2009 Field Trips
Wepre Woods 25th April 2009 Gresford 9th May 2009 Altcar Rifle Range 15th May 2009
Tansley and Cressbrook Dales 13th June Malham 27th June Moore Nature Reserve 11th July 2009
Wigan Flashes 25th July 2009 Birkdale Green Beach 8th August 2009 Ness Gardens Tree Trail 5th September 2009 Ormskirk and Lathom 26th September 2009 Caergwrle 17th October 2009
Tansley and Cressbrook Dales 13th June Malham 27th June Moore Nature Reserve 11th July 2009
Wigan Flashes 25th July 2009 Birkdale Green Beach 8th August 2009 Ness Gardens Tree Trail 5th September 2009 Ormskirk and Lathom 26th September 2009 Caergwrle 17th October 2009
Caergwrle
17th October 2009
Leaders: Pat Lockwood & Peter Gateley
The Bus Replacement service from Bidston, arriving in Caergwrle one hour later than expected, was quite disruptive to our plans, especially as it was also discovered that our usual car park was also out of bounds. It was possible to let many members know about this in advance via email and the website, but many apologies to members who did not get to find out. In all 18 of us gathered for a walk through glorious Autumn weather.
Our route took us along the highways and byways of this lovely area, hoping to find the hedgerow dripping with lots of berries, hips and haws; but, surprisingly, these were generally lacking. Either the birds must have had a very good feed, or the season for fruit setting has been poor here this year. The fungi were also hiding from us, probably due to the recent prolonged dry periods. Those few we did see were examined and named for us by Tim Rogers: Panaeolus accuminatus = P.rickenii , Smallbracket fungus Bjerkandera adjusta, Bonnet Mycena Mycena galericulata, Yellow Waxcap Hygrocybe chlorophana.
The first tree of note along the walk was the Blue Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica f. glauca, a lovely tree, and we also looked at the Purging Buckthorn Rhamnus cathcartica and Wild Damson Prunus domestica, full of fruit. We were very lucky to see the Small leaved Lime Tilia cordata exhibiting upright fruits at the end of the branches.
Surprisingly grasses were in good flower, particularly the False Oat- grass Arrhenatherum elatius, Cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata and False Brome Brachypodium sylvaticum. At the end of the walk we found Wood Melick Melica uniflora flowering on shady road banks, along with ferns, the Western Polypody Polypodium interjectum, Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas and Bracken Pteridium aquilinum, the latter turning rich Autumn colours.
Although a note was made of all plants seen, only the ones in flower are listed here, a surprising total for mid-October: Fox and Cubs, known also as Orange Hawkweed Pilosella aurantiaca, White Dead-nettle Lamium album, Wild Basil Clinopodium vulgare, Marjoram Origanum vulgare, Self-heal Prunella vulgaris, Balm Melissa officinalis, Wood Sage Teucrium scorodonia, Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys, Herb Robert Geranium robertianum, Hedgerow Cranesbill Geranium pyrenaicum, Herb Bennet Geum urbanum, Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium, Ragwort Senecio jacobaea, Red or Pink Campion Silene dioica, Nipplewort Lapsana communis, Common Fumitory Fumaria officinalis, Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Wall Lettuce Mycelis muralis, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, Agrimony still in good flower and wonderful seeds, Agrimonia eupatoria and most abundantly Ivy Hedera helix with flower heads buzzing with insects..
Amongst the Autumn fruits we did find were Duke of Argyle's Tea Plant Lyceum barbarum. It was noted that the current wonder-food, the Goji Berry, is actually the dried fruit of this species. White Bryony Bryonia dioica was a glorious sight in flower and early fruit, and also Black Bryony Tamus communis with swags of scarlet berries.
We were pleased to have Tom Smale with us again after a long absence, and we welcomed our new members, namely Helen Hebden, Matthew Bradman and Michael Penney and we do hope we will see you again soon. We were also very pleased to have Val Gateley along and wish him a full recovery, following a serious illness.
On a biodiversity note, we would like to mention the site of a Badgers' latrine alongside one of the footpaths up the base of Hope Mountain. The stools were full of damson stones and bramble seeds and when we did the recce the site was in perfect order, however by the time of the field meeting it was a bit past its sell by date.
Because of the train problems, members faced a longer trip home than anticipated, hopefully there were no hitches on your journey. A big thank you for all your support, with very best wishes from Patricia Ann and Peter.
Ormskirk and Lathom
26 September 2009
Leader: Peter Gateley
Continuing the theme for this September it was a dullish, but dry, Saturday morning when 19 members and friends met up at the recently refurbished Ormskirk Station. We headed north from the station through the exotic plantings of the car park, noting the purple berries on Box-leaved Honeysuckle Lonicera pileata; a blackbird was seen feeding on them, no doubt leading to potential spread of this Chinese species as improved climate increases seed viability. A wide range of typical railway weeds was recorded as we headed to the north-east towards the route of the disused line that once ran through Skelmersdale to St Helens. The low embankment here has been colonised by mature oak growth, both Quercus robur and Q. cerris, with traces of a former acidic sward surviving where the shade is not too dense and where not swamped by exotic species spreading from the adjacent back gardens. A rampant specimen of Mile-a-minute Vine Fallopia baldshuanica was noted and its numerous inflorescences compared with those of its cousin, Japanese knotweed.
After leaving the old railway we stopped at an old roadside sandstone wall that has been colonised by patches of a large-flowered Yellow Corydalis Pseudofumaria lutea. Walking along residential streets we found a range of typical pavement crack and gutter species and admired various weeds and exotics in front gardens, including Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis. We turned off the pavements onto the track known as Ladies’ Walk, heading north through the former Lathom estates of the Earls of Derby. Here a range of typical arable field edge weeds was seen, many of them still flowering, including Field Pansy Viola arvensis and Corn Spurrey Spergula arvensis, with may others in full seed. Towards the northern end of this track a recently planted hedge of native species was thriving on the eastern side, beyond this was a potato field with a tall fringe of weeds, mainly Red Goosefoot Chenopodium rubrum and Common Orache Atriplex patula but also with much Redleg Persicaria maculosa and a little leafy-fruited Hairy Nightshade Solanum sarachoides. This field edge marked the end of the second 1km square recorded, with 126 vascular species noted along the route.
Following lunch we proceeded along Castle Lane towards the village of Westhead. All along the right-hand side of the route there was a broad seeded edge to the ploughed field, with sparse wheat ears intermixed with many seed-rich weeds such as Red Goosefoot and Redleg and also scattered maize and sunflower plants. Gallant Soldier Galinsoga parviflora was present in the edges near to Westhead. South from Westhead a footpath led us through a much more-enclosed landscape with tall mixed hedges and many trees. Just to the east of the church there is a sheep-grazed field with a short sward dominated by Common Bent Agrosis capillaris on the edge next to the church was a flourishing strip of Michaelmas Daisy Aster species in full flower.
