GWERSYLLT 29th April, AINSDALE AND BIRKDALE DUNES 20th May, RISLEY MOSS 10th June, WALLASEY-MORETON 1st July, Hale to Garston 22nd July, Newton-le-Willows 12th August, Blackburn and Pleasington 26th August,
Formby 7th October.
Formby 7th October.
1995 FIELD MEETING REPORTS
GWERSYLLT - 29th April
(Led by Miss Vera Gordan)
A party of 15 set off from Gwersyllt Railway Station. The first stop was to see the large bucket-sized tussocks of Greater Tussock Sedge Carex paniculata filling the site of a small lake. The Wood Club-rush Scirpus sylvaticus was not evident so early in the year but there were Marsh Marigolds Caltha palustris, Ladies Smock, Cardamine pratensis, and overhead the Cherry trees Prunus avium, were in flower.
The way then descended to the river Alyn which was followed along meadows and below a steep wooded bank. The trees were large Hornbeams, Carpinus betulus, some of which had "witches brooms”, galls caused by the fungus Taphrina carpini. The perfume of wild Hyacinths, Hyacinthoides non-scripta filled the air as we passed slopes blue with them.
Lunch was taken at the top of a track which was bordered by Pendulous Sedge, Carex pendula, in flower, also Ramsons, Allium ursinum, and Archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon. Then to an old gravel pit where there were Cowslips, Primuia veris. and along the banks on each side of the lanes, Violets Viola riviniana, Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria. Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria holostea, and Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus made a colourful show.
The banks of the Alyn were rejoined through woodlands where under the trees the carpet of Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, was like a cloth of gold. In wet flushes on the river bank the Butterbur Petasites hybridus had finished flowering and the female spikes had already lengthened to 2 feet.
Finally, across the Gwersyllt Hall grounds, landscaped after open-cast mining, where the Smith's Pepperwort, Lepidium heterophyllum, was really luxuriant in places.
Vera Gordon
AINSDALE AND BIRKDALE DUNES 20th May
(Led by Paul Rooney)
The second L.B.S. field meeting of the year was held jointly with the North West Naturalists’ Union at Ainsdale and Birkdale sand dunes. 23 members including Paul Rooney - meeting leader and Senior Sefton Ranger attended the meeting at what is traditionally one of the most popular sites for both recreation and the study of natural history in the area.
Members assembled outside Ainsdale Station on what started as an overcast, slightly breezy day. This, however, gave way to hot sunshine towards midday (Yes, the heatwave had started back then!). Members were led first to the Birkdale sandhills where many typical dune species were observed en route including Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias.
The recently colonised young dune slacks, home to English Nature's species recovery Natterjack Toads (spawning at the time} provided more botanical interest. Here Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, was abundant, along with Water Mint, Mentha aquatica, and Variegated Horsetail, Equisetum variegatum, invasive Creeping Willow, Salix repens, were also very evident in these wetter areas. The young slacks also yielded the most interesting and certainly the smallest specimens of botanic interest of the day, The Red Data Book liverwort Petalophyllum ralfsii was located after much careful searching on hands and knees. Included in the International Convention on Conservation (Bern Convention), this rare liverwort had not been observed on the dunes since the 1960s, it was relocated in February /March of this year by Dr Martha Newton. It was suggested that this was encouraged by the high water table occurring at the time.
As we continued along the coastal path other species observed included many common dune and coastal species such as Biting Stonecrop, Sedum acre, Common Sedge, Carex nigra, Rest Harrow, Ononis repens, and Club Rush, Eleocharis quinqueflora,
Species observed in flower included Lady’s Smock, Cardamine pratense. Houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale, Dog Violet, Viola and Stork’s bill, Erodium cicutarium, plus a garden escape Solomon's Seal Polygonatum x hybridum. The pretty Bog Pimpernel, Anagallis tenella was observed in some of the wetter areas. Lamb’s Lettuce, Valerianella locusta, seen at other locations earlier in the year was also observed but much reduced in size in response to the heavy grazing pressure from rabbits.
The drier dunes were dominated by the grey foliose Peltigera lichens - hence their name "Grey Dunes’. Following the main meeting a few members accompanied Paul Rooney to look at the sand dune accretion seaward of Tagg's Island. The dune front is moving rapidly seawards, and a new dune slack has formed with Baltic Rush, Juncus balticus and Sharp Club-rush, Schoenoplectus pungens already established.
