SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 Green Hairy Snail CISFBR AGM Much rarer than we thought – but thanks to March 2 2013 on this occasion! Chairman’s Report There is a very interesting paper in the latest Journal Although the Committee did not hold of Conchology (Nov as many meetings in 2012 as usual, it 2012), by none other than proved to be a productive year. David and Geri Holyoak, Colin French, besides progressing from their new home in ERICA, had been in contact with Portugal. David Holyoak and has now put David’s Bryophyte records on the Green Hairy Snail is a CISFBR website. There was the hope speciality of the Cornish that eventually it may be possible coast, living in the to print a paper version if funding maritime therophyte zone can be found. Colin also applied on on the high brows of sea behalf of CISFBR for funding from cliffs and in adjoining OPAL to buy a robust (ruggedized) maritime grassland, even tablet computer to take into the field extending onto humid (see page 12 for it in action). This will heath vegetation further Ponentina subvirescens Image Courtesy of Animalbase be available for use at field meetings inland in places. We have http://www.animalbase.uni-goettingen.de and similar events. long regarded it as an Atlantic fringe , ranging from Britain down to North Africa. Amendments to the Recorder’s Handbook were ongoing; it was But now it seems that more than one species is involved – luckily ours retain hoped to get authors to update their the scientific name Ponentina subvirescens as the species was described ‘new sections. In some cases an alternative to science’ from the county, from near Mevagissey in 1839. P. subvirescens is expert may be needed to take over now only known from & The , Devon, Pembrokeshire a group if the former author was and one confirmed inland site in north-western France, so the Cornish unable to help. Ian (CISFBR secretary) population has gone from globally interesting to globally rare! & Sue Scott (ERCCIS) were working on this. GB now has the prime international responsibility for this species. It does Perhaps the most notable event of seem likely that it will prove to be more widespread in NW France, although the year was the publication, after P. revelata the new may be the more widespread of the two in the area. a long gestation, of the Fern Atlas Although the precise Type locality is not known, it does still occur in the for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Mevagissey area as I found it at Pabyer Point in 1995. in December. The sterling work by Ian Bennallick and the design skills Keith Alexander of Glynn Bennallick have produced a good-looking and excellent book which we hope will be well received.

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 1 It was suggested the theme for the next meeting with the AGM in 2013 could be concerned with recording, The Australian Flatworm validation, voucher specimen etc. My primary interest is in freshwater biology which makes me familiar with There had been discussion about freshwater flatworms; Platyhelminthes in the Class Turbellaria, primarily the recent fashion to run BioBlitz Polycelis felina and P. tenuis. events. Although it was felt these had My favourite magazine is British Wildlife so, when I was given some back merit and were ideal for involving numbers, I turned to an article on Land Flatworms with more than a little the community they often failed interest. The article described quite a number of distinctive species (Jones to produce useful information or 2003) which spurred me to investigate the potential of my garden by turning records. CISFBR could give advice on over stones and logs. making BioBlitz events more useful? Almost immediately I found three examples of Austroloplana sanguinea, the It could also be useful to liaise with Australian Flatworm. When he wrote the article, Hugh Jones was seeking other recording groups who may be specimens or good quality photographs from anywhere in the UK. I emailed unaware of the existence of CISFBR him with a photograph (reproduced here) to which he replied almost and have started their own schemes. immediately with the determination and confirmation of species. I have We were sorry that Malcolm Lee has since seen similar specimens almost as often as I turn over a particular log in had to stand down as editor of the my garden and have regularly seen up to three examples of various sizes all Newsletter. We would like to thank through this winter. him and say how much his work was Of course the sightings are reported and will no doubt feature on the NBN appreciated. maps in my kilometre square. A sanguinea grows up to 8cm in length, when extended, and is distinctively Bernard Hocking organised a field orange in colour. It is an introduced species which is gradually colonising the day on his farm, which was greatly South West, and for some reason, Southport! enjoyed despite the poor weather. Rosemary Parslow (CISFBR Chair) Alan Rowland

Reference - Jones H.D. 2003. Identification: British land flatworms. British Wildlife 16: 189-194

Austroloplana sanguinea Photo: Alan Rowland CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 2 ALIEN FUNGAL SPECIES FOUND ON THE ENYS ESTATE

