2003 Fieldtrips
Caergwrle 26 April, Great Orme 24 May, Meols Meadow 7 June,
Aston's Flash 28 June, Wigg Island 12 July, Hall Road 9 August,
Treborth 13 September, Sankey 27 September, Freshfield 11 October.
Caergwrle 26 April, Great Orme 24 May, Meols Meadow 7 June,
Aston's Flash 28 June, Wigg Island 12 July, Hall Road 9 August,
Treborth 13 September, Sankey 27 September, Freshfield 11 October.
Caergwrle
26th April 2003
Leader – Guy Sloman
From Caergwrle Station we set off to the old packhorse bridge, over the River Alyn. It was pleasing to see that it had been carefully repaired, since the damage caused by flooding in 2001. Sadly there was no sign of the Toothwort, Lathraea squamaria in its usual spot. The LBS first discovered it growing beside the bridge in 1964, so it was an old favourite. We then strolled towards Cefn-y-bed. Bluebells, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus, Yellow Archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon and Bittervetch, Lathyrus linifolius flowers were all admired beside the track. Across the fields towards the Alyn, some scrambled down to the shady riverbank to find the Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, almost hidden by the prolific Ramsons, Allium ursinum. We walked towards Plas Maen and the edge of Cymau. The lovely shining, golden flowers of Kingcups, Caltha palustris grew in a marshy field, fed by a nearby spring. Marsh Valerian, Valeriana dioica grew beside the tiny stream and in a wet hollow there was a splendid patch of Large Bitter-cress, Cardamine amara. Leaves of Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria were showing
At the edge of a lane, above the Bryn Yorkin road, Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula and Cowslip, Primula veris were in flower. The first
pubescent, palmately-lobed leaves and tendrils and leaves of White Bryony, Bryonia dioica were showing beside a thicket. Not nearly as common a plant in Flintshire as Black Bryony, Tamus communis. We then descended through the Bryn Yorkin woodland to the steep,
narrow lane down to Caergwrle. A lovely springtime walk, enjoyed by the party. Many thanks to Guy Sloman for leading the walk.
Susan Taylor
26th April 2003
Leader – Guy Sloman
From Caergwrle Station we set off to the old packhorse bridge, over the River Alyn. It was pleasing to see that it had been carefully repaired, since the damage caused by flooding in 2001. Sadly there was no sign of the Toothwort, Lathraea squamaria in its usual spot. The LBS first discovered it growing beside the bridge in 1964, so it was an old favourite. We then strolled towards Cefn-y-bed. Bluebells, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus, Yellow Archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon and Bittervetch, Lathyrus linifolius flowers were all admired beside the track. Across the fields towards the Alyn, some scrambled down to the shady riverbank to find the Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, almost hidden by the prolific Ramsons, Allium ursinum. We walked towards Plas Maen and the edge of Cymau. The lovely shining, golden flowers of Kingcups, Caltha palustris grew in a marshy field, fed by a nearby spring. Marsh Valerian, Valeriana dioica grew beside the tiny stream and in a wet hollow there was a splendid patch of Large Bitter-cress, Cardamine amara. Leaves of Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria were showing
At the edge of a lane, above the Bryn Yorkin road, Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula and Cowslip, Primula veris were in flower. The first
pubescent, palmately-lobed leaves and tendrils and leaves of White Bryony, Bryonia dioica were showing beside a thicket. Not nearly as common a plant in Flintshire as Black Bryony, Tamus communis. We then descended through the Bryn Yorkin woodland to the steep,
narrow lane down to Caergwrle. A lovely springtime walk, enjoyed by the party. Many thanks to Guy Sloman for leading the walk.
Susan Taylor
Great Orme
24th May 2003
Leader – Wendy McCarthy
On a sunny but quite windy day, a party of about 20 set off from the summit car park. This was the second Great Orme meeting within a year, after the meeting on Sept.14th 2002. The spring flowers such as Common Rock-rose, Helianthemum nummularium, Hoary Rock-rose, Helianthemum oelandicum, Spring Squill, Scilla verna and Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula were all in good flower. The grasses Meadow Oatgrass, Helictotrichon pratense and Downy Oat-grass, Helictotrichon pubescens were compared. A special plant for me was Mountain Everlasting, Antennaria dioica, now very rare on the Orme. Even though I have visited the Orme many, many times over the last almost 30 years, the last time I saw it here was the LBS meeting 2nd June 1979. Plants at the triangular green near Ty’n-Coed included Musk Stork’s-bill, Erodium moschatum, Small-flowered Crane’s-bill, Geranium pusillum, Spotted Medick, Medicago arabica, Parsley-piert, Aphanes arvensis and Field Madder, Sherardia arvensis. We then walked on to the woodland above Haulfre gardens, and saw the Stone and Monterey Pines, Pinus pinea and P. radiata, also Sanicle, Sanicula europaea, Wood Melick, Melica uniflora, and Ivy Broomrape, Orobanche hederae. Some of the party climbed the steep slope to see Dropwort, Filipendula vulgaris, Horseshoe Vetch, Hippocrepis comosa, Hairy Violet, Viola hirta and Juniper, Juniperus communis.
