boundaries is
rich chalk grassland. Though highest is a relative term in this part of Norfolk
as it is on the five metre contour suggesting that the peaty-looking field over
the western boundary must be at or below sea level. Towards the western and
north-western part of the site, the flora is less interesting and more indicative
of clay except round the margins of a number of depressions, some of which
are round, others less symmetrical. At the south-eastern comer of this more
or less triangular site, the soil is very different, being sandy and acid, with
Sheep’s Sorrel Rumex acetosella and Changing Forget-me-not Myosotis
discolor and this is also the headquarters of Gorse Ulex europaeus , with
some Bracken Pteridium aquilinum along the perimeter fence.

It has been suggested that some of the hollows which sometimes have water
in at very wet periods, and always have mshes (. Juncus ssp), may be pingoes.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

116

However, Gillian Beckett has searched through historical records and has
ascertained that Oxborough Hythe, the landing place on the River Wissey for
boats which used to navigate as far inland as this, used to be quite busy and
that there was a brickworks nearby. It would therefore seem more likely that
the hollows were actually clay pits attached to the brickworks.

There is a tree shaded pond about 50 metres from the eastern boundary in
one place, but this was only dug round about 1990 and has little in the way
of peripheral vegetation, as it is heavily poached by the cattle accessing it
for drinking. A few years ago, a lady living nearby took the contents of an
aquarium containing tadpoles and tipped it into the pond. Unfortunately the
aquarium also contained New Zealand Pygmyweed Crassula helmsii and
Curly Waterweed Lagarosiphon major. When alerted to the consequences
of letting these spread, Mrs Brearley immediately took action. The latter
was not visible in 2006 whilst most of the former had been suppressed by
covering it with black polythene.

Not far from the pond is a rather anomalous area of natural wetland of
very limited extent, but it does support Water-violet Hottonia palustris and
Milk- parsley Peiicedanum palustre. It may have formerly been much more
extensive before the pond was dug.

History of the survey

Efforts have been made each winter to halt the advance of the scrub, some of
the management being carried out by members of the Conservation Corps.
A member attended meetings of the West Norfolk section of the county
Flora Group and suggested to Gillian Beckett that the area appeared to be
botanically rich. Mr & Mrs Beckett visited the site in 2004. With permission
from Mrs Brearley they visited again in 2005 with the Flora Group and
produced an impressive list of vascular plants, many of them chalk grassland
specialists. At that meeting, Mrs Brearley expressed an interest in having
as full a survey of the wildlife on the site as possible. This resulted in Mrs
Beckett passing her plant list on to the Chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich
Naturalists’ Society Research Committee suggesting that a full survey might
reveal hidden riches, as part of the area comprised chalk grassland with
ancient anthills comparable with parts of Foulden Common just two miles
away. Although by then 2005 was well advanced, the Research Committee
involvement began with a visit by A L Bull on 29 September 2005. This
was followed by further visits for fungi that autumn and subsequent visits
in 2006.

117

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

RESULTS

Plants and fungi

The chalky area is carpeted with Salad Burnet Sanguisorba minor ssp. minor ,
Large Thyme Thymus pulegiodes, Small Scabious Scabiosa columbaria and
Dwarf Thistle Cirsium acaule\ there are also a few patches of Wild Marjoram
Origanum vulgare and Cross wort Cruciata laevipes.

A visit by the Bryophyte Group produced few surprises, the only ‘chalky’
moss found being Fissidens dubius. However, the most interesting records
were made round some old Elders Sambucus nigra and on the bare clay
round the pond. In all, eleven new 10km records were made including
Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum on Elder, Bryum laevifilum on Elder
and Ash Fraxinus excelsior , Syntrichia papillosa on Elder, and one or two
woodland floor mosses such as Cirriphyllum piliferum and Thamnobryum
alopecurum.

Fungi were surveyed on the 28 September, 17 October and 2 November
2005 resulting in a combined list of fungi for the season of just over 60
species, of which 53 were grassland specialists. Ten of these were members
of the genus Hygrocybe , the waxcaps, the site was therefore of considerable
importance for these alone. It had been hoped that a second season might
add considerably to the number of species if the weather was right. The
autumn rains arrived in due course but the 2006 fungus season (visited on 1 1
September and 26 October) was relatively poor at Oxborough, probably due
to the fact that the grazing regime had been interrupted by broken fences and
the grass had become too long at the relevant period.

Birds

In addition to the botanical and mycological interest, the variety of bird
species seen during the Research Committees sporadic visits were very
encouraging, with a total of 41 species seen or heard. There are several
reasons for this. The Gorse and young Hawthorns provide excellent nesting
sites for birds such as warblers, Yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella and
Linnets Carduelis cannabina , whilst thrush family members visit the mature
Hawthorns for their berries. The cattle-grazed grassland provides feeding
opportunities for many insectivorous species. The pond fulfils bathing and
drinking needs as well as providing a habitat to support nesting Moorhens
Gallinula chloropus.

Of the species of national concern which may breed at Oxborough Hythe,

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

118

two stand out, these being Grey Partridge Perdix perdix and Turtle Dove
Streptopelia turtur and may also include the Yellowhammer. The single
record of Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus was during the summer, and
it may possibly find a suitable nest site in one of the damp hollows but this
would more probably be along the margins of the reed-grown dyke already
mentioned. In places, the ‘hawthorn wood’ has a fringe of Blackthorn
Primus , ideal for nesting Long-tailed Tits Aegithalos caudatus and Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhula, and probably also for the Garden Warbler Sylvia borin and
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus. The Common Whitethroat Sylvia
communis and Linnet Carduelis cannabina would prefer the Gorse bushes
scattered about the site, but especially toward the south-eastern end. The
hooting Tawny Owl Strix aluco heard on one occasion must have come from
some hollow tree nearby as it is doubtful if any of the trees on the site would
have a cavity large enough for a tenant of that size. Green Woodpecker Picus
viridis droppings were frequently seen around the many ancient anthills in
the chalky ‘upland’ area.

Whilst visiting on his own, Geoff Nobes added several birds to the list
including a singing Skylark Alauda arvensis on March 11, a bird that was
not seen subsequently, possibly due to the close-grazed nature of the sward
and the risk of nest trampling from numbers of large bovine feet. He is also
to be credited with the Teal Anas crecca , Woodcock Scolopax rusticola and
Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret during one of his unscheduled visits to the
pond area.

Invertebrates

Only six species of butterfly in total were seen during all our visits and only
Meadow Brown ( Maniola jurtina ) and Small Copper ( Lycaena phlaeas ) could
be regarded as grassland species. The other four being, Peacock ( Inachis io ),
Red Admiral ( Vanessa atalanta ), both along the northern perimeter hedge,
and Large (Pieris brassicae) and Small White ( P rapae ), strays from the
nearest cabbage patch. This may be because the short sward was unsuitable
for grass feeding caterpillars. It was for this reason no light trapping for
moths took place.

