Merseyside Nature (2015 May-June)

May/June 2015 Issue 27

Merseyside Nature Friends of Merseyside BioBank

Phil Smith continues his excellent articles on the Sefton Coast for the months of May and June Lost and Found Fungi Project

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

Breaking News: Why not sign up for one of the free courses with the Biodiverse Society. Pg 24.

National Bat Monitoring Scheme

We would like to thank, in particular, Dr Phil Smith for allowing us to re-publish all his excellent contributions in this month’s issue

Grasses of the Sefton Coast

Alan Conliffe spotted this Magpie moth (Abraxas grossulariata) at Huyton SJ 42657 90925 on 4/7/15

Isle of Man Cabbage Surveys National Trust Coastal Bioblitz Pondnet

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

Inside this issue: Wildlife Notes May and June 2-4,, 9-10 Lost and Found Project

5

Grasses of Sefton Coast

6-7

Bat Monitoring Scheme

8

Isle of Man Cabbage Survey 11-15

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.

Coastal Bioblitz

16-17

Pondnet

18

Please E-Mail your work to:

NWFG Programme

19

newsletter@activenaturalist.org.uk

MBAN Images

20-21

National Plant Monitoring

22

Event Summary

23-24

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) at Thingwall Hall. Photograph by Richard Milligan, 17/6/2015

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WILDLIFE NOTES MAY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith Persistent cold winds from the west and northwest were an unwelcome feature of May this year. Although these reduced the variety of migrant birds and slowed the appearance of wild flowers and insects, our coastline still produced plenty of interest.

Fortunately, occasional rain meant that what little surface water remained from the April drought was kept topped up. Therefore Natterjack tadpoles on Birkdale Green Beach survived throughout the month, though their growth rate was slower than normal.

Devil’s Hole at Ravenmeols remained dry throughout but, early in the month, I had a first sighting here of the rare coastal form of Groundsel, while masses of the stunning sky-blue Heath Dog-violet vied for attention with the first flowers of Common Milk-wort.

In this case the latter were pink, though white or various shades of blue and purple are also regular in this variable species.

A passing walker commented on the large number of “bugs” flying around.

They were St Mark’s flies, named after St Mark’s day, 25 th April, though these harmless black hairy flies with dangling legs often swarm well into May. Their larvae feed on rotting vegetation in the soil, the adults often nectaring on willow catkins.

Whimbrell (Numenius phaeopus), M. Baird, WikiCommons

Common Milk-wort (Polygala vulgaris )

St Mark’s fly (Bibio marci)

The following day, I was exploring the Cabin Hill frontal dunes where the vegetation is now completely recovered from the big fire two years ago. The retreating tide revealed thousands of waders massing on the shore, their migration to northern breeding grounds blocked by adverse winds.

Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella), Steve Garvie, WikiCommons

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WILDLIFE NOTES MAY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith Six Whimbrel flew inland, their characteristic call reminiscent of a man whistling his dog, while the harsh cries of Sandwich Terns could be heard over the distant sound of the surf. A singing Grasshopper Warbler perched in full view only 20m away in a Hawthorn bush, giving my best ever views of this usually skulking songster.

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) Nearby, a female Whinchat was another reminder of spring in the dunes. Once a breeder here, it only appears on passage these days.

Two visits to The Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Haskayne Cutting Nature Reserve a few miles inland were rewarded with a male Brimstone, a butterfly that seems to be increasing locally, as well as the more usual Orange Tips.

Also doing well here is the Northern Marsh-orchid, Patricia Lockwood and I counting 529 deep-purple flower-spikes where annual late-summer mowing maintains suitable habitat.

Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella)

We also went to Crosby, Blundellsands and Hightown to monitor the Isle of Man Cabbage. This is one of the most important Sefton Coast plants, being largely confined to northwest England shores.

It is also a British endemic, not found in any other country.

The good news is that the Isle of Man Cabbage is flourishing. It likes bare sand and has benefited from the disturbance caused by the 2011 sea-defence works at Crosby and Hightown.

The Blundellsands colony hadn’t been counted since 2010, so we were pleased to record a 14% increase from 514 to 588 plants.

On our way to Blundellsands, we spotted an impressive stand of fumitories lining the roadside opposite Little Crosby Church. Always a challenge to identify, these turned out to be mostly the regionally rare salmon-pink Tall Ramping-fumitory of the endemic western variety hibernica.