Then we climbed up the zig-zag path, where we saw Dark-red Helleborine, Epipactis atrorubens and leaf rosettes of Spotted Cat’s-ear, Hypochaeris maculata. Near the top was Spring Cinquefoil, Potentilla neumanniana. We were diverted for a while by an impressive air display by the Red Arrows, but continued to see one of the few wild sites of Wild Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster cambricus. Another special plant for me was Green-winged Orchid, Orchis morio near the miniature golf course, again a plant I had not seen for a long time on the Orme. Many thanks to Wendy for leading the meeting.
Keith Watson
24th May 2003
Leader – Wendy McCarthy
On a sunny but quite windy day, a party of about 20 set off from the summit car park. This was the second Great Orme meeting within a year, after the meeting on Sept.14th 2002. The spring flowers such as Common Rock-rose, Helianthemum nummularium, Hoary Rock-rose, Helianthemum oelandicum, Spring Squill, Scilla verna and Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula were all in good flower. The grasses Meadow Oatgrass, Helictotrichon pratense and Downy Oat-grass, Helictotrichon pubescens were compared. A special plant for me was Mountain Everlasting, Antennaria dioica, now very rare on the Orme. Even though I have visited the Orme many, many times over the last almost 30 years, the last time I saw it here was the LBS meeting 2nd June 1979. Plants at the triangular green near Ty’n-Coed included Musk Stork’s-bill, Erodium moschatum, Small-flowered Crane’s-bill, Geranium pusillum, Spotted Medick, Medicago arabica, Parsley-piert, Aphanes arvensis and Field Madder, Sherardia arvensis. We then walked on to the woodland above Haulfre gardens, and saw the Stone and Monterey Pines, Pinus pinea and P. radiata, also Sanicle, Sanicula europaea, Wood Melick, Melica uniflora, and Ivy Broomrape, Orobanche hederae. Some of the party climbed the steep slope to see Dropwort, Filipendula vulgaris, Horseshoe Vetch, Hippocrepis comosa, Hairy Violet, Viola hirta and Juniper, Juniperus communis.
Then we climbed up the zig-zag path, where we saw Dark-red Helleborine, Epipactis atrorubens and leaf rosettes of Spotted Cat’s-ear, Hypochaeris maculata. Near the top was Spring Cinquefoil, Potentilla neumanniana. We were diverted for a while by an impressive air display by the Red Arrows, but continued to see one of the few wild sites of Wild Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster cambricus. Another special plant for me was Green-winged Orchid, Orchis morio near the miniature golf course, again a plant I had not seen for a long time on the Orme. Many thanks to Wendy for leading the meeting.
Keith Watson
Meols Meadows
7th June 2003
Leader – Keith Hatton
A party of about 15 met at Meols Station, and walked along Park Rd to the entrance to the meadows near the new Sewage works. Meols Meadows is an area of traditional hay meadows, where management has remained unchanged for 350 years. Cattle graze part of the year. The area is below sea level and usually wet in winter. Alluvial deposits lie on top of boulder clay and sandstone. We were interested to be told some of the old field names such as “Saughall Towne Field Meadow” and “Old Carr Pasture”. It was a lovely, warm, sunny day and larks sung cheerily above us. The first meadow was full of flowers such as Yellow-rattle, Rhinanthus minor, Tufted Vetch, Vicia cracca, Selfheal, Prunella vulgaris, Common Sorrel, Rumex acetosa, Wild Carrot, Daucus carota and Brown Sedge, Carex disticha, an uncommon plant in Wirral. In some areas Common Reed, Phragmites australis had become very invasive, and almost impenetrable, but in another meadow were splendid yellow patches of Dyer’s Greenweed, Genista tinctoria. Grasses included Yellow Oat-grass, Trisetum flavescens, Meadow Foxtail, Alopecurus pratensis, Crested Dog’s-tail, Cynosurus cristatus, Sweet Vernal-grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum and , in one place, Meadow Barley, Hordeum secalinum. The first few flowers of Pepper-saxifrage, Silaum silaus were open. A single large flower spike of a Spotted Orchid was admired and discussed, it may have been Heath Spotted-orchid, Dactylorhiza maculata. Meols Meadows is notable for being one of the very few Cheshire localities of Green-winged Orchid, Orchis morio, but it was not seen on the present visit and has not been recorded recently. Walking along a raised-up track we noticed a single plant of Salsify, Tragopogon porrifolius with its purple flowers. At one time it was cultivated for its taproots. It was just after this that someone reminded us that Leander and Katie were getting married, about that very time! We stood on a small bridge over the River Birket, and thought about their happy day and wished them all the best.
