Field Meetings 2005
Loggerheads 30 April, Murdishaw Valley (Runcorn) 28 May, Ainsdale 11 June, Hooton 9 July, Thurstaston 30 July, Manor Park (Runcorn) 20 August,
Otterspool 10 September, Dibbinsdale 8 October.
Loggerheads 30 April, Murdishaw Valley (Runcorn) 28 May, Ainsdale 11 June, Hooton 9 July, Thurstaston 30 July, Manor Park (Runcorn) 20 August,
Otterspool 10 September, Dibbinsdale 8 October.
Loggerheads
30th April 2005
Leader - Keith Watson
This was a notable meeting for me as it was almost exactly 30 years after my first ever LBS meeting on 19th April, 1975 at Loggerheads. That day was also the first time I met Vera, and I wished she could have been with us on this walk, the first time we have been to Loggerheads for some years.
The party of ten members met at the Visitor Centre on a wet morning, but the weather improved during the day. Toothwort, Lathraea squammaria was found immediately in a hedgerow at the Centre and in several other places during the day. Marsh-marigold, Caltha palustris was in good flower near the bridge over the Alyn.
We walked along the path by the Alyn to the wall, marking the Flints/Denbs border, where Herb-Paris, Paris quadrifolia was almost in flower. Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium was much less common near the river than in the past, but Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, C. oppositifolium was abundant.
Amongst the ferns found were Intermediate Polypody, Polypodium interjectum, Hard Shield-fern, Polystichum aculeatum and Hart’s-tongue, Phyllitis scolopendrium. Other notable plants as we walked along the Leet path included Three- nerved Sandwort, Moehringia trinervia, Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus, with Salad Burnet, Sanguisorba minor and Common Rock-rose, Helianthemum nummularium on the limestone.
At the end of the Leet path we walked up the road to the fields at Pantymwyn, to find Bulbous Buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus, Cowslip, Primula veris, a very large plant of its hybrid with Primrose, Primula x polyantha, and Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula. In the past I have found Green-winged Orchid, Orchis morio here but we could not find it on this meeting.
Walking back down to the Leet path we found Brittle Bladder-fern, Cystopteris fragilis on a wall near to the entrance to the woods. Twayblade, Listera ovata used to occur in the woods here, but we did not find it this year. We returned to the Visitor Centre for a rest and refreshments, and then Martin led some of us up the steep steps to the cliff top, passing Spurge-laurel, Daphne laureola on the way. On the limestone we found leaves of Bloody Crane’s-bill, Geranium sanguineum, Lesser Meadow-rue, Thalictrum minus and probably Hairy Violet, Viola hirta.
Finally, on the way back he showed us a bush of the Fly Honeysuckle, Lonicera xylosteum in the woods. I would like to thank Martin Stead for his help during the meeting, and for leading the extra extension to the walk.
Keith Watson
Photographs by Keith Watson
30th April 2005
Leader - Keith Watson
This was a notable meeting for me as it was almost exactly 30 years after my first ever LBS meeting on 19th April, 1975 at Loggerheads. That day was also the first time I met Vera, and I wished she could have been with us on this walk, the first time we have been to Loggerheads for some years.
The party of ten members met at the Visitor Centre on a wet morning, but the weather improved during the day. Toothwort, Lathraea squammaria was found immediately in a hedgerow at the Centre and in several other places during the day. Marsh-marigold, Caltha palustris was in good flower near the bridge over the Alyn.
We walked along the path by the Alyn to the wall, marking the Flints/Denbs border, where Herb-Paris, Paris quadrifolia was almost in flower. Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium was much less common near the river than in the past, but Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, C. oppositifolium was abundant.
Amongst the ferns found were Intermediate Polypody, Polypodium interjectum, Hard Shield-fern, Polystichum aculeatum and Hart’s-tongue, Phyllitis scolopendrium. Other notable plants as we walked along the Leet path included Three- nerved Sandwort, Moehringia trinervia, Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus, with Salad Burnet, Sanguisorba minor and Common Rock-rose, Helianthemum nummularium on the limestone.
At the end of the Leet path we walked up the road to the fields at Pantymwyn, to find Bulbous Buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus, Cowslip, Primula veris, a very large plant of its hybrid with Primrose, Primula x polyantha, and Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula. In the past I have found Green-winged Orchid, Orchis morio here but we could not find it on this meeting.
Walking back down to the Leet path we found Brittle Bladder-fern, Cystopteris fragilis on a wall near to the entrance to the woods. Twayblade, Listera ovata used to occur in the woods here, but we did not find it this year. We returned to the Visitor Centre for a rest and refreshments, and then Martin led some of us up the steep steps to the cliff top, passing Spurge-laurel, Daphne laureola on the way. On the limestone we found leaves of Bloody Crane’s-bill, Geranium sanguineum, Lesser Meadow-rue, Thalictrum minus and probably Hairy Violet, Viola hirta.
