Field Meetings 1920
Thurstaston and Irby SATURDAY, 24th APRIL 1920
Leader—Miss E. M. Blackwell, M.Sc.
A special feature of this gathering was a demonstration by the leader of methods of working in the systematic survey of Wirral which is being undertaken by the Liverpool University. Not many flowering plants were recorded of outstanding interest, but many species of commoner plants were observed in blossom some days before their normal date. Amongst the mosses observed were:— Revolute Beard-moss Pseudocrossidium revolutum (= Barbula revoluta), Variable Crisp-moss Trichostomum brachydontium (= T. mutabile), in sandy soil near Irby Hill, Bog Bead-moss Aulacomnium palustre and Pale Thread-moss Bryum pallens on Thurstaston Common. Lichens included Lepra amara = (Pertusaria amara) and Physconia grisea (= Physcia grisea) on trees near Irby.
Storeton and Barnston SATURDAY, 29th MAY 1920
Leader—Mr A. H. Dudley.
Owing to the uncertain weather, there was a poor attendance, and a heavy thunderstorm prevented much serious work. Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio (= Orchis morio L. ) was seen in the fields, and Early-purple Orchid O. mascula was growing in a neighbouring wood, but was in seed.
Carr Mill Dam, near St Helens SATURDAY, 19th JUNE 1920
Leader—Miss D. Anderton.
The following flowering plants were noted :— Marsh Yellow-cress Rorippa palustris (= Nasturtium palustre), Common Spike-rush Eleocharis palustris (= Scirpus palustris), Heath Bedstraw Galium saxatile (= G. hercynicum), Common Figwort Scrophularia nodosa, Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus, Turkey Oak Quercus cerris, MUSCI :- Pellucid Four-tooth Moss Tetraphis pellucida, Pointed Spear-moss Calliergonella cuspidata (= Hypnum cuspidatum) (submerged in lake), Kneiff’s Feather-moss Leptodictyum riparium (= H. riparium), Nodding Thread-moss Pohlia nutans (= Webera nutans). HEPATICAE: - St Winifrid’s Moss Liverwort Chiloscyphus polyanthus, Creeping Fingerwort Lepidozia reptans, Common Pouchwort Calypogeia fissa (=Calypogeia trichomanis) (on an old wall). GALLAE: -- Gall Midge Contarinia tiliarum on Tilia platyphyllos, Oak Marble Gall Wasp Andricus kollari (= Cynips kollari) on Oak, Sawfly Euura vesicator (= Pontania vesicator) on Salix viminalis, and Damson-hop Aphid Phorodon humuli on Prunus domestica. Bracken and oak were remarkably free from insect galls, and from a close examination of the district it would appear that the atmospheric conditions of the St Helen’s area are unfavourable to Zoocecidia.
Hale SATURDAY, 3rd JULY 1920
Leader—Mr W. G. Travis.
The grounds of Hale Hall were kindly thrown open by Colonel R. Ireland-Blackburn, C.B., and Dungeon Marsh on the foreshore was investigated. The following species were recorded :--PHANEROGAMS - Common Meadow-rue Thalictrum flavum, English Scurvygrass Cochlearia anglica, Weld Reseda luteola, White Campion Silene latifolia (= Lychnis alba), Greater Sea-spurrey Spergularia media, Trailing St John's-wort Hypericum humifusum, Fairy Flax Linum catharticum, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum, Common Restharrow Ononis repens, Wild Cherry Prunus avium, Spiked Water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum, Hoary Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum, Wild Celery Apium graveolens, Fool's-water-cress Helosciadium nodiflorum (= Apium nodiflorum), Fine-leaved Water-dropwort Oenanthe aquatica, Parsley Water-dropwort Oenanthe lachenalii, Tubular Water-dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa, Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum, Hemp-agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides (= Picris echioides), Thrift Armeria maritima (= Statice maritima), Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides, Bugloss Lycopsis arvensis, Skullcap Scutellaria galericulata, Water Dock Rumex hydrolapathum. FUNGI— Stilbella fimetaria (=Stilbum erythrocephalum) (on rabbit dung), Phomatospora dinemasporium conidial state is Dinemasporium gramium (on old grass stems), Taphrina sadebeckii) (on alder).