We headed towards the coast, Lucerne, Medicago sativa and Kidney Vetch, Anthyllis vulneria were plentiful. Solitary bees flew about the sandier areas, enjoying the sunshine. Notable plants on the shore included Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralius, Sea Holly, Eryngium maritimum and Hound’stongue, Cynoglossum officinale. Two orchids, Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera and Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyrimidalis were found. As we walked back to Meols Station some of us were discussing ferns. At that very moment, by sheer coincidence, a Rustyback, Ceterach officinarum was spotted growing on a garden wall. Another interesting plant was Small-flowered Crane’s-bill, Geranium pusillum growing on a grass verge. Those of the group who still had time to spare and energy (revived by lolly ices from a local shop) headed towards the ponds near Leasowe lighthouse. They were rewarded by Greater Spearwort, Ranunculus lingua, Great Yellow-cress, Rorippa amphibia and the introduced Buttonweed, Cotula coronopifolia. A few Bee Orchids were not far away. A most interesting and enjoyable field meeting, many thanks to Keith Hatton, our leader.
Susan Taylor and Keith Watson
7th June 2003
Leader – Keith Hatton
A party of about 15 met at Meols Station, and walked along Park Rd to the entrance to the meadows near the new Sewage works. Meols Meadows is an area of traditional hay meadows, where management has remained unchanged for 350 years. Cattle graze part of the year. The area is below sea level and usually wet in winter. Alluvial deposits lie on top of boulder clay and sandstone. We were interested to be told some of the old field names such as “Saughall Towne Field Meadow” and “Old Carr Pasture”. It was a lovely, warm, sunny day and larks sung cheerily above us. The first meadow was full of flowers such as Yellow-rattle, Rhinanthus minor, Tufted Vetch, Vicia cracca, Selfheal, Prunella vulgaris, Common Sorrel, Rumex acetosa, Wild Carrot, Daucus carota and Brown Sedge, Carex disticha, an uncommon plant in Wirral. In some areas Common Reed, Phragmites australis had become very invasive, and almost impenetrable, but in another meadow were splendid yellow patches of Dyer’s Greenweed, Genista tinctoria. Grasses included Yellow Oat-grass, Trisetum flavescens, Meadow Foxtail, Alopecurus pratensis, Crested Dog’s-tail, Cynosurus cristatus, Sweet Vernal-grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum and , in one place, Meadow Barley, Hordeum secalinum. The first few flowers of Pepper-saxifrage, Silaum silaus were open. A single large flower spike of a Spotted Orchid was admired and discussed, it may have been Heath Spotted-orchid, Dactylorhiza maculata. Meols Meadows is notable for being one of the very few Cheshire localities of Green-winged Orchid, Orchis morio, but it was not seen on the present visit and has not been recorded recently. Walking along a raised-up track we noticed a single plant of Salsify, Tragopogon porrifolius with its purple flowers. At one time it was cultivated for its taproots. It was just after this that someone reminded us that Leander and Katie were getting married, about that very time! We stood on a small bridge over the River Birket, and thought about their happy day and wished them all the best.
We headed towards the coast, Lucerne, Medicago sativa and Kidney Vetch, Anthyllis vulneria were plentiful. Solitary bees flew about the sandier areas, enjoying the sunshine. Notable plants on the shore included Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralius, Sea Holly, Eryngium maritimum and Hound’stongue, Cynoglossum officinale. Two orchids, Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera and Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyrimidalis were found. As we walked back to Meols Station some of us were discussing ferns. At that very moment, by sheer coincidence, a Rustyback, Ceterach officinarum was spotted growing on a garden wall. Another interesting plant was Small-flowered Crane’s-bill, Geranium pusillum growing on a grass verge. Those of the group who still had time to spare and energy (revived by lolly ices from a local shop) headed towards the ponds near Leasowe lighthouse. They were rewarded by Greater Spearwort, Ranunculus lingua, Great Yellow-cress, Rorippa amphibia and the introduced Buttonweed, Cotula coronopifolia. A few Bee Orchids were not far away. A most interesting and enjoyable field meeting, many thanks to Keith Hatton, our leader.
