Desford - Hunts Lane verge
Selected Wild Place / Other Wild Places / Public Rights of Way / VC55 boundary
The verge is located on Hunts Lane, to the west of the village, near to the cemetery.
Road verge
In 2024, the verge area was extended towards the roundabout.
Total species seen at this site:
This verge is being managed to improve biodiversity as part of the County Council/Parish Council verges biodiversity trial. It has been surveyed annually since 2021 by NatureSpot but we would welcome additional wildlife records from the community, whether plants, animals or fungi.
The aim of the project is to demonstrate that by managing the grassland as a wildflower meadow it can support a much greater diversity of wildlife species. Different species come and go throughout the year so we will get a much better understanding of the biodiversity value of this site if local residents can add records of what they have seen. Please take a photo if possible and include it with your record, using NatureSpot's Submit Records form. Once checked and accepted your record and any photos will appear on this page!
The verge is now being managed differently to help wildlife. No mowing takes place between April and August to allow the grasses and wildflowers to grow and bloom. In some cases, verges will also have additional native wildflower species added, either as seed or as plug plants.
A list of all the species found at the site, together with any images taken, appears below. Any records and images you submit for the verge will be automatically added to this page.
The verge has been assessed as good quality grassland with a healthy floral diversity. Parts of the verge appear to be lower in nutrients allowing small plants such as Ribwort Plantain and Daisy to thrive. A small patch of Crested Dogstail grass is present and this is usually an indicator of well-established and quality grassland. The hedge at the rear of the verge is comprised mainly of Hawthorn but with the occasional Elder and Holly. Two Small-leaved Lime trees grow in the centre of the verge.
The 2022 survey added 8 new plant species, including Common Bent and Creeping Bent grasses, plus Autumn Hawkbit - all additional indicators of quality grassland.
The establishment of Yellow Rattle (sown in Autumn 2022) has helped the habitat to develop, as this wildflower is a semi-parasite of grasses, reducing their vigour which allows space for other plants.
Commercial wildflower seed was added in late 2023. This has resulted in extensive Corncockle growth, which whilst colourful, isn't normally a plant of permanent meadow grassland. As it is an annual (typically found in disturbed arable fields) it can be expected to diminish significantly in future years.
The records and images below may include those from adjacent sites if the grid reference submitted with these records overlaps the boundary of this Wild Place.
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.