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Charles Sharp, WikiCommons

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WILDLIFE NOTES MAY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith Apart from the Sefton Coast, this nationally rare insect is only known from Drigg, Cumbria, where past literature suggested it was declining. However, a 2014 paper by Hewitt & Thomas in Lakeland Naturalist reports that 1570 beetles were counted during three visits in summer 2013, indicating that the population is healthy and maybe even larger than Sefton’s.

Isle of Man Cabbage (Coincya monensis): D.Bellamy, WikiCommons

Equally attractive were occasional plants of Common Fumitory and Common Ramping-fumitory, while the presence of the much rarer Purple Rampingfumitory was a strong possibility, though not confirmed.

There are not many records of Northern Dune Tiger Beetle south of the Alt, so on a suitably sunny day in mid-May I searched areas of the Hightown dunes with patches of bare sand. The ridges near the Sailing Club created during the 2011 coast protection scheme produced an exceptional count of 13 adults. Nine more were on the open frontal dunes further south.

Tall Ramping Furmitory(Fumaria bastardii), Little Crosby, 20/5/2015

FURTHER REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECT LEAVES - Courtesy of Steve J. McWilliam

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

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

A simple methodology is shown at the Culham Research Group. It involves volunteers collecting leaves, similar to those shown above and posting them for analysis. The Royal Horticultural Society, partnered by Reading University, is again mapping this potentially problematic infection that is unsightly and damaging to plants.

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

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

The research group will feedback the identity of any infected leaves that you send.

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THE LOST AND FOUND FUNGI PROJECT - Tony Carter A rust fungus Chrysomyxa pirolata on Wintergreen With financial support from the EsmĂŠe Fairbairn Foundation, Kew has embarked on the Lost & Found Fungi Project, a five-year UK fungal research programme in partnership with the volunteer science community. With support from Kew, local fungus recording groups are carrying out surveys and monitoring exercises for a set of 100 species that are currently assumed to be rare, to establish whether they are still extant in the UK and, if so, whether their distributions are larger or smaller than are known at present and whether they are threatened.

One such species is Chrysomyxa pirolata, a rust fungus that grows on Pyrola rotundifolia subsp. maritima (Wintergreen). This plant grows on the Sefton Cost and the fungus was last recorded on the Ainsdale & Birkdale Sandhills Reserve. It is listed as an endangered conservation species.

So off I went to Ainsdale on a very blustery day. First find your Wintergreen. Not being much of a botanist, I received some good advice on identification and where to find it from a colleague at the Liverpool Botanical Society, and the Head Ranger who also advised it was not in flower.

I started in the Birkdale side of the reserve. I was in luck. It had started to flower. I found four large patches of plants. The rust grows on the underside of the leaf so I had to turn each leaf to see if it was present. After two hours of searching there was no sign of any rust.

So I went south to the Ainsdale side of the reserve, along the marked track round a large dry slack. I came across a very large patch of Wintergreen on a hillock.

As I stood pondering the mass of leaves to be examined I had a bit of luck. There was a strong gust of wind. Some of the leaves flapped and i caught a glimpse of orange. I pounced. There it was - Chrysomyxa pirolata.

I could only find a small patch of rust but some was seen on the top side of one of the leaves and a few on the petioles, a fact I had not seen mentioned in any of the literature.

I took a few samples and having satisfied myself, after microscopic examination, that my identification was correct, I dried and pressed it. I sent it to Kew Herbarium where it was confirmed by Dr. Martyn Ainsworth. It was he who had previously found this species, at Ainsdale, very near to my find.

For more information see http://fungi.myspecies.info/content/lost-found-fungi-project

I’m sure Tony would welcome information on any new finds by volunteer naturalists

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GRASSES OF THE SEFTON COAST, NORTH MERSEYSIDE - Dr Phil Smith, May 2015 Members of the family Poaceae, grasses, comprise one of the largest groups of flowering plants and are of great ecological and commercial importance. Worldwide, there are about 11,000 species, the Handbook of Grasses of the British Isles, describing 220, together with many sub-species and hybrids (Cope & Gray, 2009).

