2006 Field Trips
Loggerheads 29th April 2006 Ainsdale 3rd June 2006
Leasowe and Wallasey 24th June 2006 Crosby and Hightown 15th July 2006
Rufford 12th August 2006 Leasowe and West Kirby 2nd September 2006
Speke Hall and Speke 23rd September 2006
Dibbinsdale Fungal Foray 14th October 2006
Leasowe and Wallasey 24th June 2006 Crosby and Hightown 15th July 2006
Rufford 12th August 2006 Leasowe and West Kirby 2nd September 2006
Speke Hall and Speke 23rd September 2006
Dibbinsdale Fungal Foray 14th October 2006
Loggerheads
29th April 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
A party of 11 met at the Visitor Centre car park, admiring plants such as Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria, Primrose, Primula vulgaris, Ground-ivy, Glenchoma hederacea and Red Campion, Silene dioeca in the woodland border. We walked across the bridge over the river, turning right for a short detour to see the Spurge-laurel, Daphne laureola at the bottom of the steep steps. We then walked along the path by the river, finding abundant Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and, after some discussion, leaves of Dame’s-violet, Hersperis matronalis. Bee-flies, probably feeding on the Primrose nectar, buzzed around as we searched for and found Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, now much less common than I remember in the past. Herb-Paris, Paris quadrifolia was almost in flower by the wall that marks the Denbs/ Flints boundary. Toothwort, Lathraea squammaria was found near here and in several other places during the day. As we walked along the path we found plants such as Moschatel, Adoxa moschatellina, Common and Early Dog-violet, Viola riviniana and V. reichenbechiana and ferns such as Hard Shield-fern, Polystichum aculeatum, Hart’s-tongue Fern, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Black Spleenwort, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum and Scaly Male-fern, Dryopteris affinis.
We had lunch near one of the caves finding leaves of the Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula, and walked as far as the bridge over the gorge and took the path up to Pantymwyn. We explored the Cowslip fields, but due to the late season very few were in flower, and there was rather little of interest. However, a Holly Blue butterfly was seen, my first of the season.
We then took the lane from Pantymwyn to the top of the cliff above the Visitor Centre. We had a tea break next to a good clump of Hairy Violet, Viola hirta and searched amongst the grass for tiny early plants such as Spring-sedge, Carex caryophyllea and Whitlowgrass, Erophila verna agg. There was a lot of Spurge Laurel here and leaves of Hairy Rock-cress, Arabis hirsuta were found. A highlight of the day for me was the Green Hairstreak butterfly, flying around clumps of Common Rock-rose, Helianthemum nummularium. We then walked into the woods to see the bush of Fly Honeysuckle, Lonicera xylosteum and back down the steep steps to the Visitor Centre and car park.
Keith Watson
29th April 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
A party of 11 met at the Visitor Centre car park, admiring plants such as Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria, Primrose, Primula vulgaris, Ground-ivy, Glenchoma hederacea and Red Campion, Silene dioeca in the woodland border. We walked across the bridge over the river, turning right for a short detour to see the Spurge-laurel, Daphne laureola at the bottom of the steep steps. We then walked along the path by the river, finding abundant Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and, after some discussion, leaves of Dame’s-violet, Hersperis matronalis. Bee-flies, probably feeding on the Primrose nectar, buzzed around as we searched for and found Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, now much less common than I remember in the past. Herb-Paris, Paris quadrifolia was almost in flower by the wall that marks the Denbs/ Flints boundary. Toothwort, Lathraea squammaria was found near here and in several other places during the day. As we walked along the path we found plants such as Moschatel, Adoxa moschatellina, Common and Early Dog-violet, Viola riviniana and V. reichenbechiana and ferns such as Hard Shield-fern, Polystichum aculeatum, Hart’s-tongue Fern, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Black Spleenwort, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum and Scaly Male-fern, Dryopteris affinis.
We had lunch near one of the caves finding leaves of the Early-purple Orchid, Orchis mascula, and walked as far as the bridge over the gorge and took the path up to Pantymwyn. We explored the Cowslip fields, but due to the late season very few were in flower, and there was rather little of interest. However, a Holly Blue butterfly was seen, my first of the season.
