Merseyside Naturalists' Association

Newsletter January 2013

Contents

From the Chairman, David Bryant ...... Page 3

Do we still have a problem? (Treasurer's Report), Alexander Mansfield...... Page 3

Membership Report, John Clegg...... Page 4

Coach Secretary's Report, John Clegg ...... Page 5

Secretary's Report, Barbara Lee...... Page 5

Brockholes Nature Reserve, May 2012, Sabena J Blackbird ...... Page 7

Leighton Moss / Gait Barrows, June 2012, Sabena J Blackbird ...... Page 9

Fungal Foray, and , September 2012, Sabena J Blackbird ...... Page 11

Uncovered – The Mystery of the Painted Lady’s Migration ...... Page 13

Eric Hardy's Centenary Wood ...... Page 14

A Natural History Diary, David Bryant ...... Page 15

The Year in Pictures ...... Back cover

Edited by David Bryant Layout by Barbara Lee Most photos by Sabena J Blackbird Line drawings by David Bryant Other photo credits: Water Rail on back cover, Chris Derri Wrinkled Peach on back cover, Tony Carter. Fossils on back cover, Barbara Lee

The cover picture was taken by Barbara Lee at Walton Station in on 8th August 2012. It's the wildflower bank at Walton Station planted by David Bryant.

Full information on our 2013 programme of coach trips, talks and field trips will be on our website from January 2013.

www.mnapage.info

Reports and pictures from many previous trips not covered in this newsletter are on our blog at

www.NaturalistsNotebook.mnapage.info

This newsletter is published by the Naturalists' Association of 13 Strafford Drive, , Liverpool, L20 9JN. The MNA was founded by Eric Hardy in 1938 and is registered charity no. 1039420. Material from this newsletter may not be reproduced without the permission of the MNA. © Copyright Merseyside Naturalists' Association 2012.

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From the Chairman David Bryant, Chairman

2013 should prove to there on 30th November so that members be a memorable year can actually find the area, see what is for three reasons. intended and spread the news to those unable to attend. See more about the wood 1. To celebrate the on page 14. The Committee hopes that as 75th anniversary of the many members as possible will be able to MNA there will be a join our walk next November, which will be in special field meeting Eric’s memory. Apart from anything else it on 4th May to be led by the well-travelled and should be a nice ramble up from Frodsham experienced guides, Alan Davies and Ruth station, an area we have not ventured into. Miller, noted for their global bird trek “The Biggest Twitch”. Our trip is, in essence, a 3. And then, something the MNA hasn’t done mystery tour, in that the itinerary will be for many years – a field meeting over a long decided by them on the day according to the weekend. In the programme you will see it is status of local species. Members should take planned for Friday 31st May to Monday 3rd advantage of a unique opportunity. June (3 nights). Based in King’s Lynn we will visit key reserves in Cambridgeshire and 2. To commemorate the centenary of Eric Norfolk. Members will settle their own hotel Hardy’s birth in 1912 and all his good work, bills, although we should be able to negotiate the MNA has dedicated half an acre at the a group booking. We need serious Woodland Trust’s Snidley Moor near expressions of interest by the end of January Frodsham, as this area was one of Eric’s with a deadline for booking by the AGM on favourites. It will be celebrated by a meeting 23rd February.

Do we still have a problem? Alexander Mansfield, Treasurer

In last year's Annual Report I noted that the • We have adopted a MNA were potentially open to criticism, in that beehive to support local our level of reserves were higher than strictly beekeepers and to fund needed to cover possible contingencies. scientific research into So has the Committee managed so solve the the breeding of bees problem? The answer is a resounding yes! resistant to varroa mite, research into "hygienic First, the unresolved matters: Due to a bees", a study of combination of factors, the two potential pesticide levels in projects noted in last year's Annual Report, the beeswax, and the provision of teaching Eric Hardy Memorial Prize and the donation materials to new bee-keepers. towards Osprey platforms, have not yet come • to fruition, but the Committee is hopeful of We have also made a three-year donation reporting good news about them at the AGM. towards the cost of bird food at Pickerings So how has the Committee utilised its reserves Pasture. Gary Broad, the chair of the Friends in other ways? of Pickerings Pasture said " Can I once more thank you for making this generous gesture. • It will make a tremendous difference." We made a donation to Wildlife Trust towards their appeal to save Chat • Finally and most importantly, we have Moss. They have recently announced it has dedicated half an acre of Snidley Moor Wood been saved from potential peat extraction near Frodsham to the memory of Eric Hardy, and added " We would like to say a huge as described by David Bryant above. thank you to you, our members, for your support of our mosslands campaign and to There is still scope for the MNA to support those of you who donated to our mosslands more projects across Merseyside so please let appeal. You have helped save this amazing any of the Committee members know if you habitat and continue our fight to save more! " have ideas which we could support. 3

Membership Report John Clegg, Membership Secretary

The survey David Bryant thinks he At the time of writing in early November, joined in 1958, which membership of the MNA stands at 173, the would make him the best for many years. However, the number longest-standing member attending walks has dropped, and it makes at 55 years, and Howard your Committee think we are doing something Mills believes he joined wrong. To help put this right you were sent a in the early 1970s (about survey form with your membership renewal 40 years ago) but neither letter. (It is enclosed if you pay by standing of these dates are in the order). I hope you will return your comments, oldest membership records. if you haven't done so already, so they can be put to the AGM at the end of February. I hope Data Protection Act to see you all at the AGM, where you can put Members are advised that their membership forward your ideas. details are on a Card File, not a computer. We hold your name, address, phone number and One suggestion made by member Jimmy e-mail address (if given). We have a note if you Hughes was to have walks starting or ending have a standing order, and another if you have with a meal. This has been taken up, and signed a Gift Aid Declaration. Members' details Jimmy will be leading a walk in September, are not given to any other organisation. which ends with a meal at the Harvester. You can do the walk without the meal if you wish, Matches … and make your own way to Grove Road Station Congratulations go to Charles Russell on his at the end of the walk. marriage in October 2012, and we hope to see him and his new wife Eileen on our walks soon. Programme Once again you will find two membership cards … and Despatches – the pocket programme and the amplified I have been informed of the deaths of the programme. After comments from some following members. members, a few of the symbols on the amplified programme have been clarified, and George Spreag . George was an active I hope you find this helpful. member of the group for many years and was a leader of some walks until he became unwell. At the AGM some members requested that we sometimes start coach trips a little later. We Peter Addison . Peter's main interests were have planned three in 2013: butterflies and wildflowers, and he was a Hutton Roof on 23 Jun (9.30 Conway ) former manager of Liverpool Parks and Fairburn Ings on 1 Sep (9.00 Conway Park) Gardens. Carsington Water 13 Oct (9.00 Conway Park). Margaret Benham . Margaret only attended Long membership of the MNA indoor talks along with her husband Frank. John Ashworth informed me that 2013 will be his 50th year as an MNA member. Curious to Lillian Griffin , who wasn't an active member. see if this was a record, I looked up the old data passed to me by former Membership David Dunnit , an MNA member until he took Secretary John Blades. The longest-standing early retirement from the Mathematics Dept of members in those files are Liverpool University and moved to Scotland. 50 years – John Ashworth (1963) He was one of the "Gang of Four" who founded 40 years – Bruce Harper (1973) the Liverpool RSPB Group. 36 years – Frank Parker and Charles Russell (1977) The MNA were represented at most of the 35 years – Jan Donkin (1978) above funerals. If you know of the death of a 34 years – Barrie Booth, Sid Duff and Maria member, will you please let one of the Morris (1979) Committee know.

