Merseyside Nature (2015 April-May)

April/May 2015 Issue 26

Merseyside Nature Friends of Merseyside BioBank

Phil Smith continues his excellent articles on the Sefton Coast

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

Hugh Harris visits Cornwall and the Gardens of Heligan Tony Carter visits Beacon Park with the North West Fungus Group Hugh Harris looks at recent bird data findings Steve McWilliam posts a request for help collecting leaf specimens of Powdery Mildew

Inside this issue: Wildlife Notes

1-3

Discovering the Gardens of Heligan

4-5

Biodiverse Society Program 2015

6-7

European Birds at Risk of Extinction?

8-9

A Cornish Culpepper

10

Beacon Park with NWFG

11-12

NWFG Programme

13

MBAN Images

14

National Plant Monitoring Scheme

15

Event Summary

16-18

Leucozona lucorum found on a Biodiversity Survey by Ami Weir at Sidings Lane on 20th May 2015

Articles, photographs, real life stories, web links and events from active naturalists are welcome additions to this newsletter. Please send them in.

Stories from 250 words with accompanying photographs will take us all on your journey. Please E-Mail your work to: newsletter@activenaturalist.org.uk

Breaking News: The Squirrel and Woodland Wildlife Bioblitz with Rachel Miller and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust at Formby on 20th June 2015 turned out to be a great week-end.

Naturalists are always welcome at MBB to freely use the available equipment and facilities

Why not sign up for one of the free courses with the Biodiverse Society See copy of the training Leaflet on pages 6-7

Local experts and volunteers found more than 318 species.

The event was part of the 24 hour Formby Coastal Bioblitz to find and record as many species as possible More information to follow in our later newsletters

Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola ) at Hightown: Image by J. Highet

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WILDLIFE NOTES APRIL 2015 - Dr Phil Smith An almost constant refrain in my April notes since 2007 has been drought conditions in the dunes. Persistent high pressure meant no measureable rain fell between 4 th and 25th April.

This pattern is now well established, analysis of spring rainfall data from the Ainsdale National Nature Reserve weather station revealing a statistically significant decline since 2000.

The following day, Marshside produced my first Willow Warbler of the spring, nine Sand Martins, a Swallow, 46 Avocets and, unexpectedly, another Little Gull, this time in first-year plumage. It was to spend a further three weeks on Junction Pool.

Another visit to this excellent RSPB reserve on 26th added my first sightings of Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and House Martins, as well as 22 Gadwall and at least 500 Pink-footed Geese, which should have been on their way back to Iceland.

Most exciting, however, was a male Redstart which another birder pointed out at Hightown dunes on 21st. I had great views of this superb bird shivering its red tail in the approved manner. Nearby, a Grasshopper Warbler was singing, while a ploughed field off Gorsey Lane had 30 smart White Wagtails, the continental form of our familiar Pied Wagtail.

Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita)

Spring insects were also a feature of the dunes, stocky Vernal Mining Bees being widespread, while I also photographed a Large Thistle Weevil on Birkdale Green Beach. Impressive numbers of Peacocks suggested favourable hibernation conditions last winter. On Freshfield Dune Heath, Ron Moyes was trying to lure Emperor moths using a commercial pheromone lure which mimics the scent given off by the female. Eventually, two spectacular males arrived at high speed, homing in to land on the lure.

While most people may not notice, these dry springs are certainly having an impact on our wildlife, most notably the iconic Natterjack Toad which always spawns in shallow water and is particularly susceptible to drought.

Thus, although I counted 43 Natterjack spawn strings on the southern part of Birkdale Green Beach early in the month, most were lost as the water quickly dried up. Other sites reported the same problem, an exception being one of the scrapes at Ainsdale Local Nature Reserve dug a couple of years ago. Here, adequate water attracted lots of Natterjacks, a late evening visit on 10 th enabling me to photograph several calling males. Getting close to a group of the noisiest amphibians in Europe going full blast is painful to the ears!

As usual in April, bird migration really got going, reflected in many reports of Ring Ouzels along the coast. On 5 th, I just missed two at Freshfield Dune Heath but, later in the day, Cabin Hill produced 13 Teal, 40 Meadow Pipits, a Goldcrest and the now uncommon Redpoll, as well as remaining winter visitors such as Snipe and Jack Snipe. An American Laughing Gull wintered at New Brighton but started visiting Seaforth Nature Reserve, so I went down on 7th to try my luck.

