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South Stack, Anglesey - MNA coach trip
Saturday 2nd July 2022
A sunny but breezy day with highlights of Chough (at least twenty-eight including flock of 24), Puffin (just four seen by me), Raven, Rock Pipit, masses of Guillemot, a fair few Razorbills, and a brief glimpse of a Common Lizard. Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata.
Plant wise of note were Rock Sea Lavender, Golden Samphire, Western Gorse, Sea Carrot, Wild Angelica, Wild Thyme, Sea Campion, Sea Pink, Sheep's Bit, English Stonecrop, Bell Heather, Tormentil, Woodsage, Sea Plantain and Rock Spurrey,
Other notable birds included Shag, Cormorant, Kittiwake, Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Stonechat and on the journey Kestrel, Buzzard, and a lovely brief sighting of a Red Kite.
see 2022 Field Trips for pictures
Saturday 2nd July 2022
A sunny but breezy day with highlights of Chough (at least twenty-eight including flock of 24), Puffin (just four seen by me), Raven, Rock Pipit, masses of Guillemot, a fair few Razorbills, and a brief glimpse of a Common Lizard. Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata.
Plant wise of note were Rock Sea Lavender, Golden Samphire, Western Gorse, Sea Carrot, Wild Angelica, Wild Thyme, Sea Campion, Sea Pink, Sheep's Bit, English Stonecrop, Bell Heather, Tormentil, Woodsage, Sea Plantain and Rock Spurrey,
Other notable birds included Shag, Cormorant, Kittiwake, Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Stonechat and on the journey Kestrel, Buzzard, and a lovely brief sighting of a Red Kite.
see 2022 Field Trips for pictures
Halewood Park MNA Trip 20 June 2024
Thursday 20 June 2024
Thursday 20 June 2024
A Sycamore tree at Hunts Cross station had the pink lichenicolous fungi Illosporiopsis christiansenii on the lichen Physcia tenella. Setting off from the station we studied the typical urban plants such as Shepherd’s Purse, Common Knotgrass, Shaggy Soldier, American Willowherb, Herb Robert, and the wall ferns Hartstongue and Wall-rue. Going down Stuart Avenue we had Self-heal, Daisy and Lesser Trefoil in garden lawns. Also here were Red Valerian, Pot Marigold, Barren Brome, Pineappleweed and Common Liverwort Marchantia polymorpha ssp. ruderalis. Chris Felton pointed out the spider Amaurobius similis on a wall.
Along Yew Tree Road and Abberley Road we had Dovesfoot Cranesbill, Common Field and Wall Speedwells, Toad Rush, Soft Brome, Water Bent, Black Nightshade, Swinecress, Wall Barley, Spear Thistle, Nipplewort, Hairy Bittercress, False Oat Grass, Yorkshire Fog and Hoary Willowherb. Chris Felton found Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber and Blue-Black Garden Slug Arion hortensis.
Entering Halewood Park there was Dogwood, Many-flowered Rose Rosa multiflora, Hazel, Wild Cherry, Wood Avens and a singing Wren. A Cucumber Spider (probably Araniella cucurbitina, though could be A. opisthographa, so aggregate species Araniella cucurbitina s.l.) was under a leaf. Blackbird, Blackcap (5) and Chiffchaff (3) were singing. Variegated Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum was a problem in a few places, Garlic Mustard was still in flower, a Garden Snail was found, and Wood Dock was in flower. In the “Crater Area” we found Broad-leaved Willowherb, Yellow Iris and Cow Parsley. Also present was Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black Slug Arion ater agg, Common Shiny Woodlouse Oniscus asellus, Garden or Brown Soil Slug Arion distinctus agg., Cuckoo Spit Insects and Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus. Flowering were Common Vetch, Meadow Vetchling, Rosebay Willowherb, False Oat Grass, Michaelmas Daisy. Also seen were Broom, Downy Birch, Beech, Aspen, Rough Meadow Grass, Soft Rush, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Dog Rose, Wood Small-reed Calamagrostis epigejos and Black Bryony. Invertebrates here included Harvestman Phalangium opilio, Woodlouse Philoscia muscorum, and a Speckled Wood butterfly. Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella were on the leaves and an oak leaf had the egg cases of the Sputnik Spider Paidiscura pallens. Creeping Buttercup had the leaf mines of the Fly Phytomyza ranunculi, male ferns had Mop-head gall of the anthomyiid fly Chirosia betuleti and Wood Avens had the mildew Podosphaera aphanis.
We toured the Pond which had Yellow Iris, masses of White Water Lily and Water-soldier Stratiotes aloides, also here were Grey Club-rush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Water Forget-me-not, Brooklime, Flowering-rush Butomus umbellatus, Rigid Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum, Marsh Willowherb, Creeping Cinquefoil, Water Mint, Purple Loosestrife, Marsh Marigold, Cypress Sedge, Remote Sedge, Fool's-water-cress Helosciadium nodiflorum and the Yellow Loosestrife had a grey green larva of the Loosestrife Sawfly Monostegia abdominalis. Meadowsweet had the mildew Podosphaera spiraeae (= Sphaerotheca spiraeae).
Blue-tailed (including female form rufescens), Common Blue and Azure Damselflies were present as were Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonflies, one Red Damselfly and at least three Emperor Dragonfly. Here also was the Stretch Spider Tetragnatha extensa. A Song Thrush was singing, Mallard were on the pond and Moorhen had two small young.
The woodland had Enchanter’s Nightshade, False Brome, Sweet Chestnut, Yew, Blackthorn, Beech, Hornbeam, Turkey Oak Raspberry, violet, Rowan, Male and Broad-Buckler Ferns, oaks had Oak Mildew Erysiphe alphitoides, Speckled Wood butterflies and Chris Felton found a Millipede Cylindroiulus britannicus. The Holly, of course, had Holly Leaf Miner Phytomyza ilicis. A ditch edge had plenty of Remote Sedge and Brooklime. Harlequin Ladybird was also present. The meadow contained Red Campion, Oxeye Daisy, Sweet Vernal Grass, Common Sorrel and Marsh Foxtail. We also found the Mirid Bug Grypocoris stysi.
The “Rafty Pond” had Moorhen with two young and in the trees above was a Long-tailed Tit. Other finds were Wood Millet, Pendulous Sedge and under logs were the Irish Slug Limax maculatus, Harvestman Nemastoma bimaculatum, Garden Slug again, Ground beetles Carabus and a probable Pterostichus madidus. Turkeytail Fungus and Hedge Woundwort were also located, and we checked the beefy Bovril smell of the leaves of Stinking Iris, one was in flower. By the Boardwalk Variegated Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum was again a problem. Field Rose, Broad-leaved Willowherb and Thyme-leaved Speedwell were in bloom. A shallow pool had Common and Least Duckweed. An ash tree had the fungus Cramp Balls or King Alfred’s Cake Daldinia concentrica and Wood Avens had the mildew Podosphaera aphanis. Lichens found included Xanthoria parietina, Physcia sp. and Lepraria sp. Common Carder Bumble Bee was one of very few bees seen in the day, where are they all?
Later on, we found Teasel, Yellow Iris, Wavy Bitter-cress, Foxglove, White Comfrey Symphytum orientale, Box-leaved Honeysuckle Lonicera pileata, Ground Elder, dock leaves with mines of Pegomya flies, Honeysuckle had leaf mines of the fly Chromatomyia lonicerae and mildew Erysiphe lonicerae, and a tree was covered in the orange algae Trentepohlia. Chris found the spider Zygiella x-notata on a gate post and the woodland south of the Environment Centre contained Red Currant, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Wood Speedwell, the moss Mnium hornum and plenty of Wood Millet. Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker were heard calling.
Other birds seen on the day - Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Feral Pigeon, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Robin and Woodpigeon.
Along Yew Tree Road and Abberley Road we had Dovesfoot Cranesbill, Common Field and Wall Speedwells, Toad Rush, Soft Brome, Water Bent, Black Nightshade, Swinecress, Wall Barley, Spear Thistle, Nipplewort, Hairy Bittercress, False Oat Grass, Yorkshire Fog and Hoary Willowherb. Chris Felton found Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber and Blue-Black Garden Slug Arion hortensis.