Burton SATURDAY, 17th JULY 1920
Leader—Mr H. S. Marsh.
Burton was reached after a very pleasant walk by byroads and through Haddon Wood. Amongst the plants noted were Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium columbinum, Shining Crane's-bill Geranium lucidum, Meadow Cranesbill Geranium pratense, Hedgerow Cranesbill Geranium pyrenaicum, Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria, and Greater Duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza (= Lemna polyrhiza) . The micro-fungus, Birch Rust Melampsoridium betulinum was noted on birch leaves near Hadlow Road. Cheilymenia granulata (= Humaria granulata) on cow dung, and Mollisia melaleuca on decaying worked wood. By the kind permission of H. N. Gladstone, Esq., the gardens of Burton Manor were inspected.
Ainsdale Sandhills SATURDAY 14th AUGUST 1920
Leader—Mr E. T. Payne, B.Sc.
Many of the well-known and typical dune species were observed at this excursion and need not be detailed here.
Raby and Poulton Lancelyn SATURDAY, 11th SEPTEMBER 1920
Leader—Mr W. A. Lee, M.A., Ph.D.
During this ramble, a small marshy valley at Raby Mere, which has been called the “ Pinguicula ground ’’ by local botanists was visited. The Butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris used to occur there, but nothing was seen of it on this occasion. The mosses, Bog Bead-moss Aulocomnium palustre and Tree-moss Climacium dendroides were collected at this spot.
Moreton and Meols SATURDAY, 2nd October 1920
Leader—Miss J. V. Jones.
The party was taken through winding lanes and marshy fields from Moreton village. The River Birket being in flood, recourse was had to the railway bridge and thence by the level crossing to the Meols shore. Not many plants were still in bloom, but the yellow Common Fleabane made a brave show in places. Search was made in vain for the Flowering Rush Butomus umbellatus which occurred by the Birket but has apparently been destroyed by drainage operations in 1917.
Thurstaston and Irby SATURDAY, 24th APRIL 1920
Leader—Miss E. M. Blackwell, M.Sc.
A special feature of this gathering was a demonstration by the leader of methods of working in the systematic survey of Wirral which is being undertaken by the Liverpool University. Not many flowering plants were recorded of outstanding interest, but many species of commoner plants were observed in blossom some days before their normal date. Amongst the mosses observed were:— Revolute Beard-moss Pseudocrossidium revolutum (= Barbula revoluta), Variable Crisp-moss Trichostomum brachydontium (= T. mutabile), in sandy soil near Irby Hill, Bog Bead-moss Aulacomnium palustre and Pale Thread-moss Bryum pallens on Thurstaston Common. Lichens included Lepra amara = (Pertusaria amara) and Physconia grisea (= Physcia grisea) on trees near Irby.
Storeton and Barnston SATURDAY, 29th MAY 1920
Leader—Mr A. H. Dudley.
Owing to the uncertain weather, there was a poor attendance, and a heavy thunderstorm prevented much serious work. Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio (= Orchis morio L. ) was seen in the fields, and Early-purple Orchid O. mascula was growing in a neighbouring wood, but was in seed.
Carr Mill Dam, near St Helens SATURDAY, 19th JUNE 1920
Leader—Miss D. Anderton.
The following flowering plants were noted :— Marsh Yellow-cress Rorippa palustris (= Nasturtium palustre), Common Spike-rush Eleocharis palustris (= Scirpus palustris), Heath Bedstraw Galium saxatile (= G. hercynicum), Common Figwort Scrophularia nodosa, Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus, Turkey Oak Quercus cerris, MUSCI :- Pellucid Four-tooth Moss Tetraphis pellucida, Pointed Spear-moss Calliergonella cuspidata (= Hypnum cuspidatum) (submerged in lake), Kneiff’s Feather-moss Leptodictyum riparium (= H. riparium), Nodding Thread-moss Pohlia nutans (= Webera nutans). HEPATICAE: - St Winifrid’s Moss Liverwort Chiloscyphus polyanthus, Creeping Fingerwort Lepidozia reptans, Common Pouchwort Calypogeia fissa (=Calypogeia trichomanis) (on an old wall). GALLAE: -- Gall Midge Contarinia tiliarum on Tilia platyphyllos, Oak Marble Gall Wasp Andricus kollari (= Cynips kollari) on Oak, Sawfly Euura vesicator (= Pontania vesicator) on Salix viminalis, and Damson-hop Aphid Phorodon humuli on Prunus domestica. Bracken and oak were remarkably free from insect galls, and from a close examination of the district it would appear that the atmospheric conditions of the St Helen’s area are unfavourable to Zoocecidia.
