Birmingham & Black Country Local Sites Assessment Report

EcoRec. Ref. No. EcoRec. Site Name EcoRec. Grid Ref. N.C. Designation(s) Date Notified Wyrley & Essington SO92449861 – WV020 None N/A Canal SJ96480079 Planning Authority Site Ownership Area/Length Reason for Revision Report Date Wolverhampton City Canal & River Trust 6km (approx.) Local Sites Assessment October 2013 Council

Meets LS Criteria SINC Type Wildlife i.e. Wildlife/Geological

Amendment New Site i.e. None; New Site; Upgrade; Downgrade; Extension; Whole/Part Deletion The Wolverhampton section of the Wyrley and Essington Canal was surveyed as part of the site assessment report. The surveyed section extends from Horseley Fields Junction with Birmingham Canal Description (see map 1) Network (BCN) Main Line to Perry Hall Bridge (Broad Lane) which forms the boundary with Walsall. The total length of the surveyed section of canal was approximately 6km.

Citation (Summary of Value) The surveyed section of the Wyrley & Essington Canal from Horseley Field Junction to Perry Hall Bridge is an important wildlife corridor supporting several habitat types and a diverse range of species. The emergent aquatic flora in certain sections is particularly rich, including several plant species not commonly found in other parts of the Birmingham and Black Country canal network. The canal corridor is also an important wildlife refuge and offers excellent habitat for dragonflies, butterflies and other insects as well as water birds. It also supports healthy populations of coarse fish including roach, perch and pike. Historical records for Water Voles also exist for this stretch of the canal. The canal is fed by Chasewater Reservoir and the clarity of the water and the overall biodiversity of the canal suggest favourable water quality. However an absence of submerged aquatic plants from Dean’s Bridge onwards towards Walsall is a concern. The canal has a strong aesthetic value even though it is situated within an area consisting predominantly of light industry and housing. This is in part due to the interesting combination of wildlife and the industrial heritage found along the canal. It is also important from a recreational perspective attracting anglers, cyclists and walkers. The entire length of the canal is easily accessed by the towpath which can be reached from numerous points. A significant issue identified was extensive dog fouling along the towpath. The canal also has an important ecological significance within the wider landscape. It runs through many important Local Wildlife Sites including Pelsall Common and Rough Wood Nature Reserve. Floating Water Plantain (Luronium natans) has been recently reported from the junction between the Wyrley and Essington Canal and the Cannock extension (Trueman et al 2013). Floating Water Plantain is a nationally scarce and rare plant protected under UK law under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act. From a historical perspective the canal played a vital role in transporting coal from mines near Wyrley, Essington and New Invention to the industrial centres of Wolverhampton and Walsall. Its construction was completed in the 1790’s during the period of ‘canal mania’. It therefore has local historical significance. Overall the Wyrley and Essington canal is an important site for both wildlife and people. It has ecological, aesthetic and historical value and is commonly used by the local community to pursue a range of recreational activities.

Local Site Selection Criteria Ecological The Wyrley and Essington Canal is an important wildlife corridor supporting a range of habitat Habitat Diversity H types including grassland, hedgerows, scrub and woodland. The canal itself also provides an excellent open water habitat for wildlife.

The canal corridor is botanically species-rich. Over 170 plant species were recorded during the Species Diversity H survey including many aquatic species. It also supports a diverse range of other species including waterfowl, fish and insects.

The canal corridor supports a range of semi-natural habitats in a largely industrialised and Habitat Rarity H urbanised area of Wolverhampton. These habitats can be considered rare in built-up and densely populated areas and as such offer excellent refuge for wildlife.

Certain stretches of the Wyrley and Essington Canal support species of flora that are Rare or Uncommon in the Birmingham and Black Country area. For example, in the Walsall section Species Rarity M Floating water-plantain (Luronium natans) has been recorded. Other important records found throughout are Mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris) and White Water-lily (Nymphaea alba). There are historic records of Water Vole (Arvicola amphibious).

The surveyed section of canal covers an area of approximately 6 hectares and is large in the Size or Extent H context of Local Sites in the Birmingham & the Black Country.

The Wyrley and Essington Canal is over 200 years old. In that time large sections of the canal have developed a semi-natural character dominated by native species. These sections exhibit a Naturalness H high level of ‘naturalness’ which gives added ecological and aesthetic value not necessarily reflected in the wider landscape running adjacent to the canal.

