Merseyside Nature (2015 January-February)

Jan/Feb 2015 Issue 23

Merseyside Nature Friends of Merseyside BioBank

Phil continues his excellent articles about the Sefton Coast

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

Aaron Reading tells us about the Gulls of Merseyside Hugh Harris visits Hale Marshes Hugh summarises the Liverpool Museum presentation of the Costa Rica Rainforest The North West Fungus Group Beautiful Winter Fungi Images by Tony Carter Our latest author Jim Pearson contributes a fascinating article about hyperparasitism and the Alder Woodwasp Hugh visits a hidden area of Court Hey Park

Paul Stenton shared this picture of a Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulous) from the MBAN Facebook Page

Inside this issue: Phil Smith’s Wildlife Notes

2-3

Gulls of The Merseyside Area

4-5

A Rather More Unusual Gull

5

Spirit of the Forest

6-7

Hale Marshes - Merseyside

8-9

NWFG

10-11

Refloating the Ark Conference 11 Winter Wanderings

12-13

The Weird and Wonderful

14-15

Court Hey Brook

16

Event Mashup

17-18

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

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

Latest News Paul Stenton has been out and about providing MBAN Facebook members with some excellent bird pictures from Tarbock, Pennington Flash and Burton Mere. Paul is heavily involved with the Facebook group Tarbock Nature Watch Thanks Paul.

Paul Stenton’s picture of a Long Eared Owl (Asio otus) spotted at Burton Mere

Merseyside Nature

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WILDLIFE NOTES - JANUARY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith A mild January brings some concerns about the reduced dune

January was slightly milder than usual and had average rainfall, this having little effect on the dune water-table which remained stubbornly low. Checking the ponds on Freshfield Dune Heath Nature Reserve on 4th, I found them about 2 feet (60cm) below maximum level. However, lots of flowering Gorse and singing Great Tits raised the spirits a little, as did some spectacularly large plants of Intermediate Polypody fern in the woodland.

water table Phil misses the

Common Gull (Larus canus )

Snow bunting All I could see on the marine lake were two Great Crested Grebes and eight Cormorants, so I amused myself photographing first-winter and adult Common Gulls on the small boating lake.

recorded by Dave Hardaker Phil sights a potpourri of birds and waders at Marshside Phil reports on the success of the Buckthorn Bashes A new sand Lizard Colony could be

Great Tit (Parus major) spotted close to MBB ofice

With few notable birds about this month, I decided to check out a Snow Bunting supposedly showing well at Hall Road, Blundellsands. Needless to say, I just missed it and had to be content with a flock of about 150 noisy Starlings squabbling for food scraps in the carpark, while an icy wind came in off the sea. Dave Hardaker sent me an excellent photo of the bird taken a day or two earlier.

I joined a West Lancashire Wildlife guided walk at Marshside on 24th, timed to take advantage of a 9.9m tide.

However, high atmospheric pressure meant it didn’t flood in as far as expected and the flypast of waterfowl was not up to the usual standard. Nevertheless, a walk along the old sand-extraction road to the tide edge was rewarded by several thousand waders, mostly Knot, with a scatter of Grey Plover, Redshank, etc.

threatened by proposed housing project Sefton Coast Red Squirrel Shoveller (Anas clypeata)

populations recover to 2008 levels

A large roost of Cormorants lined a sand-bank, while groups of elegant Pintails flew overhead. Hundreds of Skylarks were harassed by a dashing Merlin, a few Twite Later in the month I also missed out on a Long-tailed Duck could be heard calling and a Marsh Harrier patrolled in at Crosby Marina which had been there for ages but not the distance. the day I chose to visit.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis )

Merseyside Nature

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WILDLIFE NOTES - JANUARY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith Providing much-needed shelter from the biting wind, the RSPB hide gave close views of a variety of ducks, including Shovelers with their ridiculously large bills.

The following day saw me at the Alt Estuary where another large tide had displaced about 1600 Oystercatchers and 280 Curlews from their feeding grounds to roost in front of the Rifle Range. A Buzzard over the shore was an unusual sight, while one of many Black-headed Gulls already had a fullsummer hood.

As frequently mentioned in these notes, scrub invasion, especially by the introduced Sea Buckthorn, is a major threat to our sand-dune flora and fauna. Following on from the volunteer “buckthorn bashes” in the autumn,

Patricia Lockwood and I cleared scrub from two botanically rich slacks in the Birkdale frontals. Most of it was young, so easily dealt with using loppers but a few bushes were up to eight years old (according to annual ring counts), their trunks being three or four inches thick; my recent investment in a bow-saw proved invaluable.

I also joined staff of Sefton Coast & Countryside and local Sand Lizard expert Mike Brown on a tour to plan future scrub-control operations on the dunes. With a recently discovered Sand Lizard colony, one of these sites is right next to a housing development proposed in the Sefton Local Plan.

