Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula

Naturetrek Tour Report 31 May - 3 June 2014

Perennial Centaury Spring Sandwort

Western Clover Wild Asparagus

Report & images compiled by Ted Griffiths

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula

Tour Leader: Ted Griffiths Naturetrek Naturalist

Participants: Rachel Benskin Alan Morgan Margaret Morgan Paul Wood Pauline Burns Gwen Holyman

Day 1 Saturday 31st May

Five of the group members arrived and were rewarded with a fine display of the Red Arrows over Falmouth Bay before we departed to the Lizard. With the van parked on the village green we set off down into Caerthillian Valley. A pair of Choughs was feeding on the grassy slopes, just in off the cliff path. The rare clovers were late this year and after much searching most were seen in small numbers, i.e. Twin-Headed, Long-Headed, Western, Rough and Subterranean. Several patches of Fringed Rupturewort were seen and clumps of Rosy Garlic and Tree Mallow were also along the path. On returning to the hotel the last remaining member of our group had arrived and joined us for our evening meal.

Day 2 Sunday 1st June

A dry and warm day with good sunny periods After a good breakfast we were on the road to Kynance Cove where we spent all day on the cliffs either side of the cove itself. In the area of the car park we found a few plants of note – Bloody Cranesbill, Spring Squill, Thyme, Broomrape, Hairy Greenweed, Burnet Rose, and Spring Sandwort. Down the path towards the cove were clumps of Babington’s Leek and Royal Fern.

Lunch was had in Kynance Cove before a climb up the west side to find Spotted Cat's-ear and Prostrate Asparagus, without too much effort! Then on along the flat cliff top path to Gew Graze Valley, where Prostrate Broom and Juniper were found, plus a few clumps of Wild Chives and Rosy Garlic. We returned to the hotel at the end of a good day.

Day 3 Monday 2nd June

Another dry day with good periods Marazion beach was our first stop of the day. In the main car park clumps of Duke of Argyll’s Teaplant (an alien from China) was just coming into flower. On the beach and dunes were Sea Holly, Sea Kale and two or three clumps of Sea Daffodil. A flock of Sanderling and a single Dunlin were running along the tideline.

On the road once more, down to Porthgwarra. A walk up towards the coastguard and a ten minute lookout over the sea produced small groups of Manx Shearwaters, plus 1 Balearic Shearwater, Gannets and a few auks and Fulmars. Just in off the coast path three large patches of Perennial Centaury were just coming into flower.

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Tour Report Peninsula

Next we went to St Just for our lunch, and then down to the small valley of Nanquidno. In a damp field, plenty of Ragged Robin was in full flower, with the odd clump of Royal Fern. The two or three top fields are set aside for the Purple Viper's-bugloss and a few flowering plants were found with thousands of younger plants across the fields, which will flower later in the summer. All in all, another good day for the plant hunters!

Day 4 Tuesday 3rd June

Another dry but breezy day One of the group members had to set off for home early, so after our goodbyes the rest of us set off for a morning visit to Gunwalloe. A lot of plant life had been washed away with the winter storms but we did manage to find four or five plants of the rare Sea Knotgrass, as well as more clumps of Sea Holly, Sea Rocket and Sea Radish. Then all too soon it was back to our hotel, bags packed and transferred to cars – with fond farewells we all left for our own destinations.

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!

2 © Naturetrek July 14

Tour Report Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula

Species List

Plants Scientific Name Common Name

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort family Asplenium marinum Sea Spleenwort Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall-rue Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Ceterach officinarum Rustyback Fern Phyllitis scolopendrium Hart's-tongue

Blechnaceae Hard-fern Family Blechnum spicant Hard Fern

Dennstaeditiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum arvensis Field Horsetail Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail

Osmundaceae Royal Fern Family Osmunda regalis Royal Fern

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody

Woodsiaceae Lady-fern Family Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern

PINOPSIDA CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Juniperus communis subsp. hemisphaerica Prostrate Juniper

MAGNOLIOPSIDA FLOWERING PLANTS

Magnoliidae (Dicotyledons)

Acanthaceae Acanthus Family Acanthus mollis Bear's Breeches

Aceraceae Maple Family Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore

Amaranthaceae Goosefoot Family Atriplex prostrata Spear-leaved Orache Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima Sea Beet

Apiaceae Carrot Family Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Crithmum maritimum Rock Samphire Daucus carota Wild Carrot Eryngium maritimum Sea Holly Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh Pennywort Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-Dropwort Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex aquifolium Holly