Jo Hatton
RISLEY MOSS 10th June
(Led by Peter Gately)
About a dozen members and friends assembled at Birchwood Station on this fine morning. In order to visit two contrasting areas separated by the 1830 Liverpool-Manchester railway we resorted to using member's cars to convey us from the station to Rixton Clay Pits and then on to Risley Moss.
The main vegetation stands at Rixton are flower-rich grass swards, hedgerows, developing scrub, open water and extensive marshy and swampy tracts. We arrived just as many of the orchids were in their prime with Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa and Common Spotted-orchid, D. fuchsii, most notable. The inexorable progress of natural succession from grassland to scrub and woodland was evident, with management work already underway to maintain some open areas for orchids. There is a good system of paths winding through the matrix of wetland areas giving views of a great many plants. Collecting data for the vice-county records, Pricilla Tolfree recorded 183 species during the course of the visit, Fine-leaved Water-dropwort. Oenanthe aquatica, showed itself to advantage at the water's edge and there were some very fine stands of Ragged Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi. Also prominent in the wetland area were yellow-green tussocks of Hop Sedge, Carex pseudocyperus. Further north in the reserve there is increasing woody regeneration and woodland flora is developing in places, Along the lane down the west side there are dense and rich hedges, with various micro-species of Bramble flowering well and a scattering of garden escapes including a lovely stand of Dame’s Violet, Hesperis matronalis, in full flower.
The second site, Risley Moss, is also managed as a nature reserve but here the main elements of the vegetation are birch/willow woodland and surviving areas of raised mire vegetation. The main open mossland areas, which were viewed from tall observation stands not allowing the vegetation to be seen in detail, could be seen to be dominated by Purple
Moor-grass, Molinia caerulea with Common Cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium, and bog-mosses, Sphagnum species. Though there were some grassy clearings with orchids and herbaceous plants and some interesting ponds, this site was not so species-rich with only 78 species being recorded during the visit.
Peter Gateley
WALLASEY-MORETON 1st July
(Led by Dr Keith Watson)
On a dull but warm day a party of seven set off from Wallasey Grove Road station towards the coast, Immediately. interesting plants were seen on the railway embankment including a hybrid willow (possibly Salix repens x viminalis = S. x friesiana), Asparagus Asparagus officinalis, Large-flowered Evening-primrose, Oenothera glazioviana and Black Mullein, Verbascum nigrum .
Introduced White Mignonette, Reseda alba, was seen at the corner of the golf course and then Sea Rocket, Cakile maritima, near the Coastguard Station. Alexanders, Smyrnium olusatrum, was above the site of the old Derby Pool, as the party moved on towards the Gun Site dunes.
Isle of Man Cabbage, now Coincya monensis ssp. monensis, was in fine flower and brilliant blue flowers of Sheep’s-bit, Jasione montana and Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, were admired. A Small leaved Elm, Ulmus minor, was notable, also the yellow flowers of Spanish Broom, Spartium junceum, and abundant Burnet Rose Rosa pimpinellifolia. During lunch at a pleasant site at the edge of the dunes, we met a party led by Angus Gunn and found an alien Brome, possibly Bromopsis inermis.
After lunch, on the path towards Leasowe Castle we found Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea, Lathyrus latifolius, and Giant Hogweed, Hieracium mantegazzianum, but for me the highlight of the day was the Bee Orchids, Ophrys apifera, found by Peter Gateley near a path leading down towards the shore.
Along the path above the sea defences, Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfoliata, was found with Ragged-robin, Lynchis flos-cuculi, looking very small and dehydrated, and Sea-spurge, Euphorbia paralias, now spreading along the Wirral coast. Tiny seedlings of Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, were found in the sand as we continued to Moreton. Hard-grass, Parapholis strigosa, was found on very bare ground, noticeable by its conspicuous anthers.
Hemlock, Conium maculatum, was common on the road to Moreton station, in the heat its smell was very strong. Spiked Water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, was in flower near the station, After some delay, we took the train to Bidston station. A now very reduced party of two walked around the Nature Reserve, which is now becoming very overgrown with some of the paths almost impenetrable. Southern marsh-Orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, was in good flower on the motorway embankment as we walked back to Wallasey Village.
Keith Watson
Hale to Garston 22nd July
(Leader - Joan Davis)
On a fine sunny day, a party of twelve enjoyed a walk from Hale Village to Garston along the shore of the Mersey.
From the village we went along a country lane where common hedge and field species were observed until we reached the upper salt marsh bordering the river. Here Sea Asters, Aster trifolium, were just coming into flower and tufts of Sea Plantain, Plantago maritima, bordered the river edge. Large clumps of Sea Arrowgrass, Triglochin maritima, were also observed.