This is a concern that will need to be addressed, as the lizard and its habitat are strictly protected by law.

On the last day of the month, I spent a pleasant, if cold, hour at the National Trust’s Victoria Road Red Squirrel reserve. At least six of these delightful mammals were scampering about, entertaining the visitors.

Surveys suggest that numbers have almost recovered to levels achieved before the parapox outbreak of 2007/08. Our squirrels have the dark-coloured fur of the continental subspecies, lacking whitetipped hairs in the tail and ear-tufts characteristic of the British race.

There is ongoing debate about their origin. One suggestion is that they escaped in the 1940s from a captive group of continental Red Squirrels kept in a Formby garden. Certainly, they couldn’t have been here before pine trees were planted from the 1890s onwards.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris )

Female Black Cap (Sylvia atricapilla ) spotted a short distance from MBB offices

Jay (Garrulus glandarius) spotted a short distance from MBB offices

Merseyside Nature

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FOUR COMMON GULLS FOUND IN THE MERSEYSIDE AREA - Aaron Reading Lately I have been taking guided walks and cycle rides to the Hale area. As we perused the wildlife some of the group commented on gulls and how to tell the difference between them.

I put together a basic I.D. list for non-birders, it’s not comprehensive and the birds colouring changes depending on age and season.

The descriptions below describe their general breeding plumage, the legs and beak are good key features to use.

Common Gull Larus canus Similar to the Herring Gull but more dainty. Found inland but more abundant in coastal areas.

Size Leg Bill Hood Back

-

38-43cm Yellow/greenish Yellow White in summer, greyish in winter Grey

There are seven breeds of gull that breed regularly in the UK. Four of these are relatively easy to spot in our area having a large coastal/estuary area, farmland and other feeding/scavenging areas.

In the summer months they will be found mainly in coastal areas with the black headed gull being common inland as well.

In winter the gulls tend to move inland roosting on fresh water bodies, feeding on farm fields and refuse tips. The gulls will travel distances to forage, Herring gulls generally stay in a 10k radius of their nests, others travelling further afield.

Black Headed Gull Larus ridibundus Not really black headed but more chocolate-brown, not usually solitary, seen in small groups and flocks.

Size Leg Bill Hood Back

-

35-38cm Red Red Chocolate in summer, white in winter Pale grey.

Lesser Black Backed Gull Larus fuscus Size Leg Bill Hood Back

-

51-56cm Yellow Yellow with red spot White All dark

Merseyside Nature

FOUR COMMON GULLS FOUND IN THE MERSEYSIDE AREA - Aaron Reading

Page 5

FOLLOWING THE AGM AT LBS ON 7/2/2015 THESE OFFICERS WERE DULY ELECTED

Herring Gull Larus argentatus These are the large noisy gulls found in many spots inland and coastal, including scavenging in rubbish tips Size Leg Bill Hood Back

-

53-59cm Pink Yellow with red spot White in summer, grey streaks in winter Pale grey

Liverpool Botanical Society Officers 2015

President

Steve Cross

Vice-President

Howard Harris

Hon. Secretary

Wendy Atkinson

Treasurer

Peter Tipping

Hon. Editor

Steve Cross

Hon. Librarian

Donna Young

For information on the Society please contact Wendy Atkinson at World Museum, Liverpool Tel: 0151 478 4216

Photos and maps courtesy of the RSPB website.

Aaron Reading B.Sc.(Hons)

wendy.atkinson@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk www.livbotsoc.weebly.com Information courtesy Hugh Harris

A RATHER MORE UNUSUAL GULL - Image by Sue Marley This rather more unusual gull was a national ‘twitcher’ celebrity and press story in the Liverpool Echo on the 5th February 2015.

Attracting attention of naturalists due to its rarity in the UK. Sue Marley took this picture and shared it on the MBAN Facebook page and kindly gave permission for it to be reproduced here.

It is normally found in the Americas, breeding in large colonies with occasional rare sightings in Europe.

The common name is derived from the cry that is a high pitched ho, ho, ho.

Adults have a red bill and black cap that is lost in the winter.

Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)

This rare bird was photographed by Sue at the New Brighton Marina on 7th February 2015.

Merseyside Nature

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SPIRIT OF THE FOREST - Think globally, act locally and plant one or two trees- Hugh Harris 1. LBS: The Costa Rican Rainforest – Eric and Barbara Greenwood, World Museum, 10/01/2015

The purple Guaria Morada Guarianthe skinneri is the National flower and represents the abundance, fragility and elegance of Nature.

Eric began his presentation with a description of rainforests: they have regular

heavy rain, constantly high temperatures, and therefore prolific plant growth.

Rain forest regions contain thousands of different species. Essentially similar forests, known as ‘riverine’ forests occur along river banks in drier regions.

‘Monsoon’ forests have a period of drought, which may last for several months.