I had a sense this year that the forays of our small recording group here in Cornwall were never in the right place on the right day. I frequently heard ‘you should have been at such and such place last week, it was bursting with fungi’, there was a definite lack of the larger species at our foray sites. However in lean years hunting carefully for even the tiniest ‘Orange Pore ’, Photo: Yvonne Barlow of fungi can have its compensations, as we discovered! In a valley above the lakes as we DNA analysis of this species found One particular foray certainly looked in the leaf litter for Mycena near the port of Genoa in demonstrated this point, this took capillaris on fallen beech leaves I revealed it was identical to the place in November on the ancient came across a small section of rotting species in and is estate near Falmouth called Enys, beech branch scattered with tiny, thought to have arrived on imported the family name of the owners since bright orangey yellow caps with small wood, it has now spread to the 1272. eccentric stipes. Closer examination surrounding area. We can only showed a hymenial surface of very speculate as to how Favolaschia The estate consists of several large pores, decreasing in size from calocera has arrived in Cornwall hundred acres of farmland and the stipe base to the edge of the but Enys is not far from the port of woodland, with an extensive cap, in the same bright colour. Cap Falmouth and the garden contains ornamental garden surrounding the width was generally 2-5mm. None a large number of plants from New house. The garden was particularly of us had any idea what it could be. Zealand. developed in the nineteenth century Closer examination at home showed We left the branch with the by Francis Enys. His two brothers a ‘crystalline’ hymenial surface. The remaining caps where it was found were living in New Zealand at the cheilocystidia were clavate with a and have since found a few similar time and sent home many plants very narrowed stalk like base, the top pieces in close proximity. We shall and seeds from the islands, leading being covered in fine diverticulae. No survey the surrounding woodland to the planting of a ‘New Zealand’ spores were seen. garden. The garden and house fell to see if it is spreading in future into disrepair during the last century. After two days of trying to identify seasons. this distinctive little fungus both Paul Happily the most recent family I would like to thank the owners Mrs Gainey and myself drew a blank. members to inherit have created Fowler and Mr Rogers and Dannielle Paul sent a sample to Dr Martyn a trust to save and maintain these Dixon (head gardener) for allowing Ainsworth at Kew who was able to beautiful gardens; they are now open us to record at Enys and Dr Martyn identify it as to the public from May to September. Ainsworth for his assistance with the ‘Orange Pore fungus’, remarkably identification. The garden lawns provided a nice in the same family as Mycena and display of Waxcaps and Spindles. . This species is native to Reference Around the lake several clumps of and south eastern Asia Ramaria stricta were found beneath Vizzini A, Zotti M., & Mello A. 2007. from where it has spread across the Alien fungal species distribution: the one of the limes. Pacific to and New Zealand. case study of Favolaschia calocera. It is saprotrophic and polyphagic, A decaying stump produced Biol. Invasions (2009) 11:417-429 one small, orangey brown cap in New Zealand it is considered a of bellulus a new ‘fungal weed’, spreading rapidly and species for the county, thanks go to displacing the indigenous fungal Pauline Penna Michael Jordan for confirming that species. There are also a cluster of (Cornwall Fungus Recording Group) identification. records from Italy.

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 3 Calma gobioophaga Calado & Urgorri, 2002 - a new UK record

