1991 Field Trips
Dibbinsdale 13 April, Caergwrle and Hope Mountain 25 May, Nob End 22 June, Burgy Banks 6 July, Ainsdale and Freshfield 20 July, Fazakerley 3 August, Hale Shore 24 August, Helsby and Frodsham 21 September, Bidston Hill and Woods 5 October.
Dibbinsdale 13 April, Caergwrle and Hope Mountain 25 May, Nob End 22 June, Burgy Banks 6 July, Ainsdale and Freshfield 20 July, Fazakerley 3 August, Hale Shore 24 August, Helsby and Frodsham 21 September, Bidston Hill and Woods 5 October.
1991 FIELD MEETING REPORTS
DIBBINSDALE 13th APRIL Leader: Dr K. Watson.
On a very fine spring day the party admired drifts of Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa, Lesse Celandine Ficaria verna (= Ranunculus ficaria), and especially fine Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis with Wild Cherry Prunus avium in full flower. Wood Rush Luzula sylvatica and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium were seen on the sandstone exposures on the path to St. Patrick's well.
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus was showing good regeneration in Marford's wood. At lunch, Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina was seen with interesting beech seedlings, just starting to germinate. Common Dog-violet Viola riviniana was in flower on the path to the Dibbinsdale Road with Bluebell just coming into flower.
Then leaves of Winter Heliotrope Petasites fragrans were seen, and Three-nerved Sandwort Moehringia trinervia on the hill and Cut-leaved Dead-nettle Lamium hybridum in the field back towards Dibbinsdale. On the way back to Spital enormous Marsh Marigolds Caltha palustris were admired near the stream and White Poplar Populus alba at Spital field.
CAERGWRLE and HOPE MOUNTAIN 25th MAY Leader: Miss V. Gordon.
The most memorable sights were the fields yellow with cowslips, with patches of Early Purple Orchids, Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomus and Bird Cherry Prunus padus among many species adorning the hedge banks.
NOB END 22nd JUNE Leader: Miss P. Tolfree.
The wooded Croal Valley produced fine specimens of Hard Fern Blechnum spicant and Lemon-scented Fern Oreopteris limbosperma besides other more common ferns. The alkaline ash at Nob End had its usual show of Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bermudiana, Marsh and Spotted Orchids and some Adderstongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. Fragrant Orchids were still in tight bud.
BURGY BANKS 6th JULY Leader: Mr P. Gateley.
A hot dry day made climbing the steep sides of the Burgy Banks slightly safer. The Islands Brow bank held notable large numbers of Common Broomrape Orobanche minor, including many very large specimens. The Haresfinch bank's most interesting vegetation was found in the stands of inland sand dune where an array of normally coastal species was noted. The visit was timed to catch the end of the orchid flowering, but this was an early season, and few plants were noted in flower. From these and from ripening seed-heads it could be seen that numbers of flowering spikes were low this year. The changes in surface vegetation of the canal near the town centre were discussed and it was noted that the section of waterway between United Glass and the new double locks was in course of substantial restoration.
AINSDALE and FRESHFIELD 20th JULY Leader: Mrs P. Lockwood.
The alien grass Hungarian Brome Bromopsis inermis (= Bromus inermis) was noted before we arrived at the dune slacks where a fine colony of Brown Sedge Carex disticha was examined. Among it were flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil Comarum palustre (=Potentilla palustris) and Marsh Pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris . In less developed slacks the ground was pink with Bog Pimpernel Lysimachia tenella. Fringes of Knotted Pearlwort Sagina nodosa marked the margins of winter pools and in damper places Lesser Water-plantain Baldellia ranunculoides and Shoreweed Littorella uniflora were flowering. A couple of Pyramidal Orchids were seen and one flowering spike of Yellow Bird's nest Hypopitys monotropa. Among many other flowers were Marsh Helleborine Orchid Epipactis palustris, Green-flowered Helleborine E. phyllanthes, Round-leaved Wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia ssp. maritima, Grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris and Adderstongue Ophioglossum vulgatum.
FAZAKERLEY 3rd AUGUST Leader: Miss V. Gordon.
The morning was spent at a disused railway siding where the cinders were carpeted with the Coral-necklace Illecebrum verticillatum. In one place tiny plants of Strapwort Corrigiola littoralis were found. Dense-flowered Mullein Verbascum densiflorum made a good show and Hoary Mustard Hirschfeldia incana was also seen. The walk along the canal will be remembered for the abundant Fringed Waterlily Nymphoides peltata and the Hybrid Reedmace Typha x glauca (Typha angustifolia × latifolia).