We then took the lane from Pantymwyn to the top of the cliff above the Visitor Centre. We had a tea break next to a good clump of Hairy Violet, Viola hirta and searched amongst the grass for tiny early plants such as Spring-sedge, Carex caryophyllea and Whitlowgrass, Erophila verna agg. There was a lot of Spurge Laurel here and leaves of Hairy Rock-cress, Arabis hirsuta were found. A highlight of the day for me was the Green Hairstreak butterfly, flying around clumps of Common Rock-rose, Helianthemum nummularium. We then walked into the woods to see the bush of Fly Honeysuckle, Lonicera xylosteum and back down the steep steps to the Visitor Centre and car park.
Keith Watson
Ainsdale
3rd June 2006
Leader – Susan Taylor
On a lovely sunny day, a group of 24 members gathered to explore some of the dunes and slacks at Ainsdale, seawards of the coast road (part of the old Cheshire Lines Railway). We were delighted to welcome 5 new members. This meeting was almost exactly 100 years after the first ever field meeting of the Society at Ainsdale on the 2nd June 1906 when 20 founding members were present.
Today the Ainsdale sand hills are managed as a Local Nature Reserve set up in 1980, by Sefton Borough Council. In 2006 the season was late, most of May being wet and cold. However, most of the dune ephemerals were already in seed, or no longer visible.
In a damp area were found the first flowers of Southern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa and Early Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata. Dave Earl guided us to splendid clump of Rosy Garlic, Allium roseum, not far from Sands Lake (Bulrush slack in 1906). Small black Natterjack Toad tadpoles swam in the warm, shallow waters of a pool. Our rarest amphibian.
We had our lunch in the dunes, south of Shore Road. To celebrate the Centenary, those with a liking for alcohol were provided with a little white wine, brought along in a cool bag. One of the party suggested it might be a good idea to have this at all future field meetings! A member who had travelled from Manchester enjoyed a good view of the sea.
Dune Pansy, Viola tricolor ssp. curtisii grew in a few places, and under Creeping Willow, Salix repens the first flowers of Round-leaved Wintergreen, Pyrola rotundifolia ssp. maritima were seen. The flowers of Hound’s-tongue, Cynoglossum officinale were a favourite of Bumblebees. Common Blue Butterfly and Cinnabar moths fluttered here and there. Some of the Creeping Willow was being eaten by the colourful and hairy caterpillars of White Satin moths, with the pupae hanging in spun cocoons amongst the twigs.
One, old acidic slack, possibly part of the ‘Mayflower slack’, shown on the OS map of 1848, was particularly interesting. The Sefton Rangers, over the last ten years, have done excellent work to clear a lot of invasive scrub and this area is now grazed by Herdwick sheep from October to April. On a recce for this meeting, many hundreds of Adder’s-tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum were discovered. These were admired by the party, the small green blades and spikes partly hidden by the vegetation. We found one of the first flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil, Potentilla palustris, the purplish hue of the petals and sepals not easy to find amongst the other dune vegetation. Quite a few of the party enjoyed a rest, seated on a grassy bank. Common Cotton-grass, Eriophorum angustifolium was noticeable in a few damp areas and one pool was full of Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata some in flower and some in seed. One of our favourites.
Circling back towards the Visitor Centre and the car park we passed grassy areas bright with shining Bulbous Buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus, and lemon-yellow Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Pilosella officinarum flowers.
A memorable walk in perfect weather. Many thanks to those who helped with transport, also to Dave Earl for guiding us to some interesting plants.
Footnotes:
At the end of the meeting, a few members still with energy and time to spare continued to botanise.
Dave and Joyce Earl led some to Knotted Clover, Trifolium striatum, Slender Trefoil, T. micranthum, Smooth Rupturewort, Herniaria glabra and Purple Ramping-fumitory, Fumaria purpurea, all growing on sandy grass verges near Shore Road.
Others went to look at a tall, stout Crucifer near the shore. The pale yellow flowers and newly developing seed pods caused some debate. The leader returned a few weeks later and is now able to confirm that it was Sea-radish, Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus, the fruits probably dispersed by the sea.
