Field Trips 2019
Loggerheads 20/4/2019 Appley Bridge and Fairly Glen 4/5/2019 Altcar Rifle Range 17/5/2019
Minera Quarry, Wrexham 8/6/2019 Lunt Meadows 6/7/2019, Liverpool City Centre 7/9/2019
Freshfield (Fungi Foray) 19/10/2019
Loggerheads 20/4/2019 Appley Bridge and Fairly Glen 4/5/2019 Altcar Rifle Range 17/5/2019
Minera Quarry, Wrexham 8/6/2019 Lunt Meadows 6/7/2019, Liverpool City Centre 7/9/2019
Freshfield (Fungi Foray) 19/10/2019
Loggerheads
Saturday 20th April 2019
Leader – Peter Gateley
Starting from SJ 19794 62607, the route took us to the North and East, into monad SJ 2062, but then back into SJ 1962 on top of the scarp slope and then again down by the River Alyn after heading North-west into SJ 1963.
Our field season started on a bright fine day with 19 members gathered to enjoy the limestone flora. First, we scaled the steep steps up the scarp, noting frequent Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola), and continued through the upper woods to then descend to the River Alwyn, here wooded banks supported good populations of Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) and Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia). Amongst the more usual woodland groundflora we found a small patch of Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage (Chrysosplenium alterniflorum). In all, around 120 species of plants of limestone habitats were seen.
Text, list and photos Peter Gateley
Saturday 20th April 2019
Leader – Peter Gateley
Starting from SJ 19794 62607, the route took us to the North and East, into monad SJ 2062, but then back into SJ 1962 on top of the scarp slope and then again down by the River Alyn after heading North-west into SJ 1963.
Our field season started on a bright fine day with 19 members gathered to enjoy the limestone flora. First, we scaled the steep steps up the scarp, noting frequent Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola), and continued through the upper woods to then descend to the River Alwyn, here wooded banks supported good populations of Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) and Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia). Amongst the more usual woodland groundflora we found a small patch of Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage (Chrysosplenium alterniflorum). In all, around 120 species of plants of limestone habitats were seen.
Text, list and photos Peter Gateley
| loggerheads_site_species_report.docx |
Appley Bridge and Fairy Glen
Saturday 4th May 2019
Leader: Peter Gateley
Nine of us met up at Appley Bridge Station on a bright sunny day, but still with a bit of Winter chill in the wind.
As usual we found quite a lot of interest immediately around the meeting place, with the highlight being finding two small clumps of Rustyback Fern, first spotted by Eric Greenwood, in the station car park wall.
From the station we went downhill towards the River Douglas, but turned off to the West to walk along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. We passed from monad SD5209 and then walked through the whole width of SD5109 before turning North of cross both the canal and the railway before heading back East on the footpath system, higher up the slope of Parbold Hill.
The first 1km square recorded was SD5209, second SD5109, third SD5110. We passed through the corners of two other squares, mainly woodland in character.
Text, list and photos Peter Gateley
Saturday 4th May 2019
Leader: Peter Gateley
Nine of us met up at Appley Bridge Station on a bright sunny day, but still with a bit of Winter chill in the wind.
As usual we found quite a lot of interest immediately around the meeting place, with the highlight being finding two small clumps of Rustyback Fern, first spotted by Eric Greenwood, in the station car park wall.
From the station we went downhill towards the River Douglas, but turned off to the West to walk along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. We passed from monad SD5209 and then walked through the whole width of SD5109 before turning North of cross both the canal and the railway before heading back East on the footpath system, higher up the slope of Parbold Hill.
The first 1km square recorded was SD5209, second SD5109, third SD5110. We passed through the corners of two other squares, mainly woodland in character.
Text, list and photos Peter Gateley
| fairy_glen_plant_report.rtf |
Altcar Rifle Range
17th May 2019
Leader - Steve Cross
We had twenty people come on the trip to view the Green-winged Orchids ,there are 23552 to be exact !