We next called in at Ruff Woods, where a birch and oak-dominated woodland has established around a disused sandstone quarry. The ground conditions are predominantly acidic and patches of Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea and Wavy Hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa were noted amongst abundant fern and bracken growth. Various fungi were also noted, including earth ball, Tawny Grisette and a species of bolete. Walking from the woods, into Ormskirk, various wall-ferns were noted from garden boundaries and just before returning to the station a large population of Water Bent Polypogon viridis, that has recently established in one of the main car parks, was visited.
Peter Gateley
26 September 2009
Leader: Peter Gateley
Continuing the theme for this September it was a dullish, but dry, Saturday morning when 19 members and friends met up at the recently refurbished Ormskirk Station. We headed north from the station through the exotic plantings of the car park, noting the purple berries on Box-leaved Honeysuckle Lonicera pileata; a blackbird was seen feeding on them, no doubt leading to potential spread of this Chinese species as improved climate increases seed viability. A wide range of typical railway weeds was recorded as we headed to the north-east towards the route of the disused line that once ran through Skelmersdale to St Helens. The low embankment here has been colonised by mature oak growth, both Quercus robur and Q. cerris, with traces of a former acidic sward surviving where the shade is not too dense and where not swamped by exotic species spreading from the adjacent back gardens. A rampant specimen of Mile-a-minute Vine Fallopia baldshuanica was noted and its numerous inflorescences compared with those of its cousin, Japanese knotweed.
After leaving the old railway we stopped at an old roadside sandstone wall that has been colonised by patches of a large-flowered Yellow Corydalis Pseudofumaria lutea. Walking along residential streets we found a range of typical pavement crack and gutter species and admired various weeds and exotics in front gardens, including Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis. We turned off the pavements onto the track known as Ladies’ Walk, heading north through the former Lathom estates of the Earls of Derby. Here a range of typical arable field edge weeds was seen, many of them still flowering, including Field Pansy Viola arvensis and Corn Spurrey Spergula arvensis, with may others in full seed. Towards the northern end of this track a recently planted hedge of native species was thriving on the eastern side, beyond this was a potato field with a tall fringe of weeds, mainly Red Goosefoot Chenopodium rubrum and Common Orache Atriplex patula but also with much Redleg Persicaria maculosa and a little leafy-fruited Hairy Nightshade Solanum sarachoides. This field edge marked the end of the second 1km square recorded, with 126 vascular species noted along the route.
Following lunch we proceeded along Castle Lane towards the village of Westhead. All along the right-hand side of the route there was a broad seeded edge to the ploughed field, with sparse wheat ears intermixed with many seed-rich weeds such as Red Goosefoot and Redleg and also scattered maize and sunflower plants. Gallant Soldier Galinsoga parviflora was present in the edges near to Westhead. South from Westhead a footpath led us through a much more-enclosed landscape with tall mixed hedges and many trees. Just to the east of the church there is a sheep-grazed field with a short sward dominated by Common Bent Agrosis capillaris on the edge next to the church was a flourishing strip of Michaelmas Daisy Aster species in full flower.
We next called in at Ruff Woods, where a birch and oak-dominated woodland has established around a disused sandstone quarry. The ground conditions are predominantly acidic and patches of Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea and Wavy Hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa were noted amongst abundant fern and bracken growth. Various fungi were also noted, including earth ball, Tawny Grisette and a species of bolete. Walking from the woods, into Ormskirk, various wall-ferns were noted from garden boundaries and just before returning to the station a large population of Water Bent Polypogon viridis, that has recently established in one of the main car parks, was visited.
Peter Gateley
Tree Trail Ness Gardens
5th September 2009
We looked at and discussed over 60 different species of trees.
Ness of course is famous for its Sorbus collection, being the largest in the country. Sorbus rosea was introduced to cultivation through Ness, it was wild sourced from Gillgit in Pakistan in the 1980’s and has whitish pink berries. Sorbus leyana, Ley`s Whitebeam is described as Britain’s rarest tree. It is an apomictic microspecies, and is thought to be derived from Rowan S. aucuparia and Rock Whitebeam S. rupicola. It is endemic to south Wales and is critically endangered. Sorbus domestica, the True Service Tree is native from southern Europe to north Africa. It was disputed to be native to Britain until it was found near Cardiff in 1984. It is a big tree, with leaves like Rowan but slightly bigger and hairy beneath. It exists in two forms, one with apple-shaped fruit (f.pomifera), and one with pear-shaped fruit (f.pyrifera).
There are many lovely Birches at Ness. Betula nigra, River Birch grows on river banks and waterways in the warmer parts of eastern USA, where it can survive being wet for several weeks at a time. The seeds ripen early and fall when the water is lowest to germinate in the moist rich soil. It has dark rugged bark when young, but the mature bark is pinkish orange and shaggy. It is a lovely tree to plant in a damp area. Betula dahurica is similar to B.nigra but is even nicer, it is found in Japan and Russia. Betula michauxii, the tiny Swamp Birch was sourced from an oil refinery access road in a place called Come by Chance, Newfoundland, Canada in 1988.
We looked a several Maples. Acer platanoides ‘Crimsin King’ is a variant of Norway Maple with nice crimson fruits. Acer griseum, Paper-bark Maple was brought back from China by Ernest Wilson in 1901, and has bark with papery scrolls, and lovely autumn colour. The nutlets have a very thick shell and often form without pollination so the tree is difficult to raise from seed. Acer cappadocicum is like Norway Maple but the fruits are more angled and the leaves less lobed. It turns butter-yellow in Autumn and is one of the four species of Maple with latex. It is native to Asia Minor. Acer saccharinum, Silver Maple is native to eastern USA. It is airy and willowy, with silver under its leaves it is attractive when ruffled by wind. It can be confused with Sugar Maple, A.saccharum, the one on Canada’s flag. Silver Maple is closely related to A.rubrum and like it produces red flowers in spring before the leaves. It does produce a small amount maple syrup. Acer carpinifolium, Hornbeam-leaved Maple has leaves like hornbeam, elegant, hanging and golden in autumn.
Two species of Liquidambar were considered. Liquidambar styraciflua, American Sweet Gum, has five-lobed leaves which are star-like and has good autumn colour. Liquidambar formosana, Chinese Sweet Gum has matt leaves with usually only three lobes, but occasionally five. The fruits have curled spines.
Platanus orientalis, Oriental Plane is from south east Europe and has deeper lobes than London Plane (which is the hybrid of P.orientalis and P.occidentalis). The species we looked at is most likely ‘Digitata’, which has narrow lobes.