Thursday 14th March started out as any other day, but a visit by a local naturalist and a need to go shopping meant that my partner and I missed the low tide in Penzance and we had to change our plans at the last minute. Fortunately I remembered Carnsew Pool at Hayle, low water there being 2-2 ½ hours after mean low water here. The lowershore of Carnsew Pool is rich in sponges, sea squirts and anemones, and we have previously found a band of Calma gobioophaga Photo: Rosemarie Caroline Tucker and David Fenwick Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) smithii, Devonshire cup coral, around the temperature, and this may be a very small, just 3-4mm, it was first Calma shoreline, under rocks just below low contributing factor as to why photographed in-situ amongst gobiid gobioophaga , tide. I don’t regard it as a hugely bio- , a southern species has eggs, on which it feeds, without diverse site, but it’s one of those sites been found here. There are intertidal being moved, and shortly after where you know something unusual mudflats at the south-western end removed from the egg mass and Scrobicularia will turn up one day because of how of the pool, with photographed a small container of plana Fucus Calma unique the site is. , the Peppery furrow shell, with seawater, on sp.. The sandier intertidal deposits closer gobioophaga and egg mass was Carnsew Pool was constructed as to the sill and tunnels. The sand found under a rock, of approximately a sluicing pool in 1833, and was deposits that occur close to where 300mm diameter. The importance once used to flush sand from Hayle the Calma gobioophaga was found of the species was not known at harbour. The pool is approximately are quite interesting and contain the time, so the species was not 550m long and 250m wide, seawater a high proportion of Retusa shells, collected and preserved. funnels in and out of the pool many species of foraminifera and live From ERICA, a Cornish Records through two small tunnels at its ostracods. east end, there is also a sill on the Database, previous Goby records Calma gobioophaga Carnsew side of the tunnels. The was found and from Carnsew Pool include paganellus Gobius salinity within the pool is close photographed by Rosemarie Caroline , the Rock goby; niger Gobiusculus to that of normal seawater as Tucker and David Fenwick, on the , the Black goby; flavescens freshwater doesn’t enter the pool. lowershore in the most northern , the Two-spotted goby; Pomatoschistus pictus The shallow body of water may also corner of Carnsew Pool at SW 55473 , the Painted th Pomatoschistus minutes be slightly warmer than normal sea 37485 on the 14 March 2013. Being goby and , the Sand or Freckled goby. Gonçalo Calado who confirmed Calma gobioophaga here, has previously noted the importance of Gobius niger, the Black goby, for the species. Jakov Prkic, who also confirmed our species as Calma gobioophaga stated the species is regularly found on Gobius cobitis, the Giant goby or Gobi mawr (Welsh) eggs, on the shores of Croatia in May. The gobiid eggs here at Carnsew Pool appear to be similar to the eggs of Gobius paganellus, the Rock goby, a common species of Goby on Cornish shores. The fact that Calma gobioophaga has Calma gobioophaga on gobiid eggs Photo: Rosemarie Caroline Tucker and David Fenwick been found before on Gobius cobitis, CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 4 the Giant goby, is very interesting BOTANICAL CORNWALL GROUP for the species is at it most northern FIELD MEETINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2013 distribution here and is particularly common in Mounts Bay, Penzance; it Meetings this year are again focusing on under-recorded areas of East Cornwall. Meetings are open to all and are free unless otherwise stated. Bring a hand- is a species I have recorded on many lens, notebooks and field guides if you wish, relevant OS 1:25000 maps and/ occasions. It will be interesting to see or a GPS if you have one. Suitable clothing and waterproof (or mud proof) if Calma gobioophaga can be found footwear is recommended and bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink. on Gobius cobitis eggs in the bay. The Meeting details and joint meetings with other recording groups can be seen at closest confirmed record of Calma http://www.botanicalcornwall.co.uk/meetings-programme/ gobioophaga to the UK is perhaps If the weather is very wet (or forecast to be) the meeting may be cancelled – one by Marco Faasse, from Brittany contact the co-ordinator beforehand to check. in 2010. Botanical Cornwall Group Co-ordinator – Ian Bennallick, Lower Polmorla, St Wenn, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5PE. Tel: 01726 890384 or 07714738189. Calma galucoides, from which Calma Email [email protected] gobioophaga was separated in 2002, Sunday 23rd June - ST GENNYS to CHIPMAN CLIFF (SX19). A coastal walk in is a species which has already been SX1597, SX1598 and SX1599 to update records in coastal squares. Meet in small found in the UK, it has been found car park at St Gennys SX149971 at 9.30am (spaces may be limited so please feeding on eggs of Lepadogaster share cars if possible). purpurea , Shore clingfish / Cornish Wednesday 3rd July - BEDRUTHAN STEPS area (SW86). A coastal walk in sucker and Parablennius gattorugine, SW8468, SW8469, SW8568 and SW8569 to update records in coastal squares. Tompot blenny. Meet in National Trust car park at Carnewas SW850690 (BCG members will Here I must thank Gonçalo Calado have free parking for the day) 9.30am. for his help in identifying the Saturday 13th July - CARRINE COMMON, TRURO (SW74). A Rubus identification species as Calma gobioophaga. morning - Meet in layby SW795429 10am. Parking very limited. Leader Keith Gonçalo assessed the images I sent Spurgin. him and stated “The eyes (big in Wednesday 17th July – KING ARTHUR’S DOWNS, BODMIN MOOR (SX17). comparison to C. glaucoides) are A walk to update records in SX1276 and SX1277 moorland squares. Meet very distinctive and, above all, the along minor road on Emblance Downs near De Lank water works SX131767 at 9.30am. Wellies advised. fact the is in pear-shaped th fish eggs, i.e. gobiid eggs, is the Saturday 20 July – BASTREET DOWNS/TRESELLERN MARSH, BODMIN best indicator. This appears to be MOOR (SX27). A walk to update records in SX2276, SX2376, SX2377 and SX2477 moorland squares. Meet along minor road west of North Bowda Farm a small individual and the eyes are SX243772 at 9.30am. Wellies advised. already very distinctive underneath th the basis of the rhinophores. It is Sunday 28 July – AMALVEOR DOWNS and TRENDRINE HILL, WEST PENWITH (SW43). A walk to update records in SW4737 and SW4738 moorland squares. Calma gobioophaga and perhaps the Meet in layby on B3306 southeast of Eagles Nest 9.30am. NOTE: There are nothernmost confirmed record of several small lay-bys along this road so if one is full try another and walk to the the species although T.E.Thompson main one. People could leave cars in the Rosewall car park SW487384 about already pictured two “forms” of 1km to the east beforehand to then share lifts as the lay-bys are small! Wellies Calma galucoides in his book.’’ advised. Calma gobioophaga Calado & Sunday 4th August – TRESWOLLACK DOWNS area, BODMIN MOOR (SX17). Urgorri, 2002, was confirmed using A walk to update records in SX1177 and SX1178 moorland squares. Meet at social media, and via the NE Atlantic SX110786 south east of Corgelly, beside road on moor, 9.30am. Wellies advised. th Nudibranchs Group on Facebook, Saturday 10 August – DELABOLE (SX08). A walk to update records in SX0783 from images supplied. and SX0784 in some inland squares. Meet at car park near entrance to quarry SX073836 at 9.30am. Reference: Wednesday 14th August – WINSDON and CLUBWORTHY (SX29). A walk to Calado, G. & V. Urgorri, 2002. A new update records in SX2791, SX2891 and SX2792 in some inland squares. Meet at species of Calma Alder & Hancock, Winsdon SX280917 10am. Wellies advised. 1855 (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) Wednesday 21st August – WOODFORD (SS21). A walk to update records in with a review of the . Journal of SS2113 and SS2212 some inland squares. Meet in Woodford SS219136 10am. Molluscan Studies, 68: 311-317. Sunday 25th August - DAVIDSTOW AIRFIELD, BODMIN MOOR (SX18). A walk to For more information on Calma visit update records in SX1484, SX1485 and SX1585 in moorland squares. Meet at The Sea Slug Forum or my website. northern end of old airfield SX142856 at 9.30am. Wellies advised. http://www.seaslugforum.net/ Sunday 1st September – POLZEATH (SW97). A walk to update records in coastal factsheet/calmgobi and inland squares SW9378, SW9477 and SW9478. Meet at SW928776 in Daymer Bay paying car park at 9.30am. http://www.aphotomarine.com/sea_ Sunday 15th September – MILLBROOK (SX45). A walk to update records in slug_calma_gobioophaga.html SX4251 and a search for Plymouth Pear (Pyrus cordata) in SX4053 in the afternoon between St John and Tregantle. Meet at SX422519 in paying car park David Fenwick 10am.