Susan Taylor and Keith Watson
Aston’s Flash
28th June 2003
Leader – Rob Duffy
The Flash is a waste alkali lake, forming a bowl on the outskirts of Northwich, which has reverted to scrub and carr. There are genuine wet areas; these become more like bogs in drier spells. One of the embankments forms a calcareous scree. Despite being only half a mile across the effect is of mild disorientation when walking around. The flora is notable for its orchids, including Fragrant Orchid and Marsh Helleborine and hybrid orchid swarms, unusual for Cheshire. It has been of botanical interest since described in Newton’s Flora of Cheshire, 1970. A party of 9 gathered at Northwich Station to explore the site. Ironically, this was almost certainly the last botanical meeting before the site was mysteriously closed for “environmental improvement”. The guess was that these measures to raise the water table – nothing sinister we hoped!
Species noted: Fragrant Orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea and ssp. densiflora, Southern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Early Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata, Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris ,Yellow Sedge, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa, Lesser Pond-sedge C. acutiformis, Common Sedge C. nigra, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Common Club-rush, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Great Fen-sedge, Cladium mariscus, Timothy, Phleum pratense , Creeping Bent, Agrostis stolonifera ,Red Fescue Festuca rubra, Tall Fescue, Festuca arundinacea, False Brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Eyebright, Euphrasia sp., Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata Ploughman’s-spikenard Inula conyza, Mouse-ear-hawkweed Pilosella officinarum, Fairy Flax Linum catharticum, Field-rose Rosa arvensis, Prickly Lettuce Lactuca serriola, Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea, Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia, Common Valerian Valeriana officinalis, Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa, Wormwood Artemisia absinthium, Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Hoary Mustard Hirschfeldia incana, Marsh Arrowgrass Triglochin palustris, Goat’s-beard Tragopogon pratensis and Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata.
Rob Duffy
28th June 2003
Leader – Rob Duffy
The Flash is a waste alkali lake, forming a bowl on the outskirts of Northwich, which has reverted to scrub and carr. There are genuine wet areas; these become more like bogs in drier spells. One of the embankments forms a calcareous scree. Despite being only half a mile across the effect is of mild disorientation when walking around. The flora is notable for its orchids, including Fragrant Orchid and Marsh Helleborine and hybrid orchid swarms, unusual for Cheshire. It has been of botanical interest since described in Newton’s Flora of Cheshire, 1970. A party of 9 gathered at Northwich Station to explore the site. Ironically, this was almost certainly the last botanical meeting before the site was mysteriously closed for “environmental improvement”. The guess was that these measures to raise the water table – nothing sinister we hoped!
Species noted: Fragrant Orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea and ssp. densiflora, Southern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Early Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata, Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris ,Yellow Sedge, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa, Lesser Pond-sedge C. acutiformis, Common Sedge C. nigra, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Common Club-rush, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Great Fen-sedge, Cladium mariscus, Timothy, Phleum pratense , Creeping Bent, Agrostis stolonifera ,Red Fescue Festuca rubra, Tall Fescue, Festuca arundinacea, False Brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Eyebright, Euphrasia sp., Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata Ploughman’s-spikenard Inula conyza, Mouse-ear-hawkweed Pilosella officinarum, Fairy Flax Linum catharticum, Field-rose Rosa arvensis, Prickly Lettuce Lactuca serriola, Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea, Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia, Common Valerian Valeriana officinalis, Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa, Wormwood Artemisia absinthium, Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Hoary Mustard Hirschfeldia incana, Marsh Arrowgrass Triglochin palustris, Goat’s-beard Tragopogon pratensis and Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata.
Rob Duffy
Wigg Island (Runcorn)
12th July 2003
Leader – Tony Parker
Wigg Island is situated on the South bank of the River Mersey. The site covers 20 hectares of reclaimed industrial land, the area having previously been a tip for the chemical industry and a mustard gas factory! The site has several areas of grassland and woodland, although the latter is of reasonably recent origin having been planted as part of a landscaping scheme run by the then Runcorn New Town. Recently part of the site has been reclaimed as a community park complete with hides, picnic areas etc.