There are many anthills on the site, many of these contained colonies of the
Yellow Ant Lasius flavus. However, a number of other species were seen,
including the Red Ant Myrmica rubra and a small, mid-brown ant, darker
coloured than the Yellow Ant, but much browner than the Red. This suggests
that there are more possible finds of interest to a hymenopterist.

119

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

It also appears that the Gorse bushes are an important feature for spiders.
Pip Collyer came on our final visit at a time of year when many species are
immature and thus not identifiable and recorded a number of species unknown
or rare in West Norfolk. In fact, Micrargus apertus does not appear to have
been recorded in East Anglia, judging from the copy of a map he included,
taken from the recent Spider Atlas. Pip is hoping to visit Oxborough on a
number of occasions during 2007.

Much the same could be said about the Orthoptera when David Richmond
visited Oxborough Hythe on 1 1 September with his bat detector. He recorded
seven species in all, including two species that are advancing northwards in
response to global wanning. The first of these was Roesel’s Bush-cricket
Metrioptera roeselii found in one area of the site, whilst the hollows with
their somewhat rank vegetation seemed to be literally alive with Long-
winged Coneheads Conocephalus discolor. The resident relative of the latter,
the Short-winged Conehead (C. dorsalis ) was located in the reed-filled ditch
adjoining the fenny fields nearby.

Geoff Nobes visited the site several times at the beginning of our survey,
visiting the damp hollows and the pond. At all times, there was insufficient
water in the hollows to support aquatic life and the pond was not very suitable
either, being shaded and with virtually no aquatic vegetation. Agabus
uliginosus was ‘notable’ as were Hvdroglyphus pusillns , Rhantus grapii and
Rhantus suturalis , all of which are diving beetles and also the scavenger
beetle Helochares lividus , whilst three other species were ‘common’. He also
listed four terrestrial beetles of which Drowns longiceps was also ‘notable’.
Amongst other aquatic invertebrates recorded were four species of water
boatmen, all common, the Water Scorpion, Nepa cinerea and the Water
Measurer Hygrometrica stagnorum. In addition, on 2 November 2005 he
recorded the larvae of both Great-crested ( Triturus cristatus) and Smooth
Newts ( Triturus vulgaris). He felt that the pits, pingoes or whatever they are,
would only hold a worthwhile water beetle population in a year when they
held water well into the summer.

CONCLUSION '

Oxborough Hythe has proved to be an interesting site, and one that might
repay further study, especially for Hymenoptera. Further visits in suitable
autumns for fungi and possibly also for land snails would be useful.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. . Soc.
2007 40 (1)

120

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Research Committee would like to thank Mr & Mrs Brearley for giving
us the opportunity to visit the site and record its wildlife, thus completing
another small piece of the jigsaw puzzle of land use in the Norfolk landscape
and its impact or otherwise on the wildlife.

We are grateful for the following surveyors who contributed their time and
expertise: Members of the Research Committee, A. Bull,. T. Dove, L. Hall, J
Negal and G. Nobes. Plus the following P. Collyer, D. Richmond, G Beckett
and members of the Flora and Bryophyte Groups

REFERENCES

ARACHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 2000. Checklist for the Arachnological Society
Recording Scheme. Arachnological Society.

BLOCKEEL, T.L. & LONG, D.G. 1998. Checklist & Census Catalogue of British &
Irish Bryophytes. British Bryological Society, Cardiff.

BRIETLINGBACH, J. & KRANZLIN, F. 1984. Fungi of Switzerland Vol.l. Lucerne.
LEGON, N.W. & HENRICI, A. et al. 2005. Checklist of the British and Irish
Basidiomycota. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

MARSHALL, J.A. & HAES, E.C.M. 1988. Grasshoppers and Allied Insects of Great
Britain and Ireland. Harley Books.

Appendix 1: VASCULAR PLANTS

Recorded by members of the Norfolk Flora Group and of the Norfolk & Norwich
Naturalists’ Society Research Committee. Nomenclature follows Stace 1997. Some
orchid names have changed recently, but for the sake of consistency, those in Stace have

been retained for this list.

Equisetaceae

Equisetum aiwense Field Horsetail
Equisetum pa/ustre Marsh Horsetail

Dennstaedtiaceae

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler Fern
Dry opt er is filix-mas Male Fern

Ranunculaceae

Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold

Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup
Ranunculus ficaria ssp. bulbilifera Lesser
Celandine

Ranunculus ficaria ssp ficaria Lesser
Celandine

Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved
Buttercup

Ranunculus trichophyllus Thread-leaved
Water-crowfoot

121

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc,
2007 40 (1)

Ulmaceae

Ulmus minor agg. Small-leaved Elm

Cannabaceae

Humulus lupulus Hop

Urticaceae

Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle
Urtica mens Small Nettle

Fagaceae

Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak

Betulaceae

Alnus glutinosa Alder
Corylus avellana Hazel

Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodium album Fat Hen
Chenopodium rubrum Red Goosefoot
A trip lex patula Common Orache

Caryophyllaceae

Arenaria serpyllifolia ssp I ep toe l ados
Thyme-leaved Sandwort
Moehringia trinervia Three-nerved
Sandwort

Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria media Chickweed
Stellaria uliginosa Bog Stitchwort
Cerastium arvense Field Mouse-ear
Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-
ear

Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear
Sagina procumbens Procumbent
Pearlwort

Spergularia rubra Sand Spurrey
Silene latifolia White Campion
Silene vulgaris ssp. vulgaris Bladder
Campion

Polygonaceae

Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort
Persicaria lapathifolia Pale Persicaria
Persicaria maculosa Redshank
Fallopia convolvulus Black Bindweed
Rumex acetosella Sheep’s Sorrel
Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel
Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Rumex crispus ssp. crispus Curled Dock
Rumex obtusifolius Broad Dock
Rumex palustris Marsh Dock
Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock

Clusiaceae

Hypericum tetrapterum Square-stalked
St.John ’s-wort

Malvaceae

Malva neglecta Dwarf Mallow

Violaceae

Viola arvensis Field Pansy

Viola odorata Sweet Violet

Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet

Cucurbitaceae

Bryonia dioica White Bryony

Salicaceae

Salix alba White Willow

Salix cinerea ssp cinerea Grey Willow

Brassicaceae

Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard
Arabidopsis thaliana Thale Cress
Rorippa microphylla Narrow-fruited
Watercress