Finally, on the way back he showed us a bush of the Fly Honeysuckle, Lonicera xylosteum in the woods. I would like to thank Martin Stead for his help during the meeting, and for leading the extra extension to the walk.
Keith Watson
Photographs by Keith Watson
Runcorn, Murdishaw Valley
28th May 2005
Leader – Rob Duffy
A party of nine members gathered at Runcorn East station. We found a gall on the developing fruits of Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa that Pat Lockwood later identified as Bladder Bullace, caused by the fungus, Ascomyces pruni.
We then proceeded through the Murdishaw estate to the ancient woodland, where, due to the late May start, the considerable native Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta populations had faded. On reaching the embankment above the sports fields next to the woodland, it was obviously just the right time to investigate the emerging orchid populations.
The party proceeded down the meadow paralleling the M56, admiring the Ragged-Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi, before descending, once again, into the woodland.
Crossing the bus lane, which cuts the nature reserve in two, the party followed the main footpath until they came to a wet meadow, containing an abundant orchid population. There was time, before lunch, to admire the stately beech perched on a ridge aslant the valley.
The second stage of the walk was along the Bridgewater canal from Preston Brook, where Pat’s keen eye brought to the attention of the party the Hoary Cress, Lepidium draba, and some impressive Hemlock, Conium maculatum specimens. The countryside around had a hypnotic effect as the fields of barley swayed in the wind like waves at sea.
Finally we ascended to Daresbury Firs where the party gamely tried to identify the differences between the three main conifers, Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta Corsican Pine, Pinus nigra ssp. laricio and Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris. The view to the Mersey was obscured from the viewpoint and so the party headed back down to the canal.
Note on the orchid populations
Clearly there were hybrid populations present just below the main valley path. As the parent orchids present were the Common Spotted-orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii and Southern Marsh-orchid, D. praetermissa it is very likely that they were D. x grandis.
Other interesting species: Wood Speedwell, Veronica montana, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, V. serpyllifolia, Germander Speedwell, V. chamaedrys, Slender Speedwell, V. filiformis, Lords-and-Ladies, Arum maculatum, Climbing Corydalis, Ceratocapnos claviculata, Pignut, Conopodium majus, Yellow Iris, Iris pseudacorus, Water Dock, Rumex hydrolapathum, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, Winter-cress, Barbarea vulgaris, Common Figwort, Scrophularia nodosa, Water Figwort, S. auriculata, Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria holostea, Water-soldier, Stratiotes aloides, Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, Remote Sedge, Carex remota, Wood Avens, Geum urbanum, Guelder-rose, Viburnum opulus, Yellow Pimpernel, Lysimachia nemorum, Three-nerved Sandwort, Moehringia trinervia, Welted Thistle, Carduus crispus, Wood Millet, Milium effusum.
Thanks to Sheila and Pat
Rob Duffy
Photographs by Keith Watson
28th May 2005
Leader – Rob Duffy
A party of nine members gathered at Runcorn East station. We found a gall on the developing fruits of Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa that Pat Lockwood later identified as Bladder Bullace, caused by the fungus, Ascomyces pruni.
We then proceeded through the Murdishaw estate to the ancient woodland, where, due to the late May start, the considerable native Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta populations had faded. On reaching the embankment above the sports fields next to the woodland, it was obviously just the right time to investigate the emerging orchid populations.
The party proceeded down the meadow paralleling the M56, admiring the Ragged-Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi, before descending, once again, into the woodland.
Crossing the bus lane, which cuts the nature reserve in two, the party followed the main footpath until they came to a wet meadow, containing an abundant orchid population. There was time, before lunch, to admire the stately beech perched on a ridge aslant the valley.
The second stage of the walk was along the Bridgewater canal from Preston Brook, where Pat’s keen eye brought to the attention of the party the Hoary Cress, Lepidium draba, and some impressive Hemlock, Conium maculatum specimens. The countryside around had a hypnotic effect as the fields of barley swayed in the wind like waves at sea.
Finally we ascended to Daresbury Firs where the party gamely tried to identify the differences between the three main conifers, Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta Corsican Pine, Pinus nigra ssp. laricio and Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris. The view to the Mersey was obscured from the viewpoint and so the party headed back down to the canal.
Note on the orchid populations
Clearly there were hybrid populations present just below the main valley path. As the parent orchids present were the Common Spotted-orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii and Southern Marsh-orchid, D. praetermissa it is very likely that they were D. x grandis.
