Merseyside Nature (2016 December-January)

Dec 2015/Jan 2016 Issue 32

Merseyside Nature Friends of Merseyside BioBank

Phil Smith continues his excellent wildlife notes for December 2015 and January 2016

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

Hugh provides an insight into the work Articles, photographs, real life stories, web links and events from active naturalists are welcome additions to this of volunteers at Pickerings Pasture newsletter. Please send them in.

Hugh Harris provides a historical timeStories from 250 words with accompanying photographs will take us line of Childwall Woods

all on your journey.

Hugh Harris and Amy Weir survey the Urban Grasslands of Liverpool Please E-Mail your work to: newsletter@activenaturalist.org.uk

Naturalists are always welcome at MBB and can make use of the available library, equipment and facilities

Hugh Harris provides an index history of this newsletter for 2015 Tony Parker relays message for Knowsley Safari Park volunteer mammal trapping surveys Sue Marley provides images for MBAN on Facebook Biodiversity Programme Update Rob Duffy finds a lack of rainfall after recent flooding events elsewhere in the UK

Inside this issue: Sefton Coast Wildlife Notes for December and January

2-5

Pickerings Pasture and the Mersey Basin

6

Liverpool’s Urban Grasslands

7-9

Childwall Hall and Woods - A historical timeline

10

Newsletter Index 2015

11-15

MBAN Facebook images

16

Biodiversity Programme

17

MNA programme 2016

18

NWFG programme 2016

19

South Merseyside Winter Rains 20 Events Summary

20+

New Biodiverse Society Ecological Recording Officers Group being chased by a herd of cows, on the Freshfield Dune visit.

Left to Right Catrin, Rachael, Mo and Tony. Photo courtesy of Julia Simons

Merseyside Nature

Page 2

WILDLIFE NOTES DECEMBER 2015 - Dr Phil Smith In my article on “wildlife in winter” for Formby Civic News (December 2015), I mentioned that one of the most striking features of recent winters has been extreme weather. Thus, December 2010 was the coldest for 100 years, while the same month in 2012 produced a deluge, with extensive flooding. More records were set in December 2013 with the highest storm surge since 1953 causing serve erosion.

Over 200 of them are regionally or nationally notable.

Based on available records, Sefton supports a greater variety of wildflowers that any other sand-dune area in northwest Europe.

Continuing the pattern, December 2015 was one of the wettest and mildest since records began. I noted no frost at all throughout the month; indeed the average temperature nationally was about 5 oC higher than usual. We did not share the severe flooding that occurred just up the road in north Lancashire and Cumbria but about twice the expected rainfall led to a recharge of the sand-dune water-table to something approaching normal winter levels. I monitored this at the Devil’s Hole by digging a hole in the deepest part of the slack and measuring the distance to the water surface at intervals. By the end of the month, there was 5cm depth of water in this area (see graph below), though only about 5% of the slack was flooded.

Changes in Devil's Hole water-table 2015 Date

Water-table height (cm)

10 0 23-Oct -10

12-Nov

02-Dec

22-Dec

11-Jan

-20 -30 -40 -50 -60

Appropriately for the almost sub-tropical conditions, Sefton Rangers found a whole Coconut covered in Goose Barnacles washed up on Crosby beach on 4th.

As usual, much of my time was spent writing up summer field work, one report updating my Inventory of Vascular Plants for the Sefton Coast. Despite over 150 years of botanical recording, we are still finding new plants here, as many as 17 being added this year. It brings the coast total to 1361 flowering plants and ferns, of which 1213 have been recorded in the sand-dunes.

The best part of three days was spent giving evidence on behalf of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust at public hearings on the Sefton Local Plan. The Plan recommends the development of several designated and proposed Local Wildlife Sites, to which the Trust has objected. Many of the participants severely criticised various environmental impacts of the Plan but it remains to be seen whether this will influence the Inspector.

Also time-consuming were several sessions helping to supervise the excavation of shallow scrapes for Natterjack Toads at Ainsdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve. One of three new scrapes is an impressive 50m across in a slack previously infested with Sea Buckthorn. Funded through the Sefton Landscape Partnership Scheme, another large scrape was dug on the New Green Beach in an area where Natterjacks have struggled to breed successfully in recent years.

Merseyside Nature

Page 3

WILDLIFE NOTES DECEMBER 2015 - Dr Phil Smith

Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

December bird-watching was generally uneventful but Sands Lake, Ainsdale held a Great Crested Grebe for a day or two. Here, the usual winter flock of Tufted Ducks barely reached double figures due to the mild conditions.

The place was packed with birders attracted by the presence of several wintering Short-eared Owls. It required patience but, eventually, two owls showed well in the gathering gloom.

Stonechats were prominent in several duneland areas, these perky little birds surviving better in warmer winters. Flooding at Marshside attracted two Scaup to join the usual Tufted Duck flock. It also concentrated a surprisingly large number of Brown Hares onto small areas of dry ground. I counted ten from Marshside Road. Meanwhile, the Weld Road saltmarsh at Birkdale produced my first Jack Snipe of the winter.

Scaup (Aythya marila)

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus ): Tony Hisgett, WikiCommons, 2012

A pair of Grey Partridges at Ainsdale dunes was a rare sight and a reminder of the massive decline suffered by this once common species. A rare excursion inland one afternoon found me at Lunt Meadows, the new Wildlife Trust reserve.

Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix): Mike Penington, Wiki Commons, 2005

Merseyside Nature

Page 4

WILDLIFE NOTES JANUARY 2016 - Dr Phil Smith It has been officially reported that 2015 was the warmest year worldwide since records began in 1850. This trend seems set to continue, apart from a brief cold spell in mid-month, January 2016 was also exceptionally mild. A series of Atlantic depressions, including named storms, produced a good deal of wind and rain. My ongoing measurements of the water-table at Devil’s Hole, Ravenmeols, showed a consistent increase throughout the month, reaching a water depth of 48cm on the last day. This means that the water-table has risen 96cm (nearly 3 feet) since the end of October!

I also spotted a Short-eared Owl over the adjacent Altcar Rifle Range, while 58 Herdwick sheep and five Shetland Cattle were munching their way through the coarse vegetation built up on the reserve during the previous growing season.

Already by 2nd, the ponds on the Wildlife Trust’s Freshfield Dune Heath Nature Reserve were brim-full, having been bone dry most of the year. Several Robins were singing and Gorse was in good flower. Temporary visitors were four smart Exmoor ponies, grazing a tussocky acid-grassland compartment.

Over the last ten years, conservation grazing has greatly improved the condition of this field, which now supports patchy Heather. At the end of the month I visited the heath again to photograph machines removing large patches of Gorse that have become invasive, threatening the diversity of flora and fauna.

Nearby, a Chiffchaff was calling persistently. Overwintering by these normally summer visiting warblers has increased in Lancashire and North Merseyside since the 1950s, the Sefton Coast being a particular hotspot. An exceptional 40 Chiffchaffs were reported wintering in 2001.

It is thought that most of these birds originate on the continent, though there are few ringing returns to support this theory.

Green Beech, 2016

Slacks throughout the dune system responded, the New and Newest Green Beaches, north of Ainsdale-on-Sea, being extensively flooded when I visited to take photographs on 22nd, a rare sunny day. At last, the borrow-pits at Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve had enough water to attract snipe, my visit on 9 th finding 21 Common Snipe and 10 of the much scarcer and smaller Jack Snipe.