The group visited on a hot sunny day in July, ideal for both plants and insects which were present in abundance. The morning was spent at the western end of the site and along the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, this area has been subject to less disturbance from the reclamation work hence the flora has developed over a longer period of time, a good number of species were noted here.
After lunch the group visited the more recently developed part of the site. Here was the unusual sight of an opentopped double-decker bus parked under some Wych Elms. This was a joint Halton Borough Council/Butterfly Conservation event looking for Whiteletter Hairstreak butterfly; this is a small species which is almost entirely associated with Elm trees. This somewhat strange arrangement did allow good close-up views of this and several other butterfly species.
Species recorded: Wych Elm Ulmus glabra, Silver Birch Betula pendula, Alder Alnus glutinosa, Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur, White Poplar Populus alba, Aspen Populus tremula, Crack Willow Salix x fragilis ,Grey Willow Salix cinerea, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Rowan Sorbus aucuparia, Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum, Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea Silverweed Potentilla anserina, Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia, Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus, Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca, Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta, Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, Black Medick Medicago lupulina, White Clover Trifolium repens, Red Clover Trifolium pratense ,Marsh Willowherb Epilobium palustre, Rosebay Willowherb Chamerium angustifolium, Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Wild Carrot Daucus carota, Hogweed Heracleum spondylium, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis, Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium, Self-heal Prunella vulgaris, Marsh Woundwort Stachys palustris, Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica, Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare, Creeping Thistle C. arvense, Knapweed Centaurea nigra, Nipplewort Lapsana communis ,Goatsbeard Tragopogon pratense, Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata, Smooth Sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus ,Autumn Hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis, Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris , Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Common Ragwort Jacobea vulgaris, Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera ,Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Common Nettle Urtica dioca, Curled Dock Rumex crispus, Broad-leaved Dock ,Rumex obtusifolius, Weld Reseda lutea, Wall Speedwell Veronica arvensis, Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys, Perforate St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum , Pellitory-of-the-wall Parietaria judaica, Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Figwort Scropularia nodosa, Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria, Lesser Burdock Arctium minus ,Ox-eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, Sea Aster Aster tripolium, Red Campion Silene dioca, Foxglove Digitalis purpurea, Gypsywort Lycopus europaeus,Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica, Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus and Hart’s-tongue Fern Phyllitis scolopendrium.
Tony Parker
12th July 2003
Leader – Tony Parker
Wigg Island is situated on the South bank of the River Mersey. The site covers 20 hectares of reclaimed industrial land, the area having previously been a tip for the chemical industry and a mustard gas factory! The site has several areas of grassland and woodland, although the latter is of reasonably recent origin having been planted as part of a landscaping scheme run by the then Runcorn New Town. Recently part of the site has been reclaimed as a community park complete with hides, picnic areas etc.
The group visited on a hot sunny day in July, ideal for both plants and insects which were present in abundance. The morning was spent at the western end of the site and along the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, this area has been subject to less disturbance from the reclamation work hence the flora has developed over a longer period of time, a good number of species were noted here.
After lunch the group visited the more recently developed part of the site. Here was the unusual sight of an opentopped double-decker bus parked under some Wych Elms. This was a joint Halton Borough Council/Butterfly Conservation event looking for Whiteletter Hairstreak butterfly; this is a small species which is almost entirely associated with Elm trees. This somewhat strange arrangement did allow good close-up views of this and several other butterfly species.
Species recorded: Wych Elm Ulmus glabra, Silver Birch Betula pendula, Alder Alnus glutinosa, Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur, White Poplar Populus alba, Aspen Populus tremula, Crack Willow Salix x fragilis ,Grey Willow Salix cinerea, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Rowan Sorbus aucuparia, Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum, Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea Silverweed Potentilla anserina, Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia, Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus, Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca, Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta, Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, Black Medick Medicago lupulina, White Clover Trifolium repens, Red Clover Trifolium pratense ,Marsh Willowherb Epilobium palustre, Rosebay Willowherb Chamerium angustifolium, Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Wild Carrot Daucus carota, Hogweed Heracleum spondylium, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis, Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium, Self-heal Prunella vulgaris, Marsh Woundwort Stachys palustris, Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica, Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare, Creeping Thistle C. arvense, Knapweed Centaurea nigra, Nipplewort Lapsana communis ,Goatsbeard Tragopogon pratense, Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata, Smooth Sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus ,Autumn Hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis, Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris , Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Common Ragwort Jacobea vulgaris, Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera ,Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Common Nettle Urtica dioca, Curled Dock Rumex crispus, Broad-leaved Dock ,Rumex obtusifolius, Weld Reseda lutea, Wall Speedwell Veronica arvensis, Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys, Perforate St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum , Pellitory-of-the-wall Parietaria judaica, Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Figwort Scropularia nodosa, Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria, Lesser Burdock Arctium minus ,Ox-eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, Sea Aster Aster tripolium, Red Campion Silene dioca, Foxglove Digitalis purpurea, Gypsywort Lycopus europaeus,Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica, Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus and Hart’s-tongue Fern Phyllitis scolopendrium.