Other interesting species: Wood Speedwell, Veronica montana, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, V. serpyllifolia, Germander Speedwell, V. chamaedrys, Slender Speedwell, V. filiformis, Lords-and-Ladies, Arum maculatum, Climbing Corydalis, Ceratocapnos claviculata, Pignut, Conopodium majus, Yellow Iris, Iris pseudacorus, Water Dock, Rumex hydrolapathum, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, Winter-cress, Barbarea vulgaris, Common Figwort, Scrophularia nodosa, Water Figwort, S. auriculata, Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria holostea, Water-soldier, Stratiotes aloides, Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, Remote Sedge, Carex remota, Wood Avens, Geum urbanum, Guelder-rose, Viburnum opulus, Yellow Pimpernel, Lysimachia nemorum, Three-nerved Sandwort, Moehringia trinervia, Welted Thistle, Carduus crispus, Wood Millet, Milium effusum.
Thanks to Sheila and Pat
Rob Duffy
Photographs by Keith Watson
Ainsdale
11th June 2005
Leader – Pat Lockwood
The meeting was well attended, Ainsdale being a popular venue with members and we had good weather – maybe a little too warm. We parked our cars near to the Visitor Centre, wandered along the road passing Pontins and onto the shore and then inland, mainly keeping to the paths. We had our lunch in the dunes and then doubled back on ourselves to the Visitor Centre. Finding our footpath we walked South passing wet slacks which are always of interest. In amongst some Creeping Willow, Salix repens large numbers of White Satin moths, Leucoma salicis were emerging, I’d never seen them before but Peter Gately had and his knowledge was invaluable.
A list of the plants worth a special mention:
Eastern Rocket, Sisymbrium orientale, Annual Wall-rocket, Diplotaxis muralis, Sea Rocket, Cakile maritima, Weld, Reseda luteola, Early Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Southern Marsh-orchid, D. praetermissa, Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis, Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera, Round-leaved Wintergreen, Pyrola rotundifolia, Adder’s-tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Lesser Spearwort, Ranunculus flammula, Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralias, Portland Spurge, E. portlandica, Heath Speedwell, Veronica officinalis, Wild Pansy, Viola tricolor ssp. curtisii, Brookweed, Samolus valerandii, Bog Pimpernel, Anagallis tenella, Blue Fleabane, Erigeron acer, Wild Strawberry, Fragaria vesca, Marsh Cinquefoil, Potentilla palustris, Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata, Common Cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium, Bay Willow, Salix pentandra, Sea Fern-grass, Catapodium marinum.
Many thanks to all of you for making the day so memorable, especially to Christine, Roger and Priscilla who very kindly went out of their way to help me to track down a book by William Condry. Also thanks to Douglas and Brian for accompanying me on the recce for which I was very grateful.
Pat Lockwood
Photographs by Keith Watson
11th June 2005
Leader – Pat Lockwood
The meeting was well attended, Ainsdale being a popular venue with members and we had good weather – maybe a little too warm. We parked our cars near to the Visitor Centre, wandered along the road passing Pontins and onto the shore and then inland, mainly keeping to the paths. We had our lunch in the dunes and then doubled back on ourselves to the Visitor Centre. Finding our footpath we walked South passing wet slacks which are always of interest. In amongst some Creeping Willow, Salix repens large numbers of White Satin moths, Leucoma salicis were emerging, I’d never seen them before but Peter Gately had and his knowledge was invaluable.
A list of the plants worth a special mention:
Eastern Rocket, Sisymbrium orientale, Annual Wall-rocket, Diplotaxis muralis, Sea Rocket, Cakile maritima, Weld, Reseda luteola, Early Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Southern Marsh-orchid, D. praetermissa, Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis, Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera, Round-leaved Wintergreen, Pyrola rotundifolia, Adder’s-tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Lesser Spearwort, Ranunculus flammula, Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralias, Portland Spurge, E. portlandica, Heath Speedwell, Veronica officinalis, Wild Pansy, Viola tricolor ssp. curtisii, Brookweed, Samolus valerandii, Bog Pimpernel, Anagallis tenella, Blue Fleabane, Erigeron acer, Wild Strawberry, Fragaria vesca, Marsh Cinquefoil, Potentilla palustris, Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata, Common Cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium, Bay Willow, Salix pentandra, Sea Fern-grass, Catapodium marinum.
Many thanks to all of you for making the day so memorable, especially to Christine, Roger and Priscilla who very kindly went out of their way to help me to track down a book by William Condry. Also thanks to Douglas and Brian for accompanying me on the recce for which I was very grateful.
