Field Trips 2004
Caergwrle 24 April, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral 8 May,
National Wildflower Centre 22 May, Treborth Botanic Gardens and Cors Bodeilio 5 June, Little Budworth Common 19 June, Hilbre Island 10 July,
Gowy Meadows 31 July, Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Rimrose Valley 7 August, Norton Priory (Bee identification) 14 August, Speke Hall 18 September,
Freshfield 9 October.
Caergwrle 24 April, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral 8 May,
National Wildflower Centre 22 May, Treborth Botanic Gardens and Cors Bodeilio 5 June, Little Budworth Common 19 June, Hilbre Island 10 July,
Gowy Meadows 31 July, Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Rimrose Valley 7 August, Norton Priory (Bee identification) 14 August, Speke Hall 18 September,
Freshfield 9 October.
Caergwrle
24th April 2004
Leader – Guy Sloman
On a very warm sunny day we met at the station, and walked past the Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus by the river to the path through the woods to the Packhorse Bridge. Several Orange Tip butterflies were flying as we passed Butterbur, Petasites hybridus and Ramsons, Allium ursinum on the riverbank. The Toothwort, Lathraea squamaria again was not found by the bridge. We continued up the Caer Estyn road and along the path towards Cefn-y-Bed with Bitter-vetch, Lathyrus linifolius, Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus and Yellow Archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon.
We had lunch, and then walked across the field towards the woods above the Alyn. Some of the party descended to the bank of the Alyn, to search for and eventually find Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium. Other plants on the path included Crosswort, Cruciata laevips, Wood Speedwell, Veronica montana and Moschatel, Adoxa moschatellina.
We walked through Cefn-y-Bed and to the Plas Maen path to find Marsh Valerian, Valeriana dioica and fine Marsh-marigold, Caltha palustris. On the roadsides near Cymau we found Rough Chervil, Chaerophyllum temulum, Navelwort, Umbilicus rupestris and Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula. On the road back towards Caergwrle I saw my first-ever Holly Blue butterfly in a sunny hedgerow
I would like to thank Guy Sloman for leading the meeting.
Keith Watson
24th April 2004
Leader – Guy Sloman
On a very warm sunny day we met at the station, and walked past the Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus by the river to the path through the woods to the Packhorse Bridge. Several Orange Tip butterflies were flying as we passed Butterbur, Petasites hybridus and Ramsons, Allium ursinum on the riverbank. The Toothwort, Lathraea squamaria again was not found by the bridge. We continued up the Caer Estyn road and along the path towards Cefn-y-Bed with Bitter-vetch, Lathyrus linifolius, Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus and Yellow Archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon.
We had lunch, and then walked across the field towards the woods above the Alyn. Some of the party descended to the bank of the Alyn, to search for and eventually find Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium. Other plants on the path included Crosswort, Cruciata laevips, Wood Speedwell, Veronica montana and Moschatel, Adoxa moschatellina.
We walked through Cefn-y-Bed and to the Plas Maen path to find Marsh Valerian, Valeriana dioica and fine Marsh-marigold, Caltha palustris. On the roadsides near Cymau we found Rough Chervil, Chaerophyllum temulum, Navelwort, Umbilicus rupestris and Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula. On the road back towards Caergwrle I saw my first-ever Holly Blue butterfly in a sunny hedgerow
I would like to thank Guy Sloman for leading the meeting.
Keith Watson
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
8th May 2004
Leader – Dave Earl
On what must have been one of the wettest and coldest days of 2004 a good number of members braved the elements to explore the grounds of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and to record over 200 plant species in total. We greatly appreciated warm food and several pots of tea at the cathedral restaurant after the mornings recording before venturing out again to a somewhat drier afternoon.
One of our objectives was to do some general recording of bryophytes. Quite a few common mosses were found including:
Polytrichum formosum Polytrichum piliferum Polytrichum juniperinum Atrichum undulatum Ceratodon purpureus
Dicranella heteromalla Campylopus introflexus Fissidens taxifolius Tortula muralis Schistidium apocarpum
Grimmia pulvinata Funaria hygrometrica Bryum argenteum Orthotrichum diaphanum Amblystegium serpens
Calliergon cuspidatum Brachythecium albicans Brachythecium rutabulum Eurhynchium praelongum
Hypnum cupressiforme Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus.
The only liverwort seen was Lunularia cruciata.
Ferns were often prolific on the old walls with Polypody, Polypodium vulgare agg. Black Spleenwort, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant and Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis occurring. Shallow soils on the red sandstone support Annual Pearlwort, Sagina apetala, Creeping Willow, Salix repens, Common Whitlowgrass, Erophila verna, Annual Wall-rocket, Diplotaxis muralis, Heather, Calluna vulgaris, Biting Stonecrop, Sedum acre, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Lotus corniculatus and Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea. Meadow Vetchling, Lathyrus pratensis, Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, Honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum and Wild Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum occur along the terraces.
A number of garden species are established within the grounds and include Traveller's Joy, Clematis vitalba, Columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris, Darwin's Barberry, Berberis darwinii, Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium, Welsh Poppy, Meconopsis cambrica, Tutsan, Hypericum androsaemum, Wallflower, Erysimum cheiri, Russell Lupin, Lupinus arboreus x polyphyllus, Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii, Fodder Burnet, Sanguisorba minor ssp. muricata, Purple Toadflax, Linaria purpurea and Firethorn, Pyracantha coccinea. A tree thought to be Crataegus laevigata x Mespilus germanica has been planted. A single plant of Wild Marjoram, Origanum vulgare was found established by the boundary fencing above the quarry area.
