Aquatic Plants of the Montgomery Canal 

The day will start with an introduction to the basics of aquatic plant identification, followed by the identification of commoner species using a key. We will look at the different niches each species occupies including marginals, floating, and submerged species. Emphasis will be placed on those characters that allow reliable and accurate identification. Later on we will look at determining the more unusual species. Use will be made of the excellent ‘British Water Plants’ key and by the end of the day participants should feel confident in the use of this key.

Our day will be spent on the beautiful Montgomery Canal just south of Llanymynech and will look at the many wonderful species that can be found growing in and along it. From Yellow Waterlilies to Duckweeds, Floating Water-plantain to Water Soldiers we will see a wide variety of the species that call the Montgomery Canal home.

Several species are protected or invasive non-native (Schedule 8 or 9), so if they are found during a survey, accurate identification is essential to enable appropriate assessment and management to take place.

We will look at the different niches each species occupies including marginals, floating, and submerged species. Emphasis will be placed on those characters that allow reliable and accurate identification. Later on we will look at determining the more unusual species. Use will be made of several botanical keys and other resources, and by the end of the day participants should feel confident in the use of these keys.

A collection of non-native species will be shown (off site of the canal) to compare with native flora encountered.

This course relates to FISC (Field Identification Skills Certificate) levels 2+. Click here to see more information about the BSBI FISC and the BSBI Botanical Skills Ladder.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand a range of different groups of aquatic plants (submerged, emergent, floaters etc.) and the key features that can help to accurately identify them to genus and species.
• Recognise and name a wide number of aquatic plants.
• Understand the tools required for making an accurate identification and when to get help from referees and other sources.

Who should attend? – General interest (amateur/professional), Local Authority ecologists, ecological consultants, conservation officers and staff within SNCOs and NGOs, students, environmental managers, land managers, wardens
and rangers.

Knowledge level – Beginner to intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following webpage: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior knowledge – No existing knowledge or experience is essential, but attendees will gain the most from this course if they have some prior understanding of the parts of a plants and associated terminology, have used a key (not necessarily botanical) and have some prior knowledge of UK flora. Field Identification Skills Certificate levels 2 and above. Learners with higher level FISC e.g. 4+ who want to develop confidence in keys may also find this course useful, although they will likely not see any ‘new’ species.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no accommodation or meal facilities provided with this course. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Mark Duffell

Mark Duffell is an experienced botanist with a lifetime’s interest in plants. He currently splits his time between running Arvensis Ecology (conducting botanical surveys and teaching botanical identification to undergraduate and postgraduate University students, consultants and environmental organisations) and working as a Lecturer with MMU on their MSc in ‘Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring’.

Arriving at Vyrnwy Aqueduct for 10am.

• Welcome and introduction to the day.
• We will travel along the canal south, then return and go north, seeing different niches occupied by a variety of aquatic species.
• We will be in the field all day, with lunch and breaks at suitable intervals.
• We will finish the day back at cars at the Vyrnwy Aqueduct for 5pm.

Please note: there will be no food or refreshments provided, so please make sure that you bring everything you might need during the day with you.

There are no public toilets on the site, the nearest is a short drive to the east in Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain near the Spar (Grid reference: SJ223203, What3Words: prime.copper.resurgent)

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  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil.
• Sensible footwear (walking boots) and clothing for being outdoors (waterproofs and appropriate cold/warm weather clothes).
• Small bag to carry personal items.
• Lunch and any refreshments you might need for the day.

If you have them:

• Your preferred wildflower guide
• A x10 hand lens

Handouts and id guides (to borrow) will be provided by course tutor.

Recommended Literature

• Haslam, Sinker and Wolseley. 2019. British Water Plants. 2nd edition.  Field Studies Council, Shrewsbury.
• Poland, J. & Clement, E.J. 2020. The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. 2nd Edition.
• Collins Wildflower Guide. 2016. Streeter, D. 2nd edition.