November 5, 2025
Wildlife Wednesday: Winter Plants at Greyhope Bay
As crisp leaves and warm autumn hues grow more distant and the days become increasingly short and cold, finding ways to get out and interact with wildlife becomes more difficult. It may even appear like there is less to look at over the winter months, as much of nature opts to bypass this season with a nice long sleep! I assure you though, this is not the case.
It is true that flowers die back and animals are generally less active, however there is still much to see if you know how and where to look. The photos in this post (look at the gallery at the bottom of the page) are all from a single small, soggy patch of grass found along the coastal path only a few meters in diameter. However, look closely and you will see a whole host of different plants. Not only are they different to each other, but they are different to their less moisture-tolerant neighbours, only a few meters away.
Among the plants pictured are a couple species of sedge, growing on a damp rock (sedge ID at the best of times is hard, these ones I will be revisiting in summer!), marsh pennywort (a lovely little plant with waxy, circular leaves), and lesser spearwort holding onto its last few flowers! Also found here (but unfortunately not pictured) were marsh thistles - a gothic cousin of the creeping thistle, as well as many more species not featured in this post. The final photo is of the unassuming patch of grass that I spent so long crouched in.
It might seem like there’s not much going on over winter, however, sit amongst any height of herbs and grass and you will find a whole host of excitement by your feet!
Keep an eye on the blog to learn more about ways you can keep enjoying wildlife over the winter months.
Photo credit: Adam Robertson
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