A significant amount of wild flower sowing had been carried out with Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus being recorded. Planting of wild flowers had also been carried out of plants such as Primrose, Primula vulgaris, Cowslip, Primula veris, Bugle, Ajuga reptans and perhaps even Common Dog-violet, Viola riviniana. Several of the flowerbeds supported a number of arable weeds including Small Nettle, Urtica urens, Cut-leaved Dead-nettle Lamium hybridum and Hen-bit, Lamium amplexicaule.
Finally, after our extensive exploration of the Cathedral grounds we made a historic tour in homage to William Roscoe on route back to Central Station, noting how much Prickly Lettuce, Lactuca serriola was becoming increasingly frequent on disturbed ground and as a pavement weed of the city streets.
Dave Earl
8th May 2004
Leader – Dave Earl
On what must have been one of the wettest and coldest days of 2004 a good number of members braved the elements to explore the grounds of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and to record over 200 plant species in total. We greatly appreciated warm food and several pots of tea at the cathedral restaurant after the mornings recording before venturing out again to a somewhat drier afternoon.
One of our objectives was to do some general recording of bryophytes. Quite a few common mosses were found including:
Polytrichum formosum Polytrichum piliferum Polytrichum juniperinum Atrichum undulatum Ceratodon purpureus
Dicranella heteromalla Campylopus introflexus Fissidens taxifolius Tortula muralis Schistidium apocarpum
Grimmia pulvinata Funaria hygrometrica Bryum argenteum Orthotrichum diaphanum Amblystegium serpens
Calliergon cuspidatum Brachythecium albicans Brachythecium rutabulum Eurhynchium praelongum
Hypnum cupressiforme Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus.
The only liverwort seen was Lunularia cruciata.
Ferns were often prolific on the old walls with Polypody, Polypodium vulgare agg. Black Spleenwort, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant and Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis occurring. Shallow soils on the red sandstone support Annual Pearlwort, Sagina apetala, Creeping Willow, Salix repens, Common Whitlowgrass, Erophila verna, Annual Wall-rocket, Diplotaxis muralis, Heather, Calluna vulgaris, Biting Stonecrop, Sedum acre, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Lotus corniculatus and Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea. Meadow Vetchling, Lathyrus pratensis, Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, Honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum and Wild Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum occur along the terraces.
A number of garden species are established within the grounds and include Traveller's Joy, Clematis vitalba, Columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris, Darwin's Barberry, Berberis darwinii, Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium, Welsh Poppy, Meconopsis cambrica, Tutsan, Hypericum androsaemum, Wallflower, Erysimum cheiri, Russell Lupin, Lupinus arboreus x polyphyllus, Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii, Fodder Burnet, Sanguisorba minor ssp. muricata, Purple Toadflax, Linaria purpurea and Firethorn, Pyracantha coccinea. A tree thought to be Crataegus laevigata x Mespilus germanica has been planted. A single plant of Wild Marjoram, Origanum vulgare was found established by the boundary fencing above the quarry area.
A significant amount of wild flower sowing had been carried out with Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus being recorded. Planting of wild flowers had also been carried out of plants such as Primrose, Primula vulgaris, Cowslip, Primula veris, Bugle, Ajuga reptans and perhaps even Common Dog-violet, Viola riviniana. Several of the flowerbeds supported a number of arable weeds including Small Nettle, Urtica urens, Cut-leaved Dead-nettle Lamium hybridum and Hen-bit, Lamium amplexicaule.
Finally, after our extensive exploration of the Cathedral grounds we made a historic tour in homage to William Roscoe on route back to Central Station, noting how much Prickly Lettuce, Lactuca serriola was becoming increasingly frequent on disturbed ground and as a pavement weed of the city streets.
Dave Earl
National Wildflower Centre
22nd May 2004
Leader – Wendy Atkinson
No report available
22nd May 2004
Leader – Wendy Atkinson
No report available
Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris
Treborth Botanic Gardens and Cors Bodeilio
5th June 2004
Leader – Nigel Brown
We met at the Museum in Liverpool, and then by car to Bangor. On arrival at the Treborth Gardens we were welcomed by Nigel, had coffee, and were shown plants of Oblong Woodsia, Woodsia ilvensis and the rare endemic form of Field Fleawort, Tephroseris (formerly Senecio) integrifolia ssp. maritima, a plant I have looked for but not yet found on Anglesey.
We toured the exotic orchid collection, including the Spider Orchid, Brassia verrucosa.
On a short visit to a local site we saw our first orchids of the day, Southern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, its probable hybrid with Northern Marsh-orchid, D. x insignis, and Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera.
We had lunch at the gardens where Nigel showed us interesting plants such as Krauss’s Clubmoss, Selaginella kraussiana, Adder’s-tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum and very large plants of Common Twayblade, Listera ovata in a flower bed.
We then drove to Cors Bodeilio, a NNR situated in a shallow valley between Pentraeth and Llangefni in Anglesey. This is an important site as it has calcareous mire, very rare in the UK. The mire has a very rich flora, with many sedges, ferns and orchids.
Notable plants include Great Fen-sedge, Cladium mariscus, Black Bog-rush, Schoenus nigricans, Narrow Buckler-fern, Dryopteris carthusiana and Lesser Clubmoss, Selaginella selaginoides. The special orchids of the reserve, Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera and Narrow-leaved Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza traunsteineri were found, but also other orchids such as Early Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata and pulchella, Fragrant Orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea and leaves of Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris.
Altogether on the day we saw 11 orchid species and subspecies, possibly a record for an LBS meeting?
I would like to thank Nigel for arranging such an interesting meeting, also Pat and Douglas for giving me a lift to the meeting.
Keith Watson
5th June 2004
Leader – Nigel Brown
We met at the Museum in Liverpool, and then by car to Bangor. On arrival at the Treborth Gardens we were welcomed by Nigel, had coffee, and were shown plants of Oblong Woodsia, Woodsia ilvensis and the rare endemic form of Field Fleawort, Tephroseris (formerly Senecio) integrifolia ssp. maritima, a plant I have looked for but not yet found on Anglesey.