Exmoor Pony on the Sefton Coast

This was one of the largest counts I have made here of the latter species, a beautifully-marked, well-camouflaged wader, always reluctant to fly and therefore difficult to find.

Tulostoma brumale (Winter Stalk-ball), Image courtesy of Trevor Davenport

Merseyside Nature

Page 5

WILDLIFE NOTES JANUARY 2016 - Dr Phil Smith

Red-eared Terrapin (Trechemys scripta elegans), Shankar, S. Wikicommons,2016

One of my trips to the Devil’s Hole was enriched by the discovery of a large hairy Fox Moth caterpillar. This species hibernates as an adult caterpillar, its appearance no doubt reflecting the unseasonal temperatures. The same area also produced a large number of small stalked puffballs, later identified as Tulostoma brumale (Winter Stalk-ball), a local species appearing in winter on calcareous dunes.

Scrub control on the dunes is a constant refrain during the winter, Natural England’s Dave Mercer telling me of work to eliminate the alien Japanese Rose at Cabin Hill.

This is a trial to see which methods are best, some bushes being excavated by machine and buried under 2m of sand, others dug up by hand and a third sample treated with an approved herbicide in the summer.

Most of this area had been cut the previous year and it was reassuring to see that the new growth was much smaller than previously.

Several unexpected winter flowers included Kidney-vetch, the first time I have ever seen this species flowering in January.

Returning from one of the “bashes” we were amazed to find a dead Red-eared Terrapin washed up on the tide-line at Ainsdale. This had presumably been washed out of Sands Lake, rather than being a trans-Atlantic voyager.

Few rare birds were reported locally during the month, an exception being the male American Wigeon which turned up at the RSPB’s Hesketh Out Marsh Nature Reserve for at least a couple of days mid-month.

I also organised further “Buckthorn Bashes” in the Birkdale frontal dunes to finish off work begun in October. Groups up to six local volunteers cleared Sea Buckthorn in two more slacks (nos. 44 and 45) and the associated dune ridges, some of which are known to support Sand Lizards.

American Wigeon (Anas americana): Naturespicsonline.com, WikiCommons, 2016

This former great rarity is now seen almost annually in the Northwest, perhaps due to the larger numbers of bird-watchers helped by much improved optical equipment.

Kidney-vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Arnstein Rønning, WikiCommons, 2016

Merseyside Nature

Page 6

PICKERINGS PASTURE LNR AND MERSEY BASIN SJ 487835 - HALEBANK, WIDNES - Hugh Harris

The reserve is a broad area of peaceful pasture alongside the banks of the River Mersey with wild flowers, wildlife and scenic views of industrialisation on the opposite shoreline, including the chemical plant at Weston Point, the oil refinery at Stanlow and the Manchester Ship Canal.

View across farmland at Hale Head: Image by Hugh Harris

The Silver Jubilee and Stephenson railway bridges are also part of the river scene. Behind the industrialisation rise the natural embankments and hills of Frodsham and Helsby.

From here the estuary is very narrow as it flows eastwards below Runcorn Bridge to Warrington: it broadens out to the west past Speke, Liverpool and into Liverpool Bay.

In summer the meadows hum with the activity of bees and butterflies.

Migrant birds such as blackcap, whitethroat and chiffchaff are visitors. In winter the river attracts large numbers of ducks and waders at low water, including cormorants, grey herons, lapwings, curlews, and golden plovers.

The site has the Mersey Way Coastal Path running along the shore and a network of paths, linked to the Trans-Pennine Trail, where you can walk, jog, cycle or bird watch: a hide looks out across Hale Marsh where Kingfisher, Little Egret, Heron, Cormorant, Shelduck, Canada geese and Peregrine Falcon can be observed on the pools, along the shoreline and in the marshes.

Historically, Pickerings Pasture, as part of Hale Marsh, was for hundreds of years, a place where cattle and horses grazed and ducks and wading birds would feed and roost, at high tide.

This section of the marsh was then developed for the disposal of domestic and industrial waste between the 1940s and 1960s.

In 1982, Halton Borough Council and Cheshire County Council cleaned-up and restored the land to its natural state and created a publicly accessible, managed and maintained nature reserve giving people the opportunity to rediscover the natural beauty of their landscape and the wildlife that inhabits it.

The wildflower meadows and the wildlife have returned to re-establish themselves and now provide a rich biodiversity to admire.

In 1986 the site was opened to the public and officially became a Local Nature Reserve in 1991. Pickerings Pasture then achieved Green Flag status in 1999.

FOPP: The Friends of Pickerings Pasture and Hale Duck Decoy.

Meet regularly and work with the approval of Halton Open Spaces Department to cut back vegetation, plant, repair, make bird boxes, bird feed, litter pick and take part in events.

They usually hold a project morning once a month, with an additional planning meeting every other month. They organize guided walks to the Ancient Scheduled Monument at Hale Duck Decoy and liaise with other volunteer groups.

Most Sundays they run a Pop-up CafĂŠ in the Visitor Centre and have created their own website. www.thefriendsofpickeringspasture.org.uk Mersey Estuary Conservation Group

Hale Shoreline: Image by Hugh Harris

The pasture and surrounding open land support a wealth of wildflowers and insect life, whilst the Mersey Basin attracts birds and waterfowl of all descriptions.

The Mersey Estuary Conservation Group continues to work, in conjunction with other stakeholders (developers, conservationists, industrialists, local and regional authorities) to protect the estuary’s rich wildlife and internationally important habitats. www.merseyestuary.org.uk

Howard Harris Copyright MECG

Merseyside Nature

Page 7

LIVERPOOL’S URBAN GRASSLANDS – Hugh Harris & Ami Weir Grass species in Three Urban Grasslands Childwall Fields, L16 ‘The Pony Field’, L25 Otterspool, Lower Field, L17 Otterspool, Upper Field, L17

SJ415885 former landfill site SJ419861 unmanaged green space SJ378858 unmanaged green space SJ378859 unmanaged green space

These three fragmented and widespread sites in South Liverpool are important Local Wildlife Sites (LWS).They are characterised by natural vegetation, developed sward height, ratios of grass to plant coverage and infrequent management.

For reasons of safety, consistency and transport economy the surveyors operated, in at least, pairs, surveying different areas of the field but remaining in contact to ensure the ground was covered and to guard against accident. Different sampling procedures and field techniques were used according to the site.

Of the three urban grassland sites, the vegetation of Childwall Fields is more species-rich and botanically attractive. However it is important to recognize underlying factors and mechanisms of biodiversity in grasslands, namely the living and non-living components; the biotic and abiotic factors. For example, the effects of mowing, trampling and grazing (human management and animal activity) on the success or failure of species.

It is fair to state that these wildlife sites are adjacent to or close to Liverpool’s southern parks which in themselves extend into ‘gracious boulevards and ‘welltreed’ areas of suburbia’ whereas the city’s northern and eastern parks are pinioned by miles of asphalt and brick and thus seem less extensive.