The tide was out so we were able to walk along the saltmarsh below the clay cliffs and, in places, through tall Common Reed, Phragmites australis. On the cliffs the pink form of Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata, was seen in the locality where this sub-species was first named by Dr Dick Brummitt, an ex-president of the Liverpool Botanical Society, now at Kew. This occurred at intervals all the way to Garston as did the Garden Angelica, Angelica archangelica, which had spread from its well known locality on the Mersey banks near Warrington. Some plants were easily 2 metres tall, and the scented leaves recalled the crystallised angelica used in cakes.
At Hale Head lunch was taken on the red sandstone cliffs below the lighthouse where the Duke of Argyll’s Tea Plant, Lycium barbarum, was seen both in flower and fruit, spreading over the saltmarsh.
From here the walk was on sand between the cliffs and the lower saltmarsh bordered by English Scurvygrass, Cochlearia anglica. Beyond we noted Annual Seablite, Suaeda maritima, some clumps of Common Cord-grass, Spartina anglica, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimum, and Long-spiked Glasswort, Salicornia dolichostachya. Drier hummocks had Thrift, Armeria maritima, the flowers of which had mostly gone over.
Some of the higher cliffs were scrubby and wooded and the first ripe brambles of the year were enjoyed. Teasels, Dipsacus fullonum, were seen here in twos and threes and then, further along, in hundreds. Bristly Oxtongue Picris echioides, an uncommon plant in South Lancashire, was abundant here and further along near Speke, where the cliffs were eroding a little. Other species added to the botanical scene. Among these were the Hoary Ragwort, Senecio erucifolius, Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, and Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfoliata.
The sandy shore had gradually changed to a pebble beach, so we gladly took the cliff road to Garston. During the course of the day over 200 species of flowering plant were recorded.
Vera Gordon
Newton-le-Willows 12th August
(Leader - Pat Lockwood)
We had such a wonderful day after a traumatic beginning. The days approaching the 12th of August were so very hot and I wondered if any members would be able to face walking in the heat. As it happened there were seven of us. Four of us travelled by train, two by bus and one by car. Our train was scheduled to leave at 9.27. from Lime Street station. At 9.40 Vera left the train to find out the cause of the delay. The guard had failed to turn up, so of course the train was cancelled, and to our horror so was the next one, half an hour later. Guy told an official that we had arranged to meet a party at Lowton, and they would be waiting and so a taxi was laid on for us. The two members who travelled by bus also experienced great difficulties, but they coped so very well and eventually we were all gathered together.
Our walk started and we made our way across the fields to Highfield Moss. The flora was wonderful in spite of the heatwave. A selection of flowers, grasses, sedges and rushes are listed below; Tormentil, Potentilla erecta, Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Golden Rod, Solidago virgaurea, Heather, Calluna vulgaris, Bell Heather, Erica cinerea, Cross-leaved Heather, Erica tetralix, Common Hempnettle, Galeopsis tetrahit, Sticky Groundsel, Senecio viscosus, Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus, Lesser Stitchwort, Stellaria graminea, Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus pedunculatus, Western Gorse, Ulex gallii, Marsh Bedstraw, Galium palustre, Sheep’s Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, Curled Dock, Rumex crispus, Redshank, Polygonum persicaria, Wood Sage, Teucrium scorodonia, Devils bit Scabious, Succisa pratensis, Zigzag Clover, Trifolium media, Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, Sneezewort, Achillea ptarmica, Petty Whin, Genista anglica, Marsh Gentian, Gentiana pneumonanthe, Lousewort, Pedicularis sylvatica, Cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolia, Black Horehound, Ballota nigra, Jointed Rush, Juncus articulatus, Bulbous Rush, Juncus bulbosus, Sharp-flowered Rush, Juncus acutifloris, Soft Rush, Juncus effusus, Heath Rush, Juncus squarrosus, Compact Rush, Juncus conglomeratus, Common Sedge, Carex nigra, Oval Sedge, Carex ovalis, Purple Moorgrass, Molinia caerulea, Creeping Softgrass, Holcus mollis, Timothy, Phleum pratense, False Oat Grass, Arrhenatherum elatius, Tufted Hairgrass, Deschampsia caespitosa, Wavy Hairgrass, Deschampsia flexuosa.