We toured the exotic orchid collection, including the Spider Orchid, Brassia verrucosa.
On a short visit to a local site we saw our first orchids of the day, Southern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, its probable hybrid with Northern Marsh-orchid, D. x insignis, and Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera.
We had lunch at the gardens where Nigel showed us interesting plants such as Krauss’s Clubmoss, Selaginella kraussiana, Adder’s-tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum and very large plants of Common Twayblade, Listera ovata in a flower bed.
We then drove to Cors Bodeilio, a NNR situated in a shallow valley between Pentraeth and Llangefni in Anglesey. This is an important site as it has calcareous mire, very rare in the UK. The mire has a very rich flora, with many sedges, ferns and orchids.
Notable plants include Great Fen-sedge, Cladium mariscus, Black Bog-rush, Schoenus nigricans, Narrow Buckler-fern, Dryopteris carthusiana and Lesser Clubmoss, Selaginella selaginoides. The special orchids of the reserve, Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera and Narrow-leaved Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza traunsteineri were found, but also other orchids such as Early Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata and pulchella, Fragrant Orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea and leaves of Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris.
Altogether on the day we saw 11 orchid species and subspecies, possibly a record for an LBS meeting?
I would like to thank Nigel for arranging such an interesting meeting, also Pat and Douglas for giving me a lift to the meeting.
Keith Watson
Little Budworth Common
19th June 2004
Leader – Rob Duffy
The walk coincided with the beginning of the dank and dismal spells that bedevilled the summer. A small party gathered in torrential rain at Delamere station and were ushered down to Oulton Park through walls of gathering mist. The walk was a circular one passing through woodland ride and open heath.
The heath flora was dominated by Heather, Calluna vulgaris which in sections had been cleared, leaving patches for the lichen, Cladonia portentosa and Bell Heather, Erica cinerea to stake a claim. The heathers were initially confused by the party, but after several minutes clear differences were obvious.
The heathers were one highlight of the excursion because there was so little other colour of the day, but the other was, without doubt, the floating bog. Here, Cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccus scrambled amongst the lilliputian Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia colonies.
There was some puzzlement at the inability to find Crowberry, Empetrum nigrum but at least none of the party was swallowed up.
The walk was rounded off by a meadow filled with Heath Speedwell, Veronica officinalis.
Other notable species: Sharp-flowered Rush, Juncus acutiflorus, Heath Rush, Juncus squarrosus, Purple Moor-grass, Molinia caerulea,
Heath Wood-rush, Luzula multiflora, Common Cotton-grass, Eriophorum angustifolium, Hairy Sedge, Carex hirta, Sheep’s Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, Tormentil, Potentilla errecta, Thyme-leaved Sandwort, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Common Knapweed, Centaurea nigra and
Mouse-ear-hawkweed, Pilosella officinarum.
Afterwards the author stopped off at Flaxmere on the way back. A well kept secret just off the huge car park opposite Hatchmere, this small floating bog had Bog-rosemary, Andromeda polifolia and Water Avens, Geum rivale, both completely absent from Little Budworth.
Rob Duffy
19th June 2004
Leader – Rob Duffy
The walk coincided with the beginning of the dank and dismal spells that bedevilled the summer. A small party gathered in torrential rain at Delamere station and were ushered down to Oulton Park through walls of gathering mist. The walk was a circular one passing through woodland ride and open heath.
The heath flora was dominated by Heather, Calluna vulgaris which in sections had been cleared, leaving patches for the lichen, Cladonia portentosa and Bell Heather, Erica cinerea to stake a claim. The heathers were initially confused by the party, but after several minutes clear differences were obvious.
The heathers were one highlight of the excursion because there was so little other colour of the day, but the other was, without doubt, the floating bog. Here, Cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccus scrambled amongst the lilliputian Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia colonies.
There was some puzzlement at the inability to find Crowberry, Empetrum nigrum but at least none of the party was swallowed up.
The walk was rounded off by a meadow filled with Heath Speedwell, Veronica officinalis.
Other notable species: Sharp-flowered Rush, Juncus acutiflorus, Heath Rush, Juncus squarrosus, Purple Moor-grass, Molinia caerulea,
Heath Wood-rush, Luzula multiflora, Common Cotton-grass, Eriophorum angustifolium, Hairy Sedge, Carex hirta, Sheep’s Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, Tormentil, Potentilla errecta, Thyme-leaved Sandwort, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Common Knapweed, Centaurea nigra and
Mouse-ear-hawkweed, Pilosella officinarum.
Afterwards the author stopped off at Flaxmere on the way back. A well kept secret just off the huge car park opposite Hatchmere, this small floating bog had Bog-rosemary, Andromeda polifolia and Water Avens, Geum rivale, both completely absent from Little Budworth.
Rob Duffy
Hilbre Island
10th July 2004
Leader – Keith Watson
On a quite bright but windy day a party of 12 set off from West Kirby across the sands to Little Eye. A few extra late members joined us there as we rested from the wind and looked at Ray’s Knotgrass, Polygonum oxyspermum, and the maritime form of Curled Dock, Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus.
Then towards Middle Eye, where the leader got a little lost and we had to scramble over the seaweed covered rocks, although the large Jellyfish on the beach were of some interest. Notable plants included Sea Campion, Silene uniflora, Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus, Sea Rush, Juncus maritimus and Wood Small-reed, Calamagrostis epigejos.
We had lunch in a very pleasant spot out of the wind, with some welcome sunshine, just at the entrance to Hilbre. A small plant of Hottentot-fig, Carpobrotus edulis was found on the cliff here, also noteworthy for festoons of Rock Sea-spurrey, Spergularia rupicola with a few late flowers.
