Eleven intrepid souls ventured out on the longest day of the year. Practically mid Summer, it couldn’t rain that hard or for that long could it? Despite the weather a good morning botanising was to ensue.

First encounter was with a splendid specimen of Sea Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum ssp maritimus. On the first section of the beach we found large numbers of, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Brookweed, Samolus valerandi, Strawberry Clover, Trifolium fragiferum and Sea Milkwort, Glaux maritima. Toad Rush, Juncus bufonius agg. Fool’s Watercress, Apium nodiflorum and Eyebright, Euphrasia spp. Were doing very well. The conditions suited them if not us!

Forgetmenots are not easy to work out at the best of times, but when the books are getting wetter by the minute it does not really help. Even so Tufted, Myosotis laxa and Changing Forgetmenot, Myosotis discolor were certainties before the book got too wet. Garden Angelica, Angelica archangelica was an impressive sight with Hemlock Water Dropwort, Oenanthe crocata. Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus and Water Cress, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, the real one this time, were found around the pool edges, along with Marsh Bedstraw, Galium palustre.

Turning into the dunes for a bit of respite we were cheered up by stands of Red Hot Poker, Kniphofia uvaria trying to be bright even on a day like this. Now the ground is drier, believe it or not, Houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale, Sand Sedge, Carex arenaria and Wild Parsnip, Pastinaca sativa make their presence known.

A nice sheltered slack rewarded our endeavours with Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata, in flower and Marsh Helleborine, Epipactus palustris, two species worth seeing at any time. Common Milkwort, Polygala vulgaris, Dewberry, Rubus caesius and Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralias were looking good despite the weather. A single specimen of Common Broomrape, Orobanche minor was found parasitising Restharrow, Ononis repens.

It was at about this time that the weather degenerated even more. It was time to call it a day, but whilst making a dash to the cars we did take the time to notice Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfiolata and Lesser Spearwort, Ranunculus flammula.

We certainly got the best out of a poor day weatherwise, but enough was enough!

Many thanks to a brave P at Lockwood for leading the session under such poor conditions.

                                                                                                                                 Peter Tipping.