Coach Secretary's Report John Clegg, Acting Coach Secretary

The numbers on the 2012 coach trips were Please also note that the pick-up point at the very disappointing, with an average of only 18 Rocket, when the coach is going into Liverpool, people on each coach, and with very few Wirral is down on the programme as "Crimpers", not members booking. This has resulted in large Fireside World. It isn’t a change, it's exactly the losses on most of them. It wasn't helped when same place, it has just been re-named. a small number of members booked, but didn’t turn up and didn’t pay. For 2013 the Committee has decided to carry the potential losses out of our reserves, in the I remind members that once you have booked hope that attendance will pick up. If you have you MUST PAY IN FULL if you don’t give 7 any ideas for increasing the number of days notice. If you do find on the morning of a members coming on coaches, please let any coach trip that you are unable to make it, Committee member know, or come and put please phone 07811 323 354 (Dave Hardy) or them to the AGM. We can't keep on making 07879 230 614 (John Clegg), so that we don’t losses. The MNA is the only local naturalists' hold the coach up for you. group left who run coach outings, so please don’t make our 75th year the last one for MNA A number of members on the Wirral have said coaches. that the pick-ups were in the wrong places, so for the 2013 coaches we have set a new pick- And if you haven't been on a coach trip before, up point, Conway Park Station on Europa why not give it a try, you might like it! Boulevard, close to three stations Members are very welcoming and are always and just across the road from Birkenhead Bus willing to point out interesting birds and other Station. We hope Wirral members find this wildlife to newcomers, and happy to help more convenient to get to, and we hope to see beginners. more of you in 2013 !

Secretary's Report Barbara Lee, Secretary

Seeing white Reports in September in the Liverpool Daily If you are wondering why Post suggest that there is a scheme on foot to the programme cards are build a "multimillion pound luxury golf resort" white this year, it isn't a with five star hotel, spa and conference failure of imagination, it's facilities at Hoylake, which may have an impact a deliberate choice. on one of our favourite sites, Langfields and "Diamond White" is the Gilroy Pool. official colour for a 75th anniversary. I suggested glittery card, but that Peel Holdings have been granted planning idea was immediately vetoed by the rest of the permission for their "Mersey Waters" Committee, so I have to be satisfied with the development at Princes Dock and Birkenhead speckled card used for the pocket programme. Docks. The pictures on their website promise lots of open parkland and wildlife areas. See Local developments http://www.liverpoolwaters.co.uk/content/home.php A recent note in a plane-spotter's magazine says that Liverpool John Lennon Airport have John Lamb, the man behind the addition of put in a planning application to close Dungeon 50,000 tonnes of sand to New Brighton's rocks Lane, to enable them to use some new landing in 1987 wants to persuade Peel Holdings to equipment. It will block access for the plane- add two million tonnes of sand between spotters' cars, but JLA plan to make a footpath Egremont and New Brighton, to make a to Bailey's Lane, so access to Oglet Bay won’t "golden beach" opposite the Liverpool be blocked. waterfront. He says that the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company already dredge suitable

5 sand from the Mersey and dump it out at sea, The portfolios are a quite fascinating, as they so it would cost nothing. However, the existing include some personal perspective on the war rock habitat is the only one on the Wirral years in relation to natural history." The Record Shore. It's a Ramsar site, and is probably fine Office also holds the MNA Bird Reports 1950 as it is. Sabena Blackbird comments that the to 1966 and a file of news cuttings relating to Mersey dredgings aren't golden sand, but black Eric Hardy. sludge, possibly contaminated with heavy metals. Philip Ashcroft and F.A.H. Hall Do you remember Philip Ashcroft or F.A.H. A special donation Hall? Or know anything about them? They Thanks are due to the member (who prefers to were colleagues of Eric Hardy in his younger stay anonymous) who has generously donated days. Philip Ashcroft was once the MNA's a couple of dozen nearly-new DVDs and books President, and he and Eric were the co- on bird watching to the MNA. We are planning founders of Rufford Village Museum in 1939. to sell them, some on Amazon or eBay, and In its early days the museum also included some at the AGM, and use the proceeds to buy information, photographs, drawings and a full set of the books Eric Hardy wrote. diagrams of local fauna and flora, and bird Eventually they may become a Special records drawn up by Eric Hardy and F.A.H. Collection at Liverpool Central Library, Hall. In mid-September I was contacted by a available for everyone to consult. Some of his lady called Bridget Yates, who is researching a books are rarities now, so if any member has book on Village Museums and was following any copies of Eric's books that they no longer up the Eric Hardy connection. I was able to use, and would be willing to donate them to the point her to the records mentioned above, but MNA, we would be very grateful. We are Bridget is also keen to hear from any MNA particularly interested in acquiring a copy of member who knows anything about Philip A Handlist of the Birds of Palestine (1946) by Ashcroft, F.A.H. Hall or the Rufford Village Hardy, Captain Eric. Museum. If you know anything, however small, give me a ring on 0151 932 9638 and I will Other books that we know about are: pass it on to Bridget. • The Birds of the Liverpool Area (1941) • Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society News by e-mail (1946) to which Eric contributed an article, About 50 of you have given me your e-mail "Plant-hunting in Transjordania". addresses, and hear from me about once a • Wild Birds Magazine, Volume 1, No. 1 - month. It is useful to be able to send out Jan/Feb 1947 newsletters from local Wildlife Trusts, local • The Bird Lover's Week-End Book (1955) special events and appeals, and holiday offers • Wales (March 1959) to which Eric from birding destinations worldwide – this year contributed an article, "The Hungry Kites of we had offers from Catalonia, Gambia, Aragon, Wales". Alantejo in Southern Portugal, Irish Ferries and • Naturalist in Lakeland (1973) Northern Greece. It's also handy for last-minute • Guide to the Birds of Scotland (1979) changes of meeting places, and I can send members the AGM minutes and accounts. If • Bird Watching in Lancashire (1979) you aren't already on my mailing list and would • North Western Bird Report 1971-1985 (and like to be, send me an e-mail at there are said to have been several other [email protected] or click on the similar pamphlets dating back to 1931) • "secretary" link on the MNA website. A Quest For Rutland (1984) • Bird Watching in (1988) The Amazon "widget" If you use the website Amazon, please go to The "MNA Archive" the MNA website first, and click on the Amazon Talking of the Library, did you know that advert (the "widget") on the homepage. It will Liverpool Record Office has, in its Rare Books take you to Amazon, you log in and shop as Collection, a set of six portfolios compiled by normal, and the MNA will get a small the MNA between 1939 and 1950? Member commission on everything you buy. It is a Margaret Parry tells me, "They are similar to painless way to provide funds to help us scrapbooks, and contain articles by members, support wildlife in the local area. Thanks! accounts of excursions, photos and sketches.