I would like to thank Mike Wilcox for showing me the characteristic features of Elytrichia hybrids during the meeting. Sea Couch, E. atherica is now very uncommon, most of the plants on Wirral are E. x oliveri (E. repens x atherica). For more information see Eric Greenwood’s account in BSBI News 95, Jan 2004 page 15. link here.
The special plant of Hilbre, Rock Sea-lavender, now Limonium brittanicum ssp. celticum was found on the side of the road up onto Hilbre. Brookweed, Samolus valerandi, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Saltmarsh Rush, Juncus gerardii and Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris were common at the pond on the way to the shelter and museum.
We were very fortunate that the museum was open, and the Warden very kindly showed us another place for the Rock Sea-lavender. As the weather worsened we made our way back. I was recording one of the Hilbre tetrads and found Bell Heather, Erica cinerea, Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia and Yarrow, Achillea millefolium on the way back. To me, Hilbre is an interesting place as it has a good number of unusual or rare plants, but some common plants such as the Buttercups, Ranunculus repens and acris and Black Medick, Medicago lupulina are absent, and we did not record Daisy, Bellis perennis all day.
We returned to West Kirby and a few members walked to the Red Rocks Dunes to see Mackay's Horsetail (Equisitum x trachyodon).
Keith Watson
10th July 2004
Leader – Keith Watson
On a quite bright but windy day a party of 12 set off from West Kirby across the sands to Little Eye. A few extra late members joined us there as we rested from the wind and looked at Ray’s Knotgrass, Polygonum oxyspermum, and the maritime form of Curled Dock, Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus.
Then towards Middle Eye, where the leader got a little lost and we had to scramble over the seaweed covered rocks, although the large Jellyfish on the beach were of some interest. Notable plants included Sea Campion, Silene uniflora, Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus, Sea Rush, Juncus maritimus and Wood Small-reed, Calamagrostis epigejos.
We had lunch in a very pleasant spot out of the wind, with some welcome sunshine, just at the entrance to Hilbre. A small plant of Hottentot-fig, Carpobrotus edulis was found on the cliff here, also noteworthy for festoons of Rock Sea-spurrey, Spergularia rupicola with a few late flowers.
I would like to thank Mike Wilcox for showing me the characteristic features of Elytrichia hybrids during the meeting. Sea Couch, E. atherica is now very uncommon, most of the plants on Wirral are E. x oliveri (E. repens x atherica). For more information see Eric Greenwood’s account in BSBI News 95, Jan 2004 page 15. link here.
The special plant of Hilbre, Rock Sea-lavender, now Limonium brittanicum ssp. celticum was found on the side of the road up onto Hilbre. Brookweed, Samolus valerandi, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Saltmarsh Rush, Juncus gerardii and Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris were common at the pond on the way to the shelter and museum.
We were very fortunate that the museum was open, and the Warden very kindly showed us another place for the Rock Sea-lavender. As the weather worsened we made our way back. I was recording one of the Hilbre tetrads and found Bell Heather, Erica cinerea, Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia and Yarrow, Achillea millefolium on the way back. To me, Hilbre is an interesting place as it has a good number of unusual or rare plants, but some common plants such as the Buttercups, Ranunculus repens and acris and Black Medick, Medicago lupulina are absent, and we did not record Daisy, Bellis perennis all day.
We returned to West Kirby and a few members walked to the Red Rocks Dunes to see Mackay's Horsetail (Equisitum x trachyodon).
Keith Watson
Gowy Meadows
31st July 2004
Leader – Tony Parker
The Gowy meadows is a large area of lowland grazing marsh which lies alongside the River Gowy north of Chester and south of the Stanlow refinery. The site is owned by Shell UK Limited but has been leased to Cheshire Wildlife Trust since 2002, this being the largest reserve managed by the Trust.
The site covers 165.8ha in total, comprising a number of small fields intersected by numerous ditches. The historic management of the site is little known, however it is thought that the Meadows were dyked and drained during the late Middle Ages. Because wet grassland as a habitat has seriously declined in area over the last century due to drainage for agriculture any remaining areas need to be conserved. A large part of the Gowy Meadows is now designated as a Grade A Site of Biological Interest due to the rich aquatic flora. The Site is also has a good selection of Butterflies and Dragonflies as well as a small population of Water Voles
Plant species recorded during the visit included: Meadow Buttercup, Ranunculus acris, Creeping Buttercup, Ranunculus repens, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Ranunculus sceleratus, Common Water-crowfoot, Ranunculus aquatilis, River Water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans,
Fat Hen, Chenopodium album, Red Campion, Silene dioica, Lesser Stitchwort, Stellaria graminea, Common Mouse-ear, Cerastium fontanum, Curled Dock, Rumex crispus, Common Sorrel, Rumex acetosa, Sheep’s Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, Broad-leaved Dock, Rumex obtusifolius, Redshank, Persicaria maculosa, Water-pepper, Polygonum hydropiper, Great Yellow-cress, Rorippa amphibia, Marsh Yellow-cress, Rorippa palustris, Hairy Bitter-cress, Cardamine hirsuta, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus, Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, Creeping Cinquefoil, Potentilla reptans, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, Lucerne, Medicago sativa, Black Medick, Medicago lupulina, Red Clover, Trifolium pratense, White Clover, Trifolium repens, Alsike Clover, Trifolium hybridum, Tufted Vetch, Vicia cracca
Great Willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum, Rosebay Willowherb, Chamerion angustifolium, Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill, Geranium dissectum,
Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera, Hogweed, Heracleum spondylium, Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, Wild Angelica, Angelica sylvestris
Greater Water-parsnip, Sium latifolium, Water-violet, Hottonia palustris, Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium, Marsh Bedstraw, Galium palustre, Cleavers, Galium aparine, Field Forget-me-not, Myosotis arvensis, Tufted Forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa, Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, Woody Nightshade, Solanum dulcamara, Greater Plantain, Plantago major, Daisy, Bellis perennis, Pineappleweed, Matricaria discoidea, Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Common Ragwort, Senecio jacobea, Marsh Ragwort, Senecio aquaticus, Carline Thistle, Carlina vulgaris, Lesser Burdock, Arctium minus, Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense, Spear Thistle, Cirsium vulgare, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sonchus oleraceus, Perennial Sow-thistle, Sonchus arvensis, Nipplewort, Lapsana communis, Dandelion, Taraxacum officinalis, Cat’s-ear, Hypochaeris radicata, Autumn Hawkbit, Leontodon autumnalis, Common Water-plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Broad-leaved Pondweed, Potamogeton natans, Common Duckweed, Lemna minor, Ivy-leaved Duckweed, Lemna trisulca, Branched Bur-reed, Sparganium erectum, Soft Rush, Juncus effusus, False Fox-sedge, Carex otrubae, Perennial Rye-grass, Lolium perenne, Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Floating Sweet-grass, Glyceria fluitans, Crested Dog’s-tail, Cynosurus cristatus
Creeping Soft-grass, Holcus mollis, Wavy Hair-grass, Deschampsia flexuosa, Creeping Bent, Agrostis stolonifera, Marsh Foxtail, Alopecurus geniculatus, Timothy, Phleum pratense and Water Horsetail, Equisetum fluviatile.