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The Wolverhampton section of the canal forms an important wildlife corridor within the Birmingham and Black Country region. It offers good connectivity within the wider landscape, Position & Connectivity H forming important links to Local Wildlife Sites, the countryside and other parts of the canal network.

Geological

n/a No survey information available.

Social

The canals played a pivotal role during the industrial revolution, allowing for the mass transportation of raw materials and goods throughout the UK at a time when railways and highways were yet to be fully developed. The Wyrley and Essington Canal was no exception and Historical & Cultural H was built during a period of ‘canal mania’ in the 1790s. It is therefore of historical importance at both local and national level and still retains many of its original features and structures. Nowadays the canal is used mainly for recreation including cycling, angling, walking and boating holidays.

Access H Access to the towpath is unrestricted.

The canal has a high aesthetic value. It offers the visitor an interesting mix of industrial Aesthetic H archaeology and open water wildlife habitat, a combination largely unique to the canal network.

The history of the Wyrley & Essington Canal and wider network is well documented and continues Recorded History H to be studied by historians. The ecological features of the canal are recorded by the Canal & River Trust and local groups on an on-going basis.

Value for Learning H The canal is a rich local educational resource for history, biodiversity, geology and amenity.

Site Description The Wyrley & Essington Canal was completed in 1797 and ran from Horseley Fields Junction with the BCN Main Line in Wolverhampton to Huddlesford Junction near Lichfield. The canal now terminates at Ogley Junction near Brownhills. The canal was built to transport coal from mines near Wyrley, Essington and New Invention to the industrial centres of Wolverhampton and Walsall. Many branches were built to connect the Wyrley and Essington with other canals and mines within the area. However, over time many were abandoned or fell into disrepair. Fortunately several survive and still play an integral part of the canal network. For example, the Anglesey Branch at Ogley Junction carries the main source of water of the canal from Chasewater Reservoir.

For a distance of 26.5 km between Horseley Fields Junction and Ogley Junction the canal is lock-free. This section was built as a ‘contour canal’ avoiding the need for any expensive engineering works and locks. From here there were 30 locks descending to Huddlesford over a distance of 11.3km. There are plans to restore the section of canal from Ogley Junction to Huddlesford Junction (now known as the Lichfield Canal). Locally the canal is known as the ‘Curly Wyrley’ in reference to the meandering nature of the canal.

A 6km stretch of the canal was surveyed as part of the site assessment report. The main land uses which run adjacent to the canal are light industry, derelict land, housing and amenity grasslands. Many of the habitat types along the canal corridor occur mainly as linear features including the grasslands and hedgerows. The most important being the canal itself which as an open water habitat supports a diverse and abundant aquatic flora and fauna. Much of the rest of the canal corridor is rural, and it links a number of Local Sites including Pelsall North Common and Rough Wood Chase and Brownhills Common. The Cannock Extension Canal, with which it links at Pelsall North Common, is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and SSSI declared for its population of Floating Water-plantain (Luronium natans).

Habitats  Phase 1 Name Phase 1 Code Statutory BAP Priority Habitat NERC P.I. Rarity Standing Water G1 The initial sections of the canal from Horseley Field Junction contained areas of submerged flora including Spiked Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), Fan-leaved Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus circinatus) and the invasive Nuttall's Water-weed Elodea nuttallii. Mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris) was found throughout in patches. Several floating-leaved and emergent plant species were also recorded. These included Unbranched Bur-reed (Sparganium emersum), White Water-lily (Nymphaea alba) and Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibian) with Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans) present only in the initial sections from Horseley Field Junction. Other noteworthy plants included Gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus), Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata) and False Fox-sedge (Carex otrubae). The water quality appeared to be in a favourable condition and was clear for the entire length of the canal.

Marginal Vegetation F21

The emergent vegetation consisted of Branched Bur-reed (Sparganium erectum), Reed Sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima), Reedmace (Typha latifolia), Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta), Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris), Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum), Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), Narrow-leaved Water-plantain (Alisma lanceolata), Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus) and Water Mint (Mentha aquatic). Reed Sweet-grass, 2 | P a g e

Branched bur-reed and Common Club-rush occurred in long, dense strips up to 50m in length along both the off-side and tow-path edge of the canal. Bottle sedge (Carex rostrata) was also recorded between Heath Town Bridge and New Cross Bridge. This species is found only in a few localities, particularly in the north of the region, and in relatively unpolluted waters (Trueman et al 2013).

Scrub - dense/continuous A21 Areas of scrubland where scattered throughout and comprised of common species including Willows (Salix spp.), Silver Birch (Betula pendula) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) often growing with Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and tall-herb species including Nettle (Urtica dioica), Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum).