Eric saw the link between an equable and wet climate and the deciduous vegetation of Costa Rica’s rainforests with other rainforests in the world.

Eric then classified the major forest biomes any group of major regional ter-

restrial communities with its own type of climate, vegetation and animal life.

There are three main communities: Cold, Temperate and Tropical and within these communities there are further sub-communities.

He emphasized that they are not sharply separated but merge gradually into one another. As such the Costa Rica Rainforest is in both the temperate and tropical zone.

COLD

Ice desert Tundra Taiga – Fir, pine, spruce, birch,

larch.

North America Finland

Steppes and cold desert – (+20°C

summers --20°Cwinters) TEMPERATE

TROPICAL

Even rainfall with moderate temperature and marked seasonal changes.

Deciduous forest (frost, small temperature changes) Laurel forest (no frost) Arid-humid forest

New Zealand China Mediterranean

Hot deserts Humid-dry tropical forest (summer rain) Evergreen tropical rainforest (30°C, wet or humid)

Amazon, Costa Rica

Rainforests usually get between 60 and 160 inches of rain per year. Some rainforests get as much as 300 inches of rain per year. Temperatures in rainforests usually range from 17.8 to 26.7 °C. although they can get as high as 33.9 °C. Eric and Barbara’s extensive collection of images beautifully illustrated the floral biodiversity – well over 10,000 species of vascular plants have been described in Costa Rica, and more are being added to the list every year.

Orchids alone account for about 1300 species.

Guaria Morada (Guarianthe skinneri), MadriCR, Wiki Commons: Accessed 29/1/2015

In Costa Rica, for example, almost 2000 tree species have been recorded.

The Elephant Ear Tree Entero lobium cyclocarpum is the National Tree. The diversity of habitats created with their many species is wonderful – canoeing in a muggy mangrove swamp, or peering through bone-chilling fog to see orchids in a montane cloud forest.

Classic rain-forest habitats are well represented in parks of the southwest corner of Costa Rica or in mid-elevation portions of the central mountains.

Here are the towering trees that shut out the sky, long looping vines and many overlapping layers of vegetation. Many large trees may show buttresses, a feature of tropical trees whereby they grow wing-like ribs extending out from the base of their trunks for added structural support.

Along the brackish stretches of both coasts, mangrove swamps are another world; growing stilt-like out of muddy tidal flats, five species of trees crowd together so densely that no boat and few animals can penetrate. Striking in their adaptations for dealing with salt, mangrove trees thrive where no other land plant can.

Most famous of all are the fabulous cloud forests of Monteverdi reserve, with mist-drenched trees so thickly coated in mosses, ferns, bromeliads, and orchids that you can hardly discern their true shapes.

Cloud forests, however, are widespread at high elevations throughout Costa Rica and any of them would be worth visiting. Be forewarned, however, that in these habitats the term ‘rainy season’ has little meaning because it’s always dripping wet from the mist as Eric and Barbara Greenwood so expertly illustrated.

Acknowledgements: “The Ages of Gaia”, Lonely Planet.

Hugh@MBAN

Merseyside Nature

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SPIRIT OF THE FOREST - Think globally, act locally and plant one or two trees - Hugh Harris 2. BSBI: Introduction to Conifer Workshop – Maria Knowles, Ness Botanic Gardens, 24/01/2015 This workshop was a basic introduction to conifers, led by Maria Knowles, using the wide range of coniferous trees at Ness Botanic Gardens, South Wirral as examples.

The morning session was indoors and we looked at the scientific plant theory of Coniferophyta (Conifers) a phylum of cone-bearing gymnosperms; 680 species in 12 gymnosperm families of which 6 are conifer families and then eventually focusing on two families, the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae.

Noble Fir

Two trees became ‘signature trees’ for the session; Leyland cypress Cupressus x leylandii, a cross between Nootka cypress from Alaska and Monterey cypress from California. The cross occurred in 1888 on the Leighton Estate, near Welshpool Powys when female flowers of the Nootka cypress were fertilised by pollen from Monterey cypress – their natural ranges being thousands of miles apart (Alaska and California)!

The other ‘signature tree’ was the Cedar: all 4 species of it: Cedrus atlantica, C. deodar, C. libani and C. brevifolia.

The three commonly seen species can be differentiated by the orientation of the ends of their shoots, as well as needle and cone characteristics.

C. atlantica ascending shoot-ends; gradually tapered translucent tip; cones 8cm, sunken top.

C. libani level shoot ends; needles green, abruptly tapered at tip; cones 710 cm, top not sunken.

C. deodara descending shoot ends; needles green, longer, gradually tapered; cones 8-12cm flat topped.

After lunch in the Garden Kitchen Café in the Visitor Centre Maria lead the group to look at 14 species of trees on a Conifer Walk through Ness’s fantastic collection of trees and shrubs from the four corners of the globe, many of which were collected out in the wild.

The Garden contains a large number of unusual and rare trees and has contributed to the global effort in tree conservation.