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Brockholes Nature Reserve 27th May 2012 by Sabena J Blackbird

In January 2007 Lancashire Wildlife Trust Swans and Gadwall were joined by a fine (LWT) purchased the former quarry site at drake Garganey. Brockholes under the Newlands scheme, with additional support from the Tubney Trust and We climbed up the path overlooking the lake. LWT member donations. Located to the NE of The notched pink flowers and very deeply cut Junction 31 of the M6, the reserve is in a leaves of the annual herb Cut-leaved strategic position for attracting visitors. Cranesbill Geranium dissectum were noted and Sedge Warblers blasted out their scratchy song from the reedbed.

Part of the LWT vision for the reserve is to convert people with little or no interest in the countryside, as well as maintaining the diversity and quality of habitats for the wildlife. A big draw is the visitor village funded by a staggering £8 million by the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The winning design by Adam Khan Architects, named ‘A Floating World’, is a cluster of buildings which float amongst the reedbeds on one of the site’s lakes and is based on an ancient Arab marshland village.

A small group of MNA members were given a sneak preview of Brockholes in March 2009 by reserve manager Sophie Leadsom. Then it was very much in its infancy and resembled a We continued, passing recently-planted construction site, with bulldozers carrying out woodland where Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff key habitat improvements such as the and Blackcap all added to the bird song. A construction of wader scrapes and the digging European Toad Bufo bufo hopped over the of meandering water channels. path as we descended onto floodplain grazing marsh at the edge of the River Ribble. It A year after Brockholes' official opening to the appeared friendly so Barbara held it in her public in Easter 2011 the MNA was keen to hand whilst I took a few pics. return and explore the range of habitats this reserve has to offer. Blue skies, blazing sun A pair of Black Swans swam upstream towards and breezy conditions greeted our arrival. A the weir and a helpful birdwatcher put us onto large shoal of Common Minnows Phoxinus a Kingfisher that was perched amongst phoxinus and a young Pike Esox lucius were overhanging vegetation on the far side of the swimming amongst the newly planted reeds as river. The River held shoals of Common Bleak we crossed the boardwalk to the visitor village. Alburnus alburnus , a large Pike Esox lucius We sat down and scanned over Meadow Lake mooching in the shadows and Common Carp where Tufties, Mallards, Canada Geese, Mute Cyprinus carpio .

7 A couple of Swallows buzzing overhead were flooded pit for the Little Ringed Plover that joined by numerous Sand Martins that nest in called it’s mournful single pe-ou note. Green the sandy river banks. A Pheasant called, Dock Beetles Gastrophysa viridula had been Whitethroat sang from one of the flowering mating and clusters of little yellow eggs were hawthorns and a Jay flew through a wooded on the underside of a few leaves. More area. Damselflies beside the footpath with Blue- tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans and Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum - one female of which had a distinct kink in her abdomen. This occurs when a damselfly emerges from the exuvia too near some obstruction such as a twig and the exoskeleton hardens in this shape.

Common Toad

A number of Banded Demoiselles Calopteryx splendens were perched on lush bank-side plants. The male is particularly attractive with metallic blue body and translucent wings with dark iridescent blue-black spot on the outer Common Blue Damselfly female part. These Damselflies are flighty and despite many attempts I only managed to photograph a A tandem pair of Large Red Damselfly female with metallic green body, not a blue Pyrrhosoma nymphula - the male clasping the male. female by her neck - caused the clicking of

cameras. Riverside plants included Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris , Crosswort Cruciata laevipes , Brooklime Veronica beccabunga and Watercress Nasturtium officinale .

Crosswort

We continued back up to through meadowland onto the public footpath that transects the reserve. In sunny sheltered patches of nettles a few insects were basking with Dance Fly Empis tessellata , Scorpion Fly Panorpa communis and Black and Red Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata . We ate lunch overlooking number one pit - that provided the ideal breeding habitat of bare gravel around the Large Red Damselfly

8 Chris Derri and Mike Barrow also did well with Odontata finding a small pond with Four- spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata , Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa and the violet form of Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans. They also had the mega find of Floating Water-plantain Luronium natans. This rare aquatic plant with white 3-petalled flowers is found in two different forms. In shallow water, it develops floating oval leaves, while in deep water it can have long narrow, strap-shaped leaves. Snipe Fly

We counted eight Snipe Fly Rhagio John Clegg and co had a fantastic day for scolopacea in their characteristic head-down Butterflies with eight species - Large White position on the trunk of a Willow Tree Salix sp. Pieris brassicae, Small White Pieris rapae , that give them their common country name of Green-veined White Pieris napi, Orange Tip Downlooker Flies. There are around 15 Anthocharis cardamines, Common Blue species of Rhagionidae recorded in Britain and Polyommatus icarus , Small Tortoiseshell Ireland and these predatory Flies catch smaller Aglais urticae, Peacock Inachis io and insects in flight and return to their look-out post Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria . to eat them. A great introduction to this new Lancashire We returned to the visitor village to catch up Reserve and it can only improve with maturity. with other member’s sightings.