That the Sefton Coast supports 42% of British grass species seems remarkable, bearing in mind that that many are restricted either to southern parts of the country or montane habitats and are therefore unlikely to occur here.

Vulpia fasciculata Green Beach 20 5 2014 Mibora mimina Southport 29 3 11

The Sefton Coast, north Merseyside (v.c. 59), supports a wide range of habitats including the largest sand-dune system in England and extensive salt-marshes. A recently updated inventory of vascular plants for the Sefton Coast lists 1345 vascular plants (species, subspecies and hybrids) for the coastal zone of which 1204 occur in the dune system (Smith, 2015).

Most of them are relatively common and widespread but 14 (13%) of the species are listed as regionally or nationally notable. The latter include Mibora minima (Early Sand-grass), said to be the smallest grass in the World and present in abundance on dunes at Southport in one of its few British localities (Smith et al., 2011).

Another national rarity is Corynephorus canescens (Grey Hair-grass), mainly known from East Anglia and Jersey but found in some quantity on Southport & Ainsdale Golf Course (Smith, 2008).

Corynephorus canescens

The inventory total of 105 taxa consisted of 92 species, six subspecies, six hybrids and one variety. Ninety-seven of the taxa were recorded in the dune system, the remaining eight being found in the coastal zone away from the duneland.

Twenty-six (25%) of them are non-native and two (2%) are considered extinct.

Phleum arenarium Green Beach 4 6 12

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GRASSES OF THE SEFTON COAST, NORTH MERSEYSIDE - Dr Phil Smith, May 2015 The dune system also supports important populations of the Nationally Scarce Vulpia fasciculata (Dune Fescue), this being largely confined to dunes and sandy shingle on west and south-west coasts.

A majority of the coastal grasses are associated with the sand-dunes, including the characteristic dune-building species: Elytrigia juncea (Sand Couch), Leymus arenarius (Lyme-grass) and Ammophila arenaria (Marram), these being abundant on the youngest embryo and mobile dunes. Slightly older fixed-dunes are initially dominated by Festuca rubra (Red Fescue) together with several Poa species (Meadow-grass).

However, over time calcium carbonate is leached from the sand, leading to more acidic soil conditions and an increase in grasses such as Agrostis capillaris (Common Bent) and Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernalgrass). Open patches in the fixed-dunes form an important habitat for a suite of winter-annuals, including Aira praecox (Early Hair-grass), A. caryophyllea (Silver Hair-grass) and the regionally notable Phleum arenarium (Sand Cat’s-tail), in addition to Vulpia bromoides (Squirreltail Fescue) and V. fasciculata.

Increasingly, areas of fixed and semi-fixed dune are being colonised by the tall nutrient-demanding Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oat-grass) and Dactylis glomerata (Cock’s-foot), perhaps reflecting eutrophication caused by aerial deposition of nitrogen.

Older dune grasslands often contain some of the latter two species but also, more locally, the distinctive Avenula pubescens (Downy Oat-grass), Trisetum flavescens (Yellow Oat-grass) and Briza media (Quakinggrass).

Seasonally-flooded dune-slacks and other freshwater wetlands are characterised by Agrostis stolonifera (Creeping Bent), with occasional stands of Phragmites australis (Common Reed) or Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary-grass). Calamagrostis epigejos (Wood Small-reed) is rare but dominant where it occurs.

Drier slacks often have abundant Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire-fog), while a few deeper water-bodies support the regionally notable Catabrosa aquatica (Whorl-grass) and Glyceria spp. (Sweet-grass).

The eastern fringe of the duneland includes areas of dune-heath and acid grassland, in which Festuca ovina (Sheep’s-fescue), Deschampsia flexuosa (Wavy Hair-grass) and Nardus stricta (Mat-grass) are important components, while Danthonia decumbens (Heath Grass) and Festuca filiformis (Fine-leaved Fescue) are harder to find. Damper areas within this grassland type may support Agrostis canina (Velvet Bent).

Salt-marshes at the mouths of the Ribble and Alt Estuaries and in places along Birkdale Green Beach provide a rather different grassland community.

Early colonisers are Puccinellia maritima (Common Saltmarsh-grass) and Spartina anglica (Common Cord-grass), the latter being much less prevalent and vigorous than some decades ago.