NW USA 1830

Glauca Japanese Red Cedar

Cryptomeria japonica

Japan

Giant Sequoia

Sequoiadendron giganteum

California

Shore Pine

Pinus contorta

Pacific (S. Alaska to N. California)

Swamp Cypress

Taxodium distichum

Texas to New Jersey

Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glytptostroboides

SW China

Larix griffithi

E. Himalayas and Tibet 1848

Sikkim Spruce

Picea morrisonicola

E. Himalayas, Bhutan, NE India 1878

Taiwan Cypress

Chamaecyparis formosensis

Formosa 1910

Korean Thuja

Thuja koriensis Cupressus sempervirens

Korea, N. China 1918

Himalayan Hemlock Coastal Redwood

Tsuga dumosa

Himalayas to N. Vietnam

Sequoia sempervirens Cantab

Oregon to Monterey

Atlas Cedar Cedar of Lebanon Deodar

Cedrus atlantica C. libani C. deodara

Atlas Mountains, Algeria, Morocco.

Lebanon, Taurus Mountains.

W, Himalayas.

Using slide-show, live specimens, hand-lens, guide-books and course notes, we looked at the characteristics of Abies, Picea, Pinus, Larix,

Cedrus, Tsuga, Pseudotsuga, Metasequoia, Taxodium, Chamaecyparis, Cupressus, Thuja, Cryptomeria, Sequoidendron and Sequoia.

Abies procera

Italian Cypress

E. Mediterranean to Iran

An enjoyable learning experience and participants were left with a desire to return to Ness and find out more about its flora.

Hugh@MBAN

Merseyside Nature

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HALE MARSHES, MERSEY ESTUARY: SJ 4782 - Hugh Harris The Mersey Estuary contains habitats of high nature conservation and wildlife heritage value. The Nature Conservancy Council under the Wildlife and Country side Act, 1981, notified much of the Mersey Estuary as a Site of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI]. SSSIs protect the best examples of natural habitats and physical features, including sites of importance for birds and rare species of native plants and animals.

Large numbers of ducks and waders use the estuary either during their autumn or spring migration to ‘refuel’; or they spend the winter in the area.

Where a site has more than 1% of the NW Europe population of a species it classed as internationally important for that species. The Mersey Estuary is internationally important for): Dunlin, Teal, Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, and Shelduck. In fact it is the best place in Britain for Dunlin with an average of 40,000 each winter.

Nationally important means it has 1% of the UK population. The estuary is nationally important for Lapwing, Curlew and Grey Plover.

Hale Duck Decoy is a small nature reserve in the middle of Hale Marsh, but with no general public access. The shape of the reserve is an irregular pentagon, surrounded by a 5 metre wide moat and a continuous clay bank. The centre of the reserve is occupied by the Decoy pond, which has five arms radiating out to each corner of the pentagon. Between the arms (known as pipes) are five small areas of woodland. As well as being in an SSSI area the Decoy is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and its woodland is subject to a Tree Preservation Order.

The Mersey Estuary is also protected under the European Union Birds Directive and designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). This is the highest level of protection a site can have. It is also notified under the Ramsar Convention on the Conservation of Wetlands.

On the North shore of the estuary is a discrete area of marshy grasslands called Hale Marshes, privately owned and inaccessible. The marshes are best viewed by telescope from two locations; Hale Gate Road and Pickering’s Pasture, on the east side which has been restored to provide a sanctuary for wildlife and recreation. Carr Lane Pools, a new wetland area not part of the SSSI or SPA is on the north side which can be viewed from the Hale Gate Road where the local farmer has created a viewpoint to safeguard birdwatchers from the traffic.

In such a high conservation context, it is not surprising that Rob and Carol Cockbain and I collected high figures of some species and a variety of others in our first WeBS tidal count of 2015. Each monthly count uses the same methodology and counting techniques in the interests of accuracy.

A total count of individuals of all waterbird species present on a predefined area of wetland habitat.

The date and time of the count A measure of the accuracy of the count A map of the count area The data is submitted using the WeBS online system and also circulated to other North Shore counters. Recording the accuracy of counts correctly makes a huge difference to how a site is perceived in terms of its importance to waterbirds. It allows WeBS to be more confident in the use of data that its counters provide and adverse circumstances are taken into account.

Merseyside Nature

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HALE MARSHES, MERSEY ESTUARY: SJ 4782 - Hugh Harris WeBS counts on Hale Marshes began in the 1960s and so the British Trust for Ornithology, who run the WeBS system, has a huge amount of historic records for this marsh and the whole Mersey Estuary.