There are some lovely Alders at Ness. We looked at the elegant Alnus glutinosa ‘Imperialis’ a variant of Common Alder, more graceful and finely cut than ‘Laciniata’ and very Japanese-looking. We also looked at Alnus sieboldiana, a splendid tree named after Von Siebold, a German botanist who worked in Japan as a doctor in the 1820s and amassed thousands of both living and preserved specimens of plants. This tree has big leaves edged with yellow teeth and impressive cones.
The two species of Tulip Tree were compared. Liriodendron tulipifera, the Tulip Tree from eastern USA, where it is known as Yellow Poplar, has flowers like 5cm ‘tulips’ of green and orange. Liriodendron chinense, Chinese Tulip Tree, from east China to north Vietnam, has leaves which are purple in spring, more waisted and whiter underneath.
We considered the differences between Firs and Spruces. Abies procera, Noble Fir, was discovered and brought to Britain from the US in 1830 by David Douglas. It has huge cones which disintegrate on the tree and are enjoyed by squirrels. It is very successful in Britain and regenerates naturally in Scotland. Abies concolor, Colorado White Fir, grows from Utah to Mexico and has leaves which are pale and curl vertically above the shoot. A.delavayi var forrestii, also known as A. forrestii was discovered by Forrest in China in 1910. It has glossy dark green leaves and lovely purple cones. Two Spruces were compared to the Firs, Picea smithiana, Morinda Spruce and Picea spinulosa, Sikkim Spruce. The main difference between Spruces and Firs are that Spruces have ‘pegs’ on old shoots which are left when the leaves fall and they have pendulous cones. Firs don’t have pegs but the leaves leave small scars, they have resin blisters on the trunk and cones which disintegrate on the tree.
A few species of Pines were considered. Pinus longaeva, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine is one of the worlds longest lived trees, living nearly 5000 years. It grows in parts of California, Nevada and Utah. One was found to have 4,862 annual rings when it met its tragic end in 1964, accidentally cut down by forest rangers sent to take a core sample for counting. Pinus nigra ssp. laricio, Corsican Pine, can be differentiated from Pinus nigra ssp.nigra, Austrian Pine, by having a pale trunk, longer twisted needles, cleaner straighter bole and boughs like poles. On the other hand Austrian Pine is heavy limbed and has dark bark. We looked at the splendid row of Austrian Pines planted by A K Bulley as a windbreak. Pinus contorta ssp. contorta, Shore Pine is like Lodgepole Pine P.contorta ssp. latifolia but has shorter twisted needles pressed closer to the shoot and is more bushy. Pinus wallichiana, Bhutan Pine is from the Himalayas and has blue green leaves in 5’s which are long enough to droop.
We compared the two deciduous conifers. Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Dawn Redwood, a critically endangered tree in the wild, discovered in 1941 in a village in China, it has leaves, buds and side shoots all opposite, it comes into leaf earlier and has spongier darker bark. Taxodium distichum, Swamp Cypress, from eastern USA, can cope with waterlogged conditions by throwing up ‘knees’ or pneumatophores, which trap silt around the roots and probably help the roots to breathe. It has side shoots borne alternately (actually helically) along twigs, comes into leaf later and has a much more feathery look.
Three Redwoods were looked at and compared. Sequoiadendron giganteum, Giant Sequoia or Wellingtonia, is the world’s largest tree, has a flared bole with soft spongy bark and scale-like leaves. It is native to California where it grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Cryptomeria japonica, Japanese Red Cedar, a giant tree in the mountains of Japan, is a redwood with hard bark, it has awl shaped leaves arranged in a helix around the shoot and is an excellent reddish timber. Sequoia sempervirens ‘Cantab’ is a variant of Coast Redwood which originated from ‘witches brooms’ at the University Botanic Gardens at Cambridge. Massive brooms could be seen in the tree we examined.
From the terrace three species of Cedars could be easily compared. Cedrus deodora, Deodar, from the Himalayas has a drooping leader, shoots that hang and leaves which are longer and softer than the others. Cedrus libani, Cedar of Lebanon has black-brown bark and level plates of foliage. Cedrus atlatica, Atlas Cedar is most often seen as ‘glauca’, has greyer bark, shorter needles in rosettes and branch tips that ascend.
Some other notable trees were:
Aesculus wangii is found in China and Vietnam, where it is threatened by habitat loss, and bears enormous panicles (to 45cm) of scented yellow purple-brown spotted flowers in spring, followed by large encased seeds (conkers) up to 10cm across. Although the Ness specimen is the British Champion it has not flowered yet.
Salix alba var sericea, Silver Willow is a County Champion for girth and height. The leaves stay silky hairy above, so that the tree looks like a puff of pale smoke from a distance.
Fagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’ Fern-leaved Beech, a ‘chimaera’ with inner tissues of typical Beech enveloped by cells of the ‘sport’, so that sprouts of normal leaves will often grow from the trunk especially after injury. Both types of leaves were visible on the tree.
Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Katsura is from China and southern Japan (where it is endangered), it has opposite leaves that flush pink and die off lemon and orange with a smell of caramel from summer on. We had to smell four different trees before all the group could smell the caramel!
Davidia involucrata var vilmoriniana, the Dove or Handkerchief Tree is fertilized by bats, and has huge white hanging bracts early in the summer. This variety, which is the one most planted as it is the most hardy, is not hairy on the under surface of the leaf in comparison with Davidia involucrata var involucrata which is very downy underneath.
Cunninghamia lanceolata, Chinese Fir, is native to China to Vietnam and its leaves clasp the shoot all round in a helix. ‘Glauca’ has metallic blue-bloomed foliage due to more vivid stomatal bands and a waxy bloom. It is more hardy than the type which is wind sensitive
Thuja plicata, Western Red Cedar, from the USA, brought here 1853, has dull white stripes under the leaves and a smell of pineapple which fills the air around the tree on warm days.
Thujopsis dolebrata, Hiba, is related to Thuja but has broader leaves ‘painted’ white underneath, which are more glossy, and scale-like resembling tiny axe-heads (botanical name 'dolabra' means hatchet). It is an important forestry tree in Japan, the wood being light, strong and hard-wearing.
Populus wilsonii, a beautiful and unusual Poplar, it has big sea-green leaves which flap noisily and turn black on falling. It was found in Yunnan in China in 1907 by Ernest Wilson.
Polylepis australis is from high altitudes in the Andes, its generic name refers to the peeling bark.
Drimys winteri, Winters Bark is native to the central Andes, it has aromatic bark once chewed by sailors to combat scurvy and so was collected by Francis Drake. The fruits have been used as a pepper substitute.
Luma apiculata, Chilean or Orange-barked Myrtle is closely related to Myrtus, it has aromatic almost black foliage, abundant white flowers, cinnamon bark which peels to white and fruits which are edible and sweet. It has become naturalised in some southern Ireland gardens.