Tony Parker
31st July 2004
Leader – Tony Parker
The Gowy meadows is a large area of lowland grazing marsh which lies alongside the River Gowy north of Chester and south of the Stanlow refinery. The site is owned by Shell UK Limited but has been leased to Cheshire Wildlife Trust since 2002, this being the largest reserve managed by the Trust.
The site covers 165.8ha in total, comprising a number of small fields intersected by numerous ditches. The historic management of the site is little known, however it is thought that the Meadows were dyked and drained during the late Middle Ages. Because wet grassland as a habitat has seriously declined in area over the last century due to drainage for agriculture any remaining areas need to be conserved. A large part of the Gowy Meadows is now designated as a Grade A Site of Biological Interest due to the rich aquatic flora. The Site is also has a good selection of Butterflies and Dragonflies as well as a small population of Water Voles
Plant species recorded during the visit included: Meadow Buttercup, Ranunculus acris, Creeping Buttercup, Ranunculus repens, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Ranunculus sceleratus, Common Water-crowfoot, Ranunculus aquatilis, River Water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans,
Fat Hen, Chenopodium album, Red Campion, Silene dioica, Lesser Stitchwort, Stellaria graminea, Common Mouse-ear, Cerastium fontanum, Curled Dock, Rumex crispus, Common Sorrel, Rumex acetosa, Sheep’s Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, Broad-leaved Dock, Rumex obtusifolius, Redshank, Persicaria maculosa, Water-pepper, Polygonum hydropiper, Great Yellow-cress, Rorippa amphibia, Marsh Yellow-cress, Rorippa palustris, Hairy Bitter-cress, Cardamine hirsuta, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus, Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, Creeping Cinquefoil, Potentilla reptans, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, Lucerne, Medicago sativa, Black Medick, Medicago lupulina, Red Clover, Trifolium pratense, White Clover, Trifolium repens, Alsike Clover, Trifolium hybridum, Tufted Vetch, Vicia cracca
Great Willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum, Rosebay Willowherb, Chamerion angustifolium, Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill, Geranium dissectum,
Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera, Hogweed, Heracleum spondylium, Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, Wild Angelica, Angelica sylvestris
Greater Water-parsnip, Sium latifolium, Water-violet, Hottonia palustris, Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium, Marsh Bedstraw, Galium palustre, Cleavers, Galium aparine, Field Forget-me-not, Myosotis arvensis, Tufted Forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa, Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, Woody Nightshade, Solanum dulcamara, Greater Plantain, Plantago major, Daisy, Bellis perennis, Pineappleweed, Matricaria discoidea, Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Common Ragwort, Senecio jacobea, Marsh Ragwort, Senecio aquaticus, Carline Thistle, Carlina vulgaris, Lesser Burdock, Arctium minus, Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense, Spear Thistle, Cirsium vulgare, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sonchus oleraceus, Perennial Sow-thistle, Sonchus arvensis, Nipplewort, Lapsana communis, Dandelion, Taraxacum officinalis, Cat’s-ear, Hypochaeris radicata, Autumn Hawkbit, Leontodon autumnalis, Common Water-plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Broad-leaved Pondweed, Potamogeton natans, Common Duckweed, Lemna minor, Ivy-leaved Duckweed, Lemna trisulca, Branched Bur-reed, Sparganium erectum, Soft Rush, Juncus effusus, False Fox-sedge, Carex otrubae, Perennial Rye-grass, Lolium perenne, Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Floating Sweet-grass, Glyceria fluitans, Crested Dog’s-tail, Cynosurus cristatus
Creeping Soft-grass, Holcus mollis, Wavy Hair-grass, Deschampsia flexuosa, Creeping Bent, Agrostis stolonifera, Marsh Foxtail, Alopecurus geniculatus, Timothy, Phleum pratense and Water Horsetail, Equisetum fluviatile.
Tony Parker
Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Rimrose Valley
7th August 2004
Leader – Dave Earl
Meeting at Seaforth Station we admired the plants of Tree Lupin, Lupinus arboreus established on ballast, prior to descending to Princes Way to discover the casuals: Flax, Linum usitatissimum, Common Millet, Panicum miliaceum, Cockspur, Echinochloa crus-galli, Black-grass Alopecurus myosuroides and Hairy Finger-grass, Digitaria sanguinalis as pavement weeds.