Childwall Fields 17 July 2015: In 1966 Childwall Woods and surrounding fields were taken over by Liverpool City Council and opened to the general public. Today, it remains public open space, and is one of the City’s Local Nature Reserves and is currently managed by the City Council and Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The site consists of unimproved neutral grassland on a capped landfill site, surrounded by scrub and recent plantation woodland and with patches of ruderal vegetation. They contain two distinct sward types: the western half is short, dominated by Red Fescue and Yorkshire Fog with areas of taller herbs and localised rarities Common-spotted and Southern Marsh-orchids. The eastern half is taller with a greater proportion of tall herbs amongst the dominant False Oat-grass and Red Fescue.

These grasslands support several interesting species including Pignut, Oval and Common Sedge, Compact rush, Crested Dog’s-tail and Common Vetch.

Our four random quadrats recorded: Crested Dog’s-tail, Yorkshire Fog, Ribwort Plantain, White Clover, Meadow Buttercup, Soft Rush, Rye grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Willowherb, Smooth Meadow-grass, Creeping Buttercup, Common Sorrel, Southern Marsh-orchid, Meadow Crane’s-bill and Meadow Foxtail.

Quadrat 1.

Crested Dog’s-tail, Yorkshire Fog, Ribwort Plantain, White Clover.

Quadrat 2.

Meadow Buttercup, Soft Rush, Yorkshire Fog, White Clover, Rye Grass, Crested Dog’s-tail.

Rough Meadow Grass, Willowherb, Smooth Meadow Grass, Crested Dog’s-tail

Quadrat 3.

Creeping Buttercup, Common Sorrel, Southern Marsh-orchid, Rough Meadow-grass.

Quadrat 4. .Meadow Crane’s-bill, Meadow Foxtail.

Rough Meadow-grass, White Clover, Common Sorrel, Rough Meadow-grass, Yorkshire Fog.

The sward height ranged from 60cm – 4cm. The surrounding vegetation was more-species rich and the presence of clumps of rush indicated wet meadow or pasture.

The Pony Field, 6 August 2015: This field is part of the proposed County Wildlife Site comprising the Eric Hardy Local Nature Reserve and Clarke Gardens in what remains of the original Allerton Estate. From 1736 Allerton Hall and its 153 acres of land passed through a variety of owners; Richard Perceval. Hardman family, William Roscoe and Thomas Clarke. The latter, a Liverpool tobacco merchant, rebuilt and extended the Hall and landscaped the extensive grounds. In 1911 and 1923 he and his wife died there and their children gave the Hall and estate to the City of Liverpool and the park was renamed Clarke Gardens to mark their generosity.

Merseyside Nature

Page 8

LIVERPOOL’S URBAN GRASSLANDS – Hugh Harris & Ami Weir Adjacent to Clarke Gardens is an extensive area of emergent woodland, named Eric Hardy LNR, in honour of the well-known local naturalist. In the northern corner of this estate is the Pony Field, a site of unmanaged lowland grassland. Using GPS, and the surveyors’ technique of stratified sampling, 10 square plots were randomly selected, intensively searched and the species present were recorded.

Plot 1: Crested Dog’s tail Tufted Hair-Grass White Clover

Plot 2: Creeping Thistle False Oat-grass Common Couch Hogweed

Plot 6: Horse Chestnut False Oat-grass Bent Grass Cocksfoot Common Sorrel Bramble

Plot 7: Meadow Buttercup Hogweed Cocksfoot Yorkshire Fog Common Sorrel Common Ragwort Creeping Buttercup False Oat-grass Bent Grass

Plot 3: Common Knapweed Rough Meadow-grass Common Hogweed Cocksfoot False Oat-grass Sedge Plot 8: Creeping Thistle Dandelion Common Sorrel Cocksfoot Yorkshire Fog

Plot 4: False Oat-grass Creeping Thistle Bent Grass

Plot 9: False Oat-grass Meadow Foxtail

Plot 5: Common Knapweed Creeping Thistle False Oat-grass Cleavers Meadow Foxtail Common Nettle Plot 10: Meadow Foxtail Common Sorrel Bent Grass Meadow Grass False Oat-Grass Yorkshire Fog

The species recorded would indicate a lowland grassland, comprising Dry acid grassland, Dry calcareous grassland, Neutral damp grassland and Neutral pastures and measures. The prevalent species of False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius is ‘a coarse grass, very common in rough grasslands … widespread in the British Isles’ cf. Hubbard. Crested Dog’s Tail Cynosurus cristatus and Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis are a feature of old grasslands, perhaps relicts of the former Allerton Hall estate. The presence of Sedge species among the tussocks suggested wet pasture.

Use of the field as a temporary rubbish tip during a Council Workers dispute could have had a significant effect on the site and so this survey is preliminary to future surveys.

Otterspool, 13 August 2015: 1950 is a key point in Liverpool’s history for it is the year when Otterspool Promenade; a truly engineering achievement of construction of a sea wall was topped off and officially opened to the public. Construction work began in 1929 and during the 1930s and 1940s, the area behind this was in-filled with two million tons of domestic waste thereby reclaiming 43 acres of foreshore. Now the Promenade has the benefits of the adjacent Otterspool Park and green spaces with recreational facilities and improved by the ‘Pride in our Promenade ‘ project of 2006- 2007.

It is in the land between Otterspool Park and the playing fields of Jericho Lane that one finds two small green spaces that once were in the grounds of Otterspool House demolished in 1931. Part of the foundations, a low balustrade and some crumbling stonework are all that remain of this historic house, built in 1812.

Again, using GPS, and the surveyors’ technique of random quadrat sampling; 5 square plots were randomly selected in both fields, intensively searched and the species present were recorded with additional information.

Lower Field: SJ 37828 85844 Yarrow, Creeping Buttercup, Ribwort Plantain, Meadow Buttercup, False Oat-grass

Grass : Plant coverage 60:40

SJ 37829 85844 Ribwort Plantain, Common Ragwort, Creeping Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, Cow Parsley, Rough Meadow-grass, Bent Grass, Cocksfoot Grass : Plant coverage 40:60

SJ 37836 85848 Yarrow, Common Sorrel, Meadow Buttercup, Creeping Buttercup, Common Knapweed, Cocksfoot, Rough Meadow-grass, False Oat-grass.

Grass : Plant coverage 90:10

SJ 37837 85856 Common Ragwort, Yarrow, Meadow Buttercup, Yorkshire Fog, Creeping Buttercup, False Oat-grass, Cocksfoot,

SJ 37827 85873 Ribwort Plantain, Yarrow, Meadow Grass, Creeping Soft Grass, Cocksfoot, Yorkshire Fog, Clover.

Grass : Plant coverage 30:70

Grass : Plant coverage 100:05

Merseyside Nature

Page 9

LIVERPOOL’S URBAN GRASSLANDS – Hugh Harris & Ami Weir Higher Field: SJ 3785085918

SJ 3785785931

SJ 3786385939

SJ 3786785987

SJ 3786385975

Common Bent, Creeping Buttercup, Rough Meadow –grass, Meadow Buttercup, Yorkshire Fog.

Meadow Foxtail, Creeping Buttercup, Smooth Meadow-grass, Common Bent, Clover.

Ribwort Plantain, Creeping Soft-grass, Creeping Buttercup, Common Bent.

Red Fescue, Yorkshire Fog, Smooth Meadow-grass, Clover.

