Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

13
Articles from naturalists involved with mammals, birds, bats amphibi- ans, plants or fungi are welcome. Stories from 250-1000 words with accompanying photos will take us all on your journey. Email your work to: [email protected] Sept/Oct around Court Hey Park Special points of interest: Phil Smith’s Wildlife Notes Tony Carter’s Fascinating Fungi on the Ainsdale Dunes. A sign of Global Warming? More of Tony’s Fascinating Fungi at Clock Face Country Park Hugh’s insight into the Season of Mists and Meetings Ben Deed talks about Bryophytes Contents Created by and for Volunteer Naturalists. Edited by Bob Jude and Hugh Harris Views expressed in this newsletter are those of individual authors . Inside this issue: Phil Smith’s Wildlife Notes 2-3 Tony Carter’s Fascinating Fungi 4-5 Local Nature Reserves 6 Woodland Conservation Theory 6 Liverpool Loop Line Survey 7 Lancashire Wildlife Trust 8 Friends of Court Hey Park 9 Merseyside Estuary Con- servation Group 9 WeBS 10 Bryologising with Des 11-12 Events 13 Hugh Harris talks of Mists and Meet- ings and learns about Woodland Conservation Theory Hugh, Fleur and Emma survey the Liverpool Loop Line Extract from Shoresearch News Phil completes the Parnassia palus- tris survey and spots Black Darter dragonflies and Lapland Bunting around the Dunes Tony Carter continues his excellent reports on fungi of the Sefton Coast and Clock Face Country Park Hugh reports on a Merseyside Estu- ary Conservation Group general meeting WeBS continues with the help of new volunteers counters Ben Deed introduces us to Bryo- phytes Friends of MerseysideBiobank Merseyside Nature September/October Left to right - Top to bottom Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum) Inkcap (Coprinus comatus) Leaf Hopper (Cicadellidae) Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) Hairy Shield Bug (Dolycoris baccarum) Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum) Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) Mallow (Malva)

description

Newsletter of the Merseyside BioBank Active Naturalists.

Transcript of Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

Page 1: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

Articles from naturalists involved

with mammals, birds, bats amphibi-

ans, plants or fungi are welcome.

Stories from 250-1000 words with

accompanying photos will take us all

on your journey. Email your work to:

[email protected]

Sept/Oct around Court Hey Park

Special points of interest:

Phil Smith’s Wildlife Notes

Tony Carter’s Fascinating Fungi on

the Ainsdale Dunes. A sign of Global

Warming?

More of Tony’s Fascinating Fungi at

Clock Face Country Park

Hugh’s insight into the Season of

Mists and Meetings

Ben Deed talks about Bryophytes

Contents

Created by and for Volunteer Naturalists. Edited by Bob Jude and Hugh Harris Views expressed in this newsletter are those of individual authors.

Inside this issue:

Phil Smith’s Wildlife Notes 2-3

Tony Carter’s Fascinating

Fungi

4-5

Local Nature Reserves 6

Woodland Conservation

Theory

6

Liverpool Loop Line Survey 7

Lancashire Wildlife Trust 8

Friends of Court Hey Park 9

Merseyside Estuary Con-

servation Group

9

WeBS 10

Bryologising with Des 11-12

Events 13

Hugh Harris talks of Mists and Meet-

ings and learns about Woodland

Conservation Theory

Hugh, Fleur and Emma survey the

Liverpool Loop Line

Extract from Shoresearch News

Phil completes the Parnassia palus-

tris survey and spots Black Darter

dragonflies and Lapland Bunting

around the Dunes

Tony Carter continues his excellent

reports on fungi of the Sefton Coast

and Clock Face Country Park

Hugh reports on a Merseyside Estu-

ary Conservation Group general

meeting

WeBS continues with the help of new

volunteers counters

Ben Deed introduces us to Bryo-

phytes

Friends of MerseysideBiobank

Merseyside Nature

September/October

Left to right - Top to bottom

Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum)

Inkcap (Coprinus comatus)

Leaf Hopper (Cicadellidae)

Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale)

Hairy Shield Bug (Dolycoris baccarum)

Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum)

Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Mallow (Malva)

Page 2: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

With measureable rainfall on about twelve days, mainly in

the first half of the month, September lacked the ex-

tremes of weather so often experienced during the year.

If not quite an “Indian Summer”, it culminated in several

pleasantly warm, dry days. However, autumn seems to

have come early this year, with leaf-fall by the end of the

month being more reminiscent of late October.

Much of my time was spent on the coastwide Grass-of-

Parnassus survey, which began in August. Apart from

counting plants in several dune-slacks,

Patricia Lockwood helped me to record lots of quadrats to

describe the preferred habitat of the plant. Results from

many other volunteers came in during the month and it

looks like we have a grand total of around 50,000 plants,

despite it being a relatively poor year for this species.

While surveying Grass-of-Parnassus, other interesting

plants were often encountered. Thus, a wet-slack in Ains-

dale Sandhills produced a new population of the nationally

declining Lesser Water-plantain, a welcome addition to

the thirteen colonies found during a coastwide survey in

2011.

Late summer is also a good time to look for our two sand-

dune gentians. As usual, the big slack south of Ainsdale

Discovery Centre produced some superb Field Gentians,

though there were only about 250 where over 1000 had

been counted a few years ago.