Rorippa amphibia Great Yellowcress
Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bittercress
Cardamine pratensis Cuckooflower
Capsella bursa-pastor is Shepherd’s Purse
Sinapis arvensis Charlock
Raphanus raphanistrum Wild Radish

Resedaceae

Reseda luteola Weld

Primulaceae

Primula veris Cowslip
Primula vulgaris Primrose
Hottonia palustris Water Violet
Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpemell
Samolus valerandi Brookweed

Crassulaceae

Crassula helmsii New Zealand
Pygmyweed

122

Saxifragaceae

Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage

Rosaceae

Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Rubus adspersus Blackberry
Rubus cantabrigiensis
Rubus nemoralis
Rubus pruinosus
Rubus ulmifolius
Rubus vigorosus
Potentilla anserina Silverweed
Potentilla argentea Hoary Cinquefoil
Potentilla erecta Tormentil
Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil
Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry
Geum urbanum Wood Avens
Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony
Sanguisorba minor ssp. minor Salad
Burnet

Aphanes arvensis Parsley-piert

Aphanes australis Slender Parsley-piert

Rosa arvensis Field Rose

Rosa canina Dog Rose

Prunus domestica ssp insititia Bullace

Prunus padus Birdcherry

Prunus spinosa Blackthorn

Malus sylvestris Crab Apple

Crataegus monogyna Common Hawthorn

Fabaceae

Lotus corniculatusCommon Bird’s-foot-
trefoil

Lotus pedunculatus Greater Bird’s-foot-
trefoil

Ornithopus perpusillus Bird’sfoot
Vicia cracca_ Tufted Vetch
Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling
Ononis spinosa Spiny Restharrow
Medicago lupulina Black Medick
Trifolium dubium Lesser Clover
Trifolium micranthum Slender Trefoil
Trifolium pratensis Red Clover
Trifolium repens White Clover
Ulex europaeus Gorse

Onagraceae

Epilobium ciliatum American Willowherb
Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb
Epilobium parviflorum Hoary Willowherb
Epilobium tetragonum Square- stemmed
Willowherb

Cornaceae

Cornus sanguinea Dogwood

Rhamnaceae

Rhamnus catharticus Buckthorn

Linaceae

Linum catharticum Fairy Flax

Aceraceae

Acer campestris Field Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore

Geraniaceae

Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Cranesbill
Geranium molle Dove’s-foot Cranesbill
Geranium pusillum Small-flowered
Cranesbill

Geranium robertianum Herb Robert

Araliaceae

Hedera helix ssp helix Common Ivy

Apiaceae

Chaerophyllum temulum Rough Chervil
Anthriscus caucalis Bur Chervil
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley
Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet Saxifrage
Oenanthe aquatilis Fine-leaved Water
Dropwort

Aethusa cynapium Fool’s Parsley
Conium maculatum Hemlock
Peucedanum palustre Milk Parsley
Pastinaca sativa Wild Parsnip
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Torilis japonica Upright Hedge Parsley

Solanaceae

Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade

Convulvulaceae

Convulvulous arvensis Field Bindweed

123

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Boraginaceae

Lithospermum officinalis Common
Gromwell

Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey
Myosotis discolor Changing Forget-me-not
Myosotis laxa Tufted Forget-me-not
Myosotis ramosissima Early Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioidesWatQr Forget-me-not
Cynoglossum officinale Hound’s-tongue

Lamiaceae

Stachys sylvatica Fledge Woundwort
Ballot a nigra Black Horehound
Lamium album White Deadnettle
Lamium purpureum Red Deadnettle
Galeopsis tetrahit Common Flempnettle
Ajuga rep tans Bugle
Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal
Origanum vulgare Wild Marjoram
Thymus pu/egioides Large Thyme
Mentha aquatica Water Mint

Callitrichaceae

Callitriche agg. Starwort

Plantaginaceae

Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain
Plantago major Great Plantain
Plantago media Hoary Plantain

Oleaceae

Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Syringa vulgaris Lilac
Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet

Scrophulariaceae

Scrophularia auriculata Water figwort
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
Veronica catenata Pink Water-speedwell
Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell
Veronica officinalis Heath Speedwell
Veronica persica Green Field Speedwell
Veronica scutellata Marsh Speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved
Speedwell

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Odontites vernus Red Bartsia
Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle

Orobanchaceae

Orobanche minor Common Broomrape

Campanulaceae

Campanula rotundifolia Harebell

Rubiaceae

Galium aparine Cleavers
Galium palustre ssp palustre Common
Marsh Bedstraw
Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw
Galium uliginosum Fen Bedstraw
Galium verum Lady’s Bedstraw

Caprifoliaceae

Sambucus nigra Elder
Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Dipsacaceae

Succisa pratensis Devil’s-bit Scabious
Scabiosa columbaria Small Scabious

Asteraceae

Arctium minus Lesser Burdock
Cardans nutans Musk Thistle
Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Cirsium acaule Dwarf Thistle
Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed
Lapsana communis Nipplewort
Hypochoeris radicata Cats-ear
Leontodon autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit
Leontodon hispidus Rough Hawkbit
Leontodon saxatilis Lesser Hawkbit
Tragopogon pratensis ssp minor Common
Goatsbeard

Sonchus arvensis Perennial Sowthistle
Sonchus asper Prickly Sowthistle
Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sowthistle
Taraxacum agg. Dandelion
Taraxacum section Erythrospermum Red-
fruited Dandelions

Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawksbeard
Crepis vesicaria Beaked Hawksbeard
Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear
Hawkweed

124

Pulicaria dysenterica Yellow Fleabane
Beilis perennis Daisy
Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort
Achillea millefolium Yarrow
Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy
Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless
Mayweed

Senecio erucifolius Hoary Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort
Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel
Senecio vulgaris Groundsel

Alismataceae

Alisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain

Hydrocharitaceae

Lagarosiphon major Curly Waterweed

Potamogetonaceae

Potamogeton trichodes Hair-like
Pondweed

Araceae

Arum maculatum Lords-and-ladies

Lemnaceae

Lemna minuta Least Duckweed

Juncaceae

Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush

Juncus bufoniusToad Rush

Juncus effusus Soft Rush

Juncus inflexus Hard Rush

Juncus subnodulosus Blunt-flowered Rush

Luzula campestris Field Woodrush

Cyperaceae

Eleocharis palustris Common Spike-rush
Carex arenaria Sand Sedge
Carex caryophyllea Spring Sedge
Carex disticha Brown Sedge
Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge
Carex hirta Hairy Sedge
Carex muricata ssp lamprocarpa Prickly
Sedge

Carex nigra Common Sedge
Carex otrubae False Fox Sedge
Carex panacea Carnation Sedge
Carex riparia Great Pond Sedge

