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West Common in June

27th June 2020 by longleysra 2 Comments

By Caroline Steel, former Head of Conservation at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

On West Common, the showy meadow flowers are coming out.

The sheep’s sorrel is giving views across the common a lovely russet tinge and you can find tormentil, cat’s-ear and heath bedstraw on the lighter soils.

Tormentil on West Common, Lincoln
Tormentil on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
Cat's ear on Lincoln's West Common
Cat’s ear on Lincoln’s West Common
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
Heath bedstraw on Lincoln's West Common
Heath bedstraw on Lincoln’s West Common
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel

Where there is deeper soil you can find meadow crane’s-bill, betony, knapweed, ox-eye daisy and hay rattle.

Meadow crane’s-bill on Lincoln's West Common
Meadow crane’s-bill on Lincoln’s West Common
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
Betony on West Common, Lincoln
Betony on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
Skipper butterfly on Knapweed on West  Common, Lincoln
Skipper butterfly on Knapweed on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
Hay Rattle on West Common, Lincoln
Hay Rattle on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
7 spot Ladybird on Hay Rattle on West Common, Lincoln
7 spot Ladybird on Hay Rattle on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel

The single southern marsh orchid flowered again near Carholme Road.

Southern Marsh Orchid on West Common, Lincoln
Southern Marsh Orchid on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel

There are meadow brown and skipper butterflies everywhere and grasshoppers are starting to appear. Skylarks are singing: I wonder how many have raised broods? House martins and swallows shoot past, catching insects.  Swifts and buzzards can be seen high overhead. What’s not to like!

Meadow Brown Butterfly on West Common, Lincoln
Meadow Brown Butterfly on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel

Damselflies and dragonflies are emerging from the pond, where the terrapin can be seen regularly sunning itself (it’s not a good idea to release unwanted pets into the wild). Pond-side plants include the dramatic figwort.

Common Blue Damselfly on West Common, Lincoln
Common Blue Damselfly on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
Terrapin on West Common, Lincoln
Terrapin on West Common, Lincoln
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel
Figwort on West Common Lincoln
Figwort on West Common
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel

It is very sad to see that the last remaining mature elm on the common, by the gate onto Long Leys Road, is succumbing to Dutch Elm Disease. It is unlikely to die completely as suckers will probably grow up soon, but mature elms are now a rarity.

Elm on West Common
Elm on West Common
Image courtesy of Caroline Steel

Filed Under: News, West Common and Burton Ridge Nature

Reader Interactions

What Others Are Saying:

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  1. Kevin Smith says

    27th June 2020 at 12:57 pm

    I’ve been pleased to see a marsh orchid growing and flowering in the same spot on the common for the last few years, but was saddened to notice someone had picked it this year.

    Reply
  2. Isla Davies says

    29th June 2020 at 8:56 am

    Loved the pictures and article. Thanks so much for information. I will now go for a walk to the common to see if I can identify the plants and wildlife.

    Reply

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