The upper marsh is dominated by Festuca rubra ssp. litoralis, sometimes with patches of Parapholis strigosa (Hard-grass), while areas affected by tidal drift and freshwater run-off have abundant Agrostis stolonifera and large stands of Elytrigia repens (Common Couch). Elytrigia atherica (Sea Couch) appears to be extinct in the vice-county but its hybrid with E. juncea (E. × acuta) still occurs in a few coastal sites.

Finally, several non-native species may appear as casuals on disturbed ground or strand-lines, including Anisantha diandra (Great Brome), Avena spp. (Oat), Echinochloa crus-galli (Cockspur), Panicum miliaceum (Common Millet), Phalaris canariensis (Canary-grass) and Triticum spp.

(Wheat). A number of other alien grasses are potential additions to the list.

References

Calamagrostis epigejos Ainsdale 14 07 09

Cope, T. & Gray, A. (2009). Grasses of the British Isles. BSBI Handbook no.

13. Botanical Society of the British Isles, London.

Smith, P.H. (2008). Corynephorus canescens (L.) P. Beauv. (Grey Hairgrass) on the Sefton Coast, Merseyside (v.c. 59). Watsonia 27: 149-157.

Smith, P.H. (2015). A revision of the inventory of vascular plants for the Sefton Coast, north Merseyside (v.c. 59, South Lancashire), with particular reference to the 2014 Red List for England. BSBI News 129: 36-40.

Smith, P.H., Highfield, C.M. & Lockwood, P.A. (2011). Changing status of Mibora minima on the Sefton Coast, Merseyside (v.c. 59). BSBI News :118: 28-34.

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NATIONAL BAT MONITORING PROGRAMME - Ben Deed British Bats need help. Populations of these fascinating creatures of myth and legend have crashed in this country and around the world over the last century.

In this country we are fortunate that all British bats are protected by law. However, this alone is not enough.

To help them to recover we need to be able to put conservation action in place, ensuring that the right conditions exist for their numbers to increase. To be able to conserve them we need to understand and monitor their progress. We can only do this with your help.

The National Bat Monitoring Programme is a series of long term monitoring surveys led by the Bat Conservation Trust and carried out entirely by volunteer effort. You don't need to be a bat expert or have fancy equipment and in fact for some of the surveys you don't even need to identify any of them!

Training is run throughout the year by the Bat Conservation Trust and also local bat groups including the Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group and South Lancashire Bat Group. By registering with the BCT you'll also get a full survey pack and instructions.

It really is a great way to make a long lasting and high impact contribution to Bat conservation in the UK while also discovering and learning about these incredible animals.

The Surveys; There are a variety of surveys depending on your experience and the amount of time you can put in. Full information on each is available on the Bat Conservation trust website. http://nbmp.bats.org.uk/Surveys.aspx If you would like more information or to register as a volunteer on any of the surveys then contact nbmp@bats.org.uk and also let us know, we may be able to help with resources or training (ben.deed@merseysidebiobank.org.uk).

Sunset/Sunrise Survey By taking part in the Sunset/Sunrise Survey you can find out about your local bats and help us find new bat roosts. Anyone can take part in this survey by looking for bats and their roosts in your garden or local green space. This survey takes place annually and this year you can take part anytime throughout June, July and August.

This survey is aimed at beginners and you don’t need any previous bat experience to take part. It is an excellent way of contributing to the monitoring programme if you are new to bat surveying.

Roost Count If you have bats in your property then you can help us by taking part in the Roost Counts. You count the numbers of bats emerging from roosts at sunset on two evenings during the summer survey period. The species we focus on are Common and Soprano Pipistrelle, Natterer's bat and brown long-eared bat You choose your own roost, so you will need to know of a roost site that you can count (usually in a building) to take part in this survey.

Field Survey Use your knowledge of bat detecting by taking part in the Field Survey. For this survey, you are asked to design and walk a triangular route in a 1km square that we randomly allocate to you on two evenings in July. You will use a bat detector to record Noctule, Serotine, Common Pipistrelle and Soprano Pipistrelle bat activity (species you may encounter depends on where you live in the UK).

You will need a bat detector to take part in this survey. You will also need to have some experience of how to identify common British bat species using your bat detector.