On the day six new species were added to the Altcar list which now totals some 436 flowering plants. I found Crosswort Cruciata laevipes (near the River Alt) when on with the entomologists in the day and Knotted Clover Trifolium striatum, Variegated Dead-nettle Lamium maculatum , Pink Sorrel Oxalis articulata, Rat-tailed Fescue Vulpia myuros and then unfortunately New Zealand Pigymweed Crassula helmsii at Wally’s Pond.
Other highlights included Carnation Sedge, Adderstongue Fern, Spring Vetch, Star of Bethlehem, Lesser Stitchwort, c.950 Cowslips, some 3500 Common Twayblade coming through, hybrid Orchid - Common Spotted x Northern Marsh D. x. venusta, Nortern and Southern Marsh Orchids, Black Poplar, Salix x. friesiana, Brackish Water Crowfoot and Changing Forget me Not. The insect highlight was a caterpillar of the White Satin Moth. As always plenty to see on Altcar.
Text, list and Photos by Steve Cross
17th May 2019
Leader - Steve Cross
We had twenty people come on the trip to view the Green-winged Orchids ,there are 23552 to be exact !
On the day six new species were added to the Altcar list which now totals some 436 flowering plants. I found Crosswort Cruciata laevipes (near the River Alt) when on with the entomologists in the day and Knotted Clover Trifolium striatum, Variegated Dead-nettle Lamium maculatum , Pink Sorrel Oxalis articulata, Rat-tailed Fescue Vulpia myuros and then unfortunately New Zealand Pigymweed Crassula helmsii at Wally’s Pond.
Other highlights included Carnation Sedge, Adderstongue Fern, Spring Vetch, Star of Bethlehem, Lesser Stitchwort, c.950 Cowslips, some 3500 Common Twayblade coming through, hybrid Orchid - Common Spotted x Northern Marsh D. x. venusta, Nortern and Southern Marsh Orchids, Black Poplar, Salix x. friesiana, Brackish Water Crowfoot and Changing Forget me Not. The insect highlight was a caterpillar of the White Satin Moth. As always plenty to see on Altcar.
Text, list and Photos by Steve Cross
Minera Quarry, Wrexham
Saturday 8th June 2019
Leader - Barbara Allen
Nine brave souls turned out to face a most dreadful weather forecast for our walk at Minera Quarry, but fortunately the woods we walked through took the brunt of the wind and rain; to find some lovely specialities like Brittle Bladder-fern Cystopteris fragilis even living up to it's name when handled carfully. In a small opening now being over grown were some Adder's-tongue Fern Ophioglossum vulgatum and opposite Water Avens Geum rivale that were just going over to seed with Bugle Ajuga reptans giving a good display. The surprise for me within these woods was Round-leaved Wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia subsp maritima that I have only seen on the coast just coming into flower and throughout were Common Twayblade Neottia ovata and still in leaf Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipacticis helleborine.
After lunch we walked past kilns used on the site to produce quicklime one of which a Hoffmann Ring that is only the third left in the country but was now supporting ferns, hawkweeds also wild strawberries in complete contrast to it's initial condition of creating heat and smoke. In another open space there were a lot of orchids the main one being Frog Coeloglossum viride but only six were counted a small number given they had been far more numerous in the past. We also found Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Northern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza purpurella, Early-purple Orchid Orchis mascula
also Common Butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris so plentiful we had to tiptoe along the path were they grow in abundance. Finally venturing out to the main Quarry having seen plenty of Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria on the way noticed the sky becoming even darker decided to return via a site where Yellow Bird's-nest Hypopitys monotropa a saprophyte grows and was just showing signs of emerging through the leaf litter.
I should like to thank friends for introducing me to this wonderful site and helping me find such an abundance of remarkable plants that Minera Quarry and woods hold also to those people that turned up and made it an enjoyable day.
Text, list and photos by Barbara Allen
Species lists for the two squares covered below (92 and 80 species)
Saturday 8th June 2019
Leader - Barbara Allen
Nine brave souls turned out to face a most dreadful weather forecast for our walk at Minera Quarry, but fortunately the woods we walked through took the brunt of the wind and rain; to find some lovely specialities like Brittle Bladder-fern Cystopteris fragilis even living up to it's name when handled carfully. In a small opening now being over grown were some Adder's-tongue Fern Ophioglossum vulgatum and opposite Water Avens Geum rivale that were just going over to seed with Bugle Ajuga reptans giving a good display. The surprise for me within these woods was Round-leaved Wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia subsp maritima that I have only seen on the coast just coming into flower and throughout were Common Twayblade Neottia ovata and still in leaf Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipacticis helleborine.
After lunch we walked past kilns used on the site to produce quicklime one of which a Hoffmann Ring that is only the third left in the country but was now supporting ferns, hawkweeds also wild strawberries in complete contrast to it's initial condition of creating heat and smoke. In another open space there were a lot of orchids the main one being Frog Coeloglossum viride but only six were counted a small number given they had been far more numerous in the past. We also found Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Northern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza purpurella, Early-purple Orchid Orchis mascula
also Common Butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris so plentiful we had to tiptoe along the path were they grow in abundance. Finally venturing out to the main Quarry having seen plenty of Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria on the way noticed the sky becoming even darker decided to return via a site where Yellow Bird's-nest Hypopitys monotropa a saprophyte grows and was just showing signs of emerging through the leaf litter.
I should like to thank friends for introducing me to this wonderful site and helping me find such an abundance of remarkable plants that Minera Quarry and woods hold also to those people that turned up and made it an enjoyable day.
Text, list and photos by Barbara Allen
Species lists for the two squares covered below (92 and 80 species)
| minera_quarry_l.b.s._walk._monad_sj2551._-_copy.xls |
| minera_quarry_l.b.s._walk_monad_sj2651_-_copy.xls |
Saturday 22th June: Conway RSPB Reserve Led by John Crowder.
This reserve was transformed from its former industrial use largely by the shaping of spoil from construction of the road tunnel for the improvement of the A55. A mosaic of habitats has been created around large lagoons: grassland, scrub, reedbed, ponds and saltmarsh allowing a diversity of plants to thrive. Altogether over 160 species were noted. Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) was numerous and in full flower, with scattered Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). There were also some old cottage sites with various garden plants still surviving, such as Brunnera macrophylla, a good range of wetland species and many typical estuarine plants such as Common Sea-lavender (Limonium vulgare), Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum) and Tree Mallow (Malva arborea)
This reserve was transformed from its former industrial use largely by the shaping of spoil from construction of the road tunnel for the improvement of the A55. A mosaic of habitats has been created around large lagoons: grassland, scrub, reedbed, ponds and saltmarsh allowing a diversity of plants to thrive. Altogether over 160 species were noted. Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) was numerous and in full flower, with scattered Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). There were also some old cottage sites with various garden plants still surviving, such as Brunnera macrophylla, a good range of wetland species and many typical estuarine plants such as Common Sea-lavender (Limonium vulgare), Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum) and Tree Mallow (Malva arborea)
Lunt Meadows
Saturday 6th July 2019
Leaders – Julia Simons & Howard Harris
Liverpool Botanical Society: Lunt Meadows and Wetlands Nature Reserve, SD3402 July 06, 2019
Lunt Meadows, located along the River Alt floodplain, is the second largest wetland (77 ha) in North Merseyside and is owned by the Environment Agency.
In July 2010, the River Alt’s bank was breached, and an area of 80 ha was flooded to a maximum depth of 1m. The habitats and their related species that developed from receding floodwater are wet grassland, scrapes, reedbeds, fen and open water and Forestry Commission woodland. Although the reserve is managed primarily for breeding waders and water vole many other wildflower species are found there.
On Saturday 6th July, 17 members of the Liverpool Botanical Society with their leaders, Julia Simons and Howard Harris spent a productive day identifying and listing 164 species of wildflowers along 2.5 to 3 miles of reserve footpaths.
Our walk encompassed wetland scrapes, Roughley Wood, a Mesolithic settlement and reedbeds, the River Alt and Lunt Bird hide. Homer Green Pond and a wildflower meadow before returning to the meeting point in the car park. Aquatic plants like Broad-leaved Pondweed Potomogeton natans were growing in the drainage ditches.
We would like to thank Eric Greenwood and Peter Gateley for their assistance in identifying the biodiverse species of plants and LWT volunteer, Marion Roberts for accompanying us and allowing access to the scrapes and Lunt Bird Hide
©. JS / HH
Following lists from Robert Freeth.
Saturday 6th July 2019
Leaders – Julia Simons & Howard Harris
Liverpool Botanical Society: Lunt Meadows and Wetlands Nature Reserve, SD3402 July 06, 2019
Lunt Meadows, located along the River Alt floodplain, is the second largest wetland (77 ha) in North Merseyside and is owned by the Environment Agency.
In July 2010, the River Alt’s bank was breached, and an area of 80 ha was flooded to a maximum depth of 1m. The habitats and their related species that developed from receding floodwater are wet grassland, scrapes, reedbeds, fen and open water and Forestry Commission woodland. Although the reserve is managed primarily for breeding waders and water vole many other wildflower species are found there.
On Saturday 6th July, 17 members of the Liverpool Botanical Society with their leaders, Julia Simons and Howard Harris spent a productive day identifying and listing 164 species of wildflowers along 2.5 to 3 miles of reserve footpaths.
Our walk encompassed wetland scrapes, Roughley Wood, a Mesolithic settlement and reedbeds, the River Alt and Lunt Bird hide. Homer Green Pond and a wildflower meadow before returning to the meeting point in the car park. Aquatic plants like Broad-leaved Pondweed Potomogeton natans were growing in the drainage ditches.
We would like to thank Eric Greenwood and Peter Gateley for their assistance in identifying the biodiverse species of plants and LWT volunteer, Marion Roberts for accompanying us and allowing access to the scrapes and Lunt Bird Hide
©. JS / HH
Following lists from Robert Freeth.
| lbs_lunt_meadows_field-trip_in_botanical_name_order_v2_2019july06.docx |
| lbs_lunt_meadows_field-trip_order_full_list_2019july06.docx |
following are additonal plants and animals added by Steve Cross
| additions_to_the_lbs_tri_to_lunt_meadows_6th_july_2019_by_steve_cross.docx |
Photos : Steve Cross
Being former farmland there are still some open ground species, especially along the path to the new hide.
There are various grassland habitats.
The River Alt.
Roughley's Wood is a Forestery Commission England Wood with various planted willows, alder and other native trees.
It is basically a wetland area so here are some from the wetter habitats.
Saturday 13th July: Dunsop Bridge. Coach trip with the Merseyside Naturalists Association
Saturday 20st July: Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston. Led by Robert Freeth.
It was a dull and cloudy start but things got better after lunch for the 9 members setting out from Thurstaston Visitor Centre. The route took in a diversity of habitats, including: grasslands, ponds, clay cliffs and the Dee shoreline, enabling a total of more than 230 species of vascular plants being recorded for the day. Amongst them was a range of umbelliferous plants, including: Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), Pepper Saxifrage (Silaum silaus), Rough Chervil (Chaerphyllum temulum), and Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum).
Saturday 3rd August: Woolston Eyes Led by Tony Parker.
A visit across the locked bridge onto the wooded island reserve with lagoons and materials dredged from the Ship Canal.
Saturday 10th August: Aughton and Ormskirk Arable Leader – Peter Gateley.
6 people set off from Town Green station in grey overcast weather, but during the third bout of heavy rainfall we decided to call it a day and cut back to the railway station to get home and dry earlier. Despite this earlier than expected finish we did get to see a wide range of field weeds around the edges of Aughton’s extensive arable fields and also made time to study the old grassland around the medieval St Michael’s church. Amongst the more notable of the c. 175 species of vascular plants seen were Purple Ramping-fumitory (Fumaria purpurea), Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha), Field Mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense) and Bird’s-foot (Ornithopus perpusillus). Perhaps the most surprising find was a small patch of Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) in a roadside verge, a rare species in this area of intensive agriculture.
Thursday 22nd August: Silverdale A Wildflower Society meeting led by Julie Clarke
Saturday 31st August: Gop Hill Led by Peter Gateley
Around a dozen of us assembled in a rather wet car park at Trelawnyd, but as we approached Gop Hill the rain lifted to just overcast. Once we reached the lower slopes on which the Gop was mounded, spirits were immediately lifted as rather than having to start a search we were faced with literally thousands of flowering Autumn Lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) making it very tricky not to tread on any. In total we recorded around 135 vascular plant species on this section of grassy limestone hillside and the mound itself. By the time we made our way to Craig Fawr the weather had become warm and sunny, really showing off the later-flowering limestone flora, Species such as Hoary Rockrose (Helianthemum oelandicum), Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans) and Dark-red Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens) had finished flowering but there were still some blue tufts of Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata), as well as many other typical limestone plants, altogether we recorded over 160 species in the afternoon.
Saturday 20st July: Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston. Led by Robert Freeth.
It was a dull and cloudy start but things got better after lunch for the 9 members setting out from Thurstaston Visitor Centre. The route took in a diversity of habitats, including: grasslands, ponds, clay cliffs and the Dee shoreline, enabling a total of more than 230 species of vascular plants being recorded for the day. Amongst them was a range of umbelliferous plants, including: Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), Pepper Saxifrage (Silaum silaus), Rough Chervil (Chaerphyllum temulum), and Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum).
Saturday 3rd August: Woolston Eyes Led by Tony Parker.
A visit across the locked bridge onto the wooded island reserve with lagoons and materials dredged from the Ship Canal.
Saturday 10th August: Aughton and Ormskirk Arable Leader – Peter Gateley.
6 people set off from Town Green station in grey overcast weather, but during the third bout of heavy rainfall we decided to call it a day and cut back to the railway station to get home and dry earlier. Despite this earlier than expected finish we did get to see a wide range of field weeds around the edges of Aughton’s extensive arable fields and also made time to study the old grassland around the medieval St Michael’s church. Amongst the more notable of the c. 175 species of vascular plants seen were Purple Ramping-fumitory (Fumaria purpurea), Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha), Field Mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense) and Bird’s-foot (Ornithopus perpusillus). Perhaps the most surprising find was a small patch of Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) in a roadside verge, a rare species in this area of intensive agriculture.
Thursday 22nd August: Silverdale A Wildflower Society meeting led by Julie Clarke
Saturday 31st August: Gop Hill Led by Peter Gateley
Around a dozen of us assembled in a rather wet car park at Trelawnyd, but as we approached Gop Hill the rain lifted to just overcast. Once we reached the lower slopes on which the Gop was mounded, spirits were immediately lifted as rather than having to start a search we were faced with literally thousands of flowering Autumn Lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) making it very tricky not to tread on any. In total we recorded around 135 vascular plant species on this section of grassy limestone hillside and the mound itself. By the time we made our way to Craig Fawr the weather had become warm and sunny, really showing off the later-flowering limestone flora, Species such as Hoary Rockrose (Helianthemum oelandicum), Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans) and Dark-red Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens) had finished flowering but there were still some blue tufts of Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata), as well as many other typical limestone plants, altogether we recorded over 160 species in the afternoon.
Liverpool City Centre (William Brown Street to Everton Park)
7th September 2019
Leader: Steve Cross
11 members and friends met at the Museum Meadow. Half an hour was spent looking at the plants here (there are 250 planted species). We then looked at William Brown Street, moving across to the suburban areas of Christian Street and Rose Hill. Then to the more industrial areas of Great Richmond Street and Fox Street and finally up Everton Brow to the spectacular views from Everton Park where we took lunch. The afternoon was spent around the Everton Terrace area of the park before returning via Salisbury Avenue and William Henry Street.