Similarly, numbers of Autumn Gentian in selected Birk-

dale frontal dune slacks had fallen from 685 spikes

counted in 2010 to only 147 now, though some of the plants

were impressively large and healthy-looking.

These reductions are probably due to the decline in Rab-

bits since a big myxomatosis outbreak in 2009. The gen-

tians rely on short, open vegetation for germination and

survival of seedlings. They don’t cope well with the taller

swards that grow in the absence of grazing.

Another smaller colony of Autumn Gentians at Birkdale

was just missed by a large off-road vehicle which had

been driven through the dunes and the adjacent Green

Beach, causing large ruts in places and smashing a Velvet

Trail board-walk. Sefton Council’s Coast & Countryside

staff tell me they are trying to trace the culprit.

A visit to Hightown in mid-month was rewarded by spec-

tacular numbers of the rare hybrid centaury, Cen-

taurium × intermedium.

Known only from Lancashire, Merseyside, Anglesey and

Merioneth, this cross between Common and Seaside

Centauries often flowers later than its parents, making it

easier to spot at this time of year.

Flocks of Pink-footed Geese were constantly flying over

to roost on the sea offshore, totalling an impressive

2500. The Alt sand-banks held high-tide gatherings of

about 300 Curlew and 140 Shelduck, while five Black-

tailed Godwits flew northwards, perhaps on route to

their more usual haunts at Marshside.

Wildlife notes September 2013 - Dr Phil Smith

Page 2 Merseyside Nature

Approximately 50,000

Parnassia palustris recorded

during the survey of the

Sefton Coast

Rabbits - Could be

considered important for

the dunes in maintaining

necessary habitats for

rare plants

Rare hybrid Centuary

spotted

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis )

Gentianella amarella

Pink footed Goose, D. Dunford, Wiki, 2013

Page 3: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

However, my bird highlight of the month was an immature

Lapland Bunting at the southern end of Birkdale Green

Beach on 14th. Attracted by its distinctive call, I was able

to get close enough to see its characteristic stripy plum-

age and even take a confirmatory photograph.

Lapland Buntings are scarce visitors to our coasts from

Scandinavia, usually seen later in the autumn or winter.

Given suitably sunny weather, dragonflies can often be

found to at least the end of September. My regular visits

to slack no. 47 in the Birkdale frontals produced up to 10

Migrant Hawkers, a typical autumnal species.

Less usual, however, was a male Black Darter on 28th, a

dragonfly usually associated with peatlands but which

disperses widely in some years.

This was the first I had seen on the coast since 2008.

Nearby, the New Green Beach had lots of bright-green

Short-winged Coneheads, a southern bush-cricket that

arrived here in 2002 and has now spread all the way up

the coast to Cumbria.

My month ended with a visit to Ainsdale Sand Dunes Na-

tional Nature Reserve, where track-sides were brightened

by hundreds of Scarlet Pimpernels.

Nearby were a few plants of Smooth Cat’s-ear, a rare

speciality of the older dunes, while damper spots held the

strange-looking Marsh Cudweed. Two jewel-like Small

Coppers were welcome companions on my return walk.

Wildlife Notes - July 2013 - Dr Phil Smith

Page 3 Merseyside Nature

Black Darter

dragonfly spotted at

slack 47 Birkdale

Short-winged

Coneheads, another

introduced species

that has travelled

northward

Hundreds of Scarlet

Pimpernal brighten

the dunes at

Ainsdale

Black Darter (Sympetrum danae)

Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus)

Short Winged Conehead (Conocephalus dorsalis), Aiwok, Wiki

Black Tailed Godwit, B.Mcadam, Wiki

Page 4: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

On Saturday 28th September, I led a

fungal foray at Ainsdale Sand Dunes

Nature Reserve on behalf of Natural

England.

It was here that we found about forty

species, mostly the more common

varieties such as Amanita muscaria

(Fly Agaric), Paxillus involutus

(Brown Rollrim), Lactarius tabidus

(Birch Milkcap) and Pholiota squar-

rosa (Shaggy Saclycap).

These are species a foray leader

hopes for when assisting a group of

novices.

However, one specimen, found by the

gate leading into the paddock, was

new to me.

Pure white and woolly, it was densely

covered in a powdery substance that

came off easily when handled.

I identified it to the group as a prob-

able Cystoderma (Powdercap),

which seemed logical at the time.

Later microscopic observation and

further research showed that it was

a Dapperling, (Cystolepiota pulveru-

lenta).

I had never seen one before. It is the

first record for Ainsdale and VC59.

Ainsdale rarely fails to surprise.

According to the British Checklist,

this species is normally found in

southern counties such as Oxford-

shire, Somerset and Devon.

Is this another species moving north

with a warming climate?

Mersey Narrows, The Wirral.

Our second new VSL (and ex-marine

graduate) Beckie, Wilcox, lead an-

other successful survey in August.

Beckie and the other surveyors

discovered plenty of interesting

species, such as barnacles, two

species of red seaweed and more

Sabellaria alveolata.

