Bathampton Meadow, 4 August 2024

Above: Bath Nats members  members at Bathampton Meadow © Chris Woods

Leader Helena Crouch
Bathampton Meadow is owned by the Highways Agency and managed by Avon Wildlife Trust. The reserve was created in 1996 for floodwater management, following construction of the Batheaston Bypass. There is no public access, but limited visits can be arranged through AWT, particularly for recording meetings. After initial delays due to sheep on the access track, ten members arrived at the reserve on a fine day. Sand Martins were spotted overhead, and a Redstart was heard in the hedge.

We entered the reserve at the southwest corner, where species-rich grassland has developed. Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) was flowering, attracting butterflies, and we found Quaking-grass (Briza media), Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare), Cowslips (Primula veris) and Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). On damper ground towards the pond, we found Water Mint (Mentha aquatica), Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil (L. pedunculatus), Spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), all attracting many insects. During the day members spotted eight different butterflies: Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Comma and Speckled Wood. We also saw six different day-flying moths, including Silver-Y, Straw Grass Moth and Mint Moth.

The margin of the pond was flanked by Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), interspersed by large yellow flowers of Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua), probably originally planted, but thriving here at its only site around Bath. Dragonflies and damselflies were frequent; during the day members recorded six species: Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa), Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum), Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis), White-legged Damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) and Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans).

Along the south edge of the reserve, we admired a splendid stand of Small Teasel (Dipsacus pilosus), with Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) conveniently growing alongside for comparison. We had explored a tiny area by the time we stopped for lunch, sitting on a bank with views towards Little Solsbury Hill. Replenished, exploration recommenced with discovery of a second large Wasp Spider, its web exhibiting a perfect zig-zag stabilimentum (which the leader was forced to admire). We found Cinnabar Moth caterpillars on Ragwort, and a Tree Damsel Bug (Himacerus apterus).

We headed towards the ox-bow lake, finding swathes of Common Meadow-rue (Thalictrum flavum) and stunning blue flowers of Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata). Near the lake, we found Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), then two small plants of Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata). While some bees were studied, the leader wandered off and discovered a small patch of Round-fruited Rush (Juncus compressus), last seen in the area in 1999. This species is Vulnerable on both the GB and England Red Lists, so was a good find. Although we glimpsed Swans and Mallards on the ox-bow lake, access around it looked difficult, so we continued exploring the southern side.

In a ditch, we found Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) and many small plants of Northern Yellow-cress (Rorippa islandica), new to the 10km square! After this excitement, we turned back. Several members adjourned to a pub for a well-earned drink. The leader’s focus for the day was botanical recording, but the varied expertise within the group considerably enriched this meeting: an impressive list of species was recorded in just a segment of this small reserve.

Helena Crouch