Table 1: Ranked WeBS Core Count data of bird species at Hale Marshes, Priority date: 25/01/2015, 1

Canada Goose

743

2

Dunlin

600

3

Teal

223

4

Redshank

179

5

Black-headed Gull

146

6

Lapwing

114

7

Shelduck

37

8=

Wigeon

16

8=

Moorhen

16

10

Mallard

15

11

Cormorant

13

12

Lesser Black-backed Gull

11

13

Grey Heron

10

14

Shoveler

9

15

Black-tailed Godwit

6

16

Curlew

3

17=

Common Gull

2

17=

Gadwall

2

17=

Little Egret

2

17=

Great Black-backed Gull

2

17=

Kestrel

2

17=

Buzzard

2

17=

Coot

2

24=

Common Sandpiper

1

24=

Raven

1

24=

Little Grebe

1

It will be interesting to see how this data is interpreted by the analysts and how it compares to other sites on the north and south shores of the Mersey Estuary.

Using the data: For informed decision-making by conservation bodies, planners and developers Instrumental in identifying and monitoring sites Called upon for environmental assessments Conservation, research and policy formulation.

Acknowledgements: Mersey Estuary Conservation Group, Friends of Pickering’s Pasture, Birdtrack, and Dermot Smith WeBS LO. Hugh@MBAN

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), D.Daniels, 2008, Wiki Commons: Accessed 5/1/2015

Merseyside Nature

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

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.

Sunday 17th May - Beacon Hill Country Park, Upholland, West Lancashire.

Individual membership - £7.50 Meet at 10.30 in Rangers' car park, Elmers Green Family membership - £10.00 Lane, off Beacon Lane SD505067 (Sheet 108) (WN8 Members joining after November 1st will receive 7RU). From M58 Junction 5 exit for A577 Skelmersmembership for the following year. dale East, passing south under the Mway but then Please contact the Membership Secretary for turning back north until to you reach a roundabout a membership form. signposted to Beacon Park.

Take right up A577 Windmill Road and continue, Officers turning right then left into Upholland. At wrought iron clock in town centre, turn sharp left onto Mill Chair: Dr. Irene Ridge, Lane /Beacon Lane. Continue 2 miles to Beacon Smalley’s Farm, Whalley Old Road, Billington Park Golf Centre on left, turning down to car park Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9JF continuing left to the far end of this car park and Tel. 01254 247274 the Rangers' cabins.

Leader - John Watt (07768 043 461/01695 Treasurer and Membership Secretary: 578843).

Liz Moore, Sunday 28th June - Spring Wood, nr Whalley.

48 Alan Road, Heaton Moor, Meet 10.30 at Spring Wood Car Park, adjacent to Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 4LE Visitor Centre / Picnic Area on A671. SD741361 Tel. 0161-432-9124 (Sheet103) (BB7 9TD).

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

Meet at 10.30. From A6 approaching Whaley Bridge Turn right at the roundabout (Signed Macclesfield NWFG Home Page: B5470) and go forward A5004 at the TL where http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm 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).

AGM - Saturday 21st February – 10am Leader - Norman Bamforth (0161-336-3914).

(Coffee) for 10.30 at Risley Moss, north WarSunday 9th August - Clock Face Colliery Counrington. try 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 Sunday 12th April – Freshfield and Ainsdale left on to A569 Clock Face Road. After 1.5 miles, NNR, Merseyside. Ken Jordan Memorial Foray. (passing back under M’way), turn right into Gorsey Meet 10.30 at Freshfield Station car park SD291084 Lane (blue cycling sign Burtonwood). Continue to entrance on right. SD 535915 (Sheet 108) (WA9 (Sheet 108) (L37 7DD). Leave A565 Formby-by4SN).

Pass onto B5424 at roundabout signposted for Formby Point BUT at mini roundabout keep straight Leader – Tom Ferguson (01744 739774 /07743 on until Freshfield Road then turn right. (OR go by 509671 (m)) train).

Leader - Tony Carter (0151-724-4600) Membership

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THE NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP - Tony Carter 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 non-members 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 Sunday 18th October – Raven Meols Hills, Formby Meet 10.30. From A565 Formby-By-Pass turn west to Formby at Tesco traffic lights on to B5195 Altcar Road. Continue to travel west to Formby Point, past Formby Railway Station to end of Kirkdale Road (1.8miles). Turn left, past church to Shorrocks Hill Night Club (L37 2EB) then right on to Lifeboat Road to car park Bay One. Leader – Tony Carter (0151-724-4600) Sunday 1st November – Turn Slack Clough, Littleborough.

Meet at 10.30 at Clough. Left off A58 onto Whitelees Road approaching Littleborough from west, continue along Calderbrook Road turning left at Clough Road. SD935173 (Sheet 109) (OL15 9JZ).

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

REFLOATING THE ARK CONFERENCE - Henry McGhie CONNECTING THE PUBLIC AND SCIENTISTS WITH NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS Information Courtesy of Tony Parker Liverpool Museum Manchester Museum: 17–18 June 2015 One day: £25 Two days: £40 (includes refreshments and lunch) About this conference How can museums with natural history collections support high-quality public engagement with nature? How can their collections support scientific research and environmental monitoring? This two-day conference will explore these questions through presentations from leading museum workers, ecologists, citizen science managers, data managers and academics from a variety of fields, with plenty of opportunities to share your views and take part in discussion.