Tony Parker
Hall Road
9th August 2003
Leader – Dave Earl
SD30A is one of the tetrads which are a feature of the Local Change Project (LCP) being undertaken by the BSBI during 2003-2004. This tetrad was studied for the BSBI Monitoring Scheme during 1987-1988. A prime objective for the LCP to date has been that of attempting to find as many of the species that were recorded during 1987-1988 as possible. Although the tetrad had been extensively explored for the flora, 2003 was the first year of recording for the LCP therefore we could expect to find numerous LCP records in addition to those gathered during the spring and early summer of 2003. On this hot August day we made our way to the promenade in search of the salt tolerant plants which grow on the salt sprayed lawns adjacent to the River Mersey. Plants found included Sea Aster, Aster tripolium, Grass-leaved Orache Atriplex littoralis, Sea-purslane, Atriplex portulacoides, Sea Holly Eryngium maritimum, Sea Milkwort, Glaux maritima, Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides, the coastal form of Curled Dock, Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus, Lesser Sea-spurrey, Spergularia marina, Sea Pearlwort Sagina maritima, and Sea Mayweed Tripleurospermum maritimum. Silver Hair-grass Aira caryophyllea was a feature of the sandy turf.
Leaving behind the refreshing breeze of the coast we headed inland to the fringes of the Key Park finding Wild Onion, Allium vineale, Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, Blue Fleabane, Erigeron acer and the planted shrubs Evergreen Spindle, Euonymus japonicus and Spanish Broom Spartium junceum. Lunch was taken under the trees of a small park where Sunflower, Helianthus annuus and Wheat, Triticum aestivum occurred. Then, onward into intense heat towards Sniggery Wood. In the arable fields additional species included Shaggy Soldier, Galinsoga quadriradiata, Perennial Sow-thistle, Sonchus arvensis and Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum. Finally we found a number of wetland species Purple-loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Common Fleabane, Pulicaria dysenterica, Common Valerian, Valeriana officinalis and Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus. Having found an extra 87 species for the LCP we returned to Hall Road Station completely exhausted from the intensive heat. The total number of species increased to 320 for the LCP within SD30A. Note also that the LCP has greatly increased the total number of species recorded for SD30A for the South Lancashire Flora Project to 427 species. It is intended that a summary of the findings of the LCP 2003-2004 within SD30 will appear in a future edition of Parnassia.
Dave Earl
9th August 2003
Leader – Dave Earl
SD30A is one of the tetrads which are a feature of the Local Change Project (LCP) being undertaken by the BSBI during 2003-2004. This tetrad was studied for the BSBI Monitoring Scheme during 1987-1988. A prime objective for the LCP to date has been that of attempting to find as many of the species that were recorded during 1987-1988 as possible. Although the tetrad had been extensively explored for the flora, 2003 was the first year of recording for the LCP therefore we could expect to find numerous LCP records in addition to those gathered during the spring and early summer of 2003. On this hot August day we made our way to the promenade in search of the salt tolerant plants which grow on the salt sprayed lawns adjacent to the River Mersey. Plants found included Sea Aster, Aster tripolium, Grass-leaved Orache Atriplex littoralis, Sea-purslane, Atriplex portulacoides, Sea Holly Eryngium maritimum, Sea Milkwort, Glaux maritima, Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides, the coastal form of Curled Dock, Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus, Lesser Sea-spurrey, Spergularia marina, Sea Pearlwort Sagina maritima, and Sea Mayweed Tripleurospermum maritimum. Silver Hair-grass Aira caryophyllea was a feature of the sandy turf.