Poaceae

Festuca gigantea Giant Fescue
Festuca rubra Red Fescue
Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass
Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog’s-tail
Briza media Quaking Grass
Poa annua Annual Meadow -grass
Poa humilis Spreading Meadow-grass
Poa pratensis Smooth Meadow-grass
Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass
Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot
Glyceria fluitans Floating Sweet-grass
Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass
Glyceria notata Plicate Sweet-grass
Helictotrichon pubescens Downy Oat-
grass

Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass
Trisetum flavescens Yellow Oat-grass
Koeleria macrantha Crested Hair-grass
Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair-grass
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog
Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass
Air a praecox Early Hair-grass
Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal
Grass

Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary-grass
Agrostis capillaries Common Bent
Agrostis giganteum Black Bent
Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent
Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail
Phleum bertolonii Smaller Cat’s-tail
Bromus hordeaceus Soft Brome
Anisantha sterilis Barren Brome
Brachvpodium sylvaticum False Brome
Elytrigia repens Common Couch
Phragmites australis Common Reed

Iridaceae

Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris

Dioscoriaceae

Tamus communis Black Bryony

Orchidaceae

Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid
Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid

125

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Appendix 2: BRYOPHYTES

The Bryophyte Group visited the site on 22nd January 2006 and recorded 38 mosses and
one liverwort. This is likely to be the vast majority on a site of this type. Nomenclature
follows the Checklist and Census Catalogue of British and Irish Bryophytes (Blocked &
Long, 1998)

Mosses

Amblystegium serpens
Barbula unguiculata
Brachythecium albicans
Brachythecium rutabulum
Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum
Bryum capillare
Bryum dichotomum
Bryum laevifilum
Bryum rubens
Calliergonella cuspidata
Campylopus introflexus
Ceratodon purpureus
Cirriphyllum piliferum
Dicranella varia
Dicranowiessa cirrhata
Didymodon tophaceus
Fissidens adianthoides
Fissidens dubius
Fissidens incurvus
Fissidens taxifolius

Homalothecium sericeum
Hypnum cupressiforme
Hypnum resupinatum
Kindbergia praelonga
Leptodictyum riparium
Orthotrichum affine
Orthotrichum diaphanum
Plagiomnium affine
Plagiomnium undu latum
Pohlia melanodon
Polytrichum juniperinum
Pseudoscleropodium purum
Rhynchostegium confertum
Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Syntrichia intermedia
Syntrichia papillosa
Thamnobryum alopecurum
Zygodon viridissimus

Liverwort

Metzgeria furcata

Appendix 3: FUNGI

Recorded by A. L. Bull & T. Dove

Nomenclature of the Basidiomycota follows Legon & Henrici (2005); that for the
Ascomycota follows Brietlingbach & Kranzlin (1984).

BASIDIOMYCOTA

Agaricales and Boletales

Agaricus arvensis
Agaricus bitorquis
Agrocybe praecox
Bolbitius titubans
Calocybe carnea

Clitocybe metachroa
Clitocybe rivulosa
Conocybe tenera
Coprinus friesii
Coprinus lagopus
Coprinus micaceus
Coprinus niveus

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 126

2007 40(1)

Coprinus plicatilis
Crinipellis scabella
Dermoloma cuneifolium
Entoloma asprellum
Entoloma sericeum
Entoloma undatum
Flammulina velutipes
Galerina laevis
Galerina uncialis
Hygrocybe ceracea
Hygrocybe coccinea
Hygrocybe colemanniana
Hygrocybe conica
Hygrocybe glutinipes
Hygrocybe insipida
Hygrocybe mucronella
Hygrocybe pratensis
Hygrocybe psittascina
Hygrocybe quieta
Hygrocybe virginea
Hypholoma fasciculare
Laccaria laccata
Lactarius quietus
Macrolepiota rhacodes
Marasmius oreades
Melanoleuca grammopodia
Melanoleuca melaleuca
Mycena aetites
Mycena galericulata
Mycena galopus var nigra
Mycena leptocephala
Mycena luteo-alba
Mycena rorida
Mycena sanguinolenta
Mycena speirea
Mycena stylobates
Panaeoleus fimicola
Panaeoleus papillionaceus
Psathyrella candolleana
Psathyrella conopilus
Psathyrella corrugis
Psilocybe semilanceata

Rickenella fibula
Rickenella swartzii
Russula nigricans
Russula parazurea
Stropharia coerulea
Stropharia coronilla
Stropharia inuncta
Tubaria dispersa
Tubaria furfuracea
Volvariel/a gloiocephala

Aphyllophorales (bracket, club and
resupinate fungi)

Abortiporus biennis
Clavulinopsis corniculata
Clavulinopsis fusiformis
Daedalea quercina
Ganoderma australe
Hyphodontia sambuci
Laetiporus sulphureus
Mycoacia uda
Peniophora incarnata
Stereum hirsutum
Trametes versicolor

Heterobasidiomycetes (jelly fungi)

Auricularia auricula- judae

Gasteromycetes (puffballs)

Bovista nigrescens
Calvatia gigantea
Handkea utriformis
Scleroderma verrucosum

ASCOMYCOTA

Coprobia granulata
Diattypella quercina
Geoglossum cookeianum
Hypoxylon multiforme
Peziza repanda
Xylaria hypoxylon.

127

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Appendix 4: INVERTEBRATES

COLEOPTERA (AQUATIC)

Recorded by G. Nobes.

Haliplidae

Haliplus ruficollis

Hygrobidae

Hygrobia hermanni Screech Beetle

Dytiscidae (diving beetles)

Lciccophilus minutus
Hydroglyphus pusillus
Hydroporus angustatus
Hydroporus planus
Hydroporus striola
Agabus bipustulatus
Agabus nebulosus
Agabus sturm i
Agabus uliginosus
Rhantus grapii
Rhantus sutural is

Helophoridae

Helophorus aequalis
Helophorus grandis

Hydrophilidae (scavenger water beetles)

Anacaena limb at a

Laccobius bipunctatus

Helochares lividus Not. B

Cym b iodyta margi nel l us

Hvdrobius fuscipes

COLEOPTERA (TERRESTRIAL)

Recorded by G. Nobes (except ladybirds)

Carabidae

Bombidion clarkii

Dromius longiceps Not. A

Dyschirus globulus Local

Scarabidae

Aphodius fossor

Nitulidae

Gl ischroch il us h or tens is

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

Coccinellidae (ladybirds)

Coccinellia septempunctata
Micraspis 16-punctata

AQUATIC HEMIPTERA &
HETEROPTERA

Recorded by G. Nobes.

Nepidae

Nepa cinerea Water Scorpion

Corixidae (water boatmen)

Corixa punctata
Sigara distincta
Sigara lateralis
Notonecta glauca

Pleidae

Plea minutissima

Hydrometridae

Hydrometra stagnorum Water Measurer

ORTHOPTERA (grasshoppers etc.)