Pat Lockwood
Photographs by Keith Watson
Hooton
9th July 2005
Leaders – Peter and Sheila Mason
Nine members met and set off belatedly (Merseyrail problems) along the Wirral Way from Hooton Station. An early find was a fine patch of Zigzag Clover, Trifolium medium which had escaped the weed-spraying along the route.
We strayed into an abandoned industrial site alongside the Wirral Way and spent perhaps a disproportionate length of time discovering a wealth of garden escapes in the small waste heaps. Also on the site were Moth Mullein, Verbascum blattaria, Trailing St. John’s-wort, Hypericum humifusum, seven species of Willowherb and a large clump of Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea.
One of the main aims of the walk was to look for the Broad-leaved Helleborine, Epipactis helleborine which had seemed to have decreased recently on the Wirral Way itself. Fortunately it was found to be quite vigorous on the nearby wasteland under groups of small trees and some plants were already in flower. E. helleborine is, according to the New Naturalist book ‘Wild Orchids of Britain’, one of the seven species forming the Eurasian Element Proper of the British orchid flora, being widespread, mainly in old woodlands, from Siberia and the Himalayas to Northern Africa. In Glasgow, however, it prefers suburban sites, particularly owner-occupier gardens, and is referred to sometimes as a ‘snob plant’! We found a good quantity of healthy plants, though none reached the five foot height which has been recorded for this species.
Three very fine specimens of Wall Lettuce, Mycelis muralis attracted attention, making a good display of flowers and small pentagonal pappus-filled seed heads. Before lunch we also noted Water Figwort, Scrophularia auriculata, Marsh Bedstraw, Gallium palustre and Perforate and Imperforate St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum and H. maculatum. Not unexpected on this former railway was the Small Toadflax, Chaenorhinum minus, a frequenter of dry stony railway tracks.
We stopped for lunch at Heath Road by a newly made pond at the picnic site, and then backtracked to Hooton Station to use the available cars to take us to Hooton Woods and Grassland, an area of land sandwiched between the M53 and the Merseyrail line at Eastham Rake. The lush meadow yielded a large display of Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, mostly pale in colour but of a good size with flower-spikes up to 25cm. Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris was also in abundance on the bank of the M53– a very elegant flower spike and the most effective ‘wound herb’ of the species. A pond proved to be a haven for dragon- and damselflies on this exceptionally hot, sunny afternoon and we identified seven species. Plant life in the pond included Lesser Marshwort, Apium inundatum, Frogbit, Hydrochaeris morsus-ranae (though not in flower), Water-plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica and the Amphibious Bistort, Persicaria amphibia. We moved on to a small wood which was too shady to support much flora other than Wood Dock, Rumex sanguineus, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana and some fine specimens of Broad Buckler Fern Dryopteris dilitata and Male Fern Dryopteris felix-mas. Broad-leaved Helleborine was recorded here some ten years ago, but we did not find any on this visit. Of particular interest was a very large Sweet Chestnut tree growing from a huge, almost circular fallen branch. A few feet away was another tree growing in the same way. There was some speculation about how this could have come about and whether there was any local knowledge of it.
During the day we collected some good specimens of grasses and sedges, including False Fox-sedge, Carex otrubae, Remote Sedge, Carex remota and Purple Moor-grass, Molinia caerulea.
Footnotes:
The Cheshire County Council (CCC) warden of the Wirral Way later explained that the route had been sprayed to control some of the woody growth, including Willow, Elm and Japanese Knotweed. The Borough Council had also, undertaken some spraying.
CCC was aware of the habitat of the Broad Helleborine and was planning to protect it (along with the local glow-worms) now that planning applications had been received for the industrial site.
Peter and Sheila Mason
Editors Note: I would like to thank Peter and Sheila for leading their first meeting. Also, they later found a single plant of Broad-leaved Helleborine, in the wood mentioned above, confirming my old record. They then later found three plants in a flower bed at Bromborough Station!
Keith Watson
Photographs by Keith Watson
9th July 2005
Leaders – Peter and Sheila Mason
Nine members met and set off belatedly (Merseyrail problems) along the Wirral Way from Hooton Station. An early find was a fine patch of Zigzag Clover, Trifolium medium which had escaped the weed-spraying along the route.
We strayed into an abandoned industrial site alongside the Wirral Way and spent perhaps a disproportionate length of time discovering a wealth of garden escapes in the small waste heaps. Also on the site were Moth Mullein, Verbascum blattaria, Trailing St. John’s-wort, Hypericum humifusum, seven species of Willowherb and a large clump of Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea.