Sure enough, soon after I arrived, the gull turned up, a new “tick” for me.

An elegant adult Little Gull was also good to see but this smallest of the World’s gulls no longer gathers at Seaforth in the large flocks of former years.

Large Thistle Weevil (Cleonis pigra )

Due to cold dry conditions, duneland flowers did not appear in last April’s abundance but the colourful Dune Pansy and Heath Dog-violet were showing well by the end of the month, while the rare coastal form of Groundsel, which botanist Mike Wilcox argues is a full species, was again prominent on the Green Beach.

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WILDLIFE NOTES APRIL 2015 - Dr Phil Smith

Dune Pansy

Trevor Davenport persuaded me away from the coast on 22 nd to visit White Coppice on the edge of the West Pennine Moors. Twenty years ago, I had seen a Green Hairstreak butterfly there, so off we went, more in hope than expectation. A gully on the hillside had plenty of Bilberry, the butterfly’s food-plant and, within seconds, saw the first of several of these strikingly-marked insects.

A further bonus was the almost mythical Cuckoo, a declining species now rarely seen in our area. Having learnt as a schoolboy how to mimic the call, we soon had it perched in a tree a few yards away.

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Emperor Moth Larvae (Saturnia pavonia): Ian Porter, WikiCommons

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) Chris Romeiks by Vogelartinfo, WikiCommons

Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia): Zorba the Greek, WikiCommons

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DISCOVERING HELIGAN - Hugh Harris “Above all Heligan provides a dazzlingly real experience of a lost way of life, almost something from the world of science fiction.” John Fowles Heligan, seat of the Tremayne family for over 400 years, is one of the most mysterious estates in England. Between 1770 and 1914, four generations created a thriving, almost self-sufficient community; but the remaining record of their horticultural achievements is sparse to say the least.

The award-winning garden restoration, undertaken over the past 25 years, has been informed largely by professional research into the period, alongside local anecdote and thrilling discoveries in the field.

At the end of the nineteenth century its 1000 acres were at their zenith, but only a few years later bramble and ivy were already drawing a green veil over this ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

The restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan was undertaken in their names. Little was known then about their service and sacrifice they also gave in World War 1. Workbooks of the time record enlistments and numerous staff names appear on local war memorials. In 2013 Heligan was officially recorded as a “Living Memorial” by the Imperial War Museum, in its new UK National Inventory of War Memorials.

My first visit was in 2003: this second visit took me to a deeper level of appreciation of the 25 years of restoration and difficult choices of where to explore in the 200 acres. I chose the Jungle, Lost Valley and Northern Gardens.

The Jungle It sits in a steep-sided valley, creating a microclimate at least five degrees warmer than the Northern Gardens. Here the exotic palette of plants brought back from across the world, both by the intrepid Victorian Plant Hunters and

After decades of neglect, the devastating hurricane of 1990 should have consigned the Lost Gardens of Heligan to a footnote in history. Instead a seminal moment of discovery in 1990 was when John Nelson and Tim Smit approached a derelict cottage in the far corner of a small walled garden, consumed by overgrowth, which was to unlock the secret of Heligan’s demise.

There they found written on the flaking lime-plaster wall the motto ‘Don’t come here to sleep or to slumber’ with the names of those who worked there signed under the date – Aug 1914.

more recent collectors, flourish before your eyes.

It is an adventure along a raised boardwalk, snaking across four ponds, past Giant rhubarb, Banana plantations and avenues of Palms.

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DISCOVERING HELIGAN - Hugh Harris You can lose yourself in tunnels of towering Bamboo and feast your eyes upon a flourishing plant collection.

The Lost Valley Within the 80 acres of ancient woodland at Heligan there are many intriguing sights to be seen.

The Giant’s Head, Mud maid and Grey Lady wait to be discovered along Woodland Walk. This sheltered path comes to life as these woodland sculptures reveal themselves, emerging silently from the beautiful natural landscape.

Lost Valley is a peaceful home to ancient trees, a carpet of Bluebells in spring and the traditional practice of charcoal burning.

Two tranquil lakes in Lost Valley, stocked with a healthy supply of Sticklebacks and Rudd, offer the perfect spot for the Heligan otter and over-wintering kingfishers. Whilst over 60 bat boxes can be spotted throughout the woodlands providing shelter to many resident species such as, Greater and Lesser Horseshoe, Pipistrelle and Brown long-eared bats.

Local archaeologists have traced man’s woodland activities on the Heligan estate back to mediaeval times, and today work is continued with the land through wildlife sensitive management and our sustainable Wood Project.