Recorded by D. Richmond. Nomenclature
follows Marshall & Haes (1988).

Metrioptera roeselii Roesel’s Bush-cricket
Conocepha/us discolor Long-winged
Conehead

Conocephalus dorsalis Short- winged
Conehead

Leptophyes punctatissima Speckled
Bush-cricket

Tetrix subulata Slender Groundhopper
Chorthippus brunneus Field Grasshopper
Chorthippus albomarginatus Lesser
Marsh Grasshopper

ODONATA (dragonflies)

Recorded by Research Committee
members.

Aeshna cyanea Southern Hawker
Sympetrum s trio latum Common Darter

128

Not. B

Not. B
Not. B
Not. B

LEPIDOPTERA (butterflies)

Recorded by Research Committee
members.

Pieris brassicae Large White
Pieris rapcie Small White
Lvcaena phlaeas Small Copper
Vanessa ata/anta Red Admiral
Inachis io Peacock
Maniola jurtina Meadow Brown

HYMENOPTERA (bees, wasps, ants)
Recorded by A. L. Bull

Lasius flavus Yellow Ant
Vespula vulgaris Common Wasp
Ammophila campestris (sand wasp)

DIPTERA (flies)

Recorded by A. L. Bull.

Empis tesselata
Eristalis arbustorum
Erista/is tenax
Lucilia caesar
Scatophaga stercorarium
Tipula pal udos a

GALLS

Recorded by J.Negal.

Dasvneura urticae on Stinging Nettle
Jaapiella veronicae on Germander
Speedwell

Ureomyces cardui on Creeping Thistle

ARACHNIDA (spiders)

Recorded by Pip Collyer. Nomenclature

Appendix 5: VERTEBRATES

AMPHIBIANS

Smooth Newt Tri turns vulgaris
Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus

follows Checklist of the British
Arachnological Society’s Spider recording
scheme (2000).

Thomasidae

Tibellus oblongus

Linyphiidae

Bathyphantes gracilis
Dicymbium tibiale
Diplocephalus latifrons
Diplostyla concolor
Erigone atra
Eregonella hiemalis
Gongylidiellum vivum
Lepthyphantes flavipes
Lepthyphantes tenuis
Micrargus apertus
Micrargus subequalis
Microneta viaria
Monocephalus fuscipes
Neriene clathrata
Oedothorax fuscus
Savign ia front at a

Earlier in the season, members of the
Research Committee also recorded:

Araniella marmorea ssp pyramidata
Araneus diadematus.

MOLLUSCA

Recorded by A. L. Bull

Cepaea hortensis White-lipped Snail
Cepaea nemoralis Brown-lipped Snail
Helicella itala Heath Snail

BIRDS

Order and nomenclature follows that
currently in use in the Norfolk Bird &
Mammal Report.

129

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Teal Anas crecca
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Heron Ardea cinerea
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Moorhen Gall inula chloropus
Woodcock Scolopax msticola
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Swift Apus apus
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
Skylark Alauda arvensis
Swallow Hirundo rustica
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Dunnock Prunella modularis
Robin Erithaca rubecula
Blackbird Turdus mend a
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Redwing Turdus iliacus

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Blue Tit Cyanistes coeru/eus
Great Tit Parus major
Jay Garrulus glandarius
Magpie Pica pica
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Carrion Crow Corvus corone
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
Bullfinch Pyrrlnda pyrrhula
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

130

Recent bryological discoveries in Norfolk

Robin Stevenson

111, Wootton Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4DJ

The last account detailing new moss and liverwort finds in Norfolk was by
Mott & Stevenson (2003); that listed changes up to 2002. A lot has happened
in the intervening four years.

Throughout this period the Bryological Group has been very active, and
a great many new records have been made for both specific sites, and for
10 kilometre grid squares. This means that much of the information about
distribution in the Flora of Norfolk (Beckett et al., 1999) is now out of date.
A substantial number of species are now regarded as less rare than formerly,
a good example being Hookeria Iucens which, at the time of publication
of the Flora, was known from only two sites, both in East Norfolk (vc27):
Holt Lowes and Honing Common. It has, since then, been found at two
further sites in East Norfolk: in Edgefield Woods, by Simon Harrap, and by
Barry Nicholson at Carlton Forehoe Poor Fen. It has also been found at two
localities in West Norfolk (vc28), i.e. Sculthorpe Moor, where it was found
by Mary Ghullam, and East Harling Fen when it was found on a Flora Group
excursion. It is possible that this is a species that is expanding its range, but
it seems much likelier that there are simply more active bryologists looking
than at any time in the past.

Increased activity is a major key to finding new records, and the Spring
Meeting of the British Bryological Society, which took place in the county
in 2003, certainly illustrated that principle, since an influx of outside experts
quickly made a number of significant new discoveries. On the very first day
Sanionia uncinata , new to vc28, was discovered by Mark Hill, who also
made the second county record of the epiphyte Orthotrichum tenellum.
The only other new vice county record was made by Sean O’Leary - of the
stubble field species Weissia longifo/ia var longifolia. This was new to vc27.
The other records made were not quite so exciting, but even at well worked
spots, such as the Ted Ellis Reserve at Surlingham, substantial numbers of
interesting new site records were made.

There is, despite the increased interest in bryophytes, still a lot of unexplored

131

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

terrain in Norfolk, such as the soft cliffs at Overstrand, where Bob Ellis
and Robin Stevenson found (again in 2003) healthy colonies of a number
of small leafy liverworts, such as Scapania compacta, Lophozia ventricosa ,
and Nardia scalaris. These are all plants which seem to have become much
scarcer than in the days of Petch and Swann (1968).

Another underworked habitat is the intermittently wet ground round the
edges of ponds and lakes. In 2003, again, Physcomitrella patens was found
at the edge of the lake at Wolterton Park. This inconspicuous species is the
bryological equivalent of the fruit-fly Drosophila : it has a very simple genetic
make-up, and consequently has been studied very intensively by geneticists
so that we know more about its structure than that of any other species of
moss.

One of the problems facing any attempts at the conservation of lower plants is
the sheer paucity of reliable data. Stubble fields are a habitat that were known
to be species rich in the past, but recent changes in agricultural practise had led
to a fear that they had deteriorated. To try and clarify the situation the British
Bryological Society instigated a nation-wide survey which ran through from
2002 to 2006. A substantial amount of the local effort at recording stubble
fields seemed to have occurred in 2004. There were few surprises, although
north-east Norfolk was confirmed as a national stronghold for the liverworts
Sphaerocarpos texanus (which is an endangered species) and S. michelii.
Another endangered species, Bryum gemmilucens , was found in a field near
Fulmodeston, whilst Mary Ghullam managed to find a second Norfolk site
for the homwort Anthoceros agrestis , near Felbrigg.