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 5 anyone has some to add please pass from BCG meetings that could go Botanical Cornwall to me. The BSBI website has a lot of on. The events calendar also has other interesting botanical links so details of the forthcoming 2013 field Group website rather than repeating them on the meetings. There is a new Botanical Cornwall BCG website I have directed people One extra section added is Group website (http://www. to the BSBI one. Pages or websites ‘resources’. This is where I intend to botanicalcornwall.co.uk/). relevant to Cornwall and the Isles upload anything that the botanical of Scilly are desired as these are Many thanks go to Matt Stribley for recorder would find useful from not always suitable for ‘national’ all the hard work in creating and species cards for Cornwall, to PDFs websites. The ‘Cornwall’ page on the maintaining the previous one (www. of articles relevant to Cornwall from BSBI website will continue thanks to floracam.co.uk). After several years various journals. In the Publications Alex Lockton, but it will be updated Matt has decided to stop hosting the section will also be PDFs of scanned only occasionally. All the main news website for the group so I have taken copies of all the old Botanical and info will be on the BCG website. on a completely new website. Cornwall newsletters - 14 of them The new website has been It is very easy to add posts to a blog - and now I have been given the remarkably quick to set up on Word and I have already added a few to originals from Rose Murphy this Press and I have taken across the get it started. This is a very good will be easier, and of better quality. main sections from the previous one. way of getting all those minor - or Botanical Cornwall 15 covering I am getting to grips with it (slowly!) major - snippets of news regularly 2011 and 2012 is in preparation so and have been re-writing text where to those interested without sending if anyone has an article they would needed. For example the Rare Plant out lots of emails, be it a new species like to submit - something relevant Register page has been re-written found for Cornwall, to news of an to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly - and I am currently working on an upcoming event or reports on sites or please send. species. However I would like others updated list of species that need to If anyone sees any typos or mistakes to contribute so if you have anything be included (previous one removed) - then I would appreciate being told to report then send to me (with much has happened since 2005. Now so I can put them right. The trouble photos if possible) and I will put it on that the Cornwall Fern Book project with a website is that everyone can if relevant. has finished the Rare Plant Register see them! project is the next one that needs I will be slowly adding meetings Ian Bennallick completion. reports and photos but we are going (Botanical Cornwall Group co- I have been through the links and to re-do a gallery as the existing one ordinator) they should all be working so if is a bit clunky. I have lots of photos