Neutral grassland B2

Neutral grassland occurred as long thin strips along both sides of the towpath. These were dominated by species including False Oat- grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), Perennial Rye-grass (Lolium perenne), Creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera) and Red Fescue (Festuca rubra). A number of common perennial forbs were recorded including White Clover (Trifolium repens), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and Greater Plantain (Plantago major). The grasslands usually graded into areas consisting of tall ruderal growth.

Hedgerow J21 and J23

Hedgerows, largely dominated by Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), occurred throughout particularly along the canal towpath side. Other recorded species included Ash, Sycamore, Oak (Quercus robur) Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and Field Maple (Acer campestre). These hedgerows sometimes formed long continuous strips and were only interrupted by areas of scrub and tall herb. Most of these hedgerows appeared to have been planted. There was also evidence to suggest that hedge laying had taken place sometime in the past. These hedgerows usually graded into the tall herb and then neutral grassland towards the towpath.

Woodland A1

Woodlands mainly occurred as linear features on both sides of the canal and usually marked the boundary of the canal corridor. On the offside of the canal these linear woodlands would sometimes form the boundary between the canal and the embankment. This creates an impression of dense woodland on the offside of the canal and obscures the view beyond. These woodlands comprised mainly of Ash, Willow spp., Horse chestnut, Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Silver Birch and Sycamore. Sometimes these woodlands would extend beyond the canal corridor and create larger areas of woodland. A significant area of woodland occurred in section WV020:8B between Pinfold Bridge and Wards Bridge. This was composed of two compartments. The more southerly compartment was an area of even- aged plantation woodland. The more northerly compartment approaching Wards Bridge contained many mature trees and was older and more established. This should be included as part of the SINC assessment.

NOTE

Species of Note [1] Flora NERC Species Common Name Statutory BAP P.S. RL Rarity Date P.I. Carex rostrata Bottle sedge R 11.09.13 Ceratophyllum demersum Rigid Hornwort U 17.08.11 Dactylorhiza praetermissa Southern Marsh-orchid U 2004 Hippuris vulgaris Mare's-tail R 11.09.13 Myriophyllum spicatum Spiked Water-milfoil U 17.08.11 Nymphaea alba White Water-lily U 11.09.13 Ranunculus circinatus Fan-leaved Water-crowfoot VR 17.08.11 Notes Fauna NERC Species Common Name Statutory BAP P.S. RL Concern Date P.I. Arvicola amphibius Water Vole WCA S5 Y Y 1997 Notes

Invasive Species [2]

Species Common Name Location Abundance (DAFOR) Elodea nuttallii Nuttall's Water-weed Throughout initial sections of F canal from Horseley Field (not found in the 2013 survey i.e. Junction Dean’s Bridge to Perry Hall Bridge) Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed Sparse occurrences O throughout Notes

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Geology Glacio-fluvial till overlying bedrock of siltstones and sandstones. In the north of the survey area the Solid/Drift Formation till overlies the Lower Coal Measures. Description No survey information available.

Soils The vegetation along most of the corridor suggests that the soils are mostly relatively neutral.

Comparison with Previous Survey(s) Results Both the current and the previous report produced in 2011 show a continuation in the quality in the terrestrial and aquatic habitat throughout the surveyed section of canal. However, the apparent absence of submerged aquatic plants in latter sections is a concern. Both habitat types however appear to be in favourable condition. The previous report mentioned that the canal had improved significantly compared to site conditions recorded in 1989. This demonstrates that on-going management is having a positive effect on the canal. There was no obvious pollution noted during the most recent survey. However fly-tipping remains a problem in certain sections of the canal and should be addressed.

Public Access & Site usage Land Use Canal corridor. Access Level Unrestricted. Access Type(s) Permissive.