Phymosia umbellata, Mexican Bush Mallow has deep red mallow-like flowers and green velvety leaves. Apparently hummingbirds love it.
Styrax japonicus, Snowbell Tree, from Japan, has buds like furry mittens, massed snow white flowers which droop below every branch in early summer to be replaced by fruits like dangly earrings. It is hardy yet delicate, a lovely tree to plant.
Poncirrus trifoliata, Japanese Bitter Orange is closely related to Citrus and has white flowers, yellow inedible fruits, trifoliate leaves and spines. It is from China and Korea and makes an attractive thorny hedge which is hardy.
Juglans nigra, Black Walnut is native to eastern and central USA. The leaves have 10-23 slender leaflets often with no end one, and are finely toothed and downy underneath. This specimen is the County Champion for girth and height and was laden with fruit.
Ailanthus altissima, the Tree of Heaven is native to northern China but naturalises in US cities and Southern Europe as it survives in dry polluted urban sites. Male trees are reputed to smell bad. It has extra-floral nectaries like Prunus.
Phellodendron amurense, Amur Cork Tree resembles Ailanthus but the fruit is a drupe and the winter buds are enclosed.
Pterocarya x rhederiana, the hybrid of P.fraxinifolia Caucasian Wingnut and P.stenoptera Chinese Wingnut, is a big tree with long hanging fruits, and a County Champion.
We compared the cut stumps of a Beech and a Giant Redwood to see different thickness of the bark and the annual rings. We listened to water moving up Eucalyptus Trees.
And also, we visited the Quercus robur planted in memory of Vera Gordon and were very pleased to see it looking healthy enough to support four types of gall! (Marble, Spangle, Silk-button and Artichoke).
Maria Knowles
Birkdale Green Beach
8th August 2009
Leader: Pat Lockwood
In all 20 members gathered together at Birkdale Station. It was a glorious morning and we made our way down to the beach, some going by car, others walking. It was such a contrast to the year before, when the rain was torrential and the meeting, after 2 hours, was cancelled. I enjoyed hearing the chattering of happy voices. We were sorry that George Russell was unable to join us. We wish him well and hope he will lead us another time.
The first plant that really stands out is the Sea Club Rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), it is really impressive. Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus), Saltmarsh Rush (J. gerardii ) Baltic Rush (J. balticus) and Common Cord-grass (Spartina anglica) were studied, also Fools Water-cress (Apium nodiflorum) and Wild Celery (A. graveolens) and the Lesser Water Parsnip (Berula erecta). Lots of Willow-herbs were poured over, Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum), Great Willowherb (E.hirsutum) and Marsh Willowherb (E. palustre). The Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) was an interesting contrast to the thousands of plants of Parsley Water Dropwort (O. lachenelii), wonderful hosts to so many insects. Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima), Sea Aster (Aster tripoleum) , Watermint (Mentha aquatica) Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) ,Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum), Alsike Clover (T. hybridum), were all in very good flower. Sea Arrow-grass ( Triglochin maritima), Marsh Arrow-grass (T.palustris), Thrift ( Armeria maritima), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Greater Sea-spurrey and Lesser Sea- spurrey (Spergularia media and S.marina) and Common Glasswort (Salicornia europaea). David Bryant found a Lesser Conehead, a rare species of insect.
We wandered on to the main path where there were lots of goodies. Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Spear thistle (C. vulgare) were studied, so were Large-flowered Evening Primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) and Intermediate Evening Primrose (O. x fallax), and the Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata). Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus) , Common Restharrow (Ononis repens). Tufted forgetmenot (Myosotis laxa), Sea Mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum) grew along the edges, also the Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Seaside Centaury (C.littorale) and Lesser Centaury (C.pulchellum).
I was very pleased to see Cyperus longus (Galingale).
In the dunes Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) was everywhere, Marion spotted the Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor), Yellowort (Blackstonia perfoliata) still in good flower, Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) , Eyebright (Euphrasia sp), Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris), Garden Speedwell (Veronica longifolia), and Ploughman's Spikenard (Inula conyzae). John found really very good flowers on the Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris), and two members (I am sorry,I didn't put your names down) found very good specimens of fruiting Crosswort (Cruciata laevipes).
We were very pleased to see Joan Wilson following her major surgery only a few weeks ago. We all send her our best wishes. Many thanks to you all for making it such a special day.
Patricia Ann Lockwood
8th August 2009
Leader: Pat Lockwood
In all 20 members gathered together at Birkdale Station. It was a glorious morning and we made our way down to the beach, some going by car, others walking. It was such a contrast to the year before, when the rain was torrential and the meeting, after 2 hours, was cancelled. I enjoyed hearing the chattering of happy voices. We were sorry that George Russell was unable to join us. We wish him well and hope he will lead us another time.
The first plant that really stands out is the Sea Club Rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), it is really impressive. Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus), Saltmarsh Rush (J. gerardii ) Baltic Rush (J. balticus) and Common Cord-grass (Spartina anglica) were studied, also Fools Water-cress (Apium nodiflorum) and Wild Celery (A. graveolens) and the Lesser Water Parsnip (Berula erecta). Lots of Willow-herbs were poured over, Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum), Great Willowherb (E.hirsutum) and Marsh Willowherb (E. palustre). The Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) was an interesting contrast to the thousands of plants of Parsley Water Dropwort (O. lachenelii), wonderful hosts to so many insects. Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima), Sea Aster (Aster tripoleum) , Watermint (Mentha aquatica) Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) ,Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum), Alsike Clover (T. hybridum), were all in very good flower. Sea Arrow-grass ( Triglochin maritima), Marsh Arrow-grass (T.palustris), Thrift ( Armeria maritima), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Greater Sea-spurrey and Lesser Sea- spurrey (Spergularia media and S.marina) and Common Glasswort (Salicornia europaea). David Bryant found a Lesser Conehead, a rare species of insect.
We wandered on to the main path where there were lots of goodies. Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Spear thistle (C. vulgare) were studied, so were Large-flowered Evening Primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) and Intermediate Evening Primrose (O. x fallax), and the Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata). Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus) , Common Restharrow (Ononis repens). Tufted forgetmenot (Myosotis laxa), Sea Mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum) grew along the edges, also the Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Seaside Centaury (C.littorale) and Lesser Centaury (C.pulchellum).
I was very pleased to see Cyperus longus (Galingale).
In the dunes Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) was everywhere, Marion spotted the Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor), Yellowort (Blackstonia perfoliata) still in good flower, Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) , Eyebright (Euphrasia sp), Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris), Garden Speedwell (Veronica longifolia), and Ploughman's Spikenard (Inula conyzae). John found really very good flowers on the Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris), and two members (I am sorry,I didn't put your names down) found very good specimens of fruiting Crosswort (Cruciata laevipes).
We were very pleased to see Joan Wilson following her major surgery only a few weeks ago. We all send her our best wishes. Many thanks to you all for making it such a special day.