Travis’s Flora of South Lancashire mentions that ‘leaves, seeds and pollen of Menyanthes trifoliata were plentiful in the peat of the submerged forest, north of Hall Road’. World Museums Liverpool has an extensive collection of accurate models of enlarged flowers by R. Brendel, Germany, about 1900. One is of Menyanthes trifoliata, well worth a visit.
Susan Taylor
3rd June 2006
Leader – Susan Taylor
On a lovely sunny day, a group of 24 members gathered to explore some of the dunes and slacks at Ainsdale, seawards of the coast road (part of the old Cheshire Lines Railway). We were delighted to welcome 5 new members. This meeting was almost exactly 100 years after the first ever field meeting of the Society at Ainsdale on the 2nd June 1906 when 20 founding members were present.
Today the Ainsdale sand hills are managed as a Local Nature Reserve set up in 1980, by Sefton Borough Council. In 2006 the season was late, most of May being wet and cold. However, most of the dune ephemerals were already in seed, or no longer visible.
In a damp area were found the first flowers of Southern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa and Early Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata. Dave Earl guided us to splendid clump of Rosy Garlic, Allium roseum, not far from Sands Lake (Bulrush slack in 1906). Small black Natterjack Toad tadpoles swam in the warm, shallow waters of a pool. Our rarest amphibian.
We had our lunch in the dunes, south of Shore Road. To celebrate the Centenary, those with a liking for alcohol were provided with a little white wine, brought along in a cool bag. One of the party suggested it might be a good idea to have this at all future field meetings! A member who had travelled from Manchester enjoyed a good view of the sea.
Dune Pansy, Viola tricolor ssp. curtisii grew in a few places, and under Creeping Willow, Salix repens the first flowers of Round-leaved Wintergreen, Pyrola rotundifolia ssp. maritima were seen. The flowers of Hound’s-tongue, Cynoglossum officinale were a favourite of Bumblebees. Common Blue Butterfly and Cinnabar moths fluttered here and there. Some of the Creeping Willow was being eaten by the colourful and hairy caterpillars of White Satin moths, with the pupae hanging in spun cocoons amongst the twigs.
One, old acidic slack, possibly part of the ‘Mayflower slack’, shown on the OS map of 1848, was particularly interesting. The Sefton Rangers, over the last ten years, have done excellent work to clear a lot of invasive scrub and this area is now grazed by Herdwick sheep from October to April. On a recce for this meeting, many hundreds of Adder’s-tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum were discovered. These were admired by the party, the small green blades and spikes partly hidden by the vegetation. We found one of the first flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil, Potentilla palustris, the purplish hue of the petals and sepals not easy to find amongst the other dune vegetation. Quite a few of the party enjoyed a rest, seated on a grassy bank. Common Cotton-grass, Eriophorum angustifolium was noticeable in a few damp areas and one pool was full of Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata some in flower and some in seed. One of our favourites.
Circling back towards the Visitor Centre and the car park we passed grassy areas bright with shining Bulbous Buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus, and lemon-yellow Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Pilosella officinarum flowers.
A memorable walk in perfect weather. Many thanks to those who helped with transport, also to Dave Earl for guiding us to some interesting plants.
Footnotes:
At the end of the meeting, a few members still with energy and time to spare continued to botanise.
Dave and Joyce Earl led some to Knotted Clover, Trifolium striatum, Slender Trefoil, T. micranthum, Smooth Rupturewort, Herniaria glabra and Purple Ramping-fumitory, Fumaria purpurea, all growing on sandy grass verges near Shore Road.
Others went to look at a tall, stout Crucifer near the shore. The pale yellow flowers and newly developing seed pods caused some debate. The leader returned a few weeks later and is now able to confirm that it was Sea-radish, Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus, the fruits probably dispersed by the sea.
Travis’s Flora of South Lancashire mentions that ‘leaves, seeds and pollen of Menyanthes trifoliata were plentiful in the peat of the submerged forest, north of Hall Road’. World Museums Liverpool has an extensive collection of accurate models of enlarged flowers by R. Brendel, Germany, about 1900. One is of Menyanthes trifoliata, well worth a visit.
Susan Taylor
Wallasey
1st July 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
On a hot sunny day, but with a welcome breeze on the coast, a party of 10 members met at Wallasey Grove Road station. Walking towards the coast Dark Mullein, Verbascum nigrum, Garden Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis and Large-flowered Evening-primrose, Oenothera glazioviana were found on the railway bank.
On the evening of June 22nd 1906 a party of 35 members met at Wallasey and followed the inland side of the golf links as far as Leasowe. The dunes were probably more extensive then, and the area less built-up.
In 2006 we walked to the shore, past the miniature golf course, finding Prickly Saltwort, Salsola kali, increasing Sea-holly, Eryngium maritimum and Sea Fern-grass, Catapodium marinum. Continuing west along the shore we had lunch in the old dunes at the edge of the golf course, amongst Burnet-saxifrage, Pimpinella saxifraga, Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia and Sheep’s-bit, Jasione montana. Small Heath and Meadow Brown butterflies fluttered around.
After lunch, on to the Gun Site dunes with many plants including Creeping Willow, Salix repens, Burnet Rose, Rosa pimpinellifolia, Crow Garlic, Allium vineale, the introduced Spanish Broom, Spartium junceum and it’s most notable plant, the Isle of Man Cabbage, Coincya moensis ssp. moensis in good flower in several places. A new find for me was the annual grass, Hare’s-tail, Lagurus ovatus on one of the dunes.
The 1906 report mentions Springbeauty, Claytonia perfoliata, first reported in the area by a member, Mr Day in 1886 and spreading rapidly. It is now abundant in places on the Gun Site dunes and other places on the Wirral coast. Also according to the report “it makes an excellent salad”.
We had a look for Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera in the grassy area just west of the dunes but only one in fruit was found. Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralius was found on the shore with Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfoliata in the grassland.
We did not go as far as Leasowe Castle, where the 1906 report mentions abundant Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, it is maybe less common now but I have, in past years, seen occasional plants on the seaward edge of the golf course.
Then we walked back to the Gun Site dunes, having a tea break at the picnic area and along Green Lane and Bayswater Road back to Grove Road station. Not a lot new to see but we did find Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens on the roadside, also recorded as increasing at the 1906 meeting.
Keith Watson
1st July 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
On a hot sunny day, but with a welcome breeze on the coast, a party of 10 members met at Wallasey Grove Road station. Walking towards the coast Dark Mullein, Verbascum nigrum, Garden Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis and Large-flowered Evening-primrose, Oenothera glazioviana were found on the railway bank.
On the evening of June 22nd 1906 a party of 35 members met at Wallasey and followed the inland side of the golf links as far as Leasowe. The dunes were probably more extensive then, and the area less built-up.
In 2006 we walked to the shore, past the miniature golf course, finding Prickly Saltwort, Salsola kali, increasing Sea-holly, Eryngium maritimum and Sea Fern-grass, Catapodium marinum. Continuing west along the shore we had lunch in the old dunes at the edge of the golf course, amongst Burnet-saxifrage, Pimpinella saxifraga, Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia and Sheep’s-bit, Jasione montana. Small Heath and Meadow Brown butterflies fluttered around.
After lunch, on to the Gun Site dunes with many plants including Creeping Willow, Salix repens, Burnet Rose, Rosa pimpinellifolia, Crow Garlic, Allium vineale, the introduced Spanish Broom, Spartium junceum and it’s most notable plant, the Isle of Man Cabbage, Coincya moensis ssp. moensis in good flower in several places. A new find for me was the annual grass, Hare’s-tail, Lagurus ovatus on one of the dunes.
The 1906 report mentions Springbeauty, Claytonia perfoliata, first reported in the area by a member, Mr Day in 1886 and spreading rapidly. It is now abundant in places on the Gun Site dunes and other places on the Wirral coast. Also according to the report “it makes an excellent salad”.
We had a look for Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera in the grassy area just west of the dunes but only one in fruit was found. Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralius was found on the shore with Yellow-wort, Blackstonia perfoliata in the grassland.
We did not go as far as Leasowe Castle, where the 1906 report mentions abundant Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, it is maybe less common now but I have, in past years, seen occasional plants on the seaward edge of the golf course.
Then we walked back to the Gun Site dunes, having a tea break at the picnic area and along Green Lane and Bayswater Road back to Grove Road station. Not a lot new to see but we did find Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens on the roadside, also recorded as increasing at the 1906 meeting.
Keith Watson
Rufford
12th August 2006
Leader – Dave Earl
Beginning at Rufford Station car park, we found the increasingly frequent casual Cockspur, Echinochloa crus-galli and an abundance of Hemlock, Conium maculatum. At the small fishing pond opposite known as White Bridge Pond we saw both Bulrush, Typha latifolia and the hybrid T. x glauca.
On reaching the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal we again found a few plants of Typha x glauca as well as Skullcap, Scutellaria galericulata, Gypsywort, Lycopus europaeus, False Fox-sedge, Carex otrubae, Remote Sedge, C. remota, Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, Yellow Flag, Iris pseudacorus, Water Mint, Mentha aquatica, Branched Bur-reed, Sparganium errectum, Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Ranunculus sceleratus and Zigzag Clover, Trifolium medium. Aquatic species included Unbranched Bur-reed, Sparganium emersum, White Water-lily, Nymphaea alba, Yellow Water-lily, Nuphar lutea, Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Perfoliate Pondweed, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Fennel Pondweed, P. pectinatus and Amphibious Bistort, Persicaria amphibia. Common Reed, Phragmites australis is locally abundant here, amongst which Reed Warblers were singing. About the newly constructed marina Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus and Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum had been sown. Several undescribed bramble species were seen along the towpath. These included the very localised endemic Holmeswood Bramble, the Leyland Bramble (which may have been found recently in North Wales?) and the regional endemic Lancashire Bramble.
We then walked along the path above Rufford Boundary Drain towards Mere Sands Wood finding Whorled Mint, Mentha aquatica x arvensis, Fool's-water-cress, Apium nodiflorum, Water Forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides, Spiked Water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, Water-cress, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum and Nuttall's Waterweed, Elodea nuttallii, Common Dog-violet, Viola riviniana was found along the stream banks and butterflies seen included Speckled Wood, Common Blue and a Clouded Yellow. In the adjoining arable fields we noted Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Lamium hybridum, Small Nettle, Urtica urens, Pale Persicaria, Persicaria lapathifolia and Black-bindweed, Fallopia convolvulus.
Lunch was taken in the shade at Mere Sands Wood beneath the Turkey Oaks. Sand Sedge, Carex arenaria occurs here on the banks of the Boundary Drain and a surprise find was a bramble that appeared to be Rubus armipotens a new vice-county record for South Lancashire if correct. Onward then through the pinewoods to the viewing platform of a man-made lake where Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata occurs and the invasive New Zealand Pigmyweed, Crassula helmsii. Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant was seen on a nearby shaded ditch. The meadow area was then visited where we found Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, Meadow Crane's-bill, Geranium pratense, Square-stalked St. John's-wort, Hypericum tetrapterum, Purging Flax, Linum catharticum, Yellow Loosestrife, Lysimachia vulgaris, Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, Musk-Mallow, Malva moschata, Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus and Common Fleabane, Pulicaria dysenterica. On approaching the Visitor Centre we found what is said to be Green-flowered Helleborine, Epipactis phyllanthes. Other plants of interest about ponds included Fringed Water-lily, Nymphoides peltata and Grey Club-rush, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani.
Our return journey across arable fields yielded locally abundant Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum, Bifid Hemp-nettle, Galeopsis bifida, Common Hemp-nettle, G. tetrahit and Field Pansy, Viola arvensis. At Flash Lane we enjoyed eating Black Mulberry, Morus nigra fruits before concluding our excursion.
Dave Earl
12th August 2006
Leader – Dave Earl
Beginning at Rufford Station car park, we found the increasingly frequent casual Cockspur, Echinochloa crus-galli and an abundance of Hemlock, Conium maculatum. At the small fishing pond opposite known as White Bridge Pond we saw both Bulrush, Typha latifolia and the hybrid T. x glauca.
On reaching the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal we again found a few plants of Typha x glauca as well as Skullcap, Scutellaria galericulata, Gypsywort, Lycopus europaeus, False Fox-sedge, Carex otrubae, Remote Sedge, C. remota, Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, Reed Sweet-grass, Glyceria maxima, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, Yellow Flag, Iris pseudacorus, Water Mint, Mentha aquatica, Branched Bur-reed, Sparganium errectum, Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Ranunculus sceleratus and Zigzag Clover, Trifolium medium. Aquatic species included Unbranched Bur-reed, Sparganium emersum, White Water-lily, Nymphaea alba, Yellow Water-lily, Nuphar lutea, Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Perfoliate Pondweed, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Fennel Pondweed, P. pectinatus and Amphibious Bistort, Persicaria amphibia. Common Reed, Phragmites australis is locally abundant here, amongst which Reed Warblers were singing. About the newly constructed marina Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus and Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum had been sown. Several undescribed bramble species were seen along the towpath. These included the very localised endemic Holmeswood Bramble, the Leyland Bramble (which may have been found recently in North Wales?) and the regional endemic Lancashire Bramble.
We then walked along the path above Rufford Boundary Drain towards Mere Sands Wood finding Whorled Mint, Mentha aquatica x arvensis, Fool's-water-cress, Apium nodiflorum, Water Forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides, Spiked Water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, Water-cress, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum and Nuttall's Waterweed, Elodea nuttallii, Common Dog-violet, Viola riviniana was found along the stream banks and butterflies seen included Speckled Wood, Common Blue and a Clouded Yellow. In the adjoining arable fields we noted Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Lamium hybridum, Small Nettle, Urtica urens, Pale Persicaria, Persicaria lapathifolia and Black-bindweed, Fallopia convolvulus.
Lunch was taken in the shade at Mere Sands Wood beneath the Turkey Oaks. Sand Sedge, Carex arenaria occurs here on the banks of the Boundary Drain and a surprise find was a bramble that appeared to be Rubus armipotens a new vice-county record for South Lancashire if correct. Onward then through the pinewoods to the viewing platform of a man-made lake where Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata occurs and the invasive New Zealand Pigmyweed, Crassula helmsii. Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant was seen on a nearby shaded ditch. The meadow area was then visited where we found Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, Meadow Crane's-bill, Geranium pratense, Square-stalked St. John's-wort, Hypericum tetrapterum, Purging Flax, Linum catharticum, Yellow Loosestrife, Lysimachia vulgaris, Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, Musk-Mallow, Malva moschata, Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus and Common Fleabane, Pulicaria dysenterica. On approaching the Visitor Centre we found what is said to be Green-flowered Helleborine, Epipactis phyllanthes. Other plants of interest about ponds included Fringed Water-lily, Nymphoides peltata and Grey Club-rush, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani.
Our return journey across arable fields yielded locally abundant Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum, Bifid Hemp-nettle, Galeopsis bifida, Common Hemp-nettle, G. tetrahit and Field Pansy, Viola arvensis. At Flash Lane we enjoyed eating Black Mulberry, Morus nigra fruits before concluding our excursion.
Dave Earl
Leasowe and West Kirby
2nd August 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
This meeting was cancelled due to bad weather. It was raining torrents and blowing a gale as I arrived at Moreton Station. No members arrived by train and only two, Pat and Douglas by car. We decided to call off the walk. As far as I know, this is the only LBS meeting ever abandoned before it even started.
Keith Watson
Speke
23rd September 2006
Leader – Leander Wolstenholme
No report received.
2nd August 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
This meeting was cancelled due to bad weather. It was raining torrents and blowing a gale as I arrived at Moreton Station. No members arrived by train and only two, Pat and Douglas by car. We decided to call off the walk. As far as I know, this is the only LBS meeting ever abandoned before it even started.
Keith Watson
Speke
23rd September 2006
Leader – Leander Wolstenholme
No report received.
Dibbinsdale
21st October 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
A party of about 10 members met at Bromborough Rake station on a fine, warm, sunny autumn day. We saw Hairy Curtain Crust, Stereum hirsutum, Turkeytail, Trametes versicolor, Amethyst Deceiver, Laccaria amethystina and probably Golden Scalycap, Pholiota aurivella on the path down to the river. Many Bonnets, Mycena sp. were everywhere but impossible to identify. Lower down we saw Cramp Balls, Daldinia concentrica, Dead Moll’s Fingers, Xylaria longipes, Coral Spot, Nectria cinnebarina and Pink Purslane, Claytonia sibirica in flower.
We then crossed the bridge over the Dibbin amongst abundant Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera. A clump of Winter Heliotrope, Petasites fragrans had an orange rust on the underside of the leaves. Bodens Hey meadow has been recently cleared to remove tall dense vegetation such as brambles, and the previously rich flora is now recovering with Common Hemp-nettle, Galeopsis tetrahit and Marsh Thistle, Cirsium palustre still in flower with abundant leaves of Sorrel, Rumex acetosa. We headed for a clump of Birch trees to find the Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria and Brown Rollrim, Paxillus involutus beneath, and had an early lunch in the sunshine.
Then we walked across the bridges with Blushing Bracket, Daedaleopsis confragosa growing on branches of Crack Willow, Salix fragilis and back into the woods again. There was an abundance of fungi everywhere, many unidentified but including White Coral, Clavulina coralloides, Yellow Club, Clavulinopsis helveola, Ochre Brittlegill, Russula ochroleuca, small Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus and Stump Puffball, Lycoperdon pyriforme.
We walked through the tunnel under the railway, to find Shaggy Inkcap, Coprinus comatus by the path in exactly the same place as last year. Other finds were Yellow Brain, Tremella mesenterica, Shaggy Parasol, Macrolepiota rhacoides and at the viewpoint on the path towards Woodslee, White Saddle, Helvella crispa. We had tea here, finding Birch Polypore or Razorstrop Fungus, Piptoporus betulinus nearby and then descended on a path down to the river. The riverside walk here along several exposures of the soft, red Bunter Sandstone is notable for the ferns, especially Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant, the many species of mosses and liverworts, and the Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium.
The fruits of Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus were seen as we walked back past the Reed beds, back through the tunnel and along the woodland path with Jelly Ear, Auricularia auricula-judae and back to the Station.
Keith Watson
21st October 2006
Leader – Keith Watson
A party of about 10 members met at Bromborough Rake station on a fine, warm, sunny autumn day. We saw Hairy Curtain Crust, Stereum hirsutum, Turkeytail, Trametes versicolor, Amethyst Deceiver, Laccaria amethystina and probably Golden Scalycap, Pholiota aurivella on the path down to the river. Many Bonnets, Mycena sp. were everywhere but impossible to identify. Lower down we saw Cramp Balls, Daldinia concentrica, Dead Moll’s Fingers, Xylaria longipes, Coral Spot, Nectria cinnebarina and Pink Purslane, Claytonia sibirica in flower.
We then crossed the bridge over the Dibbin amongst abundant Indian Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera. A clump of Winter Heliotrope, Petasites fragrans had an orange rust on the underside of the leaves. Bodens Hey meadow has been recently cleared to remove tall dense vegetation such as brambles, and the previously rich flora is now recovering with Common Hemp-nettle, Galeopsis tetrahit and Marsh Thistle, Cirsium palustre still in flower with abundant leaves of Sorrel, Rumex acetosa. We headed for a clump of Birch trees to find the Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria and Brown Rollrim, Paxillus involutus beneath, and had an early lunch in the sunshine.
Then we walked across the bridges with Blushing Bracket, Daedaleopsis confragosa growing on branches of Crack Willow, Salix fragilis and back into the woods again. There was an abundance of fungi everywhere, many unidentified but including White Coral, Clavulina coralloides, Yellow Club, Clavulinopsis helveola, Ochre Brittlegill, Russula ochroleuca, small Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus and Stump Puffball, Lycoperdon pyriforme.
We walked through the tunnel under the railway, to find Shaggy Inkcap, Coprinus comatus by the path in exactly the same place as last year. Other finds were Yellow Brain, Tremella mesenterica, Shaggy Parasol, Macrolepiota rhacoides and at the viewpoint on the path towards Woodslee, White Saddle, Helvella crispa. We had tea here, finding Birch Polypore or Razorstrop Fungus, Piptoporus betulinus nearby and then descended on a path down to the river. The riverside walk here along several exposures of the soft, red Bunter Sandstone is notable for the ferns, especially Hard Fern, Blechnum spicant, the many species of mosses and liverworts, and the Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium.
The fruits of Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus were seen as we walked back past the Reed beds, back through the tunnel and along the woodland path with Jelly Ear, Auricularia auricula-judae and back to the Station.
Keith Watson