Leighton Moss / Gait Barrows 10th June 2012, Sabena J Blackbird

The planned destination for today’s MNA Reserve and took the short drive in a local coach trip was Hutton Roof but it was not to minibus taxi to the reserve. A group of MNA be... Our coach developed a problem close members led by John Clegg explored the to Carnforth and we slowly trundled into the reserve and had singing Cetti’s Warbler with Truckhaven services in first gear. some members having a glimpse of this skulking reedbed bird. Nature is everywhere! so we took the opportunity to have a nose around a grassed area and hedgerow and were not disappointed. A Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae and Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages flitted over the grass and I found an Angle Shades Moth Phlogophora meticulosa resting on a leaf. Plenty of Hoverflies with mating Helophilus pendulus , a few Volucella pellucens and a rather cool Chrysotoxum bicinctum - this distinctive species has two yellow bands, chocolate wing patches and long, forward pointing antennae. There were a number of Sawflies including the vibrant green Rhogogaster viridis. There must have been a recent hatch as Green Lacewing Chrysopa perla flew up as we walked through a reedy area.

After a short deliberation we decided to change the venue to Leighton Moss RSPB Angle Shades Moth Phlogophora meticulosa

9 photographer pointed out a Fly Orchid spike Ophrys insectifera ! This mimic Orchid has evolved a flower structure and also produces a pheromone scent in order to attract male digger wasps to pollinate the orchid.

Hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum

Margaret Parry spotted an interesting caterpillar. It was an inch long, orange and black covered in fine tufty hairs and feeding on Pussy Willow. Barbara later identified it as the Yellow Tail Euproctis similis.

Fly Orchid Ophrys insectifera

A small pond held Newts, and three male Broad-bodied Chasers Libellula depressa were on patrol joined by a female.

Caterpillar of the Yellow Tail Euproctis similis As we walked along the small lane joining (Photo by Barbara Lee) Trowbarrow to Gait Barrows NNR Dave Bryant and Chris Butterworth both had An interesting wigwam built from reeds has glimpses of a male Pied Flycatcher. Not been designed by the Leighton Moss warden surprisingly given the recent rain there were David Mower for Bearded Tits to nest in. He some fungi about, with three large Dryad's had a dilemma as Bitterns prefer wet Saddles Polyporus squamosus , Oyster reedbeds whereas the Beardies prefer drier Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, Deer Shield conditions. Luckily they love the wigwams Pluteus cervinus and Birch Woodwart and he now makes 40 a year. Hypoxylon fragiforme .

The other group of MNA members led by We hot hoofed along the boardwalk beside Dave Bryant headed up to Trowbarrow Little Hawes Water stopping briefly to view Quarry and onto Gait Barrows NNR. A female the Bird's-eye Primrose Primula farinosa - a Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa and native pink-flowered perennial herb that is a a number of Common Blue Damselflies nationally scarce plant of the northern Enallagma cyathigerum and Blue-tailed Pennines; Common Gromwell Lithospermum Damselflies Ischnura elegans were zooming officinale – a green herbaceous plant with around us as we ate lunch in Trowbarrow. I pale yellowish-white flowers and a few flitting chased after a Cinnabar Moth Tyria Brimstones Gonepteryx rhamni. We followed jacobaeae which eventually settled and there the trail onto the famous limestone pavement were a couple of Dingy Skipper Erynnis where rainwater has slowly eroded broad flat tages . Plants included Common Rock-rose blocks (clints) to form a variety of solution Helianthemum nummularium , Herb Bennet features including deep fissures (grykes) and Geum urbanum , Common Dog Violet Viola shallow runnels. riviniana , Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca and Common Twayblade Orchid Listera ovata. A

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Dryad's Saddle Leaf Beetle Cryptocephalus bipunctatus Lady’s-Slipper Orchid Polyporus squamosus bipunctatus var. sanguinolentus Cypripedium calceolus

Gait Barrows has the most diverse flora of As we continued across the limestone any pavement in Britain and we soon found pavement I noticed an orange and black Herb Paris Paris quadrifolia and Angular coloured Leaf Beetle then a mating pair that I Solomon's Seal Polygonatum odoratum . Herb later identified as Cryptocephalus bipunctatus Paris is a plant that was used both in ancient bipunctatus var. sanguinolentus . marriage rituals and to guard against witches. Although it is said to have four oval-shaped A Garden Warbler heralded our arrival in the leaves we found a few plants with five and six meadow area where the hemi-parasitic leaves. herbaceous plant Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor was doing a great job at restricting Our target species was Britain’s rarest grass growth and thereby allowing other flowering plant the Lady’s-Slipper Orchid species to thrive - Common Spotted Orchids Cypripedium calceolus . Victorian plant Dactylorhiza fuchsia were joined by Northern collectors caused Britain’s population to Marsh -orchids Dactylorhiza purpurella and decline to near extinction. Indeed in 1917 the Ragged Robin Lychnis flos-cuculi . Chris Lady's-Slipper Orchid was officially declared Butterworth found a Common Frog Rana extinct until in 1930 a botanist found a single temporaria and invertebrates included a plant on a Yorkshire hillside. Natural Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus sp. and Soldier has worked closely with Gardens to Beetle Cantharis rustica. All too soon it was cross-pollinate this surviving wild plant and time to return for our minibuses back to attempt to re-introduce it to some of its former Liverpool. flowering sites.

Fungal Foray, Freshfield and Ainsdale 8th September 2012, Sabena J Blackbird

A great turnout with twenty MNA members Eriophyes macrorhynchus were on Sycamore (including some new faces) joining our leaves Acer pseudoplatanus . Fungal Foray around Freshfield Dune Heath and the Ainsdale Pinewoods. Member Tony As we bravely entered the tangled under- Carter provided invaluable expertise with growth of the wood we added Southern fungi identification during the day. The Bracket Ganoderma australe , Brown Rollrim weather was sunny and dry as we walked Paxillus involutus , Ochre Brittlegill Russula along toward the small wood adjacent to the ochroleuca , Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria , a dune heath – not your ideal fungal foray rather slug-attacked Blusher Amanita conditions but various species were quickly rubescens , Orange Birch Bolete Leccinum found! Sycamore Tar Spot Rhytisma versipelle and Brown Birch Bolete Leccinum acerinum and Red Pustule Galls caused by scabrum . We eventually reached the more the Mite Aceria macrorhynchus a.k.a. open area in the wood where we found Birch Milkcap Lactarius tabidus , Green Elfcup merry dance as they failed to settle. Spider’s Chlorociboria aeruginascens , The Deceiver webs covered the Gorse bushes with a few Laccaria laccata , Penny Bun Boletus edulis , Autumn Spiders Metellina segmentata and Split Porecrust Schizopora paradoxa , numerous Garden Spiders Araneus Turkeytail Trametes versicolor and Scaly diadematus taking advantage of the Hoverfly Earthball Scleroderma verrucosum . food supply.