Patricia Ann Lockwood
Wigan Flashes
25th July 2009
Leader: John Clegg
Twenty four people assembled for this joint L.B.S. and M.N.A. outing to Wigan. This included two new members for the L.B.S. Outside a very forlorn looking Wigan Pier, can it really be shut down? We found the usual sort of plants for such an environment, Hemp Agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, Ivy Leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis and Canadian Fleabane Conzya canadensis. Reaching the start of the canal path there was Feverfew Tanacetum parthenum, a white flowered Musk Mallow Malva moshata and Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus. What was to be one of the plants of the day, Rock Stonecrop Sedum fosterianum and Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus were soon found along with Prickly Lettuce Lactuca serriola, a plant that seems to be cropping up in ever increasing numbers.
Not to be outdone by the Sedum the next plant, all on it’s own, was Green Flowered Helleborine Epipactus phyllanthes, why just the one in splendid isolation I do not know. Following the canal bank we were able to observe Skullcap Scutellaria galericulata, Japanese Rose Rosa rugosa and Hemlock Water Dropwort Oenanthe crocata and several plants of Orange Hawkweed Pilosella aurantiaca. Why Fox and Cubs? It doesn’t seem to have any connection to either.
Marsh Woundwort Stachys palustris, Weld Reseda luteola and Common Field Speedwell Veronica persica were all growing well. Just before the lunch break we saw an area of Golden Melilot Melilotus altissima, Sneezewort Achilles ptarmica and Red Bartsia Odontites vernus.
During lunch we were entertained watching Common Tern fishing in the canal, lunch all round then!
The afternoon session gave us Black Medick Medicago lupulina, Zig-zag Clover Trifolium medium and Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris. Narrow Leaved Everlasting Pea Lathyrus sylvestris caused some discussion, only to be superseded by it’s bigger and brighter relative Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea Lathyrus latifolius.
The other plant that gave rise to some serious discussion was what turned out to be the young leaves of Unbranched Bur-reed, Sparganium emersum and NOT Vallisneria spiralis as I had suggested!
A good day with plenty to talk about. Thanks must be given to John Clegg for arranging and leading the group.
Peter Tipping
25th July 2009
Leader: John Clegg
Twenty four people assembled for this joint L.B.S. and M.N.A. outing to Wigan. This included two new members for the L.B.S. Outside a very forlorn looking Wigan Pier, can it really be shut down? We found the usual sort of plants for such an environment, Hemp Agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, Ivy Leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis and Canadian Fleabane Conzya canadensis. Reaching the start of the canal path there was Feverfew Tanacetum parthenum, a white flowered Musk Mallow Malva moshata and Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus. What was to be one of the plants of the day, Rock Stonecrop Sedum fosterianum and Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus were soon found along with Prickly Lettuce Lactuca serriola, a plant that seems to be cropping up in ever increasing numbers.
Not to be outdone by the Sedum the next plant, all on it’s own, was Green Flowered Helleborine Epipactus phyllanthes, why just the one in splendid isolation I do not know. Following the canal bank we were able to observe Skullcap Scutellaria galericulata, Japanese Rose Rosa rugosa and Hemlock Water Dropwort Oenanthe crocata and several plants of Orange Hawkweed Pilosella aurantiaca. Why Fox and Cubs? It doesn’t seem to have any connection to either.
Marsh Woundwort Stachys palustris, Weld Reseda luteola and Common Field Speedwell Veronica persica were all growing well. Just before the lunch break we saw an area of Golden Melilot Melilotus altissima, Sneezewort Achilles ptarmica and Red Bartsia Odontites vernus.
During lunch we were entertained watching Common Tern fishing in the canal, lunch all round then!
The afternoon session gave us Black Medick Medicago lupulina, Zig-zag Clover Trifolium medium and Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris. Narrow Leaved Everlasting Pea Lathyrus sylvestris caused some discussion, only to be superseded by it’s bigger and brighter relative Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea Lathyrus latifolius.
The other plant that gave rise to some serious discussion was what turned out to be the young leaves of Unbranched Bur-reed, Sparganium emersum and NOT Vallisneria spiralis as I had suggested!
A good day with plenty to talk about. Thanks must be given to John Clegg for arranging and leading the group.
Peter Tipping
Moore Nature Reserve
11th July 2009
Leader: John Somerville
The weather was dull but dry when we met at the crossroads. We started with 15 members of the LBS and 2 guests from the Manchester Field Club. In the morning we would cover the western third of the reserve. Entering the reserve we were immediately puzzled by low creeping leaves at the side of the path. It was Ground-ivy looking very atypical. Other plants here included Yellow Rattle, Germander Speedwell, Common Mouse-ear, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Stitchwort and Creeping Thistle, and it was on this Creeping Thistle that the eagle eyes of Peter Gateley spotted a Tortoise Beetle.
Along the path we passed Many-flowered Rose before entering another open area next to a bird hide. Here we found Yarrow, Meadow Vetchling. Smooth Hawksbeard, Self Heal and lots of Common Centaury. A small pond nearby had been previously dug out to try and remove the Australian Swamp Stonecrop but it was back and totally covered the pond area.
Moving along we passed Birdsfoot Trefoil, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle and Large-flowered Evening primrose, Marsh Bedstraw and Hedge Parsley before arriving at an area with Common Cudweed. We knew that Small Cudweed grew on the reserve but we could not spot it anywhere nearby.
It was not until we came to some steps that we found two small plants of Small Cudweed on these steps. The Dovesfoot Cranesbill in this area showed both the normal pink-purple form and also some very pale forms.
We arrived at some ponds containing Water Soldier, Corn Mint and Marsh Pennywort. Of the orchids that normally grew in this area there was no sign at all.
As we moved along the path towards the end of the reserve we came across a single plant of Fragrant Orchid. At the end of the reserve we passed though a gate onto the road. Turning left we walked only a few yards before coming to an opening on our right with a totally different habitat. Here on the banks was Lady's Bedstraw, Mignonette, Wild Radish, Common Field Speedwell, Scentless Mayweed, Dark Mullein, Tufted Vetch, Bush Vetch, Fodder Vetch, Burnet Saxifrage, Wild Carrot, Black Horehound, Comfrey, and Scarlet Pimpernel. A few yards further and we were on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal where there was Goatsbeard and some vigorous plants of Weld.
We were now in a large open area that stretched along the Ship Canal back to the crosroads where our cars were parked. Here we found Red Bartsia, Creeping Cinquefoil, masses of Birdsfoot Trefoil and a small Hemlock plant. On the road banks nearby the Hemlock was up to ten foot tall. Walking through the Smooth Tare we walked down into an area that was about twelve foot lower that the main field. Here some ponds contained Branched Bur-reed and Spiked Water Milfoil and another LBS member who had come late but had now found us. Now walking back to our cars we found Bristly Ox-tonge, Dotted Loosestrife and lots of Musk Mallow.
