Norton Survey - Hartland Nature Society

SPECIAL VERGE SURVEY – NORTON VERGE, HARTLAND JUNE 2022

Verge Name Norton	Date Surveyed May 20^th 2022	Surveyor(s) Clare Gurton, Frances Leach and other members of Hartland’s Nature Group
Parish Hartland	District	Grid Reference SS26659 25797 What3words – grant.banana.cabbies
Current Condition and Threats This is a verge of longstanding importance in the Parish; it has been the subject of many surveys over the years It is, and has been, under continual threat from: Encroachment of large farm vehicles Cutting at the wrong time & leaving cuttings on the verge Hedge trimming and cutting, using heavy machinery that compresses the verge and leaves trimmings on the verge Ditch clearance which uses heavy machinery that compresses the soil and leaving ditch contents on the verge – this is one of the major factors in reduced diversity and has resulted in more and more growth of Oenanthe crocata which has choked the less robust plants. Of principal interest is a colony of Southern marsh Orchids, ragged robin and yellow rattle.
HABITATS Grassland: Marshy Adjacent land use Semi-improved grassland/Arable

Species List for the Whole Verge

		*DAFOR – Dominant, Abundant, Frequent, Occasional, Rare
Common vetch	Vicia sativa spp	F
Meadow vetchling	Lathyrus pratensis	F
Bush vetch	Vicia sepium	O
Red clover	Trifolium pratense	O
White clover	Trifolium repens	O
Lesser trefoil	Trifolium dubium	O
Greater birdsfoot trefoil	Lotus pedunculatus	F
Bugle	Ajuga reptans	O
Hemlock water dropwort	Oenanthe crocata	D
Meadowsweet	Filipendula ulmaria	D
Herb Robert	Geranium robertianum	O
Ribwort plantain	Plantago lanceolata	O
Red campion	Silene dioica	O
Ragged robin	Silene flos-cuculi	O
Creeping buttercup	Ranunculus repens	O
Meadow buttercup	Ranunculus acris	O
Yellow rattle	Rhinanthus minor	O
Common sorrel	Rumex acetosa	F
Cinquefoil	Potentilla reptans	F
Silver weed	Potentilla anserina	O
Lesser stitchwort	Stellaria graminea	F
Angelica	Angelica sylvestris	O
Soft rush	Juncus effusus	F
Grassess spp x 5
Daisy	Bellis perennis	O
Male fern	Dryopteris filix-mas	O
Broad buckler fern	Dryopteris dilatata	O
Southern Marsh orchids (~50)	Dactylorhiza praetermissa	F/O
Dandelion	Taraxacum officinale	O
Common mouse ear	Cerastium fontanum	F
Germander speedwell	Veronica chamaedrys	O
Foxglove	Digitalis purpurea	O
Cats ear	Hypochaeris radicata	O
Nettle	Urtica dioica	O
Cuckoo flower	Cardamine pratensis	O
Cow parsely	Anthriscus sylvestris	O
Hogweed	Heracleum sphondylium	O

SITE DESCRIPTION (including setting, major features, and species interest)

A small country verge that leads down to 2 agricultural farms and associated fields. The verge is actually tiny and decreasing every year due to vehicle encroachment

The road/lane use is infrequent, but it suffers from regular and inappropriate maintenance (by Devon Highways and local landowners) which has degraded its diversity in recent years.

The orchids are of principal interest to many locals who walk to see them each year.

It was the subject of survey by volunteers in 2012-2014, then as part of Life in the Verge project and was given signage. It was supposed to have been recorded as a ‘special verge’ but it does not appear to be listed by DCC as such.

SURVEYORS SITE EVALUATION (context including diversity and notability of species, habitats, features and amenity/visual value)

The orchids are of principal interest to many locals who walk to see them each year and have been the subject of many photographs locally for many years.

The species list above is not extensive but shows the potential for improvement if the more sensitive species were properly managed.

While surveying we have seen many bees (bumble bees, honeybees and solitary bees) butterflies, moths and birds.

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS/ SUGGESTIONS

Short Term:

Management and clearance of Oenanthe crocata

Protection of verge from heavy vehicles

Long Term: