Jockey Fields
Jockey Fields lie to the north of Walsall on Etruria Marls overlain in part by more recent alluvial deposits. The site consists of a number of low-lying fields in a stream valley. Variations in wetness and management have produced a range of vegetation types, including well-grazed damp pasture, neglected grassland, fen and mire. Running through the site are a network of well-vegetated ditches which add to the interest of the area. It is also of local interest for its wetland birds.
The variety of habitats found at Jockey Fields, together with the large size of the site, the presence of a number of plant species rare in the West Midlands and the bird interest make it very important.
Flora and fauna
In the south of the site, a large area of tall fen and swamp is dominated by lesser pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis) and greater reedmace (Typha latifolia). Other species present include meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), greater bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus uligosus), yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), and marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre). This area is ungrazed and subject to variable, but generally high, water levels which flood the adjoining grassland to a greater or lesser extent throughout the year.
Further north are areas of grassland, fen and mire managed by grazing. The grasslands are dominated by Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus) and soft-rush (Juncus effuses) together with species such as cuckooflower (cardamine pratensis), water mint (Mentha aquatica), bog stitchwort (Stellaria alsine), common marsh-bedstraw (Gallium palustre), marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre), lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) and devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis).
The fen vegetation is very varied in character and forms a mosaic on which different plant communities merge. Generally it is co-dominated by lesser pond-sedge and bottle sedge (Carex rostrata), the latter being a species rare in the county. Other common species include cuckooflower, marsh-thistle (Cirsium palustre), marsh willowherb (Epilobium palustre), hoary willowherb (E. parviflorum), and fool's water-cress (Apium nodiflorum).
The northern fields support a mire community and contain soft-rush and sharp-flowered rush (Juncus acutiflorus) as co-dominants together with common marsh-bedstraw (Galium palustre), marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris), ragged-Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi), southern marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa), lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) and marsh ragwort (Senecio aquaticus). Marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) and marsh speedwell (Veronica scutelata) are also present and are scarce in the county.
Other notable species present on the site include brown sedge (Carex disticha), wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum), marsh arrowgrass (Triglochin palustre) and pink water-speedwell (Veronica. catenata).
Geographical features
The ditches support species such as brooklime (Veronica beccabunga), watercress (Nasturtium officinale), water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), common water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) and fat duckweed (Lemna gibba).
The site is important for a variety of bird species. Locally significant numbers of grey heron (Ardea cinerea) use the site.
