2007 Field Trips
Dibbinsdale 21st April 2007 Downham 12th May 2007 Rimrose Valley 9th June 2007 Altcar 15th June 2007 Cwm Idwal 23rd June 2007
Leasowe and West Kirby 7th July 2007 Bowland 28th July 2007
Cabin Hill, Formby 25th August 2007 St. Helens Canal and Burgy Banks 8th September 2007 Freshfield Fungi Foray 13th October 2007
Leasowe and West Kirby 7th July 2007 Bowland 28th July 2007
Cabin Hill, Formby 25th August 2007 St. Helens Canal and Burgy Banks 8th September 2007 Freshfield Fungi Foray 13th October 2007
Dibbinsdale
21st April 2007
Leader: Keith Watson
We met at Bromborough Rake Station on a cool morning, through it gradually got hotter during the day. Due to Merseyrail delays some members were late, but eventually a party of ten walked down the path into the woods. There were masses of Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa, Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, and Dog’s Mercury Mercurialis perennis. A good spot along the path towards Dibbinsdale Road contained Sanicle Sanicula europaea, Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis, Bugle Ajuga reptans and Primrose Primula vulgaris. Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris and Pink Purslane Claytonia sibirica were in flower by the river.
We then crossed the bridge, to Bodens Hey meadow. There was nothing much in flower yet in the grassland but the trees were interesting with fruits on the Wych Elm Ulmus glabra. We also saw Norway Maple Acer platanoides. Then, across the bridges, back into the woods where Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina was found in a damp spot by the Dibbin. After lunch amongst the tall Hornbeams Carpinus betulus, we walked through the tunnel under the railway to Brotherton Park. Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa, Black Currant Ribes nigrum and Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis, with an egg-laying, female Orange Tip butterfly were seen.
The path along the bottom of the cliff towards St Patricks well has many ferns, such as Lady-fern Athyrium felix-femina, Broad Buckler-fern Dryopteris dilitata, Soft Shield-fern Polystichum setiferum and Hard-fern Blechnum spicant. Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage grows on the tufa outcrops, and there is abundant Great Wood-rush Luzula sylvatica.
At St. Patrick’s well there were Ramsons Allium ursinum, Three-nerved Sandwort Moehringia trinervia, Hairy Wood-rush Luzula pilosa, as well as the garden escapes Kerria Kerria japonica and Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera var. pissardii.
Holly Blue butterflies were flying, high in the trees in the sun at Woodslee, as we started our way back down through the woods, through the tunnel again and back to the station.
Downham
12th May 2007
Leader: David Earl
At Downham we spotted plants of Green Figwort growing along the village brook before moving on to admired the long established plants of Fairy Foxglove growing on a village garden wall. We were surprised to find another exotic the American Speedwell growing in a nearby flowerbed, a new record for SD74. Other established plants seen about the village included Garden Rock-cress, Red Valerian, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Shining Crane's-bill, Spotted Hawkweed, Welsh Poppy, Yellow Corydalis and Slender Speedwell.
A footpath across a large field lead us to the Fairy Hills where amongst the rock outcrops we found Parsley-piert, Harebell, Spring Sedge, Pignut, Lady's Bedstraw, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Hoary Plantain, Barren Strawberry, Cowslip, Bulbous Buttercup, Lesser Celandine, Salad Burnet, Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Wild Thyme and Common Dog-violet. After a bit of searching we located a few plants of Limestone Bedstraw a plant that is rare in South Lancashire.
After lunch we explored the Ings Beck Valley. Much of our recording was carried out on the north-side of the beck within vice-county 63 (Mid-west Yorkshire). Plants of the woodlands included Bugle, Wood Anemone, Ramsons, Three-nerved Sandwort, Greater Stitchwort, Bluebell, Giant Horsetail, Yellow Pimpernel, Primrose, Goldilocks Buttercup and Crab Apple. In the meadows adjoining the beck we found Lady's Smock, Water Avens, Quaking-grass, Marsh Marigold, Large Bitter-cress, Lesser Pond-sedge, Meadowsweet, Marsh Horsetail, Marsh Bedstraw, Square St. John's Wort, Green Figwort and a nice population of Marsh Valerian. On the drier slopes and banks plants included Common Lady's mantle, Glaucous Sedge, Carnation Sedge, Crosswort, Bitter-vetch, Rough Hawkbit, Fairy Flax, Lousewort, Mouse-ear-hawkweed and Great Burnet. Another colony of Fairy Foxglove was found on a wall below a farm.
Along Twiston Beck we found Intermediate Polypody before starting our return journey back to Downham village along Twiston Lane. Close by to the beck The Special Roadside Verge section of the lane featured Wild Strawberry, Woodruff, Greater Burnet-saxifrage, Sanicle, Black Bryony and a speciality sadly not in flower Wood Crane's-bill. Further to the west Pat Lockwood found Hybrid Hawthorn. In addition to our characteristic wild flowers of the hedgerows other plants along the lane included native Field Maple, Guelder-rose, Giant Bellflower, Bird Cherry and locally abundant Goldilocks Buttercup.
Meeting photographs by Maria Knowles
12th May 2007
Leader: David Earl
At Downham we spotted plants of Green Figwort growing along the village brook before moving on to admired the long established plants of Fairy Foxglove growing on a village garden wall. We were surprised to find another exotic the American Speedwell growing in a nearby flowerbed, a new record for SD74. Other established plants seen about the village included Garden Rock-cress, Red Valerian, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Shining Crane's-bill, Spotted Hawkweed, Welsh Poppy, Yellow Corydalis and Slender Speedwell.
A footpath across a large field lead us to the Fairy Hills where amongst the rock outcrops we found Parsley-piert, Harebell, Spring Sedge, Pignut, Lady's Bedstraw, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Hoary Plantain, Barren Strawberry, Cowslip, Bulbous Buttercup, Lesser Celandine, Salad Burnet, Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Wild Thyme and Common Dog-violet. After a bit of searching we located a few plants of Limestone Bedstraw a plant that is rare in South Lancashire.
After lunch we explored the Ings Beck Valley. Much of our recording was carried out on the north-side of the beck within vice-county 63 (Mid-west Yorkshire). Plants of the woodlands included Bugle, Wood Anemone, Ramsons, Three-nerved Sandwort, Greater Stitchwort, Bluebell, Giant Horsetail, Yellow Pimpernel, Primrose, Goldilocks Buttercup and Crab Apple. In the meadows adjoining the beck we found Lady's Smock, Water Avens, Quaking-grass, Marsh Marigold, Large Bitter-cress, Lesser Pond-sedge, Meadowsweet, Marsh Horsetail, Marsh Bedstraw, Square St. John's Wort, Green Figwort and a nice population of Marsh Valerian. On the drier slopes and banks plants included Common Lady's mantle, Glaucous Sedge, Carnation Sedge, Crosswort, Bitter-vetch, Rough Hawkbit, Fairy Flax, Lousewort, Mouse-ear-hawkweed and Great Burnet. Another colony of Fairy Foxglove was found on a wall below a farm.
Along Twiston Beck we found Intermediate Polypody before starting our return journey back to Downham village along Twiston Lane. Close by to the beck The Special Roadside Verge section of the lane featured Wild Strawberry, Woodruff, Greater Burnet-saxifrage, Sanicle, Black Bryony and a speciality sadly not in flower Wood Crane's-bill. Further to the west Pat Lockwood found Hybrid Hawthorn. In addition to our characteristic wild flowers of the hedgerows other plants along the lane included native Field Maple, Guelder-rose, Giant Bellflower, Bird Cherry and locally abundant Goldilocks Buttercup.
Meeting photographs by Maria Knowles
Rimrose Valley
9th June 2007
Leader: Steve Cross
Photographs by Keith Watson
9th June 2007
Leader: Steve Cross
Photographs by Keith Watson
Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia
23rd June 2007
Joint meeting of the MNA and Liverpool Botanical Society
A cwm, or corrie in Scotland, marks the source of a glacier which has scoured a deep, crater-like hollow in the flanks of a mountain massif. Cwm Idwal is a classic example and has long been popular with geologists, naturalists and climbers. The concept of an Ice Age was first introduced in to this country in the 1840s by Louis Agassiz, a Swiss naturalist. Charles Darwin made several visits and his notes reveal how the evidence was overlooked, scientists just concentrating on the rocks, fossils and structures such as folds and faults rather than the landscape. As in Snowdon’s Clogwyn Du’r Arddu the backwall of Cwm Idwal shows a clear example of a downfold or syncline, best seen in winter when a light fall of snow picks out the ledges.
Although the early morning weather had not been promising it brightened up considerably as we approached Llyn Ogwen via Nant Ffrancon. Only a short distance into the walk we encountered Grey Wagtails by the cascading, boulder-strewn Afon Idwal and our first clumps of Parsley and Hard Fern which became prolific at higher elevations. The wetter terrain away from the path attracted attention with its nodding heads of Common Cotton-grass, a fine display of Bog Asphodel, a thin scattering of Heath Spotted Orchid and small cluster of Round-leaved Sundew amongst Spagnum Moss. The path’s edges had a familiar leaf but larger than usual – this belonged to Marsh Violet. One was actually in flower and duly photographed. The reddish, leafless stems and pale lilac flowers of Water Lobelia were common in the shallow margins of Llyn Idwal, their rosettes of leaves being submerged. On the other side of the path a drystone retaining wall produced a much admired rock garden with so many species packed into such a small area – notably Alpine, Fir, Staghorn and Lesser varieties of Clubmoss, the yellowish-green Lemon-scented Fern with it’s backward-projecting pinnules.
During our lunch break attention was drawn to a Great Crested Grebe diving in the lake, the distinctive calls of Common Sandpipers and a Heron on the far side where later we saw its food source, namely great shoals of minnows, and frogs. While House Martins from the Ogwen centre skimmed the surface three Choughs flew towards Bethesda. A single Small Heath fluttered by in the swirling wind.
As the path steepened we added Milkwort, Wild Thyme and, along the rocky rivulets descending from Idwal Slabs, numerous butterworts with a good haul of insects. The huge boulders in the scree at the foot of Twil Du (Devil’s Kitchen) provided a microcosm of what could be found higher up on the less accessible rock faces and ledges. Mossy Saxifrage was abundant with a little Starry Saxifrage and just one specimen of Alpine or Snowy Saxifrage. The rough surfaces also yielded Mountain Sorrel, Slender St. John’s Wort, Welsh Goldenrod and Roseroot while in the deep shade were Wood Sorrel and Oak Fern. More energetic members scrambled up to the Kitchen where blotches of yellow resolved to be Welsh Poppy and the distinctive, aptly named Globeflower. A Raven’s deep croaks added to the location with its dark, dripping rock faces, as did the screaming calls of a Peregrine and the surprisingly loud song of a Wren, echoing within the Kitchen.
Back down by Llyn Idwal but on its Northern shore an almost hands and knees job to study some aquatics revealed Shoreweed with its very long stamens and Alwort, so concentrated as to form a kind of sward. Further along the shingle beach were several good specimens of the normally submerged Quillwort. Meanwhile the Afon Ogwen by the visitors centre had its inevitable Dipper while the deciduous and coniferous trees had come up with Spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrest, Siskin and Willow Warbler.
David Bryant
Pictures at Cwm Idwal taken by Maria Knowles
23rd June 2007
Joint meeting of the MNA and Liverpool Botanical Society
A cwm, or corrie in Scotland, marks the source of a glacier which has scoured a deep, crater-like hollow in the flanks of a mountain massif. Cwm Idwal is a classic example and has long been popular with geologists, naturalists and climbers. The concept of an Ice Age was first introduced in to this country in the 1840s by Louis Agassiz, a Swiss naturalist. Charles Darwin made several visits and his notes reveal how the evidence was overlooked, scientists just concentrating on the rocks, fossils and structures such as folds and faults rather than the landscape. As in Snowdon’s Clogwyn Du’r Arddu the backwall of Cwm Idwal shows a clear example of a downfold or syncline, best seen in winter when a light fall of snow picks out the ledges.
Although the early morning weather had not been promising it brightened up considerably as we approached Llyn Ogwen via Nant Ffrancon. Only a short distance into the walk we encountered Grey Wagtails by the cascading, boulder-strewn Afon Idwal and our first clumps of Parsley and Hard Fern which became prolific at higher elevations. The wetter terrain away from the path attracted attention with its nodding heads of Common Cotton-grass, a fine display of Bog Asphodel, a thin scattering of Heath Spotted Orchid and small cluster of Round-leaved Sundew amongst Spagnum Moss. The path’s edges had a familiar leaf but larger than usual – this belonged to Marsh Violet. One was actually in flower and duly photographed. The reddish, leafless stems and pale lilac flowers of Water Lobelia were common in the shallow margins of Llyn Idwal, their rosettes of leaves being submerged. On the other side of the path a drystone retaining wall produced a much admired rock garden with so many species packed into such a small area – notably Alpine, Fir, Staghorn and Lesser varieties of Clubmoss, the yellowish-green Lemon-scented Fern with it’s backward-projecting pinnules.
During our lunch break attention was drawn to a Great Crested Grebe diving in the lake, the distinctive calls of Common Sandpipers and a Heron on the far side where later we saw its food source, namely great shoals of minnows, and frogs. While House Martins from the Ogwen centre skimmed the surface three Choughs flew towards Bethesda. A single Small Heath fluttered by in the swirling wind.
As the path steepened we added Milkwort, Wild Thyme and, along the rocky rivulets descending from Idwal Slabs, numerous butterworts with a good haul of insects. The huge boulders in the scree at the foot of Twil Du (Devil’s Kitchen) provided a microcosm of what could be found higher up on the less accessible rock faces and ledges. Mossy Saxifrage was abundant with a little Starry Saxifrage and just one specimen of Alpine or Snowy Saxifrage. The rough surfaces also yielded Mountain Sorrel, Slender St. John’s Wort, Welsh Goldenrod and Roseroot while in the deep shade were Wood Sorrel and Oak Fern. More energetic members scrambled up to the Kitchen where blotches of yellow resolved to be Welsh Poppy and the distinctive, aptly named Globeflower. A Raven’s deep croaks added to the location with its dark, dripping rock faces, as did the screaming calls of a Peregrine and the surprisingly loud song of a Wren, echoing within the Kitchen.
Back down by Llyn Idwal but on its Northern shore an almost hands and knees job to study some aquatics revealed Shoreweed with its very long stamens and Alwort, so concentrated as to form a kind of sward. Further along the shingle beach were several good specimens of the normally submerged Quillwort. Meanwhile the Afon Ogwen by the visitors centre had its inevitable Dipper while the deciduous and coniferous trees had come up with Spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrest, Siskin and Willow Warbler.
David Bryant
Pictures at Cwm Idwal taken by Maria Knowles
Moreton
7th July 2007
Leader: Keith Watson
On a fine, sunny, but windy day, a party of 18 met at Moreton Station and transferred by car to the Leasowe lighthouse car park. We walked west along the path towards Meols and notable plants at the pond included Greater Spearwort Ranunculus lingua, Flowering-rush Butomus umbellatus, Blunt-flowered Rush Juncus subnodulosus and New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii. Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia was searched for but not found by me on several visits this year, it has become increasingly harder to find over recent years.
The poppies, both Common Poppy Papaver rhoeas and Long-headed Poppy Papaver dubium were in fine flower, with abundant Lucerne Medicago sativa ssp. sativa. A new record for me in this area was Spanish Broom Spartium junceum. Two naturalised garden plants, Rose Campion Lychnis coronaria and Seaside Daisy Erigeron glaucus were found, the latter not uncommon on the N Wirral coast.
In the remnant of an old dune slack, home of several Cheshire rare plants, we found Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella, Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa and Few-flowered Spike-rush Eleocharis quinqueflora.
We had lunch in a sheltered area of the dunes, and then Vipers Bugloss Echium vulgare and Sea Radish Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus were found in the dug areas, provided for conservation of the Belted Beauty moth. Continuing towards Meols, we found two spikes of Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyrimidalis. A clump of about six spikes was known here for several years, but in 2005 it was dug up by someone. It is nice to know it still survives in this area.
Near the Coastguard Station we found the rare rose hybrid, Rosa x hibernica (R. pimpinellifolia x canina). At Dove Point, near the toilets the uncommon Small-flowered Crane’s-bill Geranium pusillum was growing with the common Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill Geranium molle. Then we made our way back towards Leasowe near the sea defence wall, finding seaside plants such as Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias, Sea Rocket Cakile maritima, and Sea Holly Eryngium maritimum. Butterflies recorded were Small Tortoiseshell and Small Heath. Finally, for me the best plant of the day was near the end of the walk when we found Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus in the grassland near the sea wall.
Meeting pictures taken by Maria Knowles
7th July 2007
Leader: Keith Watson
On a fine, sunny, but windy day, a party of 18 met at Moreton Station and transferred by car to the Leasowe lighthouse car park. We walked west along the path towards Meols and notable plants at the pond included Greater Spearwort Ranunculus lingua, Flowering-rush Butomus umbellatus, Blunt-flowered Rush Juncus subnodulosus and New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii. Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia was searched for but not found by me on several visits this year, it has become increasingly harder to find over recent years.
The poppies, both Common Poppy Papaver rhoeas and Long-headed Poppy Papaver dubium were in fine flower, with abundant Lucerne Medicago sativa ssp. sativa. A new record for me in this area was Spanish Broom Spartium junceum. Two naturalised garden plants, Rose Campion Lychnis coronaria and Seaside Daisy Erigeron glaucus were found, the latter not uncommon on the N Wirral coast.
In the remnant of an old dune slack, home of several Cheshire rare plants, we found Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella, Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa and Few-flowered Spike-rush Eleocharis quinqueflora.
We had lunch in a sheltered area of the dunes, and then Vipers Bugloss Echium vulgare and Sea Radish Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus were found in the dug areas, provided for conservation of the Belted Beauty moth. Continuing towards Meols, we found two spikes of Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyrimidalis. A clump of about six spikes was known here for several years, but in 2005 it was dug up by someone. It is nice to know it still survives in this area.
Near the Coastguard Station we found the rare rose hybrid, Rosa x hibernica (R. pimpinellifolia x canina). At Dove Point, near the toilets the uncommon Small-flowered Crane’s-bill Geranium pusillum was growing with the common Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill Geranium molle. Then we made our way back towards Leasowe near the sea defence wall, finding seaside plants such as Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias, Sea Rocket Cakile maritima, and Sea Holly Eryngium maritimum. Butterflies recorded were Small Tortoiseshell and Small Heath. Finally, for me the best plant of the day was near the end of the walk when we found Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus in the grassland near the sea wall.
Meeting pictures taken by Maria Knowles
Gisburn Forest, near Slaidburn
28th July 2007
A group of sixteen members and friends met at Cocklet Hill car park on a beautiful sunny morning. After a brief discussion most of the group decided to attempt the nine-mile walk round Stocks Reservoir, recently designated an Important Plant Area for its bryophyte flora by Plant Life. However to cater for those that felt the walk was too long shorter stretches of the walk were organised.
On leaving the car park the identity of a large yellow sedge was debated and although not a perfect match it was thought to be Carex viridula ssp. brachyrrhyncha whilst on the nearby lane side there was a fine patch of Senecio ovatus. This is abundant throughout Gisburn Forest. The party followed tracks and footpaths via Brook House Green and Rain Gill to Black House passing a patch of calcareous grassland with Plantago media on a trackside bank and a northern hay meadow, Barn Gill Meadow SSSI, which was long past its best but probably contained Euphrasia arctica. The path then followed the track of the old railway used to construct the reservoir before descending to cross the dam. Here a number of annual weeds, e.g. Viola arvensis and V. tricolor not common in the area, were found. The path followed the reservoir to the fishing club’s clubhouse where lunch and refreshments were available. Normally at this time of year the water level of the reservoir is low revealing a ‘draw-down’ zone with several species characteristic of this habitat. Unfortunately for botanists the reservoir was overflowing and none of the species was visible. The next section of the path again followed an old railway track passing boggy fields and flushes until Copped Hill Clough was reached. There, calcareous flushes supported a wonderful flora with an abundance of Primula farinosa and Pinguicula vulgaris. Euphrasia confusa, E. scotica and hybrids were seen along with a few plants of Parnassia palustris (not yet in flower), Carex dioica and Salix repens ssp. repens. The next section of the walk took the party back to the School Lane car park in Gisburn Forest via the abandoned New House. On the way a patch of Salix repens ssp. argentea was seen and the differences between this and ssp. repens were noted. At School Lane most of the group decided to take a lift to Cocklet Hill whilst the remainder enjoyed the final section of the walk through the forest.
E.F. Greenwood
August 2007
Meeting photographs by Maria Knowles
28th July 2007
A group of sixteen members and friends met at Cocklet Hill car park on a beautiful sunny morning. After a brief discussion most of the group decided to attempt the nine-mile walk round Stocks Reservoir, recently designated an Important Plant Area for its bryophyte flora by Plant Life. However to cater for those that felt the walk was too long shorter stretches of the walk were organised.
On leaving the car park the identity of a large yellow sedge was debated and although not a perfect match it was thought to be Carex viridula ssp. brachyrrhyncha whilst on the nearby lane side there was a fine patch of Senecio ovatus. This is abundant throughout Gisburn Forest. The party followed tracks and footpaths via Brook House Green and Rain Gill to Black House passing a patch of calcareous grassland with Plantago media on a trackside bank and a northern hay meadow, Barn Gill Meadow SSSI, which was long past its best but probably contained Euphrasia arctica. The path then followed the track of the old railway used to construct the reservoir before descending to cross the dam. Here a number of annual weeds, e.g. Viola arvensis and V. tricolor not common in the area, were found. The path followed the reservoir to the fishing club’s clubhouse where lunch and refreshments were available. Normally at this time of year the water level of the reservoir is low revealing a ‘draw-down’ zone with several species characteristic of this habitat. Unfortunately for botanists the reservoir was overflowing and none of the species was visible. The next section of the path again followed an old railway track passing boggy fields and flushes until Copped Hill Clough was reached. There, calcareous flushes supported a wonderful flora with an abundance of Primula farinosa and Pinguicula vulgaris. Euphrasia confusa, E. scotica and hybrids were seen along with a few plants of Parnassia palustris (not yet in flower), Carex dioica and Salix repens ssp. repens. The next section of the walk took the party back to the School Lane car park in Gisburn Forest via the abandoned New House. On the way a patch of Salix repens ssp. argentea was seen and the differences between this and ssp. repens were noted. At School Lane most of the group decided to take a lift to Cocklet Hill whilst the remainder enjoyed the final section of the walk through the forest.
E.F. Greenwood
August 2007
Meeting photographs by Maria Knowles
Cabin Hill
25th August 2007
Leader : Philip H. Smith
With permission of Natural England, members and friends visited Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve, Formby, an area of sand-dunes which has been much-modified by past sand-winning. This so weakened the coast-protection function of the dunes that a barrier bank was erected in 1970 as a secondary defence against the sea.
We first crossed an area of grazed dune pasture where bare sandy patches have been colonised by a variety of ruderal plants, including Common and Sticky Stork’s-bills Erodium cicutarium and E. lebelii and their rare hybrid Erodium x anaristatum, the latter known only from Wales and South Lancashire in the British Isles. The hybrid is easily identified by its large, intermediately-coloured flowers, vigour and near-sterility.
Moving on, we next came to a large borrow-pit from which sand was excavated to make the barrier bank. This created a damp slack, now supporting the best display of Grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia palustris on the Sefton Coast. The abundance of this charismatic plant, officially listed as “endangered” in Lancashire, was breathtaking.
West of the bank is another, deeper and therefore wetter, borrow-pit which supports a large stand of the uncommon Blunt-flowered Rush Juncus subnodulosus. Nearby, was the nationally “vulnerable” Flat-sedge Blysmus compressus, a species that is rapidly declining in most of Britain but which is doing well on the Sefton sand-dunes
Our final stop was at a large wet-slack which was cleared of invasive Grey Willow Salix cinerea in 2005. Since then it has been colonised by about 140 vascular plants, 32 of which are new to the reserve. Around the edges we examined several bushes of the nationally rare hybrid willow Salix x friesiana, comparing it with one of its parents, Creeping Willow S. repens, which occurs here as the incredibly variable coastal variety argentea. The slack had a spectacular display of Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, while less common plants to enjoy included Water Speedwell Veronica scutellata, Pink Water-speedwell V. catenata, Shore Horsetail Equisetum litorale and Yellow Bartsia Parentucellia viscosa.
25th August 2007
Leader : Philip H. Smith
With permission of Natural England, members and friends visited Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve, Formby, an area of sand-dunes which has been much-modified by past sand-winning. This so weakened the coast-protection function of the dunes that a barrier bank was erected in 1970 as a secondary defence against the sea.
We first crossed an area of grazed dune pasture where bare sandy patches have been colonised by a variety of ruderal plants, including Common and Sticky Stork’s-bills Erodium cicutarium and E. lebelii and their rare hybrid Erodium x anaristatum, the latter known only from Wales and South Lancashire in the British Isles. The hybrid is easily identified by its large, intermediately-coloured flowers, vigour and near-sterility.
Moving on, we next came to a large borrow-pit from which sand was excavated to make the barrier bank. This created a damp slack, now supporting the best display of Grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia palustris on the Sefton Coast. The abundance of this charismatic plant, officially listed as “endangered” in Lancashire, was breathtaking.
West of the bank is another, deeper and therefore wetter, borrow-pit which supports a large stand of the uncommon Blunt-flowered Rush Juncus subnodulosus. Nearby, was the nationally “vulnerable” Flat-sedge Blysmus compressus, a species that is rapidly declining in most of Britain but which is doing well on the Sefton sand-dunes
Our final stop was at a large wet-slack which was cleared of invasive Grey Willow Salix cinerea in 2005. Since then it has been colonised by about 140 vascular plants, 32 of which are new to the reserve. Around the edges we examined several bushes of the nationally rare hybrid willow Salix x friesiana, comparing it with one of its parents, Creeping Willow S. repens, which occurs here as the incredibly variable coastal variety argentea. The slack had a spectacular display of Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, while less common plants to enjoy included Water Speedwell Veronica scutellata, Pink Water-speedwell V. catenata, Shore Horsetail Equisetum litorale and Yellow Bartsia Parentucellia viscosa.
St Helens Canal and Burgy Banks
8th September 2007
Leader: Peter Gateley
On a very pleasant autumn Saturday 14 LBS members and friends set off southwards from St Helen’s station. On our left we followed the old sandstone wall forming the boundary of the railway land, this was generally devoid of plants apart from sparse Oxford Ragwort Senecio squalidus along the base and in the joints. However about two thirds of the way along there was a small colony of ferns just below the coping, mainly Wall-rue Asplenium ruta-muraria with some Hart’s-tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium. On the right-hand side of the road the newly re-landscaped park was noted, with a large glacial erratic forming its central feature.
After crossing the railway we turned sharp left to follow the route of the St Helens Canal northwards, at this point the canal has been filled in but the footpath follows the former towpath, between two lines of tall steel fences. In this disturbed area a typical range of ruderal plants was found, many of which were still in flower; one of the more interesting local species was Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis with many flowering specimens along the path edge, others included the rayed form of Groundsel Senecio vulgaris, Sun Spurge Euphorbia helioscopica and Redshank Persicaria maculosa.
Continuing north we passed under a road bridge to a section of canal still in water, this had also been recently landscaped with a broad screen of planting down the western side of the towpath. Within this planting the hazel bushes turned out to be Filbert Corylus maxima and several ripe nuts were harvested and enjoyed. Young seedlings, presumably of this species, were also noted around the fringes of the canopy. In various open weedy patches between the shrubs and trees a wide range of plants was noted, including a fine display of Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, still flowering well but also displaying many fruits as well as the black-dotted undersides of the leaves.
The canal itself is still recovering from restoration work but Hemp Agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum was flowering well in the sidewall and Common Spikerush Eleocharis palustris was the most frequent water plant. In the stonework leading up to the former swing bridge there was a small but healthy population of Black Spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum. On the opposite (eastern) side of the canal the derelict remains of an old factory had evidently been vacant for many years and a complex mosaic of herb-rich grassland, tall herb vegetation, developing scrub and bracken patches had regenerated naturally. Black Medick Medicago lupulina was abundant throughout the sward, its main feature at this time of year being numerous clusters of jet black seeds, standing out against the mainly pale and mildewed leaves. Amongst the many other species looked at here were still-flowering Eyebright Euphrasia species, Red Bartsia Odontites verna and Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris. A more unusual find was Small Melilot Melilotus indicus.
Crossing the roads to the next section of canal the exotic tree and shrub planting was noted, including species that are very capable of seeding into surrounding areas, such as Himalayan Honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa and two exotic species of alder. A locally unusual tree included in the plantings was Liquidamber, or Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua. Along this section of canal we lunched by the remains of the eighteenth century Parr New Double Locks, noting various wall plants and water plants. One unexpected species growing out of the far wall of the old lock chamber was Fern-leaf Yarrow Achillea filipendulina. Downstream of the double lock there is a well-vegetated stretch of canal water with areas of tall swamp and a healthy aquatic flora. Plants seen in this section included: Broad-leaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans, Fennel-leaved Pondweed P. pectinatus, Rigid Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum and the alien Fringed Yellow Waterlily Nymphoides peltatus.
From these rich waters we crossed the course of Rainford Brook, now routed along the course of the former Gerrard’s Bridge branch of the St Helens Canal. The brook is quite fast flowing but has broad marginal strips of a mix dominated by Branched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum, Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera and Reed Canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea. In the central channel the most notable species were Broad-leaved Pondweed and Fennel-leaved Pondweed.
Over the footbridge, to the north, the tall steep slopes of the southern (Haresfinch) burgy bank dominate the scene. At this point there is a wide bunded terrace at the foot of the slope where saline leachate collects from the multiple layers of waste product from industrial glass polishing; pumped here as slurry along pipes directly from the glassworks. This terrace is quite sparsely populated, with grassy islands surrounded by bare crusty surfaces; the dominant species is Reflexed Saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia distans; seedheads of Marsh Arrow-grass Triglochin palustris were also noted. An indication of how inimical the conditions here are to plant growth was given by the yellowed and stunted growth of Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica on the edge of this area.
From the eastern end of this terrace we followed the steep path up to the flat plateau top, being thankful for the dry weather, as the exposed waste is excessively slippery when wet. This area, perched high over the former canal and bounded by a railway line to the west and north-west and a road in the north-east, has remained unmanaged since tipping of the polishing waste ceased following the introduction of the float glass process in the 1960s. After several years of the slurry drying out, plants began to colonise the surface and developed a diverse and unusual vegetation; however, over the last couple of decades continuing vegetation development and natural succession has led to the area being dominated by increasing areas of willow/birch scrub, dense grass/herb swards and tall herb stands, with a few remaining areas of wetter ground. The plateau now represents a fairly typical area of ‘urban common’ where natural vegetation processes have progressed but involving a significant element of exotic species. The most notable aliens seen on the burgy banks were species of Michaelmas Daisy Aster species, Tansy Tanacetum vulgare and Evening Primrose species and hybrids Oenothera species, these are mixed with a wide range of native herbs and grasses presenting flower-rich swards that must be highly attractive to insects all through the summer.
After descending from the high plateau the group followed Rainford Brook upstream then followed the railway to the south, calling in at a small Victorian park that had seen better days but whose abandoned tennis courts and bowling green provided habitat for a range of flowering weed species, including: Field Woundwort, Marsh Cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum and Toad Rush Juncus bufonius. We followed the railway back to the station; noting en route an interesting street tree, a species of Malus with clusters of tiny orange-red fruits, and the abundance of Hemp Agrimony as a street weed in St Helens.
Meeting photographs by Peter Gateley
8th September 2007
Leader: Peter Gateley
On a very pleasant autumn Saturday 14 LBS members and friends set off southwards from St Helen’s station. On our left we followed the old sandstone wall forming the boundary of the railway land, this was generally devoid of plants apart from sparse Oxford Ragwort Senecio squalidus along the base and in the joints. However about two thirds of the way along there was a small colony of ferns just below the coping, mainly Wall-rue Asplenium ruta-muraria with some Hart’s-tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium. On the right-hand side of the road the newly re-landscaped park was noted, with a large glacial erratic forming its central feature.
After crossing the railway we turned sharp left to follow the route of the St Helens Canal northwards, at this point the canal has been filled in but the footpath follows the former towpath, between two lines of tall steel fences. In this disturbed area a typical range of ruderal plants was found, many of which were still in flower; one of the more interesting local species was Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis with many flowering specimens along the path edge, others included the rayed form of Groundsel Senecio vulgaris, Sun Spurge Euphorbia helioscopica and Redshank Persicaria maculosa.
Continuing north we passed under a road bridge to a section of canal still in water, this had also been recently landscaped with a broad screen of planting down the western side of the towpath. Within this planting the hazel bushes turned out to be Filbert Corylus maxima and several ripe nuts were harvested and enjoyed. Young seedlings, presumably of this species, were also noted around the fringes of the canopy. In various open weedy patches between the shrubs and trees a wide range of plants was noted, including a fine display of Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, still flowering well but also displaying many fruits as well as the black-dotted undersides of the leaves.
The canal itself is still recovering from restoration work but Hemp Agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum was flowering well in the sidewall and Common Spikerush Eleocharis palustris was the most frequent water plant. In the stonework leading up to the former swing bridge there was a small but healthy population of Black Spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum. On the opposite (eastern) side of the canal the derelict remains of an old factory had evidently been vacant for many years and a complex mosaic of herb-rich grassland, tall herb vegetation, developing scrub and bracken patches had regenerated naturally. Black Medick Medicago lupulina was abundant throughout the sward, its main feature at this time of year being numerous clusters of jet black seeds, standing out against the mainly pale and mildewed leaves. Amongst the many other species looked at here were still-flowering Eyebright Euphrasia species, Red Bartsia Odontites verna and Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris. A more unusual find was Small Melilot Melilotus indicus.
Crossing the roads to the next section of canal the exotic tree and shrub planting was noted, including species that are very capable of seeding into surrounding areas, such as Himalayan Honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa and two exotic species of alder. A locally unusual tree included in the plantings was Liquidamber, or Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua. Along this section of canal we lunched by the remains of the eighteenth century Parr New Double Locks, noting various wall plants and water plants. One unexpected species growing out of the far wall of the old lock chamber was Fern-leaf Yarrow Achillea filipendulina. Downstream of the double lock there is a well-vegetated stretch of canal water with areas of tall swamp and a healthy aquatic flora. Plants seen in this section included: Broad-leaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans, Fennel-leaved Pondweed P. pectinatus, Rigid Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum and the alien Fringed Yellow Waterlily Nymphoides peltatus.
From these rich waters we crossed the course of Rainford Brook, now routed along the course of the former Gerrard’s Bridge branch of the St Helens Canal. The brook is quite fast flowing but has broad marginal strips of a mix dominated by Branched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum, Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera and Reed Canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea. In the central channel the most notable species were Broad-leaved Pondweed and Fennel-leaved Pondweed.
Over the footbridge, to the north, the tall steep slopes of the southern (Haresfinch) burgy bank dominate the scene. At this point there is a wide bunded terrace at the foot of the slope where saline leachate collects from the multiple layers of waste product from industrial glass polishing; pumped here as slurry along pipes directly from the glassworks. This terrace is quite sparsely populated, with grassy islands surrounded by bare crusty surfaces; the dominant species is Reflexed Saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia distans; seedheads of Marsh Arrow-grass Triglochin palustris were also noted. An indication of how inimical the conditions here are to plant growth was given by the yellowed and stunted growth of Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica on the edge of this area.
From the eastern end of this terrace we followed the steep path up to the flat plateau top, being thankful for the dry weather, as the exposed waste is excessively slippery when wet. This area, perched high over the former canal and bounded by a railway line to the west and north-west and a road in the north-east, has remained unmanaged since tipping of the polishing waste ceased following the introduction of the float glass process in the 1960s. After several years of the slurry drying out, plants began to colonise the surface and developed a diverse and unusual vegetation; however, over the last couple of decades continuing vegetation development and natural succession has led to the area being dominated by increasing areas of willow/birch scrub, dense grass/herb swards and tall herb stands, with a few remaining areas of wetter ground. The plateau now represents a fairly typical area of ‘urban common’ where natural vegetation processes have progressed but involving a significant element of exotic species. The most notable aliens seen on the burgy banks were species of Michaelmas Daisy Aster species, Tansy Tanacetum vulgare and Evening Primrose species and hybrids Oenothera species, these are mixed with a wide range of native herbs and grasses presenting flower-rich swards that must be highly attractive to insects all through the summer.
After descending from the high plateau the group followed Rainford Brook upstream then followed the railway to the south, calling in at a small Victorian park that had seen better days but whose abandoned tennis courts and bowling green provided habitat for a range of flowering weed species, including: Field Woundwort, Marsh Cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum and Toad Rush Juncus bufonius. We followed the railway back to the station; noting en route an interesting street tree, a species of Malus with clusters of tiny orange-red fruits, and the abundance of Hemp Agrimony as a street weed in St Helens.
Meeting photographs by Peter Gateley
Freshfield Fungal Foray
13th October 2007
With the mild damp weather seeming ideal for finding fungi the group of 18 set off from Freshfield Station, following along the side of the railway line towards the level crossing.
Diverting into the heath the first fungal specimens were found including Laccaria laccata (Common Deceiver), Paxillus involutus (Brown Roll-rim), Lycoperdon perlatum (Common Puffball) and Psathyrella conopilus (Cone Brittle-head). Passing into the mainly Birch woodland more species were located these including Leccinum scabrum (Brown Birch Scaber Stalk), Lactarius torminosus (Woolly Milk-cap), Russula ochroleuca (Yellow-ochre Russule), Stereum hirsutum (Hairy Leather-bracket), Cortinarius paleaceus (Pelargonium Web-cap), and several Mycenas or Bonnets.
Passing through a meadow we saw a carpet of Ornithopus perpusillus (Bird’sfoot) with both fruit and flowers, and Juncus tenuis (Slender Rush).
On the perimeter of Freshfield Dune Heath were some lovely specimens of Amanita muscarina (Fly Agaric), one of A. rubescens (The Blusher), a few Lactarius necator (Ugly Milk-cap) and some Clavulinopsis helvola (Yellow Spindles).
Just inside Freshfield Dune Heath we found many specimens of Suillus luteus (Slippery Jack) and one nice specimen of Heterobasidon annosum (Conifer Base Polypore).
Passing across the railway the route followed down Fisherman’s Path to Old Fisherman’s Path. Along this path we continued to find and identify more fungi including Lactarius deliciosus (Delicious Milk-cap), Rickenella fibula (Orange Navel-cap), Collybia maculata (Spotted Tough-shank), Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca (False Chanterelle), Hypholoma fasciculare (Sulphur Tuft), Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earthball), Hygrocybe conica (Blackening Wax-cap), Piptoporous betulinus (Birch Polypore), Nectria cinnabarina (Coral Spot Fungus), Stropharia aeruginosa Verdigris Agaric) and Agaricus sylviola (Wood Mushroom). Also studied were several Russulas found under conifers, a Marasimus (Mummy-cap), a Clitocybe (Funnel-cap) and a Pholiota (Scale-head).
Coming over the dunes to briefly glimpse the tide we turned back up Fisherman’s Path and completed the foray with a fine display of Coprinus comatus (Shaggy Ink-cap) and Geastrum triplex (Collard Earthstar).
The foray was a nice pooling of brains and I would like to thank in particular Keith Watson and Peter Gateley for help in identification. Any mistakes are mine.
Maria Knowles
Pictures at the meeting taken by Wendy Atkinson
