Three Water Voles were the highlight of the walk at Hungerford Marsh on Sunday 9th May, led by Roger Frankum. There was a cold north-easterly wind and the temperature was a chilly 10C as 9 members set out across the meadow of the BBOWT reserve. Marsh-marigolds made bold splashes of yellow, and closer inspection revealed the tiny micromoth Micropterix calthella on some of the flower heads. Water Avens were in flower in good numbers. The bright orange speck of an Orange-tip butterfly egg was spotted on the flower head of a Cuckooflower plant. In the ditches of the former water meadow were big clumps of Greater Tussock-sedge and the white flowers of Marsh Valerian. A Kingfisher flashed electric blue across the meadow.
There were at least 4 families of ducks on the River Dun as it flowed through the adjoining Freeman’s Marsh, with 9 tiny ducklings in the biggest family party. This was where Harry Matthews, out in front, spotted the first of the Water Voles, while his wife Lynn was able to identify a Grayling by its long, rippling upper fin. Also on the river were a Dabchick and a family of Moorhens, with a single youngster peeping out from beneath one of its parents on the nest. Swifts, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins swooped above the marsh and a single Cuckoo was heard. On the walk back to the cars, everyone had good views from the towpath of 2 more Water Voles as they swam along the far bank of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Hungerford Marsh SU333687
Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis
Greater Tussock-sedge Carex paniculata
Lesser Pond Sedge Carex acutiformis
Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria
Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris
Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum
Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis
Silverweed Potentilla anserina
Water Avens Geum rivale
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis
Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium
Common Comfrey Symphtytum officinale
Gypsywort Lycopus europaeus
White Dead-nettle Lamium album
Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys
Marsh Valerian Valeriana dioica
Butterbur Petasites hybridus
Lesser Burdock Arctium minus
Ramsoms Allium ursinum
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus
Freeman’s Marsh SU329686
Hard Rush Juncus inflexus
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris
Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus
Water-crowfoot sp
Winter-cress Barbarea vulgaris
Dove’s-foot Cranesbill Geranium molle
Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia
Insects
Micropterix calthella (a micro moth) on Marsh-marigold flowers
Orange-tip
Vertebrates
3 Water Voles
1 Brown Rat
Grayling
Dabchick
Mute Swan
Canada Geese + goslings
Mallard (4 families, one with 9 ducklings)
Red Kite
Moorhens (pair with 1 young under adult on nest)
Coots
Common Tern
Cuckoo
Swift
Kingfisher
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Sand Martin
Swallow
House Martin
Garden Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Long-tailed Tit
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Reed Bunting