Scaly Earthball Garden Spider

A cute young Common Frog Rana temporaria Good numbers of Common Darter posed on a log before hopping into the leaf Sympetrum striolatum were joined by the litter and there was evidence of Red Squirrels svelte-of-waist Ruddy Darters Sympetrum being around with nibbled pine cones. We ate sanguineum and a few Migrant Hawkers lunch as a Jay squawked above us then Aeshna mixta . headed out into the sunshine of the heath. A Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum caused excitement and clicking of cameras as it fed on the Ling Calluna vulgaris . It was first recorded in England in 2001 at a site in Hampshire and has rapidly spread North since.

Copper Spike

Autumn Spider The Penduculate Oak Trees Quercus robur Butterflies, Spiders and Dragonflies took on the Dune Heath were taking their usual centre stage for a while as Peacock Inachis hammering with Oak Marble Galls caused by io and Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae the Gall Wasp Andricus kollari , Oak Artichoke joined the numerous Hoverflies on the Gall caused by the Gall Wasp Andricus Ragwort Senecio jacobaea . Small Copper fecundator , Oak Common Spangle Gall Lycaena phlaeas and Common Blue caused by the Gall Wasp Neuroterus Polyommatus icarus led photographers a quercusbaccarum , a number of Leaf Miners 12 caused by Micro-moths - a larva was at home stages of the False Deathcap Amanita citrina in one of the leaf-mines - and Oak Powdery were seen together along with Weeping Mildew Erysiphe alphitoides . Bolete Suillus granulatus , a Copper Spike Chroogomphus rutilus and Bitter Oysterling A few more Fungi species with Meadow Panellus stipticus – which Tony Carter later Puffball Vascellum pratense and some micro- confirmed as a first record for Ainsdale! fungi - Common Grey Disco Mollisia cinerea and Orbillia xanthostigma with the bright A few spikes of Green-flowered Helleborine orange discs of Cheilymenia granulata on Epipactis phyllanthes had gone to seed and cattle dung. Swallows posed as they more Galls with Stem Galls on Narrow-leaved gathered on the fence wires gearing a.k.a. Leafy Hawkweed Hieracium themselves up for their forthcoming migration umbellatum caused by the Gall Wasp – this year’s youngsters looking drabber in Aulacidea hieracii and Bedeguar a.k.a. appearance to the adults. Vintage aeroplanes Robin’s Pincushion Gall on Dog Rose Rosa taking off from Woodvale en route to the canina caused by the Gall Wasp Diplolepis Air Show also put on a good show rosae . A Buzzard circled overhead and a for us as they performed aerial displays and Great-spotted Woodpecker called as we looped the loop overhead – the MNA wandered back out of the pinewoods after a delivers! fungi and wildlife packed day.

We crossed the railway track and golf course Editor's note: For those particularly interested and into the pinewoods where a few in fungi, member Tony Carter, a national Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria flitted expert, posts occasional findings of rarities on around in the dappled sunlight. A number of the MNA blog, and more frequently on the Russulas were found including Bloody website of the NW Fungus Group under Brittlegill Russula sanguinea with its bright "News Update". See red cap and pink coloured stem and Crab http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg/newslinks.htm Brittlegill Russula xerampelina which has a characteristic odour of shellfish. Three life

Uncovered – The Mystery of the Painted Lady’s Migration

One of the longest standing mysteries of projects ever conducted, scientists from migration has finally been solved after Butterfly Conservation, the NERC Centre for scientists discovered where the UK’s Painted Ecology & Hydrology and Rothamsted Lady butterfly population goes each autumn. Research amongst others, have discovered exactly what happens to Painted Ladies each autumn.

More than 60,000 public sightings of the butterfly during 2009 were collected across Europe including radar images tracking butterfly movements across southern England with 10,000 British observers taking part. Scientists discovered that the Painted Lady did indeed migrate south each autumn but made this return journey at high altitude out of view of butterfly observers on the ground. Radar in Hampshire operated by Rothamsted Research The butterfly, a common immigrant, migrates revealed that around 11 million high-flying from the continent each summer to UK shores Painted Ladies entered the UK in spring 2009 in varying numbers. But up until now scientists with 26 million departing in autumn. The did not know if the Painted Lady made the Painted Ladies fly at an average altitude of return journey at the end of the summer, like over 500 metres on their southbound trip and the closely related Red Admiral, or simply died can clock up speeds of 30 mph by selecting in the UK. In one of the largest citizen science favourable conditions.

13 The findings also revealed that the species Richard Fox, Surveys Manager at Butterfly undertakes a phenomenal 9,000 mile round trip Conservation, was one of the report authors. from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle – almost He said: “The extent of the annual journey double the length of the famous migrations undertaken by the Painted Lady butterfly is undertaken by Monarch butterflies in North astonishing. This tiny creature, weighing less America. than a gram with a brain the size of a pin head and no opportunity to learn from older, The whole journey is not undertaken by experienced individuals, undertakes an epic individual butterflies but is a series of steps by intercontinental migration in order to find plants up to six successive generations, so Painted for its caterpillars to eat." Ladies returning to Africa in the autumn are This article is by Liam Creedon of Butterfly several generations removed from their Conservation, and was a Press Release in ancestors who left Africa earlier in the year. October 2012

Eric Hardy's Centenary Wood

Following a suggestion made at the AGM, that we plant some trees for Eric Hardy's centenary, the Committee has decided to dedicate half an acre at a local Woodland Trust site in his memory. We chose Snidley Moor near Frodsham, which the Woodland Trust describes as follows

"Offering fantastic views from the Welsh borders to the Western Pennines and Bowland Fells, this group of three woods are located on a sandstone escarpment near Frodsham. Snidley Moor, Woodhouse Hill and Frodsham Hill Wood form the second largest continuous block of broadleaved woodland in Cheshire. As part of the Sandstone Trail, these undulating woods have much for the visitor to enjoy. Each has its own special character, with Snidley Moor, as its name suggests, retaining heather and bilberry, indicative of its past history as grazed heath and woodland. Areas of Woodhouse Hill and Frodsham Hill are recorded on the ancient woodland inventory, and in the former the remains of an Iron Age hill fort (Scheduled Ancient Monument) can be seen.Access is via a public bridleway from Manley Road. Public footpaths run across the site from east to west as well as down the eastern boundary. There is a waymarked trail and numerous permissive paths."