By the lake, near to Newton-le-Willows station: Trifid Bur-marigold, Bidens tripartita, Water Pepper, Polygonum hydropiper, Marsh Yellowcress, Rorippa palustris, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Ranunculus sceleratus, Water Chickweed, Myosoton aquaticum, Hare’s foot Clover, Trifolium arvense, Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, and lastly, Canary-grass, Phalaris canariensis.
Pat Lockwood
Blackburn and Pleasington 26th August
(Led by Miss M. Wilson)
The most abundant plant in the canal for a few miles from Blackburn was Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia, which was mainly in fruit although a few late flowers were seen. Other species included Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus, with its unusual flowering spike, Yellow Water-lily, Nuphar lutea, Water Plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica, and Reed Sweetgrass, Glyceria maxima. Along the canal bank Gypsywort, Lycopus europaeus, and Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, were abundant.
At Feniscowles a track led to a path through an old wood and down a steep wooded bank to river side meadows. The woodland plants included Upland or Intermediate Enchanter’s nightshade, Circaea x intermedia, Wood Stitchwort, Stellaria nemorum, Wood Horsetail, Equisetum sylvaticum, Lemon-scented Fern, Phegopteris oreopteris, and Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant.
The River Darwen was followed through a rocky and wooded gorge with a railway viaduct crossing high overhead. The abundant plant here was Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera. After the river was crossed to hilly ground the flora was quite different. There was a bank of Harebells, Campanula rotundifolia, then Tormentil, Potentilla erecta, tufts of Purple Moor grass, Molinia caerulea, and sheets of Common Bent, Agrostis capillaris, which looked particularly lovely with a rain drop hanging on every spikelet. This sight was a compensation for the much-needed rain which had drizzled for the last hour or so.
Vera Gordon
Formby 7th October
(Leader Angus Gunn)
Eleven members set off on a beautiful autumn day from Formby station to look at the woodland and dunes off Lifeboat Road. The first area studied was the deciduous woodland at the end of Kirklake Road.
By the path we found False Chantarelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Boletus subtomentosus and the False Deathcap Amanita citrina. The predominant ground mosses were Kindbergia (Eurynchium) praelonga and Brachythecium rutabulum. On decaying branches the bracket-like caps of Crepidotus mollis could be found while one of the slender varieties of the moss Hypnum cupressiforme was common on the tree trunks. Both Irish Ivy and English Iivy, Hedera helix ssp. helix & ssp. hibernica, were present in the woodland.
Where the path left the wood to go onto the dunes Violet-willow, Salix daphnoides, had been planted, the bluish boom on the twigs being very striking. We then took the path through a large stand of poplar growing in areas of old fixed dunes and slacks. Fungi were present in enormous numbers and in places it was almost impossible to walk without treading them. Species present included: Panther Cap, Amanita pantherina; Penny Bun, Boletus edulis; several Cortinarius species including C. cinnamomeus and C. delibutus; Velvet Shank, Collybia velutina; the Coconut scented Milk-cap Lactarius glyciosmus, the Peppery Milk-cap L. piperatus, L. mitissimus as well as several other Lactarius which we could not name; the Brown Birch Bolete, Leccinum scabrum; the Brown Roll-rim, Paxillus involutus; the Sickener, Russula emetica; and the Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma fasciculare. As well as the species seen earlier, mosses in this scrubby woodland included Polytrichum formosum, Mnium punctatum, M. hornum and M. affine and the liverwort Lophocolea bidentata. On a few of the poplars the lichen Evernia prunastri had established itself.
In the slacks not yet overgrown, Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris was still in flower and fruits of the Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris could still be found hidden amongst its leaves. Hard Rush, Juncus inflexus was also noticeable. Calliergon cuspidatum was the predominant moss here. Moving toward onto the Raven Meols sand dunes proved rather unproductive for fungi. Candle Snuff, Xylaria hypoxylon and an unidentified species of Pleurotus were found on decaying wood. In contrast, mosses were abundant in numbers if not in species. The bright green of Syntrichia (Tortula) ruraliformis covered much of the dunes while toward the sea Brachythecium albicans and Syntrichia (Tortula) ruralis added a bit of variety. Around the car park small cushions of Barbula sp. covered much of the ground and on large logs of beech marking the car park boundary, large brackets of Ganoderma adspersum were abundant.
On the way back to the station the party took the path close to Lifeboat Road where on the bark chippings, the common bird’s-nest fungus, Crucibilum laeve was found. Other species here included Cortinarius semisanguineus; the puffballs Calvatia excipuliformis (syn. Lycoperdon saccatum) and Lycoperdon perlatum; and the Ascomycete Otidia leporina . Just before leaving the site the party crossed through part of the pine plantation. The ground here was still extremely dry but the beautiful Plums and Custard Fungus Tricholomopsis rutilans was a welcome final addition to our species list.