The rockpools at the Narrows are

teaming with life. The site is also a

“Protecting Wildlife for the Fu-

ture”

Shoresearch News is a pdf newslet-

ter from Living Seas and the Wildlife

Trust reporting on shoreline survey-

ing. Education and training courses

for volunteers are provided Booking

for events is essential.

The surveying area covers the tidal

habitats of Northwest England

Site of Special Scientific Interest and

Special Protection Area for birds as

it is an important feeding ground for

waders and a high-tide roost. There

is plenty of life to observe there

whatever the tide so well worth a

visit! Beckie sends a big “thank you”

to all.

Request a copy from Shoresearchnw

@cumbriawidlifetrust.org.uk

Extract From Shoresearch News - October 2013

Fascinating Fungi - Moving North? - Tony Carter

Page 4 Merseyside Nature

Tony Carter

records a new

fungi species along

the Sefton Coast

Is this a further

sign of global

warming?

Paxillus involutus Cystolepiota pulverulenta

Lactarius tabidus

Amanita muscaria

Pholiota squarrosa

Page 5: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

On Monday, 14th October, I went to

Clock Face Country Park at the invi-

tation of a colleague who works with

Mersey Forest and played a part in

the establishment of the park. He

was interested to identify the fungi

he had observed during his visits.

The notice board told me that the

Park had been set up on the site of

the old Clock Face Colliery in 1990,

when it was planted out with a vari-

ety of trees to encourage wildlife.

Being such young woodland, I did not

think we would find much, particu-

larly as the dry weather seems to

have discouraged fungi in more

established woodland. I was in for a

surprise. Immediately upon arrival, I

found my first species in the car

park, Lepista flaccida (Tawny Fun-

nel). A large area of open grassland

was very productive.

We found three varieties of Hygro-

cybe (Waxcap), psittacina (Parrot),

conica (Blackening) and virginea

(Snowy) together with a number of

smaller fungi of various species.

The finds included the highly poison-

ous Clitocybe rivulosa, seen in the

picture growing with Clavulinopsis

helvola (Yellow Club). It is commonly

known as Fool’s Funnel and also

False Clitocybe Champignon, as it

regularly grows in rings with an

edible Marasmius (Fairy Ring Cham-

pignon). These fungi contain mus-

carine, which will make you very sick,

so it is not one to pick by mistake.

The broadleaf woodland produced a

selection of Leccinum scabrum

(Brown Birch Bolete), Lactarius

pubescens and turpis (Bearded and

Ugly Milkcaps) and Russula fragilis

(Fragile Brittlegill) while the conifer-

ous sections supported Suilus gre-

vileii (Larch Bolete), Lacatrius rufus

and deliciosus (Rufous and Saffron

Milkcaps, and Inocybe species

(Fibrecaps). One pine stump sported

a very fine Tricholompsis rutilans

(Plums and Custard).

Also found were three different

Tricholomas (Knights), cingulatum

(Girdled), scalpturatum (Yellowing)

and ustale (Burnt).

We collected and identified forty two

species in just two hours despite the

handicap of some severe rain show-

ers.

What surprised us was the number

of mycorrhizal fungi, those that grow

in association with tree roots pro-

ducing nutrients and stimulating

growth.

It can take many years for such

associations to develop. Modern

practice is to inoculate plants with

mycorrhizae, to establish and pro-

mote growth and this may well have

been done to encourage tree popula-

tion on an industrial site, such as

this.

Fascinating Fungi - Clock face Country Park - Tony Carter

Page 5 Merseyside Nature

Tony visits a

relatively new

woodland site at Clock

Face Country Park

and is pleasantly

surprised by the

productivity and

diversity

Lepista flaccida

Hygrocybe psittacina

Clitocybe rivulosa

Tricholompsis rutilans

Lactarius deliciosus

Tricholoma scalpturatum

Page 6: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

Local Nature Reserves

Established in 2003, the Liverpool

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

Project is a partnership between

Liverpool City council and the

Wildlife Trust.

Four LNRs have been designated. All

are owned by the City Council which

manages them for their wildlife and

as a local community resource.

O.S. Explorer Map 275 1:25 000

Scale.

Croxteth Local Nature Reserve

Previously the Country Estate of Lord

Sefton, Croxteth Country Park is now

Liverpool's largest public open

space.

The LNR comprises 50ha of wood-

land, rough grassland and pasture

with several ponds and is bordered

by the River Alt.

Mull Wood, the largest woodland

block, is mainly English Oak and

Sycamore. It holds a good variety of

breeding birds, including Nuthatch

and occasionally Lesser Spotted

Woodpecker.

The ponds support an interesting

collection of plants, including Tubu-

lar Water-dropwort, and a range of

common dragonfly species.

Car park at SJ400943.

Childwall Woods and Fields

Originally part of the estate grounds

of Childwall Hall, the 24ha site is a

mixture of plantation woodland and

rough grassland.

The wood is ornamental in origin with

a mix of species including English

Oak, Sweet Chestnut and Beech. It

is noteworthy for its extensive native

Bluebell population.

The grasslands put on a spectacular

show of Common Spotted and

Southern Marsh Orchids in early

June.