The chosen half-acre will not be marked on the ground, but we will receive a map showing its exact location. The Woodland Trust say that they hold such dedicated The words of the dedication will be woods "in perpetuity". We will receive a certificate, an information sheet about the Half an acre within Snidley Moor, Frodsham, wood, a picture of the wood and "the Cheshire is dedicated in memory of Eric knowledge that we will have helped a Hardy (1912 -2002). Given in the centenary precious piece of living woodland to survive." 14 year of his birth by the Merseyside For those who want to visit the site, details of Naturalists’ Association which he founded in the exact location will be available by the 1938. He loved the natural world and fought AGM, and there will be an outdoor meeting to preserve it. there on 30th November 2013.

A Natural History Diary David Bryant

Sefton / Meadows 17th January particularly close, screeched and then went for This proved to be a vintage day for raptors in a female Kestrel perched on a spindly tree. an amazing frosted and misty setting of rough grassland, copses, arable, scrub, coverts, deep Marton Mere 22nd January ditches and the heavily embanked River Alt, a On a rather cloudy, windy day with occasional scene almost reminiscent of the Fens. Richard downpours the MNA commenced its 2012 Surman and I started off with a female Bullfinch programme with a coach trip to Lancashire’s diving into a willow thicket and a Sparrowhawk largest natural lake, an SSSI on the outskirts of gliding towards the prominent spire of Sefton – an area of reedbeds, grassland , as Curlews poked about in rough and scrub close to grassland on the other side of the Alt. Stanley Park. The target species was Walking northwards on top of the bank we the Long-eared observed a female Hen Harrier flying low, back Owl. Over recent and forth over reeds and scrub to the west, and years their winter then another further on behind the hamlet of numbers have Lunt. Pressing on we had several Kestrels and varied from one to common Buzzards, the latter spending just as four. On the higher much time on the ground as in tall shrubs. We path we carefully turned right at the sluices and along the main scanned the tall ditch to Carr Wood, where there was a good shrubs and trees display of Oyster Mushroom on an where they are impressively large Silver Birch. usually located. Patience was Scanning the landscape on its north side we rewarded when saw a long-winged bird approaching. At first we Ann Thomson thought "Grey Heron" but it suddenly turned to picked one out, show a mixture of chestnut, black and grey low down and with a forked tail – a Red Kite. It settled in a close to the trunk shrub, only a short distance from a Peregrine of a tree, which is on a fence post. Meanwhile, over on our right their usual habit. towards , another ringtail was quartering some tall stubble. Initially members had considerable difficulty in seeing this fairly large bird – “which tree?” – “I Retracing our footsteps along the Alt, and in still can’t see it” – so well did it blend in with its sunshine at last, we were surprised to see a surrounds. However, with the aid of Barn Owl approaching us. It flew close by and telescopes, everybody had the opportunity to then started patrolling to and fro, legs dangling, fully appreciate its cryptic plumage, long over some rank vegetation. Quite oblivious to eartufts and staring red eyes. Several days us it returned upstream and abruptly later Jean Lund had two there. disappeared, probably into the old pumphouse via a broken window. Back at our start point Then it was down to the hides with the best some 10 birdwatchers equipped with large views on the west side where there was more cameras were gathered around an area of shelter and better light. Several rafts of Teal reeds and as the light started to fade Short- rode the choppy waters while a few eared Owls began flying about, eventually four Cormorants clustered on their favourite grassy of them, offering excellent views. One came isles. A female Sparrowhawk dashed in from the right and disappeared into the willow scrub.

15 The greatest variety was at the north end With key access to the bridge over the Mersey where at close quarters we could view which encircles No 3 bed we made for the two Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Wigeon, Mallard, main hides and were soon rewarded with Coot and some nice male Goldeneye. Chris excellent views of a dozen Black-necked Derri managed to pick out a first winter Iceland Grebes, all paired off and busy diving for food, Gull among the Black-headed Gulls. and much nearer than last time.

Towards the golf course a Siskin was amongst a flock of Goldfinches whereas at our feet were Velvet Shank, Jelly Ear, Oyster Mushroom and Dryad’s Saddle. As we were leaving, 150 Pinkfeet landed in farmland at the south end.