Dr Angus Gunn
GWERSYLLT - 29th April
(Led by Miss Vera Gordan)
A party of 15 set off from Gwersyllt Railway Station. The first stop was to see the large bucket-sized tussocks of Greater Tussock Sedge Carex paniculata filling the site of a small lake. The Wood Club-rush Scirpus sylvaticus was not evident so early in the year but there were Marsh Marigolds Caltha palustris, Ladies Smock, Cardamine pratensis, and overhead the Cherry trees Prunus avium, were in flower.
The way then descended to the river Alyn which was followed along meadows and below a steep wooded bank. The trees were large Hornbeams, Carpinus betulus, some of which had "witches brooms”, galls caused by the fungus Taphrina carpini. The perfume of wild Hyacinths, Hyacinthoides non-scripta filled the air as we passed slopes blue with them.
Lunch was taken at the top of a track which was bordered by Pendulous Sedge, Carex pendula, in flower, also Ramsons, Allium ursinum, and Archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon. Then to an old gravel pit where there were Cowslips, Primuia veris. and along the banks on each side of the lanes, Violets Viola riviniana, Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria. Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria holostea, and Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus made a colourful show.
The banks of the Alyn were rejoined through woodlands where under the trees the carpet of Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, was like a cloth of gold. In wet flushes on the river bank the Butterbur Petasites hybridus had finished flowering and the female spikes had already lengthened to 2 feet.
Finally, across the Gwersyllt Hall grounds, landscaped after open-cast mining, where the Smith's Pepperwort, Lepidium heterophyllum, was really luxuriant in places.
Vera Gordon
AINSDALE AND BIRKDALE DUNES 20th May
(Led by Paul Rooney)
The second L.B.S. field meeting of the year was held jointly with the North West Naturalists’ Union at Ainsdale and Birkdale sand dunes. 23 members including Paul Rooney - meeting leader and Senior Sefton Ranger attended the meeting at what is traditionally one of the most popular sites for both recreation and the study of natural history in the area.
Members assembled outside Ainsdale Station on what started as an overcast, slightly breezy day. This, however, gave way to hot sunshine towards midday (Yes, the heatwave had started back then!). Members were led first to the Birkdale sandhills where many typical dune species were observed en route including Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias.
The recently colonised young dune slacks, home to English Nature's species recovery Natterjack Toads (spawning at the time} provided more botanical interest. Here Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, was abundant, along with Water Mint, Mentha aquatica, and Variegated Horsetail, Equisetum variegatum, invasive Creeping Willow, Salix repens, were also very evident in these wetter areas. The young slacks also yielded the most interesting and certainly the smallest specimens of botanic interest of the day, The Red Data Book liverwort Petalophyllum ralfsii was located after much careful searching on hands and knees. Included in the International Convention on Conservation (Bern Convention), this rare liverwort had not been observed on the dunes since the 1960s, it was relocated in February /March of this year by Dr Martha Newton. It was suggested that this was encouraged by the high water table occurring at the time.
As we continued along the coastal path other species observed included many common dune and coastal species such as Biting Stonecrop, Sedum acre, Common Sedge, Carex nigra, Rest Harrow, Ononis repens, and Club Rush, Eleocharis quinqueflora,
Species observed in flower included Lady’s Smock, Cardamine pratense. Houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale, Dog Violet, Viola and Stork’s bill, Erodium cicutarium, plus a garden escape Solomon's Seal Polygonatum x hybridum. The pretty Bog Pimpernel, Anagallis tenella was observed in some of the wetter areas. Lamb’s Lettuce, Valerianella locusta, seen at other locations earlier in the year was also observed but much reduced in size in response to the heavy grazing pressure from rabbits.
The drier dunes were dominated by the grey foliose Peltigera lichens - hence their name "Grey Dunes’. Following the main meeting a few members accompanied Paul Rooney to look at the sand dune accretion seaward of Tagg's Island. The dune front is moving rapidly seawards, and a new dune slack has formed with Baltic Rush, Juncus balticus and Sharp Club-rush, Schoenoplectus pungens already established.
Jo Hatton
RISLEY MOSS 10th June
(Led by Peter Gately)
About a dozen members and friends assembled at Birchwood Station on this fine morning. In order to visit two contrasting areas separated by the 1830 Liverpool-Manchester railway we resorted to using member's cars to convey us from the station to Rixton Clay Pits and then on to Risley Moss.