One of the main aims of the walk was to look for the Broad-leaved Helleborine, Epipactis helleborine which had seemed to have decreased recently on the Wirral Way itself. Fortunately it was found to be quite vigorous on the nearby wasteland under groups of small trees and some plants were already in flower. E. helleborine is, according to the New Naturalist book ‘Wild Orchids of Britain’, one of the seven species forming the Eurasian Element Proper of the British orchid flora, being widespread, mainly in old woodlands, from Siberia and the Himalayas to Northern Africa. In Glasgow, however, it prefers suburban sites, particularly owner-occupier gardens, and is referred to sometimes as a ‘snob plant’! We found a good quantity of healthy plants, though none reached the five foot height which has been recorded for this species.
Three very fine specimens of Wall Lettuce, Mycelis muralis attracted attention, making a good display of flowers and small pentagonal pappus-filled seed heads. Before lunch we also noted Water Figwort, Scrophularia auriculata, Marsh Bedstraw, Gallium palustre and Perforate and Imperforate St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum and H. maculatum. Not unexpected on this former railway was the Small Toadflax, Chaenorhinum minus, a frequenter of dry stony railway tracks.
We stopped for lunch at Heath Road by a newly made pond at the picnic site, and then backtracked to Hooton Station to use the available cars to take us to Hooton Woods and Grassland, an area of land sandwiched between the M53 and the Merseyrail line at Eastham Rake. The lush meadow yielded a large display of Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, mostly pale in colour but of a good size with flower-spikes up to 25cm. Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris was also in abundance on the bank of the M53– a very elegant flower spike and the most effective ‘wound herb’ of the species. A pond proved to be a haven for dragon- and damselflies on this exceptionally hot, sunny afternoon and we identified seven species. Plant life in the pond included Lesser Marshwort, Apium inundatum, Frogbit, Hydrochaeris morsus-ranae (though not in flower), Water-plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica and the Amphibious Bistort, Persicaria amphibia. We moved on to a small wood which was too shady to support much flora other than Wood Dock, Rumex sanguineus, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana and some fine specimens of Broad Buckler Fern Dryopteris dilitata and Male Fern Dryopteris felix-mas. Broad-leaved Helleborine was recorded here some ten years ago, but we did not find any on this visit. Of particular interest was a very large Sweet Chestnut tree growing from a huge, almost circular fallen branch. A few feet away was another tree growing in the same way. There was some speculation about how this could have come about and whether there was any local knowledge of it.
During the day we collected some good specimens of grasses and sedges, including False Fox-sedge, Carex otrubae, Remote Sedge, Carex remota and Purple Moor-grass, Molinia caerulea.
Footnotes:
The Cheshire County Council (CCC) warden of the Wirral Way later explained that the route had been sprayed to control some of the woody growth, including Willow, Elm and Japanese Knotweed. The Borough Council had also, undertaken some spraying.
CCC was aware of the habitat of the Broad Helleborine and was planning to protect it (along with the local glow-worms) now that planning applications had been received for the industrial site.
Peter and Sheila Mason
Editors Note: I would like to thank Peter and Sheila for leading their first meeting. Also, they later found a single plant of Broad-leaved Helleborine, in the wood mentioned above, confirming my old record. They then later found three plants in a flower bed at Bromborough Station!
Keith Watson
Photographs by Keith Watson
Thurstaston
30th July 2005
Leader – Dave Earl
At Thurstaston Common car park early arrivals had a look at some brambles including Rubus wirralensis, R. nemoralis, R. cardiophyllus, R. tuberculatus, R. lindleianus, R. dasyphyllus and R. hylocharis.
We then walked down to the lane by Thurstaston church to look at a rock outcrop where Bird's-foot, Ornithopus perpusillus once grew. The area had been mown recently and no Bird's-foot plants were found, although Early Hair-grass, Aira praecox and Annual Pearlwort, Sagina apetala were present. After some searching we did find Navelwort, Umbilicus rupestris under the hedgerow nearby.
At the churchyard we found Fox-and-cubs, Pilosella aurantiaca, Mouse-ear-hawkweed, Pilosella officinarum, Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis, Parsley Piert, Aphanes arvensis, white flowered Herb-Robert, Geranium robertianum and the mosses Dicranum scoparium and Thuidium tamariscinum. An abundance of Krauss's Clubmoss, Selaginella kraussiana was established in a border. Keith Watson then showed us the nearby village Black Poplar, Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia.