Waterway Survey Help us find out how Daubenton’s bat populations are doing by taking part in the Waterway Survey. For this survey, you walk a route along a 1km stretch of water randomly allocated to you (this will always be close to where you live) on two evenings during August. You record Daubenton’s bat activity using a bat detector to listen to the bats and a torch to spot them flying over the water.

You will need a bat detector and a torch to take part. You will also need some experience of listening for Daubenton’s bats using your bat detector.

Nathusius' Pipistrelle Survey This survey is aimed at improving our knowledge of the distribution of Nathusius’ Pipistrelle. You will walk a 1km route around a lake that is allocated to you on two evenings in September. Ideally, you will use a broadband bat detector to make recordings of bat activity and listen for Nathusius’ Pipistrelles.

You will need a bat detector (preferably a broadband detector) to take part.

Hibernation Survey Bats are monitored over the winter months through our Hibernation Surveys. In this survey, experienced bat workers count bats in hibernation roosts in January and February each year.

To take part in this survey you need to hold a hibernation licence or know of a licensed surveyor who can accompany you.

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WILDLIFE NOTES JUNE 2015 - Dr Phil Smith

Isle of Man Cabbage (Coincya monensis)

A spectacular display of Orchids at Ainsdale despite the cold and dry spring A big turn out at the National Trust Bioblitz

A desperately dry month spelt disaster for the few sanddune wetlands still holding enough surface water to support Natterjack tadpoles and contributed to several large fires in the dunes. On 9th, Patricia Lockwood and I netted and relocated about 2000 tadpoles on the southern section of Birkdale Green Beach to 12cm depth of water. However, lack of rain meant the site had dried up by 22 nd. Indeed, it seems likely that there will be a complete breeding failure this year.

The legacy of a cold spring resulted in most plants and insects being about two weeks later than usual but, despite the drought, our duneland orchids put on a spectacular show.

Although we must have missed lots, my friends and I counted an astonishing 1390 Bee Orchids in an area of frontal dunes measuring about 200 x 30m north of Shore Road, Ainsdale.

Here were also plenty of shocking-pink Pyramidal Orchids, as well as Southern and Early marsh-orchids in the damper hollows. Orchids are notoriously promiscuous and we found some particularly fine plants of Southern Marshorchid x Common Spotted-orchid hybrids, these dramatic spikes being appropriately named Dactylorhiza Ă— grandis.

Orchids also featured at Haskayne Cutting Nature Reserve.

Here carefully timed mowing over several years has resulted in a steady increase in numbers, culminating this month in nearly 900 Northern Marsh-orchids, 65 Early Marsh-orchids and ten Bee Orchids. Some of the northerns may be hybrids with the rather similar Southern Marsh-orchid but determination of these requires an expert, so I may have to send photographs to Prof. Bateman at Kew.

Patricia Lockwood and I completed the major survey I mentioned last month of the Isle of Man Cabbage, updating information last obtained in 2012/13. The news is good, with an overall increase of 21% in the numbers of plants at four localities.

It was especially pleasing to find 22 individuals at Southport Marine Lake dunes, as we thought it was extinct here. Another boost was 211 plants on the shore dunes at Crosby, confirming the success of a rescue operation that had introduced transplants to this ridge during the 2011 coast-protection scheme.

Yellow Horned-poppy (Glaucium flavum)

Following up a report by Pete Kinsella, we visited Hightown on 24th to look for Yellow Horned-poppy on the artificial shingle beach. Sure enough, 16 specimens were counted, many of them in flower.

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WILDLIFE NOTES JUNE 2015 - Dr Phil Smith

Phil leads visitors from the Nantes Botanical Society on a guided walk

Nantes Botany Group Green Beach 27/6/15

None was seen last year and we were worried that the big storm surges in the 2013/14 winter had wiped it out.

Another shingle specialist, the Sea-kale, is down to one individual but, encouragingly, we found several plants of Rock Samphire.

Nearby, several pink and white-striped flowers of the rare Sea Bindweed at one of its old-established colonies and three Broadbodied Chasers at two excavated scrapes added to an entertaining afternoon.

It’s always enjoyable to share the riches of our coast with likeminded enthusiasts but not often do we have visitors from France. Eighteen members of the Nantes Botanical Society joined me on 27th for a guided walk from Ainsdale-on-Sea northwards to the Green Beach. Amongst a wealth of flowering plants, they were delighted to see such northern and western specialities as Variegated Horsetail, Slender Spike-rush and Baltic Rush, the latter at its only English location. The orchids were popular, of course, but equally impressive were great drifts of golden Kidney Vetch dominating the landscape.