Most recording trips produce a few records which are new to the site and /
or the 1 0km square, however, occasionally one encounters a really rich site
which sets the heart a-flutter. One such site was Sculthorpe Moor (Hawk
& Owl Trust Reserve). This single site yielded 65 moss and 15 liverwort
species, including Hookeria lucens (detailed above), and new records for the
rarities Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Moerckia hibernica.

The rest of 2004 proved fairly mundane, except for the discovery of a
previously seriously neglected habitat: orchards. These yielded second and
third records for several species, such as Sanionia uncinata and Orthotrichum
stramineum. Leucodon sciuroides which in East Anglia was regarded as a
rarity of calcareous stonework, has now turned up several times in orchards
- on both apples and pears. Recording in this habitat has continued over
several years now, 2005 producing Orthotrichum striatum at Gunton Hall

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

132

(second record for vc27) and Orthotrichum rupestre (new county record)
at Flitcham. Orthotrichum striatum also turned up in Flitcham, as a species
new to vc28.

Flitcham also hosted what started out as a species new to Britain, but ended
up as a mere variety of something common - albeit the variety is both rare
and still new to Britain. This was what is now called Hypnum cupressiforme
var heseleri. It is a very distinctive species which does not resemble normal
Hypnum cupressiforme at all, which is why it was originally named as a new
species. However, genetic investigations have shown it to be a mutant of the
common species.

Whilst most records have been made on Group excursions a few stalwart
individuals, notably Alec Bull, periodically contribute to the pool, Alec’s
offerings generally being of a rather superior quality - like Thuidium philberti ,
from inside the Stanta Battle Area. A visitor to the county, David Holyoak,
found Sphagnum contortum, Drepanocladus exannulatus, and Plagiomnium
ellipticum - all new to Holt Lowes.

Even fairly dull habitats can occasionally produce surprises, as when Richard
Fisk found Bryum donianum , new to Norfolk, at Sheringham Park. (This is
a clear case where an individual has ‘got his eye in’, since Richard has gone
on to find Bryum donianum in West Norfolk too (in 2006), at Gressenhall
Old Carr).

The year 2006 produced the usual rash of extra records of already known
species. Some of these were the result of visiting new localities, some the
result of chance discoveries in known localities; a significant re-discovery
was Brachythecium populeum , which was found at Smockmill Common
in January. It was regarded by Burrell (1914) as ‘rather common’ in East
Norfolk, but had not been recorded since then. It is to be hoped that, having
got our eye in for it, that it may prove more widespread.

Taxonomic revision has also increased the counties species total. The common
liverwort, Conocephalum conicum, was recently investigated by some Polish
bryologists (Szweykowski J et al. 2005) who discovered that there were in
fact two species involved: C. conicum and C. salebrosum. The latter has now
been found in both Norfolk vice-counties.

2006 went out with a bit of a bang when, investigating a pond at Syderstone
Common, Colin Dunster found Riccia cavernosa, Physcomitrella patens,
and Physcomitrium eurystomum. The first two are by no means common,

133

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

whilst the latter is a rare Red Data Book species; this was its first record for
the county away from the Breckland meres which are its stronghold.

REFERENCES

BECKETT, G, BULL, A. & STEVENSON, R. 1999. A Flora of Norfolk. Privately
printed.

BURRELL, W.H. (in NICHOLSON, W.A.) 1914. Flora of Norfolk. London: West,
Newman & Co.

MOTT, J.B. & STEVENSON, C.R. 2003. Recent bryophyte records (2000-2002), four
new to Norfolk. Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat.Soc. 36(1): 52-56.

PETCH, C.P. & SWANN, E.L. 1968. The Flora of Norfolk. Norwich: Jarrold & Sons.

SZWEYKOWSKI, J., BUCZKOWSKA, K. & ODRZYKOSKI, I.J. 2005.

Conocephalum salebrosum (Marchantiposida, Conocephalaceae) - a new Holarctic
liverwort species. Plant Systematics and Evolution 253: 133-158.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

134

Orthoptera Report 2006

David Richmond

42 Richmond Rise, Reepham, Norfolk, NR 10 4LS

This was a remarkable year with the first ever December record for an
orthopteran in Norfolk and with the rediscovery of Bog Bush-cricket in West
Norfolk after a gap of over 50 years. Roesel’s Bush-cricket and Long-winged
Conehead continued to expand their range, with the former being reported
from 45 new tetrads. The species accounts below list all new 10km square
records.

Oak Bush-cricket Meconema thalassinum (De Geer)

Records from Stanhoe (TF83) and Hindringham (TF93) plug a gap in the
distribution maps in the north-west of the county. This species remains
significantly under-recorded throughout Norfolk and all records would be
welcome.

Bog Bush-cricket Metrioptera brachyptera (L.)

The Marsham Heath colony first reported last year has proved to be quite
an extensive one reaching two or three hundred metres into the adjoining
tetrad to the north (TGI 624) adding to the cluster of sites in the main part
of the species’ range in mid Norfolk. But the highlight of the year was the
discovery of this species in the Leziate area, where it was heard with a bat
detector and confirmed by visual sighting. This is the first record for this part
of the county for 86 years and the first vice-county record for over 50 years,
the last being at Thomham in 1952.

Roesel’s Bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii (Hagenbach)

This species is now well established in the south-west of the county. In a
single day the author secured eighteen new tetrad records between Hockwold
Fen and Downham Market. It was abundant at all sites so must have been
present in this area for several years. Tom Lowe provided two valuable
records from sea banks in the Terrington area. Other new 1 0km square records
included four tetrads around Pott Row and five tetrads around Castle Acre.
The latter included a number of sites that the author had been monitoring
for several years in anticipation of its arrival, so its presence here in 2006 is
known to be new. It is likely that the hot weather in June and July led to the
development of large numbers of the fully-winged form, and the new 1 0km
square records from Cawston, Buxton Heath, Horsford and Burnham Overy
probably represent dispersal of this form.

135

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

Long-winged Conehead Conocephalus discolor (Thunberg)

This was recorded from seven new 10km squares at Hockwold Fen, Foulden
(three tetrads), Dunham / Castle Acre (five tetrads), Fakenham, Mileham,
Saxthorpe and Old Catton. It has now been recorded from twenty-two 10km
squares with a wide distribution across the county.