We then drove down to Thurstaston Country Park for lunch by the cafe, after which we explored the nearby pond finding Water Soldier, Stratiotes aloides, Curly Waterweed, Lagarosiphon major, Rigid Hornwort, Ceratophyllum demersum, Curled Pondweed, Potamogeton crispus, Broad-leaved Pondweed, Potamogeton natans, New Zealand Pigmyweed, Crassula helmsii, Water Mint, Mentha aquatica and Clustered Dock, Rumex conglomeratus. Onwards then to descend the wooded chine beneath the caravan park where we admired Soft Shield-fern, Polystichum setiferum, False Brome Brachypodium sylvaticum, Rough Chervil, Chaerophyllum temelum and Black Bryony, Tamus communis. Along the open clay banks of the chine we found Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, Hoary Ragwort, Senecio erucifolius, Quaking Grass, Briza media, Betony, Stachys officinalis, Glaucous Sedge, Carex flacca, Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfoliata, Restharrow, Ononis repens, Bloody Crane's-bill, Geranium sanguineum, Tall Fescue, Festuca arundinacea and Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria. Perennial Sowthistle, Sonchus arvensis Common Reed, Phragmites australis, Lyme-grass, Leymus arenarius, Sea Beet, Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima, Sea Club-rush, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Sea Rocket, Cakile maritima, Grass-leaved Orache, Atriplex littoralis and Tree-mallow, Lavatera arborea occurred along the shore.
Further exploration of the clay cliffs gave us Zigzag Clover, Trifolium medium, Fairy Flax, Linum catharticum, Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, Wood Small-reed, Calamagrostis epigejos and several small populations of Pepper Saxifrage, Silaum silaus. We then explored the meadows above the cliffs finding Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus, Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus, Upright Hedge-parsley, Torilis japonica and Dyer's Greenwood, Genista tinctoria. The nearby ponds provided much interest with Branched Bur-reed, Sparganium erectum, Gypsywort, Lycopus europaeus, Lesser Spearwort, Ranunculus flammula, Brooklime, Veronica beccabunga, Common Water-plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lesser Water-plantain, Baldellia ranunculoides, Cyperus Sedge, Carex pseudocyperus, Fool's- water-cress, Apium nodiflorum, Marsh Pennywort, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Lesser Water-parsnip, Berula erecta, False Fox-sedge, Carex otrubae, and the now very local Floating Club-moss, Eleogiton fluitans.
Finally we returned to Thurstaston Common where Heather, Calluna vulgaris, Bell Heather, Erica cinerea and Western Gorse, Ulex gallii were in bloom. We explored an area of Purple Moor-grass, Molinia caerulea and Common Cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium for the Silver-studded Blue butterfly without success, although we did find an Orange Underwing moth, Cross-leaved Heath, Erica tetralix, Common Sedge, Carex nigra, Bulbous Rush, Juncus bulbosus, Heath Rush, Juncus squarrosus and Deer Grass Trichophorum cespitosum.
Dave Earl
Photographs by Keith Watson
Runcorn, Manor Park
20th August 2005
Leader – Tony Parker
No report available
Photographs by Keith Watson
20th August 2005
Leader – Tony Parker
No report available
Photographs by Keith Watson
Otterspool
10th September 2005
Leader – Dave Earl
From Aigburth railway station we walked down to the shore along Mersey Road along which Red Valerian Centranthus ruber and Yellow Corydalis, Pseudofumaria lutea are established on walls. We obtained permission to explore the nearby allotments finding Henbit Dead-nettle, Lamium amplexicaule, Common Ramping-fumitory, Fumaria muralis, Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis, Long-headed Poppy, Papaver dubium and Wild Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum. Several species of the Genus Ribes are semi-established in the adjoining scrub and allotment fencing and include Black Currant, Ribes nigrum, Red Currant, Ribes rubrum and Gooseberry, Ribes uva-crispa.
On embankments close the shore Sea Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus and Tree-mallow, Lavatera arborea are locally frequent whilst in flower beds Great Brome, Anisantha diandra, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus and Square-stalked Willowherb, Epilobium tetragonum are established. Amongst the promenade turf Sea-purslane, Atriplex portulacoides and Buck's-horn Plantain, Plantago coronopus were found whilst Sea Pearlwort, Sagina maritima occurs along the sea wall.