You can journey across the world beneath the ancient rhododendron boughs of Sikkim, beside Maori-carved tree ferns in New Zealand, to discover the Italian Garden and Alpine-inspired Ravine.

With historic plantings over 150 years old, the Pleasure Grounds are also home to the National Collection of ‘Camellias and Rhododendrons introduced to Heligan pre-1920’. These magnificent yet vulnerable specimens are captivating as they bless the gardens with a flood of vibrant spring colour.

Visiting in early summer, the botanical highlights were Strawberries, Peaches and Raspberries, Himalayan Flowering Dogwood Cornus capitata, African Lily Agapanthus, Verbena, Herbs, salads, beans, spinach and potatoes, Cornflower Centaurea cyanus, Sweet peas Lathyrus odoratus, Spider flowers Cleome hasslerana, Giant rhubarb Gunnera manicata, Chilean Lantern tree Crinodendron hookerianum and Echiums.

After an inspirational day of ‘education, study and enjoyment’ we left the agricultural-botany landscape of Heligan and took the road back to Gorran where its mild, luxuriant climate filled the gardens with Echiums. I thought,

“With a little bit of nature, nurture and know-how I am going to grow one of those plants”.

The Northern Gardens comprise two gardens: Productive Gardens Acting as a living window to the past, the award-winning restoration of the Victorian Productive Gardens stands as a working memorial to Heligan’s Lost Gardeners.

Intensively cultivated throughout the year, these gardens once met almost all the needs of the Tremayne family and their guests at the Big House. Today over 200 varieties of mostly heritage fruit, vegetable, salad and herb are tended to supply the Heligan Tearoom with fresh, seasonal produce throughout the year.

The Vegetable Garden, Walled Flower Garden and Melon Yard are an enticing stage for a glorious array of traditional crops and growing methods. Here you can learn about exotic glasshouse fruits, Victorian crop rotation and discover atmospheric working buildings, offering an intriguing insight into ‘ a lost world’.

Pleasure Grounds First laid out over 200 years ago, the Pleasure Grounds conceal an unusual range of romantic structures and unexpected features, linked by a network of walks lined by a magnificent collection of historic plantings.

HH@MBAN

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EUROPEAN BIRDS AT RISK OF EXTINCTION - Hugh Harris Nature alert: Nearly one in five bird species in Europe is at risk of extinction according to the European Red List of Birds, compiled by BirdLife International and using data gathered by BTO volunteers. The list makes shocking reading, with illegal killing and land-use change among the factors thought to be driving the declines evident in many once familiar species.

The new European Red List, launched yesterday evening in Brussels, paints a grim picture for some of Europe’s iconic and best loved bird species. British breeding birds, like Turtle Dove, Kingfisher, Fulmar and Puffin are all listed as threatened at a European level.

Hugh Harris examines the data from recent surveys of birdlife

The Red List assesses bird species that are found in the 58 countries that make up Europe, with a separate assessment additionally produced for the 27 EU member states. In the broader list of all European countries, 533 species were assessed, 67 (13%) of which have been listed as threatened. ‘Threatened’ species are those that fall into the top three categories used for assessing conservation status, namely: ‘Critically Endangered’, ‘Endangered’ and ‘Vulnerable’. None of the 10 species listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ occur as regular breeding or wintering birds in Britain. However, among the 18 species listed as ‘Endangered’ are several for which Britain has important breeding or wintering populations; these include Puffin, Fulmar and Bewick’s Swan. Curlew, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Kingfisher and Turtle Dove are among the British breeding species listed as ‘Vulnerable’, appearing alongside a further 35 species in this category.

Dr David Noble, Principal Ecologist at the British Trust for Ornithology and Vice-Chair of the European Bird Census Council (EBCC), commented, "The information used to calculate the level of threat comes from a huge range of bird surveys, atlases and monitoring programmes across Europe; some undertaken by staff in the relevant national environment departments but done mainly by non-government organisations supported by thousands of volunteer birdwatchers. It is the vigilance of these keen and dedicated recorders that has highlighted the alarming plight of so many species at the European level."

Britain has its own ‘Red List’, which is due to be updated later this year. This uses a different system of classification – ‘Red’, ‘Amber’ and ‘Green’. Of a total of 246 British species, last assessed in 2009, there are 52 species given a Red Alert (the highest level of threat), 126 on the Amber Alert (of concern) and 68 on the Green List (of least concern).