Grass : Plant coverage 60:40

Grass : Plant coverage 80:20

Meadow Foxtail, Common Bent, Ribwort Plantain, Creeping Buttercup, Dandelion, Yorkshire Fog. Grass : Plant coverage 75:25

Grass : Plant coverage 100:05

Grass : Plant coverage 85:15

Ground surveys of the sites gave a level of species detail that is not possible with aerial technology and satellite imagery e.g. Google mapping. However it was most useful for giving an overview of the ‘woodedness’ (density of trees and shrubs) surrounding the habitats and revealing interesting biological features.

Childwall Fields: Dense broadleaved woodland fringed the west of the fields along Countisbury Drive and also to the north, along Childwall Abbey Road. Although there is hedgerow and scattered trees alongside Childwall Lane to the east, the fields are above the tree-line and thus not sheltered. To the south of the fields there is mixed semi-natural woodland and plantation of broadleaved trees which acts as a screen between the green space and the private residential housing of the Quickswood estate.

The aerial photography revealed both managed and trampled pathways and a series of regular vehicle tracks which could be interpreted as a mowing machine and additional management.

The Pony Field: Although the aerial photography showed the habitat to be bounded by vegetation around its perimeter only the woodland of the Eric Hardy Reserve on the western side of the field had any density. Low hedgerow and shrubs grew alongside Woolton Road on the north-western side of the field; a scattered line of trees grew alongside Hillfoot Road on the eastern side and there was a boundary of scattered trees and hedgerow between the field and the Simpson Ground (playing fields). There was a greater feeling of ‘openness’ at ground level than the photography suggested. Trampled tracks were clearly defined.

Otterspool Fields: The aerial photography and ground level survey both give a sense of ‘enclosure’ in these two small habitats with gaps in the surrounding vegetation for pathways. The dense broadleaved woodland is on the western side and was part of the grounds of Otterspool House and Park whereas on the eastern side the woodland and shrub fringe is lower, younger and semi-natural for beyond that are the playing fields of Jericho Lane. Trampled pathways are visible in the aerial photography.

Ami Weir, Trainee Biodiversity Officer, Copyright MBAN 2016

Merseyside Nature

Page 10

CHILDWALL HALL AND WOODS, SJ4188 - A TIMELINE - Hugh Harris

1718:

Hugh Harris provides a timeline of a local Nature Reserve, Childwall Woods and Fields, alluding to K. Pye’s, Discover Liverpool Tony Parker reminds volunteers

Liverpool entrepreneur and attorney, Isaac Greene purchases manor of Childwall and the Manor House of Childwall Hall.

1749: Isaac Greene dies and daughter Mary inherits the estate and marries Bamber Gascoigne.

1780: New Childwall Hall built, replacing original manor house.

1824: Bamber Gascoigne dies and daughter Frances Mary inherits property. She marries James Brownlow William Cecil, the 2nd Earl of Salisbury.

1922: Childwall Hall becomes a golf club.

1939: Golf club lease expires and City Council buys 50 acres of land from Lord Salisbury who gives another 4 1/2 acres as a gift.

1949: Childwall Hall found to have dry rot and demolished.

1955: New college opens on site 1960: The wood that was part of landscaped park is separated from college grounds and opened to local residents.

1966: Liverpool City Council take over wood and surrounding land opened to the general public.

Today - ‘Childwall Woods and Fields’ remains public open space and a local Nature Reserve.

The ‘ravine’; once the driveway to the Hall for coaches is a regionally important geological site (RIGS). Stands of mature trees, new plantations and biodiverse habitats accessible from its pathways and tracks will not disappoint the visitor.

Source: Pye, K. (2011). Discover Liverpool. Liverpool: Trinity Mirror Media

MESSAGE FROM TONY PARKER TO VOLUNTEERS

of the opportunity to trap mammals at the Safari Park.

The team at Knowsley Safari Park strive to protect the species that live alongside us, both within the Knowsley Estate and in our local area. We want to enable them to thrive by ensuring we do not take them for granted and conduct our activities in a way that ensures we do not impact on their survival. By encouraging our visitors to explore and appreciate the natural world around them we hope that they will be inspired to care for the flora and fauna in their own backyards. GET INVOLVED! Alongside local experts we host events for visitors to encounter and discover more about species living in their own backyards keep checking our events page for future announcements. http://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/backyardspecies/, Backyard Species, Online , 26/1/2016 "Have arranged a number of trapping sessions at the safari park this spring and summer, will be the last week of the month probably Tuesday and Wednesday morning,. They would be happy for any other volunteers to come along, although suggest they contact me first to get some idea of numbers."

Wishing to volunteer? Contact Tony.Parker@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Merseyside Nature

Page 11

MERSEYSIDE NATURE ARTICLE INDEX 2015 - Hugh Harris Dec 2014 – Jan 2015: Issue No. 22 1

Editorial

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES December 2014

Dr Phil Smith

4

FEATURES OF HIGHFIELD MOSS SJ613956

Hugh Harris

5 5 5

DUMBLEDORE THE SEAL COMMON LIZARDS IN ST HELENS A TALE OF TWO TURTLES

Bob Jude Bob Jude Steve White via Phil Smith

6

VOLUNTEERING WITH THE LANCASHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Ian Moran

7

AN INTRODUCTION TO COURT HEY PARK, SJ4190

Hugh Harris

8/9 9

THE NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP More great images by permission of Gary Clark and Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Tony Carter

10

EVENTS SUMMARY

11

Summary of Events programme , 2015: Sefton Coast Partnership

Jan 2015 – Feb 2015: Issue No. 23 1

Editorial

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – January 2015

Dr Phil Smith

4/5

FOUR COMMON GULLS FOUND IN MERSEYSIDE AREA

Aaron Reading

5 5

LIVERPOOL BOTANICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS A RATHER MORE UNUSUAL GULL

Sue Marley

6

SPIRIT OF THE FOREST (1) The Costa Rican Rainforest

Hugh Harris

7

SPIRIT OF THE FOREST (2) Conifer Workshop

Hugh Harris

8/9

HALE MARSHES, MERSEY ESTUARY SJ 4782

Hugh Harris

10/11

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

Tony Carter

11

REFLOATING THE ARK CONFERENCE – Henry McGhie

Tony Parker

12/13

WINTER WANDERING

Tony Carter

14/15

THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE ALDER WOODWASP

Jim Pearson

16

COURT HEY BROOK Liverpool/Knowsley SJ 418902

Hugh Harris

17

EVENTS SUMMARY

18

Up-coming events

Merseyside Nature

Page 12

MERSEYSIDE NATURE ARTICLE INDEX 2015 - Hugh Harris Feb 2015 – Mar 2015: Issue No. 24 1

Editorial

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – February 2015

Dr Phil Smith

3

NORTH MERSEYSIDE SHIELDBUG PROJECT

Ben Deed

4-5

MOSSES AND MYCOS

Hugh Harris

6

INTRODUCTION TO LWS AND THE BIODIVERSE SOCIETY

Iain Mackinnon

7/8

THE MAGIC OF SLIME MOULDS

Hugh Harris

8/9

A MATTER OF SLIME

Tony Carter

10-12

THE TRANSMISSION OF PARASITES FROM HONEY BEES TO BUMBLE BEE SPECIES

Jim Pearson

12

THE DRAGONFLIES OF LANCASHIRE AND NORTH MERSEYSIDE

Steve White and Philip H Smith

13/14

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP –programme of events

Tony Carter

14-16

A FIRST VISIT TO BROCKHOLES

Bob Jude

17.