Summary of Assessment The Wyrley & Essington Canal from Horseley Field Junction to Perry Hall Bridge is an important wildlife corridor supporting several habitat types and a diverse range of species. At certain sections the aquatic flora is particularly rich supporting several plant species not commonly found in other parts of the Birmingham and Black Country canal network. It offers good connectivity within the wider landscape forming important links to Local Wildlife Sites, the countryside and other parts of the canal network. It has a strong ecological, aesthetic, educational and historical value and is commonly used by the local community to pursue a range of recreational activities. It is therefore an important site for both wildlife and people. When assessed against the Birmingham & Black Country Local Sites Selection Criteria the surveyed section of the Wyrley & Essington Canal scores either High or Medium against each of the ecological and social criteria. The site therefore meets the threshold for selection as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

Further Survey & Outline Management Recommendations 1 Where necessary fly tipping in the canal should be addressed in order to further enhance the aesthetic value of the canal. 2 It is recommended that coir rolls are installed along certain sections of the canal where hard landscaping has prevented the establishment of emergent vegetation. This technique has been successfully trialled by the Canal and River Trust in other sections of the canal network. 3 Southern Marsh-orchid has been recorded on the area of mown grassland close to Horseley Fields Junction in recent years. The cutting regime of this area should be checked and altered to late summer cut and collect with aftermath mowing if required. 4 It is recommended that more intense aquatic plant surveys with a grapnel are carried out as part of a broader monitoring programme. This is recommended to assess whether submerged plants are present throughout the canal. 5 It is important to further our understanding of the canal corridor and the role it plays within the wider landscape. It is therefore recommended that surveys extend to other faunal groups including mammals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates and adjust any management plans to reflect the overall aims and objectives of the site where necessary.

Document Information Habitat Data Source(s) 17/08/2011 Simon Atkinson (B&BCWT). (most recent first) 11/09/2013 Mike Poulton and Peter Koryl (Land Care Associates Ltd) 17/08/2011 Simon Atkinson B&BCWT. Species Data Source(s) 11/09/2013 Mike Poulton and Peter Koryl (Land Care Associates Ltd) (most recent first) Trueman, I., Poulton, M. and Reade, P. (2013) Flora of the Birmingham and Black Country. Berkshire: Pisces Publications.

Geology Data Source(s) British Geological Society 1:625,000 bedrock & superficial deposits GIS layers from BGS website: (most recent first) www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/browse.cfm?sec=6&cat=11 Historic Information Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. 2013. History of the Wyrley and Essington canal 4 | P a g e

Sources(s) [ONLINE] Available: http://www.lhcrt.org.uk/history.htm [Accessed 27th September 2013]

Wyrley & Essington Canal. 2013. Wyrley & Essington Canal. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/wyrley-and-essington-canal. [Accessed 27th September 2013].

Willenhall through the ages. 2013. Canals, Roads, and Railways [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/Willenhall/Transport.htm [Accessed 27th September 2013]

[1] HABITATS/SPECIES OF NOTE TABLES – ATTRIBUTE DEFINITIONS STATUTORY (PROTECTED) - EHD = EU Habitats Directive (plus where relevant the Annexe II or IV). PBA = Protection of Badgers Act 1992. WCA S1 = Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 1 (birds protected at all times). WCA S5 = Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 5 (animals with various levels of protection). WCA S8 = Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 8 (higher and lower plants with various levels of protection). BAP – Habitats/Species included on current UK BAP list of Priority Habitats/Species. NERC P.I. - Habitats/Species included on current list of Principal Importance in England under Section 41 of the NERC Act (2006). RL - Species included on Global IUCN & British Red Lists (Red Data Books). RARITY (HABITATS) - BIRMINGHAM & BLACK COUNTRY - Habitats included on the B&BC list of locally rare habitats (administered by EcoRecord). RARITY (FLORA SPECIES) - BIRMINGHAM & BLACK COUNTRY - (based on data held and managed by EcoRecord). VR = Very Rare - a species present in less than 1.0% of 1Km squares, tetrads, or 5Km squares in B&BC. R = Rare - a species present in 1.0% - 4.3% of 1Km squares, tetrads, or 5Km squares in B&BC. U = Uncommon - a species present in 4.3% - 12% of 1Km squares, tetrads or 5Km squares in B&BC. CONCERN (FAUNA SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN) - Birds: R = Red List - species that are Globally Threatened according to the International Union for Nature Conservation criteria; those whose population or range has declined rapidly in recent years; and those that have declined historically and not shown a substantial recent recovery. A = Amber List - species with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe; those whose population or range has declined moderately in recent years; those whose population has declined historically but made a substantial recent recovery; rare breeders; and those with internationally important or localised populations. Mammals: ND = National Decline and ED = England Decline as measured by the Mammal Societies Table of Recent Population Changes in the Native Species of Land Mammals. Invertebrates: RD = Regional Decline identified in Butterfly Conservation West Midlands Regional Action Plan. DATE - The most recent date the species has been recorded.

[2] Species listed on Schedule 9 part 1 (animals) and part 2 (plants) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended - this lists animals which may not be released or allowed to escape into the wild and plants which may not be planted or otherwise caused to grow in the wild

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Species Records: Wyrley and Essington Canal - 17th September 2011

Flora WV020:1 Horseley Fields Junction – Railway Bridge (17th September 2011) Scientific Name Common Name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Armoracia rusticana Horse-radish Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Aster sp. a michaelmas-daisy Bellis perennis Daisy Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Betula pendula Silver Birch Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus a soft-brome Bryonia dioica White Bryony Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Ceratophyllum demersum Rigid Hornwort Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane Cotoneaster sp. a cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's-tail Cytisus scoparius Broom Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Daucus carota ssp. carota Wild Carrot Dryopteris filix-mas agg. Male Fern Elodea nuttallii Nuttall's Water-weed Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Geranium molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare's-tail Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax

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Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Malva sylvestris Common Mallow Mentha aquatica Water Mint Myriophyllum spicatum Spiked Water-milfoil Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Poa pratensis sens.lat. Smooth Meadow-grass Potamogeton natans Broad-leaved Pondweed Prunus laurocerasus Cherry Laurel Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Ranunculus circinatus Fan-leaved Water-crowfoot Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Riccia fluitans a liverwort Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Rumex crispus Curled Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Sagittaria sagittifolia Arrowhead Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix cinerea Grey Willow Salix x sepulcralis Weeping Willow nothovar. chrysocoma Sambucus nigra Elder Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Senecio squalidus Oxford Ragwort Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Sisymbrium orientale Eastern Rocket Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sorbus aria agg. Whitebeam Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Tanacetum vulgare Tansy Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Urtica dioica Common Nettle Vicia sepium Bush Vetch

WV020:2 Railway Bridge – Dean’s Road Bridge (17th September 2011) Scientific Name Common Name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alisma plantago-aquatica Water-plantain Alnus glutinosa Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort

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Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Betula sp. a birch Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Clematis vitalba Traveller's Joy Cotoneaster sp. a cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard Cytisus scoparius Broom Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Dryopteris filix-mas agg. Male Fern Elodea nuttallii Nuttall's Water-weed Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum Hoary Willowherb Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare's-tail Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Medicago lupulina Black Medick Myriophyllum spicatum Spiked Water-milfoil Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Potamogeton natans Broad-leaved Pondweed Ranunculus circinatus Fan-leaved Water-crowfoot Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Riccia fluitans a liverwort Rosa arvensis Field Rose Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix cinerea Grey Willow Salix sp. a sallow Sambucus nigra Elder Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Tanacetum vulgare Tansy Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover

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Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Urtica dioica Common Nettle

Birds (17th September 2011)

Scientific Name Common Name Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Cygnus olor Mute Swan Fulica atra Coot Gallinula chloropus Moorhen

Fish (17th September 2011)

Scientific Name Common Name Abramis brama Bream Cyprinus carpio Carp Tinca tinca Tench

Invertebrates (17th September 2011)

Scientific Name Common Name Aglais urticae Small Tortoiseshell Anodonta cygnea Swan Mussel Apidae sp. a bee Coccinella septempunctata Seven-spot Ladybird Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar Zygoptera sp. a damselfly

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Species Records: Wyrley and Essington Canal - 16th Septemeber 2013

WV020:3 Deans Road Bridge - Heath Town Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aegopodium podagraria Ground-elder Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alisma lanceolata Narrow-leaved Water-plantain Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s Water-cress Armoracia rusticana Horseradish Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall-rue Asplenium scolopendrium Hart’s-tongue Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Betula pendula Silver Birch Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Circium arvense Creeping Thistle Cotoneaster sp. A Cotoneaster Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Lamium album White Dead-nettle Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Lotus corniculatus Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear Hawkweed Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Sonchus arvensis Perennial Sow-thistle Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Urtica dioica Common Nettle 10 | P a g e

Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein Vulpia myuros Rat’s-tail Fescue

WV020:4 Heath Town Bridge - New Cross Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alnus cordata Italian Alder Alnus glutinosa Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s Water-cress Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Bidens frondosa Beggarticks Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Carex rostrata Bottle Sedge Castanea sativa Hornbeam Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-summer Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum Hoary Willow-herb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Geranium pusillum Small-flowered Crane’s-bill Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hieracium sp a Hawkweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Humulus lupulus Hop Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Lamium album White Dead-nettle Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Ligustrum ovalifolium Garden Privet Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Medicago lupulina Black Medick Mentha aquatica Water Mint Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Salix caprea Goat Willow 11 | P a g e