Steve Cross led the way through Rimrose Valley Country Park where we soon encountered numerous planted trees and shrubs such as Garden Tree-mallow, Lavatera thuringiaca, Aspen, Populus tremula, Buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica, Alder Buckthorn, Frangula alnus, and Stag's-horn Sumach, Rhus typhina. Mike Wilcox determined quite a few willows including Salix fragilis var. russelliana, S. x rubens (alba x fragilis), S. x mollissima nothovar. undulata (triandra x viminalis), S. x sericans (viminalis x caprea) and S. x multinervis (cinerea x aurita). A rose was considered to be Rosa canina x rubiginosa (R. x nitidula).
Exploring the ponds we were pleased to see Galingale, Cyperus longus and Greater Spearwort, Ranunculus lingua, as well as Purple-loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, Lesser Water-parsnip, Berula erecta and good stands of the hybrid rush Juncus acutiflorus x articulatus (J. x surrejanus) which is often misidentified as J. acutiflorus. Luxuriant plants of Water-cress, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum graced the Rimrose Brook - a spring of living water within Crosby.
The path to the canal had recently been improved with a good number of plants occurring due to the sowing of a wild flower mixture and the disturbance of the ground. Nice finds here included Corncockle, Agrostemma githago, Wild Pansy, Viola tricolor, Field Pansy, Viola arvensis, Tall Rocket, Sisymbrium altissimum, Sweet Alison, Lobularia maritima, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus, Hoary Mustard, Hirschfeldia incana, Bastard Cabbage, Rapistrum rugosum, Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis, Corn Mint, Mentha arvensis, Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum, Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, Shaggy Soldier, Galinsoga quadriradiata and Black Bent, Agrostis gigantea. The most outstanding find was a rare Lancashire casual Annual Dog’s-mercury Mercurialis annua in relatively good numbers.
On reaching the canal we found locally abundant Fringed Water-lily, Nymphoides peltata together with other aquatics such as Spiked Water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, Rigid Hornwort, Ceratophyllum demersum, Nuttall's Water-weed, Elodea nuttallii and Ivy-leaved Duckweed, Lemna trisulca. Lurking beneath the aquatics was a splendid pike, whilst Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker and Azure Damselfly darted over the canal waters and through the marginal vegetation of Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Hybrid Reedmace, Typha angustifolia x latifolia, Skullcap, Scutellaria galericulata, Water Mint, Mentha aquatica, Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, Gypsywort, Lycopus europaeus and Peppermint, Mentha x piperita (aquatica x spicata).
Along the canal towpath a few brambles were demonstrated to members including Rubus lindleianus, Rubus robiae, Rubus armeniacus, Rubus vestitus, Rubus wirralensis, Rubus subtercanens, Rubus eboracensis and Rubus tuberculatus.
At this the northern point of our excursion we also found a few more exotic plantings such as Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, Wild Service-tree, Sorbus torminalis, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster salicifolius, with Italian Alder, Alnus cordata increasing from seed.
We returned to the station via the grassland areas finding Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus, Wild Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, Common Fleabane, Pulicaria dysenterica, Meadow Crane's-bill, Geranium pratense, Wild Mignonette, Reseda lutea, Wild Parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, Oxeye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, Tall Fescue, Festuca arundinacea, Yellow Oat-grass, Trisetum flavescens and Hybrid Rye-grass, Lolium x boucheanum.
In the grassland Common Blue and Comma butterflies were in flight, whilst notable established plants included Perennial Wall-rocket, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, White Melilot, Melilotus albus and Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea, Lathyrus latifolius.
Dave Earl
7th August 2004
Leader – Dave Earl
Meeting at Seaforth Station we admired the plants of Tree Lupin, Lupinus arboreus established on ballast, prior to descending to Princes Way to discover the casuals: Flax, Linum usitatissimum, Common Millet, Panicum miliaceum, Cockspur, Echinochloa crus-galli, Black-grass Alopecurus myosuroides and Hairy Finger-grass, Digitaria sanguinalis as pavement weeds.
Steve Cross led the way through Rimrose Valley Country Park where we soon encountered numerous planted trees and shrubs such as Garden Tree-mallow, Lavatera thuringiaca, Aspen, Populus tremula, Buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica, Alder Buckthorn, Frangula alnus, and Stag's-horn Sumach, Rhus typhina. Mike Wilcox determined quite a few willows including Salix fragilis var. russelliana, S. x rubens (alba x fragilis), S. x mollissima nothovar. undulata (triandra x viminalis), S. x sericans (viminalis x caprea) and S. x multinervis (cinerea x aurita). A rose was considered to be Rosa canina x rubiginosa (R. x nitidula).
Exploring the ponds we were pleased to see Galingale, Cyperus longus and Greater Spearwort, Ranunculus lingua, as well as Purple-loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, Lesser Water-parsnip, Berula erecta and good stands of the hybrid rush Juncus acutiflorus x articulatus (J. x surrejanus) which is often misidentified as J. acutiflorus. Luxuriant plants of Water-cress, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum graced the Rimrose Brook - a spring of living water within Crosby.
The path to the canal had recently been improved with a good number of plants occurring due to the sowing of a wild flower mixture and the disturbance of the ground. Nice finds here included Corncockle, Agrostemma githago, Wild Pansy, Viola tricolor, Field Pansy, Viola arvensis, Tall Rocket, Sisymbrium altissimum, Sweet Alison, Lobularia maritima, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus, Hoary Mustard, Hirschfeldia incana, Bastard Cabbage, Rapistrum rugosum, Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis, Corn Mint, Mentha arvensis, Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum, Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, Shaggy Soldier, Galinsoga quadriradiata and Black Bent, Agrostis gigantea. The most outstanding find was a rare Lancashire casual Annual Dog’s-mercury Mercurialis annua in relatively good numbers.
