Langmere Green (Common)
Langmere Green is an attractive and floristically rich area of common land, consisting mainly of semi-improved neutral grassland and valuable patches verging on unimproved around the common edges. A small stream runs west to east across the northern portion of the site, widening into open water near the centre. A strip of scrub along the southern boundary adds to the diversity of this compact common.
The principal area (south of the stream) is open, and supports moderately species-rich grassland. Within the sward are found cow parsley, common sorrel, ribwort plantain, meadow buttercup, knapweed, hogweed, broad-leaved dock, germander speedwell and lesser stitchwort. To the north of the stream, the grassland harbours several wet depressions where marshier flora can be found such as the elegant cuckoo flower and frothy cream flowers of meadowsweet. The botanical diversity increases as the meadow meets the stream where it also includes abundant yarrow, cut-leaved cranesbill, bedstraws, willow herbs and common mouse-ear.
A swathe of blackthorn scrub running along the southern boundary of the site is a valuable haven to birds and invertebrates – you may even be lucky enough to see or hear the ever declining turtle dove that is periodically spotted on site.
At the northern end of the site, the stream widens in the centre of the green to form a shallow pool. Species found within and around it includes yellow flag iris, water-mint, marsh marigold, Lombardy poplar, willows and greater pond sedge.
A dry ditch bank along the western boundary supports a high sward where common vetch, white campion and hedge woundwort can all be found. In addition to a range of flora, Langmere Green also offers a number of interesting bird species to spot including tree creepers, turtle doves and green woodpeckers.
From Dickleburgh (east), follow Harvey Lane (later connecting to Langmere Road at the Junction with Hall Lane), and the Common is around 1km along Langmere Road on the right, with parking space at the Common’s northeast corner.