The Turtle Dove is ‘Red Listed’ in the UK and, according to the BTO/JNCC BirdTrends Report (http://www.bto.org/ birdtrends), has shown a very alarming population decline of 92% over the last 25 years, thought to be linked mainly to reduced feeding opportunities following changes in agricultural practices.

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EUROPEAN BIRDS AT RISK OF EXTINCTION - Hugh Harris The Kingfisher is ‘Amber Listed’ but the picture is a little more complicated because the species is vulnerable to cold winters and during prolonged spells of freezing conditions the population can plummet, as borne out by a population crash during cold winters in the early 80s.

The population subsequently recovered but has recently been in decline again, qualifying it for 'Amber Listing’.

Puffin is currently ‘Amber Listed’ in the UK due to its unfavourable population status in Europe and its reliance on a relatively small number of key breeding sites. Although good evidence on population declines is lacking, the Bird Atlas 2007-11 revealed a range contraction of 28% since the early 1970s and recent declines in productivity have been linked with a fall in sandeel populations, the Puffin’s favourite food.

The following birds, which occur in Britain as regular breeding or wintering species, are listed as ‘threatened’ within the European Red List report.

Species

Status

UK Occurrence

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Endangered

Winter migrant

Hugh Harris

Bewick's Swan

Endangered

Winter migrant

provides a list of

Fulmar

Endangered

Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage Visitor

regular bird

Puffin

Endangered

Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Eider

Vulnerable

Resident Breeder, Winter Visitor

Black-tailed Godwit

Vulnerable

Migrant Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Kittiwake

Vulnerable

Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Red (Willow) Grouse

Vulnerable

Resident Breeder

Long-tailed Duck

Vulnerable

Winter Visitor

Velvet Scoter

Vulnerable

Passage/Winter Visitor

Pochard

Vulnerable

Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Scaup

Vulnerable

Scarce Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Oystercatcher

Vulnerable

Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Lapwing

Vulnerable

Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Curlew

Vulnerable

Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor

Curlew Sandpiper

Vulnerable

Passage Visitor

Kingfisher

Vulnerable

Migrant/Resident Breeder

Great Grey Shrike

Vulnerable

Passage/Winter Visitor

Aquatic Warbler

Vulnerable

Passage Visitor

Turtle Dove

Vulnerable

Migrant Breeder, Passage Visitor

species that are now threatened in the UK

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A CORNISH CULPEPER - Hugh Harris

“Can these plants be used in cooking?” my daughter asked me as the smell of garlic from crushed Three-cornered Leeks reached us while we walked through Bodrugan Woods in Gorran, Cornwall. “Yes, and it has other properties too.” I answered.

Out of curiosity, I decided to explore the extraordinary herbal and medicinal properties of the wild flowers of Cornwall; their local names and their ancient uses based on flowering times in the last week of May.

WILDFLOWER

FLOWERS

LOCAL NAMES

ANCIENT USES

Bramble Flower

May - Sept

Yoe-Brimmel, Mushes

Culinary: fruit used in jellies.

Herb Robert

May - Sept

Bird’s Eye, Robin’s Eye

Blood disorders

Wild Thyme

May - Sept

Mother Thyme, Tea Grass

Headaches, dizziness

Common Scurvy Grass

May - Aug

Scurvy

Bulbous Buttercup

May - July

Produce blisters and to draw out nasties

Cow-wheat

May - Sept

Aphrodisiac

Kidney Vetch

May - Aug

Meadow Buttercup

May - Sept

Lunacy (sympathetic magic)

St John’s Wort

May - Sept

Yellow Stonecrop

May - July

Catarrh, baldness, cuts and sprains. Used against poisons and heals burns.

Scurvy, dropsy and fever.

Bluebell

May - June

Wild Hyacinth, Cuckoo Flower

Glue and starch from the roots

Brooklime

May - Sept

Bird’s Eye

Red Clover

May - Sept

Bee-bread, Cow cloos

Against tumours, inflammation, swellings and as a cure for scurvy.

Fertiliser, cure for whoopimg cough and country wine

Scarlet Pimpernel

May - Oct

Grandfather’s Weatherglass, Weatherglass

Against toothache, snakebite, melancholy, liver and kidney troubles.