Sixteen species of butterfly have

been recorded on the Fields. Within

Childwall Woods, the old carriage

drive is designated as a Regionally

Important Geological Site (RIGS) for

its exposed sandstone faces. En-

trance from Childwall Abbey Road at

SJ411890

Mill Wood & Alder Wood, Speke

On the edge of Speke estate and

adjoining open countryside, the 22ha

Mill Wood is owned by Liverpool City

Council but sits mostly within the

neighbouring districts of Halton and

Knowsley.

An ancient woodland dominated by

oak and birch, it holds one of only

three known populations of the Pur-

ple Hairstreak butterfly in North

Merseyside.

The rich woodland ground flora

includes Bluebell, Dog's Mercury,

Wood Sorrel and Yellow Pimper-

nel.

The adjoining meadows are some of

Liverpool's best grasslands, support-

ing Common Centaury, Bee Orchid,

Common Spotted Orchid, Ragged

Robin and various vetches. En-

trance from Alderfield Drive (by

heavy green steel access gate) at

SJ454837

hugh@MBAN/1.10.2013

Eric Hardy Reserve, Black Woods

and Childwall Woods.

We identified the general and specific

habitats/features in each woodland

reserve that makes a woodland good

for wildlife, made rapid assessments

of high – low diversity,

We looked at how management could

introduce habitat and wildlife diver-

sity into woodlands to maximise their

biodiversity.

On Saturday 28th September 2013,

Adam Graham of the Lancashire

Wildlife Trust introduced us to

Woodland Conservation Theory.

The morning’s theory based session

was presented by Adam in the

Ranger’s room at the Harvester pub

in Otterspool Drive to 14 volunteer

conservationists.

After lunch we travelled in the Wild-

life Trust’s minibus and volunteer

cars to visit three local woodland

reserves;

We explored habitat creation in the

Eric Hardy Reserve and increasing

diversity in Black Woods and rhodo-

dendron clearance in Childwall

Woods that has enabled new growth.

These were some of the practical

measures used to restructure and

regenerate our woods all ith the aim

of maximising biodiversity.

hugh@MBAN/1.10.2013

Woodland Conservation Theory - Hugh Harris

What’s in your Quadrat 1.10? - Hugh Harris

Page 6 Merseyside Nature

Liverpool Local

Nature Reserves

Lessons in Woodland

Conservation Theory

with Adam Graham

Around the Eric Hardy

Reserve, Black Woods

and Childwall Woods

Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi )

Orchid

Page 7: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

We used the Joint Nature Conser-

vancy Council (JNCC) Phase 1 survey

methodology – a standardized sys-

tem widely used throughout Britain

that gives a consistent level of detail

and accuracy, so that results of one

survey may be compared with those

of another and maps and statistical

data may be readily interpreted.

Briefly the method is:-

Habitat maps. The vegetation is

recorded and mapped out on to

Ordnance Survey maps at a scale of

1:10,000, using specified habitat

types and standard colour codes.

Target notes. Brief descriptive

accounts of areas of interest.

Statistics. Compiled on the extent

and distribution of each habitat type.

The results are supported by a de-

scriptive and interpretive report.

Generally, our small group’s ‘parcel

of land’ in the ‘leafy suburbs’ and

outer estates was defined as Wood-

land and scrub and given the habitat

classification, hierarchical alphanu-

meric reference codes;

A1.1.2 – Woodland, Broad-leaved,

plantation. A1.1.1 – Woodland,

Broad-leaved, Semi-natural. A2.1 –

Scrub, Dense/continuous.

A green colour code is used.

Target notes were made on the

management of the biodiversity and

structure of A3.1 - parkland/

scattered broad-leaved trees

alongside the loop line which may be

useful for Phase 2 surveys.

The statistics compiled on the extent

and distributions of each habitat type

are held on computer.

Two weeks later, Fleur, Adam and I

visited the northern sector of the

Loop Line from Broad Lane (Norris

Green, SJ382941) to Seeds Lane

(Aintree, SJ372975) to complete our

Phase 1 JNCC survey.

According to protocol the surveyors

were changed for the intermediate

sectors. Our primary focus was to

codify the vegetation habitats along-

side the tarmac-surfaced Loop Line

and to identify the species along

what had evolved into a ‘movement

corridor’ for plants.

Another variation in habitat, C1.2

Scattered tall herb and fern was

evident.

Honesty (Lunaria annua), Common

bistort (Persicaria bistorta) and

Sea beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. Mari-

time) were observed among the

wildflowers and Angel’s bonnets

(Mycena arcangeliana) and Shaggy

Inkcap (Coprinus comatus) among

the fungi.

Consequently this sector is more

species-rich in plants to identify. The

general aspect along the embank-

ment is more open, exposed and

industrialised with areas of older

housing.

hugh@MBAN/1.10.2013

The Loop Line is a fantastic, popular

traffic free, wildlife route running

from Halewood to Aintree and on to

Southport on the Cheshire lines path.

This fabulous walking and cycling

route follows the old railway line.

From - to: Halewood to Aintree

Type: Disused railway path

Surface: Tarmac

National Cycle Network route

number:

The Liverpool Loop Line was aban-

doned in 1964 by British Rail and

became quite derelict until 1986

when plans were drawn up for its

conversion to a walking and cycling

route. Construction began in 1988,

and the final section to Aintree

opened in 2000.