Salix fragilis Crack Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sorbus intermedia Swedish Whitebeam Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Urtica dioica Common Nettle Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Vicia sepium Bush Vetch

WV020:5 New Cross Bridge - Rookery Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aethusa cynapium Fool’s Parsley Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alnus glutinosa Alder Alnus incana Grey Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s Water-cress Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall-rue Betula pendula Silver Birch Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Castanea sativa Hornbeam Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Circium vulgaris Spear Thistle Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane Cornus sanguinea Dogwood Corylus avellana Hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Epilobium roseum Pale Willowherb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hieracium sp a Hawkweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed 12 | P a g e

Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosetrife Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Mentha aquatica Water Mint Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Polygonum aviculare agg. Knot-grass Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil Prunus avium Wild Cherry Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Salix caprea Goat Willow Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Senecio squalidus Oxford Ragwort Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Stellaria media Common Chickweed Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Urtica dioica Common Nettle Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Vicia sativa ssp. segetalis Common Vetch

WV020:6 Rookery Bridge - Church Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer platanoides Norway Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane Cornus sanguinea Dogwood Cotoneaster salicifolia Willow-leaved Cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk’s-beard 13 | P a g e

Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Geranium robertianum Herb-robert Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Medicago lupulina Black Medick Mentha aquatica Water Mint Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Polygonum aviculare agg. Knot-grass Populus x canadensis Hybrid Black Poplar Prunus avium Wild Cherry Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rosa canina agg. Dog Rose Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Salix fragilis Crack Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sorbus aria agg. Whitebeam Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Stellaria media Common Chickweed Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey Syringa vulgaris Lilac Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Urtica dioica Common Nettle

WV020:7 Church Bridge - Pinfold Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Aethusa cynapium Fool’s Parsley 14 | P a g e

Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Arctium minus Lesser Burdock Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Atriplex patula Common Orache Bellis perennis Daisy Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Circium arvense Creeping Thistle Circium vulgare Spear Thistle Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane Cotoneaster x watereri Waterer’s Cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Geranium robertianum Herb-robert Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lotus corniculatus Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosetrife Malus pumila Apple Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Prunus avium Wild Cherry Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Solidago canadensis Canadian Golden-rod Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Stellaria media Common Chickweed Syringa vulgaris Lilac Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Urtica dioica Common Nettle

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WV020:8 Pinfold Bridge - Wards Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aesculus hippocastanum Horse-chestnut Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alisma lanceolata Narrow-leaved Water-plantain Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Circium arvense Creeping Thistle Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane Cornus sanguinea Dogwood Corylus avellana Hazel Cotoneaster horizontalis Wall Cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium ciliatum American Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Epilobium roseum Pale Willowherb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Hedera helix Ivy Hieracium sp a Hawkweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Ilex aquifolium Holly Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum Yellow Archangel Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Prunus domestica Wild Plum Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix fragilis Crack Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard 16 | P a g e

Sonchus arvensis Perennial Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Stellaria media Common Chickweed Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Urtica dioica Common Nettle Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet

WV020:9 Wards Bridge - Moat House Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer campestre Field Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alchemilla mollis Soft Lady’s-mantle Alisma lanceolata Narrow-leaved Water-plantain Alnus glutinosa Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s Water-cress Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-summer Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Circium arvense Creeping Thistle Cornus sanguinea Dogwood Corylus avellana Hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk’s-beard Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Fallopia baldschuanica Russian-vine Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hedera helix Ivy Hieracium sp a Hawkweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Ilex aquifolium Holly Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort 17 | P a g e

Mentha aquatica Water Mint Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Pilosella aurantiaicum Fox-and-cubs Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Prunus avium Wild Cherry Prunus domestica Wild Plum Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rosa canina agg. Dog Rose Rosa rugosa Japanese Rose Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Salix fragilis Crack Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Sonchus arvensis Perennial Sow-thistle Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Urtica dioica Common Nettle

WV020: 10 Moat House Bridge - Devil’s Elbow Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer platanoides Norway Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Alnus glutinosa Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s Water-cress Armoracia rusticana Horseradish Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Asplenium scolopendrium Hart’s-tongue Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-summer Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb 18 | P a g e

Circium arvense Creeping Thistle Corylus avellana Hazel Cotoneaster horizontalis Wall Cotoneaster Cotoneaster rehderi Bullate Cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Geranium endressii French Crane’s-bill Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Medicago lupulina Black Medick Mentha aquatica Water Mint Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Polygonum aviculare agg. Knot-grass Prunus avium Wild Cherry Prunus domestica Wild Plum Prunus laurocerasus Cherry Laurel Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Ranunculus lingua Greater Spearwort Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Reseda luteola Weld Rhus typhina Stag’s-horn Sumach Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Stellaria media Common Chickweed Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Ulex europaeus Gorse Urtica dioica Common Nettle

