2024 County Report for Huntingdonshire

Pat Doody

I have carried out only limited recording this year. However, there are 1198 records from various sites within the VC. One personal highlight was refinding Himantoglossum hircinum (Lizard Orchid, just one tall plant) under a hedge in the west of the county. Other finds included Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder's-tongue fern) and Menyanthese trifoliata (Bog Bean) in Hinchingbrooke Country Park. Of interest is the presence of Catapodium rigidum subsp. majus (Fern-grass), spotted in a small grassland road verge along with Saxifraga tridactylites Rue-leaved Saxifrage in Brampton where I live.

I continue to lead annual walks around a lowland hay meadow, Portholme Meadow SSSI near Huntingdon, as far as we know the only site for Fritillaria meleagris (Snake's Head Fritillary) in VC 31.  The photograph shows one of three information boards placed at the three entrances. I provided the photographs and text, which includes details of the lowland meadow flora and fauna, its management and history, with funding from the Looker Energy Environmental Fund.

I hope to come to terms with verifying the large list of plants from my VC this year.