The railway path provides a flat, well

surfaced green corridor through the

urban environment of east Liverpool,

and forms part of the award-winning

Trans Pennine Trail. The route takes

the form of a woodland park which

runs through rocky cuttings or high

on embankments with wide views

across the city.

There are many bus routes running

across and parallel to the path and

service frequencies are available

from Merseytravel. There are local

railway stations near to the route at

Hunts Cross, Halewood, Broad Green,

Rice Lane and Walton. On a damp

autumnal morning in early October,

Fleur, Emma and I visited the south-

ern sector of the Loop Line from

Lydiate Lane (Halewood, SJ436868)

to Lanfranc Way (Childwall.

SJ412897); to carry out a habitat

survey.

What’s in your Quadrat? 1.10 Liverpool Loop Line Survey - Hugh Harris

Page 7 Merseyside Nature

Surveying the

Liverpool Loop

Line

Autumn, the

season of mists

and meetings

Lawyers Wig, Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus

comatus)

Page 8: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

On Saturday 5th October I attended

‘Making a Difference’, the Volunteer

Conference of the Lancashire Wildlife

Trust at the Harington Building,

UCLan, Preston – an event I had

intended to visit since registering as

a volunteer several years ago.

A 57 minute train journey from Liver-

pool Lime Street and a short walk

through Preston town centre

brought me to the Conference venue.

Looking at the spaces in the car park

I thought I’ll drive there next year.

After registering I had a brief look at

the displays and stalls before enter-

ing the Lecture Theatre where we

were welcomed by Simon Colderley,

Volunteering Project Manager then

viewed a Keynote Presentation –

What volunteering means to the

Trust by Simon and Anne Selby, Chief

Executive of Lancashire Wildlife

Trust.

Both speakers appreciated and ac-

knowledged the contribution of their

volunteers and left us with the

words,

“Never doubt a small group can

change the world.”

Refreshments and then morning

Workshops; I had chosen ‘Talking

Records’ led by Eric Greenwood and

assisted by Dave Earl.

Eric is known for his magnum opus,

“The Flora of North Lancashire”, the

first definitive account of the past

and present occurrence of flowering

plants and ferns found in N. Lanca-

shire.

Eric talked about how his personal

collection of wildflower records

dating back hundreds of years have

been digitised through the talking

records project and what that means

for nature conservation going for-

ward.

Dave is recognisable by his charac-

teristic flat hat which he wears both

at outdoor meetings and indoor

workshops but more importantly for

his work as BSBI Vice-county Re-

corder for plants.

An excellent Buffet - style Lunch

was provided in the Students’ Refec-

tory and became an opportunity to

have a chat with other volunteers.

The afternoon began with the AGM

and followed the procedure of Treas-

urer’s Report, Chairman’s Review,

Council elections with proposers and

seconders and votes of thanks to

Trustees and staff.

My alternative option of afternoon

Workshop – Fundraising from

small grant sources presented by

Ruth Gaskell, Lancashire Wildlife

Trust Fundraising Officer took us

through the process of identifying

grant sources, what needs to be

done and what funders are looking

for, to help your group obtain the

funds they need to move forward.

The session was based on two ques-

tions:

1. Is your group ready for small grant

funding? And

2 Do you have all the information you

need?

Check-list hand outs were distrib-

uted to the group and an email at-

tachment of the Presentation slide-

show made available on request.

These resources were ideal for small

‘Friends of … ‘ type groups.

After afternoon refreshments, a

Special Presentation was made to

Ted Jackson retiring Chairman and

thanked by the Wildlife Trusts Council

for his 34 years’ service; his quali-

ties of friendship, inspiration, hu-

manity and vision.

He had seen the Trust grow into an

organisation of 850,000 members

with an annual turnover of £140m.

Individual volunteers were awarded

for their services and everyone

present received a Lancashire rose

bag with Trust merchandise which

was well-received.

A nice touch was the recognition

given to Catherine Haddon for her

behind-the-scenes contribution to

the Conference. Catherine had been

my first point of contact since be-

coming a volunteer/member of the

Trust and to-date was an email

message or voice on the telephone

and now the Conference had served

as a mechanism for meeting her.

Walking back to the station I had the

feeling of satisfaction of being part

of a larger organisation and that this

was one of the smoothest and best-

organised conferences I had at-

tended and would be coming back

next year.

hugh@MBAN/1.10.2013

Lancashire Wildlife Trust AGM - Hugh Harris

Page 8 Merseyside Nature

Making a Difference,

“Never doubt a

small group can

change the world.”

Fundraising from

small group

sources

Ted Jackson retires

as Wildlife Trust

Chairman after 34

years service

Recognition given to

Catherine Haddon

for her work behind

the scenes

Page 9: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

This active Friends group, formed by

volunteers in 1995, is based in the

stable block in the park.

The group is a close community of

residents whose aim is to promote,

conserve and help develop the ecol-

ogically attractive and historic park

on the border of Liverpool and

Knowsley.

The group meets on the first Monday

of the month at 1.30pm to organise

events and recreational activities

throughout the year with their part-

ners; Knowsley Council and the Na-

tional Wildflower Centre.

