Pam and Phil Grundy
Tuesday 11th August - Dunham Park
With the shortening evenings, the last of the summer walks was, as in the past couple of years, to Dunham Park for a gentle stroll, followed by a search for bats as the light faded.
Some of the plants noted were: Creeping Buttercup, Water Mint, Water Plantain, Lemon-scented Fern, Great Horsetail, Marsh Horsetail, Great Reedmace, Bur-reed, Tormentil, Marsh Pennywort, Wood-sorrel, Sweet-flag, Gypsywort and Skullcap.
Unfortunately the bats seemed to be a little shy this evening - only a few brief sightings were made before darkness encouraged those without sonar to return to their own roosts. Nevertheless it was a pleasant evening walk.
Some of the plants noted were: Creeping Buttercup, Water Mint, Water Plantain, Lemon-scented Fern, Great Horsetail, Marsh Horsetail, Great Reedmace, Bur-reed, Tormentil, Marsh Pennywort, Wood-sorrel, Sweet-flag, Gypsywort and Skullcap.
Unfortunately the bats seemed to be a little shy this evening - only a few brief sightings were made before darkness encouraged those without sonar to return to their own roosts. Nevertheless it was a pleasant evening walk.
Saturday 25th July - Ainsdale Dunes, Sefton Coast
8 of us met near the Pontins camp at Ainsdale, including our former long-standing Chairman and current President, Hilda Summersgill, down from Fife. We were fortunate to have a fine sunny day.
We roughly followed the dune path north, with diversions into different 'wet slacks' in search of the diverse flora of the area.
Orchids were well represented, with Pyramidal and Early Marsh Orchid still flowering well:
Marsh Helleborine was surprisingly abundant, although it took a while to spot the first one. The much rarer Dune Helleborine was also found but only a few specimens were seen:
One of the specialities of the area is the beautiful Grass of Panassus, obviously not a grass:
and another uncommon plant found was the Autumn Gentian:
More familiar flowers included Eyebright, one of the three Centauries found there and Carline Thistle:
Little fauna was seen, but there were numerous webs of the Labyrinth spider some of which had captured prey for the resident:
Fortunately these two curious creatures did not fall into such traps:
After returning to the car park some of us continued to Sands Lake, into the Birkdale Dunes returning via an area of 'vegetated beach'.
Shasta daisy was an unexpected sight, probably escaped from somewhere nearby. In contrast the Large Flowered Evening Primrose is now so widespread in the area that it would be unexpected not to see it. Sea Holly is another speciality of the area, locally quite common where it does occur:
There were a number of unusual species on the 'vegetated beach', including Sea Rocket,Sea Radish,Sea Arrowgrass, Marram Grass, Lyme Grass, Sea Couch and the primula, Sea Milkwort:
Other plants seen included:
Hogweed,Marsh Pennywort,Hemlock Water-dropwort,Wild Parsnip,Garden Asparagus,Yarrow,Lesser Burdock,Mugwort,Creeping Thistle,Spear Thistle,Blue Fleabane,Cat's-ear,Ploughman's-spikenard,Common Fleabane,Ragwort,Goldenrod,Goat's-beard,Scentless Mayweed,Hound's-tongue,Forget-Me-Not,,Harebell,Red Campion,Hedge Bindweed,Biting Stonecrop,Sea-buckthorn,Sea Spurge,Kidney Vetch,Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea,Common Bird's-foot-trefoil,Common Restharrow,Red Clover,White Clover,Yellow-wort,Common Centaury,Seaside Centaury,Common Stork's-bill,Herb-Robert,Iris,Yellow Iris,Gypsywort,Water Mint,Selfheal,Skullcap,Purple-loosestrife,Rosebay Willowherb,Great Willowherb,Yellow-rattle,Greater Plantain,Milkwort,Round-leaved Wintergreen,Lesser Spearwort,Creeping Buttercup,Meadowsweet,Silverweed,Tormentil,Marsh Cinquefoil,Japanese Rose, Dewberry,Cleavers,Marsh-bedstraw,Lady's Bedstraw,Creeping Willow,Bittersweet,Bulrush,Wild Pansy
The Polypody fern was also noted.
Sands Lake added a few birds to the sightings: Mallard,Tufted Duck,Mute Swan,Grey Heron, Common Wood Pigeon,Carrion Crow,Black-billed Magpie,Common Kestrel,Barn Swallow,Black-headed Gull,Meadow Pipit,Pied Wagtail,European Stonechat,Common Coot,Common Whitethroat
Insects were no doubt far more abundant than recorded, but some of the butterflies, particularly the Ringlet, were quite numerous. Those noted were: Emperor Dragonfly, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue Butterfly, Ringlet, Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Hedge Brown, Cinnabar and Six-spot Burnet Moth.
Overall a very enjoyable day with many attractive and interesting sightings.
We roughly followed the dune path north, with diversions into different 'wet slacks' in search of the diverse flora of the area.
