Friday 17th February 2017 - Mistletoe in Ashton on Mersey

Third Mistletoe found in our area  - this time in Ashton on Mersey.

Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Not wonderful photos, but didn't seem appropriate to climb into a back garden - and we were definitely being watched and deemed suspicious!

We think the host tree might be Hybrid Black Poplar (the bark is deeply fissured), which is fairly frequently a host tree for Mistletoe. Need to return when there are leaves on (preferably with the owner's permission). This is the third location we are aware of locally for Mistletoe. Does anybody know of other specimens in our area?

Pat Hill, Cathy and Mike Pettipher

Friday 10th February 2017 - Dunham and Bridgewater Canal

The Winter Gardens at Dunham have something of interest throughout the winter:

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Snowdrop variety (Galanthus nivalis)

Algerian (Winter) Iris (Iris unguicularis)

Black Hellebore/Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger)

Black Hellebore

Witch-hazel (Hamamelis)

Claire had previously seen numerous snails 'hibernating' in the cracks of the wall supporting the bridge on Woodhouse Lane under the Bridgewater canal. We took a look to see if they were still there - and they were, perhaps about 100 of them. It seemed surprising to see them in such an exposed position. Perhaps there had been vegetation covering the wall when they chose the location. Interesting that these were all on a south west facing wall, with none on the opposite side of the road. A few more had chosen a spot near the top of the wall, above the road.

Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum)

Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum)

Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum)

Winter sun lighting the Bridgewater Canal

Claire Joures, Cathy and Mike Pettipher

February 2017 - Parakeet, Jackson's Boat

Another Parakeet. This time near Jackson's Boat pub.

Ring-necked or Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Ring-necked or Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Barry Hurd