NATIONAL PLANT MONITORING SCHEME

Felicity Harris

18-19.

Summary of Events programme , 2015: Sefton Coast Partnership

Mar 2015 – Apr 2015: Issue No. 25 1.

Editorial

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – March 2015

Dr Phil Smith

3-5

GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS OF THE SEFTON COAST, MERSEYSIDE, APR 2015

Philip H Smith

6

BIODIVERSE SOCIETY PROJECT: LOCAL WILDLIFE SITES, HALE WOOD TRIANGLE

Hugh Harris

7

INVASIVE FLATWORMS OF MERSEYSIDE

Steve McWilliam

8

MORE THAN JUST A SQUIRREL SURVEY

Andrew Clark

9

KEN JORDAN MEMORIAL SURVEY

Tony Carter

10/11

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

Tony Carter

11

Small selection of wildlife photos reported over the last month

12

NATIONAL PLANT MONITORING SCHEME

13

EVENTS SUMMARY

14

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

15

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT WILDLIFE TRUST LANCASHIRE, MANCHESTER AND NORTH

16

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

Felicity Harris Carter

Merseyside Nature

Page 13

MERSEYSIDE NATURE ARTICLE INDEX 2015 - Hugh Harris April 2015 – May 2015: Issue No. 26 1

Editorial

Bob Jude

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – April 2015

Dr Phil Smith

4/5

DISCOVERING HELIGAN

Hugh Harris

6/7

BIODIVERSE SOCIETY TRAINING 2015

Wildlife Trust

8/9

EUROPEAN BIRDS AT RISK OF EXTINCTION

Hugh Harris

10

A CORNISH CULPEPPER

Hugh Harris

11/12

BEACON PARK, SCARSBRICK

Tony Carter

12

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECT LEAVES

Steve J McWilliam

13

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

Tony Carter

14

MBAN PHOTO GALLERY, April and May 2015

Bob Jude

15

NATIONAL PLANT MONITORING SCHEME

Felicity Harris

16

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME, 2015

17

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

18

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT WILDLIFE TRUST LANCASHIRE, MANCHESTER AND NORTH MERSEYSIDE

May 2015 – June 2015: Issue No. 27

1.

Editorial

Bob Jude

2-4

WILDLIFE NOTES – May 2015

Dr Phil Smith

5

LOST AND FOUND FUNGI PROJECT

Tony Carter

6/7

GRASSES OF THE SEFTON COAST, NORTH MERSEYSIDE

Dr Phil Smith

8

NATIONAL BAT MONITORING PROGRAMME

Ben Deed

9/10

WILDLIFE NOTES, JUNE 2015

Dr Phil Smith

11-15

SEFTON COAST, IOM CABBAGE SURVEY

Philip H Smith & Patricia A Lockwood

16/17

NATIONAL TRUST COASTAL BIOBLITZ, FORMBY

Hugh Harris

18

PONDNET: PROTECTING PONDS WITH FRESHWATER HABITATS TRUST

Ben Deed

19

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

Tony Carter

20/2 1 22.

MBAN PHOTO GALLERY, May and June 2015

Bob Jude

NATIONAL PLANT MONITORING SCHEME

Felicity Harris

23

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME, 2015

24

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

25

SUMMER FESTIVAL, AINSDALE SAND DUNES NNR

Merseyside Nature

Page 14

MERSEYSIDE NATURE ARTICLE INDEX 2015 - Hugh Harris June 2015 – July 2015: Issue No. 28 1.

Editorial

Bob Jude

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – July 2015

Dr Phil Smith

4/5

THE ADVENTURES OF GRIMSHAW B EVANS AND THE ELEPHANT HAWK MOTH

James Pearson

6

PONDNET: PROTECTING PONDS WITH FRESHWATER HABITATS TRUST

Ben Deed

7/8

URBAN GRASSLANDS PROJECT: THE BIODIVERSE SOCIETY

Hugh Harris

8

FURTHER REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECT LEAVES

Steve J McWilliam

9

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

Tony Carter

10 10

KNOWSLEY SAFARI BIOBLITZ NATIONAL WATER VOLE MAPPING PROJECT

11 11 11

MESSAGES FROM THE NATIONAL BAT MONITORING PROGRAM DEFEND NATURE CAMPAIGN WHY ISN’T EVERYONE BATTY ABOUT BATS?

NBMP

12 12

CORRECTION OF INVALID IDS IN MAY/JUNE ISSUE MBAN PHOTO GALLERY,

Bob Jude Bob Jude

13/14

HOPE AND THE GUARDIANS OF THE CODE (Fictional Nature Story) Part 1 of 3

Bob Jude

15.

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME, 2015

16

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

Jul 2015 – Aug 2015: Issue No. 29 1.

Editorial

Bob Jude

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – Aug 2015

Dr Phil Smith

3

MOTH TRAPPING AT CROXTETH PARK

Biodiverse Society

4/5

EVERTON PARK NATURE GARDEN, Conservation and Biodiversity

Hugh Harris

6/7

THE SEFTON STROLL

Bob Jude

8/9

HALE CONSERVATION AREA, Aug 2015

Hugh Harris

10

MEADOW GRASSHOPPERS

James Hill

11/12

CLOCK FACE COUNTRY PARK

Tony Carter

13

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

Tony Carter

14/15

THE BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

Biodiverse Society Team

16/17

MBAN IMAGES, July/August 2015

Bob Jude

18/19

HOPE AND THE GUARDIANS OF THE CODE (Fictional Nature) Part 2 of 3

R.J. Jude

20

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME, 2015

21

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

Merseyside Nature

Page 15

MERSEYSIDE NATURE ARTICLE INDEX 2015 - Hugh Harris Aug 2015 – Sept 2015: Issue No. 30 1.

Editorial

Bob Jude

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – Sept 2015

Dr Phil Smith

4

WILDLIFE COUNTS: FUNGAL FORAY WEEKEND COURSE

Hugh Harris

5

WILDLIFE COUNTS: URBAN BRYOPHYTES COURSE

Hugh Harris

6/7

MUKER MEADOWS: UPLAND GRASSLAND IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES

Hugh Harris

8

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

Tony Carter

9

THE BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

Biodiversity Society Team

10

MBAN AND FRIENDS IMAGES Aug/Sept 2015

11

HOPE AND THE GUARDIANS OF THE CODE (Fictional Nature) Part 3 of 3

12

EVENTS SUMMARY

13

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

Bob Jude

Sept 2015 – Nov 2015: Issue No. 31 1.