Leaving behind the refreshing breeze of the coast we headed inland to the fringes of the Key Park finding Wild Onion, Allium vineale, Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, Blue Fleabane, Erigeron acer and the planted shrubs Evergreen Spindle, Euonymus japonicus and Spanish Broom Spartium junceum. Lunch was taken under the trees of a small park where Sunflower, Helianthus annuus and Wheat, Triticum aestivum occurred. Then, onward into intense heat towards Sniggery Wood. In the arable fields additional species included Shaggy Soldier, Galinsoga quadriradiata, Perennial Sow-thistle, Sonchus arvensis and Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum. Finally we found a number of wetland species Purple-loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Common Fleabane, Pulicaria dysenterica, Common Valerian, Valeriana officinalis and Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus. Having found an extra 87 species for the LCP we returned to Hall Road Station completely exhausted from the intensive heat. The total number of species increased to 320 for the LCP within SD30A. Note also that the LCP has greatly increased the total number of species recorded for SD30A for the South Lancashire Flora Project to 427 species. It is intended that a summary of the findings of the LCP 2003-2004 within SD30 will appear in a future edition of Parnassia.
Dave Earl
Treborth
13th September 2003
No report available
13th September 2003
No report available
Sankey
27th September 2003
Leader- Dave Earl
Meeting at Sankey Station our objective was the exploration of SJ58U and SJ58T with a view to increasing the vascular plant tetrad totals beyond 200 species. From Sankey Station we walked east towards Whittle Brook Valley recording numerous garden outcasts that have become established on the wooded railway embankment including Japanese Spindle, Euonymus japonicus, Mrs Robb's Hat Plant, Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp. robbiae and Redhot- poker Kniphofia uvaria. At Whittle Brook Valley we found much of the area had been landscaped with planted shrubs as is often the case in the Warrington suburbs. Grassland areas had been created, as indicated by the presence of Grass Vetchling, Lathyrus nissolia. The areas by the paths had been recently sown with wildflower mixtures providing a habitat for a number of adventive species such as Canadian Fleabane, Conyza canadensis, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus, Black Bindweed Fallopia convolvulus, Shaggy Soldier Galinsoga quadriradiata, Field Pennycress, Thlaspi arvense, Garden Lobelia, Lobelia erinus and the increasingly characteristic species of disturbed ground Prickly Lettuce, Lactuca serriola. By the brook we found Branched Bur-reed, Sparganium erectum and a local speciality of the Sankey Valley system Greater Pond Sedge Carex riparia. Our works were well rewarded with a new tetrad total of 264 species.
After returning to our cars we travelled down to the next tetrad SJ58T to have lunch by the Fiddler's Ferry Lock. We admired the splendid population of Wild Celery, Apium graveolens on the walls of the old lock as the magnificent high tide of the River Mersey steadily inundated the plants. A walk along the Sankey Canal provided records of Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Skull-cap Scutellaria galericulata and Common Valerian, Valeriana officinalis. We found that the waters of the Mersey subsided as rapidly as they had risen, allowing us to explore the nearby salt marsh where we recorded a few extra species including Sea Arrow-grass Triglochin maritimum, the coastal form of Curled Dock, Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus and Sea Club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus. On the banks above the salt marsh were fine plants of the Roseate Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata. Along a newly created path adjacent to what may have been a former landfill site, were a number of planted shrubs amongst which appear to be hybrid plantings of Prunus x fruticans (domestica x spinosa) and Rosa x verticillacantha (arvensis x canina). Finally we found Black Horehound, Ballota nigra on a lane north of the canal with clumps of False Brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum surviving along a shaded brook. The new tetrad total for SJ58T rose to 254, further demonstrating the substantial progress made for the South Lancashire Flora during our days' excursion.
Dave Earl
27th September 2003
Leader- Dave Earl
Meeting at Sankey Station our objective was the exploration of SJ58U and SJ58T with a view to increasing the vascular plant tetrad totals beyond 200 species. From Sankey Station we walked east towards Whittle Brook Valley recording numerous garden outcasts that have become established on the wooded railway embankment including Japanese Spindle, Euonymus japonicus, Mrs Robb's Hat Plant, Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp. robbiae and Redhot- poker Kniphofia uvaria. At Whittle Brook Valley we found much of the area had been landscaped with planted shrubs as is often the case in the Warrington suburbs. Grassland areas had been created, as indicated by the presence of Grass Vetchling, Lathyrus nissolia. The areas by the paths had been recently sown with wildflower mixtures providing a habitat for a number of adventive species such as Canadian Fleabane, Conyza canadensis, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus, Black Bindweed Fallopia convolvulus, Shaggy Soldier Galinsoga quadriradiata, Field Pennycress, Thlaspi arvense, Garden Lobelia, Lobelia erinus and the increasingly characteristic species of disturbed ground Prickly Lettuce, Lactuca serriola. By the brook we found Branched Bur-reed, Sparganium erectum and a local speciality of the Sankey Valley system Greater Pond Sedge Carex riparia. Our works were well rewarded with a new tetrad total of 264 species.
