I have not previously blogged about the Golden Dock as it tends to appear in the conservation areas which are not accessible to the public. Not this year! I am pleased to report the Golden Dock has appeared in very public part of the reserve right next door to the Discovery Centre and under the noses of the DC staff!
This a Dorset Rarity. It has long been known at what was it's only site over at Lodmoor. In 2009 a further 50 plants were discovered at Overcombe when several members of the Dorset Group and myself surveyed the area.
In the winter of 2007 the ditches at Radipole were cleared. In August of 2008 our former Site Manager, Nick Tomlinson, found some plants at the edges of one of the ditches that had been cleared. This was the first time the Golden Dock had been recorded at Radipole since 1960. More plants were subsequently found on ground which had been disturbed during the restoration of the North End of the reserve. The RSPB are the custodians of the only sites in Dorset where this scarce dock appears.
Last year I was delighted to discover the Golden Dock on the island in front of the Discovery Centre while I was looking through the telescope. It was September and the Dock has turned bright gold as its seed heads had ripened making it easy to spot. Today I again look through the telescope looking for signs of its presence but none were obvious. While Danny was filling up the tea machine, I thought I would have a look at the reed bed by the patio as I hadn't looked lately. I discovered a plant right next to the wall! After a Radipole cuppa, Danny found me a step ladder and some wellies and I went over the top and surveyed the area. I counted 30 plants. If you look over the wall of the patio you can see several plants. There are some very good specimens next to the DC. Ask the DC staff who will be pleased to show you
Other plants I found were the Celery Leaved Buttercup which likes marshy areas and the Marsh Yellowcress which favours areas which dry out.
Water Chickweed also favours marshy ground while the Redhank, also known as Redleg, likes bare ground and mud. I have noticed in the past the Golden Dock and Redshank are often seen in the same location suggesting they prefer the same conditions.
It was nice to find a large clump of the Common Orache which prefers bare disturbed ground.
If you require further information, please contact the Discovery Centre on 01305 778313.