Highlights in the museum meadow included Viper's Bugloss, Chicory, Vervain, Bloody Cranesbill, Sainfoin, Burnet Rose and Hop in flower (male). By Liverpool Library was an unusual urban combination of Compact and Soft Rush together. William Brown Street had its share of aliens such as Guernsey Fleabane, Water Bent, American Willowherb and Lesser Swine Cress. In Christian Street (and elsewhere) Black Nightshade was locally abundant, other species too showed clumping with specific areas being dominated by one species, this applied to Common Poppy, Pellitory of the Wall, Shaggy Soldier, Hoary Mustard, Eastern Rocket, Buddleia and Annual Wall Rocket. Rose Hill had a Tulip Tree and Scarlet Pimpernel ; Fox Street masses of Common Poppy seed heads and Hoary Mustard and Richmond Row had Fool’s Parsley and Prickly Lettuce.
On Everton Brow we were able to compare Spear-leaved and Common Orache; Weld and Wild Mignonette; Wild Radish (white and yellow flowered forms). The planted areas of Everton Park had Musk Mallow, Wild Carrot, Viper’s Bugloss, Bristly Oxtongue, Common Poppy, Meadow Cranesbill, Cornflower and Corn Marigold. Trees of interest were Sweet Chestnut loaded with fruit, Caucasian Lime and Sycamore with purple underside to leaf.
Salisbury Street added Hairy Tare and Common Liverwort Marchantia polymoprpha ssp. ruderale and William Henry Street Pale Willowherb, Cockspur Grass and Soho Street to Harker Street Silver Maple and Narrow-leaved Ash. A final surprise was a fully flowering Tomato plant at the end of a path just behind the fire station at Harker Street.
Insect wise we saw Painted Lady, Honeybee, Harlequin Ladybird, Comma, Hairy Shield Bug and Knopper Gall.
Thanks to Tony Carter the fungi consisted of Crown Rust Puccinia coronata on Holcus lanata (Yorkshire Fog) , Peronospora trifoliurum on Medicago lupulina (Black Medick), Crucifer White Rust Albugo candida and Crucifer Powdery Mildew Erysiphe cruciferarcum on Hirschfeldia incana (Hoary Mustard), Willow Rust Fungus Melampsora caprearum and Willow Powdery Mildew Uncinula aduncta on Salix caprea (Goat Willow), Oak Powdery Mildew Melampsora alphitoides on Quercus (Oak) and Plantain Powdery Mildew Erysiphe sordida on Plantago major (Greater Plantain). Pleated Inkcap Parasola plicatilis wa the only gilled species of the day.
Text, list and Photos by Steve Cross
7th September 2019
Leader: Steve Cross
11 members and friends met at the Museum Meadow. Half an hour was spent looking at the plants here (there are 250 planted species). We then looked at William Brown Street, moving across to the suburban areas of Christian Street and Rose Hill. Then to the more industrial areas of Great Richmond Street and Fox Street and finally up Everton Brow to the spectacular views from Everton Park where we took lunch. The afternoon was spent around the Everton Terrace area of the park before returning via Salisbury Avenue and William Henry Street.
Highlights in the museum meadow included Viper's Bugloss, Chicory, Vervain, Bloody Cranesbill, Sainfoin, Burnet Rose and Hop in flower (male). By Liverpool Library was an unusual urban combination of Compact and Soft Rush together. William Brown Street had its share of aliens such as Guernsey Fleabane, Water Bent, American Willowherb and Lesser Swine Cress. In Christian Street (and elsewhere) Black Nightshade was locally abundant, other species too showed clumping with specific areas being dominated by one species, this applied to Common Poppy, Pellitory of the Wall, Shaggy Soldier, Hoary Mustard, Eastern Rocket, Buddleia and Annual Wall Rocket. Rose Hill had a Tulip Tree and Scarlet Pimpernel ; Fox Street masses of Common Poppy seed heads and Hoary Mustard and Richmond Row had Fool’s Parsley and Prickly Lettuce.
On Everton Brow we were able to compare Spear-leaved and Common Orache; Weld and Wild Mignonette; Wild Radish (white and yellow flowered forms). The planted areas of Everton Park had Musk Mallow, Wild Carrot, Viper’s Bugloss, Bristly Oxtongue, Common Poppy, Meadow Cranesbill, Cornflower and Corn Marigold. Trees of interest were Sweet Chestnut loaded with fruit, Caucasian Lime and Sycamore with purple underside to leaf.
Salisbury Street added Hairy Tare and Common Liverwort Marchantia polymoprpha ssp. ruderale and William Henry Street Pale Willowherb, Cockspur Grass and Soho Street to Harker Street Silver Maple and Narrow-leaved Ash. A final surprise was a fully flowering Tomato plant at the end of a path just behind the fire station at Harker Street.
Insect wise we saw Painted Lady, Honeybee, Harlequin Ladybird, Comma, Hairy Shield Bug and Knopper Gall.
Thanks to Tony Carter the fungi consisted of Crown Rust Puccinia coronata on Holcus lanata (Yorkshire Fog) , Peronospora trifoliurum on Medicago lupulina (Black Medick), Crucifer White Rust Albugo candida and Crucifer Powdery Mildew Erysiphe cruciferarcum on Hirschfeldia incana (Hoary Mustard), Willow Rust Fungus Melampsora caprearum and Willow Powdery Mildew Uncinula aduncta on Salix caprea (Goat Willow), Oak Powdery Mildew Melampsora alphitoides on Quercus (Oak) and Plantain Powdery Mildew Erysiphe sordida on Plantago major (Greater Plantain). Pleated Inkcap Parasola plicatilis wa the only gilled species of the day.
Text, list and Photos by Steve Cross
Saturday 14th September: Walton, urban plant recording Led by Dave Earl
9 members met outside Rice Lane station and saw wall ferns: Wall Rue Asplenium ruta-muraria, Maidenhair Spleenwort A. trichomanes and Hart’s-tongue A. scolopendrium. In a wildflower bed in the nearby park there was some Narrow-leaved Ragwort Senecio inaequidens and Thorn-apple Datura stramonium. Just beyond was a patch of Cockspur grass Echinochloa crus-galli. In a grassy road verge, there was an unexpected patch of Lawn Lobelia Pratia sp, and in Walton Hall Park we noted Curled Pondweed Potamogeton crispus and Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus in the lake and margins. The weather had turned quite hot and sunny and we returned to the starting point having had a very fruitful day.
9 members met outside Rice Lane station and saw wall ferns: Wall Rue Asplenium ruta-muraria, Maidenhair Spleenwort A. trichomanes and Hart’s-tongue A. scolopendrium. In a wildflower bed in the nearby park there was some Narrow-leaved Ragwort Senecio inaequidens and Thorn-apple Datura stramonium. Just beyond was a patch of Cockspur grass Echinochloa crus-galli. In a grassy road verge, there was an unexpected patch of Lawn Lobelia Pratia sp, and in Walton Hall Park we noted Curled Pondweed Potamogeton crispus and Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus in the lake and margins. The weather had turned quite hot and sunny and we returned to the starting point having had a very fruitful day.
Freshfield Fungal Foray
Saturday 19th October 2019
Leader – Steve Cross ( with much help from Tony Carter).
8 members toured the woods and dune heaths at Freshfield Triangle and the Wildlife Trust Dune Heath Reserve.
Fungi highlights included Earthtongue Geoglossum cookeanum, Straw Fibrecap Inocybe cookei, Poplar Bells Schizophyllum amplum, Ascotremella faginea and Neottiella rutilans. Myxomphalia maura and Bishop’s Inkcap Coprinellus angulatus came from a bonfire site on the Dune Heath. Colourful fungi included Fly Agaric, Yellow Brain and Orange Peel Fungus. A total of 85 fungi were found.
A suprising number of plants were still in flower including Meadowsweet, Common Storksbill, Field Forget me not, Honeysuckle, Fool's Parsley and Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy. 163 plant species were recorded.
species list in file below.
Text, list and Photos by Steve Cross
| freshfield_fungi_tc.xlsx |
following photo of Ascotremella faginea by Tony Carter
2023 Field Trips slide show for AGM by Steve Cross as a pdf
| lbs_trips_2019.pdf |