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix subsp. helix English Ivy

Asteraceae Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Arctium minus Lesser Burdock Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Aster tripolium Sea Aster Bellis perennis Daisy Carduus nutans Musk Thistle Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp-agrimony Gnaphalium uliginosum Marsh Cudweed Hypochaeris maculata Spotted Cat's-ear Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy Matricaria discoidea Pineapple Mayweed Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear Hawkweed Pulicaria dysenterica Common Fleabane Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Taraxacun agg Dandelion group Tripleurospermum maritimum ssp. maritimum Sea Mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless Mayweed

Betulaceae Birch Family Betula pendula Silver Birch Corylus avellana Hazel

Boraginaceae Borage Family Borago officinalis Borage Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's Bugloss Myosotis ramosissima Early Forget-me-not

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Brassica nigra Black Mustard Cochlearia officinalis Common Scurvygrass Crambe maritima Sea Kale Cakile maritima Sea Rocket Raphanus raphanistrum ssp maritimus Sea Radish

2 © Naturetrek July 14

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Water-cress Sinapis arvensis Charlock Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard

Buddlejaceae Butterfly-bush Family Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Jasione montana Sheep's-bit

Caprifoliacae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Sambucus nigra Elderberry

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Armeria maritima Thrift Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Herniaria ciliolata Fringed Rupturewort Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin Minuartia verna Spring Sandwort Silene dioica Red Campion Silene latifolia White Campion Silene maritima Sea Campion Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Spergularia media Greater Sea-Spurrey Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort Stellaria media Common Chickweed

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Calystegia soldanella Sea Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Cuscuta epithymum Common Dodder

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop Sedum anglicum English Stonecrop Umbilicus rupestris Wall Pennywort

Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Succisa pratensis Devil's-bit Scabious

Ericaceae Heather Family Calluna vulgaris Heather Erica cinerea Bell Heather Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath Erica vagans Cornish Heath

Euphrbiceae Spurge Family Euphorbia paralias Sea Spurge Euphorbia portlandica Portland Spurge Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Fabaceae Pea Family Cytisus scoparius Broom Cytisus scoparius ssp maritimus Prostrate Broom Genista pilosa Hairy Greenweed Genista tinctoria Dyer's Greenweed Lathyrus linifolius Bitter Vetch Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus pedunculatus Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil Medicago arabica Spotted Medick Ononis repens Common Restharrow Trifolium bocconei Twin-headed Clover Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil Trifolium hybridum Alsike Clover Trifolium incarnatum ssp. molinerii Long-headed Clover Trifolium occidentale Western Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium scabrum Rough Clover Trifolium subterraneum Subterranean Clover Ulex europaeus Common Gorse Ulex gallii Western Gorse Vicia sativa Common Vetch

Gentainaceae Gentian Family Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury Centaurium scilloides Perennial Centaury

Geraniaceae Crane’s-bill Family Erodium maritimum Sea Stork's-bill Geranium molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geranium sanguineum Bloody Crane's-bill

Hippocastanaceae Horse-chestnut Family Aesculus hippocastanum Horse-Chestnut

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Ajuga reptans Common Bugle Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy Mentha aquatica Water Mint Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Stachys officinalis Betony Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme

Malvaceae Mallow Family Lavatera arborea Tree Mallow Malva sylvestris Common Mallow

Mesembryanthemum Ice-Plant Family Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot Fig

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Ligustrum vulvare Wild Privet

4 © Naturetrek July 14

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Onagraceae Willowherb Family Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Orobanche alba Thyme Broomrape Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort Rhinanthus minor subsp. minor Yellow Rattle

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Fumaria muralis subsp. boraei Common Ramping-Fumitory Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago lanecolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Plantago maritima Sea Plantain

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Fallopia japonica var. japonica Japanese Knotweed Persicaria maculosa Redshank Polygonum maritimum Sea Knotgrass Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Rumex pulcher subsp. pulcher Fiddle Dock

Primulaceae Primrose Family Glaux maritima Sea Milkwort Primula vulgaris Primrose

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Clematis vitalba Old Man's Beard Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus tripartitus Three-lobed Crowfoot

Rosaceae Rose Family Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Filipendula vulgaris Dropwort Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Potentilla anserina Silverweed Potentilla erecta Tormentil Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rosa pimpinellifolia Burnet Rose Rubus fruticosus Bramble Sanguisorba officinalis Great Burnet