HALE SHORE 24th AUGUST Leader: Miss V. Gordon.
Sea Asters were in good flower and along the clay banks the pink flowered Bindweed Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata was abundant. Further down the river the higher clay cliffs had good colonies of Teasel, Blackstonia and Bristly Ox-tongue Picris echioides. A few Sea Pinks were still in flower and the tide mark was yellow with masses of fallen anthers from the Spartina grass.
HELSBY and FRODSHAM 21st SEPTEMBER Leader: Miss M. Wilson.
12 members climbed the slopes of Helsby Hill through Silver Birch and Bracken, Rhododendron ponticum indicating former parkland, and Mountain Ash on the crags. Crossing the valley to Frodsham Hill a cave attracted attention in which luminous moss Goblin Gold Schistostega pennata was seen, a first for most. By the wayside was the Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree Lycium barbarum (=halimifolium), a harvest of damsons in an abandoned orchard, Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera, Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus and Hairy Bindweed Calystegia pulchra. On the slopes of Frodsham Hill Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and a few remaining plants of Climbing Corydalis Ceratocapnos claviculata (= Corydalis claviculata) were seen. Returning to Helsby over the marsh, Dwarf Mallow Malva neglecta and White Bryony Bryonia dioica were noted.
BIDSTON HILL and WOODS 5th OCTOBER Leader: Miss J. Bentley.
We were pleased to welcome Rita Cook of the British Mycological Society and another visitor, making a total of 15. Our member John Jakeman, Warden of the Bidston Hill area, led the morning session, but previous dry and cool weather meant that fungi were thin on the ground. However, sprinklings of False Chanterelle and a good specimen of Conifer Tuft Hypholoma capnoides were found, also Spotted Toughshank Rhodocollybia maculata (= Collybia maculata), Coral Spot Nectria cinnabarina, Common Inkcap Coprinus atramentaria, Parasol Mushroom Macrolepiota procera (=Lepiota procera) and Birch Bracket Fungus, Birch Polypore or Razor Strop Fungus Fomitopsis betulina. The morning was wet, but Mr Jakeman had arranged for lunch to be eaten under cover and also opened the windmill for us, a bonus because by then there was sunshine and a blue sky. Afterwards we investigated the grounds of the former Bidston Court at Noctorum, preserved as a public amenity. Though this yielded virtually nothing fungal it was interesting to note the planting of the garden last century, including two Maidenhair Trees and a fine glaucous Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica.
DIBBINSDALE 13th APRIL Leader: Dr K. Watson.
On a very fine spring day the party admired drifts of Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa, Lesse Celandine Ficaria verna (= Ranunculus ficaria), and especially fine Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis with Wild Cherry Prunus avium in full flower. Wood Rush Luzula sylvatica and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium were seen on the sandstone exposures on the path to St. Patrick's well.
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus was showing good regeneration in Marford's wood. At lunch, Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina was seen with interesting beech seedlings, just starting to germinate. Common Dog-violet Viola riviniana was in flower on the path to the Dibbinsdale Road with Bluebell just coming into flower.
Then leaves of Winter Heliotrope Petasites fragrans were seen, and Three-nerved Sandwort Moehringia trinervia on the hill and Cut-leaved Dead-nettle Lamium hybridum in the field back towards Dibbinsdale. On the way back to Spital enormous Marsh Marigolds Caltha palustris were admired near the stream and White Poplar Populus alba at Spital field.
CAERGWRLE and HOPE MOUNTAIN 25th MAY Leader: Miss V. Gordon.
The most memorable sights were the fields yellow with cowslips, with patches of Early Purple Orchids, Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomus and Bird Cherry Prunus padus among many species adorning the hedge banks.
NOB END 22nd JUNE Leader: Miss P. Tolfree.
The wooded Croal Valley produced fine specimens of Hard Fern Blechnum spicant and Lemon-scented Fern Oreopteris limbosperma besides other more common ferns. The alkaline ash at Nob End had its usual show of Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bermudiana, Marsh and Spotted Orchids and some Adderstongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. Fragrant Orchids were still in tight bud.
BURGY BANKS 6th JULY Leader: Mr P. Gateley.