Rubus fruticosus

Geranium robertianum Thymus praecox Cochlearia officinalis Ranunculus bulbosus Melampyrum pratense Anthyllis vulneraria Ranunculus acris

Hypericum perforatum Sedum acre

Hyacinthoides non-scripta Veronica beccabunga Trifolium pratense Anagallis arvensis HH@MBAN

Lady’s Fingers, Hens and Chickens

A wound herb or ‘vulnerary’

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BEACON PARK, SCARISBRICK. - Tony Carter - Images by Debbie Evans On Sunday 17th May 2015, the North West Fungus Group held a foray at Beacon Park, Scarisbrick.

The finds included a healthy stand of Polyporus squamosus (Dryad’s Saddle),

The weather did not look promising being cold, dry and windy. Our leader was not very optimistic but many eyes soon started a reasonable collection.

Not many basidiomycetes (Gilled fungi) which is to be expected at this time of year. Plenty of smaller stuff under logs and branches.

One highlight was Flagelloscypha minutissima, a very, very tiny white hairy fungus that looks like an ascomycete (Spore shooter) but is a basidiomycete. It was on a dead Willowherb. We were fairly certain of its identification at the time but it had to be confirmed under a microscope. x40

a very large ring of Calocybe gambosa (St. George’s Mushroom).

Tony Carter visits Beacon Park, Scarisbrick to find a selection of fungi Another tiny basidiomycete was Calyptella capula, growing on dead Heracleum sphondylium (Hogweed).

We did find some Giant Hogweed but nobody was willing to check it for fungi.

and Coprinellus domesticus (Firerug InkCap), so called because it grows on a bright orange mat or ozonium.

Of interest to botanists was Microbotryum violaceum (Anther Smut Fungus) growing on the anthers of Silene dioica, showing as a black centre.

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BEACON PARK, SCARISBRICK. - Tony Carter - Images by Debbie Evans

Tony Carter visits Beacon Park, Scarisbrick Steve McWilliam Puccinia aecial cups Another of interest was a rust found on the leaves of Allium ursinum (Ransom). Initially identified as a Puccinia, our rust expert advised that it was Melampsora allii-fragilis because it lacked aecial cups.

posts request for

Photos © Debbie Evans This and some other rusts require two hosts. The primary (telial) host for this rust is Salix (Willow). It first parasitises the Willow where spores develop to be spread by the wind onto the secondary host, the Ransom.

volunteers to collect Powdery Mildew

The foray yielded fifty identified fungi plus a few specimens collected for later study. Not bad for the time of year.

Tony Carter

Melampsora allii-fragilis on Ransom

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECT LEAVES - Information courtesy of Steve J. McWilliam

Steve J. McWilliam posted a message in the MBAN Facebook page regarding a request for help.

In 2014, a citizen science project was initiated asking volunteers to collect leaves that were infected with “Powdery Mildew.”

A simple methodology is shown at the Culham Research Group. It involves volunteers collecting leaves, similar to those shown above and posting them for analysis.

The Royal Horticultural Society, partnered by Reading University, is again mapping this potentially problematic infection that is unsightly and damaging to plants.

Interested in taking part in the 2015 Survey and learning about Powdery Mildew?

Visit http://blogs.reading.ac.uk/crg/powdery-mildew-survey/ to take part in this important survey.

The research group will try and identify any infected leaves that you send.

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THE NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP - Tony Carter Foray Programme 2015 Held in association with the British Mycological Society

Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Liz Moore, 48 Alan Road, Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 4LE Tel. 0161-432-9124 Recorder: Tony Carter

NWFG Home Page: Bring strong footwear. Details about terrain and accessibility of sites can be obtained by contacting the foray leader.

Most venues have their own website.

Forays are planned so that they can continue into the afternoon. If you intend to so continue please bring food and drink.

If travelling a considerable distance to a foray it is advisable to confirm with the leader that the foray is taking place, as on extremely rare occasions, forays have had to be changed at short notice.

Changes will be on the NWFG website.

Beginners are welcome at ALL forays.

Please note that forays are not suitable for very small children.

DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED. About the North West Fungus Group The North West Fungus Group is a regional umbrella group aiming to promote an interest in fungi across the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria, Flintshire & Denbighshire. Benefits of membership include:two newsletters per year. forays and special events. help and advice on a range of fungi related topics.

Membership Individual membership - £7.50 Family membership - £10.00 Members joining after November 1st will receive membership for the following year.

Please contact the Membership Secretary for a membership form.

Officers Chair: Dr. Irene Ridge, Smalley’s Farm, Whalley Old Road, Billington Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9JF Tel. 01254 247274

http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm Sunday 28th June - Spring Wood, nr Whalley.