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 6 Proposed ‘Ferns, Clubmosses, Quillworts and Horsetails of ‘Zoological Cornwall Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’ - NOW AVAILABLE and Isles of Scilly A new and long-awaited book ‘Ferns, Clubmosses, Quillworts and Horsetails of journal’ – a plea Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’ written by Rosaline Murphy, Christopher Page, for comments from Rosemary Parslow and Ian Bennallick has members just been published. Within the British Isles, Cornwall and Prompted by the excellent ‘Botanical the Isles of Scilly have a remarkably rich Cornwall’ journal that Rose Murphy and varied fern flora, and this book started in the 1980s, at the end of is the culmination of many years of the 1990s the Cornwall Biological study of these enigmatic plants by Records Unit (CBRU) started to the authors. An invaluable guide produce an occasional journal to over 70 ferns, clubmosses, dedicated to small articles or papers quillworts and horsetails, this book of anything of zoological interest and covers species (both native and two issues of ‘Zoological Cornwall introduced), subspecies, varieties and Isles of Scilly journal’ were and hybrids. Each account has produced. Sadly this journal didn’t a short description of the plant continue but now some 20 years where relevant; the distribution later some recorders have expressed in Europe (including the British Isles); an interest in resurrecting such a and habitats and distribution in Cornwall and publication. Whilst the CISFBR and the Isles of Scilly. Maps show distribution by a 2km x 2km ERCCIS newsletters, as well as the square (tetrad) basis in Cornwall, and at a finer resolution (by six-figure various newsletters from biological grid references) in the Isles of Scilly. Scanned images of actual specimens are recording groups or individuals given where these help and colour photographs are included throughout. The active in Cornwall, cover some new introduction covers the various habitats in Cornwall, the climate, soils and finds or have occasional articles, a geology and the effects of such activities as mining and clay workings, Zoological Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and the special conditions on the Isles of Scilly. journal would act something like the excellent British Wildlife journal - • Introduction with habitat notes http://www.britishwildlife.com/. This includes regular summaries of new • Accounts of sites of special fern interest regionally significant or national finds for each taxon or recording group as • Species distributions of native and on-native species, hybrids and well as longer articles. Perhaps there varieties is no need for such a publication so any comments from you will be • Distribution maps at 2km x 2km level (and six-figure grid references welcome. for the Isles of Scilly) 1. Do you think it is a good idea? 2. Would you or your colleagues be • Checklist of all ferns, clubmosses, quillworts and horsetails of prepared to contribute? Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 3. It is likely to be produced as a PDF • Full bibliography and references so it isn’t expected to cost anything to buy. Many interesting records have been made in the last few years and are If there is enough interest then continuing to be made. This includes the very recent 2012 finds on the CISFBR will take the idea forward. edge of Bodmin Moor: populations of Marsh Clubmoss, a species that has Please let me know - either email always been extremely rare in Cornwall and is now Nationally Scarce and [email protected] or Endangered, together with Stag’s-horn Clubmoss, a species previously send comments to Lower Polmorla, considered extinct in the county. This book will no doubt spark new St Wenn, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 appreciation and interest in ferns and encourage more people to record this 5PE. often overlooked group.