Editorial

Bob Jude

2/3

WILDLIFE NOTES – Oct 2015

Dr Phil Smith

4

WILDLIFE NOTES – Nov 2015

Dr Phil Smith

5/6

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP AT RAVENMEOLS LNR

Tony Carter

7/8

LIVERPOOL BOTANICAL SOCIETY: CALDERSTONES PARK, Saturday 31st October 2015

Hugh Harris

9

MBAN AND FRIENDS IMAGES Sept – Oct 2015

10/11

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND: Sat 24th October 2015

12

AN INTRODUCTION TO SPIDER ID AND SAMPLING COURSE at Edge Hill University

13

MERSEYSIDE BIOBANK (Lerc)

12

EVENTS SUMMARY

13

SUMMARY OF EVENTS PROGRAMME OF 2015 AT SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP

Hugh Harris

Ben Deed

Merseyside Nature

FACEBOOK IMAGES BY MBAN MEMBERS

These images were taken by Sue Marley and posted on the MBAN Facebook page Top to bottom, left to right.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) spotted, somewhat unusually, in tree in Woolton Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) in Sefton Park Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri manillensis) Unusually patterned neck of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis ) Dabchick (Little Grebe) (Tachybaptus ruficollis) in Sefton Park Long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) missing its tail feathers Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in tree Jelly Ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae )

Page 16

Merseyside Nature

Page 17

THE BIODIVERSE SOCIETY PROJECT - Julia Simons

The Biodiverse Society Project successfully surveyed 34 Local Wildlife Sites in 2015 & will continue to survey a further 30 in 2016. The project still needs help to get up to date records on all of these sites, so please send in your records to Merseyside BioBank. If you are interested in finding out more about the project, Local Wildlife Sites in the area or how to start recording, a volunteer open day is being held at Liverpool World Museum on Saturday 5 th March. Email Jules Simons for more info: jsimons@lancswt.org.uk As well as providing volunteer opportunities & support to Local Naturalist Groups, The Biodiverse Society Project aims to support early career conservationists who are developing their skills and experience in the environmental sector.

Our 2015 trainees, Ami, Iain, Matt, & Patrick, have successfully completed their time on the project & as we say goodbye & good luck for their future careers, we also welcome Turkey Tail fungus (Trametes versicolor ) our 2016 Trainees who have already Image by Julia Simons started getting out & about visiting Freshfield Dune Heath, Lunt Meadows & Croxteth Country Park. Here they would like to introduce themselves…

Introducing Our New Trainees Hi, my name is Catrin Watkin and I’ll be a trainee for Merseyside with Rachael Sumner. Born and bred in Bangor, North Wales, I then moved to Liverpool where I completed a Zoology degree. I’ve recently completed a Masters in Conservation and Resource Management, where my research project focused on the fine -scale habitat associations of bats in urban areas. This project fuelled my interest for bats and urban wildlife. I’m looking forward to getting the wider community involved in biological recording whilst improving my knowledge at the same time.

Hello, I'm Rachael Sumner and I'm one of the Merseyside trainee recording officers. I'm from Liverpool and I recently graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a degree in Zoology. I am particularly interested in urban wildlife and the different ways we interact with the natural world around us. I love getting outdoors to my local wildlife sites as often as I can and I really enjoy encouraging others to get involved with the amazing wildlife living all around them, so I am very happy to be working on The Biodiverse Society project! I am looking forward to learning about many interesting new species over the course of the next year and meeting lots of enthusiastic volunteers and local wildlife experts!

Hi, my name is Anthony Da Silva and I am one of the Trainee Ecological Recording Officers based in Lancashire alongside Molly Owen. We’ll be taking over from the first year trainees, Patrick Woods and Matt Moss and hope we’ll be able to do as good a job as they’ve done in this past year. I am originally from Crewe but have lived in Manchester for the past ten years. I’ve recently completed a degree in Wildlife and Practical Conservation at Salford University. As part of my degree I did a nine month work placement at RSPB Ynys Hir in mid Wales which involved practical conservation and biological recording. I am looking forward to working alongside local naturalist groups and seeing how Local Wildlife Sites fit into Lancashire's wider ecological network.

Hello, I’m Molly Owen. I’m originally from the Brecon Beacons, South Wales, and this summer I graduated from the University of Southampton with a degree in Biology. Since then I have been working as a Trainee Ranger at Berry Head National Nature Reserve in south Devon where I carried out practical conservation work and wildlife surveys. During this placement I developed my interests in mammals through a personal project in small mammal distribution and a mammal ID course. I’m hoping to continue to improve my mammal knowledge this year and am also really looking forwards to getting to grips with more unknown species with help from our volunteers and other experts. www.lancswt.org.uk

Merseyside Nature

Page 18

MERSEYSIDE NATURALIST PROGRAMME - SPRING AND SUMMER

MNA Programme 2016 till End of June For information about previous MNA trips see our blog, The Naturalists' Notebook Saturday 23rd January. Sefton/Lunt Meadows.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 12.15 Punch Bowl car park.

[133 bus departs outside Waterloo station at 11.57] Cost: Free of charge. Do I need to book? No, just turn up.

What do we expect to see? Possible raptors and winter visitors.

Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader David Bryant Saturday 6th February. Holyhead Country Park and Beddmanarch Bay. Type: Coach Trip Where we are meeting: 8.30 Rocket, 8.45 William Brown Street, 9.00 Conway Park, 9.15 Bromborough Village. Cost: £20.

Do I need to book? Yes with Coach Secretary Seema Aggarwhal Tel: 07984 231059 or if no answer with Christine Barton Tel: 07854 776421 What do we expect to see? Winter Wildfowl and Waders, possible Black Guillemot, Slavonian Grebe.

Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader David Bryant Wednesday 17th February. Festival Gardens.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 11.00, main gate, Riverside Drive. Do I need to book? No, just turn up.

Are toilets available? Yes Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader John Clegg Saturday 20th February.

Type: AGM Where we are meeting: 2.00pm. Liverpool Central Library Talk by Bill Morton: “Birds of Frodsham and surrounding area” followed by AGM. Note: Members Only

Wednesday 9th March. Princes Park.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 11.00 at corner of Belvidere and Ullet Roads Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader John Clegg Sunday 20th March. Marshside RSPB. Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 11.30 in car park. [Train to Southport then 44 bus from Hoghton Road.]

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

Are toilets available? Yes What do we expect to see? Winter Wildfowl and Waders Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader Alexander Mansfield Saturday 16th April. Heswall to West Kirby.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 10.30 Heswall bus station [* Sir Thomas Street for the 472 bus at 9.27] Do I need to book? No, just turn up.

Are toilets available? No Mileage: 6 miles Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader Jim Hughes Saturday 23rd April. Pex Hill.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 9.15 Queens Square for bus or 10.30 at Pex Hill car park off Cronton Lane.

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

Are toilets available? No Mileage: 5 miles Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader John Clegg Saturday 7th May. Leasowe Common.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 10.30 Moreton station.

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

Are toilets available? Yes Mileage: 5 miles Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader John Clegg Saturday 21st May. Stocks Reservoir, Slaidburn.

Type: Coach Trip Where we are meeting: 8.30 Bromborough Village, 8.45 Conway Park, 9.00 William Brown Street, 9.15 Rocket. Cost: £20. Do I need to book? Yes with Coach

Secretary Seema Aggarwhal Tel: 07984 231059 or if no answer with Christine Barton Tel: 07854 776421 What do we expect to see? Summer Migrants, Wildflowers, Butterflies & Insects Guided or free to roam: FTR & Guided, leader Sabena Blackbird Saturday 4th June. Billinge Hill.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 10.00 St Helens bus station. [09.00 Wigan train from Lime Street for St Helens Central] Do I need to book? No, just turn up.

Are toilets available? No Mileage: 5-6 miles Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader John Clegg Saturday 18th June. Potteric Carr YWT, Doncaster.