Meet 10.30 at Spring Wood Car Park, adjacent to Visitor Centre / Picnic Area on A671. SD741361 (Sheet103) (BB7 9TD).

Leader – Mike Valentine (07541 240874) Sunday 19th July - Goyt Valley, Errwood.

Meet at 10.30. From A6 approaching Whaley Bridge Turn right at the roundabout (Signed Macclesfield B5470) and go forward A5004 at the TL where B5470 turns right.

In about 5 miles turn right (Goyt Lane) signposted Goyt Valley. Cross dam to meet at car park SK 013758 (Sheet 119).

Leader - Norman Bamforth (0161-336-3914).

Sunday 9th August - Clock Face Colliery Country Park, Bold, St. Helens.

Meet 10.30 at Gorsey Lane Car Park. From Jct 7 of M62 follow A57 Warrington Rd. After 2 miles turn left on to A569 Clock Face Road. After 1.5 miles, (passing back under M’way), turn right into Gorsey Lane (blue cycling sign Burtonwood). Continue to entrance on right. SD 535915 (Sheet 108) (WA9 4SN).

Leader – Tom Ferguson (01744 739774 /07743 509671 (m)) Sunday 16th August - Moor Piece NR, Bashall Eaves.

Meet 10.30 in Bashall Eaves Village Hall car park at SD696434 (Sheet 103) (BB7 3DA) on right just past Red Pump Inn before onward journey to the Reserve. (Follow signs for Whitewell/Trough of Bowland). Terrain is rough and wet.

Leader – Mike Valentine (07541 240874) Sunday 23rd August – BEGINNERS FORAY at Risley Moss, north Warrington.

Meet 10.30. Access from M62 Jct 11. Continue along A574 to first island, turn left. Reserve signposted.

Ample parking space.

SJ665922 (Sheet 109) (WA3 6QS).

Leader - Irene Ridge (01254-247274. A morning foray will be followed by an afternoon microscope workshop.

Sunday 6th September - Styal Woods, Cheshire. Nr. M/c Airport.

Meet 10.30, small National Trust car park off road

by Styal Village, 600 yds past the Ship Inn on opposite side of road. SJ836836 (Sheet 109) (SK9 4JE).

Leader - John Taylor (0161-445-3308) Sunday 13th September – Roudsea Wood, south Cumbria.

Meet 10.30 am on the road by the Anglers Arms, Haverthwaite – we will park there and take full cars on for the final mile or so to Roudsea as parking there is limited. Via Newby Bridge A590 west to Haverthwaite. Take B5278 left, the pub is directly in front of you. Roudsea woods location SD330827 (Sheet 97) (LA12 8AJ).

Leader – Helen Speed (01539 733959). No dogs.

Sunday 27th September – Rostherne Mere.

Meet 10.30. Take the third turn on the left going south on the Chester Road (A556) from the M56 Jct 8. The car park is 200 yards past the church on the left hand side SJ743833 (Sheet 109) (WA16 6SB). Or park on the road.

Leader - Tim Rogers (07890949997).

Friday 2nd October to Monday 5th October Residential Foray at Keswick Convention Centre.

Cost inc. meals, for members and for nonmembers will be announced later. Booking form in Newsletter.

Contact Irene Ridge (01254-247274) Sunday 4th October – BEGINNERS FORAY at Moore Nature Reserve, Warrington Meet 10.30. 2 miles south of Warrington on A56 turn north to Moore at traffic lights at Higher Walton. 1 mile turn right, crossing railway and ship canal. Go to end of road to reach entrance. Car park to right of entrance road. SJ578855 (Sheet 108). Leader - Paul Hamlyn (0161-434-1401).

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October National Fungus Day. See website for events

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A small selection of MBAN photos reported over April and May

Meadow Pippit (Anthus pratensis) at Hightown: Image by J.Highet

Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) in Court Hey Park

White Legged Millipede ( Tachypodoiulus niger): Image by S.Cross

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) collecting nesting material in Childwall

Bluebells in Childwall Woods: Image by Hugh Harris

Water Avens (Geum rivale) at Court Hey Park: Image by Hugh Harris

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NATIONAL PLANT MONITORING SCHEME: Information Courtesy Felicity Harris All volunteers will be able to access telephone and email support provided by the volunteer coordinator All volunteers will be able to access free training courses Additional information Squares have been randomly selected across the UK and it will be possible to see if there is a square in your area from the 1st of March by visiting the website above.