The main vegetation stands at Rixton are flower-rich grass swards, hedgerows, developing scrub, open water and extensive marshy and swampy tracts. We arrived just as many of the orchids were in their prime with Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa and Common Spotted-orchid, D. fuchsii, most notable. The inexorable progress of natural succession from grassland to scrub and woodland was evident, with management work already underway to maintain some open areas for orchids. There is a good system of paths winding through the matrix of wetland areas giving views of a great many plants. Collecting data for the vice-county records, Pricilla Tolfree recorded 183 species during the course of the visit, Fine-leaved Water-dropwort. Oenanthe aquatica, showed itself to advantage at the water's edge and there were some very fine stands of Ragged Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi. Also prominent in the wetland area were yellow-green tussocks of Hop Sedge, Carex pseudocyperus. Further north in the reserve there is increasing woody regeneration and woodland flora is developing in places, Along the lane down the west side there are dense and rich hedges, with various micro-species of Bramble flowering well and a scattering of garden escapes including a lovely stand of Dame’s Violet, Hesperis matronalis, in full flower.
The second site, Risley Moss, is also managed as a nature reserve but here the main elements of the vegetation are birch/willow woodland and surviving areas of raised mire vegetation. The main open mossland areas, which were viewed from tall observation stands not allowing the vegetation to be seen in detail, could be seen to be dominated by Purple
Moor-grass, Molinia caerulea with Common Cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium, and bog-mosses, Sphagnum species. Though there were some grassy clearings with orchids and herbaceous plants and some interesting ponds, this site was not so species-rich with only 78 species being recorded during the visit.
Peter Gateley
WALLASEY-MORETON 1st July
(Led by Dr Keith Watson)
On a dull but warm day a party of seven set off from Wallasey Grove Road station towards the coast, Immediately. interesting plants were seen on the railway embankment including a hybrid willow (possibly Salix repens x viminalis = S. x friesiana), Asparagus Asparagus officinalis, Large-flowered Evening-primrose, Oenothera glazioviana and Black Mullein, Verbascum nigrum .
Introduced White Mignonette, Reseda alba, was seen at the corner of the golf course and then Sea Rocket, Cakile maritima, near the Coastguard Station. Alexanders, Smyrnium olusatrum, was above the site of the old Derby Pool, as the party moved on towards the Gun Site dunes.
Isle of Man Cabbage, now Coincya monensis ssp. monensis, was in fine flower and brilliant blue flowers of Sheep’s-bit, Jasione montana and Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, were admired. A Small leaved Elm, Ulmus minor, was notable, also the yellow flowers of Spanish Broom, Spartium junceum, and abundant Burnet Rose Rosa pimpinellifolia. During lunch at a pleasant site at the edge of the dunes, we met a party led by Angus Gunn and found an alien Brome, possibly Bromopsis inermis.
After lunch, on the path towards Leasowe Castle we found Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea, Lathyrus latifolius, and Giant Hogweed, Hieracium mantegazzianum, but for me the highlight of the day was the Bee Orchids, Ophrys apifera, found by Peter Gateley near a path leading down towards the shore.
Along the path above the sea defences, Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfoliata, was found with Ragged-robin, Lynchis flos-cuculi, looking very small and dehydrated, and Sea-spurge, Euphorbia paralias, now spreading along the Wirral coast. Tiny seedlings of Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, were found in the sand as we continued to Moreton. Hard-grass, Parapholis strigosa, was found on very bare ground, noticeable by its conspicuous anthers.
Hemlock, Conium maculatum, was common on the road to Moreton station, in the heat its smell was very strong. Spiked Water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, was in flower near the station, After some delay, we took the train to Bidston station. A now very reduced party of two walked around the Nature Reserve, which is now becoming very overgrown with some of the paths almost impenetrable. Southern marsh-Orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, was in good flower on the motorway embankment as we walked back to Wallasey Village.
Keith Watson
Hale to Garston 22nd July
(Leader - Joan Davis)
On a fine sunny day, a party of twelve enjoyed a walk from Hale Village to Garston along the shore of the Mersey.
From the village we went along a country lane where common hedge and field species were observed until we reached the upper salt marsh bordering the river. Here Sea Asters, Aster trifolium, were just coming into flower and tufts of Sea Plantain, Plantago maritima, bordered the river edge. Large clumps of Sea Arrowgrass, Triglochin maritima, were also observed.
