Wivelsfield

Field meeting reports

Meeting date: 14 June 2014

(Leader: Peter Smith)

Ten members gathered near Wivelsfield, with the intention of enhancing records for TQ31P.  Close as we were to the frontier between East and West Sussex, we were pleased that our chairman chose to grace us with his presence. As the woods nearby were largely impassable with mud, we focused predominantly on the meadow flora. No exceptionally unusual species were identified, but by lunchtime we found that by including species already noted on a preliminary reconnaissance there were 51 new records for the tetrad. Seeking a more challenging assignment after lunch, we moved to the already well-recorded downland tetrad of TQ31R. Here we were able to add just five new records, including Danthonia decumbens (Heath-grass) and Koeleria macrantha (Crested Hair-grass). We were also able to luxuriate in a spectacular showing of Helianthemum nummularium (Rock-rose), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid), Gymnadenia conopsea (Fragrant Orchid), Neottia ovata (Twayblade), Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid) and Herminium monorchis (Musk Orchid).