After returning to our cars we travelled down to the next tetrad SJ58T to have lunch by the Fiddler's Ferry Lock. We admired the splendid population of Wild Celery, Apium graveolens on the walls of the old lock as the magnificent high tide of the River Mersey steadily inundated the plants. A walk along the Sankey Canal provided records of Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Skull-cap Scutellaria galericulata and Common Valerian, Valeriana officinalis. We found that the waters of the Mersey subsided as rapidly as they had risen, allowing us to explore the nearby salt marsh where we recorded a few extra species including Sea Arrow-grass Triglochin maritimum, the coastal form of Curled Dock, Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus and Sea Club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus. On the banks above the salt marsh were fine plants of the Roseate Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata. Along a newly created path adjacent to what may have been a former landfill site, were a number of planted shrubs amongst which appear to be hybrid plantings of Prunus x fruticans (domestica x spinosa) and Rosa x verticillacantha (arvensis x canina). Finally we found Black Horehound, Ballota nigra on a lane north of the canal with clumps of False Brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum surviving along a shaded brook. The new tetrad total for SJ58T rose to 254, further demonstrating the substantial progress made for the South Lancashire Flora during our days' excursion.
Dave Earl
Freshfield
11th October 2003
Leader – Pat Lockwood
When Douglas and I did the recce on the previous Monday, a gale was blowing and we had to walk backwards onto the shore. If we hadn’t had such a busy week, we could have aborted our efforts, but on we went. The conditions were unpleasant and a total contrast to the Saturday, which couldn’t have been better. A happy band of 10 left Freshfield Station. We walked alongside the Leonard Cheshire Home and followed the footpath to Larkhill Lane to see Chicken-of-the Woods, Laetiporus sulphurous. Then we crossed over Blundell Avenue, into the pinewoods, walking through to Victoria Road where we stopped for lunch at the picnic tables.
Afterwards, we walked to an area where the Autumn Gentian Gentianella amarella, still showing flowers, grows. Onward through the woods and down onto the shore until we came to the old Fisherman’s path, homeward bound, some going to the station, others coming home for tea.
Never, ever, have I seen such a wonderful display of fungi and a few are listed here. Puffball, Lycoperdon perlatum, Plums-and-Custard, Tricholomopsis rutilans, Brown Rollrim, Paxillus involutus, Woolly Milkcap, Lactarius torminosus, Saffron Milk-cap, Lactarius deliciosus, Honey Fungus, Armillaria mellea, Common Ink-cap, Coprinus atramentarius, Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma fasciiculare, Wood Blewit, Lepista nuda, False Chanterelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Candle-snuff Fungus, Xylaria hypoxylon, Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria (Douglas and I counted 43 in one area) and False Death Cap, Amanita citrina. The Boletus species and Russulas were abundant, the Russulas very colourful.
Pat Lockwood
11th October 2003
Leader – Pat Lockwood
When Douglas and I did the recce on the previous Monday, a gale was blowing and we had to walk backwards onto the shore. If we hadn’t had such a busy week, we could have aborted our efforts, but on we went. The conditions were unpleasant and a total contrast to the Saturday, which couldn’t have been better. A happy band of 10 left Freshfield Station. We walked alongside the Leonard Cheshire Home and followed the footpath to Larkhill Lane to see Chicken-of-the Woods, Laetiporus sulphurous. Then we crossed over Blundell Avenue, into the pinewoods, walking through to Victoria Road where we stopped for lunch at the picnic tables.
Afterwards, we walked to an area where the Autumn Gentian Gentianella amarella, still showing flowers, grows. Onward through the woods and down onto the shore until we came to the old Fisherman’s path, homeward bound, some going to the station, others coming home for tea.
Never, ever, have I seen such a wonderful display of fungi and a few are listed here. Puffball, Lycoperdon perlatum, Plums-and-Custard, Tricholomopsis rutilans, Brown Rollrim, Paxillus involutus, Woolly Milkcap, Lactarius torminosus, Saffron Milk-cap, Lactarius deliciosus, Honey Fungus, Armillaria mellea, Common Ink-cap, Coprinus atramentarius, Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma fasciiculare, Wood Blewit, Lepista nuda, False Chanterelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Candle-snuff Fungus, Xylaria hypoxylon, Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria (Douglas and I counted 43 in one area) and False Death Cap, Amanita citrina. The Boletus species and Russulas were abundant, the Russulas very colourful.
Pat Lockwood