Short-winged Conehead Conocephalus dorsalis (Latreille)

There were two new 1 0km square records from Coxford (TF82) and Syderstone
Common (TF83) in the north-west of the county, plus considerable tetrad
infilling around Denver, Hockwold Fen, the Wensum catchment at Worthing
and Hoe, and the Tud valley at East Tuddenham. This is now becoming a
very difficult species to census, because of the concurrent expansion of Lesser
Marsh Grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus (De Geer) which has a very
similar courtship song when heard through a bat detector. Wherever possible
significant new records have been backed up by visual sightings. The species
is expanding nationally and has now been reported as far north as Grange-
over-Sands in Cumbria.

Lesser Earwig Labia minor (L.)

Robert Maidstone reported finding “thousands” in a compost bin at Long
Stratton in early December, and “hundreds” in another bin at Sisland (TM39)
a new 10km square. This species needs warm microclimates to survive
as it is continuously brooded with a life span of about 80 days. Anyone
with compost bins is asked to check for this species. The body length is
4-6mm with forceps up to 1 .25mm, but beware of confusion with nymphs of
Common Earwig Forficula auricularia L. early in the season.

Early and late dates

Hot weather in June and July led to the early maturing of some species with
stridulating Short-winged Conehead on 8 July and Long-winged Conehead
on 25 July being the author’s earliest dates for these species in Norfolk.
Mild weather at the end of the season meant Field Grasshopper Chorthippus
brunneus (Thunberg) was recorded up until 20 November and Dark Bush-
cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera (De Geer) to 24 November. Speckled
Bush-cricket Leptophves punctatissima (Bose) survived at Reepham to 6
December. This was the author ’s first ever December record for an orthopteran
and a full twelve days after the previous latest date for this species.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

136

Plant Notes 2006

Gillian Beckett

Bramley Cottage, Stanhoe, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 8QF

Bob Ellis

1 1 Havelock Road, Norwich NR2 3HQ

To botanists it was a strange year, the spring was late, then summer arrived all
in a rush and with high temperatures and little rain, plants had no sooner come
through than they were withering in the sun (as were many of the botanists)!
This made the recording of small ephemerals very difficult and may account
for their poor showing in the lists of finds though Clustered Clover Trifolium
glomeratum was surprisingly abundant in its one West Norfolk site.

A number of meetings was held on the coast to cover all the areas where
Rock Sea-lavender Limonium binervosum had been found and it proved to
be doing well, especially on the sandy edge of the saltmarshes. Quadrats
were set up and populations of the sea-lavender and associated species were
estimated. The somewhat less pleasurable work of analysing all the records
is under way and, all being well, will be appearing separately in due course.
Two other coastal meetings were particularly productive: Yarmouth North
Denes in early May and Overstrand cliffs in late June. The former turned up
such spring delights as Sea Mouse-ear Cerastium diffusum\ Musk Stork’s-
bill Erodium moschatum; Bulbous Meadow-grass Poa bulbosa; Shepherd’s
Cress Teesdalia nudicaulis and Suffocated Clover Trifolium suffocatum.
The latter rewarded us with a range of marsh-orchids; Marsh Helleborine
Epipactis palustris; a great abundance of Kidney Vetch An thy l /is vulneraria ;
the delicate Silver Hair-grass Air a caryophyllea and, most excitingly, the
rediscovery of Purple Broomrape Orobanche purpurea.

One of the tasks facing the botanical recorders is getting as many of our
records computerised as possible. This is a very time-consuming task, but it
is surprisingly satisfying to be able to produce a map which shows the way
that plant distribution can change - or does it just record plants which were
formerly missed? Even if that is so, it does show that we are still exploring
new areas and finding new records. Please do send in your plant records so
we can keep things really up to date.

Finds of interest in 2006 included:

Aristolochia clematitis, Birthwort. Carrow Abbey, R.W. Ellis, 28th September
2006. The annual Biodiversity Conference was held at the Abbey

137

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40(1)

conference centre, which provided a good opportunity to see that this
species was still thriving at a site where it was first recorded in 1793.

Barbarea verna , American Winter-cress. Caister-on-Sea, Flora Group, 6th
May 2006.

Brassica juncea , Chinese Mustard. Felthorpe, L. Hall, 20th July 2006.

Bromus commutatus var. pubens, Meadow Brome. Snettisham, K. & G.
Beckett, conf. A. Copping, 23rd May 2006. The variety pubens was found
here by Eric Swann in 1954, a naming which was then confirmed by T.G.
Tutin. However, some doubts have been raised as to whether this should
be treated as a distinct taxon.

Carlina vulgaris , Carline Thistle. Overstrand, Flora Group, 27th June 2006
and Cley, R.W. Ellis & M. Ghullam (previously reported by C. Dunster).
Although this is not especially uncommon in West Norfolk, it is rare in
the east and only one site (Alderford Common) was reported in A Flora
of Norfolk ( 1 999).

Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. coccinea, Early Marsh-orchid (dark red
form). Burnham Overy, A. & S. Harrap, July 2006 - a new locality. This
subspecies was also seen in great abundance at Overstrand cliffs when the
Flora Group visited in late June.

Eleocharis quinqueflora, Few-flowered Spike-rush. Southrepps Common,
R.W. Ellis & M. Ghullam, 28th June 2006 and Smallburgh Fen, R.M.
Leaney, 28th June 2006.

Filago lutescens , Red-tipped Cudweed. Santon, N. Gibbons, det. R Wilson
- a new colony.

Filipendula vulgaris , Dropwort. Crostwight churchyard, A.L. Bull, J.W.
Negal & F.M. Schumann, 30th September 2006 - an unusual site for this
species and the first East Norfolk record since Petch & Swann’s 1968
Flora.

Hydrocotyle ranunculoides , Floating Pennywort. Rockland, D.A. Nobbs, 4th
June 2006 and Coltishall, R.M. Leaney, 30th August 2006 - this is a very
invasive non-native aquatic plant.

Ophrys apifera var. chlorantha, Bee Orchid (white form). Loddon, S.R.
Martin, 16th June 2006

Orobanche purpurea , Purple Broomrape. Overstrand, Flora Group, 27th
June 2006 - the first record from this location since 1978.

Potentilla anglica, Trailing Tormentil. Beetley, S. Plant, 8th June 2006.

Potentilla x mixta, Hybrid Cinquefoil. Beetley, S. Plant, 8th June 2006.

Rosa x pseudorusticana , a hybrid rose ( R . arvensis x stylosa). Sustead, R.M.
Leaney, det. R. Maskew, 17th August 2006.

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.
2007 40(1)

138

Salicornia pusilla x ramosissima. Morston, C. Dunster, conf. I.K. Ferguson,
9 Sept, 2006.

Salix x smithiana , a hybrid willow (S. cinerea x viminalis). Felthorpe, L.
Hall, det. R.D. Meikle

Veronica x iackschewitzii , (K cmagallis-aquatica x catenata), Hybrid Water-
speedwell. Blickling, R.W. Ellis & M. Ghullam, 27th August 2006.