Ian Bennallick Published by the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the (CISFBR secretary) Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS), which is based at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, it has

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 7 been sponsored by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation of Biological Recorders (CISFBR), the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) and the British Pteridological Society (BPS). If you would like a copy by post please send your name and address and a cheque made payable to ‘CISFBR’ for £25 (£20 plus £5 p&p) to Ian Bennallick, Lower Polmorla, St Wenn, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5PE. For more details email [email protected] or phone 01726890384 or 07714738189. Alternatively copies can be bought via credit card or PayPal by visiting the webpage on the Botanical Cornwall Group website - http://www. botanicalcornwall.co.uk/cornwall-fern-book/ The book is also available to buy from the ERCCIS office (based at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJ) priced at £20 - SEE http://www.erccis.org.uk/latest_news/ new_fern_atlas

Ian Bennallick (CISFBR secretary)

Fern book authors and CISFBR members from left to right:

Rosemary Parslow Dr Chris Page Rose Murphy Ian Bennallick

Photo: Dr Chris Page

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 8 Report of CISFBR/ raised will no doubt need a special use on the new CISFBR ‘ruggedized meeting in the future to discuss. tablet computer. Following this, three of the four ERCCIS recorders After a short break Tony James authors of the recently published (Cornwall Moth Group recorder) meeting - ‘Snap it, ‘Ferns, Clubmosses, Quillworts and gave us a persuasive argument for Horsetails of Cornwall and the Isles of Pin it, Keep it’ - The the need in making and keeping Scilly’ (Christopher Page, Rosemary specimens. Tony showed where importance of making Parslow and Ian Bennallick - Rosaline some moth species which look very Murphy sent apologies) made voucher specimens, much alike and where a reference comments and took questions on the collection was used to check the true book. photos and records identity and matters were further Rosemary then made a presentation complicated when a new species for on making herbarium specimens, Cornwall proved to be an aberrant Over 40 people attended the meeting with lots of handy hints when making form of another species. Only by held on Saturday 2nd March 2013 voucher specimens and ideas of having the specimen to examine held from 9am to 2pm at Fraddon what to use, how to save and store could the identity be confirmed. Village Hall in mid-Cornwall. There (did you know that you should Continuing the invertebrate theme, was also a short CISFBR AGM from 2pm to 3pm. Following on from previous collaborations, the meeting was open to all with the aim to bring together those interested in recording wildlife in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The theme for the spring meeting was the importance of making voucher specimens and the archiving of specimens and records. David Fenwick brought his photographic equipment and many specimens where people could discuss the increase in using digital photography in identification in the free-time. From 9am tea, coffee and biscuits was available and there was time for recording groups/individuals to set up displays and stands. ERCCIS had an extensive range of publications on special offer, and CISFBR had a table of second hand books to buy. There were displays from SINGG (Student Invasive Non-Native Group) a student put the specimens in the freezer Keith Alexander who has recorded Local Action Group based at Cornwall for at least 24 hours to kill off any in most of Cornwall professionally College, Newquay; ERCCIS; CISFBR; bugs and beasties that may devour and for his own interest, showed us Cornwall Moth Group and Dave your plant specimen?). Following the equipment he uses when making Fenwick, Bernard Hocking and Keith on from Rosemary, Ian Bennallick collections. Despite being taught to Alexander brought some specimens talked on ‘Herbaria in the digital use certain ‘standard’ equipment and recording equipment. age’ on using old specimens for when being trained in university, answering current questions and Keith showed how simple jam jars At 10am Rosemary Parslow (who demonstrated the value of using and other improvised items can be chaired the meeting) gave an update the Herbaria@home website http:// utilised. Keith also discussed how the from CISFBR and Gary Lewis on the herbariaunited.org/atHome/ and name of a species of beetle (recorded work on ERCCIS for 2012. Gary also how it is helping in updating record several years ago by a reputable answered questions from those on the ERICA database. This then led coleopterist who left his collection in interested in the audience, in his to Colin French updating all on the the Royal Cornwall Museum) seemed capacity of chair of the Association ERICA Database: with over 200,000 odd to be included on the Cornish of Local Records Centres (ALERC), on records added in 2012. Colin also list and it was only by seeing the the National Biodiversity Network demonstrated how he has adapted specimen (on a pin) that Keith could and the NBN Gateway. Some points and updated the ERICA database for confirm it as a commoner species