We spent the last hour at Fairhaven Lake, Lytham St. Annes. The waters were fairly quiet and so some of the party headed further west in quest of a reported Snow Bunting – no luck, but a good find of four Twite which were duly Just for comparison, Little and Great Crested photographed. A stroll along the tideline Grebes were nearby. Gadwall and Shoveler produced Common Whelks, Rayed Trough added to the mix, all to a cacophony of Black- Shells, Prickly Cockles and Common Necklace headed Gulls which afford a degree of Shells. protection to the rarer grebes. As Swallows and Sand Martins swept low across the water Walton Station 27th- 30th March and reedbeds, Greenfinches and a Great I’ve often considered tidying up the approaches Spotted Wood-pecker squabbled on a feeder to this station from Hornby Road, the scruffy at the side of a hide. steep bank between the access road to the booking office and the car park below. After an Strolling around the reserve and then No 4 bed on-site interview with be-suited reps of we heard several Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, Merseytravel, and clarification of health and another Garden Warbler and a Song Thrush in safety issues, I soon got to work removing full song, while at our feet we identified Bugle, weeds, litter and rubble, followed by a good Wood Forget-me-not, Self Heal, Common Field rake. Due to the exceptionally dry weather it Speedwell and Thale Cress. A cool easterly was warm, dusty work. Using my own seeds breeze and lack of sun precluded much insect and a large bag of Wildflower Mix bought by activity – mainly Buff-tailed Bumble Bee and the MNA from the National Wildflower Centre Tawny Mining Bee. Chris Derri found some I sprinkled Cornflower, Corn Marigold, Poppy, small rare Cramp Balls Daldinia fissa on some Red Campion, Ox-eye Daisy, Yellow Rattle, burnt Gorse, a speciality of theirs. Grassy Meadow Buttercup and Evening Primrose. areas held impressive numbers of White-lipped Banded Snails and at one place their nemesis, Matters were very slow-moving due to lack of the ground beetle Cychrus caraboides . On rain but little seedlings eventually appeared departure we had a solitary Ruddy Duck on the after I watered the bank. When rain did fall reserve and a Great Crested Grebe on the there was an explosion of growth and Ship Canal. eventually a sequential blaze of colour. It was nice to receive compliments from passers-by. Berwyns 24th May Taking my usual spring walk in the hills above Woolston Eyes 14th April Cynwyd/Corwen I was surprised by the number We made our usual approach via Weir Lane, of Garden Warblers in song – nine in a which drops down to the lagoon between the relatively small area, including three around me Mersey sluices and the actual weir. There the as I had lunch, with excellent views. A pair of sheltered waters offered Coot, Shelduck, Cuckoos called against each other across the Pochard and a Great Crested Grebe on the valley below me. Further on another two pairs usual nest site in the shallows. The path did the same. In the same area in June with between beds Nos 2 and 3 held Winter Sabena Blackbird and Chris Butterworth Heliotrope as Blackcaps and a Garden Warbler diversity was added to with Slender St John’s were in full song and as many as eight Wort, Mountain Bumble and quite a few Common Buzzards circled high to the west. Garden Chafers with their distinctive chestnut and green colouration. 16 Clwydians 31st May day, is partial to limestone country and figures A favoured part of this range is the summit of prominently on the reserve’s notice board. Pennycloddiau, the site of the largest hillfort in Wales, dating back some 2500 years. Going Naturally we had to visit nearby Haweswater via Nannerch, Richard Surman and I strolled where we were greeted by another Brimstone around. Although it was fairly quiet, the and as many as 108 Bird’s Eye Primroses – a western slopes proved most productive in that, local speciality which never disappoints. Then yet again, there were so many Cuckoos. At first to Sandside, just upriver of Arnside, where a one was calling and then further on, two calling small section of verge of the B5282 revealed against each other – and yet further on a pair Common Twayblade, Common Spotted Orchid chasing each other, probably male and female. and, best of all, 14 Fly Orchids – all to the Friends and acquaintances on the lowlands sound of passing traffic! don’t hear any, or maybe a distant one, in complete contrast to the uplands. Cors Erddreiniog / Cemlyn Bay 23rd June A cool, overcast day with a strong breeze Gait Barrows 2nd June accompanied our most popular coach outing of On a calm, warm day the year to Anglesey, commencing at Cors Mike Barrow, Chris Erddreiniog, which is an extensive fen between Derri and I made an Llangefni and Benllech. Walking down the expedition to this hedge-lined track from Capel Coch we had a highly-regarded reserve good start with Tutsan, Red Campion, Cut- above Leighton Moss. It leaved Cranesbill, Ragged Robin, Scaly Male was not long before we Fern and Downy Rose. Beyond the trees had a fleeting sighting waterlogged terrain offered a complete contrast of the elusive Duke of with almost predictable Marsh Valerian, Marsh Burgundy butterfly and Pennywort, Marsh Lousewort, Meadow Sweet, then more relaxed Marsh Cinquefoil, Bogbean, Marsh Thistle, Bog views of Pearl-bordered Myrtle and Southern Marsh Orchid, plus and Small Pearl- hybrids – Pat Lockwood also added Lesser bordered Fritillaries and Water Plantain, Star and Flea Sedge. a stunning Brimstone. While Blackcaps and From the boardwalk near the pylon we noted Garden Warblers sang, Common Spotted Orchid and Butterwort, the the flora offered a floating trap for Mink, while the invertebrate splendid bushy Green count was quite rewarding with Emerald, Large Hellebore, a clump of Red and Blue-tailed Damselflies, 4-spotted Heath Speedwell, a Chaser and Southern Hawker. The advance surprising number of group at the end of the boardwalk had Sedge Common Gromwell, a Warbler, Willow Warbler and Redpolls. concentration of Herb Paris in the shaded I returned on 6th September to look for Marsh limestone grykes, some Gentians, which were most disappointing with five and six leaves, compared with Eric Hardy’s reports. However, and Spindle. A star the boardwalk had numerous Common attraction is Lady's Slipper Orchid which has Lizards, a vivid pale green individual which can been re-established at several sites, many off- only have been a Sand Lizard, and two female trail. Signs lead you to those on public view, a Adders coiled up in the sun – they didn’t flinch good two dozen. Most were in prime condition, when I walked by! but some inevitably attacked by slugs. Then it was on to Cemlyn. We were dropped A casual stroll produced Northern Brown off towards Wylfa so that we could walk some Argus, Dingy Skipper and a stunning Wasp of the rocky coastal path as a contrast. It was Beetle Clytus arietis , a superb wasp mimic – up to expectation with Lady’s Smock, domed an elongated black beetle with yellow bands. clumps of Thrift, Spring Squill, Wild Carrot, As for moths, we turned up Common Wave, English Stonecrop, Heath-spotted Orchid, Wild Speckled Yellow and yet another stunner, a Thyme, Lousewort, a nice clump of Rock Sea spectacular black and white micromoth Anania Spurrey, Cross-leaved Heath and Bell Heather funebris, the White-spotted Sable. It flies by – what with low Western Gorse, a good example of maritime heath. With Stonechats 17 behind us and Oystercatchers piping on the we added Crosswort, Crow Garlic, Hedgerow rocks below we scanned the choppy sea – Cranesbill, Musk Mallow and impressive dark immature Gannets far out, several Black numbers of Slender St. John’s Wort. Guillemots a little closer and nearest of all a Red-breasted Merganser. Great Orme 17th July Richard Surman, Dave Hardy and I paid our And then the finale – a large lagoon protected annual visit to this famous limestone massif. from the sea by a steep, terraced bank of In the lighthouse vicinity were masses of shingle; technically, a baymouth bar. Its crest is Dropwort still in flower, half a dozen Fragrant adorned with Sea Kale, Sea Beet and Sea Orchids, numerous Small Skippers and a pair Campion. As we trudged across the cobbles of Choughs (one ringed) busily feeding, ripping Harry Standaloft and Les Bushell came across up the turf and the White Stonecrop. Up on the a rigid, desiccated Lesser Spotted Dogfish limestone pavement near the drystone wall and which drew a lot of attention. Then we switched sinkhole we came across an extraordinary our attention to the lagoon’s islets, a noisy number of Spiked Speedwell in a relatively mass of Common, Sandwich and some Arctic small area – at least 70! In the past I’ve usually Terns, some on the ground, others coming and seen three or four above Haulfre Gardens. going, young ones trying to keep out of the wind. The occasional Roseate turns up, as on our day, but earlier in the morning.