Another big event was the National Trust’s “Bioblitz” on 20 th.

Again, there was a big turn-out for a botanical foray at Formby Point, the highlights including Pyramidal Orchids, Changing Forget-me-not, Common Wintergreen (a Sefton Coast rarity) and the always hard to find Smooth Cat’s-ear.

The month ended with a brief heat-wave and a visit to a friend’s large garden pond at Hillside. The benefits to wildlife of these features are well-established, especially if they are not stocked with fish, which tend to eat everything.

While enjoying a much needed cool drink, I recorded six species of dragonfly and damselfly, a big surprise being a male Banded Demoiselle.

This is a running-water species whose nearest population is on Downholland Book about 3 miles away. However, one had also been reported the previous day at a Birkdale scrape, so the high temperatures must have got them moving.

BREAKING NEWS JULY 2015 — Chris Storey Chris Storey was on the dunes at Ainsdale 10th July 2015, just north of Sands Lake, and saw a dragonfly that he could not be recognise flying around. Watching for a while it settled and a few photos were taken of it. Looking at the photos it looks like a Southern Migrant Hawker, Aeshna affinis.

“Obviously, this is an incredible record. According to the recent national Atlas the previous northernmost record is just south of The Wash! “, Phil Smith,

from Ainsdale-onSea to the Green Beach

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SEFTON COAST ISLE OF MAN CABBAGE SURVEYS, Philip H. Smith & Patricia A. Lockwood, June 2015 Summary All the known Sefton sites for the British endemic Isle of Man Cabbage (Coincya monensis ssp. monensis) were visited in late May/early June 2015 and numbers of plants counted. At Crosby Marine Park, where sand was removed from a dune ridge for a 2011 coast protection scheme, 1361 plants were found on the extracted ridge while 211 were counted on the outer shore dunes that had been used as a donor site for a translocation in 2011. Representing an overall increase of 32% since 2013, these results were thought likely to be underestimates due to the large number of small non-flowering rosettes. The latter suggested an excellent rate of recruitment. Six sites at Hightown dunes contributed 135 plants. This decline of 39% from 2013 was thought due to coastal erosion of part of the plant’s habitat. The Blundellsands population, unaffected by the coast protection project, has increased by 19% from 493 individuals in 2012 to 588 currently. At Southport Marine Lake dunes, the colony was thought to be extinct, so it was a surprise to find 22 plants compared with only nine in 2010 and none in 2012. The reappearance of Coincya, probably from seed, was thought to be due to the restoration of recreational disturbance following the deterioration of fencing erected by the land-owner in 2007.

Overall, 2317 plants were counted, an increase of 21% on the 1908 individuals found during 2012 and 2013 surveys. This study confirmed the importance of open plant communities for the maintenance of Coincya populations, the plant being susceptible to competition from closed vegetation.

Introduction The Sefton Coast is one of the major British localities for the nationally scarce endemic Coincya monensis ssp. monensis (Isle of Man Cabbage) (Hipkin & Facey, 2009). This report updates studies by Smith & Lockwood (2012a; b; 2013), who described the effects of the 2011 Crosby/Hightown coast protection scheme on this plant. In summary, the works removed a dune ridge at Crosby occupied by the then largest Sefton Coast population, 30,000 tonnes of sand being transported to Hightown where it was used for beach replenishment. In a rescue operation, volunteers transplanted a large number of seedlings to two ostensibly suitable receptor sites at Crosby and Birkdale.

Monitoring in 2012 located small surviving populations at the receptor sites but mortality of transplants appeared to be over 90%. Low translocation success at Crosby seemed to be attributable to winter sand-blow and heavy public pressure, while vegetation overgrowth may have been an adverse factor at Birkdale. An unexpected finding was that the original Crosby colony survived the removal of most of its habitat, about 1300 plants being counted on the levelled dune area.

More than half were small seedlings, presumably derived from buried seed. Also, over 200 Isle of Man Cabbage plants were discovered on a new coastal defence bund at Hightown, together with three on sand-ridges created as ecological mitigation on the former works compound area. These had evidently arisen from propagules transported from Crosby.

