Full Scientific Site Survey

8th September 2002

Introduction

Meppershall field is a rectangular field of 3 hectare lying in an approximately north south direction. It is bordered to the north by an actively farmed allotment, to the west by a hedge, to the east by a hedge and drain and to the south by suburban gardens, hedge, drain and fence. There is a small pond in the north west comer near the site entrance.
The area was previously used as allotments but use lapsed a number of years ago and the area has since reverted to grassland.

Site Description

West hedge

The west hedge is composed of Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) which is overgrown and uncut providing good nesting sites and food for birds.

East hedge

The east hedge is an old over grown hedge with the following species: hawthorn, blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Elder (Sambucus nigra), dog rose (Rosa canina), dogwood (Comus sanguinea). There are mature oak (Quercus robur}, Sycamore (Acer pseuddacorus} and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) present. Bramble (Rubus fruticosus} and wood woundwort (Stachys sylvatica) are present in the ground flora under the hedge. The overgrown nature of the hedge provides good habitat for wildlife.

Southern Edge

The southern edge is composed of an area of cut grass, a drain, ornamental shrubs, a recently dug out drain and an area where the earth from the dug out drain has been spread. Ornamental marsh marigold is flourishing in the recently cleared drain along with yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus). Tadpoles are also living in the drain. The area of dug out earth is grassing over but the ornamental marsh marigold is also growing here along with yellow flag and field horsetail (Equisetum an/ensis).

The Pond

The pond was dry at the time of the survey. A conversation with the allotment owner indicated that it filled after rain and then quickly dried out. The allotment owner was concerned about the location of the pond as very young children would enter the site due to its proximity to local housing.

Grassland Area

A path running diagonally across the site dissects the grassland area. There are also paths around the edges of the site.
Trees (oak, alder, aspen, horse chestnut) have been planted on the site in the past and are scattered all over the grassland area. A short length of hawthorn hedge has also been planted (see map). The main grassland area does not show the signs of heavy enrichment that might be expected from a former allotment. There are a few patches of red clover (Trifloium repens) in the paths but there are no large patches of nettles (Utica dioica) or docks (Rumex sp.) The main gramineae species recorded were Yorkshire fog. red fescue (Festuca rubra) creeping bent (Agrostis stolonilifera) and meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). It was not possible to assign a national vegetation classification to the grassland to the short time it has been in existence.
There are numerous ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) seedlings indicating that ragwort may be a problem. There are also numerous scrub and tree seedlings (hawthorn, ash, oak) showing that the field is left it will rapidly become a scrub area. The following dicotyledons were alt present in the grassland area: crane's-bill sp. (Geranium sp.), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), bindweed (Concolvulus arvensis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), clover (Trifolium sp.), bird's foot trefoil (Lotus comiculatus), dandelion (ttaraxacum officinale), cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), hairy tare (We/ahirsuta), field forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), greater plantain (Plantago major), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvensis), spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare), hogweed (Heradeum sphondylium), daisy (Be///s perennis) and goosegrass (Gallium aparine).

Assessment

Although it would be interesting to note the succession of the grassland to scrub and the flora that develops, particularly since the area does not show signs of heavy nutrient enrichment, there is nothing notable in the area. The area has already been modified by the tree and shrub planting and by the planting of ornamental species in the southern section. The uncut nature of the hedges provide valuable habitat for wildlife and it is recommended that they be left uncut for the present.

Acknowledgements: Site Survey - Ivel and Ouse Valley Countryside Project

	Full Scientific Site Survey 8th September 2002
	Introduction Meppershall field is a rectangular field of 3 hectare lying in an approximately north south direction. It is bordered to the north by an actively farmed allotment, to the west by a hedge, to the east by a hedge and drain and to the south by suburban gardens, hedge, drain and fence. There is a small pond in the north west comer near the site entrance. The area was previously used as allotments but use lapsed a number of years ago and the area has since reverted to grassland. Site Description West hedge The west hedge is composed of Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) which is overgrown and uncut providing good nesting sites and food for birds. East hedge The east hedge is an old over grown hedge with the following species: hawthorn, blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Elder (Sambucus nigra), dog rose (Rosa canina), dogwood (Comus sanguinea). There are mature oak (Quercus robur}, Sycamore (Acer pseuddacorus} and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) present. Bramble (Rubus fruticosus} and wood woundwort (Stachys sylvatica) are present in the ground flora under the hedge. The overgrown nature of the hedge provides good habitat for wildlife. Southern Edge The southern edge is composed of an area of cut grass, a drain, ornamental shrubs, a recently dug out drain and an area where the earth from the dug out drain has been spread. Ornamental marsh marigold is flourishing in the recently cleared drain along with yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus). Tadpoles are also living in the drain. The area of dug out earth is grassing over but the ornamental marsh marigold is also growing here along with yellow flag and field horsetail (Equisetum an/ensis). The Pond The pond was dry at the time of the survey. A conversation with the allotment owner indicated that it filled after rain and then quickly dried out. The allotment owner was concerned about the location of the pond as very young children would enter the site due to its proximity to local housing. Grassland Area A path running diagonally across the site dissects the grassland area. There are also paths around the edges of the site. Trees (oak, alder, aspen, horse chestnut) have been planted on the site in the past and are scattered all over the grassland area. A short length of hawthorn hedge has also been planted (see map). The main grassland area does not show the signs of heavy enrichment that might be expected from a former allotment. There are a few patches of red clover (Trifloium repens) in the paths but there are no large patches of nettles (Utica dioica) or docks (Rumex sp.) The main gramineae species recorded were Yorkshire fog. red fescue (Festuca rubra) creeping bent (Agrostis stolonilifera) and meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). It was not possible to assign a national vegetation classification to the grassland to the short time it has been in existence. There are numerous ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) seedlings indicating that ragwort may be a problem. There are also numerous scrub and tree seedlings (hawthorn, ash, oak) showing that the field is left it will rapidly become a scrub area. The following dicotyledons were alt present in the grassland area: crane's-bill sp. (Geranium sp.), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), bindweed (Concolvulus arvensis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), clover (Trifolium sp.), bird's foot trefoil (Lotus comiculatus), dandelion (ttaraxacum officinale), cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), hairy tare (We/ahirsuta), field forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), greater plantain (Plantago major), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvensis), spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare), hogweed (Heradeum sphondylium), daisy (Be///s perennis) and goosegrass (Gallium aparine). Assessment Although it would be interesting to note the succession of the grassland to scrub and the flora that develops, particularly since the area does not show signs of heavy nutrient enrichment, there is nothing notable in the area. The area has already been modified by the tree and shrub planting and by the planting of ornamental species in the southern section. The uncut nature of the hedges provide valuable habitat for wildlife and it is recommended that they be left uncut for the present.
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	Acknowledgements: Site Survey - Ivel and Ouse Valley Countryside Project