Volunteers are asked to record up to 30 plant species in any one square or linear plot as long as it fits into 1 of the 28 NPMS habitats Volunteers are asked to survey between 3-5 plots within their kilometre square Volunteers are required to carry out the survey of their plots 2 times per year Volunteers may be individuals or small groups

How can you help?

The project can be followed on Twitter twitter @thenpms and retweet us as we launch on March 1st and send out tweets throughout the week.

We do hope that people will be inspired to take part.

Felicity Harris informed us of the new National Plant Monitoring Scheme which was launched on March 1st2015.

The scheme asks for volunteers across the United Kingdom to visit a kilometre square local to them and record the plants they find there in several different plots.

The scheme will enable the exploration of how plants in different habitats are responding to changes in the environment.

It may be that there are people who would like to be involved in this government backed scheme which is being delivered by a partnership comprising Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland; Centre for Ecology; Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Plantlife.

Felicity Harris Head of Outreach Direct Dial: 01722 342740 Mobile: 07753 495971 Felicity.Harris@plantlife.org.uk

What support will volunteers get?

All volunteers registering for a square on www.npms.org.uk will receive a survey pack (survey guidance; species list; species guidebook)

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EVENTS SUMMARY Events are run throughout the year by Liverpool Museum.

These include Mammal Trapping at Knowsley Park and other venues.

Please contact Tony.Parker@liverpoolmuseums.org.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-andevents Wildlife Trust: www.lancswt.org.uk/what-s-on Court Hey Park: www.courtheypark.co.uk National Wildflower Centre: www.nwc.org.uk/events North West Fungus Group There are forays and special events, with help and advice on a range of fungi related topics.

NWFG Home Page: http:// www.fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm

Liverpool Botanical Society www.liverpoolbotanicalsociety.co.uk

Merseyside Naturalist Association The MNA organize informal nature events including field trips, talks and practical sessions Visit www.mnapage.info for the programme of events Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group The group runs events and training throughout the year check the group website, twitter or Facebook.

Facebook links require membership of Facebook Some links may additionally require permission which can be obtained by contacting the group over Facebook as a pre-requisite. These links are increasingly becoming a major contact point for rapidly expanding naturalist groups and volunteers. Interested then link to: Merseyside BioBank www.facebook.com/MerseysideBioBank

Interested in arranging one yourself next year?

For advice contact ben.deed@merseysidebiobank.org.uk

MBAN www.facebook.com/groups/ActiveNaturalists/ UK Hoverflies www.facebook.com/groups/609272232450940/ WeBS www.facebook.com/pages/Mersey-Estuary-WeBS Lancashire Lepidoptera https://www.facebook.com/ groups/119829941488294/ British Wildlife Photography https://www.facebook.com/ groups/415160405188412/ Lancashire Mammal Group https://www.facebook.com/pages/LancashireMammal-Group/169476803103866?

BTO Garden Birdwatch https://www.facebook.com/gardenbirdwatch RSPB https://www.facebook.com/RSPBLoveNature British Spider ID https://www.facebook.com/ groups/829354860449271/ British Mycological Society (BMS) https://www.facebook.com/groups/18843741618/ Conopids https://www.facebook.com/groups/british.conopids/

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 dermot.smith71@gmail.com or phone 07505 418832 for further details.

For more information plus recent reports and photos visit the Mersey Estuary WeBS page on Facebook

Merseyside Nature

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SUMMARY of EVENTS PROGRAMME of 2015 at SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP www.seftoncoast.org.uk Booking is essential for these events Call 01519342964

Walks last around 2.5-3 hours and require good footwear. The walk may include small hills and undulations. It would also be advisable to wear appropriate clothing for the day.

Heritage & Health Walks “Discover the heritage along with coastline with a series of walks. Part of the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership scheme” “The walks will take you through a variety of habitats including woodlands, sand dunes and beach walks”

Merseyside Sunday 12 July FIELD TRIP - LOGGERHEADS WALK Merseyside Sunday 19 July RIXTON PITS Merseyside AUGUST Sunday 2 August GRONANT Merseyside Sunday 9 August FIELD TRIP - BURTON MERE TO INNER MARSH FARM Merseyside Saturday 15 August HASKAYNE Merseyside

North Merseyside

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Details from

Moss Bank Park: Wild Families are our popular series of events aimed at getting the whole family outdoors and working together. They generally include a natural play element.

Wednesday, 22 April 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

http://www.lancswt.org.uk/whats-on

Other Events Why not visit Facebook page SeftonCoast?

