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This booklet is dedicated to the memory of Pat Loxton,the secretary of Southampton Wildlife Link since its formation.

She was a tireless worker for the Link,and a passionate conservationist. Her intention was to produce a comprehensive survey

of Monk's Brook wildlife, but illness prevented her from completing her plan.

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Monk's Brook Greenway is a report by Southampton Wildlife Link,a body comprised of representatives from the Natural History

and Conservation groups in Southampton.It was produced with the assistance of Southampton City Council.

For further information contact:Reg Russell

7 Nightingale GroveSOUTHAMPTON

50153HQ

Front cover: Branched Bur-reed (Sparganium erectum)

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MONK'S BROOK GREENWAY

The Monk's Brook Greenway is one ofeight occuring in the City. TheGreenways are unique features withinthe City's landscape, formed byribbons of open space which follow thestream valleys through the urbanareas. They now constitute valuablebreaks in the built-up areas and, insome cases, reach out into the opencountryside beyond.

A common liverwort (ConocephalumConium)

Southampton City Council hasestablished a policy framework for theGreenways to enhance their value as

an amenityconservation.

and for nature

The Greenway extends from the Cityboundary to Monk's Bridge; the pathfollows Monk's Brook from NorthStoneham to South Stoneham. TheGreenway contains seven distinctecological units. These includeamenity grassland, deciduouswoodland, two areas of dampwoodland, an area of marsh, fourareas of tall herbs and one youngplantation.

The Greenway begins below the Cityboundary in what was once oldmeadow pasture. This part has a veryrich flora and has been given thestatus of a Site Alert, a specialprotection for those habitats thatcannot be reproduced elsewhere in theCity.

North of the Fleming Arms, theGreenway opens up to an area of lushmeadows, and a large area of reeds.'This part of the Greenway has beendesignated a Site Alert in the City'sNature Conservation Strategy thereby

acknowledging its importance as avaluable site, 'and, safeguarding itsfuture. It is also referred to as theWildlife Area (A).

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Creeping Jennynummularia)

(Lysimachia

Following the channelling of its waterunder the new motorway, the Brook isenclosed by a thick field hedge to thewest, and a strip of woodland to theeast, with willow species and alderpredominating. Most of this oldmeadow in the Wildlife Area is wetterthan it once was, although there arestill molehills in the drier places.

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Purple Toothwort (Lathraeaclan destin a)

This part of the Greenway is very richin species. An area of bur-reed marshoccurs in the northern section, ahabitat unique within the Greenways.Further down, spring flowers such asiris can soon be overtopped by the lushsummer growth of brambles, hogweed,nettles, hemlock water dropwort,Balsam, Codlins-and-cream and Gout-weed. The Purple Toothwort (Lathraeac/andestina), discovered in 1982 on thefar bank growing on the roots of CrackWillow and Alder, has now grown away

from the water even onto timber laid forthe walkways.

Further down, the Greenway becomesdrier, the wet meadow plants givingway to blackberry scrub and dry,woody scrub.

Snails are plentiful, and insect lifeabundant - butterflies, flies andbeetles. Bats are also to be found.

The footpath from South Stonehamcrosses the Brook by the entrance tothe Wildlife area and follows it toSwaythling. Here (Area B), the banksare not so heavily shaded, and there isa greater variety of trees; Field Maple,Sycamore, Hazel, Ash, Oak, Beech,Hawthorn and Alder. Where thecanopy is not closed over, the flora isfairly rich. Typical specimens includeIndian Balsam, Common Comfrey,Rough Meadow-grass, Red Campionand, on drier land, Ivy and False Oat-grass.

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Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum sa/icaria)

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At Swaythling, the Brook passes underthe road to skirt one side of TheGrange Open Space. Here, there is animmediate change of character as thestream-bed becomes wider with muddyshallows and patches of gravel in mid-stream. These are as yet, bare ofvegetation, but the banks, being moreopen, now support more water plantstypical of the River Itchen, PurpleLoosestrife, Fleabane, Brooklime andWater Figwort.1On the other side of the path (Area C)grows the hedgerow and meadowflowers of the Grange; Herb Robert,Herb Bennet, Mugwort, Knapweed,Musk Mallow, Lesser Periwinkle andRed Campion. Spring flowers areplentiful; Lesser Celandine, Red andWhite Deadnettle, Ground-ivy andDog's-mercury.

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Where the Brook reaches the bridgeconnecting Brookside Way andWessex Lane (Area D), the pathbecomes only a few metres in width.In recent years a considerable numberof old trees have been removed and; inthe early spring, the muddy ground,which is subject to flooding, is carpeted

with Celandines and patches of PurpleToothwort. By high summer,Himalayan Balsam covers most of thearea, crowding out most other plantsexcept nettles, hemlock water-Dropwort and Convolvulus. TheBalsam overflows onto the path. Thisinvasive alien has spread very rapidlyof late. Only where there is a clearpatch beside the bridge is there anindication of the more usual riparianflora - a few patches of Forget-me-not.

Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides)

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On the other side of the Brook (AreaE), away from the path, west of EdwinaHouse, is a small area of Sallow Carrwith Alder. This habitat is at an earlysuccessional stage being dominatedby Sallow with young Alder presentwhich will grow and cut out the light.The Sallow will then be reduced incover. Yellow Iris, Hemlock, Water-dropwort, Cleavers and RoughMeadow Grass form a large proportionof the vegetation. Kingfishers are oftenseen along this stretch of the Brook.

The Greenway finishes at thefootbridge carrying the Monk's Patheast and west. Below the bridge therehas been some clearance of willow,leaving a stand of mature ash trees.The ground cover of the muddy soil issparse, mainly nettles and moreHimalayan Balsam. The PurpleToothwort has now colonised the tree-roots here, on its progressdownstream.

To reach Mansbridge in the east, thepath can be followed through a stretchof mixed woodland with patches ofopen ground as far as the houses onone side, and the recreation ground on

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the other (Area F). Monk's Brook runsaround two sides of this, skirtingWoodmill and the Salmon Pool, on itsway to the River Itchen. The woodlandhere, above the Willows along theBrook, supports Oak, Ash, Elm, Horsechestnut, Grey Poplar, Sycamore,Hazel, Hawthorn, Guelder-rose andApple (domesticated).

Great Hairy Willow-herb (Epilobiumhirsotum)

Amongst the trees, one can pick up awell trodden path to the field which isseparated from the recreationgrassland by a thicket of trees andshrubs along a drainage line.

The recreation grassland is cut, leavinga fringe of long grass interspersed withapple trees and hawthorn along thewoodland by the River Itchen.

The rough meadow bears a greatervariety of wild flowers in profusion,showing what can be regained bycareful management. Here there is anabundance of Ragwort, St. John's-wort, Bartsia, Common Mallow, EnglishStone-crop, Burdock, Thistle, Ox-eyeDaisies, Clovers and Buttercups.

Monk's Path ends at MansbridgeRoad. Going over the PackhorseBridge and descending to RiversidePark, offers a very different walk on theother side of the River Itchen.

Himalayan balsamGlandulifera)

(Impatiens

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MONK'S BROOK GREENWAY(The following is courtesy of PhilipBudd)

Mammals

Bank VoleBatsFrogHarvest MouseMoleWater Shrew

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The proximity of the Itchen ValleyCountry Park and the Itchen Valley,allows for the movement of speciesinto the Greenway.

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ButterfliesSpeckled WoodGatekeeperMeadow brownRed AdmiralSmall TortoiseshellPeacockCommaLarge whiteSmall whiteHolly blueSmall SkipperLarge SkipperEssex SkipperBrimstoneOrange tipPainted ladySmall copper

Moths51 species recorded by Philip Budd atthe Grange

DragonfliesSeen passing through. There is nopart of Monk's Brook in this stretch withaquatic vegetation (or sloping bankswifh reeds etc.), suitable for dragonfliesor damselflies. They abound in thenearby reaches of the River Itchen.

Birds

BlackbirdBlackcapCollared DoveDunnockGoldfinchGreenfinchGreen WoodpeckerHouse SparrowJayKingfisherLinnetMagpieMallardMute SwanNightingaleRobinWren

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FLORA SPECIES

Acer campestre Field MapleAcer pseudoplatanus SycamoreAchillea millefolium YarrowAegopodium Ground ElderpodagrariaAesculus Horse ChestnuthippocastanumAgrimonia eupatoria AgrimoneyAlliaria petiolata Garlic MustardAllium ursinum RamsonsAlnus glutinosa AlderAngelica sylvestris Wild AngelicaAnthriscus sylvestris Cow ParsleyArctium minus Lesser BurdockArrhenatherum False Oat-elatius grassArtemisia vulgaris Mugwort !

Arum maculatum Wild Arum I

Athyrium filix-femina Lady-fernBallota nigra Black

HorehoundBarbarea vulgaris Winter-cressBellis perennis DaisyBetula pendula Silver BirchBidens tripartita Tripartite Bur-

MarigoldBrachypodium False Brome-sylvaticum grass

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Bromus ramosus Hairy-bromeCaltha palustris Marsh marigoldCalystegia ~epium Hedge

BindweedCardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-

cressCardamine pratense Lady's smockCarex pendula Pendulous

sedgeCarex remota Remote SedgeCentaurea nigra Common

KnapweedChelidonium majus Greater I

CelendineCircaea lutetiana Enchanter's

nightshadeCirsium arvense Creeping

ThistleCirsium vulgare Spear ThistleConium maculatum HemlockCorylus avellana HazelCraetagus monogyna HawthornCrepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's

beardDactylis glomerata Cock's-footDryopteris filix-mas Male FernEpilobium American ,

adenocaulon WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum Great Hairy IWillowherb

Epilobium montanum Broad-leavedWillowherb

Equisetum arvense Field HorsetailFagus sylvatica BeechFilipendula ulmaria MeadowsweetFraxinus excelsior AshFrangula alnus Alder