The Gladstone Roots Project and

Pathways Project are just two of

the many projects that benefit the

local community.

November’s programme included:-

Saturday 2nd November, Mammal

Identification Court Hey Park.

10.00am start

Sat 16th November, Bird Feeders

Court Hey Park. 1.00 – 3.00pm

Sat 30th November, Christmas

Crafts Court Hey Park. 1.00 –

3.00pm Contact Knowsley Green

Space Ranger, Karen Brady on 0151

443 3114 or 07771550843 (Mobile) for

more details.

The Friends have produced and pub-

lished two excellent little booklets on

the history of the park;

“A Mansion in the Park”, The Glad-

stone family at Court Hey Park, Roby

1836 -1919 by David Roberts,

“A History of Court Hey Park” by

George Peet. Both books are on sale

in the Cornflower Café in the park

and all royalties and proceeds are

used to support the activities of the

Friends of Court Hey Park.

hugh@MBAN/1.10.2013

knowledge to describe developments

in the Ince Marsh mitigation project.

Paul Oldfield (Mersey Gateway) gave

us an overview of The Mersey Gate-

way project and its effects on the

environment.

Mathilde Baker-Schommer supported

the proposal for MNA’s Osprey nest

site and the creation of a Port

Sunlight River Park based on Brom-

borough’s Landfill Site development

project.

MECG’s new website was announced,

www.merseyestuary.org

We were briefed about Energy mat-

ters regarding Tidal Power and the

River Severn proposal and the Frod-

sham Wind Farm. Both Richard Watts

(Halton Wildfowlers) and I (Mersey

WeBS Survey Team) made observa-

tions where appropriate.

I was impressed by the range of

issues on the table and agreed with

the Chair that more voices and ex-

pertise are needed at meetings if the

MECG is to be an effective influence.

hugh@MBAN/1.10.2013

I attended the General meeting of the

Mersey Estuary Conservation Group

on Monday 14 October at Pickering’s

Pasture, Widnes as observer and

representative of BTO’s WeBS survey

count team.

The contacts were knowledgeable

and friendly; Gary Broad, Chair and

Mathilde Baker-Schommer,

Vice Chair welcomed me to my first

meeting. The serious environmental

issues on the Agenda were of inter-

est to conservationists and residents

concerned about the quality of life on

both shores of the river.

Gary Broad (Friends of Pickering’s

Pasture) brought us up to date on

the current position of Marine Con-

servation Zones (MCZs).

Brian Hulse (Frodsham and District

Wildfowlers Club) utilised his local

Friends of Court Hey Park Meeting: 7th October 2013 - Hugh Harris

Page 9 Merseyside Nature

Friends of Court

Hey Park

Hugh reports on

Mersey Estuary

Conservation

Group general

meeting

MECG develop

new website

Page 10: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

Today, Sunday 20th October, Dermot

commented “Thanks to everyone who

turned out this weekend for us at

Stanlow. The weather was lovely,

hardly any rain and when the sun

came out I was too hot. Good num-

bers of birds and counters! We had

nine, which is the most the ferry will

hold, including four new counters

(Shaun, Mike, Robert and Wendy) as

well as Nick Godden, an RSPB Assis-

tant surveying the marsh and count-

ing birds.

Winter is approaching and the bird

numbers are rising. Teal (Anas

crecca) numbers are up and so are

the Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and of

course Mallard (Anas platrhynchos)

numbers with an expected increase in

November.

Redshank (Tringa tetanus) numbers

have stayed the same, but where

have the Black-tailed Godwit

(Limosa limosa) gone?

If it wasn’t for Toni and Ray’s count of

500 at New Ferry we would have had

only 114 in the whole estuary. Last

year in October there were only 43

and the year before 0. Rare birds

today were two Great White Egrets

(Ardea alba) seen at Stanlow Point

and on Ince Marshes.

Some interesting waders were seen

at Hale with both Curlew sandpiper

(Calidris ferruginea) and Little Stint

(Calidris minuta).

South shore counters – Ed

Samuels, Toni and Ray Sherlock, Mike

Turton, Terry Long, Bill Morton, John

Gascoigne, Margaret Coles, Nick

Pumphrey, Andy Ankers, Tom

Jameson, Shaun Hickey, Mike Buckley,

Dermot Smith and Ian Coote.

Dermot recorded his thanks to Ian

Coote for the stalwart contribution he

has made to WeBS over the past few

years when we were struggling for

counters. Ian is no longer able to

continue as a counter as his new job

involves working on Sundays.

North shore counters – Rob Cock-

bain, Warren Sumner, Howard Harris

Rob reported a good but windy day at

Pickering Pasture, Halebank.

There was a big increase in Mallard

(Anas platrhynchos) where they were

feeding on the acorns.

Only a few Canada Geese (Branta

canadensis) were about as a result of

three wildfowlers spread along the

Hale shore below the marshes on

Saturday morning.

Later the same day, a pheasant-

shoot on the edge of the marshes

both ’fright and flighted’ the geese

across the river, presumably towards

Frodsham and Ince.

A Pale-bellied Brent (Branta berni-

cia) was still present, also 7 Little

Stints (Calidris minuta) and at least 2

Curlew Sandpipers (Calidris fer-

ruginea) amongst the Dunlin (Calidris

alpina) and other waders.

A Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)

entertained us for some time with an

aerial display of attacking the local

Crows (Corvus corone) in the skies

above the marshes; and on one occa-

sion scoring a ‘hit’ by knocking the

larger Crow down into water.

Fortunately the Crow survived and

lived to fly another day. Because of

Peregrine activity many waders were

skittish and bird-count numbers were

under-estimated as some didn’t re-

turn.

A Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) occupied

a lot of our ‘watch-time’ sitting and

fishing from posts in the pool in front

of the hide. Many visitors appreciated

Rob’s invitation of observing the bird

through his powerful ‘scope and

Carol’s digital images of it on her

camera – who knows this, could be an

inspiration for future birders!

They certainly went away happy after

seeing their first Kingfisher.

Warren also reported an increase in

Mallards along the Oglet shore.

There were a good number of birds on

the Old Pier at Garston Dock (just

about viewable with the ‘scope from

Cressington) and included 80

Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostra-

legus)

Warren faced a hazard, whilst walking

his known route back through the

Plantation – a dog attack!

A German shepherd dog went for him,

snapped at his thigh twice, risking

possible serious injury, but couldn’t

get a grip on his waterproofs.

Mersey WeBS Survey Team - Hugh Harris

Page 10 Merseyside Nature

Great White Egret, T.Alter, Wiki

Kingfisher, M. Szczepanek, Wiki

According to the owner it did not like

him carrying a tripod! Fortunately, he

is only shaken but OK and went

straight home.

If we are not to lose our volunteer

WeBS counters then somehow we have

to encourage dog-owner responsibil-

ity. All Naturalists should be cautious

and assess likely risk in advance.

“Wear appropriate footwear with ankle

support. Dogs are more likely to at-

tack when victims back is turned, so if

situation becomes dangerous back

away

Do not run from large dogs - they can

out-run people and will attack from

behind. “

Extract from Generic Site Assessment,

National Nature Reserves Safety

Guidelines for Volunteers on site.

[email protected]

Bird Counting

with WeBS along

the Mersey

Shoreline

Page 11: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

Earlier this month saw my first intro-

duction to some of the rarest bryo-

phytes and mosses in the UK!

This year Des has been asked to

carry out a survey for seven species

of moss and liverwort which have

conservation importance in the UK

and are found on the Sefton Coast,

Des kindly offered to show a small

group around the survey area and

introduced us to two of the species

he had been set the task of survey-

ing.

Petalophyllum ralfsii

Each species had a completely dif-

ferent story to tell, we started with

Petalwort (Petalophyllum ralfsii),

the 'little lettuce' of the dunes. The

global distribution of this species

includes the British Isles and South

to the Mediterranean. In dry weather

it has the unusual habit of going

dormant underground!

Des took the group a short distance

from the Weld Road car park to a

large scrubbed dune slack, explaining

on route some of the requirements

of this species; it appears to like

damp dune slacks, where vegetation

is sparse but not completely absent,

a mosaic of bare sand and ground

cover.

We finally arrived at the dune where

historically a population of

'thousands' had been recorded, now

a population of tens remain and even

those are not happy, only reproduc-

ing vegetativley (clones of a single

plant). Des explained the likely cause

of this was the increase in scrub in

the slack, not just the larger vegeta-

tion, but the tighter mat of turf and

lack of bare sand.

Phil noted this was probably due to

the huge decline in rabbits which

would otherwise clear areas of

ground vegetation.

As a group, and as bryologists will

do, we spent some time crawling

around the slack looking for signs of

P. ralfsii in an area suggested by

Des. It didn't take long before the

first plant was found, I quickly de-

cided I had also found a specimen

only to be corrected by Des,

The plant I had found was a regular

companion of Petalwort, Pellia endi-

viifolia, another somewhat similar

liverwort (it had a thallus!), but with

a very interesting toothed tube.

As a guide for identification Des

suggested I look for the diagnostic

‘double fringe’ running along the

surface of the thallus.

Shortly after I discovered my first

Petalwort, much smaller than I had

imagined it would be, a small rosette

of thalli looking very much like a

lettuce!

After that we all seemed to get our

eyes in and shouts of 'found one!'

became more frequent.

With soggy knees we took the short

trip from Weld Road to the Marine

Lake and a few further sites where

Des had rediscovered this species,

though not in large numbers. This

helped us to identify the types of

habitats where, in the future, Petal-

wort might be found.

Bryum warneum

The flip side of the walk was for Des

to introduce us to the second listed

species he had re-discovered as part

of his survey, Bryum warneum (Sea

Bryum).

From near the Marine Lake we moved

to the shoreline and then onto the

'newest', 'new' and 'slightly older'

Green Beach frontal dunes.

Once there Des pointed out the sky-

ward roots of a great tree some 1km

in the distance.

Incredibly the Sefton Coast popula-

tion of this rare and little known

species extends continuously for the

full kilometre!

Bryologising with Des - Ben Deed

Page 11 Merseyside Nature

Des shares his

expertise about

nationally scarce

Bryophytes in a

walk of discovery

along the Sefton

Coast.

