The Wilden Marsh Blog
A nature conservation blog about the fauna and flora of Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Lower Stour Valley, Worcestershire, England.
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It’s that time of the year again when grass growth quickens as the growing season gets underway. Tiny double leaved sprouts of the dreaded Himalayan balsam plant are now pushing above ground. Initially introduced to the UK in 1839, Himalayan balsam quickly outgrows competition and is widely known as Bizzie Lizzie, Indian Balsam and Policeman’s Helmet. It is the tallest annual plant found in the British Isles and grows to more than 2-3 metres in height. Each… Read More
I went toading at North Pond last night. The video below shows a few of the thousands of toads using this mating pond. It was a clear night with a full moon. The weather and conditions were perfect for toad watching. There was lots of floating frog spawn, but not many frogs singing. (Click image to view video)
Heavy rain in and around Kidderminster resulted in the River Stour breaking its banks and flooding the marsh a week last Saturday night. A kind Wyre Forest Ranger messaged me and offered to move the cattle to higher ground on that Saturday morning (thanks Adam Hamilton). A week later and the rain was still falling on a thoroughly waterlogged marsh. The River Stour water level gauge app on my phone indicated a… Read More
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