Type: Coach Trip Where we are meeting: 8.30 Bromborough Village, 8.45 Conway Park, 9.00 William Brown Street, 9.15 Rocket.

Cost: £20. Do I need to book? Yes with Coach Secretary Seema Aggarwhal Tel: 07984 231059 or if no answer with Christine Barton Tel: 07854 776421 What do we expect to see? Cettis's Warbler, Wildflowers, Butterflies, Dragonflies and Spiders.

Guided or free to roam: FTR & Guided, leader Alexander Mansfield Note: Charge for non-members of the Wildlife Trust (£4 per adult in 2015) Wednesday 22nd June. Prestatyn.

Type: Outdoor meeting, make your own way there Where we are meeting: 11.00 Prestatyn station.

[10.19 train from Chester] Do I need to book? No, just turn up.

What do we expect to see? Little Terns.

Guided or free to roam: Guided, leader David Bryant

Merseyside Nature

Page 19

NWFG FORAY PROGRAMME 2016(VS2) IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BRITISH MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY — Tony Carter THE NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP

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 and North Wales.

Benefits of membership include:-two newsletters per year. forays and special events. help and advice on a range of fungi related topics.

Officers

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

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

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

Sunday 17th July - 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).

Sunday 7th Aug – Pennington Flash CP, Leigh.

10.30. The Country Park signposted from the A580 East Lancashire Road-turn off onto A579; after 1.2miles turn L at traffic lights onto A57; around 100m turn R into Park access road (signposted) to FORAY & MEETING PROGRAMME 2016 the Main Car Park(small charge) which fronts the lake. SD 643 991 Sheet 109 (WN7 3PA) Good paths, Saturday 27th February – AGM 10am (Coffee) level walking,Toilets on site as well as snack and for 10.30 at Risley Moss, north Warrington. ice cream vans (usually) Leader-Christopher WA3 6QS SJ664920 (Sheet 109). Presidential Bowden (01772 812910/07597 921981).

Sunday 14th August - Maes y Pant, Gresford. address - Geoffrey Kibby. A short foray afterwards.

Meet 10.30 at main entrance car park (9 spaces).

Sunday 20th March – Roddlesworth. Meet 10.30 Coming from Chester bypass, A55, take A483 to at Tockholes Car Park by Vaughan's Country Cafe. Wrexham. After 2 sets of traffic lights(new) conSD665215 (Sheet 103) BB3 0PA; 2 ½ km north on tinue for 3+ miles to 1st turn-off. Turn left at top of Tockholes Road, 3 km after it leaves the A675 ramp and then right at roundabout. Continue up Bolton-Preston road. Leader - John Watt (07768 the hill until Red Lion pub, then right onto Pant 043 461 / 01695 578843).

Lane. Continue to car park on right. SJ354551 Sunday 10th April – Freshfield, Merseyside.

(Sheet 117) which is next to The Conifers LL12 8HU. Meet 10.30 at Freshfield Station car park From East, A534, A5156 to roundabout accessing SD291084 (Sheet 108) (L37 7DD). Leave A565 A483. However continue around roundabout onto Formby-by-Pass onto B5424 at roundabout sign- Chester Road (5th exit); continue to traffic lights posted for Formby Point, BUT at mini roundabout by Plough Inn, turn L into High St continue towards keep straight on until Freshfield Road then turn church till Pant Lane on R at Yew Tree pub. Car right. (OR go by train). Leader - Tony Carter (0151 parking after 400 yards on left after The Conifers -724-4600) and on Pant Lane. Toilets in nearby pubs/inns. This Sunday 15th May - Styal Woods, Cheshire. Nr. is not the Marford Quarry site, which is just to the M/c Airport. Meet 10.30, small National Trust car north. Leader- Robin 07985 206007 Sunday 21st August – BEGINNERS FORAY at park off road by Styal Village, 600 yds past the Risley Moss, north Warrington. Meet 10.30.

Ship Inn on opposite side of road. SJ836836 (Sheet 109) (SK9 4JE). Leader - John Taylor (0161- Access from M62 Jct 11. Continue along A574 to 445-330/ 07980629063) first island, turn left. Reserve signposted. Ample Sunday 19th June - Clock Face Colliery Coun- parking space. SJ665920 (Sheet 109) (WA3 6QS). try Park, Bold, St. Helens. – Meet 10.30 at Gors- Leader - Irene Ridge (01254-247274. A morning foray will be followed by an afternoon microscope ey Lane Car Park. From Jct 7 of M62 follow A57 Warrington Rd. After 2 miles turn left on to A569 workshop.

Sunday 4th September - Hay Bridge Nature Clock Face Road. After 1.5 miles, (passing back Reserve, Low Hay Bridge, Bouth, Ulverston, under M’way), turn right into Gorsey Lane (blue cycling sign Burtonwood). Continue to entrance LA12 8JG. 10.30 in the meeting room adjacent to on right. SD 535915 (Sheet 108) (WA9 4SN). Lead- the car park at SD336876 (Sheet 97). By car, er – Tom Ferguson (01744 739774 / 07743 leave the M6 at J36 and bear left onto the A590 509671. signposted to Barrow. After 3-4 miles take the 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 rare occasions, forays have had to be changed at short notice esp if very dry and changes will be sent round on the email list.

Beginners are welcome at ALL forays.

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

DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Merseyside Nature

Page 20

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP PROGRAMME — Tony Carter first left signposted to Barrow. (NB 60mph speed cameras on A590). At Newby Bridge roundabout take 1st exit, remaining on the A590 signposted Barrow and Ulverston then after ~ 4 miles turn right to Bouth. At Bouth village, turn right at the White Hart Inn and follow this lane for about ½ mile.

Where it swings left, go straight ahead on a small narrow lane signposted 'Hay Bridge Only'. Follow this narrow lane until you reach the car park at the end (about 2 miles). The building immediately before the car park has facilities.

Being a private reserve run as a Trust, (Warden, Keith) suggests donations for non-members of £2.00. Leader - Mike Hall (015242-76460).

Sunday 18th Sept – Lytham Hall. Meet 10.30 at Lytham Hall, Ballam Road, FY8 4JX.SD 3592864 (Sheet 102). From M55 J4 take A583 (Kirkham) at first roundabout, and take first right (Whitehall Rd) after second then immediately left onto Peel Rd. After 1.6 m turn right onto Ballam Rd and after 0.6 m turn R into Lytham Park and proceed to Hall (free entry for NWFG). Irene (07484 242523) Sunday 25th Sept. – Delamere Forest. Meet at 10.30 at FC Whitefield Car Park, east off Station Road, B 5152, south of Hatchmere crossroads; SJ556710 (Sheet 117); 300m north of CW8 2HZ (nearby Station Cafe and station (trains from Manchester.) Group parking concession being arranged.

Leader John 07768 043 461.

Friday 30th Sept to Monday 3rd October - Residential Foray at Keswick Convention Centre. Cost inc. meals, for members and for non-members will be announced later. Booking form in Newsletter. Contact Irene Ridge (01254-247274)

ing 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).

