Welcome Water

The lack of precipitation over Walthamstow Marshes over the last two months has left the ditches around the marshes very dry. This has been very challenging on the Water Vole population. After regularly checking the usual hot spots over the last two months, to my knowledge, sightings and track recordings of Water Vole have been practically zero. Thankfully though, in the last few weeks there have been significant bursts of heavy rain over the marshes. Thus the ditches have begun to fill up again. 

And today a new latrine was found. 

It's poo, I know, but it's quality poo.

Phew! They're still here.

Water Vole poo

 Elsewhere:

Adder's Tongue

Blood-vein

Common Tern

Bee Orchid

The Bee Orchids are where Paul found them last year. On the small patch of lawn on the right as you enter the Waterworks Nature Reserve (with the three picnic benches). They're just beginning to flower. So far, there are at least 7 spikes. 

Adder's Tongue Fern

After a frustrating few years of looking for it, the enigmatic Adder's Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) has finally revealed itself! Having always looked for it on the less populated parts of the Marshes over the years, it's dumbfounding how it has recently been found so close to where many people drop their trash, scar the earth it grows on with bbqs, 'professionally' walk their army of dogs and almost definitely and routinely trample over it. Uncommon and an indicator of ancient meadows; its discovery on Walthamstow Marshes contributed to helping save the Marshes from redevelopment in the 70s and also forms part of the basis for the Marshes' SSSI status. It’s tiny and delicate - the size of your thumbnail. Currently, there are quite a number of them.

http://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/A/Adderstongue/Adderstongue.htm

Veg

Plants

The London Natural History Society do a botany day on the patch each summer (22nd June this year). I've never been able to make it. So I tried my own little plant walk around the patch. I couldn't find any Adder's Tongue Fern (the plant that lays claim to the SSSI status on the marsh) but I had a great time up to my head in height with plants and bugs. The best plants being found on the North Marsh parallel to the railway.

Adder's Tongue Fern (web pic)

Broad-leaved Ever-lasting Pea

Comfrey

Common Bird's-Foot-Trefoil

Creeping Thistle

Hedgerow Crane's-bill

Lady's Bedstraw

Meadow Vetchling

Meadowsweet

Michaelmas Daisey

Perforate St John's-wart

Purple Loosestrife

Ragwort

Red clover

Woody Nightshade

Yellow Iris

Large Skipper

Large Skipper Opening Wings

Small Tortoiseshell

@leevalleybirder