INTRODUCTION TO THE WILD FLOWER LIST
by Dr Peter Hill
The Wild Flower List has been compiled to help users of the Nature Reserve enjoy the great variety of flowers that we are fortunate to have growing in the Reserve. Data from surveys carried out in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 2001 and 2003 are listed in Appendix 3 of the Darley and Nutwood Wildlife Site Management Plan, 2007 – 2011 prepared by Nick Law for the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
The current Management Plan (2018-2027), pages 7 and 8, and pages 11-18, describes the different habitat areas (compartments) in the Reserve; these are shown in the Map below. You can find a larger copy in the Management Plan (2018-2027), page 24, which can be accessed at the right hand side of the front page of the website.
No systematic surveys of wild flowers had been conducted since 2003 when 97 species were recorded. As local residents we had the advantage of visiting regularly from late February until mid-October and identified a total of 138 species in 2012; 93 of these were recorded in 2003. A further 25 species had been observed in one or more years from 1987 to 2001 and 20 species were recorded for the first time in 2012. Since then, a further 19 species have been added to the records, giving a total of about 160 species that can be found on the Reserve. You will see that there are currently 10 species with a "Notify us" label. These are species recorded in earlier surveys but have not been recorded for at least 15 years. No doubt, there are other species still waiting to be spotted! It is particularly exciting that we have 5 orchid species on the Reserve, including Pyramidal orchids. I am very grateful to Peter Bunting, Keith Dodd and David Hughes for some of the flower photos.
From the menu at the right hand side of the front page of the Wild Flower list, you can sort by month, by location (compartment) or by Flower family. Note that the filters are cumulative; you need to remove the filter (click on the "x") to return to the complete list.
I am just an interested amateur so any help in correcting identification errors or in recording additional species will be greatly appreciated. Please do get in touch via this website.
Finally, please encourage all users of the Nature Reserve to respect – and enjoy – the wonderful variety of flowers growing in this amazing wildlife area.