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium aparine Goosegrass Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw Rubia peregrina Wild Madder Sherardia arvensis Field Madder

Saliciaceae Willow Family Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix repens Creeping Willow

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Euphrasia sp. Eyebright Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Veronica officinalis Heath Speedwell

Solanaceae Potato Family Lycium barbarum Duke of Argyll's Teaplant Solanum dulcamara Woody Nightshade

Ulmaceae Elm family Ulmus minor subsp.angustifolia Cornish Elm

Urticaceae Nettle Family Urtica dioica Common Nettle

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian Valerianella locusta Common Cornsalad

Violaceae Violet Family Viola arvensis Field Pansy Viola riviniana Common Dog-Violet

Liliidae (Monocotyledons)

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Eriophorum angustifolium Common Cottongrass

Typhaceae Reedmace Family Typha latifolia Great Reedmace

Liliaceae Lily Family Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii Babington's Leek Allium roseum Rosy Garlic Allium schoenoprasum Wild Chives Allium triquetrum Three-cornered Leek Arum maculatum Lord's and Ladies Asparagus prostratus Wild Asparagus

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Crocosmia x crocosmifolia Montbretia Gladiolus byzantinus Whistling Jack Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Iris foetidissima Gladdon Iris Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's-broom Scilla verna Spring Squill Tamus communis Black Bryony

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Dactylhoriza maculata ssp ericetorum Heath Spotted-orchid Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid

Poaceae Grass Family Briza media Quaking Grass

Birds

Canada Goose , Branta canadensis Mute Swan , Cygnus olor Mallard , Anas platyrhynchos Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna Northern Fulmar , Fulmarus glacialis Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus Balearic Shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus Grey Heron , Ardea cinerea Little Egret , Egretta garzetta Northern Gannet , Morus bassanus Great Cormorant , Phalacrocorax carbo Eurasian Sparrowhawk , Accipiter nisus Common Buzzard , Buteo buteo Common Kestrel , Falco tinnunculus Common Moorhen , Gallinula chloropus Eurasian Coot , Fulica atra Eurasian Oystercatcher , Haematopus ostralegus Sanderling, Calidris alba Dunlin, Calidris alpina Black-headed Gull , Chroicocephalus ridibundus Great Black-backed Gull , Larus marinus European Herring Gull , Larus argentatus Lesser Black-backed Gull , Larus fuscus Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon, Columba livia 'feral' Stock Dove , Columba oenas Common Wood Pigeon , Columba palumbus European Turtle Dove , Streptopelia turtur Eurasian Collared Dove , Streptopelia decaocto Common Cuckoo , Cuculus canorus Tawny Owl , Strix aluco Common Swift , Apus apus Eurasian Jay , Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Magpie , Pica pica Red-billed Chough , Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Western Jackdaw , Coloeus monedula Rook , Corvus frugilegus Carrion Crow , Corvus corone Northern Raven , Corvus corax Great Tit , Parus major Eurasian Blue Tit , Cyanistes caeruleus Eurasian Skylark , Alauda arvensis Sand Martin , Riparia riparia Barn Swallow , Hirundo rustica Common House Martin , Delichon urbicum Willow Warbler , Phylloscopus trochilus Common Chiffchaff , Phylloscopus collybita Sedge Warbler , Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Eurasian Blackcap , Sylvia atricapilla Common Whitethroat , Sylvia communis Eurasian Wren , Troglodytes troglodytes Common Starling , Sturnus vulgaris Common Blackbird , Turdus merula Song Thrush , Turdus philomelos Mistle Thrush , Turdus viscivorus European Robin , Erithacus rubecula European Stonechat , Saxicola rubicola Northern Wheatear , Oenanthe oenanthe House Sparrow , Passer domesticus Dunnock , Prunella modularis Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba yarrellii

Wild Flowers of the Cornish Valleys and Lizard Peninsula Tour Report

Meadow Pipit , Anthus pratensis Common Chaffinch , Fringilla coelebs European Greenfinch , Chloris chloris European Goldfinch , Carduelis carduelis Common Linnet , Carduelis cannabina Yellowhammer , Emberiza citrinella Common Reed Bunting , Emberiza schoeniclus

Butterflies

Common Blue , Polyommatus icarus Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae Peacock, Aglais io Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Boloria selene Speckled Wood , Pararge aegeria Small Heath, Ceononympha pamphilus

Mammals

Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus Atlantic Grey Seal, Halichoerus grypus

Reptiles Common Lizard, Zootoca vivipara