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 9 – no fault of the original recorder and Isles of Scilly to safeguard except for Malcolm Lee who resigned but as time has marched on so has collections and specimens for future from the role of Newsletter Editor. the taxonomy and nomenclature. generations? A few good points Sue Scott offered to take on this role If there was no physical specimen were raised but there was still an and was proposed by Tony Atkinson it would have been a puzzling and underlying worry that our seemingly and seconded by Adrian Spalding. unconfirmed record. This gave Dr well established institutions which There were no resignations from the Chris Page a nice lead in to the we had assumed would be safe in our committee except for Loveday Jenkin. importance of making specimens lifetimes are susceptible to budgetary With a vacancy left by Loveday, Sally and the future of collections. With cuts and the future of collections Luker was proposed by Ian Bennallick a worldwide knowledge of herbaria in the balance. It was agreed that and this was seconded by Treve and collecting in the field Chris sang individuals and groups such as Opie. Sally Luker accepted. With the praises of the British museums, CISFBR should keep up to date with the new committee voted in thanks universities and institutions and the future of these institutions, and to both Malcolm Lee and Loveday the legacy of all the specimens make others aware if there are any Jenkin were made by the chair on collected over the last few hundred plans to close them. Just before their many years of service. Th AGM years. We have an unparalleled lunch members of a few external ended at 2.30pm. resource on which to tap into and as groups gave a brief update of their Ian Bennallick (CISFBR secretary) recorders we should strive to keep groups. Everyone had a chance to our governments aware of the value see displays from external groups or of what is held. Lastly Tony Atkinson catch up with others during lunch. CISFBR Treasurer’s and tied it together by raising the desire The day ended at 2pm for those who for a ‘County Register of Collections’. did not want to stay for the CISFBR Membership Secretary’s A simple list or spreadsheet showing AGM. Annual Report who has what and where and who Ian Bennallick they want their collections left too. (CISFBR secretary) - 2 March 2013 This was prompted by a chance comment to Tony from a friend who Treasurer’s Report had a collection of moths he wanted CISFBR Accounts for period 1st Jan 2012 – 31st December 2012 CISFBR AGM - chaired by Income Dr Pamela Tompsett Subscriptions £345.00 27 members stayed for the CISFBR Interest £1.54 AGM, and following a chairman’s Publications £1,000.00 report from Rosemary Parslow (see Donations (tea & coffee, etc) £19.30 page 1), Ian Bennallick (secretary) Miscellaneous Income £0.00 gave the financial report (see page Total Income £1,365.84 10), in the treasurer’s (Matt Stribley) absence. Ian also updated the Expenditure current situation of the long awaited Bank Charges £0.00 ‘Ferns, Clubmosses, Quillworts and Newsletter production and Horsetails of Cornwall and the Isles distribution £89.64 of Scilly’ – since being published in Meeting Publicity £0.00 late December over 100 copies had Meetings (Room hire, refreshment, been sold (over 100 had been sold etc) £0.00 via a pre-publication offer). It had Expenses £0.00 Photo: Keith Alexander been agreed with ERCCIS that CISFBR Publications (incl distribution costs) (who were originally going to publish £2,790.00 passing on but Tony realised no the book) that any monies for sales Total expenditure £2,879.64 one knew he had a collection. If a come into CISFBR. Ian reported that register was made then at least some the printing costs had almost been specimens could be saved if needed. met but asked the committee at the Balance (income minus expenditure) Gary from ERCCIS agreed to hold this AGM whether around £400 from the -£1,513.80 register at ERCCIS though pleaded CISFBR account could be used to pay that they have not got the facilities to off the total bill to the publishers. Brought Forward from 2011 hold the actual collection. This would then be reimbursed as £3,702.51 There then followed a short sales money came in. The committee discussion and questions on what agreed. There was then a re-election Total in Account £2,188.71 needs to be done in Cornwall of officers and the committee. The officers all agreed to stand again