Lunch was taken in the sun on a grassy bank in the reserve before we got back into the cars and drove to the east end of the reserve. Climbing over a gate led us into a very dry area full of Haresfoot Clover and the odd plant of Trailing St John's-wort. We walked down to the edge of the lake which was edged with Purple Loosestrife and watched the Broad-bodied Chasers. As we walked back to our cars we came across an area containing hundreds of Small Cudweed plants where in the morning we had only found two plants after a lot of searching.
Back over the gate we walked down the track to a bird hide where we finished the day with the sighting of a Kingfisher.
11th July 2009
Leader: John Somerville
The weather was dull but dry when we met at the crossroads. We started with 15 members of the LBS and 2 guests from the Manchester Field Club. In the morning we would cover the western third of the reserve. Entering the reserve we were immediately puzzled by low creeping leaves at the side of the path. It was Ground-ivy looking very atypical. Other plants here included Yellow Rattle, Germander Speedwell, Common Mouse-ear, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Stitchwort and Creeping Thistle, and it was on this Creeping Thistle that the eagle eyes of Peter Gateley spotted a Tortoise Beetle.
Along the path we passed Many-flowered Rose before entering another open area next to a bird hide. Here we found Yarrow, Meadow Vetchling. Smooth Hawksbeard, Self Heal and lots of Common Centaury. A small pond nearby had been previously dug out to try and remove the Australian Swamp Stonecrop but it was back and totally covered the pond area.
Moving along we passed Birdsfoot Trefoil, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle and Large-flowered Evening primrose, Marsh Bedstraw and Hedge Parsley before arriving at an area with Common Cudweed. We knew that Small Cudweed grew on the reserve but we could not spot it anywhere nearby.
It was not until we came to some steps that we found two small plants of Small Cudweed on these steps. The Dovesfoot Cranesbill in this area showed both the normal pink-purple form and also some very pale forms.
We arrived at some ponds containing Water Soldier, Corn Mint and Marsh Pennywort. Of the orchids that normally grew in this area there was no sign at all.
As we moved along the path towards the end of the reserve we came across a single plant of Fragrant Orchid. At the end of the reserve we passed though a gate onto the road. Turning left we walked only a few yards before coming to an opening on our right with a totally different habitat. Here on the banks was Lady's Bedstraw, Mignonette, Wild Radish, Common Field Speedwell, Scentless Mayweed, Dark Mullein, Tufted Vetch, Bush Vetch, Fodder Vetch, Burnet Saxifrage, Wild Carrot, Black Horehound, Comfrey, and Scarlet Pimpernel. A few yards further and we were on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal where there was Goatsbeard and some vigorous plants of Weld.
We were now in a large open area that stretched along the Ship Canal back to the crosroads where our cars were parked. Here we found Red Bartsia, Creeping Cinquefoil, masses of Birdsfoot Trefoil and a small Hemlock plant. On the road banks nearby the Hemlock was up to ten foot tall. Walking through the Smooth Tare we walked down into an area that was about twelve foot lower that the main field. Here some ponds contained Branched Bur-reed and Spiked Water Milfoil and another LBS member who had come late but had now found us. Now walking back to our cars we found Bristly Ox-tonge, Dotted Loosestrife and lots of Musk Mallow.
Lunch was taken in the sun on a grassy bank in the reserve before we got back into the cars and drove to the east end of the reserve. Climbing over a gate led us into a very dry area full of Haresfoot Clover and the odd plant of Trailing St John's-wort. We walked down to the edge of the lake which was edged with Purple Loosestrife and watched the Broad-bodied Chasers. As we walked back to our cars we came across an area containing hundreds of Small Cudweed plants where in the morning we had only found two plants after a lot of searching.
Back over the gate we walked down the track to a bird hide where we finished the day with the sighting of a Kingfisher.
Tansley Dale & Cressbrook Dale
Saturday 13th June
Leader: John Somerville
Ten of us met in Litton village at 10am on a bright sunny day. Two cars were driven to the end of Cressbrook Dale where one was left before returning to Litton village. As we walked along the lanes to the start of Tansley Dale we met Rue-leaved saxifrage on the walls and discussed the differences between Rough Meadow-grass and Smooth Meadow-grass. Then over a tall stile, across a small field and we were into Tansley Dale.
Wild flowers were everywhere. In the first 50 yards we had seen Meadow Saxifrage, Mouse-eared Hawkweed, Kidney Vetch, Fairy Flax, Salad Burnet, Wild Thyme, Common Milkwort, and Limestone Bedstraw. A bit further and we were seeing Rock-rose, Dropwort, Early Purple and Common Spotted Orchids, Thyme-leaved Sandwort, Field and Small Scabious, Hairy Rock-cress, Perennial Cornflower and Downy Oat-grass. Further down Tansley Dale we met a patch of Crow Garlic and an area of Brittle Bladder-fern. Large patches of Spring Sandwort were seen around the tailings of the old lead mines.
Reaching the bottom of Tansley Dale we passed through a small gate and entered Cressbrook Dale. A lush patch was full of Silverweed and a few plants of Water Forget-me-not. We sat on a grassy bank for lunch and then continued our walk. The first plants were Sheep’s Fescue, Goldilocks Buttercup, Shining Cranesbill and some more Rue-leaved Saxifrage. Then up a steep bank to one of the star attractions, a large area of Globeflower. The flowers started at only 25 yards above the path yet few people have recognized them thinking that the yellow flowers were probably Meadow Buttercup.
We descended back to the path and continued into Cressbrook Dale. We were now walking under the trees with a limestone face on our left. A gap in the trees had allowed Harebells to grow on the limestone rock face. Along the path we found False Brome, Hairy Brome, Greater Burnet-saxifrage, Broad-leaved Helleborine, Wood Sedge, Woodruff, Nettle-leaved Bellflower and Midland Hawthorn. Then it was up a path that led us out of the trees to a grassy bank where we found Stone Bramble, Lesser Meadow-rue, Common Twayblade and Mountain Melick. We enjoyed a 20 minute rest sitting on this bank in the sun and then it was time to go. Ready to go but three of our group were missing. A quick search found them keeping cool by sitting in the shade of some Hazel bushes.
The final leg of our walk led us past the cottages in Cressbrook Dale and up the track to the road. Half of our group had missed the Sanicle which was among the last plants found in Cressbrook Dale. Now we reached the road where one of our cars had been parked earlier and this was used to ferry all the car drivers back to Litton village. Then back to pick up our entire group before returning again to Litton village. It was 3.40pm and the shop was still open so we finished the day by sitting around a table outside the shop enjoying coffees, teas and ice cream.