The aim of the conference is to explore how museums can fulfil their potential to support environmental sustainability, and connect people with the natural world. It is aimed at museum workers of all kinds, environmental educators, conservationists, scientific researchers, artists, naturalists, teachers, funders and the biological recording community—and anyone else who is interested in exploring innovative ways to connect people with nature.

To attend Please email David Gelsthorpe (david.gelsthorpe@manchester.ac.uk) with your name, organisation (if any) and whether you want to attend Day 1, Day 2 or Both Days.

Merseyside Nature

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WINTER WANDERINGS - Tony Carter January is not generally regarded as the time of year to look for fungi.

However, there are a few winter specialists that flourish quite happily. It is also when the bracket and crust fungi come into their own, many shedding their spores at this time of year.

An interesting collection of Geastrum striatum under Cupressus leylandii in Calderstones Park. This is an uncommon species that also grows under Cupressus at Allerton Towers Park. One to look out for although difficult to spot in the leaf litter.

In damp chambers, crevices on the underside of fallen branches and old stumps, protected from the weather, numerous tiny Ascomycetes (spore shooters) can be found. They also colonise leaf and needle litter, dead twigs, canes and stems from many plants. Many are almost invisible to the naked eye, more easily located with a good eyeglass but their structure only becomes evident under a microscope.

They can be all sorts of shapes – cushions, cups, discs, spots, pimples. Some are common and easily recognised. In most cases the genus can be ascertained but exact identification is difficult as there are thousands of species, many not formally identified. Finding the relevant literature is a problem.

A particularly hardy species is Flammulina velutipes (Velvet Shank), often found grouped on stumps in most south Liverpool parks. It can withstand being frozen.

Geastrum striatum – Calderstones Park A couple of the larger species of Ascomycetes to look out for.

Sarcoscypha austriaca (Scarlet Elf Cup), this group at Allerton Golf Course and also to be found at Clarke Gardens.

Flammulina velutipes – Childwall Woods So can Lepista species (Blewits). I recorded Lepista saeva (Field Blewit) at the entrance to Allerton Golf Course on the 21st of November. It was still there on the 31st January, admittedly a bit bedraggled. Pretty tough.

Aleuria aurantia (Orange Peel Fungus), seen growing on a stony drive-

Lepista saeva – Allerton Golf Course

Aleuria aurantia (Orange Peel Fungus)

way in Allerton Road, Liverpool.

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WINTER WANDERINGS - Tony Carter A number of smaller species have also been collected during January in south Liverpool. Many of these grow only during winter months.

The pictures are taken through a microscope at x 40 which shows you how small these are.

The question is why they are so colourful? As we cannot see them with the naked eye who will appreciate them?

Lachnum virgineum (Snowy Disco) - Calderstones

Scutellinia scutella, (Eyelash Fungus), Otterspool

Bisporella citrina (Lemon Disco) - Calderstones

Nectria coccinea, Clarke Gardens

Orbilia delicatula, Hardy Reserve

Tapesia fusca, Calderstones

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THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE ALDER WOODWASP - Jim Pearson The amazing complexity of the life of the Alder Wood-Wasp and its ‘enemies’ was revealed through a remarkable study by Gerald Harvey Thompson, one of the founding members of Oxford Scientific Films (OSF).

Alder Woodwasp ( Xiphydria camelus): Sanja5678, Wiki Commons: Accessed, 10/2/15

Figure 1: Gerald Harvey Thompson, OBE. MA. M.Sc. (Oxon). Hon. FRPS. (1917-2002 http://worldeducationalfilms.com/ gerald-harvey-thompson/

He became interested in wildlife film -making whilst working as a lecturer at the University of Oxford. He realised that moving images, rather than still-life photographs, would be much better at showing how these insects behaved. Along with Eric Skinner, he developed novel techniques in filming insects without over-heating the subjects and overcoming the problems of vibration when using closeup photographic techniques. Thompson sacrificed a new car to buy his first cine camera, promptly submitting his and Skinner’s first film - The Alder Woodwasp and its Insect Enemies to the 1960 BBC/Council for Nature Film Competition. With an impressive combination of detailed entomological knowledge, skillful manipulation and exceptional macrophotography, this intriguing film won the event and was broadcast nationally a year later, on the BBC's Look strand.

It is this film that inspired this article.

The Alder wood-wasp (Xiphydria camelus) along with bees, wasps, ants, sawflies etc. belong to the insect order Hymenoptera (membranouswinged) and family Xiphydriidae. Both genders are about the size of common wasps) After mating the female Xiphydria explores the bark in a dead or dying alder or beech tree before drilling an egg-shaft at the bottom of which she lays her eggs. The females have structures called 'mycangia' which carry fungal spores that can create an area of decay in the wood so that the larvae have either softer timber to chew on or fungal material to eat..