On reaching the canal we found locally abundant Fringed Water-lily, Nymphoides peltata together with other aquatics such as Spiked Water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, Rigid Hornwort, Ceratophyllum demersum, Nuttall's Water-weed, Elodea nuttallii and Ivy-leaved Duckweed, Lemna trisulca. Lurking beneath the aquatics was a splendid pike, whilst Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker and Azure Damselfly darted over the canal waters and through the marginal vegetation of Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Hybrid Reedmace, Typha angustifolia x latifolia, Skullcap, Scutellaria galericulata, Water Mint, Mentha aquatica, Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, Gypsywort, Lycopus europaeus and Peppermint, Mentha x piperita (aquatica x spicata).
Along the canal towpath a few brambles were demonstrated to members including Rubus lindleianus, Rubus robiae, Rubus armeniacus, Rubus vestitus, Rubus wirralensis, Rubus subtercanens, Rubus eboracensis and Rubus tuberculatus.
At this the northern point of our excursion we also found a few more exotic plantings such as Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, Wild Service-tree, Sorbus torminalis, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster salicifolius, with Italian Alder, Alnus cordata increasing from seed.
We returned to the station via the grassland areas finding Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus, Wild Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, Common Fleabane, Pulicaria dysenterica, Meadow Crane's-bill, Geranium pratense, Wild Mignonette, Reseda lutea, Wild Parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, Oxeye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, Tall Fescue, Festuca arundinacea, Yellow Oat-grass, Trisetum flavescens and Hybrid Rye-grass, Lolium x boucheanum.
In the grassland Common Blue and Comma butterflies were in flight, whilst notable established plants included Perennial Wall-rocket, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, White Melilot, Melilotus albus and Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea, Lathyrus latifolius.
Dave Earl
Bee Identification, Norton Priory
14th August 2004
Leaders – Carl Clee and Tony Parker
This Bumblebee workshop was to help us to understand this delightful group of insects and to be able to identify the more common species. We learned that most gardens are visited by a least one species, so they appear common. However, over the last seventy years the range of many species has declined, two species have become extinct and only six are common over most of the UK.
We were given useful information sheets, including the BBC Wildlife Bumblebee guide and a laminated card showing the colour bands of the queen, male and worker bees.
It was explained that to provide the perfect environment for bumblebees in our gardens it is important to ensure that the flowering times of suitable plants cover the whole season from March to September. As a general guide they prefer old-fashioned cottage-garden varieties rather than the sterile modern hybrids. Carl said that anyone who finds a bumblebee nest in their garden should feel honoured. They do not swarm and are placid, although they can sting if they feel threatened.
After lunch we were shown around the large walled garden. This lovely sheltered spot had splendid herbaceous flowerbeds. Bumblebees were busily feeding and collecting nectar and pollen from the profusion of flowers. The sunshine was enjoyed by all of us.
Cuckoo bumblebees were pointed out to us. At first glance they looked very like true bumblebees, but they were less hairy, rather lethargic and had a softer buzz when in flight. Instead of founding their own colonies, Cuckoo bees invade the true bumblebee’s nests and make their workers raise their eggs. There are no cuckoo workers, only males and females.
Before leaving for home we stopped to admire the recently created medieval-style herb garden. A wide variety of medicinal, culinary and strewing herbs were on display. Also present was a good variety of weeds, including Pale Persicaria Persicaria lapathifolia and Black-bindweed Fallopia convolvulus.
Many thanks to Carl, Tony and Peter for a very instructive and enjoyable meeting.
Susan Taylor
14th August 2004
Leaders – Carl Clee and Tony Parker
This Bumblebee workshop was to help us to understand this delightful group of insects and to be able to identify the more common species. We learned that most gardens are visited by a least one species, so they appear common. However, over the last seventy years the range of many species has declined, two species have become extinct and only six are common over most of the UK.
We were given useful information sheets, including the BBC Wildlife Bumblebee guide and a laminated card showing the colour bands of the queen, male and worker bees.
It was explained that to provide the perfect environment for bumblebees in our gardens it is important to ensure that the flowering times of suitable plants cover the whole season from March to September. As a general guide they prefer old-fashioned cottage-garden varieties rather than the sterile modern hybrids. Carl said that anyone who finds a bumblebee nest in their garden should feel honoured. They do not swarm and are placid, although they can sting if they feel threatened.
After lunch we were shown around the large walled garden. This lovely sheltered spot had splendid herbaceous flowerbeds. Bumblebees were busily feeding and collecting nectar and pollen from the profusion of flowers. The sunshine was enjoyed by all of us.
Cuckoo bumblebees were pointed out to us. At first glance they looked very like true bumblebees, but they were less hairy, rather lethargic and had a softer buzz when in flight. Instead of founding their own colonies, Cuckoo bees invade the true bumblebee’s nests and make their workers raise their eggs. There are no cuckoo workers, only males and females.
Before leaving for home we stopped to admire the recently created medieval-style herb garden. A wide variety of medicinal, culinary and strewing herbs were on display. Also present was a good variety of weeds, including Pale Persicaria Persicaria lapathifolia and Black-bindweed Fallopia convolvulus.
Many thanks to Carl, Tony and Peter for a very instructive and enjoyable meeting.
Susan Taylor
Speke Hall
18th September 2004
Leader – Leander Wolstenholme
We met on a very wet morning in the car park of Speke Hall, and walked towards the coast across mainly waste ground, adjacent to Liverpool Airport. Some of the more interesting plants were Wild Radish Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. raphanistrum, Lesser Swine-cress Coronopus didymus, Bristly Oxtongue Picris echiodes, Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus and Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis.
The salt marsh flora was quite good with Sea Club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus, Sea-milkwort Glaux maritima, both Sea and Marsh Arrowgrass Triglochin maritimum and palustris and Sea Aster Aster tripolium.
We had lunch sitting on the base of the clay cliffs, with Garden Angelica Angelica archangelica nearby. Also present on the cliffs were Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum and Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius. We also found the pink form of Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata, first described in 1967 by R. K. Brummitt, a former LBS President.