Pictures by Peter Gateley
Saturday 13th June
Leader: John Somerville
Ten of us met in Litton village at 10am on a bright sunny day. Two cars were driven to the end of Cressbrook Dale where one was left before returning to Litton village. As we walked along the lanes to the start of Tansley Dale we met Rue-leaved saxifrage on the walls and discussed the differences between Rough Meadow-grass and Smooth Meadow-grass. Then over a tall stile, across a small field and we were into Tansley Dale.
Wild flowers were everywhere. In the first 50 yards we had seen Meadow Saxifrage, Mouse-eared Hawkweed, Kidney Vetch, Fairy Flax, Salad Burnet, Wild Thyme, Common Milkwort, and Limestone Bedstraw. A bit further and we were seeing Rock-rose, Dropwort, Early Purple and Common Spotted Orchids, Thyme-leaved Sandwort, Field and Small Scabious, Hairy Rock-cress, Perennial Cornflower and Downy Oat-grass. Further down Tansley Dale we met a patch of Crow Garlic and an area of Brittle Bladder-fern. Large patches of Spring Sandwort were seen around the tailings of the old lead mines.
Reaching the bottom of Tansley Dale we passed through a small gate and entered Cressbrook Dale. A lush patch was full of Silverweed and a few plants of Water Forget-me-not. We sat on a grassy bank for lunch and then continued our walk. The first plants were Sheep’s Fescue, Goldilocks Buttercup, Shining Cranesbill and some more Rue-leaved Saxifrage. Then up a steep bank to one of the star attractions, a large area of Globeflower. The flowers started at only 25 yards above the path yet few people have recognized them thinking that the yellow flowers were probably Meadow Buttercup.
We descended back to the path and continued into Cressbrook Dale. We were now walking under the trees with a limestone face on our left. A gap in the trees had allowed Harebells to grow on the limestone rock face. Along the path we found False Brome, Hairy Brome, Greater Burnet-saxifrage, Broad-leaved Helleborine, Wood Sedge, Woodruff, Nettle-leaved Bellflower and Midland Hawthorn. Then it was up a path that led us out of the trees to a grassy bank where we found Stone Bramble, Lesser Meadow-rue, Common Twayblade and Mountain Melick. We enjoyed a 20 minute rest sitting on this bank in the sun and then it was time to go. Ready to go but three of our group were missing. A quick search found them keeping cool by sitting in the shade of some Hazel bushes.
The final leg of our walk led us past the cottages in Cressbrook Dale and up the track to the road. Half of our group had missed the Sanicle which was among the last plants found in Cressbrook Dale. Now we reached the road where one of our cars had been parked earlier and this was used to ferry all the car drivers back to Litton village. Then back to pick up our entire group before returning again to Litton village. It was 3.40pm and the shop was still open so we finished the day by sitting around a table outside the shop enjoying coffees, teas and ice cream.
Pictures by Peter Gateley
Gwersyllt to Gresford
9th May 2009
Leader: Peter Gateley
Five members met on Bidston station to make the change for the Chester train to reach Gwersyllt. By the time we had we had reached the public footpath system, via the north-eastern road through the village, the party had increased to twelve. After perusing the pavement and verge plants along the village roads, including an extensive bank of Mouse-ear Hawkweed Pilosella officinalis, the footpath to the east opened onto a shallow valley of predominantly pasture land. However, the valley bottom is occupied by a strip of diverse swampy habitat, mainly dominated by Reedmace Typha latifolia, but with very noticeable large clumps of Greater Tussock-sedge, Carex paniculata, in full flower. Amongst many other species in this area were Lesser Pond-sedge Carex acutiformis, Ragged Robin Lychnis flos-cuculi and Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris.
The footpath continued east, crossing the B5425; given that the party included several younger members, time was spent comparing the three common buttercup species and also three horsetails, Common Equisetum arvense, Marsh E. palustre and Giant E. telmateia. This footpath leads into the lush Alyn valley, with rich grasslands and glimpses into woodland showing both Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, and Wild Garlic Allium ursinum, in abundant full flower. Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus, was in abundance in this part of the walk and lunch was taken on a grassy bank over-looking the river Alyn.
Heading north along the Alyn valley we then turned east, across the river, and into the very different landscape of a disused colliery, with typical development of birch woodland and areas of disturbed ground with good displays of ephemeral plants such as Weld Reseda luteola, and Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, amongst many others. The footpath then took us across both carriageways of the busy A483(T) into the flat arable land of Gresford, Crossing through the fields, looking at arable weeds and hedgerow plants we arrived at Gresford Church. The churchyard here is how botanophiles would like to see all churchyards, a fitting setting to the magnificent mediaeval church but also managed to maximise local biodiversity. Mixed grass and woodrush swards were studded with plump clumps of Primroses Primula vulgaris (just going over) as well as some Cowslip, P. veris, and Cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis, but the chief delights were the frequent patches of Meadow Saxifrage Saxifraga granulata, just coming into full flower, and Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomis. The party were able to study the diverse foliage of this plant and its strangely sparse flowering habit. We also admired the magnificent ancient Yew Taxus baccata, on the north-east side of the church, said to be the largest and oldest in Wales.
Sharp-eyed Peter Tipping noted carvings of green-man on the exterior of the church and inside, the most helpful and informative custodian moved aside a flower arrangement to show us another magnificent green-man low down on the wall of one of the side-chapels.
From this glorious churchyard we headed back west, through part of Llay and then across restored colliery land that now forms part of the Alyn Waters Country Park. We re-crossed the Alyn along sections of old country lanes with species-rich hedges and verges that had escaped the rigours of coal mining and returned to Gwersyllt station and car park.
9th May 2009
Leader: Peter Gateley
Five members met on Bidston station to make the change for the Chester train to reach Gwersyllt. By the time we had we had reached the public footpath system, via the north-eastern road through the village, the party had increased to twelve. After perusing the pavement and verge plants along the village roads, including an extensive bank of Mouse-ear Hawkweed Pilosella officinalis, the footpath to the east opened onto a shallow valley of predominantly pasture land. However, the valley bottom is occupied by a strip of diverse swampy habitat, mainly dominated by Reedmace Typha latifolia, but with very noticeable large clumps of Greater Tussock-sedge, Carex paniculata, in full flower. Amongst many other species in this area were Lesser Pond-sedge Carex acutiformis, Ragged Robin Lychnis flos-cuculi and Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris.
The footpath continued east, crossing the B5425; given that the party included several younger members, time was spent comparing the three common buttercup species and also three horsetails, Common Equisetum arvense, Marsh E. palustre and Giant E. telmateia. This footpath leads into the lush Alyn valley, with rich grasslands and glimpses into woodland showing both Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, and Wild Garlic Allium ursinum, in abundant full flower. Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus, was in abundance in this part of the walk and lunch was taken on a grassy bank over-looking the river Alyn.