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Viburnum opulus Guelder-rose Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch

WV020: 11 Devil’s Elbow Bridge – Olinthus Bridge Scientific name Common name Acer campestre Field Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alnus glutinosa Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Buddleja x weyeriana Weyer’s Butterfly-bush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Geranium robertianum Herb-robert Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Prunus avium Wild Cherry Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rorippa amphibia Greater Yellow-cress Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Salix cinerea Grey Willow Salix fragilis Crack Willow Salix x sepulcraris Weeping Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch

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WV020: 12 Olinthus Bridge – Castle Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alnus glutinosa Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine Circium arvense Creeping Thistle Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Fallopia baldschuanica Russian-vine Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hieracium sp. a Hawkweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Ilex aquifolium Holly Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia-creeper Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Polygonum aviculare agg. Knot-grass Populus alba White Prunus avium Wild Cherry Prunus domestica Wild Plum Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rhus typhina Stag’s-horn Sumach Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Salix caprea Goat Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed

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Stellaria media Common Chickweed Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Tilia x europaea Common Lime Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Ulex europaeus Gorse Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Vicia sepium Bush Vetch

WV020: 13 Castle Bridge – Perry Hall Bridge (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alisma lanceolata Narrow-leaved Water-plantain Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s Water-cress Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Asplenium scolopendrium Hart’s-tongue Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hedera helix Ivy Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Ilex aquifolium Holly Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Ligustrum ovalifolium Garden Privet Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Polygonum aviculare agg. Knot-grass Prunus laurocerasus Cherry Laurel Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Riccia fluitans Crystalwort Rosa canina agg. Dog Rose Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock 22 | P a g e

Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix fragilis Crack Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium repens White Clover Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Ulex europaeus Gorse Urtica dioica Common Nettle Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch

Complete Botanical Species List (16th September 2013) Scientific name Common name Acer campestre Field Maple Acer platanoides Norway Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aegopodium podagraria Ground-elder Aesculus hippocastanum Horse-chestnut Aethusa cynapium Fool’s Parsley Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Alchemilla mollis Soft Lady’s-mantle Alisma lanceolata Narrow-leaved Water-plantain Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Alnus cordata Italian Alder Alnus glutinosa Alder Alnus incana Grey Alder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s Water-cress Arctium minus Lesser Burdock Armoracia rusticana Horseradish Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall-rue Asplenium scolopendrium Hart’s-tongue Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Atriplex patula Common Orache Bellis perennis Daisy Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Betula pendula Silver Birch Bidens frondosa Beggarticks Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush Buddleja x weyeriana Weyer’s Butterfly-bush Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge 23 | P a g e

Carex rostrata Bottle Sedge Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-summer Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine Circium arvense Creeping Thistle Circium vulgaris Spear Thistle Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane Cornus sanguinea Dogwood Corylus avellana Hazel Cotoneaster horizontalis Wall Cotoneaster Cotoneaster rehderi Bullate Cotoneaster Cotoneaster salicifolia Willow-leaved Cotoneaster Cotoneaster sp. A Cotoneaster Cotoneaster x watereri Waterer’s Cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk’s-beard Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium ciliatum American Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum Hoary Willow-herb Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge Fallopia baldschuanica Russian-vine Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Geranium endressii French Crane’s-bill Geranium pusillum Small-flowered Crane’s-bill Geranium robertianum Herb-robert Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hieracium sp. a Hawkweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare’s-tail Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Humulus lupulus Hop Ilex aquifolium Holly Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel ssp. argentatum Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Ligustrum ovalifolium Garden Privet Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Lotus corniculatus Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil

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Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosetrife Malus pumila Apple Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Medicago lupulina Black Medick Mentha aquatica Water Mint Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia-creeper Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Pilosella aurantiaicum Fox-and-cubs Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear Hawkweed Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Polygonum aviculare agg. Knot-grass Populus alba White Populus x canadensis Hybrid Black Poplar Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil Prunus avium Wild Cherry Prunus domestica Wild Plum Prunus laurocerasus Cherry Laurel Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus lingua Greater Spearwort Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Reseda luteola Weld Rhus typhina Stag’s-horn Sumach Riccia fluitans Crystalwort Rorippa amphibia Greater Yellow-cress Rosa canina agg. Dog Rose Rosa rugosa Japanese Rose Rubus fruticosa agg. Bramble Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex hydrolapathum Water Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix cinerea Grey Willow Salix fragilis Crack Willow Salix x sepulcraris Weeping Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Senecio squalidus Oxford Ragwort Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Sisymbrium officinalis Hedge Mustard Solidago canadensis Canadian Golden-rod Sonchus arvensis Perennial Sow-thistle Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Sorbus aria agg. Whitebeam Sorbus intermedia Swedish Whitebeam Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed

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Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort Stellaria media Common Chickweed Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey Syringa vulgaris Lilac Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Tilia x europaea Common Lime Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Ulex europaeus Gorse Urtica dioica Common Nettle Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Viburnum opulus Guelder-rose Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Vicia sativa ssp. segetalis Common Vetch Vicia sepium Bush Vetch Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet Vulpia myuros Rat’s-tail Fescue

Birds (16th September 2013)

Scientic name Common name Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Branta canadensis Canada Goose Buteo buteo Buzzard Columba palumbus Woodpigeon Corvus corone Carrion Crow Cygnus olor Mute Swan Fulica atra Coot Gallinula chloropus Moorhen Passer domesticus House Sparrow Pica pica Magpie Turdus merula Blackbird

Fish (16th September 2013)

Scientific name Common name Anguilla anguilla European Eel (reported by fisherman) Esox lucius Pike Perca fluviatilis Perch Rutilus rutilus Roach

Invertebrates (16th September 2013)

Scientific name Common name Aeshna grandis Brown Hawker Aeshna mixta Migrant Hawker Pararge aegeria Speckled Wood Pieris brassicae Large White Pieris rapae Small White Sympetrum striolatum Common Darter

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Mammals (16th September 2013)

Scientific name Common name Rattus norvegicus Brown Rat

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Site photographs taken in September 2011

View looking south towards Horseley Fields Junction (with Birmingham Main Line Canal) approximately 75m from the junction. There are recent records of Southern Marsh-orchid growing in the area of mown grassland.

Basin between Horseley Fields Junction and Qualcast Road.

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Site photographs taken in September 2011 cont…

Derelict industrial buildings along corridor with vegetation having colonised brickwork. Abundant aquatic vegetation may be seen.

This railway bridge forms the boundary between sections WV020:1 and WV020:2.

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Site photographs taken in September 2011 cont…

View looking south from near to northern section of WV020:2. This little-used canal supports abundant aquatic flora including strips of emergent vegetation along canal margins. To the right is an area of derelict land with a section of dismantled railway line. To the left are residential properties and small industrial units.

Deans Road Bridge – northern end of section WV020:2.

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Site photographs taken in September 2013

Halfway between Deans Rd Bridge and Heath Town Bridge, remnants of an old railway bridge remain. A modern structure now stands roughly where the bridge crossed the canal. The towpath verges consist of neutral grassland and tall herb.

Between Heath Town Bridge and New Cross Bridge a relatively new housing development exists on the opposite side of the canal towpath. A long strip of emergent vegetation extends throughout this section on the offside of the canal towpath comprising of Branched Bur-reed, Bulrush, Reed Sweet-grass and Common Club-rush.

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Site photographs taken in September 2013 cont…

The Wyrley and Essington Canaloffers the visitor an interesting combination of canal heritage and wildlife. Towpaths are generally in a good state of repair and give good access to canal users. The picture above shows a section of canal next to New Cross Bridge.

The canal has a high aesthetic value in an otherewise largely urbanised area. Housing exists beyond the tree line to the left of the photograph.

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Site photographs taken in September 2013 cont…

Modern features such as this bridge add extra interest amongst a backdrop of natural and built-up environments.

Certain sections of the canal exhibit a high level of ‘naturalness’. Semi-natural habitats combine with hedgerows, tall herb and scrub to create a mosaic of habitats.

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Site photographs taken in September 2013 cont…

Many private gardens back onto the canal. Large areas of Reed Sweet-grass with Flowering Rush can be encountered along the canal towpath.

Extensive areas of Common Club-rush exist along the surveyed section of the canal as shown above. Dog walkers regularly use the canal and as a consequence dog fouling was highlighted as being an issue.

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Site photographs taken in September 2013 cont…

Linear hedgerows exist throughout the towpath side of the canal. They are usually dominated by Hawthorn, although other hedgerow species include Ash, Field Maple and Sycamore. They usually grade into tall herb then grassland.

Aquatic floating-leaved plants such White Water-lily and Yellow Water-lily are found together and create long continuous patches throughout the canal. The water is very clear, enabling visitors to observe fish and other aquatic life.

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