An early hazard for the eggs after they are laid comes in the form of a parasitic wasp called Aulacus striatus, which lays her eggs in the eggs of the Alder Wood-Wasp using the tunnels already made by the host.

Our new volunteer Jim Pearson provides insight into a lecture delivered

Aulacus is actually a parasitoid,

by Dr James

which is an insect whose females lay their eggs mostly on other insects and whose larvae feed on the host (in this case the Xiphydria) and eventually kill it; unlike a true parasite, however, they ultimately sterilise or kill the host.

Chubb in the

The Alder wood-wasp’s eggs hatch with the Aulacus, which feeds inside it on its blood.

referencing the

Department of Zoology at Liverpool University work of Gerald Thompson

Figure 3: Aulacus striatus : bembix.de

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THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE ALDER WOODWASP - Jim Pearson The process whereby the wasp’s venom only partially paralyses the host, which recovers and continues to develop only being killed when the parasitoid reaches maturity, is called koinobiosis, which is what occurs with the Aulacus grub.

The wood-wasp’s problems do not end there, however as, at a later stage, when the Xiphydria larvae are almost fully developed; a female ichneumon fly (Rhyssella approximator = Rhyssella curvipes - the name Rhyssella is of Welsh origin meaning "enthusiastic” or “eager”) arrives on the scene where it can sense the location of the larvae, piercing the wood with her ovipositor and laying an egg which will hatch to feed inside the unfortunate Xiphydria larva.

However, when the Rhysella has completed egg-laying and withdraws her ovipositor, a female of second species of ichneumon, Pseudorhyssa alpestris, which has been watching the activities of the Rhysella inserts her narrower ovipositor down the Rhysella’s egg-shaft (she cannot drill a hole herself) and deposits her own egg, which is considerably larger than the Rhysella’s, on the same paralysed Xiphydria larva.

The Pseudorhyssa egg hatches before that of the Rhysella; the Pseudorhyssa larva, which bears mandibles, explores the Xiphydria until it finds the Rhysella egg, which it then proceeds to bite and kill.

After that it develops as an idiobiont parasitoid, on the stolen host.

Idiobiont parasitoids prevent further development of the host after initial parasitic infection. Almost without exception idiobiont parasitoids live outside the host.

Figure 4:

Rhyssella approximator

ovipositors of Rhyssa. They also demonstrated considerable probing on filter papers treated with Rhyssa vaginal gland extract.

If this were not enough, there is a fourth parasitoid Xiphydriophaga meyerinckii, a small chalcid wasp that crawls down the tunnels made by the wood-wasp larvae and lays her eggs on the body of the living grub which she has paralysed by stinging it.

Jim continues the fascinating tale of hyperparasitism and the Alder Woodwasp

More details on the Alder Woodwasp can be found on the National Biodiversity Network's (NBN) gateway https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/ NBNSYS0000164710 Jim Pearson

In the laboratory Pseudorhyssae females can be stimulated to probe through holes in paper made by the

References to above article Gerald – Main Bio | World Educational Films http://worldeducationalfilms.com/gerald-harvey-thompson/ Look: The Alder Woodwasp and its Insect Enemies (1960) http://www.wildfilmhistory.org/film/261/ The+Alder+Woodwasp+and+its+Insect+Enemies.html Brede High Woods: Alder wood-wasp joins barbecue http://bredehighwoods.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/alder-wood-wasp-joinsbarbecue.html

The Braconid and Ichneumonid Parasitoid Wasps: Biology, Systematics, Evolution and Ecology: Donald L. J. Quicke https://books.google.co.uk/books? id=dtu6BQAAQBAJ&source=gbs_slider_cls_metadata_0_mylibrary

Xiphydria camelus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Alder Woodwasp) http://www.bioinfo.org.uk/html/Xiphydria_camelus.htm New Scientist - Vol. 85, No. 1190 - 17 Jan 1980 - Page 176 - Google Books Result https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Ctnlm20EWnIC National Biodiversity Network's (NBN) gateway https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NBNSYS0000164710

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COURT HEY BROOK, Liverpool/Knowsley: SJ 418902: A Local Wildlife Site - Hugh Harris The opposite bank on the housing estate side is steep, shady and mostly covered and stabilised with tall nettles and ruderal species or bare soil. In places the bank has been faced with a concrete or sandbag revetment and there are several concrete outfalls into the open channel.

To a recorder, the water quality is variable; clear, shallow and visibly polluted in places whilst it is dark, deep and hiding debris in others. Historically, the brook has suffered from ‘wrong connections’ to the domestic washing machine which has contributed to the high levels of phosphorous in the brook.

Domestic detergents are responsible for 15-20% of phosphorous in effluents. The water quality has improved but there is still potential for Court Hey Brook to increase in water quality and ecology.

Court Hey Brook, one of the Ditton tributaries forming a boundary of the City of Liverpool, flows on the surface of Court Hey Park and then through a culvert to Bowring Park.

With restoration, Court Hey Brook could become an amenity feature and increase the biodiversity value in species and habitats within the park and beyond it improve the water quality of the Ditton Brook catchment.

The course of the brook has changed little since the days of the Gladstone family (1836-1919) in residence in the park. There has been some planting and use of the land near the brook for wildflowers and seed-eating birds. Semi-natural scrub containing young trees has developed in unmown areas. Small patches of the mown grassy areas next to the brook remain wet and boggy and have been used for marsh wildflower planting.

The park is well-used and appreciated by the local community and improving the brook would significantly enhance the character of the park.

In its present location and vegetative state the brook provides increased security for properties backing onto the park but is underused as an amenity or environmental resource. However any change to the brook and park would need the support of the community and the active Friends of Court Hey Park who since 1995 have continued to volunteer their time to work for the local community and help conserve and improve the park.

The success of any proposal or bid for funding for a restoration project is dependent on the approval and support of the National Wildflower Centre, Landlife, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC), the Friends of Court Hey Park and the local community working together.

If left to the developer then the future of the brook looks uncertain and it could not only lose its designation of Local Wildlife Site but also Liverpool could lose underground another of its rivers, streams or brooks that appeared on Sherriff’s map of 1816, almost two hundred years ago.

References: ‘Underground Liverpool’, Jim Moore. “A History of Court Hey Park”, George Peet. Ms Paula Cass, M.Sc. at Liverpool University

Generally the brook is hidden from view and inaccessible owing to the tall nettles, brambles, overgrown shrubs or trees.

Hugh@MBAN

A recent Knowsley Park user survey estimated the number and general profile of its park users. The survey used the data to understand why and by whom green spaces are used, and how sites might be enhanced to further increase their value and usage.

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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 always 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

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UP-COMING EVENTS Booking is essential for these events Call 01519342964

Lancashire Wildlife Trust Events

Friends of MSW Talk - Wigan Flashes

Warton Crag NR - Practical Work Party

Wed, 15/04/2015 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Thu, 19/02/2015 - 10:00am - 3:00pm - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

www.seftoncoast.org.uk 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”

Venue: Crag Road Join our practical work group as we carry out important seasonal tasks at Warton Crag Nature Reserve.

More event info South Pennines Grasslands - restoration work party Fri, 20/02/2015 - 10:00am - 3:00pm - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Venue: Eastgate, Whitworth Join our practical group as we work to restore Spodden Valley Grasslands near Rochdale.

More event info Biodiverse Society Project Volunteer Recruitment Event Sat, 21/02/2015 - 11:00am - 2:00pm - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Venue: 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.

More event info Friends of MSW - Dawn Chorus Sat, 09/05/2015 - 4:00am - 7:00am - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Venue: 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.

More event info Bird Watching and Beyond Course Detailed Description

Fri, 13/03/2015 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Part Time Course £225 Includes monthly seminar and field trip One Wednesday every month “Edge Hill University are offering a part-time course which involves a mixture of field excursions and a taught programme. On one Wednesday of every month there will be a seminar at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk in the BioSciences building (at 7.00 pm).

Sunday 29 March

Join us for the North Lancs Wildlife Group's monthly meeting - featuring a talk by a local Biodiversity expert.

All are welcome to come along to the North Lancashire Wildlife Group's monthly meeting.

The evening will also be headlined by a fascinating talk entitled 'The Ecology, Management & Wildlife of the United Utilities Bowland Estate' by biodviversity officer Pete Wilson.

These Wednesday sessions will be followed by a full -day field excursion on either the following Saturday or Sunday. These field trips will focus on bird identification and will initially take advantage of the many varied local sites. Trips further afield will be used to extend your experience. The taught programme will involve informal seminars that will deal with the principles which underpin birdwatching.

Tidy up the Tideline at Marshside

See http://www.nlwg.co.uk for more details.

“The walks will take you through a variety of habitats including woodlands, sand dunes and beach walks” Why not visit Facebook page SeftonCoast?

Venue: Berkeley Drive Find out all about our exciting new Biodiversity project and have a chat with the Project Team.

More event info

RSPB Tel: 01704 226190 Friday 20 February Big Tide Bird Walk at Marshside

Friends of MSW - Brown Hare Project Wildlife Home Event at Marshside

Wed, 25/03/2015 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Sunday 19 April

Venue: Mere Sands Wood nature reserve

Thursday 9 April

Big Tide Bird Walk at Marshside

More event info

This will cover the biological topics relevant to birds including bird anatomy and physiology, general ecology and population dynamics, migration, the principles of census techniques, conservation etc. In addition to reinforcing your existing knowledge, this course should also help you to take your birdwatching further.”