Waste Ground, Strand Lane Cookham Rise

SU888842

Date of

 survey

Species (common

 name)

Species (latin name)

Predominant/only

 location

29.07.07 Alder Alnus glutinosa Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Ash Fraxinus excelsior Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Black medick Medicago lupulina Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Blue fleabane Erigeron acer Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Bramble Rubus fructicosus Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Buddleia Buddleja davidii Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Bulrush Typha latifolia Lake
29.07.07 Canadian fleabane Conyza canadensis Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Common ivy Hedera helix ssp. Helix Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Common mouse ear Cerastium fontanum Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Common nettle Urtica dioica Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Common poppy Papaver rhoeas Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Cranesbill spp Geranium spp Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Dead nettle Lamium spp. Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Dock spp Rumex spp. Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Elder Sambucus nigra Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Evergreen oak Quercus ilex Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Lakeside
29.07.07 Ground ivy Glechoma hederacea Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Hawthorn Crataegus spp. Hedge/scrub and gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Hedge bindweed Convolvulus sepium Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Lesser hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Lichen and moss spp Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Lords and ladies Arum maculatum Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Marjoram Origanum vulgare Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Marsh thistle Cirsium palustre Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Mouse ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Musk mallow Malva moschata Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Nipplewort Lapsana communis Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Pendunculate oak Quercus robur Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Prickly sowthistle Sonchus asper Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Ditch
29.07.07 Reed Canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea Damp area
29.07.07 Ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Rose spp Rosa spp. Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Sallow/ goat willow Salix caprea Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Selfheal Prunella vulgaris Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Silver birch Betula pendula Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 St Johns Wort Hypericum spp. Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Sticky groundsel Senecio viscosus Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Water plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica Lake
29.07.07 White bryony Bryonia dioica Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 White campion Silene latifolia Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 White clover Trifolium repens Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 White dead nettle Lamium album Lakeside
29.07.07 White water lily Nymphaea alba Lake
29.07.07 Wild parsnip Pastinaca sativa Damp area
29.07.07 Willow (not goat) Salix spp Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Wood forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica Undisturbed strip near ditch
29.07.07 Yarrow Achillea millefolium Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Knotgrass Polygonum arenastrum Gravel scrapes
29.07.07 Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus Lakeside
29.07.07 Hop Humulus lupulus Hedge/scrub
29.07.07 Hoary plantain Plantago media Gravel scrapes
Total 58
Comments from surveyor Sarah Wright
Butterfly, lichen and mosses and also reptile survey may prove productive, especially butterfly survey.
Rabbits
Lake and ditch may be worth surveying, especially since relatively interesting emergent/floating species found. Test for water quality may be interesting.
Concluding remarks: botanical interest is limited but the site's complex of open ground, scrub, and wetland habitats makes it potentially valuable for butterflies; birds; insects; wetland/aquatic habitats and 'common' wildlife. Viewed within the wider habitat matrix, it has value as an area of minimal management and wetland habitats.
Information for landowner/manager
Management of the ditch to maintain interest and to minimise negative impact associated with adjacent farmed land is recommended. For example, maintain a buffer strip beside ditch; minimise disturbance of ditch; any work upon ditch to be on rotational basis.
Management of the scrub for butterflies and birds and also ensuring there are areas that are not disturbed (damp area, scrubby areas, roadside strip, ditch-side strip) is advised.
Management of roadside boundary hedge/scrub/trees should be considered within the context of the road and the wider area. For example, the road/track will be a wildlife corridor and there are old trees in the neighbouring field and boundaries. Management should seek to enhance this boundary as part of a wildlife corridor and maintain old/dead wood habitats (e.g. veteran hedgerow trees; piles of dead wood; tre surgery that retains standing dead trunks).
Seek management advice regarding lake - potential to increase interest by re-profiling; introducing shade along margins; installing raft/island etc?