After lunch we explored the nearby parkland, horticultural refuse and composting area. Here we found a good number of exotic species including Italian Alder, Alnus cordata, Elephant-ears, Bergenia crassifolia, Canadian Fleabane, Conyza canadensis, Guernsey Fleabane, Conyza sumatrensis, Cockspur, Echinochloa crus-galli, Pale Willowherb, Epilobium roseum, Fuchsia, Fuchsia magellanica, Gallant-soldier¸ Galinsoja parviflora,, Shaggy-soldier, G. quadriradiata, Hedgerow Crane's-bill, Geranium pyrenaicum, Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, Hoary Mustard, Hirschfeldia incana, Stinking Tutsan, Hypericum hircinum, Small Balsam, Impatiens parviflora, Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Lamium amplexicaule, Garden Lavender, Lavendula x intermedia, Purple Toadflax, Linaria purpurea, Purple-loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, Intermediate Evening-primrose, Oenothera x fallax, Procumbent Yellow-sorrel, Oxalis corniculata, Water Bent, Polypogon viridis, Field Woundwort, Stachys arvensis, Dark Mullein, Verbascum nigrum, and Argentinian Vervain, Verbena bonariensis.
Onward then to the wooded clough in Otterspool Park. Several exotic trees and shrubs have been planted such as Turkey Oak, Quercus cerris, Evergreen Oak, Quercus ilex, Tulip Tree, Liliodendron tulipifera, Cut-leaved Beech, Fagus sylvatica, Cherry Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, Portugal Laurel, Prunus lusitanica, and Spotted-laurel, Aucuba japonica. Also occurring are Veitch's Bamboo, Sasa veitchii, Persian Ivy, Hedera colchica and the delightful member of the saxifrage family – Rodgersia, Rogersia podophylla. Indigenous species include Yellow Iris, Iris pseudacorus, Giant Fescue, Festuca gigantea, Goldenrod, Solidago virgaurea and Great Wood-rush, Luzula sylvatica. After examining and eating the fruits of two woodland brambles - Rubus hylocharis and Rubus cissburiensis we concluded our very successful field meeting.
Dave Earl
Photographs by Keith Watson
10th September 2005
Leader – Dave Earl
From Aigburth railway station we walked down to the shore along Mersey Road along which Red Valerian Centranthus ruber and Yellow Corydalis, Pseudofumaria lutea are established on walls. We obtained permission to explore the nearby allotments finding Henbit Dead-nettle, Lamium amplexicaule, Common Ramping-fumitory, Fumaria muralis, Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis, Long-headed Poppy, Papaver dubium and Wild Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum. Several species of the Genus Ribes are semi-established in the adjoining scrub and allotment fencing and include Black Currant, Ribes nigrum, Red Currant, Ribes rubrum and Gooseberry, Ribes uva-crispa.
On embankments close the shore Sea Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus and Tree-mallow, Lavatera arborea are locally frequent whilst in flower beds Great Brome, Anisantha diandra, Lesser Swine-cress, Coronopus didymus and Square-stalked Willowherb, Epilobium tetragonum are established. Amongst the promenade turf Sea-purslane, Atriplex portulacoides and Buck's-horn Plantain, Plantago coronopus were found whilst Sea Pearlwort, Sagina maritima occurs along the sea wall.
After lunch we explored the nearby parkland, horticultural refuse and composting area. Here we found a good number of exotic species including Italian Alder, Alnus cordata, Elephant-ears, Bergenia crassifolia, Canadian Fleabane, Conyza canadensis, Guernsey Fleabane, Conyza sumatrensis, Cockspur, Echinochloa crus-galli, Pale Willowherb, Epilobium roseum, Fuchsia, Fuchsia magellanica, Gallant-soldier¸ Galinsoja parviflora,, Shaggy-soldier, G. quadriradiata, Hedgerow Crane's-bill, Geranium pyrenaicum, Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, Hoary Mustard, Hirschfeldia incana, Stinking Tutsan, Hypericum hircinum, Small Balsam, Impatiens parviflora, Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Lamium amplexicaule, Garden Lavender, Lavendula x intermedia, Purple Toadflax, Linaria purpurea, Purple-loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, Intermediate Evening-primrose, Oenothera x fallax, Procumbent Yellow-sorrel, Oxalis corniculata, Water Bent, Polypogon viridis, Field Woundwort, Stachys arvensis, Dark Mullein, Verbascum nigrum, and Argentinian Vervain, Verbena bonariensis.
Onward then to the wooded clough in Otterspool Park. Several exotic trees and shrubs have been planted such as Turkey Oak, Quercus cerris, Evergreen Oak, Quercus ilex, Tulip Tree, Liliodendron tulipifera, Cut-leaved Beech, Fagus sylvatica, Cherry Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, Portugal Laurel, Prunus lusitanica, and Spotted-laurel, Aucuba japonica. Also occurring are Veitch's Bamboo, Sasa veitchii, Persian Ivy, Hedera colchica and the delightful member of the saxifrage family – Rodgersia, Rogersia podophylla. Indigenous species include Yellow Iris, Iris pseudacorus, Giant Fescue, Festuca gigantea, Goldenrod, Solidago virgaurea and Great Wood-rush, Luzula sylvatica. After examining and eating the fruits of two woodland brambles - Rubus hylocharis and Rubus cissburiensis we concluded our very successful field meeting.