Bryum warneum (capsules and seta)

Pellia endiviifolia

Page 12: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

A stretch little more than 10m wide,

it likely represents a population

larger than all the others in the

British Isles combined.

This species can only be identified in

the field when it is producing its

sporophytes. These comprise of a

brightly coloured capsule on an

exceptionally long seta (for a

Bryum), and is unlike any other spe-

cies which might be found in the

same location.

Bryum warneum is a specialist spe-

cies and while the current population

is huge it has also moved some

distance from where it was originally

discovered. Its specialism is in the

highly competitive environment of

frontal, 'green' dune systems.

This rare habitat sees plants com-

peting on a damp, high pH substrate

with high winds, inundation and the

near constant deposition of new sand

which they must grow through.

As new dunes are formed, as part of

the natural dune creation process,

the species rapidly colonises while

where the dune becomes stable it is

outcompeted, becomes vegetative

and ultimately disappears.

Bryum dyffrynense

Another treat was provided by Des

as he introduced us to populations of

a recently described species (2003),

Bryum dyffrynense.

Very little is known about the biology

of this species and not enough infor-

mation is available to ascertain its

current status in the UK but it ap-

pears to inhabit a very similar niche

to that of Petalophyllum ralfsii and

Bryum warneum.

This may suggest it needs similar

conservation support. Certainly one

to explore further!

Bryologising with Des - Ben Deed

Page 12 Merseyside Nature

Has this article

stimulated an new

interest in

Bryophytes?

Contact Ben Deed at

MerseysideBiobank

for further

information on

Bryophytes.

Dune formation: New Green Beech, Sefton Coast

Bryum dyffrynense

Petalwort (Petalophyllum ralfsii )

(Note: particles of sand at centre of Thallus give scale )

Newest Green Beach

Page 13: Merseyside Nature (2013 September-October)

Events are run throughout the

year by Liverpool Museum.

These include Mammal Trapping at

Knowsley Park and other venues.

Please contact

[email protected].

uk for details and to book places.

Museum collections are open to

amateur naturalists and volunteers

(by appointment)

Other activity events

Knowsley: www.knowsley.gov.uk/

things-to-see-and-do/events.aspx

Liverpool Parks: liverpool.gov.uk/

leisure-parks-and-events

Wildlife Trust: www.lancswt.org.uk/

what-s-on

Court Hey Park:

www.courtheypark.co.uk

National Wildflower Centre:

www.nwc.org.uk/events

Shoresearchnews

www.cumbriawidlifetrust.org.uk

Merseyside Naturalist Association

The MNA organize informal nature

events including field trips, talks and

practical sessions

Visit www.mnapage.info for the pro-

gramme of events

Saturday 16th November 2013,

Pickerings Pasture Local Nature

Reserve

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your

own way there

Where we are meeting: 11.15 in

Pickerings Pasture car park. Liver-

pool ONE bus station for 82A at

10.06.

Cost: Free of charge.

Do I need to book? No, just turn up.

What do we expect to see? : Estu-

ary and woodland birds.

Should I bring a telescope? Tele-

scope optional.

Walking grade: Easy : flat terrain

with very good paths suitable for

walking shoes.

Mileage: 2 miles / 3 kilometres

Guided or free to roam? Guided,

leader Howard Mills 07710 21663.

Are toilets available? Toilets not

available at destination.

Map reference: SJ 488 836

Note: Joint meeting with Liverpool

RSPB

Saturday 30th November 2013,

Frodsham

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your

own way there

Where we are meeting: Frodsham

Station 11.05. Central Station for

10.00 train to Chester then Arriva

Trains Wales to Frodsham.

Cost: Free of charge but note that

the Chester to Frodsham leg is not

available on Merseytravel passes.

Do I need to book? No, just turn up.

What do we expect to see? : Eric

Hardy's dedicated woodland.

Events

Page 13 Merseyside Nature

HELP! BIRDERS STILL NEEDED

The Mersey Estuary is one of

Britain’s best wetlands. We know this

because each month we count the

waterfowl as part of the national

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS).

However, we need ‘new blood’

volunteers. You don’t need to be an

experienced wildfowl counter,

though you should be able to identify

common waders and wildfowl. If you

think you can help then please email

Dermot Smith at

[email protected] or phone

07505 418832 for further details.

For more information plus recent

reports and photos visit the Mersey

Estuary WeBS page on facebook

Should I bring a telescope? Tele-

scope not useful.

Walking grade: Strenuous, could

include sections of rough terrain, stiff

climbs; uneven (or no) footpaths,.

Mileage: 6 miles / 10 kilometres

Guided or free to roam? Guided,

leader Alexander Mansfield.

Are toilets available? Toilets avail-

able at the Fordham pub.

Map reference: SJ 510 757

Liverpool Botanical Society

Saturday 7th December

Treasure House Theatre, Level 1 World

Museum

Uncommon Trees of Court Hey Park,

Rob Duffy

Saturday 11th January

Treasure House Theatre, Level 1 World

Museum

Caledonian Pine Forests

Peter Gately

Saturday 8th February

Treasure House Theatre, Level 1 World

Museum AGM plus members’ field

meetings photos

Neuroctena anilis

Eristalis

Visitors to Ivy at Court Hey Park

Syrphus