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| Ainsdale Dunes |
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| Nats looking for Natterjacks? |
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| Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), 6 Spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipendulae) |
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| Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) |
Marsh Helleborine was surprisingly abundant, although it took a while to spot the first one. The much rarer Dune Helleborine was also found but only a few specimens were seen:
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| Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis palustris) |
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| Dune Helleborine (Epipactis dunensis) |
One of the specialities of the area is the beautiful Grass of Panassus, obviously not a grass:
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| Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) |
and another uncommon plant found was the Autumn Gentian:
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| Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) |
More familiar flowers included Eyebright, one of the three Centauries found there and Carline Thistle:
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| Eyebright (Euphrasia) |
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| Centaury (Centaurium) |
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| Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris) |
Little fauna was seen, but there were numerous webs of the Labyrinth spider some of which had captured prey for the resident:
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| Labyrinth Spider web (Agelena labyrinthica) |
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| Botanising |
After returning to the car park some of us continued to Sands Lake, into the Birkdale Dunes returning via an area of 'vegetated beach'.
Shasta daisy was an unexpected sight, probably escaped from somewhere nearby. In contrast the Large Flowered Evening Primrose is now so widespread in the area that it would be unexpected not to see it. Sea Holly is another speciality of the area, locally quite common where it does occur:
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| Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum) |
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| Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum), Banded Snail (Cepaea) |
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| Large-flowered Evening Primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) |
There were a number of unusual species on the 'vegetated beach', including Sea Rocket,Sea Radish,Sea Arrowgrass, Marram Grass, Lyme Grass, Sea Couch and the primula, Sea Milkwort:
 | |||
| Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima) |
Hogweed,Marsh Pennywort,Hemlock Water-dropwort,Wild Parsnip,Garden Asparagus,Yarrow,Lesser Burdock,Mugwort,Creeping Thistle,Spear Thistle,Blue Fleabane,Cat's-ear,Ploughman's-spikenard,Common Fleabane,Ragwort,Goldenrod,Goat's-beard,Scentless Mayweed,Hound's-tongue,Forget-Me-Not,,Harebell,Red Campion,Hedge Bindweed,Biting Stonecrop,Sea-buckthorn,Sea Spurge,Kidney Vetch,Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea,Common Bird's-foot-trefoil,Common Restharrow,Red Clover,White Clover,Yellow-wort,Common Centaury,Seaside Centaury,Common Stork's-bill,Herb-Robert,Iris,Yellow Iris,Gypsywort,Water Mint,Selfheal,Skullcap,Purple-loosestrife,Rosebay Willowherb,Great Willowherb,Yellow-rattle,Greater Plantain,Milkwort,Round-leaved Wintergreen,Lesser Spearwort,Creeping Buttercup,Meadowsweet,Silverweed,Tormentil,Marsh Cinquefoil,Japanese Rose, Dewberry,Cleavers,Marsh-bedstraw,Lady's Bedstraw,Creeping Willow,Bittersweet,Bulrush,Wild Pansy
The Polypody fern was also noted.
Sands Lake added a few birds to the sightings: Mallard,Tufted Duck,Mute Swan,Grey Heron, Common Wood Pigeon,Carrion Crow,Black-billed Magpie,Common Kestrel,Barn Swallow,Black-headed Gull,Meadow Pipit,Pied Wagtail,European Stonechat,Common Coot,Common Whitethroat
Insects were no doubt far more abundant than recorded, but some of the butterflies, particularly the Ringlet, were quite numerous. Those noted were: Emperor Dragonfly, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue Butterfly, Ringlet, Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Hedge Brown, Cinnabar and Six-spot Burnet Moth.
Overall a very enjoyable day with many attractive and interesting sightings.
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| A few Altrincham Naturalists (photographed by John Fulton) |
Monday 6th July - Broadheath
Cuckoo attacked by Sparrowhawk. Attempted to look after it but eventually taken to Wildlife Sanctuary.
Margaret McCormick
Sunday 28th June - Sale Water Park
A short trip to Sale Water Park was prompted, after an evening the previous week with the local specialist, Dave Bishop.
Close to home and a well trodden area still provides much interest.
The Large Skipper butterfly and many spikes of Bee Orchid were found not far from the cafe and the M60.
Purple Toadflax was seen at the bridge over the stream from the Mersey overflow.
The unusual Pick-a-back plant was found a little way up the stream from
the bridge. Surprisingly it is a member of the Saxifrage family.
Close to home and a well trodden area still provides much interest.
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| Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) |
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| Bee Orchid (Orchis apifera) |
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| Purple Toadflax (Linaria purpurea) |
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| Purple Toadflax (Linaria purpurea) |
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| Pick-a-back plant (Tolmiea menziesii) |
Cathy and Mike Pettipher
Saturday 27th June 2015 - Woolston Eyes and Rixton Claypits
We were lucky with the weather for this full day excursion. In the morning we visited number 3 bed of the Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve.On sitting down in the palatial John Morgan hide, the first thing we noticed was this Poplar Hawkmoth on the window sill, and it was reluctant to move from its comfortable spot.