Entering Halewood Park there was Dogwood, Many-flowered Rose Rosa multiflora, Hazel, Wild Cherry, Wood Avens and a singing Wren. A Cucumber Spider (probably Araniella cucurbitina, though could be A. opisthographa, so aggregate species Araniella cucurbitina s.l.) was under a leaf. Blackbird, Blackcap (5) and Chiffchaff (3) were singing. Variegated Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum was a problem in a few places, Garlic Mustard was still in flower, a Garden Snail was found, and Wood Dock was in flower. In the “Crater Area” we found Broad-leaved Willowherb, Yellow Iris and Cow Parsley. Also present was Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black Slug Arion ater agg, Common Shiny Woodlouse Oniscus asellus, Garden or Brown Soil Slug Arion distinctus agg., Cuckoo Spit Insects and Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus. Flowering were Common Vetch, Meadow Vetchling, Rosebay Willowherb, False Oat Grass, Michaelmas Daisy. Also seen were Broom, Downy Birch, Beech, Aspen, Rough Meadow Grass, Soft Rush, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Dog Rose, Wood Small-reed Calamagrostis epigejos and Black Bryony. Invertebrates here included Harvestman Phalangium opilio, Woodlouse Philoscia muscorum, and a Speckled Wood butterfly. Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella were on the leaves and an oak leaf had the egg cases of the Sputnik Spider Paidiscura pallens. Creeping Buttercup had the leaf mines of the Fly Phytomyza ranunculi, male ferns had Mop-head gall of the anthomyiid fly Chirosia betuleti and Wood Avens had the mildew Podosphaera aphanis.
We toured the Pond which had Yellow Iris, masses of White Water Lily and Water-soldier Stratiotes aloides, also here were Grey Club-rush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Water Forget-me-not, Brooklime, Flowering-rush Butomus umbellatus, Rigid Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum, Marsh Willowherb, Creeping Cinquefoil, Water Mint, Purple Loosestrife, Marsh Marigold, Cypress Sedge, Remote Sedge, Fool's-water-cress Helosciadium nodiflorum and the Yellow Loosestrife had a grey green larva of the Loosestrife Sawfly Monostegia abdominalis. Meadowsweet had the mildew Podosphaera spiraeae (= Sphaerotheca spiraeae).
Blue-tailed (including female form rufescens), Common Blue and Azure Damselflies were present as were Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonflies, one Red Damselfly and at least three Emperor Dragonfly. Here also was the Stretch Spider Tetragnatha extensa. A Song Thrush was singing, Mallard were on the pond and Moorhen had two small young.
The woodland had Enchanter’s Nightshade, False Brome, Sweet Chestnut, Yew, Blackthorn, Beech, Hornbeam, Turkey Oak Raspberry, violet, Rowan, Male and Broad-Buckler Ferns, oaks had Oak Mildew Erysiphe alphitoides, Speckled Wood butterflies and Chris Felton found a Millipede Cylindroiulus britannicus. The Holly, of course, had Holly Leaf Miner Phytomyza ilicis. A ditch edge had plenty of Remote Sedge and Brooklime. Harlequin Ladybird was also present. The meadow contained Red Campion, Oxeye Daisy, Sweet Vernal Grass, Common Sorrel and Marsh Foxtail. We also found the Mirid Bug Grypocoris stysi.
The “Rafty Pond” had Moorhen with two young and in the trees above was a Long-tailed Tit. Other finds were Wood Millet, Pendulous Sedge and under logs were the Irish Slug Limax maculatus, Harvestman Nemastoma bimaculatum, Garden Slug again, Ground beetles Carabus and a probable Pterostichus madidus. Turkeytail Fungus and Hedge Woundwort were also located, and we checked the beefy Bovril smell of the leaves of Stinking Iris, one was in flower. By the Boardwalk Variegated Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum was again a problem. Field Rose, Broad-leaved Willowherb and Thyme-leaved Speedwell were in bloom. A shallow pool had Common and Least Duckweed. An ash tree had the fungus Cramp Balls or King Alfred’s Cake Daldinia concentrica and Wood Avens had the mildew Podosphaera aphanis. Lichens found included Xanthoria parietina, Physcia sp. and Lepraria sp. Common Carder Bumble Bee was one of very few bees seen in the day, where are they all?
Later on, we found Teasel, Yellow Iris, Wavy Bitter-cress, Foxglove, White Comfrey Symphytum orientale, Box-leaved Honeysuckle Lonicera pileata, Ground Elder, dock leaves with mines of Pegomya flies, Honeysuckle had leaf mines of the fly Chromatomyia lonicerae and mildew Erysiphe lonicerae, and a tree was covered in the orange algae Trentepohlia. Chris found the spider Zygiella x-notata on a gate post and the woodland south of the Environment Centre contained Red Currant, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Wood Speedwell, the moss Mnium hornum and plenty of Wood Millet. Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker were heard calling.
Other birds seen on the day - Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Feral Pigeon, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Robin and Woodpigeon.
South Stack, Anglesey - MNA coach trip
Saturday 22 June 2024
Similar to 2022 in being a sunny, breezy day.
The scarce habitat of maritime heath contained a carpet of Western Gorse, Tormentil and the three heathers growing close together - Ling Calluna vulgaris, Bell Heather Erica cinerea and Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix, allowing a comparison of these species. Also here were Sheep's-bit Jasione montana, Wild Angelica, Soft Rush, and Common Sorrel. Marsh Orchids seemed to be Northern Marsh Orchid and hybrid Northern Marsh x Heath Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza maculata × purpurella = D. × formosa Dactylorhiza maculata × purpurella = D. × formosa (T.Stephenson & T.A.Stephenson) Soó in BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020. The pink flowers and the red & green seed pods of Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica, sometimes named Red Rattle, allowed for a discussion on semi-parasitic plants.
Along the cliff edge was Sea Campion, Common Centaury, Kidney Vetch, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Haresfoot Clover, Smooth Hawksbeard, Rest Harrow, Curled Dock, Blackthorn, Wild Thyme, Sea Mayweed and Soft Brome. Sea Carrot Daucus carota ssp. gummifer with their semi-hemispherical flowerheads and pinky young flowerheads is found on western and southern cliffs Daucus carota subsp. gummifer (Syme) Hook.f. in BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020. English Stonecrop is to me a strange name as I have only seen it in Wales and Scotland! The pink-flowered Rock Sea Spurrey Spergularia rupicola was locally frequent.
Goldenrod Solidago virgaurea had us stumped for a little while, as we rarely see it. By Ellin's Tower we had Bittersweet and Slender St John's-wort Hypericum pulchrum. Wood Sage looks out of place in this cliff-top setting, were as the Thrift, Sea Beet, Buckshorn Plantain and Danish Scurvy Grass are right at home. Several Eyebright Euphrasia sp. were found but they are a difficult group!
The track up to the pools held the usuals plus Marsh Pennywort amongst the acidic rocks (though it was more at home at the pool edge ahead), and the Bloody Cranesbill was not in a usual habitat. The damp patch had Common Sedge Carex nigra, and a flowering blue Milkwort had us trying to figure whether it was Heath or Common. Common Spike-rush and Marsh Pennywort were common. Navelwort or Wall Pennywort Umbilicus rupestris was flowering below a wall along South Stack Road near the Visitor Centre (as well as in profusion at a cutting on the North Wales Expressway near Bangor on the trip home).
Other plants found included Red Campion, Red Clover, Yarrow, Spear Thistle, Sweet Vernal Grass, Curled Dock, Common Valerian, Cut-leaved Cranesbill and Heath Bedstraw.
A few plants had already gone over with old seed pods of Spring Squill and Common Scurvy Grass found. Lower plants included Bracken and the lichen Sea Ivory Ramalina siliqua was locally abundant on exposed rocks. Yellow Map Lichen Rhizocarpon geographicum was on rocks.
Bird highlights of five Chough, six Raven, and close views of Rock Pipit. The ledges held very good numbers of Guillemot considering bird flu. Also, Razorbill, Fulmar, Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull present. Some saw just one Puffin, others three. Offshore were 20 Kittiwake, five Gannet (2 adult and 3 immatures), plus single Shag and Manx Shearwater. Also present were Meadow Pipit doing their parachuting display flight, Linnet, a male Kestrel was hunting, and a Pied Wagtail was at the Visitor Centre.
On the insect front the star was a Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata, with a mass of flies on a Wild Angelica flower head, a Magpie Moth, two male Common Blue butterflies, and a Cinnabar Moth. Zebra spider was on warm rocks. Thick-legged flower Beetle Oedemera nobilis was also found on flowerheads.
The coach journey highlights were Common Spotted Orchid near Gorsedd and Pyramidal Orchid near Llandulas, of 75 plant species seen from the coach or at the comfort break sites. The services near Bangor held Scarlet Pimpernel, Wall and Thyme-leaved Speedwells, and Squirrel-tailed Fescue. Bird highlights were a male and female Peacock at the Bangor Services, a Buzzard, a Fulmar investigating cliffs near Colwyn Bay and a Red Kite on Anglesey, the latter at just about the same spot as in 2022.
Text and photos Steve Cross
Malham
13 July 2024
Highlights were Marsh Lousewort, Long-stalked Yellow Sedge, Flat Sedge, Welted Thistle, Brittle Bladder Fern, Hairy St. John Wort, Jacobs Ladder and close views of juvenile Wheatear.
On the journey 104 plant species were seen from minibus, of note was a Tomato plant growing at Charnock Richard services and the amount of Dropwort in the Ribble Valley, plus the frequent patches of Butterbur. A Common Buzzard was seen near Gisburn.
Water Sinks car park area had Eyebright, lots of Self-heal, Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutifloris and Glaucous Sedge. The nearby stream of Malham Water and wet area was rich with Long-stalked Yellow-sedge Carex lepidocarpa, Marsh Orchids, Marsh Lousewort Pedicularis palustris, Marsh Bedstraw, Marsh Marigold, Cotton Grass, Water forget-me-not, Jointed Rush, Common Spike-rush, Meadowsweet, Lesser Spearwort, Water Mint and Bogbean.
As we headed south past the Water Sinks there was plenty of Wild Thyme, Springy Turf Moss, Crested Dogstail, Heath Bedstraw, White Clover and the Marsh Thistle was found in both normal and white-flowered forms. Several Potentilla were found Tormentil, Silverweed, Creeping Cinquefoil and later on Barren Strawberry. A wet patch had Flat Sedge Blysmus compressus and Bog Pimpernel. We also found Germander Speedwell, Knotted Pearlwort, Lady’s Mantle and both Sheep and Common Sorrels.
By some stonewalls a Skylark was singing, a male Wheatear was with two juveniles that came close to us, Meadow Pipit had a beak-full of food, a Wren was seen, and a Kestrel flew past.
An Orchid Beetle Dascillus cervinus was found on marsh thistle, this is a species of rough grassland, the larvae feed on grassroots and sometimes marsh orchids – hence the name. Cuckoo Spit Insects were frequent, and a Red Admiral flew past. Further on we found Blue Moor Grass Sesleria caerulea (a restricted species of northern England limestones), Salad Burnet, Quaking Grass, Crosswort and Common Valerian. As the cliffs rose on either side we found Brittle Bladder-fern Cystopteris fragilis on the limestone blocks, a few Welted Thistle were by the Pennine Way and Hairy Rock-cress Arabis hirsuta was near the lunch-spot, as well as Wall-rue and Wall Lettuce. After lunch there was lots of Field Scabious Knautia arvensis, some Fairy Flax, Rough Hawkbit, Field Rose and Bloody Cranesbill. A flock of around 300 Starling flew past plus a Small Heath butterfly and a male Common Blue butterfly were found.
As we descended into the Dry Valley we found Hairy St John's-wort Hypericum hirsutum, Biting Stonecrop, Common Rock-rose, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Wild Marjoram Origanum vulgare was just coming into flower, Dog’s Mercury, Hartstongue Fern and Wood Sorrel were in leaf. Eight Swallow flew over. Along the Dry Valley we could compare Crosswort and Lady’s Bedstraw and there was some Lesser Stitchwort. In a wet seepage Brooklime was in flower. A shower of rain made the Limestone Pavement slippy, though nearby we found Wild Thyme galled by the mites Aceria thomasi with the fluffy white galls instead of pink flowers and we also found Welsh Poppy. Down the 400 steps at Malham Cove brought us to Malham Beck. Here beside the impressive limestone cliff, we found two patches of Jacob's-ladder Polemonium caeruleum in flower and five House Martin zipped around.
On the path back to Malham we were temporarily blocked by a herd of cows on the path. The grazed meadows had the nest humps of Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus. Through the village we saw Fox-and-cubs Pilosella aurantiaca, Dotted Loosestrife Lysimachia punctata and Polypody Fern. The only notable finds on the trip back were the Sweet Cicely in hedgerows and a Kestrel by the M62.
13 July 2024
Highlights were Marsh Lousewort, Long-stalked Yellow Sedge, Flat Sedge, Welted Thistle, Brittle Bladder Fern, Hairy St. John Wort, Jacobs Ladder and close views of juvenile Wheatear.
On the journey 104 plant species were seen from minibus, of note was a Tomato plant growing at Charnock Richard services and the amount of Dropwort in the Ribble Valley, plus the frequent patches of Butterbur. A Common Buzzard was seen near Gisburn.
Water Sinks car park area had Eyebright, lots of Self-heal, Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutifloris and Glaucous Sedge. The nearby stream of Malham Water and wet area was rich with Long-stalked Yellow-sedge Carex lepidocarpa, Marsh Orchids, Marsh Lousewort Pedicularis palustris, Marsh Bedstraw, Marsh Marigold, Cotton Grass, Water forget-me-not, Jointed Rush, Common Spike-rush, Meadowsweet, Lesser Spearwort, Water Mint and Bogbean.
As we headed south past the Water Sinks there was plenty of Wild Thyme, Springy Turf Moss, Crested Dogstail, Heath Bedstraw, White Clover and the Marsh Thistle was found in both normal and white-flowered forms. Several Potentilla were found Tormentil, Silverweed, Creeping Cinquefoil and later on Barren Strawberry. A wet patch had Flat Sedge Blysmus compressus and Bog Pimpernel. We also found Germander Speedwell, Knotted Pearlwort, Lady’s Mantle and both Sheep and Common Sorrels.
By some stonewalls a Skylark was singing, a male Wheatear was with two juveniles that came close to us, Meadow Pipit had a beak-full of food, a Wren was seen, and a Kestrel flew past.
An Orchid Beetle Dascillus cervinus was found on marsh thistle, this is a species of rough grassland, the larvae feed on grassroots and sometimes marsh orchids – hence the name. Cuckoo Spit Insects were frequent, and a Red Admiral flew past. Further on we found Blue Moor Grass Sesleria caerulea (a restricted species of northern England limestones), Salad Burnet, Quaking Grass, Crosswort and Common Valerian. As the cliffs rose on either side we found Brittle Bladder-fern Cystopteris fragilis on the limestone blocks, a few Welted Thistle were by the Pennine Way and Hairy Rock-cress Arabis hirsuta was near the lunch-spot, as well as Wall-rue and Wall Lettuce. After lunch there was lots of Field Scabious Knautia arvensis, some Fairy Flax, Rough Hawkbit, Field Rose and Bloody Cranesbill. A flock of around 300 Starling flew past plus a Small Heath butterfly and a male Common Blue butterfly were found.
As we descended into the Dry Valley we found Hairy St John's-wort Hypericum hirsutum, Biting Stonecrop, Common Rock-rose, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Wild Marjoram Origanum vulgare was just coming into flower, Dog’s Mercury, Hartstongue Fern and Wood Sorrel were in leaf. Eight Swallow flew over. Along the Dry Valley we could compare Crosswort and Lady’s Bedstraw and there was some Lesser Stitchwort. In a wet seepage Brooklime was in flower. A shower of rain made the Limestone Pavement slippy, though nearby we found Wild Thyme galled by the mites Aceria thomasi with the fluffy white galls instead of pink flowers and we also found Welsh Poppy. Down the 400 steps at Malham Cove brought us to Malham Beck. Here beside the impressive limestone cliff, we found two patches of Jacob's-ladder Polemonium caeruleum in flower and five House Martin zipped around.
On the path back to Malham we were temporarily blocked by a herd of cows on the path. The grazed meadows had the nest humps of Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus. Through the village we saw Fox-and-cubs Pilosella aurantiaca, Dotted Loosestrife Lysimachia punctata and Polypody Fern. The only notable finds on the trip back were the Sweet Cicely in hedgerows and a Kestrel by the M62.
Birkdale Green Beach 3 August 2024
The group met at Birkdale and proceeded west along Weld Road noting the usual urban species such as Pineappleweed, Shaggy Soldier, and on a wall Ivy-leaved Toadflax and the ferns Wall-rue and Maidenhair Spleenwort. The return trip added Common Knotgrass and Equal-leaved Knotgrass. Usual birds such as Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also seen. Also here were flowering Purple Toadflax, the Foxglove had gone to seed, and a garden had a lovely large Blue Atlas Cedar. As we approached the coast road Common Storksbill and Haresfoot Clover were seen. Five Jackdaw were on the roundabout next to to the figures of the shrimper carts.
The start of the dunes by the car park had Rest Harrow, Kidney Vetch, Autumn Hawkbit, Common Ragwort, Polypody Fern, Canadian Fleabane and a clump of Snowberry. Further along were Sea Radish (in flower and seed), Lesser Burdock, some Spear and Creeping Thistles, Lyme Grass, Perennial Rye and Common Couch Grass. As we approached the green beach the large patch of flowering Parsley Water-dropwort Oenanthe lachenalii stood out. The marsh had lots of Sea Club-rush, plenty of Perennial Sowthistle and Sea Rush Juncus maritimus, Gypsywort, Frog Rush, False Fox Sedge, and flowering Silverweed. A Silver Y Moth was found.
A female Sparrowhawk flew south (one of three on the day - plus a male and another female) and four House Martins and a Swallow were feeding over the marsh. There was plenty of Sea Milkwort, Saltmarsh Rush Juncus gerardii, some Lesser Water-parsnip Berula erecta and the Curled Dock was of the subspecies littoralis. Other brackish water species were Sea Plantain and Sea Purslane. Gatekeeper was the commonest butterfly of the day with about a dozen seen, plus single Meadow Brown, Grayling, Red Admiral, Small White, Green-veined White and there was a total of four Wall Brown. Flying over the marsh were a Reed Bunting, a Skylark and flocks of Feral Pigeon and Starling, plus Swallow and Linnet, but what the Woodpigeon were up to we couldn’t figure out. The roost on the beach held over 123 Cormorant and we saw one flying inland. Around 200 Herring Gulls were on the shore with Lesser-Black-backed Gulls, Black-headed Gulls and half a dozen Crows. A single Little Egret flew past and in the day, we saw a total of four.
The ridge held a bank of Sea Buckthorn (some in berry) but there was also Apple trees and Common Alder here. Insects were in short supply though we did have White/Buff-tailed Bumble Bee, Common Carder Bumble Bee and a Grass Moth. A nice find was three patches of Common Sea Lavender totalling some 41 flowering plants with their strong blue colouration. The marsh had some patches of Reed and Bulrush Typha latifolia. There were masses of Strawberry Clover with the wonderful fruits, and we could compare it with adjacent White Clover. A lot of the leaves of the Sowthistle were covered in the galls of the midge Cystiphora sonchi.
A Goldfinch was twittering away while we had lunch, and more Linnet and another female Sparrowhawk flew past. The tiny pink flowers of Lesser Centaury Centaurium pulchellum were a pleasure to see. A ditch had a single male and an egg-laying pair of Common Darter dragonfly and nearby was Fools Watercress and Asparagus.
A trek across the marsh took us through masses of Sea Club-rush, Sea Rush, Long-bracted Sedge Carex extensa, Red Fescue and some of the Sea Aster was in flower. A washed-up skeleton of a porpoise was on the marsh. Two plants of Wild Celery were found and also present were Brookweed, Grey Club-rush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and Glassworts Salicornia species (not identifiable to species until the autumn). Large piles of razor shells (the large Pod Razor Ensis siliqua and the smaller, curved Common Razor Ensis ensis) were found in hollows at the front of the marsh. Other strandline finds included Common Shore Crab, Mussel, Whelks (many covered in barnacles), Necklace Shells, Ray and Whelk egg cases, Tower Shell, Otter Shell, Baltic Tellin, Heart Urchin and under some timber sandhoppers. A terrestrial Garden Snail was amongst the strandline shells. Patches of Common Cord-grass Spartina anglica, a fertile derivative species of a native and a North American Spartina, were occasional on the outer saltmarsh, though it was the Common Saltmarsh Grass that was dominant here. Flowering Sea Purslane, Greater Sea-spurrey and the leafing Annual Sea-blite Suaeda maritima were good finds. Two juvenile Pied Wagtail were catching flies on the mud. An 11-spot Ladybird was also found.
Along the main track we found Lesser Sea-spurrey with its smaller white-centred, pink flowers and a single flowering Thrift. The dune edge by the car park held 7-spot Ladybird, Wild Parsnip, Rosebay Willowherb, Field Bindweed, Sea Radish, Tufted Vetch, Lyme Grass, Rest Harrow, Dewberry, Red Bartsia, Intermediate Evening Primrose, Yarrow, Common Ragwort (with one Cinnabar Moth caterpillar), Houndstongue (with its hedgehog-like seeds), plus Scented and Sea Mayweeds.
The highlight of the trip for most people was the finding of a nest of Field Vole under a log, including a very tame youngster.
The group met at Birkdale and proceeded west along Weld Road noting the usual urban species such as Pineappleweed, Shaggy Soldier, and on a wall Ivy-leaved Toadflax and the ferns Wall-rue and Maidenhair Spleenwort. The return trip added Common Knotgrass and Equal-leaved Knotgrass. Usual birds such as Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also seen. Also here were flowering Purple Toadflax, the Foxglove had gone to seed, and a garden had a lovely large Blue Atlas Cedar. As we approached the coast road Common Storksbill and Haresfoot Clover were seen. Five Jackdaw were on the roundabout next to to the figures of the shrimper carts.
The start of the dunes by the car park had Rest Harrow, Kidney Vetch, Autumn Hawkbit, Common Ragwort, Polypody Fern, Canadian Fleabane and a clump of Snowberry. Further along were Sea Radish (in flower and seed), Lesser Burdock, some Spear and Creeping Thistles, Lyme Grass, Perennial Rye and Common Couch Grass. As we approached the green beach the large patch of flowering Parsley Water-dropwort Oenanthe lachenalii stood out. The marsh had lots of Sea Club-rush, plenty of Perennial Sowthistle and Sea Rush Juncus maritimus, Gypsywort, Frog Rush, False Fox Sedge, and flowering Silverweed. A Silver Y Moth was found.
A female Sparrowhawk flew south (one of three on the day - plus a male and another female) and four House Martins and a Swallow were feeding over the marsh. There was plenty of Sea Milkwort, Saltmarsh Rush Juncus gerardii, some Lesser Water-parsnip Berula erecta and the Curled Dock was of the subspecies littoralis. Other brackish water species were Sea Plantain and Sea Purslane. Gatekeeper was the commonest butterfly of the day with about a dozen seen, plus single Meadow Brown, Grayling, Red Admiral, Small White, Green-veined White and there was a total of four Wall Brown. Flying over the marsh were a Reed Bunting, a Skylark and flocks of Feral Pigeon and Starling, plus Swallow and Linnet, but what the Woodpigeon were up to we couldn’t figure out. The roost on the beach held over 123 Cormorant and we saw one flying inland. Around 200 Herring Gulls were on the shore with Lesser-Black-backed Gulls, Black-headed Gulls and half a dozen Crows. A single Little Egret flew past and in the day, we saw a total of four.
The ridge held a bank of Sea Buckthorn (some in berry) but there was also Apple trees and Common Alder here. Insects were in short supply though we did have White/Buff-tailed Bumble Bee, Common Carder Bumble Bee and a Grass Moth. A nice find was three patches of Common Sea Lavender totalling some 41 flowering plants with their strong blue colouration. The marsh had some patches of Reed and Bulrush Typha latifolia. There were masses of Strawberry Clover with the wonderful fruits, and we could compare it with adjacent White Clover. A lot of the leaves of the Sowthistle were covered in the galls of the midge Cystiphora sonchi.
A Goldfinch was twittering away while we had lunch, and more Linnet and another female Sparrowhawk flew past. The tiny pink flowers of Lesser Centaury Centaurium pulchellum were a pleasure to see. A ditch had a single male and an egg-laying pair of Common Darter dragonfly and nearby was Fools Watercress and Asparagus.
A trek across the marsh took us through masses of Sea Club-rush, Sea Rush, Long-bracted Sedge Carex extensa, Red Fescue and some of the Sea Aster was in flower. A washed-up skeleton of a porpoise was on the marsh. Two plants of Wild Celery were found and also present were Brookweed, Grey Club-rush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and Glassworts Salicornia species (not identifiable to species until the autumn). Large piles of razor shells (the large Pod Razor Ensis siliqua and the smaller, curved Common Razor Ensis ensis) were found in hollows at the front of the marsh. Other strandline finds included Common Shore Crab, Mussel, Whelks (many covered in barnacles), Necklace Shells, Ray and Whelk egg cases, Tower Shell, Otter Shell, Baltic Tellin, Heart Urchin and under some timber sandhoppers. A terrestrial Garden Snail was amongst the strandline shells. Patches of Common Cord-grass Spartina anglica, a fertile derivative species of a native and a North American Spartina, were occasional on the outer saltmarsh, though it was the Common Saltmarsh Grass that was dominant here. Flowering Sea Purslane, Greater Sea-spurrey and the leafing Annual Sea-blite Suaeda maritima were good finds. Two juvenile Pied Wagtail were catching flies on the mud. An 11-spot Ladybird was also found.
Along the main track we found Lesser Sea-spurrey with its smaller white-centred, pink flowers and a single flowering Thrift. The dune edge by the car park held 7-spot Ladybird, Wild Parsnip, Rosebay Willowherb, Field Bindweed, Sea Radish, Tufted Vetch, Lyme Grass, Rest Harrow, Dewberry, Red Bartsia, Intermediate Evening Primrose, Yarrow, Common Ragwort (with one Cinnabar Moth caterpillar), Houndstongue (with its hedgehog-like seeds), plus Scented and Sea Mayweeds.
The highlight of the trip for most people was the finding of a nest of Field Vole under a log, including a very tame youngster.
Leighton Moss 14 September 2024
The notable sightings of the journey up were of two Buzzards, a couple of Swallow, House Martin, and a Jay. We left the minibus by the restricted height railway bridge and headed towards the Allen and Eric Morecambe Hides. A total of three Cetti’s Warbler were heard (but not seen) along this stretch in the waterside vegetation and a Greenshank could be heard calling flying over. A Buzzard was at the edge of Fleagarth Wood. Still in flower were Sea Radish, Meadow Cranesbill, Tufted Vetch, Pineappleweed, Perennial Sowthistle, Meadow Buttercup and White Clover.
From the Allen Hide we had views of a Little Egret, Mallard, Wigeon, one Shelduck, Crow, Jackdaw and 106 Teal. Jelly Ear Fungus Auricularia auricula-judae was on a dead tree. The Eric Morecambe Hide had an excellent range of birds with three Cattle Egret, four Avocet (2 adults and 2 juveniles), a Grey Heron, nine Little Egret (excellent close views of feeding technique), 2 Cormorant, at least 85 Redshank, plus single Greenshank, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Heading back, I spotted the lichens Xanthoria parietina, Parmelia sulcata and the moss Brachythecium rutabulum. Lesser Burdock had mines of the fly aggregate group Chromatomyia cf. syngenesiae (‘atricornis’). Nettle had tiny red galls caused by the fly Dasineura urticae. Here too were Garden Spider, Harlequin Ladybird, Nettle Tap Moth and nymphs of Green Shieldbug. An open patch on the bank to the railway held Purple Toadflax, Black Nightshade, Mugwort, Common Knotgrass, Black Medick, Redshank (plant), Sun Spurge, Prickly Sowthistle, a pink form of Yarrow and Scarlet Pimpernel.
A Chiffchaff was heard calling, another Little Egret flew south, and a young Toad had deformed, infected back legs. At the car park a Common Darter was on a fence post and a Speckled Wood butterfly was basking on a car.
The limestone wall where we lunched had a lot of the white lichen Aspicilia calcarea, as well as the orangy lichen Caloplaca flavescens and the moss Grimmia pulvinata. The stream hosted Reed, Sea Arrow Grass, Clustered Dock, Marsh Marigold, Water Cress, Fool’s Water Cress, Common Water Plantain and False Fox Sedge. Present further east was Crosswort, Greater Willowherb, Sea Aster, Yellow Iris (seedpods), Meadow Vetchling, Purple Loosestrife, and Pendulous Sedge. Meadowsweet had galls of the fly Dasineura ulmaria. Heading towards New Lane we found flowering Tufted Vetch, Common Knapweed, Creeping Thistle and Red Bartsia. Other plants here included Bulrush Typha latifolia, Reed Canary Grass and Amphibious Bistort.
Along New Lane a field with sheep also held 121 Lapwing, 40 Starling, 24 Jackdaw, 4 Crow and over flew a House Martin and a Swallow. The verges held flowering Zigzag Clover Trifolium medium, Meadow Buttercup, Oxeye Daisy, Himalayan Balsam, Long-headed Poppy, Dandelion (with worker Common Carder Bee), Bramble and Broad-leaved Willowherb. Single Chiffchaff, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral were also found here. Further plants along this stretch were Hemp Agrimony, Osier, Oak, Bracken, Ash, Compact Rush, Petty Spurge, Polypody Fern and Maidenhair Spleenwort. The Bramble had the rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum.
Near the visitor centre were Marsh Woundwort, Timothy, Nipplewort, Wood Avens and Pendulous Sedge.
From the Tower Hide on the main pool were single Grey Heron and Great White Egret, 3 Mute Swan, 40 Coot: plus, six Swallows and 12 House Martins on migration. The path towards the Grisedale and Tim Jackson Hides boasted Bittersweet (in fruit), Self-Heal, Alder, Red Currant, Pineappleweed, Hoary Willowherb, Hedge Woundwort, Red Bartsia, Water Forget-me-not, Black Medick, Fool’s Water Cress, and Meadowsweet. The Drone Fly Eristalis tenax was seen and another Cetti’s Warbler was singing, and a Water Rail was squealing.
Viewable at the Tim Jackson Hide was a fishing Great White Egret, a Mute Swan with at least four Cygnets, 25 Coot and 57 Gadwall. At the Grisedale Hide were Mallard and Cormorant, 8 more Gadwall, five Buzzards hung over the skyline and nine (1 young male, 5 females and 3 youngsters) Red Deer were resting in a field. Back along the paths gave views of Southern Hawker Dragonfly, Speckled Wood butterflies, Chiffchaff and Robin. Meadowsweet had galls of the fly Dasineura pustulans. Water Dock and Enchanter’s Nightshade was also found, and a Coastguard rescue helicopter flew over.
From Lilian’s Hide were 5 Little Grebe, 20 Shoveler (males still in eclipse plumage), 5 Mute Swan, 50 more Gadwall, Mallard, Wigeon, Coot and Moorhen. The path to the Causeway had Blackbird, Robin; a Southern Hawker Dragonfly; flowering Great Mullein, Oxeye Daisy, Great Willowherb, Water and Tufted Forget-me-nots, Gypsywort, Water Mint, Hoary and Marsh Willowherbs, Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper and Square-stalked St John's-wort Hypericum tetrapterum. Also found were berries on Guelder Rose, Hartstongue Fern, Barren Strawberry and Water Dock (which had Ramularia fungus spots and fly mines of Pegomya solenis).
The Causeway hosted Common Knapweed, Self-heal, Black Medick, Meadow Buttercup, Meadowsweet, Silverweed and Hard Rush. From the Causeway Hide were 19 Mute Swan (13 adults and 6 cygnets), 1 Great White Egret (so three in total), six Cormorant, a Greater Black-backed Gull, 16 Shoveler, 28 more Gadwall (giving a grand total of 143) , 20 Mallard, 12 Coot, 10 Teal and a female/immature Marsh Harrier was hunting. A final look from Lilian’s Hide gave excellent views of a hunting male Marsh Harrier that scattered all the birds, and the lone Black-tailed Godwit found safety by swimming in deep water.
The feeders by the visitor centre attracted a Marsh Tit (Willow not known in this part of Lancashire), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, a male Pheasant, a Grey Squirrel and ten very tame Mallard. Just as we were leaving Silverdale, we had another sighting of Red Deer and Kestrel was also seen.
The notable sightings of the journey up were of two Buzzards, a couple of Swallow, House Martin, and a Jay. We left the minibus by the restricted height railway bridge and headed towards the Allen and Eric Morecambe Hides. A total of three Cetti’s Warbler were heard (but not seen) along this stretch in the waterside vegetation and a Greenshank could be heard calling flying over. A Buzzard was at the edge of Fleagarth Wood. Still in flower were Sea Radish, Meadow Cranesbill, Tufted Vetch, Pineappleweed, Perennial Sowthistle, Meadow Buttercup and White Clover.
From the Allen Hide we had views of a Little Egret, Mallard, Wigeon, one Shelduck, Crow, Jackdaw and 106 Teal. Jelly Ear Fungus Auricularia auricula-judae was on a dead tree. The Eric Morecambe Hide had an excellent range of birds with three Cattle Egret, four Avocet (2 adults and 2 juveniles), a Grey Heron, nine Little Egret (excellent close views of feeding technique), 2 Cormorant, at least 85 Redshank, plus single Greenshank, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Heading back, I spotted the lichens Xanthoria parietina, Parmelia sulcata and the moss Brachythecium rutabulum. Lesser Burdock had mines of the fly aggregate group Chromatomyia cf. syngenesiae (‘atricornis’). Nettle had tiny red galls caused by the fly Dasineura urticae. Here too were Garden Spider, Harlequin Ladybird, Nettle Tap Moth and nymphs of Green Shieldbug. An open patch on the bank to the railway held Purple Toadflax, Black Nightshade, Mugwort, Common Knotgrass, Black Medick, Redshank (plant), Sun Spurge, Prickly Sowthistle, a pink form of Yarrow and Scarlet Pimpernel.
A Chiffchaff was heard calling, another Little Egret flew south, and a young Toad had deformed, infected back legs. At the car park a Common Darter was on a fence post and a Speckled Wood butterfly was basking on a car.
The limestone wall where we lunched had a lot of the white lichen Aspicilia calcarea, as well as the orangy lichen Caloplaca flavescens and the moss Grimmia pulvinata. The stream hosted Reed, Sea Arrow Grass, Clustered Dock, Marsh Marigold, Water Cress, Fool’s Water Cress, Common Water Plantain and False Fox Sedge. Present further east was Crosswort, Greater Willowherb, Sea Aster, Yellow Iris (seedpods), Meadow Vetchling, Purple Loosestrife, and Pendulous Sedge. Meadowsweet had galls of the fly Dasineura ulmaria. Heading towards New Lane we found flowering Tufted Vetch, Common Knapweed, Creeping Thistle and Red Bartsia. Other plants here included Bulrush Typha latifolia, Reed Canary Grass and Amphibious Bistort.
Along New Lane a field with sheep also held 121 Lapwing, 40 Starling, 24 Jackdaw, 4 Crow and over flew a House Martin and a Swallow. The verges held flowering Zigzag Clover Trifolium medium, Meadow Buttercup, Oxeye Daisy, Himalayan Balsam, Long-headed Poppy, Dandelion (with worker Common Carder Bee), Bramble and Broad-leaved Willowherb. Single Chiffchaff, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral were also found here. Further plants along this stretch were Hemp Agrimony, Osier, Oak, Bracken, Ash, Compact Rush, Petty Spurge, Polypody Fern and Maidenhair Spleenwort. The Bramble had the rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum.
Near the visitor centre were Marsh Woundwort, Timothy, Nipplewort, Wood Avens and Pendulous Sedge.
From the Tower Hide on the main pool were single Grey Heron and Great White Egret, 3 Mute Swan, 40 Coot: plus, six Swallows and 12 House Martins on migration. The path towards the Grisedale and Tim Jackson Hides boasted Bittersweet (in fruit), Self-Heal, Alder, Red Currant, Pineappleweed, Hoary Willowherb, Hedge Woundwort, Red Bartsia, Water Forget-me-not, Black Medick, Fool’s Water Cress, and Meadowsweet. The Drone Fly Eristalis tenax was seen and another Cetti’s Warbler was singing, and a Water Rail was squealing.
Viewable at the Tim Jackson Hide was a fishing Great White Egret, a Mute Swan with at least four Cygnets, 25 Coot and 57 Gadwall. At the Grisedale Hide were Mallard and Cormorant, 8 more Gadwall, five Buzzards hung over the skyline and nine (1 young male, 5 females and 3 youngsters) Red Deer were resting in a field. Back along the paths gave views of Southern Hawker Dragonfly, Speckled Wood butterflies, Chiffchaff and Robin. Meadowsweet had galls of the fly Dasineura pustulans. Water Dock and Enchanter’s Nightshade was also found, and a Coastguard rescue helicopter flew over.
From Lilian’s Hide were 5 Little Grebe, 20 Shoveler (males still in eclipse plumage), 5 Mute Swan, 50 more Gadwall, Mallard, Wigeon, Coot and Moorhen. The path to the Causeway had Blackbird, Robin; a Southern Hawker Dragonfly; flowering Great Mullein, Oxeye Daisy, Great Willowherb, Water and Tufted Forget-me-nots, Gypsywort, Water Mint, Hoary and Marsh Willowherbs, Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper and Square-stalked St John's-wort Hypericum tetrapterum. Also found were berries on Guelder Rose, Hartstongue Fern, Barren Strawberry and Water Dock (which had Ramularia fungus spots and fly mines of Pegomya solenis).
The Causeway hosted Common Knapweed, Self-heal, Black Medick, Meadow Buttercup, Meadowsweet, Silverweed and Hard Rush. From the Causeway Hide were 19 Mute Swan (13 adults and 6 cygnets), 1 Great White Egret (so three in total), six Cormorant, a Greater Black-backed Gull, 16 Shoveler, 28 more Gadwall (giving a grand total of 143) , 20 Mallard, 12 Coot, 10 Teal and a female/immature Marsh Harrier was hunting. A final look from Lilian’s Hide gave excellent views of a hunting male Marsh Harrier that scattered all the birds, and the lone Black-tailed Godwit found safety by swimming in deep water.
The feeders by the visitor centre attracted a Marsh Tit (Willow not known in this part of Lancashire), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, a male Pheasant, a Grey Squirrel and ten very tame Mallard. Just as we were leaving Silverdale, we had another sighting of Red Deer and Kestrel was also seen.
Bird Videos - click on icons to play, mute, change sound levels, make full size or download.
Cattle Egret preening |
Avocet (adult and juvenile) |
Greenshank |
Little Egret hunting
|
Little Egret hunting
for prey 2 |
Great White Egret searching |
female/immature Marsh Harrier |
Shoveler |
Common Buzzard in flight |
male Marsh HarrierLittle Grebe (and Shoveler) |
Gadwall pairBlack-tailed Godwit (with Coot and ducks) |
Great White Egret with Mute Swan Cygnets, Mallard, and Gadwall |
Freshfield MNA 28 September 2024
Seven headed north from Freshfield station to explore the woods and heathland at Montagu Triangle and Freshfield Dune Heath.
Tony Carter helped us with the fungi identification and the first fungi found along Montagu Road was Tar Spot on Sycamore and then Cep (or Penny Bun) Boletus edulis and a well gone over Pale Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus pulmonarius. A birch trunk had Birch Woodwart Annulohypoxylon multiforme. Old nettle stems had tiny Yellow Mascara Disco Trichopeziza sulphurea. Mildews found on Bindweed (Erysiphe convolvuli), Great Plantain (Golovinomyces sordidus), Great Mullein (Golovinomyces verbasci) and Oak (Erysiphe alphitoides).
The woodland had old Holly leaves with Holly Speckle Trochila ilicina and we found several Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum. The Ivy had Colletotrichum trichellum on the leaves. Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis rutilans showed the purplish top and yellow underside. Below birch was Birch Bolete Leccinum scabrum and Birch Milkcap Lactarius tabidus, some trunks had Birch Polypore or Razor Strop Fungus Fomitopsis betulina. Sulphur Tuft was frequent on stumps on the cleared heathland. Bramble had both Phragmidium violaceum and P. bulbosum. The orangy Raspberry Slime Mould Tubifera ferruginosa was on a fallen trunk and nearby was the “bootlaces” of Honey Fungus.
After lunch we went on to the Freshfield Dune Heath reserve. Here was more Ochre Brittlegill Russula ochroleuca, Birch Brittlegill Russula betularum, Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus, several Slippery Jack Suillus luteus, Birch Milkcap Lactarius tabidus, Turkeytail Trametes versicolor, Blusher Amanita rubescens and Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria. Also found were Glistening Inkcap Coprinellus micaceus, White Fibrecap Inocybe geophylla, Oak Crust Peniophora quercina, Nitrous Bonnet Mycena leptocephala, Ramularia pratensis var. pratensis on dock, Phanerochaete sordida on a fallen branch, Willow Shield Pluteus salicinus, Sickener Russula emetica, Split Porecrust Schizopora paradoxa, Hairy Curtain Crust Stereum hirsutum, Scurfy Twiglet Tubaria furfuracea, Purplepore Bracket Trichaptum abietinum, Elder Whitewash Xylodon sambuci, and Orange Mosscap Rickenella fibula. False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Smoky Bracket Bjerkandera adusta. Laxitextum bicolor is a Stereum lookalike that is increasing rapidly. A birch had “witches' brooms.” Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum was our last fungal find.
Still in flower along Montagu Road were Shaggy Soldier, Smooth and Prickly Sowthistles, Common Knotgrass, Large Bindweed, Common Ragwort, Herb Robert, Annual Meadow Grass, Yarrow, Evening Primrose, Petty Spurge, Daisy, and Dandelion. Planted or of garden origin were Silver Birch, Wild Cherry, Garden Privet, Firethorn, Cherry Laurel, New Zealand Flax, Montbretia, Variegated Holly, Rowan, Spotted Dead Nettle, and Cotoneaster. Also found were Perennial Rye Grass, Great and Ribwort Plantains, Nettle, Sycamore, Blackthorn, Elder, Wych Elm, Ash, Mugwort, Grey Poplar, Ground Elder, Broom, Buddleia, and the Wild Carrot and Great Mullein had gone to seed.
Montagu Triangle provided flowering Heather, Autumn Hawkbit, Rosebay Willowherb, Great Mullein, Broom, Common Ragwort and Common Knapweed. The woods provided Foxglove, Soft Rush, Honeysuckle, Rowan, Montbretia, Yew, Norway Spruce. Autumn Hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum was still in flower.
The heathland had flowering Heather, Creeping Buttercup and Common Ragwort, Broom, Common Catsear. Also here was Rosebay Willowherb, Creeping Willow, Buckshorn Plantain, Heath Rush Juncus squarrosus, Toad Rush and along the paths plenty of the introduced American species Slender Rush Juncus tenuis. Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa and Bittersweet (in berry) were also found.
Back into the woods provided flowering Cyclamen or Sowbread Cyclamen hederifolium (pink and white forms) originated in nearby gardens as did the Cut-leaf Bramble Rubus laciniatus.
Heading back on towards the open heathland gave us Tufted Vetch, Sand Sedge, Weld, Fat Hen, Spear Thistle, and Shining Cranesbill. Flowering was Common Mouse-ear, Prickly Sowthistle, Tormentil, Michalemas Daisy, Smooth Hawksbeard, Evening Primrose, Autumn Hawkbit, Common Storksbill, Broom, Gorse, and one patch of Sheep’s Bit Jasione montana. The middle area is fenced enclosing the four Longhorn Cattle plus some sheep.
Alongside the path and railway were flowering Smooth Hawksbeard, Harebell, Bridewort Spirea sp., Red Clover, Common Knapweed, Black Medick (also with black seeds and mucronate point on leaf) and Wild Parsnip. Gone to seed were Great Mullein, Canadian Fleabane, Hogweed, Wild Carrot, Curled Dock. Along Montagu Road was flowering Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Canadian Goldenrod, but the Black Horehound had gone to seed. The “lawns” had Daisy and Parsley Aphanes arvensis agg.
Male and Broad Buckler Ferns, plus Polypody Fern were in the woods, as were the mosses Rough-stalked Feather-moss Brachythecium rutabulum, Common Feather-moss Kindbergia praelongum and Bank Haircap Polytrichum formosum. A few trees had the free-living orange algae Trentepohlia (which can also be a partner within some lichens).
Lichens seen were Xanthoria parietina, Physcia adscendens and P. tenella, Phaeophyscia orbicularis, Evernia prunastri, Parmelia sulcata, Pixie Cup Lichens Cladonia sp., Cladonia portentosa, and Dog Lichen Peltigera sp.
The butterflies and dragonflies took advantage of the sun in the afternoon with six Common Dater, five Comma, one Red Admiral and a Small Copper seen. Seven-spot Ladybird and an Orange Ladybird were seen, as was a hoverfly Drone-fly Eristalis tenax and a nymph Common Green Shieldbug. Grey Shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus was very photogenic on a log.
Leaf mines were on Holly (fly Phytomyza ilicis), Horse Chestnut (moth Cameraria ohridella), bramble (moth Stigmella aurella), Snowberry (fly Chromatomyia lonicerae), Oak (moth Stigmella) and birch.
On oak was a greenish parasitic wasp, probably in Torymidae. Galls on oaks, caused by gall wasps, were Cola-nut Gall (Andricus lignicola), Knopper (Andricus quercuscalicis), Common Spangle (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum), Silk Button (Neuroterus numismalis), Artichoke (Andricus foecundatrix) and Striped Pea Gall Cynips longiventris.
Birds present were two Great Spotted Woodpecker, a male Kestrel, 3 Jay, a Coal Tit, plus Woodpigeon, Crow, Blackbird, and Robin.
Text and photos Steve Cross
Seven headed north from Freshfield station to explore the woods and heathland at Montagu Triangle and Freshfield Dune Heath.
Tony Carter helped us with the fungi identification and the first fungi found along Montagu Road was Tar Spot on Sycamore and then Cep (or Penny Bun) Boletus edulis and a well gone over Pale Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus pulmonarius. A birch trunk had Birch Woodwart Annulohypoxylon multiforme. Old nettle stems had tiny Yellow Mascara Disco Trichopeziza sulphurea. Mildews found on Bindweed (Erysiphe convolvuli), Great Plantain (Golovinomyces sordidus), Great Mullein (Golovinomyces verbasci) and Oak (Erysiphe alphitoides).
The woodland had old Holly leaves with Holly Speckle Trochila ilicina and we found several Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum. The Ivy had Colletotrichum trichellum on the leaves. Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis rutilans showed the purplish top and yellow underside. Below birch was Birch Bolete Leccinum scabrum and Birch Milkcap Lactarius tabidus, some trunks had Birch Polypore or Razor Strop Fungus Fomitopsis betulina. Sulphur Tuft was frequent on stumps on the cleared heathland. Bramble had both Phragmidium violaceum and P. bulbosum. The orangy Raspberry Slime Mould Tubifera ferruginosa was on a fallen trunk and nearby was the “bootlaces” of Honey Fungus.
After lunch we went on to the Freshfield Dune Heath reserve. Here was more Ochre Brittlegill Russula ochroleuca, Birch Brittlegill Russula betularum, Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus, several Slippery Jack Suillus luteus, Birch Milkcap Lactarius tabidus, Turkeytail Trametes versicolor, Blusher Amanita rubescens and Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria. Also found were Glistening Inkcap Coprinellus micaceus, White Fibrecap Inocybe geophylla, Oak Crust Peniophora quercina, Nitrous Bonnet Mycena leptocephala, Ramularia pratensis var. pratensis on dock, Phanerochaete sordida on a fallen branch, Willow Shield Pluteus salicinus, Sickener Russula emetica, Split Porecrust Schizopora paradoxa, Hairy Curtain Crust Stereum hirsutum, Scurfy Twiglet Tubaria furfuracea, Purplepore Bracket Trichaptum abietinum, Elder Whitewash Xylodon sambuci, and Orange Mosscap Rickenella fibula. False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Smoky Bracket Bjerkandera adusta. Laxitextum bicolor is a Stereum lookalike that is increasing rapidly. A birch had “witches' brooms.” Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum was our last fungal find.
Still in flower along Montagu Road were Shaggy Soldier, Smooth and Prickly Sowthistles, Common Knotgrass, Large Bindweed, Common Ragwort, Herb Robert, Annual Meadow Grass, Yarrow, Evening Primrose, Petty Spurge, Daisy, and Dandelion. Planted or of garden origin were Silver Birch, Wild Cherry, Garden Privet, Firethorn, Cherry Laurel, New Zealand Flax, Montbretia, Variegated Holly, Rowan, Spotted Dead Nettle, and Cotoneaster. Also found were Perennial Rye Grass, Great and Ribwort Plantains, Nettle, Sycamore, Blackthorn, Elder, Wych Elm, Ash, Mugwort, Grey Poplar, Ground Elder, Broom, Buddleia, and the Wild Carrot and Great Mullein had gone to seed.
Montagu Triangle provided flowering Heather, Autumn Hawkbit, Rosebay Willowherb, Great Mullein, Broom, Common Ragwort and Common Knapweed. The woods provided Foxglove, Soft Rush, Honeysuckle, Rowan, Montbretia, Yew, Norway Spruce. Autumn Hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum was still in flower.
The heathland had flowering Heather, Creeping Buttercup and Common Ragwort, Broom, Common Catsear. Also here was Rosebay Willowherb, Creeping Willow, Buckshorn Plantain, Heath Rush Juncus squarrosus, Toad Rush and along the paths plenty of the introduced American species Slender Rush Juncus tenuis. Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa and Bittersweet (in berry) were also found.
Back into the woods provided flowering Cyclamen or Sowbread Cyclamen hederifolium (pink and white forms) originated in nearby gardens as did the Cut-leaf Bramble Rubus laciniatus.
Heading back on towards the open heathland gave us Tufted Vetch, Sand Sedge, Weld, Fat Hen, Spear Thistle, and Shining Cranesbill. Flowering was Common Mouse-ear, Prickly Sowthistle, Tormentil, Michalemas Daisy, Smooth Hawksbeard, Evening Primrose, Autumn Hawkbit, Common Storksbill, Broom, Gorse, and one patch of Sheep’s Bit Jasione montana. The middle area is fenced enclosing the four Longhorn Cattle plus some sheep.
Alongside the path and railway were flowering Smooth Hawksbeard, Harebell, Bridewort Spirea sp., Red Clover, Common Knapweed, Black Medick (also with black seeds and mucronate point on leaf) and Wild Parsnip. Gone to seed were Great Mullein, Canadian Fleabane, Hogweed, Wild Carrot, Curled Dock. Along Montagu Road was flowering Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Canadian Goldenrod, but the Black Horehound had gone to seed. The “lawns” had Daisy and Parsley Aphanes arvensis agg.
Male and Broad Buckler Ferns, plus Polypody Fern were in the woods, as were the mosses Rough-stalked Feather-moss Brachythecium rutabulum, Common Feather-moss Kindbergia praelongum and Bank Haircap Polytrichum formosum. A few trees had the free-living orange algae Trentepohlia (which can also be a partner within some lichens).
Lichens seen were Xanthoria parietina, Physcia adscendens and P. tenella, Phaeophyscia orbicularis, Evernia prunastri, Parmelia sulcata, Pixie Cup Lichens Cladonia sp., Cladonia portentosa, and Dog Lichen Peltigera sp.
The butterflies and dragonflies took advantage of the sun in the afternoon with six Common Dater, five Comma, one Red Admiral and a Small Copper seen. Seven-spot Ladybird and an Orange Ladybird were seen, as was a hoverfly Drone-fly Eristalis tenax and a nymph Common Green Shieldbug. Grey Shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus was very photogenic on a log.
Leaf mines were on Holly (fly Phytomyza ilicis), Horse Chestnut (moth Cameraria ohridella), bramble (moth Stigmella aurella), Snowberry (fly Chromatomyia lonicerae), Oak (moth Stigmella) and birch.
On oak was a greenish parasitic wasp, probably in Torymidae. Galls on oaks, caused by gall wasps, were Cola-nut Gall (Andricus lignicola), Knopper (Andricus quercuscalicis), Common Spangle (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum), Silk Button (Neuroterus numismalis), Artichoke (Andricus foecundatrix) and Striped Pea Gall Cynips longiventris.
Birds present were two Great Spotted Woodpecker, a male Kestrel, 3 Jay, a Coal Tit, plus Woodpigeon, Crow, Blackbird, and Robin.
Text and photos Steve Cross
Previous Joint Meetings were
23 June 2007 Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2007-field-trips.html
05 July 2008 Penmon Point / South Stack David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2008-field-trips.html
27 June 2009 Malham David Bryant
25 July 2009 Wigan Flashes John Clegg livbotsoc.weebly.com/2009-field-trips.html
12 June 2010 Ynys-hir David Bryant
10 July 2010 Penmon Point David Bryant
07 August 2011 Smardale David Bryant
23 June 2012 Cors Erddreiniog and Cemlyn Bay David Bryant
21 July 2012 Long Mynd, Shropshire David Bryant
18 May 2013 Cannock Chase Dave Hardy livbotsoc.weebly.com/2013-field-trips.html
03 August 2013 Delamere Forest Dave Hardy livbotsoc.weebly.com/2013-field-trips.html
28 June 2014 South Stack, Anglesey David Bryant
19 July 2014 Whixall Moss David Bryant
16 May 2015 Manifold Valley, Derbyshire David Bryant
02 August 2015 Smardale David Bryant
06 August 2016 Brockholes Michael Hayward
09 July 2016 Malham David Bryant
17 September 2016 Malltraeth David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2016-field-trips.html
21 May 2017 Malltraeth marsh, Anglesey
03 June 2017 Derbyshire Dales
23 July 2017 Leighton Moss
19 May 2018 Coombes Valley RSPB
14 July 2018 Conwy Valley
01 June 2019 2019 June Anglesey – Puffin Island & Penmon Point
13 July 2019 Dunsop Bridge
18 June 2022 Monsal Dale, Derbyshire
02 July 2022 South Stack, Anglesey David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2022-field-trips.html
13 May 2023 Lake Vyrnwy
09 September 2023 Brockholes
23 June 2007 Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2007-field-trips.html
05 July 2008 Penmon Point / South Stack David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2008-field-trips.html
27 June 2009 Malham David Bryant
25 July 2009 Wigan Flashes John Clegg livbotsoc.weebly.com/2009-field-trips.html
12 June 2010 Ynys-hir David Bryant
10 July 2010 Penmon Point David Bryant
07 August 2011 Smardale David Bryant
23 June 2012 Cors Erddreiniog and Cemlyn Bay David Bryant
21 July 2012 Long Mynd, Shropshire David Bryant
18 May 2013 Cannock Chase Dave Hardy livbotsoc.weebly.com/2013-field-trips.html
03 August 2013 Delamere Forest Dave Hardy livbotsoc.weebly.com/2013-field-trips.html
28 June 2014 South Stack, Anglesey David Bryant
19 July 2014 Whixall Moss David Bryant
16 May 2015 Manifold Valley, Derbyshire David Bryant
02 August 2015 Smardale David Bryant
06 August 2016 Brockholes Michael Hayward
09 July 2016 Malham David Bryant
17 September 2016 Malltraeth David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2016-field-trips.html
21 May 2017 Malltraeth marsh, Anglesey
03 June 2017 Derbyshire Dales
23 July 2017 Leighton Moss
19 May 2018 Coombes Valley RSPB
14 July 2018 Conwy Valley
01 June 2019 2019 June Anglesey – Puffin Island & Penmon Point
13 July 2019 Dunsop Bridge
18 June 2022 Monsal Dale, Derbyshire
02 July 2022 South Stack, Anglesey David Bryant livbotsoc.weebly.com/2022-field-trips.html
13 May 2023 Lake Vyrnwy
09 September 2023 Brockholes