Gilchrist Field



Gilchrist Field is a 7.5 acre nature reserve located in Sidmouth, forming an integral part of The Byes Riverside Park, a green corridor situated along the River Sid. It is specifically positioned in the northern section of The Byes, immediately north of Margaret's Meadow. 

The reserve is owned and managed by the Sid Vale Association (SVA) as part of the SVA's broader mission to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Sid Valley. It is one of the distinct areas managed by the SVA specifically to promote wild flower diversity and is maintained to encourage wildlife and SVA volunteers play a crucial role in its maintenance. The management processes now used are gradually changing the grassland areas, which were previously dominated by rank grasses and rushes with less floral diversity.

 

The underlying geology is Otter Sandstone, which contributes to its unique ecological characteristics. Gilchrist Field has a diverse array of habitat including rough meadow, scrub, woodland, and a large pond. The woodland and pond are separated only for the purposes of the species recording within the Sidmouth Nature project and is documented under the name Riverside wood.

 

There are some notable differences in the flora of Gilchroset Field to the neighbouring Margaret’s Meadow and this may reflect past land usage and management.  Some sixty species of flowering plants and seven species of grasses have been recorded in Gilchrist Field as part of the survey process and these include:

 

  • Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna): common in March and  into April.
  • Betony (Stachys officinalis): a fairly large colony of the plant can be seen in flower in mid-summer
  • Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) are both present, the common (or black) knapweed being more dominant
  • Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium): encountered frequently in Gilchrist Field in June and July.
  • Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus uliginosus) both occur
  • Greater Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) can be observed as scarce in July and August and a large patch of Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) is also present
  • Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) has been observed as occasional in Gilchrist Field in August.
  • Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) is one of three species of buttercup found in the field
  • Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) can be found amongst the grasses
  • Elder (Sambucus nigra), Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and Bramble (        ) dominate the hedgerows
  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) is occasionally encountered in the hedgerow in July and is popular with several butterfly species
  • Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) is in flower in May