Ipsley Alders Marsh (Redditch)

 interesting place, Site of Special Scientific Interest - SSSI (UK)

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Site of Special. Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981.
The site consists essentially of a meadow within which is a marsh receiving calcium-rich
water from springs arising from the underlying Triassic Keuper Mails. This is an unusual
habitat, and Ipsley Alders Marsh is the only sizeable area that now exists in the West
Midlands.
The main marsh communities are dominated by tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa,
soft rush Juncus effusus, marsh horsetail Equisetum palustre and hemp agrimony
Eupatorium cannabinum. Particularly important are the large stands of blunt-flowered rush
Juncus subnodulosus, a local plant associated with calcareous flushes.
The eastern part of the site is drier which is reflected in the grassland community which has
such species as adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum, cowslip Primula veris and devil’s-
bit scabious Succisa pratensis. This part of the site also has numerous ant hills of the
yellow meadow ant Lazius flavus, indicating the undisturbed nature of the grassland.
The northern part of the site is crossed by a small stream fringed by a belt of alder Alnus
glutinosa woodland. This stream and two small ponds which are present on the site are
important for birds and attract such species as kingfisher Alcedo atthis and heron Ardea
cinerea.
The Marsh itself provides a valuable breeding site for snipe Gallinago gallinago. The area
also has a very large breeding population of reed bunting Emberiza schoeniculus, whose
nests are often parasitised by the cuckoo Cuculus canorus.
The site is surrounded on most sides by dense tall hedgerows. These, together with the
scattering of isolated large trees mainly pedunculate oak Quercus robur and pollard willows
Salix alba and S. fragilis provide a screen from the adjoining housing development and a
valuable additional wildlife habitat.