A hot dry day made climbing the steep sides of the Burgy Banks slightly safer. The Islands Brow bank held notable large numbers of Common Broomrape Orobanche minor, including many very large specimens. The Haresfinch bank's most interesting vegetation was found in the stands of inland sand dune where an array of normally coastal species was noted. The visit was timed to catch the end of the orchid flowering, but this was an early season, and few plants were noted in flower. From these and from ripening seed-heads it could be seen that numbers of flowering spikes were low this year. The changes in surface vegetation of the canal near the town centre were discussed and it was noted that the section of waterway between United Glass and the new double locks was in course of substantial restoration.
AINSDALE and FRESHFIELD 20th JULY Leader: Mrs P. Lockwood.
The alien grass Hungarian Brome Bromopsis inermis (= Bromus inermis) was noted before we arrived at the dune slacks where a fine colony of Brown Sedge Carex disticha was examined. Among it were flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil Comarum palustre (=Potentilla palustris) and Marsh Pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris . In less developed slacks the ground was pink with Bog Pimpernel Lysimachia tenella. Fringes of Knotted Pearlwort Sagina nodosa marked the margins of winter pools and in damper places Lesser Water-plantain Baldellia ranunculoides and Shoreweed Littorella uniflora were flowering. A couple of Pyramidal Orchids were seen and one flowering spike of Yellow Bird's nest Hypopitys monotropa. Among many other flowers were Marsh Helleborine Orchid Epipactis palustris, Green-flowered Helleborine E. phyllanthes, Round-leaved Wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia ssp. maritima, Grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris and Adderstongue Ophioglossum vulgatum.
FAZAKERLEY 3rd AUGUST Leader: Miss V. Gordon.
The morning was spent at a disused railway siding where the cinders were carpeted with the Coral-necklace Illecebrum verticillatum. In one place tiny plants of Strapwort Corrigiola littoralis were found. Dense-flowered Mullein Verbascum densiflorum made a good show and Hoary Mustard Hirschfeldia incana was also seen. The walk along the canal will be remembered for the abundant Fringed Waterlily Nymphoides peltata and the Hybrid Reedmace Typha x glauca (Typha angustifolia × latifolia).
HALE SHORE 24th AUGUST Leader: Miss V. Gordon.
Sea Asters were in good flower and along the clay banks the pink flowered Bindweed Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata was abundant. Further down the river the higher clay cliffs had good colonies of Teasel, Blackstonia and Bristly Ox-tongue Picris echioides. A few Sea Pinks were still in flower and the tide mark was yellow with masses of fallen anthers from the Spartina grass.
HELSBY and FRODSHAM 21st SEPTEMBER Leader: Miss M. Wilson.
12 members climbed the slopes of Helsby Hill through Silver Birch and Bracken, Rhododendron ponticum indicating former parkland, and Mountain Ash on the crags. Crossing the valley to Frodsham Hill a cave attracted attention in which luminous moss Goblin Gold Schistostega pennata was seen, a first for most. By the wayside was the Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree Lycium barbarum (=halimifolium), a harvest of damsons in an abandoned orchard, Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera, Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus and Hairy Bindweed Calystegia pulchra. On the slopes of Frodsham Hill Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and a few remaining plants of Climbing Corydalis Ceratocapnos claviculata (= Corydalis claviculata) were seen. Returning to Helsby over the marsh, Dwarf Mallow Malva neglecta and White Bryony Bryonia dioica were noted.
BIDSTON HILL and WOODS 5th OCTOBER Leader: Miss J. Bentley.
We were pleased to welcome Rita Cook of the British Mycological Society and another visitor, making a total of 15. Our member John Jakeman, Warden of the Bidston Hill area, led the morning session, but previous dry and cool weather meant that fungi were thin on the ground. However, sprinklings of False Chanterelle and a good specimen of Conifer Tuft Hypholoma capnoides were found, also Spotted Toughshank Rhodocollybia maculata (= Collybia maculata), Coral Spot Nectria cinnabarina, Common Inkcap Coprinus atramentaria, Parasol Mushroom Macrolepiota procera (=Lepiota procera) and Birch Bracket Fungus, Birch Polypore or Razor Strop Fungus Fomitopsis betulina. The morning was wet, but Mr Jakeman had arranged for lunch to be eaten under cover and also opened the windmill for us, a bonus because by then there was sunshine and a blue sky. Afterwards we investigated the grounds of the former Bidston Court at Noctorum, preserved as a public amenity. Though this yielded virtually nothing fungal it was interesting to note the planting of the garden last century, including two Maidenhair Trees and a fine glaucous Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica.