21st July 2025

Since the 1950's widespread herbicide use has largely eradicated agricultural weeds. Some species have all but disappeared and other, more persistent species, have survived in gardens, wasteland and field margins. Farmland birds like the Corn Bunting, Turtle Dove, Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow, that feed on the seeds of wildflowers and invertebrates associated with them, have also drastically declined in numbers. Some of these 'weeds' soon reappear in bare soil areas like the sprayed footpaths through summer crops. The selection below were seen on the path through the large wheat field heading to Great Pedding Farm. Many of the seeds that have germinated here will have been carried by walkers and their dogs from populations elsewhere.

Clockwise from top left: Black Bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus), Pale Persicaria (Persicaria lapathifolia), Annual Mercury (Mercurialis annua) and Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris).