2008 Field Trips
Caergwrle 26th April 2008 Bee Identification Court Hey Park 24th May 2008 Marbury Country Park 7th June 2008 Green Beach, Birkdale 21st June 2008 Penmon Point / South Stack 5th July 2008
Sankey Canal / Mucky Mountains 26th July 2008 Highfield Moss 16th August 2008
Calderstones Tree Trail 6th September 2008 Eastham Woods 18th October 2008
Sankey Canal / Mucky Mountains 26th July 2008 Highfield Moss 16th August 2008
Calderstones Tree Trail 6th September 2008 Eastham Woods 18th October 2008
Eastham Woods
18th October 2008
Leader: Steve Cross
A small but select group of 6 assembled for the final field trip of the season. Before setting off the group took a few minutes to remember Keith Watson, who would have led this trip had not the tragic circumstances of last January taken place.
Under the canopy of Beech Fagus sylvatica, Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, many showing evidence of Tar Spot Rhytisma acerinum,and Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa, amongst others, a nice selection of fungi were found. These included: Honey Fungus Armillaria spp. Coral Spot Nectria cinnabarina Hairy Crust Stereum hirsutum, Earth Ball Scleroderma citrinum, Candle Snuff Xylaria hypoxylon, Fairies’ Bonnets Coprinus disseminatus, Birch Polypore Piptoporus betulinus, Bleeding Broadleaf Crust Stereum rugosum, Southern Bracket Ganoderma australe, Judas’ Ear Auricularia auricula-judae, Common Puff Ball Lycoperldon perlatum and Sulpher Tuft Hypholoma fasiculare. The Sweet Chestnut also provided grazing for several of the group!
A notice board informed us that some of the trees were in the order of five hundred years old. Not to be dictated to, we measured the girth of several. One huge Beech had a girth of 204 inches. This gives a free-standing tree a possible age of over two hundred years but for a tree in woodland I am told that figure can be doubled. With an age of four hundred and eight, it started growth in the year King Charles 1 was born, was five years old when the Gunpowder Plot was discovered and entitled to a bus pass when the Plague hit London! Makes you think, doesn’t it?
Several plantings in the woods showed specimens of interest, Mahonia Mahonia japonica in flower, Norway Maple Acer platanoides showing the start of its Autumn colours, Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus complete with fruit and, perhaps the prize tree of the wood Wellingtonia Sequoiadendron giganteum. This magnificent tree was growing near, of all things, a Victorian Bear Pit, an obscene reminder of our one-time attitude to animals in captivity.
Away from the heavy tree canopy Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara showed its colourful fruit and Traveller’s Joy Clematis vitalba was a remarkable sight, its seedheads covering the undershrubs. Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Meadow Cranesbill Geranium pratense and Tansy Tanacetum vulgare showed us the remnants of summer planting in the Pleasure Gardens.
Jay Garrulus glandarius, Blue Tit Parus caeruleus, Coal Tit Parus ater, Great Tit Parus major and Nuthatch Sitta europaea provided the birdlife of the day.
Many thanks to Steve Cross for leading the day. Thanks also to Michael Barrow for providing both the species list and the photographs.
Peter Tipping
18th October 2008
Leader: Steve Cross
A small but select group of 6 assembled for the final field trip of the season. Before setting off the group took a few minutes to remember Keith Watson, who would have led this trip had not the tragic circumstances of last January taken place.
Under the canopy of Beech Fagus sylvatica, Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, many showing evidence of Tar Spot Rhytisma acerinum,and Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa, amongst others, a nice selection of fungi were found. These included: Honey Fungus Armillaria spp. Coral Spot Nectria cinnabarina Hairy Crust Stereum hirsutum, Earth Ball Scleroderma citrinum, Candle Snuff Xylaria hypoxylon, Fairies’ Bonnets Coprinus disseminatus, Birch Polypore Piptoporus betulinus, Bleeding Broadleaf Crust Stereum rugosum, Southern Bracket Ganoderma australe, Judas’ Ear Auricularia auricula-judae, Common Puff Ball Lycoperldon perlatum and Sulpher Tuft Hypholoma fasiculare. The Sweet Chestnut also provided grazing for several of the group!
A notice board informed us that some of the trees were in the order of five hundred years old. Not to be dictated to, we measured the girth of several. One huge Beech had a girth of 204 inches. This gives a free-standing tree a possible age of over two hundred years but for a tree in woodland I am told that figure can be doubled. With an age of four hundred and eight, it started growth in the year King Charles 1 was born, was five years old when the Gunpowder Plot was discovered and entitled to a bus pass when the Plague hit London! Makes you think, doesn’t it?
Several plantings in the woods showed specimens of interest, Mahonia Mahonia japonica in flower, Norway Maple Acer platanoides showing the start of its Autumn colours, Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus complete with fruit and, perhaps the prize tree of the wood Wellingtonia Sequoiadendron giganteum. This magnificent tree was growing near, of all things, a Victorian Bear Pit, an obscene reminder of our one-time attitude to animals in captivity.
Away from the heavy tree canopy Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara showed its colourful fruit and Traveller’s Joy Clematis vitalba was a remarkable sight, its seedheads covering the undershrubs. Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Meadow Cranesbill Geranium pratense and Tansy Tanacetum vulgare showed us the remnants of summer planting in the Pleasure Gardens.
Jay Garrulus glandarius, Blue Tit Parus caeruleus, Coal Tit Parus ater, Great Tit Parus major and Nuthatch Sitta europaea provided the birdlife of the day.
Many thanks to Steve Cross for leading the day. Thanks also to Michael Barrow for providing both the species list and the photographs.
Peter Tipping
Calderstones Tree Trail
6th September 2008
Leader: Maria Knowles
A group of 12 explored the trees of Calderstones Park which include some interesting specimens from North America (planted due to the Park’s connection with the transatlantic shipping line Cunard), as well as many from Asia, Europe and even the southern hemisphere.
Over 70 species were looked at and discussed. The first tree was the unusual Spur-Leaf Tetracentron sinense from Asia, which is allied to the Magnolias and has the primitive wood structure of a conifer. Two Plum Yews were studied (Cephalotaxus fortunei and C. harringtonii) and compared to the Common Yew Taxus baccata and also to the closely related Californian Nutmeg Torreya californica.
Comparisons were made between different species of:
Limes - Tilia x petiolaris, T. x euchlora, T. x europaea and Tilia americana;
Ashes - Fraxinus ornus, F. excelsior and F. oxycarpa;
Walnuts - Juglans regia, J. nigra, and J. ailanthifolia;
Pines- Pinus ponderosa, P. mugo, P. parvifora, P. pinaster, and P. x holfordiana; Redwoods- Sequoia sempervirens and Sequoiadendron giganteum;
Cedars - Cedrus atlantica, C. deodara and C. libani.
The two deciduous conifers Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides from China, and Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum from the USA, were compared and contrasted.
Time was spent at the 1000-year-old Allerton Oak, under which ‘Hundreds Courts’ were said to have been held.
Five closely related conifers were examined in the ‘Ring of Five’. These are: Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata; Lawson Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsonia; Sawara Cypress C. pisifera; Hinoki Cypress C. obtusa and Nootka Cypress C. nootkatensis. The close proximity of these five helps with their tricky identification.
Estimation of the height of a tree was demonstrated and measurement of girth was used to suggest the age of a couple of specimens.
Lunch was enjoyed in the sunshine in the walled garden where the Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla was viewed in the glasshouse.
Later the group walked down the avenue of American Limes on route to see the Calderstones themselves (six stones which formed part of a burial chamber used by a local Neolithic community), which are now housed in a glasshouse in the Harthill side of the Park.
Towards the end of the day two trees from the southern hemisphere were seen: Polylepis australis (an unusual member of the Rosaceae family from the Andes with a papery bark which builds up in layers) and Coigue Nothofagus dombeyi a Southern Beech.
And finally the day ended with a new find of the Snowbell Tree Styrax japonica showing its lovely hanging fruits.
Thanks to all who came along to enjoy the trees of Calderstones Park.
Report by Maria Knowles
6th September 2008
Leader: Maria Knowles
A group of 12 explored the trees of Calderstones Park which include some interesting specimens from North America (planted due to the Park’s connection with the transatlantic shipping line Cunard), as well as many from Asia, Europe and even the southern hemisphere.
Over 70 species were looked at and discussed. The first tree was the unusual Spur-Leaf Tetracentron sinense from Asia, which is allied to the Magnolias and has the primitive wood structure of a conifer. Two Plum Yews were studied (Cephalotaxus fortunei and C. harringtonii) and compared to the Common Yew Taxus baccata and also to the closely related Californian Nutmeg Torreya californica.
Comparisons were made between different species of:
Limes - Tilia x petiolaris, T. x euchlora, T. x europaea and Tilia americana;
Ashes - Fraxinus ornus, F. excelsior and F. oxycarpa;
Walnuts - Juglans regia, J. nigra, and J. ailanthifolia;
Pines- Pinus ponderosa, P. mugo, P. parvifora, P. pinaster, and P. x holfordiana; Redwoods- Sequoia sempervirens and Sequoiadendron giganteum;
Cedars - Cedrus atlantica, C. deodara and C. libani.
The two deciduous conifers Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides from China, and Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum from the USA, were compared and contrasted.
Time was spent at the 1000-year-old Allerton Oak, under which ‘Hundreds Courts’ were said to have been held.
Five closely related conifers were examined in the ‘Ring of Five’. These are: Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata; Lawson Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsonia; Sawara Cypress C. pisifera; Hinoki Cypress C. obtusa and Nootka Cypress C. nootkatensis. The close proximity of these five helps with their tricky identification.
Estimation of the height of a tree was demonstrated and measurement of girth was used to suggest the age of a couple of specimens.
Lunch was enjoyed in the sunshine in the walled garden where the Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla was viewed in the glasshouse.
Later the group walked down the avenue of American Limes on route to see the Calderstones themselves (six stones which formed part of a burial chamber used by a local Neolithic community), which are now housed in a glasshouse in the Harthill side of the Park.
Towards the end of the day two trees from the southern hemisphere were seen: Polylepis australis (an unusual member of the Rosaceae family from the Andes with a papery bark which builds up in layers) and Coigue Nothofagus dombeyi a Southern Beech.
And finally the day ended with a new find of the Snowbell Tree Styrax japonica showing its lovely hanging fruits.
Thanks to all who came along to enjoy the trees of Calderstones Park.
Report by Maria Knowles
HIGHFIELD MOSS
SATURDAY 16th AUGUST 2008
Leaders: David Bryant/Chris Felton
This was a joint meeting between the LBS and the MNA. 17 members gathered outside the station, and we started botanising and insect hunting nearly straight away. There was a marvellous wall nearby, covered in ferns. David said it was bedrock sandstone; a considerable time was spent there. We walked into Willow Park, an excellent area with lots of interest for both Societies. We passed an overhanging plum tree, damson trees and filled our faces with blackberries (yummy). Highfield Moss is a wonderful place. Vera and I visited the area every August for many, many years. For those of you who have never been to the Moss, it is well worth a visit. The weather forecast was very bad, but we were so lucky; it didn’t rain, although it was very gloomy with a cold wind blowing. Everyone enjoyed the day. My thanks go to David Bryant and Chris Felton for their expertise and also for their great company. Here’s to the next time.
List of plants worth a mention:
Gentiana pneumonanthe (Marsh gentian) - the star of the show!
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides (Floating pennywort)
Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam)
Oenanthe crocata (Hemlock water dropwort)
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Water cress)
Lemna minor (Common duckweed)
Stachys palustris (Marsh woundwort)
Galium palustre (Marsh bedstraw)
Achillea ptarmica (Sneezewort)
Solidago virgaurea (Golden rod)
Senecio aquaticus (Marsh ragwort)
Pedicularis sylvatica (Lousewort)
Cydonia oblonga (Quince)/ Loquot - identification still to be confirmed.
Report from Pat Lockwood
SATURDAY 16th AUGUST 2008
Leaders: David Bryant/Chris Felton
This was a joint meeting between the LBS and the MNA. 17 members gathered outside the station, and we started botanising and insect hunting nearly straight away. There was a marvellous wall nearby, covered in ferns. David said it was bedrock sandstone; a considerable time was spent there. We walked into Willow Park, an excellent area with lots of interest for both Societies. We passed an overhanging plum tree, damson trees and filled our faces with blackberries (yummy). Highfield Moss is a wonderful place. Vera and I visited the area every August for many, many years. For those of you who have never been to the Moss, it is well worth a visit. The weather forecast was very bad, but we were so lucky; it didn’t rain, although it was very gloomy with a cold wind blowing. Everyone enjoyed the day. My thanks go to David Bryant and Chris Felton for their expertise and also for their great company. Here’s to the next time.
List of plants worth a mention:
Gentiana pneumonanthe (Marsh gentian) - the star of the show!
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides (Floating pennywort)
Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam)
Oenanthe crocata (Hemlock water dropwort)
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Water cress)
Lemna minor (Common duckweed)
Stachys palustris (Marsh woundwort)
Galium palustre (Marsh bedstraw)
Achillea ptarmica (Sneezewort)
Solidago virgaurea (Golden rod)
Senecio aquaticus (Marsh ragwort)
Pedicularis sylvatica (Lousewort)
Cydonia oblonga (Quince)/ Loquot - identification still to be confirmed.
Report from Pat Lockwood
Earlestown
26th July 2008
Leader: Peter Gateley
Sixteen members met at the exit to Earlestown Station, delayed slightly by a 10-minute wait for the train to arrive. However, we soon moved off and looked at some typical urban situations for plants. Just across the road, on the empty plot of a demolished property tall stands of Hemp Agrimony were just starting to flower, this is a typical weed of the whole of the urban parts of St Helens. Amongst the usual mix of coarse grasses and annual weeds there were also flowering specimens of Autumn Hawkbit. We proceeded via Chemical Street into Suez Street where many plants occupied the niches provided by abandoned buildings and urban dereliction.
One wall top had strikingly silhouetted plants of Blue Fleabane and Perforate St John’s-wort, and a wall further down the street was festooned with growths of Ivy-leaved Toadflax. Hemp Agrimony had also established in this vertical display as well as various ferns and other plants noted included Oxford Ragwort, Black Nightshade, Canadian Fleabane and Eastern Rocket, part of a rich mix of native and exotic annuals and ruderal plants.
Joined by a further member, the party of seventeen moved west along Earle Street noting more plants established in the walls of the old Victorian works, but also the rich mix of species in plots where buildings had been demolished and edges kept maintained as short flower-rich verges. This section of the walk provided an ideal opportunity to compare and contrast some similar species that learner botanists can be puzzled by. We were able to study Lesser Trefoil and Black Medick, along with Hop Trefoil, pointing out the distinguishing features of these low-growing, yellow-flowered legumes; just further along, Smooth Tare and Hairy Tare were growing together in some abundance, allowing the characters of the flowers and fruits to be closely compared.
From Earle Street we cut into The Dingle, where one end has been left unmanaged to allow a diverse acidic flora to develop, this probably represents relict vegetation from the former Newton Common that formerly stretched westwards from here. The sward is dominated by a mix of Purple Moor-grass, Common Bent, Red Fescue and Heath Grass, with a range of other typical acidophiles, including Heather, Tormentil, Common Rush, Mat-grass and many others.
From here we crossed into Sankey Valley Park and went to look at the now remarkably clean waters of Sankey Brook with waving strands of what looked like Water Crowfoot and pondweed species visible in the strong flow. The path through was edged with a mix of tall herb and coarse grasses, with many species typical of very damp conditions. Amongst the species picked out for extra attention was a colony of Greater Burnet-saxifrage, just coming into full flower and large flowering bushes of Burdock, with the future sticky-bobs clearly visible. Other species typical of the path under the nine-arched viaduct were Himalayan Balsam, Rosebay Willowherb, Yellow Flag, False Fox-sedge, Wild Angelica, Floating Sweet-grass, Red Bartsia, Common Fleabane, Tufted Vetch. Many of the species were in full flower and put on a bright show.
We lunched on the edge of the section of canal that is still in water, admiring the flowering patches of Yellow Waterlily, some with fruits well-formed, and entertained by passing coots, Brown Hawkers and Emperor Dragonflies. After lunch we climbed Mucky Mountains, a large mound of alkaline waste dating from the 1830s and 1840s that was formerly known for a wide range of limestone-loving plants not normally associated with the St Helens area. Despite proliferation of scrub over the last two decades, shading the ground and enriching the surface soil, much Fairy Flax and Quaking Grass was still to be seen, as well as some large patches of Mouse-ear Hawkweed and scattered Common Centaury. Along the northern edges much colour was provided by Red Clover, Knapweed and Tall Melilot.
After continuing along the canal to admire typical water plants such as Greater Duckweed, Fools Watercress, White Waterlily, Purple Loosestrife and Gipsywort we then retired to the shade of Old Hey Wood and walked back through this strip of woodland that predates the canal. Although it was late in the year for looking at woodlands there was evidence of a good population of Bluebells and the typical woodland grasses: Wood False-brome, Tufted Hair-grass and Wavy Hair-grass were all flowering well; a small population of Pill Sedge was also noted along the path edge, emphasising the acidic nature of this wooded slope. After leaving the wood we walked through Wargrave, back into Earlestown and those that could resist the temptation of the pub on this very hot day (by no means all of the party!) arrived at the station just in time for the next Liverpool train.
26th July 2008
Leader: Peter Gateley
Sixteen members met at the exit to Earlestown Station, delayed slightly by a 10-minute wait for the train to arrive. However, we soon moved off and looked at some typical urban situations for plants. Just across the road, on the empty plot of a demolished property tall stands of Hemp Agrimony were just starting to flower, this is a typical weed of the whole of the urban parts of St Helens. Amongst the usual mix of coarse grasses and annual weeds there were also flowering specimens of Autumn Hawkbit. We proceeded via Chemical Street into Suez Street where many plants occupied the niches provided by abandoned buildings and urban dereliction.
One wall top had strikingly silhouetted plants of Blue Fleabane and Perforate St John’s-wort, and a wall further down the street was festooned with growths of Ivy-leaved Toadflax. Hemp Agrimony had also established in this vertical display as well as various ferns and other plants noted included Oxford Ragwort, Black Nightshade, Canadian Fleabane and Eastern Rocket, part of a rich mix of native and exotic annuals and ruderal plants.
Joined by a further member, the party of seventeen moved west along Earle Street noting more plants established in the walls of the old Victorian works, but also the rich mix of species in plots where buildings had been demolished and edges kept maintained as short flower-rich verges. This section of the walk provided an ideal opportunity to compare and contrast some similar species that learner botanists can be puzzled by. We were able to study Lesser Trefoil and Black Medick, along with Hop Trefoil, pointing out the distinguishing features of these low-growing, yellow-flowered legumes; just further along, Smooth Tare and Hairy Tare were growing together in some abundance, allowing the characters of the flowers and fruits to be closely compared.
From Earle Street we cut into The Dingle, where one end has been left unmanaged to allow a diverse acidic flora to develop, this probably represents relict vegetation from the former Newton Common that formerly stretched westwards from here. The sward is dominated by a mix of Purple Moor-grass, Common Bent, Red Fescue and Heath Grass, with a range of other typical acidophiles, including Heather, Tormentil, Common Rush, Mat-grass and many others.
From here we crossed into Sankey Valley Park and went to look at the now remarkably clean waters of Sankey Brook with waving strands of what looked like Water Crowfoot and pondweed species visible in the strong flow. The path through was edged with a mix of tall herb and coarse grasses, with many species typical of very damp conditions. Amongst the species picked out for extra attention was a colony of Greater Burnet-saxifrage, just coming into full flower and large flowering bushes of Burdock, with the future sticky-bobs clearly visible. Other species typical of the path under the nine-arched viaduct were Himalayan Balsam, Rosebay Willowherb, Yellow Flag, False Fox-sedge, Wild Angelica, Floating Sweet-grass, Red Bartsia, Common Fleabane, Tufted Vetch. Many of the species were in full flower and put on a bright show.
We lunched on the edge of the section of canal that is still in water, admiring the flowering patches of Yellow Waterlily, some with fruits well-formed, and entertained by passing coots, Brown Hawkers and Emperor Dragonflies. After lunch we climbed Mucky Mountains, a large mound of alkaline waste dating from the 1830s and 1840s that was formerly known for a wide range of limestone-loving plants not normally associated with the St Helens area. Despite proliferation of scrub over the last two decades, shading the ground and enriching the surface soil, much Fairy Flax and Quaking Grass was still to be seen, as well as some large patches of Mouse-ear Hawkweed and scattered Common Centaury. Along the northern edges much colour was provided by Red Clover, Knapweed and Tall Melilot.
After continuing along the canal to admire typical water plants such as Greater Duckweed, Fools Watercress, White Waterlily, Purple Loosestrife and Gipsywort we then retired to the shade of Old Hey Wood and walked back through this strip of woodland that predates the canal. Although it was late in the year for looking at woodlands there was evidence of a good population of Bluebells and the typical woodland grasses: Wood False-brome, Tufted Hair-grass and Wavy Hair-grass were all flowering well; a small population of Pill Sedge was also noted along the path edge, emphasising the acidic nature of this wooded slope. After leaving the wood we walked through Wargrave, back into Earlestown and those that could resist the temptation of the pub on this very hot day (by no means all of the party!) arrived at the station just in time for the next Liverpool train.
South Stack, Anglesey
5th July 2008
Leader: David Bryant
A sunny, warm but breezy week was concluded by the arrival of a depression during Friday night so that Saturday morning was cloudy with occasional downpours and hopes weren’t high after previous wet outings to Tregaron and Crock of Lune. However brighter skies to the west raised our spirits as we approached St. Asaph. By the time we reached South Stack it was blue skies with fluffy cumulus clouds so that first time visitors could truly appreciate the venue – dramatic cliffs, stacks and a natural arch, a deep-blue agitated sea, a dazzling white lighthouse and impressive views towards Snowdonia.
The main group made its way towards the cliff top path, traversing a good example of low, maritime heath with Western Gorse, Heather, Cross-leaved Heath and Bell Heather. Variety was added to by Angelica, Burnet Saxifrage, Catsear and several hybrid Southern Marsh Orchids. A Silver-studded Blue was disturbed but quickly sought shelter from the breeze. The sinuous cliff walk was a veritable rock garden with English Stonecrop, Sheep’s-bit Scabious, Lesser Centaury, Sea Plantain and Rock Sea-spurrey. Sea Carrot demonstrated its convex flower head or umbel and usually a central red flower while some of the Sea Pink produced extremely large spongy cushions of fine leaves. We made our way south as far as the path permits, having our lunch against a large stack where Choughs flew about and fed on the steep grassy slopes towards the summit. A Rock Pipit called and eventually put in an appearance while an immature Fulmar soared to and fro on rigid wings over a deep inlet – a predictable haunt. Far below on the foam–streaked swell mixed groups of browner Guillemots and contrasting black and white Razorbills bobbed about. On retracing our footsteps attention was drawn to the scale and structure of the cliffs with complex folds in the Pre-Cambrian white quartzites and greener schists with ages well in excess of 600,000,000 years, the oldest rocks in Wales.
Approaching Ellinis tower with its RSPB centre Kidney Vetch and Sea Campion were noted . A Grayling butterfly on the path was so well camouflaged that it was difficult for some to spot even at close quarters. The birds were obviously used to people since we were able to get very close views of a male Stonechat and a pair of Choughs, only taking to the air at the last minute. From the base of the tower we had a grandstand view of the serried ranks of Guillemots on the exposed white-washed ledges, growling and gargling, not too dissimilar to the sounds from a frustrated and angry Marg Simpson! The Razorbills confined themselves to the more sheltered rockier ledges, overhangs and crannies. Descending the steps to the lighthouse on the north side of the great colony enabled us to see at least five puffins, a great attraction for many members of the public. Some of the slopes there are less precipitous and have fairly thick soil for burrowing with protective vegetation. Peering over the wall revealed a good quantity of Golden Samphire and a little Rock Sea-lavendar while Dave Hardy photographed a Ruby Tailed Wasp. Terry Williams thought he heard a Common Sandpiper amidst the calls of the auks and gulls and patient scrutiny with binoculars and telescopes revealed the bird on the darker rocks below the auk ledges on the lighthouse cliffs. A few of the Guillemots were the “bridled” form with a white eye-ring and a white line extending backwards from the eye. Out to sea Gannets passed by in ones and twos and much further out Manx Shearwaters were confirmed with binoculars. Then attention was diverted to a Heron overhead which was inevitably mobbed by gulls. We were equally fascinated by the standing waves and foam caused by opposing currents coming into conflict fairly close inshore to the north-west.
Against a rapidly changing cloudscape and with intermittent showers we crossed the road and headed east up to a pair of shallow lakes, their margins colonised by Water Horsetail and Bottle Sedge. Although no dragonflies were evident, we could at least admire a good concentration of Marsh St John’s-wort with yellow flowers and rounded glaucous leaves. After sheltering from a heavy shower, we had a last look at the heath below the café and came across Scarlet Pimpernel, Annual Wall Rocket, plenty of Goldenrod, a solitary Common Lousewort and numerous red rounded, berry-like galls, Diplolepsis spinosissinae, on the Burnet Rose.
5th July 2008
Leader: David Bryant
A sunny, warm but breezy week was concluded by the arrival of a depression during Friday night so that Saturday morning was cloudy with occasional downpours and hopes weren’t high after previous wet outings to Tregaron and Crock of Lune. However brighter skies to the west raised our spirits as we approached St. Asaph. By the time we reached South Stack it was blue skies with fluffy cumulus clouds so that first time visitors could truly appreciate the venue – dramatic cliffs, stacks and a natural arch, a deep-blue agitated sea, a dazzling white lighthouse and impressive views towards Snowdonia.
The main group made its way towards the cliff top path, traversing a good example of low, maritime heath with Western Gorse, Heather, Cross-leaved Heath and Bell Heather. Variety was added to by Angelica, Burnet Saxifrage, Catsear and several hybrid Southern Marsh Orchids. A Silver-studded Blue was disturbed but quickly sought shelter from the breeze. The sinuous cliff walk was a veritable rock garden with English Stonecrop, Sheep’s-bit Scabious, Lesser Centaury, Sea Plantain and Rock Sea-spurrey. Sea Carrot demonstrated its convex flower head or umbel and usually a central red flower while some of the Sea Pink produced extremely large spongy cushions of fine leaves. We made our way south as far as the path permits, having our lunch against a large stack where Choughs flew about and fed on the steep grassy slopes towards the summit. A Rock Pipit called and eventually put in an appearance while an immature Fulmar soared to and fro on rigid wings over a deep inlet – a predictable haunt. Far below on the foam–streaked swell mixed groups of browner Guillemots and contrasting black and white Razorbills bobbed about. On retracing our footsteps attention was drawn to the scale and structure of the cliffs with complex folds in the Pre-Cambrian white quartzites and greener schists with ages well in excess of 600,000,000 years, the oldest rocks in Wales.
Approaching Ellinis tower with its RSPB centre Kidney Vetch and Sea Campion were noted . A Grayling butterfly on the path was so well camouflaged that it was difficult for some to spot even at close quarters. The birds were obviously used to people since we were able to get very close views of a male Stonechat and a pair of Choughs, only taking to the air at the last minute. From the base of the tower we had a grandstand view of the serried ranks of Guillemots on the exposed white-washed ledges, growling and gargling, not too dissimilar to the sounds from a frustrated and angry Marg Simpson! The Razorbills confined themselves to the more sheltered rockier ledges, overhangs and crannies. Descending the steps to the lighthouse on the north side of the great colony enabled us to see at least five puffins, a great attraction for many members of the public. Some of the slopes there are less precipitous and have fairly thick soil for burrowing with protective vegetation. Peering over the wall revealed a good quantity of Golden Samphire and a little Rock Sea-lavendar while Dave Hardy photographed a Ruby Tailed Wasp. Terry Williams thought he heard a Common Sandpiper amidst the calls of the auks and gulls and patient scrutiny with binoculars and telescopes revealed the bird on the darker rocks below the auk ledges on the lighthouse cliffs. A few of the Guillemots were the “bridled” form with a white eye-ring and a white line extending backwards from the eye. Out to sea Gannets passed by in ones and twos and much further out Manx Shearwaters were confirmed with binoculars. Then attention was diverted to a Heron overhead which was inevitably mobbed by gulls. We were equally fascinated by the standing waves and foam caused by opposing currents coming into conflict fairly close inshore to the north-west.
Against a rapidly changing cloudscape and with intermittent showers we crossed the road and headed east up to a pair of shallow lakes, their margins colonised by Water Horsetail and Bottle Sedge. Although no dragonflies were evident, we could at least admire a good concentration of Marsh St John’s-wort with yellow flowers and rounded glaucous leaves. After sheltering from a heavy shower, we had a last look at the heath below the café and came across Scarlet Pimpernel, Annual Wall Rocket, plenty of Goldenrod, a solitary Common Lousewort and numerous red rounded, berry-like galls, Diplolepsis spinosissinae, on the Burnet Rose.
Birkdale Green Beach
21st June 2008
Leader: Pat Lockwood
Eleven intrepid souls ventured out on the longest day of the year. Practically mid Summer, it couldn’t rain that hard or for that long could it? Despite the weather a good morning botanising was to ensue.
First encounter was with a splendid specimen of Sea Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum ssp maritimus. On the first section of the beach we found large numbers of, Sea Club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus, Brookweed Samolus valerandi, Strawberry Clover Trifolium fragiferum and Sea Milkwort Glaux maritima. Toad Rush Juncus bufonius agg. Fool’s Watercress Apium nodiflorum and Eyebright Euphrasia spp. Were doing very well. The conditions suited them if not us!
Forgetmenots are not easy to work out at the best of times, but when the books are getting wetter by the minute it does not really help. Even so Tufted Myosotis laxa and Changing Forgetmenot Myosotis discolor were certainties before the book got too wet. Garden Angelica Angelica archangelica was an impressive sight with Hemlock Water Dropwort Oenanthe crocata. Red Bartsia Odontites vernus and Water Cress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, the real one this time, were found around the pool edges, along with Marsh Bedstraw Galium palustre.
Turning into the dunes for a bit of respite we were cheered up by stands of Red Hot Poker Kniphofia uvaria trying to be bright even on a day like this. Now the ground is drier, believe it or not, Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale, Sand Sedge Carex arenaria and Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa make their presence known.
A nice sheltered slack rewarded our endeavours with Early Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata, in flower and Marsh Helleborine Epipactus palustris, two species worth seeing at any time. Common Milkwort Polygala vulgaris, Dewberry Rubus caesius and Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias were looking good despite the weather. A single specimen of Common Broomrape Orobanche minor was found parasitising Restharrow Ononis repens.
It was at about this time that the weather degenerated even more. It was time to call it a day, but whilst making a dash to the cars we did take the time to notice Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfiolata and Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula.
We certainly got the best out of a poor day weatherwise, but enough was enough!
Many thanks to a brave P at Lockwood for leading the session under such poor conditions.
Peter Tipping
21st June 2008
Leader: Pat Lockwood
Eleven intrepid souls ventured out on the longest day of the year. Practically mid Summer, it couldn’t rain that hard or for that long could it? Despite the weather a good morning botanising was to ensue.
First encounter was with a splendid specimen of Sea Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum ssp maritimus. On the first section of the beach we found large numbers of, Sea Club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus, Brookweed Samolus valerandi, Strawberry Clover Trifolium fragiferum and Sea Milkwort Glaux maritima. Toad Rush Juncus bufonius agg. Fool’s Watercress Apium nodiflorum and Eyebright Euphrasia spp. Were doing very well. The conditions suited them if not us!
Forgetmenots are not easy to work out at the best of times, but when the books are getting wetter by the minute it does not really help. Even so Tufted Myosotis laxa and Changing Forgetmenot Myosotis discolor were certainties before the book got too wet. Garden Angelica Angelica archangelica was an impressive sight with Hemlock Water Dropwort Oenanthe crocata. Red Bartsia Odontites vernus and Water Cress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, the real one this time, were found around the pool edges, along with Marsh Bedstraw Galium palustre.
Turning into the dunes for a bit of respite we were cheered up by stands of Red Hot Poker Kniphofia uvaria trying to be bright even on a day like this. Now the ground is drier, believe it or not, Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale, Sand Sedge Carex arenaria and Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa make their presence known.
A nice sheltered slack rewarded our endeavours with Early Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata, in flower and Marsh Helleborine Epipactus palustris, two species worth seeing at any time. Common Milkwort Polygala vulgaris, Dewberry Rubus caesius and Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias were looking good despite the weather. A single specimen of Common Broomrape Orobanche minor was found parasitising Restharrow Ononis repens.
It was at about this time that the weather degenerated even more. It was time to call it a day, but whilst making a dash to the cars we did take the time to notice Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfiolata and Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula.
We certainly got the best out of a poor day weatherwise, but enough was enough!
Many thanks to a brave P at Lockwood for leading the session under such poor conditions.
Peter Tipping
Anderton Country Park
7th June 2008
Leader: John Somerville
Seven members met in the car park at Northwich on a cloudy but dry day. Just outside the car park we firstly found Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia and then Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius with Common Ragwort nearby to compare the differences. We then walked along the path between Ashton Flash and Neumann’s Flash to a bird hide from where we watched the pair of Black Winged Stilts with their one remaining youngster. This was the first time that this bird had had a chick in Cheshire and only the third time in the UK. Continuing along the path we found Dame’s Violet Hesperis matronalis, Mouse-ear Hawkweed Pilosella aurantiaca, the remains from last year of Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus and a large patch of Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia in Ashton’s Flash. We passed a number of Swedish Whitebeam Sorbus intermedia trees before we reached a second bird hide overlooking Neumann’s Flash where we found Great Burnet Sanguisorba officinalis with Meadowsweet Filipendula vulgaris nearby, both not yet in flower.
Continuing our circuit of Neumann’s Flash we passed numerous Orchids which were identified, with difficulty, as mainly Northern Marsh Dactylorhiza purpurella and Southern Marsh Dactylorhiza praetermissa Orchids. Reaching Haydn’s Pool bird hide we stopped for ten minutes to watch the Black Swans with their two young and other birds including Little Grebe and Ringed plover.
After leaving Haydn’s Pool we walked along Witton brook towards the Anderton Boat lift. We passed numerous plants of Hemp Agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, Teasel Dipsacus fullonum, Tansy Tancetum vulgare, Marsh and Hedge Woundworts Stachys palustris/Stachys sylvatica, Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper, Black and Hoary Mustard Brassica nigra & Hirschfeldia incana, Common Valerian Valeriana officinalis, Creepng Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans, White Bryony Bryonia dioica, Fodder Burnet Sanguisorba officinalis ssp. muricata, but our star find was a solitary plant of Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides.
Where Witton Brook flows into the River Weaver we saw Floating Pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides which is a mat forming pest which would choke a river if not kept in check. As we walked along the Weaver we passed Imperforate St John’s Wort Hypericum maculatum and Creeping Yellowcress Rorippa sylvestris until we reached the Anderton Boat Lift with its visitor centre. We stopped for lunch near the visitor centre and then spent ten minutes inside before setting out again on the return leg of our walk.
A couple of ponds produced Amphibious Bistort Persicaria amphibious, Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus, Water Forgetmenot Myosotis scorpioides, White Water Lily Nymphaea alba, and Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus then along the path we were finding Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica, Cowslips Primula veris, and the star of the area, Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium. The Cowslips were in seed and it would be another month before the Fleabane and Pennyroyal would be in flower.
We entered an area where the park rangers had cut down all the scrub to let the plants grow on the lime rich subsoil and we first found Vipers Bugloss Echium vulgare. Searching the rest of the area was slow as most of our group were busy eating the wild Raspberries Rubus idaeus but we found two poor specimens of Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea.
Leaving this area we entered the hay meadows and then continued along the path towards Marbury Lane. There were not many new plants along this path but we did find Lucerne Medicago sativa ssp. sativa, Marsh Willowherb Epilobium palustre, Brooklime Veronica beccabunga, and Black Bryony Tamus communis.
Reaching Marbury lane we cut through a wood and then walked along Witton Brook back to our car park.
7th June 2008
Leader: John Somerville
Seven members met in the car park at Northwich on a cloudy but dry day. Just outside the car park we firstly found Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia and then Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius with Common Ragwort nearby to compare the differences. We then walked along the path between Ashton Flash and Neumann’s Flash to a bird hide from where we watched the pair of Black Winged Stilts with their one remaining youngster. This was the first time that this bird had had a chick in Cheshire and only the third time in the UK. Continuing along the path we found Dame’s Violet Hesperis matronalis, Mouse-ear Hawkweed Pilosella aurantiaca, the remains from last year of Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus and a large patch of Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia in Ashton’s Flash. We passed a number of Swedish Whitebeam Sorbus intermedia trees before we reached a second bird hide overlooking Neumann’s Flash where we found Great Burnet Sanguisorba officinalis with Meadowsweet Filipendula vulgaris nearby, both not yet in flower.
Continuing our circuit of Neumann’s Flash we passed numerous Orchids which were identified, with difficulty, as mainly Northern Marsh Dactylorhiza purpurella and Southern Marsh Dactylorhiza praetermissa Orchids. Reaching Haydn’s Pool bird hide we stopped for ten minutes to watch the Black Swans with their two young and other birds including Little Grebe and Ringed plover.
After leaving Haydn’s Pool we walked along Witton brook towards the Anderton Boat lift. We passed numerous plants of Hemp Agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, Teasel Dipsacus fullonum, Tansy Tancetum vulgare, Marsh and Hedge Woundworts Stachys palustris/Stachys sylvatica, Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper, Black and Hoary Mustard Brassica nigra & Hirschfeldia incana, Common Valerian Valeriana officinalis, Creepng Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans, White Bryony Bryonia dioica, Fodder Burnet Sanguisorba officinalis ssp. muricata, but our star find was a solitary plant of Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides.
Where Witton Brook flows into the River Weaver we saw Floating Pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides which is a mat forming pest which would choke a river if not kept in check. As we walked along the Weaver we passed Imperforate St John’s Wort Hypericum maculatum and Creeping Yellowcress Rorippa sylvestris until we reached the Anderton Boat Lift with its visitor centre. We stopped for lunch near the visitor centre and then spent ten minutes inside before setting out again on the return leg of our walk.
A couple of ponds produced Amphibious Bistort Persicaria amphibious, Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus, Water Forgetmenot Myosotis scorpioides, White Water Lily Nymphaea alba, and Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus then along the path we were finding Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica, Cowslips Primula veris, and the star of the area, Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium. The Cowslips were in seed and it would be another month before the Fleabane and Pennyroyal would be in flower.
We entered an area where the park rangers had cut down all the scrub to let the plants grow on the lime rich subsoil and we first found Vipers Bugloss Echium vulgare. Searching the rest of the area was slow as most of our group were busy eating the wild Raspberries Rubus idaeus but we found two poor specimens of Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea.
Leaving this area we entered the hay meadows and then continued along the path towards Marbury Lane. There were not many new plants along this path but we did find Lucerne Medicago sativa ssp. sativa, Marsh Willowherb Epilobium palustre, Brooklime Veronica beccabunga, and Black Bryony Tamus communis.
Reaching Marbury lane we cut through a wood and then walked along Witton Brook back to our car park.
Bumblebee Identification. Liverpool Wildflower Centre
24th May 2008
Leaders - Carl Clee and Tony Parker
The Bumblebee Identification workshop was aimed at raising awareness of both the plight and the significance of this very important group of insects.
The first session consisted of a Powerpoint presentation of the six commonest species, and an explanation of their life cycle and value within an ecosystem. The presentation was backed up with an information pack including a very useful laminated identification graphic. The final part of the presentation was a quiz, to see who had been paying attention!
The after lunch session consisted of a capture, identify and release activity. Graphics are well and good but the creature in hand is obviously another matter! We watched Red-tailed, Carder and other bees whilst seeing at close quarters the difference between nectaring and pollen collecting. A quite magnificent queen Cuckoo bee was the star capture of the session. Aptly named, these bees lay their eggs in the nests of hosts.
The botanical highspot of the day was a Red/White Campion hybrid, Silene x hampeana with both colours being displayed on the one plant.
It was nice to see some new faces in the party—please come back!
Carl Clee is always interested to hear about sightings and reports of bees. Any reports or records can be sent to him in any format at the museum, or by email to [email protected].
Great thanks to both Carl and Tony for a very interesting and informative day.
Peter Tipping
24th May 2008
Leaders - Carl Clee and Tony Parker
The Bumblebee Identification workshop was aimed at raising awareness of both the plight and the significance of this very important group of insects.
The first session consisted of a Powerpoint presentation of the six commonest species, and an explanation of their life cycle and value within an ecosystem. The presentation was backed up with an information pack including a very useful laminated identification graphic. The final part of the presentation was a quiz, to see who had been paying attention!
The after lunch session consisted of a capture, identify and release activity. Graphics are well and good but the creature in hand is obviously another matter! We watched Red-tailed, Carder and other bees whilst seeing at close quarters the difference between nectaring and pollen collecting. A quite magnificent queen Cuckoo bee was the star capture of the session. Aptly named, these bees lay their eggs in the nests of hosts.
The botanical highspot of the day was a Red/White Campion hybrid, Silene x hampeana with both colours being displayed on the one plant.
It was nice to see some new faces in the party—please come back!
Carl Clee is always interested to hear about sightings and reports of bees. Any reports or records can be sent to him in any format at the museum, or by email to [email protected].
Great thanks to both Carl and Tony for a very interesting and informative day.
Peter Tipping
Caergwrle 26th April 2008
Leader:Pat Lockwood
A warm but overcast morning saw sixteen members gather for the first field trip of the present season. Down by the Alyn the day got off to a great start with the group finding Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium alternifolium amongst the Ramsoms Allium ursinum and Dog’s Mercury Mercurialis perennis. A Kingfisher on the river provided a great highlight.
A gentle uphill stroll towards the lunch site gave a nice selection of plants that included Bitter Vetchling Lathyrus linifolius, Goldilocks Ranunculus auricomus and Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea. Lunch was taken amongst drifts of English Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scriptus, Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa and Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella.
On the Plas Maen path Marsh Valerian Valeriana dioica, Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris and Lesser Pond Sedge Carex acutiformis were seen along with two Horsetails, Equisetium palustre and telmateia. On the roadside near Cymau we found Rough Chervil Chaerophyllum temulum, Navelwort Umbilicus rupestris and Early Purple Orchids Orchis mascula, just coming into flower. Four plants of Cornsalad Valerianella locusta were possibly the highlight of this site. No less than eight Veronicas were found through the day. All in all, a very good start to the season.
Many thanks to Pat Lockwood for taking on the role of leader for this outing.
Peter Tipping
Leader:Pat Lockwood
A warm but overcast morning saw sixteen members gather for the first field trip of the present season. Down by the Alyn the day got off to a great start with the group finding Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium alternifolium amongst the Ramsoms Allium ursinum and Dog’s Mercury Mercurialis perennis. A Kingfisher on the river provided a great highlight.
A gentle uphill stroll towards the lunch site gave a nice selection of plants that included Bitter Vetchling Lathyrus linifolius, Goldilocks Ranunculus auricomus and Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea. Lunch was taken amongst drifts of English Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scriptus, Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa and Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella.
On the Plas Maen path Marsh Valerian Valeriana dioica, Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris and Lesser Pond Sedge Carex acutiformis were seen along with two Horsetails, Equisetium palustre and telmateia. On the roadside near Cymau we found Rough Chervil Chaerophyllum temulum, Navelwort Umbilicus rupestris and Early Purple Orchids Orchis mascula, just coming into flower. Four plants of Cornsalad Valerianella locusta were possibly the highlight of this site. No less than eight Veronicas were found through the day. All in all, a very good start to the season.
Many thanks to Pat Lockwood for taking on the role of leader for this outing.
Peter Tipping