The tide was out so we were able to walk along the saltmarsh below the clay cliffs and, in places, through tall Common Reed, Phragmites australis. On the cliffs the pink form of Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata, was seen in the locality where this sub-species was first named by Dr Dick Brummitt, an ex-president of the Liverpool Botanical Society, now at Kew. This occurred at intervals all the way to Garston as did the Garden Angelica, Angelica archangelica, which had spread from its well known locality on the Mersey banks near Warrington. Some plants were easily 2 metres tall, and the scented leaves recalled the crystallised angelica used in cakes.
At Hale Head lunch was taken on the red sandstone cliffs below the lighthouse where the Duke of Argyll’s Tea Plant, Lycium barbarum, was seen both in flower and fruit, spreading over the saltmarsh.
From here the walk was on sand between the cliffs and the lower saltmarsh bordered by English Scurvygrass, Cochlearia anglica. Beyond we noted Annual Seablite, Suaeda maritima, some clumps of Common Cord-grass, Spartina anglica, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimum, and Long-spiked Glasswort, Salicornia dolichostachya. Drier hummocks had Thrift, Armeria maritima, the flowers of which had mostly gone over.
Some of the higher cliffs were scrubby and wooded and the first ripe brambles of the year were enjoyed. Teasels, Dipsacus fullonum, were seen here in twos and threes and then, further along, in hundreds. Bristly Oxtongue Picris echioides, an uncommon plant in South Lancashire, was abundant here and further along near Speke, where the cliffs were eroding a little. Other species added to the botanical scene. Among these were the Hoary Ragwort, Senecio erucifolius, Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, and Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfoliata.
The sandy shore had gradually changed to a pebble beach, so we gladly took the cliff road to Garston. During the course of the day over 200 species of flowering plant were recorded.
Vera Gordon
Newton-le-Willows 12th August
(Leader - Pat Lockwood)
We had such a wonderful day after a traumatic beginning. The days approaching the 12th of August were so very hot and I wondered if any members would be able to face walking in the heat. As it happened there were seven of us. Four of us travelled by train, two by bus and one by car. Our train was scheduled to leave at 9.27. from Lime Street station. At 9.40 Vera left the train to find out the cause of the delay. The guard had failed to turn up, so of course the train was cancelled, and to our horror so was the next one, half an hour later. Guy told an official that we had arranged to meet a party at Lowton, and they would be waiting and so a taxi was laid on for us. The two members who travelled by bus also experienced great difficulties, but they coped so very well and eventually we were all gathered together.
Our walk started and we made our way across the fields to Highfield Moss. The flora was wonderful in spite of the heatwave. A selection of flowers, grasses, sedges and rushes are listed below; Tormentil, Potentilla erecta, Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Golden Rod, Solidago virgaurea, Heather, Calluna vulgaris, Bell Heather, Erica cinerea, Cross-leaved Heather, Erica tetralix, Common Hempnettle, Galeopsis tetrahit, Sticky Groundsel, Senecio viscosus, Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus, Lesser Stitchwort, Stellaria graminea, Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus pedunculatus, Western Gorse, Ulex gallii, Marsh Bedstraw, Galium palustre, Sheep’s Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, Curled Dock, Rumex crispus, Redshank, Polygonum persicaria, Wood Sage, Teucrium scorodonia, Devils bit Scabious, Succisa pratensis, Zigzag Clover, Trifolium media, Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, Sneezewort, Achillea ptarmica, Petty Whin, Genista anglica, Marsh Gentian, Gentiana pneumonanthe, Lousewort, Pedicularis sylvatica, Cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolia, Black Horehound, Ballota nigra, Jointed Rush, Juncus articulatus, Bulbous Rush, Juncus bulbosus, Sharp-flowered Rush, Juncus acutifloris, Soft Rush, Juncus effusus, Heath Rush, Juncus squarrosus, Compact Rush, Juncus conglomeratus, Common Sedge, Carex nigra, Oval Sedge, Carex ovalis, Purple Moorgrass, Molinia caerulea, Creeping Softgrass, Holcus mollis, Timothy, Phleum pratense, False Oat Grass, Arrhenatherum elatius, Tufted Hairgrass, Deschampsia caespitosa, Wavy Hairgrass, Deschampsia flexuosa.
By the lake, near to Newton-le-Willows station: Trifid Bur-marigold, Bidens tripartita, Water Pepper, Polygonum hydropiper, Marsh Yellowcress, Rorippa palustris, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Ranunculus sceleratus, Water Chickweed, Myosoton aquaticum, Hare’s foot Clover, Trifolium arvense, Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, and lastly, Canary-grass, Phalaris canariensis.