Eglwyseg 12th July Sabena Blackbird, Chris Butterworth and I took the X94 to Llangollen and then a taxi to Ty Canol, just short of World’s End. As we looked at the Cellar Glass Snail and Wrinkled Snail on Alder leaves, a Dipper flew along the tree-lined Eglwyseg river while a Speckled Wood glided amongst the shafts of sunlight.

Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were in full song as we started the Offa’s Dyke trail. When we left the trees and shrubs and entered an area of steep, short-grass meadow the warm, bright conditions had tempted out at Long Mynd 21st July least five Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and This was a new venue for many members and a Ringlet which were nectaring on the Marsh fortunately the weather held fair during a very Thistles. In turn the Wild Thyme attracted the wet, cool summer. No sooner were we off the Mountain Bumble Bee Bombus monticola . coach in the Carding Mill Valley near the Mouse-ear Hawkweed was equally at our feet National Trust centre when a Green but high up on the limestone crags Spotted Woodpecker began calling from Gorse on the Catsear could be picked out among the ancient higher slopes. Lower down, House Martins Yews and Rock Whitebeam. A Raven kept were gathering mud from a dip in a path. The calling, then came into view and promptly dived stream itself was fringed with Musk Thistle and down on to a carcase. As Redpolls briefly Slender St. John’s Wort. trilled below, examination of a rotten stump produced an orange and black Sexton Beetle. Advancing into the less frequented but spectacular Townbrook Hollow, Meadow Towards Trefor Rocks dull weather precluded Browns, Ringlets and a Small Heath got us off any Grayling. The flora was rewarding with to a good start, as did Green Spleenwort. A numerous Common Spotted Orchids, Musk or Common Lizard was disturbed on the path, a Nodding Thistles and in a cottage garden, row Golden-ringed Dragonfly patrolled the stream, upon row of Great Mullein. The fungi were not a Common Buzzard flew by with prey, as to be outdone, with Chicken of the Woods, Stonechats and Whinchats flitted about the Horse Mushroom, Giant Puffball and a few Gorse- and Bracken-strewn upper slopes. The Waxcaps. A rather worn male Redstart flitted stream’s grassy banks had masses of Bog about the Hawthorns as a Green Woodpecker Pimpernel as well as Lesser Spearwort, “laughed” from the higher slopes. Descending Common and Marsh Lousewort. the lanes back to Llangollen we didn’t relax as 18 We all gathered together on the top near Pole We concluded matters by a visit to Meathop Cot and as we were admiring the view east reserve, an area of woodland, heath and towards Caer Caradoc, attention was drawn to wetland on the north shore of the Kent estuary a Kestrel, a Hobby in flight which suddenly opposite Arnside. Taking advantage of the dived or stooped and as many as three boardwalk we made note of very tame Peregrines in the air. The grove of Sycamores, Common Lizards, Black Darter, the brilliant Beech and conifers held only Coal Tit, a green caterpillar of the Emperor Moth, Chiffchaff and a few Redstarts. Descending Common Carpet, Bog Rosemary and an Ashes Hollow, yellow Monkey Flower provided exceptional amount of Bog Asphodel in seed a splash of colour and another Barred Straw amongst the Heather. flew by, the commonest moth of the day. Gop Hill 26th August Highfield Moss 8th August The target for the day was an orchid, Autumn Dave Hardy had a most productive day with a Lady’s Tresses. Gop Hill is the place to go, a mass presence of Swifts and Swallows, a limestone outcrop a few miles south of juvenile Cuckoo and a Hobby snacking on the Prestatyn, the site dragonflies, his impressive list including of a Neolithic Southern, Brown and Migrant Hawkers, mound which is the Emperor, Common and Black Darter, Emerald second largest in and Common Blue Damselflies. Most Britain after Silbury disappointing was a count of only six Marsh Hill. Mike Barrow, Gentians! I could only add another 14 a week Chris Derri and I later but at least I could record a Grass Snake didn’t take long to swimming across the smaller lake. locate a dozen or so but crossing a Whitbarrow 18th August short turf meadow Damp overcast conditions hardly raised below we were expectations as Mike Barrow, Chris Derri, astonished to come Dave Hardy and I entered the disused quarry, across great blasted out of the flanks of Warton Crag, which numbers – once overlooks Carnforth. Greeted by cackling you get your eye Jackdaws we were pleased to see a pair of in, as they say! Peregrines high up the rock face, an adult and We estimated well a juvenile. Dozens of Dark Red Helleborines in excess of a had gone to seed as we disturbed Meadow thousand. We almost ignored the Carline and Brown, Common Blue and the micromoth Nodding Thistles. Walking back into Trelawnyd Pyrausta cingulata . a commotion among the Swallows and House Martins drew our attention to a Hobby indulging It was still dull and damp as we did a woodland in fast manoeuvres. Eventually it glided away walk at the foot of the westerly facing, with some of the birds on its tail to send it off. limestone escarpment of Whitbarrow. While a trio of Ravens croaked and tumbled above, The second part of the day was spent along keen eyes gave us brief views of a Silver the Alyn valley. A good start was a Dipper Washed Fritillary whereas a metallic green warbling away on a low branch over the river, Rose Chafer presented more leisurely study. against a background of loud Nuthatches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The flora was as After ascending the steep trail to the calls of diverse as ever with Agrimony, Foxglove, Red Bullfinches, the grassy summit was a Valerian, Small Scabious, Spurge Laurel and landscape of Juniper, Yew and numerous large Upright Hedge Parsley. Towards Loggerheads mounds made by the Yellow Meadow Ant. country park centre numerous Herb Paris had After watching a male Stonechat with young gone to seed in their well known location and flitting about, our descent through shrubbery up on the overlooking limestone outcrop revealed one Dark Red Helleborine still in Autumn Gentian was a bonus. Returning flower and many Broad-leaved Helleborines, downstream the fungi were not to be outdone plus hybrids of the two. with Ivory Woodwax, Collared Parachute and, on a log, a nice cluster of black Dead-man’s Fingers.

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The year in pictures

Top: Water Rail at Mere Sands Wood, March Top: Marsh Cinquefoil Potentilla palustris Cors Erddreiniog, June

Middle: Hoverfly Heliophilus pendulus , Middle: Wrinkled Peach Rhodotus palmatus , Pennington Flash, September Hale Hall Wood, October

Bottom: Lunch on Long Mynd, July Bottom: Fossils, Liverpool, October

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