Sunday 30th October – Lyme Park, Disley, Stockport. Meet at at 10.00 in car park 200 th Sunday 9 October – National Fungus Day. To see yards from house; SJ962824 (Sheet 109)(NB early start time). By road: Entrance on A6 only. SatNav: events - http://www.ukfungusday.co.uk/ Use SK12 2NR and stay on A6. Ignore any direcSunday 16th October – Dovestone RSPB Reserve tions other than those to the A6 entrance. By train - Disley ½ mile from entrance. The house, garden upland woodland and grassland. Meet 10.30 - Binn Green Car Park (toilets), NOT the main car park: GR SE & car park are about one mile from main gate.

018044, Sheet 110;off the A635 at Binn Green, Holmfirth Leader Jeanette Maddy (07548 838946).

Sunday 6th November – Turn Slack Clough, Road, Greenfield Oldham, OL3 7NN. From Greenfield Littleborough. Meet at 10.00 at Clough. Left off station, go steeply downhill, then along Chew Valley A58 onto Whitelees Road approaching Littleborroad (A669) into village, past Tesco on left until the ough from west, continue along Calderbrook Road Clarence Hotel around 1 mile further on your right. At turning left at Clough Road. SD935173 (Sheet 109) the mini-round-about bear left uphill, on the A635 towards Holmfirth - then, DO NOT take the first brown (OL15 9JZ).

Leader - Norman Bamforth (0161-336-3914). sign to RSPB Dovestone to right, but keep going uphill th for around ½ mile until the next brown sign, go into the Sunday 13 November - Ainsdale NNR, MerBinn Green car park on the right there. From Ashton u. seyside. Ken Jordan Memorial Foray. Meet at Lyne, take the A635 and follow directions from Clar10.00 at car park at Reserve Manager's Office ence as above. Leader Ken Gartside (01457 879713/ SD303112 (sheet 108) (PR8 3QW). Take A565 north 07548927633) past Woodvale Airport, turn on to Coastal Road, Sunday 23rd October – BEGINNERS FORAY at Moore over railway bridge and left into private drive.

Nature Reserve, Warrington - Meet 10.30. 2 miles Leader Tony Carter(0151-724-4600). south of Warrington on A56 turn north to Moore at traffic lights at Higher Walton. 1 mile turn right, cross-

DECEMBER RAINS - A RECORD TOTAL? - Rob Duffy Record rainfalls were recorded in the north and west of the UK following the passage of several storms in November and December, but what of the Liverpool area? Met office caveats informed in some areas of the UK rainfall was just average, or below.

Rainfall recording, by the author, with a simple garden centre funnel (since 2009), revealed, not only was last December’s rainfall not exceptional, it was only the 4th wettest December in the last 5 years!

2011: 160mm; 2012: 143 mm; 2014: 101mm; 2015: 91mm.

Indeed only storm “Eva” , on Christmas Eve, deposited notably high amounts in one go (28mm).

All readings for rainfall were taken in L16, and latterly L14.

Recollections, or feelings, about the weather can often be misleading.

For instance my “Phillip’s” school atlas from 1969 shows the 25”-30” (inches, that is) isohyet (lines joining places of similar rainfall) running from Liverpool, down through Cheshire, into the west Midlands, the Chilterns, North Downs and finally, the Kent coast!

Rainfall this year in Liverpool? 673 mm (28 inches), right in the middle of the range above.

Counter-intuitively, in Liverpool, we are in one of the drier regions of the UK and this year have not exceeded our “banding” of nearly half a century. In fact we haven’t in 5 years out of the last 7.

Does this amount to what’s known as a “rain shadow” given the prevailing winds and their passage over the Welsh mountains?

Merseyside Nature

Page 21

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

These include Mammal Trapping at Knowsley Park and other venues.

Learn all about Ants Saturday 5th December Please contact Tony.Parker@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk for details and to book places. Museum collections are open to amateur naturalists and volunteers (by appointment)

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

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

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?

Merseyside Naturalist Association The MNA organize informal nature events including field trips, talks and practical sessions

BTO Garden Birdwatch https://www.facebook.com/gardenbirdwatch

Visit www.mnapage.info for the programme of events

RSPB https://www.facebook.com/RSPBLoveNature

Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group The group runs events and training throughout the year check the group website, twitter or Facebook.

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 ALWAYS WANTED 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

Page 22

SUMMARY of EVENTS PROGRAMME of 2015 at SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP www.seftoncoast.org.uk Booking is essential for Sefton Coast 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.

Directions: RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve, Myers Farm, Storrs Lane, Silverdale, Lancashire Full list of dates Saturday 19 March 2016 Saturday 23 July 2016 Saturday 17 September 2016

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. http://www.lancswt.org.uk/whats-on

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”

Other Events Why not visit Facebook page SeftonCoast?

RSPB https://www.rspb.org.uk/ discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/ results.aspx RSPB Tel: 01704 226190 Digital Photography Workshop Saturday 19 March to Saturday 17 September 11 am-4 pm. Price: £40 (RSPB members £32): Booking essential. Got a Digital SLR camera and want to improve your wildlife photography? Then come along to this workshop with Mike Malpass, an experienced, published wildlife photographer for guidance, inspiration and tips on field craft (suitable for all levels). Includes an indoor session followed by putting it into practice outdoors.

Booking and payment in advance essential. Bring your own camera and notebook, buffet lunch will be provided.

THE BIODIVERSITY PROJECT We are coming to the end of the habitat surveys for 2015 and the trainees will be writing up the survey reports. However there are plenty of opportunities to get out and about and record wildlife. Remember you can get in touch with us anytime on Lancashire 01772 324129, sgorman@lancswt.org.uk or Merseyside 0151 737 4152 jsimons@lancswt.org.uk.

You can also follow us on Facebook HERE, tweet us @Lancswildlife & use #wildlifecounts.

Biodiversity Courses: 1st Wednesday of every month February to November 2016.

A 10 session course is being run by Hilary Bedford from the West Lancs Wildlife Group. Consisting of indoor theory and some outdoor sessions the course will cover plant morphology, physiology and adaptations and is suitable for beginners or individuals with limited experience who have an interest in plants.

February 3rd: Plant morphology A close look at the structure and function of roots, stems and leaves, 10am-1pm at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY.

March 2nd: How plants work The internal structures of roots, stems and leaves and how they function, 10am-1pm at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY. April 6th: Seeds and germination A look at the structure of seeds, what happens during germination and the conditions required , 10am1pm at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY. May 4th: Flowers The morning will be spent learning about flower structure and pollination methods and in the afternoon we will be practicing identification, time tbc at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY. June 1st: Plants and Habitats A look at why some plants only grow in particular places and others are more widespread, 10am-1pm at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY. July 6th: Field Visit - Silverdale Limestone pavement and grassland.

August 3rd: Field Visit - Sefton Coast Salt marsh and sand dunes.

Sept 7th: Plant/animal relationships A look at pollination, herbivory, parasitism, plant responses and defences, 10am-1pm at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY. Oct 5th: Fruits and Seeds Seed development, types of fruits and seeds and seed dispersal, 10am-1pm at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY. Nov 2nd: Preparing for winter A look at leaf fall and colour changes. Dormancy, bud formation and storage organs.10am-1pm at the Barn, Preston, PR5 6BY. Further Information. This is a 10 session course with a refundable deposit of £50 (£5/session).

Participants will be refunded £5/session after attending a session, a non-show will result in a nonrefundable £5 deposit/session. Participants will receive an LWT certificate of attendance.

Please note booking is essential! There are limited spaces, for more information or to book on please contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129.