Dave Earl
Photographs by Keith Watson
Dibbinsdale
8th October 2005
Leader - Keith Watson
A party of 12 members met at Bromborough Rake station on a dark, cloudy and drizzly morning. Rain followed for most of the meeting. We walked down paths towards the river, noting Turkeytail, Trametes versicolor and Common Earthball, Scleroderma citrinum on wood. Over the bridge with lots of Water-pepper, Persicaria hydropiper to the new ponds dug out about two years ago. They have been colonised with abundant Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera and Common Reed, Phragmites australis but with other plants such as Trifid Bur-marigold, Bidens tripartita and Common Duckweed, Lemna minor, with Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum on the path. We found several fungi here, including Amethyst Deceiver, Laccaria amethystea.
Then we followed the path across Bodens Hey meadow and back over the bridges where Blushing Bracket, Daedaleopsis confragosa grew on willow branches, just out of reach. However, we saw it later where the red staining was very evident. Back into the dark and gloomy woods where we found Coral Spot, Nectria cinnebarina, and probably Ochre Brittlegill, Russula ochroleuca and Beefsteak fungus, Fistulina hepatica. On a large fallen tree was Stump Puff-ball, Lycoperdon pyriforme and nearby Dryad’s Saddle, Polyporus squamosus. We also saw a very large frog.
We followed the path to the tunnel under the railway line, where we had lunch to shelter from the rain. Through the tunnel and towards Brotherton Park we found Shaggy Inkcap, Coprinus comatus, and fruits on the Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus. Goldenrod, Solidago virgaurea and Wall Lettuce, Mycelis muralis were found. Then to St Patrick’s well, with Jelly Ear, Auricularia auricula-judae growing on alder and Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma fasciculare. We then walked towards the Warden’s cottage, and saw the large Holm Oak, Quercus ilex and Monkey-puzzle, Araucaria araucana. The Deceiver, Laccaria laccata was found in grassland near Woodslee pond and Birch Polypore, Piptoporous betulinus nearby. Finally, we walked back though the tunnel and along the woodland path to the station.
I would like to thank everyone in the group, but especially Maria and Pat, for their enthusiasm and identifications on a rather wet day. Our finds very much exceeded my expectations after my recce walk a few days before.
Keith Watson
Photographs by Keith Watson
8th October 2005
Leader - Keith Watson
A party of 12 members met at Bromborough Rake station on a dark, cloudy and drizzly morning. Rain followed for most of the meeting. We walked down paths towards the river, noting Turkeytail, Trametes versicolor and Common Earthball, Scleroderma citrinum on wood. Over the bridge with lots of Water-pepper, Persicaria hydropiper to the new ponds dug out about two years ago. They have been colonised with abundant Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera and Common Reed, Phragmites australis but with other plants such as Trifid Bur-marigold, Bidens tripartita and Common Duckweed, Lemna minor, with Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum on the path. We found several fungi here, including Amethyst Deceiver, Laccaria amethystea.
Then we followed the path across Bodens Hey meadow and back over the bridges where Blushing Bracket, Daedaleopsis confragosa grew on willow branches, just out of reach. However, we saw it later where the red staining was very evident. Back into the dark and gloomy woods where we found Coral Spot, Nectria cinnebarina, and probably Ochre Brittlegill, Russula ochroleuca and Beefsteak fungus, Fistulina hepatica. On a large fallen tree was Stump Puff-ball, Lycoperdon pyriforme and nearby Dryad’s Saddle, Polyporus squamosus. We also saw a very large frog.
We followed the path to the tunnel under the railway line, where we had lunch to shelter from the rain. Through the tunnel and towards Brotherton Park we found Shaggy Inkcap, Coprinus comatus, and fruits on the Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus. Goldenrod, Solidago virgaurea and Wall Lettuce, Mycelis muralis were found. Then to St Patrick’s well, with Jelly Ear, Auricularia auricula-judae growing on alder and Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma fasciculare. We then walked towards the Warden’s cottage, and saw the large Holm Oak, Quercus ilex and Monkey-puzzle, Araucaria araucana. The Deceiver, Laccaria laccata was found in grassland near Woodslee pond and Birch Polypore, Piptoporous betulinus nearby. Finally, we walked back though the tunnel and along the woodland path to the station.
I would like to thank everyone in the group, but especially Maria and Pat, for their enthusiasm and identifications on a rather wet day. Our finds very much exceeded my expectations after my recce walk a few days before.
Keith Watson
Photographs by Keith Watson