Pat Lockwood
Blackburn and Pleasington 26th August
(Led by Miss M. Wilson)
The most abundant plant in the canal for a few miles from Blackburn was Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia, which was mainly in fruit although a few late flowers were seen. Other species included Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus, with its unusual flowering spike, Yellow Water-lily, Nuphar lutea, Water Plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica, and Reed Sweetgrass, Glyceria maxima. Along the canal bank Gypsywort, Lycopus europaeus, and Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, were abundant.
At Feniscowles a track led to a path through an old wood and down a steep wooded bank to river side meadows. The woodland plants included Upland or Intermediate Enchanter’s nightshade, Circaea x intermedia, Wood Stitchwort, Stellaria nemorum, Wood Horsetail, Equisetum sylvaticum, Lemon-scented Fern, Phegopteris oreopteris, and Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant.
The River Darwen was followed through a rocky and wooded gorge with a railway viaduct crossing high overhead. The abundant plant here was Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera. After the river was crossed to hilly ground the flora was quite different. There was a bank of Harebells, Campanula rotundifolia, then Tormentil, Potentilla erecta, tufts of Purple Moor grass, Molinia caerulea, and sheets of Common Bent, Agrostis capillaris, which looked particularly lovely with a rain drop hanging on every spikelet. This sight was a compensation for the much-needed rain which had drizzled for the last hour or so.
Vera Gordon
Formby 7th October
(Leader Angus Gunn)
Eleven members set off on a beautiful autumn day from Formby station to look at the woodland and dunes off Lifeboat Road. The first area studied was the deciduous woodland at the end of Kirklake Road.
By the path we found False Chantarelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Boletus subtomentosus and the False Deathcap Amanita citrina. The predominant ground mosses were Kindbergia (Eurynchium) praelonga and Brachythecium rutabulum. On decaying branches the bracket-like caps of Crepidotus mollis could be found while one of the slender varieties of the moss Hypnum cupressiforme was common on the tree trunks. Both Irish Ivy and English Iivy, Hedera helix ssp. helix & ssp. hibernica, were present in the woodland.
Where the path left the wood to go onto the dunes Violet-willow, Salix daphnoides, had been planted, the bluish boom on the twigs being very striking. We then took the path through a large stand of poplar growing in areas of old fixed dunes and slacks. Fungi were present in enormous numbers and in places it was almost impossible to walk without treading them. Species present included: Panther Cap, Amanita pantherina; Penny Bun, Boletus edulis; several Cortinarius species including C. cinnamomeus and C. delibutus; Velvet Shank, Collybia velutina; the Coconut scented Milk-cap Lactarius glyciosmus, the Peppery Milk-cap L. piperatus, L. mitissimus as well as several other Lactarius which we could not name; the Brown Birch Bolete, Leccinum scabrum; the Brown Roll-rim, Paxillus involutus; the Sickener, Russula emetica; and the Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma fasciculare. As well as the species seen earlier, mosses in this scrubby woodland included Polytrichum formosum, Mnium punctatum, M. hornum and M. affine and the liverwort Lophocolea bidentata. On a few of the poplars the lichen Evernia prunastri had established itself.
In the slacks not yet overgrown, Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris was still in flower and fruits of the Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris could still be found hidden amongst its leaves. Hard Rush, Juncus inflexus was also noticeable. Calliergon cuspidatum was the predominant moss here. Moving toward onto the Raven Meols sand dunes proved rather unproductive for fungi. Candle Snuff, Xylaria hypoxylon and an unidentified species of Pleurotus were found on decaying wood. In contrast, mosses were abundant in numbers if not in species. The bright green of Syntrichia (Tortula) ruraliformis covered much of the dunes while toward the sea Brachythecium albicans and Syntrichia (Tortula) ruralis added a bit of variety. Around the car park small cushions of Barbula sp. covered much of the ground and on large logs of beech marking the car park boundary, large brackets of Ganoderma adspersum were abundant.
On the way back to the station the party took the path close to Lifeboat Road where on the bark chippings, the common bird’s-nest fungus, Crucibilum laeve was found. Other species here included Cortinarius semisanguineus; the puffballs Calvatia excipuliformis (syn. Lycoperdon saccatum) and Lycoperdon perlatum; and the Ascomycete Otidia leporina . Just before leaving the site the party crossed through part of the pine plantation. The ground here was still extremely dry but the beautiful Plums and Custard Fungus Tricholomopsis rutilans was a welcome final addition to our species list.
Dr Angus Gunn