Heading north along the Alyn valley we then turned east, across the river, and into the very different landscape of a disused colliery, with typical development of birch woodland and areas of disturbed ground with good displays of ephemeral plants such as Weld Reseda luteola, and Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, amongst many others. The footpath then took us across both carriageways of the busy A483(T) into the flat arable land of Gresford, Crossing through the fields, looking at arable weeds and hedgerow plants we arrived at Gresford Church. The churchyard here is how botanophiles would like to see all churchyards, a fitting setting to the magnificent mediaeval church but also managed to maximise local biodiversity. Mixed grass and woodrush swards were studded with plump clumps of Primroses Primula vulgaris (just going over) as well as some Cowslip, P. veris, and Cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis, but the chief delights were the frequent patches of Meadow Saxifrage Saxifraga granulata, just coming into full flower, and Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomis. The party were able to study the diverse foliage of this plant and its strangely sparse flowering habit. We also admired the magnificent ancient Yew Taxus baccata, on the north-east side of the church, said to be the largest and oldest in Wales.
Sharp-eyed Peter Tipping noted carvings of green-man on the exterior of the church and inside, the most helpful and informative custodian moved aside a flower arrangement to show us another magnificent green-man low down on the wall of one of the side-chapels.
From this glorious churchyard we headed back west, through part of Llay and then across restored colliery land that now forms part of the Alyn Waters Country Park. We re-crossed the Alyn along sections of old country lanes with species-rich hedges and verges that had escaped the rigours of coal mining and returned to Gwersyllt station and car park.
Wepre
25th April 2009
Leaders: Peter and Sheila Mason
Fourteen members met under lowering skies and heavy rain at Shotton station. A short drive took us to Wepre Country Park where we were met by a further three. We began in the now disused garden of the original estate where Cowslip Primula veris, Sweet Woodruff Galium odorata. Common Dog Violet Viola riviniana and Cuckoo Pint Arum maculatum were in good flower.
From here we went into the woodland area. Two different Ivies, Irish and Persian, Hedera hibernica and Hedera colchica could be seen near enough to compare and contrast. Enchanter’s Nightshade Circaea lutetiana, Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa and Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella were in abundance. For those interested in ferns a varied selection was found growing in close proximity, this being a help to those who wanted to be a little clearer on the differences and particular features which help in identification. Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas, Scaly Male Dryopteris affinis and Lady Fern Athyrium filix- femina presented a good start into Common Ferns. We also could examine Broad Buckler Dryopteris dilitata, Hard Shield Polystichum aculeatum and Hard Fern Blechnum spicant.
Still in the woods but along the side of the stream we encountered Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Hemlock Water Dropwort Oenanthe crocata, Wood Speedwell Veronica montana, Wood Avens Geum urbanum and Fool’s Watercress Apium nodiflorum. Peter Mason was able to point out the different spikes, fertile and not of Great Horsetail Equisetium telmateia, but the best plant for rarity had to be the Thimbleberry or Purple Flowered Raspberry Rubus odorata. Grasses in the woodland included Tufted Hair Grass Deschamsia cespitosum and perhaps one of the prettiest of woodland grasses Wood Melick Melica uniflora. Both Wood and Greater Stitchwort were also seen, Stellaria nemorum and Stellaria holostea. Two Luzulas were found in good numbers, Great Wood-Rush Luzula sylvatica and Hairy Wood-rush Luzula pilosa.
From the woodland we went into an area of improved grassland which gave up some nice plants, especially in the less densely planted areas. Soft Brome Bromus hordeaceus, Field Pansy Viola arvensis and Corn Spurrey Spurgula arvensis made a pleasant find. Three Speedwells, Germander, Ivy-leaved and Thyme-leaved, Veronica chamaedris, hederifolia and serpyllifolia complemented the Wood Speedwell we had found earlier.
The birds seemed in very short supply even though the weather improved vastly on the poor start. Butterflies however, after their appalling two previous seasons, rewarded us with good views of Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines,Green-veined White Pieris napi, Speckled Wood Parage aegeria and Comma Polygonia c-album.
All in all, a very pleasant day. Many thanks to Peter and Sheila Mason for arranging and leading the day.
Report by Peter Tipping
Pictures by Peter Gateley
25th April 2009
Leaders: Peter and Sheila Mason
Fourteen members met under lowering skies and heavy rain at Shotton station. A short drive took us to Wepre Country Park where we were met by a further three. We began in the now disused garden of the original estate where Cowslip Primula veris, Sweet Woodruff Galium odorata. Common Dog Violet Viola riviniana and Cuckoo Pint Arum maculatum were in good flower.
From here we went into the woodland area. Two different Ivies, Irish and Persian, Hedera hibernica and Hedera colchica could be seen near enough to compare and contrast. Enchanter’s Nightshade Circaea lutetiana, Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa and Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella were in abundance. For those interested in ferns a varied selection was found growing in close proximity, this being a help to those who wanted to be a little clearer on the differences and particular features which help in identification. Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas, Scaly Male Dryopteris affinis and Lady Fern Athyrium filix- femina presented a good start into Common Ferns. We also could examine Broad Buckler Dryopteris dilitata, Hard Shield Polystichum aculeatum and Hard Fern Blechnum spicant.
Still in the woods but along the side of the stream we encountered Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Hemlock Water Dropwort Oenanthe crocata, Wood Speedwell Veronica montana, Wood Avens Geum urbanum and Fool’s Watercress Apium nodiflorum. Peter Mason was able to point out the different spikes, fertile and not of Great Horsetail Equisetium telmateia, but the best plant for rarity had to be the Thimbleberry or Purple Flowered Raspberry Rubus odorata. Grasses in the woodland included Tufted Hair Grass Deschamsia cespitosum and perhaps one of the prettiest of woodland grasses Wood Melick Melica uniflora. Both Wood and Greater Stitchwort were also seen, Stellaria nemorum and Stellaria holostea. Two Luzulas were found in good numbers, Great Wood-Rush Luzula sylvatica and Hairy Wood-rush Luzula pilosa.
From the woodland we went into an area of improved grassland which gave up some nice plants, especially in the less densely planted areas. Soft Brome Bromus hordeaceus, Field Pansy Viola arvensis and Corn Spurrey Spurgula arvensis made a pleasant find. Three Speedwells, Germander, Ivy-leaved and Thyme-leaved, Veronica chamaedris, hederifolia and serpyllifolia complemented the Wood Speedwell we had found earlier.
The birds seemed in very short supply even though the weather improved vastly on the poor start. Butterflies however, after their appalling two previous seasons, rewarded us with good views of Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines,Green-veined White Pieris napi, Speckled Wood Parage aegeria and Comma Polygonia c-album.
All in all, a very pleasant day. Many thanks to Peter and Sheila Mason for arranging and leading the day.
Report by Peter Tipping
Pictures by Peter Gateley