After walking for a way along the shore towards Garston, we turned back towards Speke Hall ending the day in pleasant sunshine.
Keith Watson
18th September 2004
Leader – Leander Wolstenholme
We met on a very wet morning in the car park of Speke Hall, and walked towards the coast across mainly waste ground, adjacent to Liverpool Airport. Some of the more interesting plants were Wild Radish Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. raphanistrum, Lesser Swine-cress Coronopus didymus, Bristly Oxtongue Picris echiodes, Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus and Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis.
The salt marsh flora was quite good with Sea Club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus, Sea-milkwort Glaux maritima, both Sea and Marsh Arrowgrass Triglochin maritimum and palustris and Sea Aster Aster tripolium.
We had lunch sitting on the base of the clay cliffs, with Garden Angelica Angelica archangelica nearby. Also present on the cliffs were Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum and Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius. We also found the pink form of Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium ssp. roseata, first described in 1967 by R. K. Brummitt, a former LBS President.
After walking for a way along the shore towards Garston, we turned back towards Speke Hall ending the day in pleasant sunshine.
Keith Watson
Freshfield
9th October 2004
Leader – Pat Lockwood
Although we didn’t walk very far, the meeting was purely pleasurable. The day turned out to be mild and sunny – what more could we ask for. We looked on oak leaves for galls, the spangle being prevalent, although we did see a few button galls and marble galls, many of us calling the latter oak apples, but wrongly so. The trees were full of acorns – a bumper crop. On the underside of the oak leaves were unusual ladybirds, pale orange with 16 spots. I intended to go back to look for more, but didn’t manage it owing to a severe cold. However, we've also seen the same species on our Copper beech tree. White Dead-nettle, Lamium album was in good flower, not really surprising as it over-winters. Red Campion Silene dioica, Harebell Campanula rotundifolia, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Common Storks-bill Erodium cicutarium, Portland Spurge Euphorbia portlandica, Red Clover Trifolium pratense and climbing everywhere Large Bindweed Calystegia silvatica.
At 12 noon we gathered together for a two minute silence in memory of Ken Bigley, murdered in Iraq.
There was fungus everywhere. Giant Puffball Langermannia gigantea was found, but quite small compared with one we found at Whitegate, Cheshire a few years ago. Vera took a photo of me holding it. It was the size of a football!
Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum, Bovista plumbea, Shaggy Ink Cap or Lawyers Wig Coprinus comatus, Fly Agaric Amantia muscaria, some without their white spots, washed off by the rain, Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis rutilans, Aniseed Toadstool Clitocybe odora, Greasy Tough-shank Collybia butyracea, Blackening Wax Cap Hygrocybe nigrescens, False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, and Saffron Milk Cap Lactarius deliciosus.
Russulas were everywhere, in so many colours, the most glorious the brightest reds. There lots of Boletes too. I love their spongy chunkiness, Slippery Jack Suillus luteus being the commonest. The Birch Polypore or Razor Strop fungus Piptoporus betulinus is very common in the area, also the tree covered with bracket fungi, was it Many-zoned Polypore, Coriolus versicolor, Earthstar Geastrum triplex, and lastly Stag’s Horn or Candle Snuff fungus Xylaria hypoxylon.
At No. 13 I gave a guided tour of the estate and growing on a log, Hairy Stereum Coriolus hirsutus. I forgot to show you the Eathstars. Thanks to you all for a lovely day.
Pat Lockwood
9th October 2004
Leader – Pat Lockwood
Although we didn’t walk very far, the meeting was purely pleasurable. The day turned out to be mild and sunny – what more could we ask for. We looked on oak leaves for galls, the spangle being prevalent, although we did see a few button galls and marble galls, many of us calling the latter oak apples, but wrongly so. The trees were full of acorns – a bumper crop. On the underside of the oak leaves were unusual ladybirds, pale orange with 16 spots. I intended to go back to look for more, but didn’t manage it owing to a severe cold. However, we've also seen the same species on our Copper beech tree. White Dead-nettle, Lamium album was in good flower, not really surprising as it over-winters. Red Campion Silene dioica, Harebell Campanula rotundifolia, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea, Common Storks-bill Erodium cicutarium, Portland Spurge Euphorbia portlandica, Red Clover Trifolium pratense and climbing everywhere Large Bindweed Calystegia silvatica.
At 12 noon we gathered together for a two minute silence in memory of Ken Bigley, murdered in Iraq.
There was fungus everywhere. Giant Puffball Langermannia gigantea was found, but quite small compared with one we found at Whitegate, Cheshire a few years ago. Vera took a photo of me holding it. It was the size of a football!
Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum, Bovista plumbea, Shaggy Ink Cap or Lawyers Wig Coprinus comatus, Fly Agaric Amantia muscaria, some without their white spots, washed off by the rain, Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis rutilans, Aniseed Toadstool Clitocybe odora, Greasy Tough-shank Collybia butyracea, Blackening Wax Cap Hygrocybe nigrescens, False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, and Saffron Milk Cap Lactarius deliciosus.
Russulas were everywhere, in so many colours, the most glorious the brightest reds. There lots of Boletes too. I love their spongy chunkiness, Slippery Jack Suillus luteus being the commonest. The Birch Polypore or Razor Strop fungus Piptoporus betulinus is very common in the area, also the tree covered with bracket fungi, was it Many-zoned Polypore, Coriolus versicolor, Earthstar Geastrum triplex, and lastly Stag’s Horn or Candle Snuff fungus Xylaria hypoxylon.
At No. 13 I gave a guided tour of the estate and growing on a log, Hairy Stereum Coriolus hirsutus. I forgot to show you the Eathstars. Thanks to you all for a lovely day.
Pat Lockwood