Nature Tots - Bolton Bolton ERC, 499-511 Bury Road: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Wednesday, 15 April 2015 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm Friends of MSW Talk - Wigan Flashes

RSPB Merseyside SUMMER 2015. Details copied from RSPB Events Page https://www.rspb.org.uk/ discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/ results.aspx RSPB Tel: 01704 226190 JULY Saturday 4 July LUNT MEADOWS evening walk Merseyside Saturday 11 July HIDDEN TREASURES AT PEX HILL and SUMMER PICNIC

Mere Sands Wood nature reserve: Join us for the Friends of Mere Sands Wood's monthly event, which is a talk about the iconic Wigan Flashes.

Thursday, 16 April 2015 - 10:30am - 12:00pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - The Hive The Hive @ Moss Bank Park: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Friday, 17 April 2015 - 10:00am - 3:00pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and

South Pennines Grasslands Volunteers A practical conservation workday in Thursden Valley, near Burnley.

Saturday, 18 April 2015 - 11:30am - 1:30pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wild Families - Bolton Moss Bank Park: Wild Families are our popular series of events aimed at getting the whole family outdoors and working together. They generally include a natural play element.

Saturday, 18 April 2015 - 11:30am - 1:30pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wild Families - Bolton

Nature Tots - Bolton Bolton ERC, 499-511 Bury Road: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Friday, 24 April 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - The Hive The Hive @ Moss Bank Park: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Friday, 24 April 2015 - 10:00am - 3:00pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside South Pennines Grasslands Volunteers A practical conservation workday in Thursden Valley,

Merseyside Nature

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SUMMARY OF EVENTS 2015 - WILDLIFE TRUST LANCASHIRE, MANCHESTER AND NORTH MERSEYSIDE. near Burnley.

Sunday, 26 April 2015 - 10:00am - 4:00pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Kirkless Celebration Event Kirkless Nature Reserve: A Family fun day to celebrate the sites designation as a local nature reserve.

Wednesday, 29 April 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - Bolton Bolton ERC, 499-511 Bury Road: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Friday, 1 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - The Hive The Hive @ Moss Bank Park: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Sunday, 3 May 2015 - 10:00am - 6:00pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Ribble Ride or Stride Charity Challenge!

Miller Park: Join us at this fantastic event where you can walk or cycle and raise crucial funds for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

Wednesday, 6 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - Bolton Bolton ERC, 499-511 Bury Road: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Friday, 8 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

North Merseyside Nature Tots - The Hive

Wild Families - Bolton

The Hive @ Moss Bank Park: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Saturday, 9 May 2015 - 4:00am - 7:00am The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Moss Bank Park: Wild Families are our popular series of events aimed at getting the whole family outdoors and working together. They generally include a natural play element.

Saturday, 16 May 2015 - 11:30am - 1:30pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Friends of MSW - Dawn Chorus Mere Sands Wood nature reserve: Join us for the Friends of Mere Sands Wood's monthly event, which is a Dawn Chorus walk around the reserve.

Sunday, 10 May 2015 - 10:30am - 4:00pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Outing to Dalton Crags A Wildlife walk led by Steve Garland Wednesday, 13 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - Bolton Bolton ERC, 499-511 Bury Road: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Friday, 15 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Wild Families - Bolton Moss Bank Park: Wild Families are our popular series of events aimed at getting the whole family outdoors and working together. They generally include a natural play element.

Wednesday, 20 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - Bolton Bolton ERC, 499-511 Bury Road: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Friday, 22 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - The Hive The Hive @ Moss Bank Park: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Sunday, 24 May 2015 - 1:30pm - 5:00pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Nature Tots - The Hive

Outing to Upper Hindburndale

The Hive @ Moss Bank Park: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with nature and partake in outdoor activities.

Saturday, 16 May 2015 - 5:30am - 8:00am The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Wildlife walk Leader Pete Marsh, with Lancaster and District Birdwatching Group.

Wednesday, 27 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Nature Tots - Bolton

Bolton ERC, 499-511 Bury Road: Nature Tots is a weekly programme which offers pre-school aged children fantastic opportunities to engage with :An early morning walk around the nature reserve nature and partake in outdoor activities. and down along the river bank listening to and Friday, 29 May 2015 - 9:30am - 12:15pm watching the birds.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and Saturday, 16 May 2015 - 11:30am - 1:30pm North Merseyside The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and Birds Before Breakfast