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| Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi) |
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| View from John Morgan hide. |
Other birds seen included: Common Buzzard, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Greater Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Ruddy Duck, Eurasian Teal, Grey Heron, Northern Lapwing, Common Bullfinc, Great Crested Grebe, (Black-necked Grebe), Common Coot, Common Shelduck and Winter Wren.
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| Shelduck and chicks (Tadorna tadorna) |
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| Canada Geese, goslings (Branta candensis) |
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| Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) |
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| Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) |
Umbellifers were well represented with: Wild Angelica, Cow Parsley, Hogweed and Hemlock Water-dropwort,
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| Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) |
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| Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) |
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| Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) |
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| False Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) |
We then moved about 3 miles to spend the afternoon at Rixton Claypits. Once a brick quarry, Rixton Claypits was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1996 and is now a Special Area for Conservation (S.A.C.), mostly because Great Crested newts breed there. Since 1979 the meadows have been a Site of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I) because of the rich mix of wild plants. (http://www.rixtonwithglazebrook.net/rixton_claypits_nature_reserve).
It would have been easy to spend all day here - a couple of hours allowed only a glimpse of the variety on show at this time of year.
Fauna seen included: Common Frog, Buzzard, Kestrel, House Martin, Alder Leaf Beetle,
Common Blue Damselfly, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood butterflies and Six-spot Burnet Moth.
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| Bee Orchid (Orchis apifera) |
Other species noted were: Elder, Daisy, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Hemp-agrimony (not yet flowering), Oxeye Daisy, Forget-Me-Not, Comfrey, Honeysuckle, Red Campion, Ragged Robin, Meadow Vetchling, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Red Clover, Gorse, Tufted Vetch, Yellow-wort, Herb-Robert, Yellow Iris, Selfheal, Hedge Woundwort, American Willowherb, Northern Marsh-orchid, Bee Orchid, Eyebright, Yellow-rattle, Foxglove, Meadow Buttercup, Creeping Buttercup, Wood Avens, Tormentil, Rose, Bramble, Cleavers, Marsh-bedstraw, Woody Nightshade,
Cyperus Sedge, Crested Dog's-tail and Yorkshire-fog.
It was an enjoyable and interesting day at two local sites.
Tuesday 16th June 2015 - Teggs Nose Country Park
There is much to see at this varied site, with flower meadows, heath and woodland and the remains of the quarry (shared with young abseilers). It is an exposed site with excellent views over the Cheshire plain, although hazy this evening. It could be cold, wet and windy but fortunately again for us it was a pleasant summer evening, with the dramatic setting sun later on.
The meadows are well maintained by the longhorn cattle:
Above the meadows is a speciality of the site, the Mountain Pansy:
A Tortrix moth was seen and a pair of Painted Lady butterflies were very active near the summit.
Birds heard or seen included: Sky Lark, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, Willow Warbler, Wren and Blackbird.
And flora noted: Cow Parsley, Pignut, Daisy, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Oxeye Daisy, Red Campion, Heather, Bilberry, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Red Clover, Gorse, Common Vetch, Bush Vetch, Herb-Robert, Wood Sage, Rosebay Willowherb, Northern Marsh-orchid, Foxglove, Ribwort Plantain, Heath Speedwell, Meadow Buttercup, Intermediate Lady's-mantle, Hawthorn, Tormentil, Heath Bedstraw,
Heath Wood-rush, Sweet Vernal-grass, Quaking-grass, Wavy Hairgrass, Crested Dog's-tail, and Cock's-foot.
Bracken was the dominant fern, but we also saw Lady-fern, Broad Buckler-fern and Male-fern.
The midge, Dasineura urticae, made its presence known in the orange Nettle Gall, present on many nettles by the side of the track returning to the visitor centre.
The meadows are well maintained by the longhorn cattle:
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| Longhorn Cow |
Above the meadows is a speciality of the site, the Mountain Pansy:
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| Mountain Pansy (Viola lutea) |
Birds heard or seen included: Sky Lark, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, Willow Warbler, Wren and Blackbird.
And flora noted: Cow Parsley, Pignut, Daisy, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Oxeye Daisy, Red Campion, Heather, Bilberry, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Red Clover, Gorse, Common Vetch, Bush Vetch, Herb-Robert, Wood Sage, Rosebay Willowherb, Northern Marsh-orchid, Foxglove, Ribwort Plantain, Heath Speedwell, Meadow Buttercup, Intermediate Lady's-mantle, Hawthorn, Tormentil, Heath Bedstraw,
Heath Wood-rush, Sweet Vernal-grass, Quaking-grass, Wavy Hairgrass, Crested Dog's-tail, and Cock's-foot.
Bracken was the dominant fern, but we also saw Lady-fern, Broad Buckler-fern and Male-fern.
The midge, Dasineura urticae, made its presence known in the orange Nettle Gall, present on many nettles by the side of the track returning to the visitor centre.
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