Hale SATURDAY, 3rd JULY 1920
Leader—Mr W. G. Travis.
The grounds of Hale Hall were kindly thrown open by Colonel R. Ireland-Blackburn, C.B., and Dungeon Marsh on the foreshore was investigated. The following species were recorded :--PHANEROGAMS - Common Meadow-rue Thalictrum flavum, English Scurvygrass Cochlearia anglica, Weld Reseda luteola, White Campion Silene latifolia (= Lychnis alba), Greater Sea-spurrey Spergularia media, Trailing St John's-wort Hypericum humifusum, Fairy Flax Linum catharticum, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum, Common Restharrow Ononis repens, Wild Cherry Prunus avium, Spiked Water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum, Hoary Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum, Wild Celery Apium graveolens, Fool's-water-cress Helosciadium nodiflorum (= Apium nodiflorum), Fine-leaved Water-dropwort Oenanthe aquatica, Parsley Water-dropwort Oenanthe lachenalii, Tubular Water-dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa, Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum, Hemp-agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides (= Picris echioides), Thrift Armeria maritima (= Statice maritima), Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides, Bugloss Lycopsis arvensis, Skullcap Scutellaria galericulata, Water Dock Rumex hydrolapathum. FUNGI— Stilbella fimetaria (=Stilbum erythrocephalum) (on rabbit dung), Phomatospora dinemasporium conidial state is Dinemasporium gramium (on old grass stems), Taphrina sadebeckii) (on alder).
Burton SATURDAY, 17th JULY 1920
Leader—Mr H. S. Marsh.
Burton was reached after a very pleasant walk by byroads and through Haddon Wood. Amongst the plants noted were Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium columbinum, Shining Crane's-bill Geranium lucidum, Meadow Cranesbill Geranium pratense, Hedgerow Cranesbill Geranium pyrenaicum, Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria, and Greater Duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza (= Lemna polyrhiza) . The micro-fungus, Birch Rust Melampsoridium betulinum was noted on birch leaves near Hadlow Road. Cheilymenia granulata (= Humaria granulata) on cow dung, and Mollisia melaleuca on decaying worked wood. By the kind permission of H. N. Gladstone, Esq., the gardens of Burton Manor were inspected.
Ainsdale Sandhills SATURDAY 14th AUGUST 1920
Leader—Mr E. T. Payne, B.Sc.
Many of the well-known and typical dune species were observed at this excursion and need not be detailed here.
Raby and Poulton Lancelyn SATURDAY, 11th SEPTEMBER 1920
Leader—Mr W. A. Lee, M.A., Ph.D.
During this ramble, a small marshy valley at Raby Mere, which has been called the “ Pinguicula ground ’’ by local botanists was visited. The Butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris used to occur there, but nothing was seen of it on this occasion. The mosses, Bog Bead-moss Aulocomnium palustre and Tree-moss Climacium dendroides were collected at this spot.
Moreton and Meols SATURDAY, 2nd October 1920
Leader—Miss J. V. Jones.
The party was taken through winding lanes and marshy fields from Moreton village. The River Birket being in flood, recourse was had to the railway bridge and thence by the level crossing to the Meols shore. Not many plants were still in bloom, but the yellow Common Fleabane made a brave show in places. Search was made in vain for the Flowering Rush Butomus umbellatus which occurred by the Birket but has apparently been destroyed by drainage operations in 1917.