Southern Migrant Hawker Aeshna affinis (Latreille) :
a new species for Norfolk

David Weaver

9 Sewell Road, Norwich NR3 4BP

Robert Lee

63 Mill Road, Cromer NR27 OAD

2006 was an exceptional year for the appearance of several migratory
odonata following the fine weather through June and July. During a very
hot afternoon on 21st July we met by chance at Roy don Common, sharing a
similar interest in photographing insects, with Black Darter Sympetrum danae
a particular species in mind. We finally reached some small pools on the edge
of Grimston Warren where we soon found much activity, despite the fact that
they were rapidly drying out. This included several S. danae , a few Ruddy
Darter S. sanguineum , a Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata , and
a male Emperor Anax imperator amongst other species.

After about half an hour or so, our attention was drawn to an unusually
bright blue hawker dragonfly, patrolling erratically to and fro on the
opposite side of the pool, no more than about 10 metres away. Both of
us quickly realised that we had seen nothing quite like it before, and
luckily we were able to watch it through binoculars for about two or three
minutes, enough to observe the salient features. After several skirmishes
it was finally chased off by the aggressive and much larger Emperor.

It was strikingly similar in abdominal colour to the Emperor but resembled in
size and general behaviour a male Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta. The entire
head and body gave the impression of being generally pale blue at a distance,
and in particular we noticed that the eyes were a pale blue as the insect flew

139

Trans. Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc.

2007 40 (1)

towards us - a striking feature. We also noted many large, paired blue spots
on the abdomen and the plain, pale greenish sides to the thorax lacking the
strong double stripes shown by A. mixta.

Between skirmishes with the Emperor, it patrolled rapidly at about waist
height around the rushy margin of the pool, briefly hovering at least twice
and occasionally flying out towards us over the pool. Unfortunately it was not
seen to settle. Checking a field guide on return to our cars instantly confirmed
our identification - unmistakably a male A. affinis.

This sighting appears to have coincided with the arrival of other migratory
insects including the first of a large influx of Yellow-winged Darters S.
flaveollum elsewhere in the county at that time. The record has been accepted
by the Odonata Records Committee and was one of at least four sightings
between mid July and mid August 2006 (Parr, 2007). These comprise the first
confirmed records of this species since the only previous accepted British
record in Kent in 1952 and a published ‘probable’ in Avon in 1993. Similarly
most of the 2006 records were from the southern counties.

On the continent A. affinis usually emerges earlier than A. mixta , flying from
late May or June to the end of August (Askew, 1988), and is known to be
as strongly migratory as the latter species. Therefore it is likely to appear in
a variety of habitats similar to A. mixta, but is noted as preferring standing
waterbodies that dry up over the course of the summer, often overgrown with
low rushes, bulrushes or reeds (Dijkstra & Lewington, 2006).

In common with several other species such as Lesser Emperor Anax
parthenope, this essentially Mediterranean species has been extending its
range north, with increasing frequency of records on the near continent. There
were some 50 individuals reported in The Netherlands in 2006 (A. Parr, pers.
com.). As these species are clearly responding to changes in the climate, it
is likely that A. affinis could occur with increasing frequency in the next
few years and may even attempt to colonise. Any bright ‘migrant hawker’
appearing during midsummer may therefore be worthy of a closer look!

References

ASKEW, R.R. 1988. The Dragonflies of Europe. Harley Books, Colchester.

DIJKSTRA, K-D.B. & LEWINGTON, R. 2006. Field Guide to the Dragonflies of
Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing.

PARR, A.J. 2007. Migrant dragonflies in 2006. Atropos 30: 26-35.

Trans. Norfolk Nonvich Nat. Soc.
2007 40 (1)

140

NORFOLK & NORWICH NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY

The County’s senior natural history society has as a principal aim the investigation
and recording of Norfolk’s wildlife and to this end it publishes:

• An annual volume of Transactions, consisting of papers and notes on wildlife
in the county.

• The Norfolk Bird and Mammal Report which contains systematic lists of
observations on the county’s birds and mammals, as well as relevant
articles.

• The Norfolk Natterjack, a quarterly illustrated newsletter.

All of these publications are free to members, as are Occasional Publications on
specific topics.

The Society also arranges lectures and field meetings which are planned to appeal
to anyone interested in natural history. More specialist groups cover many aspects
of the county’s flora and fauna.

The subscription rate is £1 2 per year, which includes all members of a family living at
the same address. Group affiliation is available at £15 per year.

Membership enquiries should be made to: Mrs Dilys Jones, 3 Honor Close, Norwich
NR2 2LY Email:dilys.jones@btinternet.com

All other enquiries should be directed to the Secretary, Dr Rosemary Carpenter: 33
Low Street, Wicklewood, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9QG

NOTES FOR AUTHORS

Authors are requested to obtain a copy of Instructions for Authors from the Editor
before submitting papers, which should be with the editor by February 1st of the year
of publication. Wherever possible manuscripts should be accompanied with the text
on computer disk.

The Editor will be pleased to discuss proposals for papers from anyone and will help
novice authors with the production of material.

Editor: Mr Peter Lambley, The Cottage, Elsing Road, Lyng, Norfolk NR9 5RR
Email: Plambley@aol.com

CONTENTS

Heaths, woods and hedges: some historical perspectives on

Norfolk’s ‘natural’ landscapes. Presidential Address

Tom Williamson

An annotated list of plants of Blakeney Point, Norfolk, with

John Pearson, Kenneth

selected distribution maps

Taylor, Janet Woodall &

David Havill

Whorl Snails of the Genus Vertigo in Norfolk

Roy Baker, Geraldine
Holyoak & Derek

Fenland drainage and the effects on the spider fauna: a

Howlett

case study at East Ruston Common, Norfolk

The changing status of Lepidoptera in Norfolk and its

Eric Duffey

possible causes

Swanton Novers Wood NNR, Norfolk, and its Coleoptera:

C.D. Jones

Supplement No.1

Bryan Sage

100

Oxborough Hythe. Research Committee project

Alec Bull

116

Recent bryological discoveries in Norfolk

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS

Robin Stevenson

131

Orthoptera Report 2006

David Richmond

135

Plant Notes 2006

Gillian Beckett &

Bob Ellis

137

Southern Migrant Hawker Aeshna affinis (Latreille): a new

David Weaver &

species for Norfolk

Robert Lee

139

Cover: Yellow Horned-poppy Glaucium flavum on Blakeney Point.

Photo: Simon Harrap

£5.00 to non-members

Printed by Barnwell’s ofAylsham

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society"

See other formats