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 10 Notes: 8. Payment is accepted via BACS and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’. The 1. The £1000 Publication income was saves the cost of posting a cheque. spreadsheet details and describes received from the BSBI as a grant The CISFBR bank account details are: the biological collection including towards the Sort: 16-33-20 a/c no. 10121615 who holds it, what is held, where it is publication of the Fern Atlas. If you pay this way please let me held and any notes as to what should 2. The £2,790 expenditure on know via email once you have made happen to it when the person passes publications comprised of the payment. away. The spreadsheet is being following: Email maintained at the Environmental 2.1. £500 paid to Colin French for his [email protected] Records Centre for Cornwall and the work in publishing The Bryophytes of Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS), and in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. Matt Stribley near future will be available either See website CISFBR Treasurer and Membership on request or on their website. http://www.cisfbr.org.uk/Bryo/ Secretary Information required includes: Cornish_Bryophytes_Introduction. - type of collection (e.g. herbarium html specimen, photo, mounted 2.2. £2290 was paid towards specimens etc.) the publishing cost of ‘Ferns, Inventory of biological - what is in the collection (e.g. Clubmosses, Quillworts and collections relevant to flowering plants, shells, photos of Horsetails of Cornwall and the Isles Cornwall and Isles of Scilly birds etc.) of Scilly’ – what do you have, and - where the collection is held (your See address) http://www.cisfbr.org.uk/ where do you want it to go? - condition of collection Publications.html - what area or vice-county the Tony Atkinson has alerted the CISFBR collection is from The £2290 was built-up of a £250 committee that though we may know - date range of collection (if grant what biological collections are held remembered!) from the BPS, £500 from CISFBR and in establishments such as the Royal - what you would like to happen to £1540 from pre-publication sales. Cornwall Museum, many individual the collection 3. There is commitment to pay the biological recorders hold biological - the contact details of person you £1000 BSBI grant received to the collections in their own homes which want to deal with disposing of Fern Book publisher. other recorders ought to know about. your collection (so that they can be Once paid £1,188.71 will remain in We have all heard stories of how contacted when the time comes) the account. well-meaning relations or agents, - other information that may be who when tidying up a person’s useful Membership Report estate after that person passes away, If you (or if you know someone 1. During 2012 we attracted 6 new dump, burn or skip specimens, notes else) hold a biological collection and members. and records, photos or even books, would like it to be included on the 2. There was 1 resignation which was not realising that these may have spreadsheet, please send details to Dr Wendy Hudson. local significance (though some may Sue Scott at ERCCIS (see page 12). 3. Paul Sherman now deceased. not) to other biological recorders. IMPORTANT – ERCCIS does not 4. There were 9 who were removed So that these resources, which may have facilities to house biological from the membership list having not well represent a biological recorder’s collections.Any transfer of such paid for the last 3 years. lifetime’s work, are not lost for future collections should be agreed 5. The membership now stands generations, Tony has prepared between the owner of the collection at 77; comprised of the following a spreadsheet - an ‘inventory of and the intended recipient. However categories. Honorary 4, Paid biological collections relevant to ERCCIS and members of CISFBR will members 56, Partners (of paid Photo: Keith Alexander help facilitate the transfer. members) 4 and 13 unpaid in 2011. 6. There are 3 who did not renew subscription in 2012 and have not paid for the last 3 years. They will be removed from the membership listing in 2013

Renewing Membership: 7. The membership subscription stands at £5, with partners of members sharing the same address free (but some partners choose to pay).

CISFBR SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013 page 11 2013 to 2014 CISFBR officers and committee

Chair: Rosemary Parslow Newsletter Editor: Sue Scott Autumn 2013 The Piggery, Hendersick Barn, Environmental Records Centre for Portlooe, Looe, PL13 2HZ. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, c/o Newsletter Tel: 01503 262068 Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, e-mail: [email protected] Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ contributions Tel: 01872 240777 ext 240 or due by Vice Chair: Dr Colin French 07772323502 12 Seton Gardens, Weeth Road, e-mail: sue.scott@ 30 Sept 2013 Camborne, TR14 7JS. cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk Tel: 01209 613942 e-mail: [email protected] Committee: All the above plus Tony Atkinson, Frances Chapman, Jayne Secretary: Ian Bennallick Herbert, Bernard Hocking, Malcolm Lower Polmorla, St Wenn, Bodmin, Lee, Gary Lewis, Sally Luker, Catriona PL30 5PE. Neil, Treve Opie, Dr Chris Page, Tel: 01726 890384 Paddy Saunders, Adrian Spalding and e-mail: [email protected] Dr Pamela Tompsett. Corresponding members: Treasurer & Membership Secretary: Jacqui Davey & Tim Dingle. Matt Stribley 8 St Georges Road, Truro, TRI 3JE. Tel: 01872 279748 e-mail: [email protected] Dr Colin French using the new tablet computer acquired with an OPAL grant on a recent Botanical Cornwall Group field meeting. Photo: Ian Bennallick

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