IBuckthornGalega officinalis Goat's-rueGaleopsis tetrahit Common

Hemp-nettleGalium aparine CleaversGalium saxatile Heath

BedstrawGeranium dissectum Cut-leaved

Crane's billGeranium Herb-RobertrobertianumGeum urbanum Wood AvensGlechoma hederacea Ground-ivyHedera helix IvyHeracleum HogweedsphondyliurnHolcus lantanus Yorkshire FogHolcus mollis Creeping soft-

grassHypericum Perforateperforatum stemmed

John's-wort

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John's-wortHumulus lupulus HoplIex aquifolium HollyImpatiens capensis Orange BalsamImpatiens Indian BalsamglanduliferaIris pseudacorus Yellow IrisJuncus Compact Rushcong lomeratusJuncus effusus Soft RushJuncus inflexus Hard RushLactula serriola Prickly LettuceLamium album White Dead- I

nettle I

Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle

Lapsana communis Nipplewort I

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Lathraea clandestina Purple lToothwort ILeontodon Autumnautumnalis Hawkbit I

Leucanthemum Ox-eye Daisy IvulgareLigustrum vulgare Wild PrivetLotus corniculatus Bird's foot

trefoilLycopus europaeus GipsywortLysimachia Creepingnummularia Jenny

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Lythrum salicaria PurpleLoostrife

Malus sylvestris AppleMalva moschata Musk MallowMalva sylvestris Common

MallowMatricaria Pineapplematricariodes WeedMentha aquatica WatermintMercurialis perennis Dog's MercuryMyosotis scorpiodes Water Forget-

me-notOdontites verna Red Bartsia I

Oenanthe crocata HemlockWater -d ropwort

Petasites hybridus ButterburPicris hieracioides Hawkweed Ox-

tonguePlantago lanceolata Ribwort

Plantain i

Plantago major GreaterPlantain

Polygonum aviculare KnotgrassPolygonum Water PepperhydropiperPolygonum Pale PersicarialapathifoliumPopulus canescens Grey Poplar .Prunus domestica PlumPrunus spinosa BlackthornPotentilla anserina Silverweed

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Pulicaria dysenterica FleabanePinus nigra Black PinePteridium aquilinum BrackenQuercus ilex Evergreen OakQuercus petraea Sessile OakQuercus robur Pedunculate

OakRanuculus ficaria Lesser

CelandineRanuculus repens Creeping

IButtercupReynoutria japonica Knotweed IRibes nigrum Black CurrantRibes rubrum Red Currant

Ribes uva-crispa GooseberryRosa arvensis Field RoseRubus fruticosus Bramble I

Rubus idaeus RaspberryRumex acetosa Common

SorrelRumex Clustered DockconglomeratusRumex crispus Curled Dock IRumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved

IDockRumex sanguineus Wood DockSalix alba White WillowSalix cinerea Sallow/grey

willowSalix fragilis Crack willow

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Salix babylonica Weeping willowSambucus nigra Elder ,

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Scrophularia Water -FigwortIaquatica

Sedum anglicum English I

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Stonecrop I

Senecio jabobaea CommonRagwort

Senecio vulgaris GroundselSilene dioica Red CampionSolanum dulcamara BittersweetSorbus aucuparia RowanSparganium erectum Branched bur-

reedStachys sylvatica Hedge

WoundwortStellaria graminea Lesser

strichwortSymphytum officiale Common

Comfrey II

Symphoricarpus Snowberry ,albus ,

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Taraxacum offinicale DandelionI

Taxus baccata Yew I

Trifolium dubium Lesser YellowTrefoil

Trifolium pratense Red CloverTrifolium repens White CloverTussilago farfara Colt's footUlex europaeus GorzeUlmus procera English Elm

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Ulmus glabra Wych ElmUrtica dioica Common nettleValeriana dioica Marsh ValerianVeronica arvenis Wall SpeedwellVeronica BrooklimebeccabungaVeronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved

SpeedwellVeronica montana Wood

SpeedwellVeronica persica Common Field-

SpeedwellViburnum opulus Guelder-roseViburnum lantana Wayfaring-treeVicia sepium Bush VetchVicia sativa Common Vetch

Vicia cracca Tufted VetchVinca minor Lesser

Periwinkle

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LiverwortsConocephalum conium is plentiful onthe north side of the railway bridgeover Monk's Brook.

Southempion Wildlife Link apologisesfor any errors in the list of floraspecies.

MoNKS'aRG&Ktjr(!.eJt'IVt(tI--

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MONKS BROOKPLAYINGFIELDS

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c\ _J~L4~1~l~1 KEY TO GREENWAY

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E- \IS-~)j\rFootpath Suitable

.......1-- for Access byFoot Only .

........ Proposed footpath

- Footpath Suitablefor Push-chairs andWheel-chair users(with assistance)

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"~Copyright: Southampton City Council.: •. t,' '«.' ':'''t,~, '."Z