Further monitoring took place at Crosby, Hightown and Birkdale during summer 2013. At Crosby, the inner dune ridge supported 1170 Coincya plants, a 12% loss from the previous year being attributable to heavy public pressure and consequent wind erosion. However, the colony had expanded by about 70m to the north and 30m to the south of its previous extent. Only 23 plants were found at the transplant site on the frontal ridge, human trampling also being a likely cause of the 41% reduction.

The new colonies at Hightown contributed a total of 222 Coincya plants in 2013, only 15 fewer than the previous year. Unfortunately, no plants were found at the Birkdale re-introduction site, it being concluded that the attempted translocation in 2011 had failed.

Monitoring in 2015 Using the same methodology, Coincya populations at Crosby and Hightown were counted in late May/early June 2015. The survey was also extended to include colonies at Blundellsands and Southport Marine Lake that were not affected by the Crosby/Hightown coast protection scheme in 2011 and were last monitored in 2012 (Smith & Lockwood, 2012b).

Crosby Our first visit to Crosby dunes was on 27 th May 2015, when a total of 1361 Coincya plants was counted in eight fenced compartments on the inner ridge, representing an increase of about 16% over the number in 2013 (Table 1). The colony extended for a linear distance of about 220m from SJ3096298439 to SJ3102798337. A majority of plants occurred in the central section, their abundance seen from a distance resembling a field of flowering Rape. As before, about half the plants had inflorescences (Fig. 1) while half were small rosettes. The habitat here remains very open and sandy due to almost unrestricted human trampling, the fences erected in 2011 (Fig. 2) having been extensively vandalized. Several active blow-outs are now much larger than two years ago.

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SEFTON COAST ISLE OF MAN CABBAGE SURVEYS, Philip H. Smith & Patricia A. Lockwood, June 2015 The sparse vegetation is dominated by patchy Ammophila arenaria (Marram) and Elytrigia juncea (Sand Couch), together with much Anthyllis vulneraria (Kidney Vetch), Eryngium maritimum (Sea Holly), Euphorbia paralias (Sea Spurge) and Oenothera spp. (Evening-primrose). A notable component is locally frequent Senecio vulgaris ssp. denticulatus, the rare coastal form of Groundsel.

The Crosby frontal ridge was searched for transplants on 6 th June 2015. In 2012 only 16 flowering and 23 non-flowering rosettes were counted so it was a surprise to find 211 Coincya plants between SJ3097698296 and SJ3095898344, a linear distance of 51m. Overall, the Crosby population has increased by 32% since 2013. Even this may have been an underestimate as, in addition to many large flowering specimens, there were large numbers of immature rosettes which are difficult to count. These observations suggest excellent recruitment at the two sites. All plants were on the crest or the eastern face of the ridge, reflecting the areas used for the original translocation. The habitat consists of mobile dune with sparse open vegetation maintained by heavy recreational trampling. Associated vascular taxa include Ammophila arenaria, Elytrigia juncea, Cirsium arvense (Creeping Thistle), Crepis vesicaria (Beaked Hawk’s-beard), Eryngium maritimum, Hypochaeris radicata (Cat’s-ear), Leymus arenarius (Lyme-grass), Senecio squalidus (Oxford Ragwort) and Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion).

As noted on previous occasions (e.g. Smith & Lockwood, 2010), the state of the Crosby dunes remains poor to the north, with heavy uncontrolled public pressure causing loss of vegetation, wind-scouring and deflation of sand onto the adjacent promenade. There remains an evident need for effective management of the sand-dunes in Crosby Marine Park. The inner ridge lies within a Local Wildlife Site designated by Sefton Borough Council, while the frontal ridge is part of the Sefton Coast SSSI/SAC. Table 1. Coincya counts at Crosby in 2015 compared with those from earlier years.

2012

2013

2015

Inner ridge

1331

1170

1361

Frontal ridge

39

23

211

Total

1370

1193

1572

Fig. 1. Coincya plant on edge of blow-out Crosby inner ridge, May 2015

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SEFTON COAST ISLE OF MAN CABBAGE SURVEYS, Philip H. Smith & Patricia A. Lockwood, June 2015

Fig. 2. 2012 aerial photo of Crosby dunes showing the v-shaped fences on the sand-extracted inner dune ridge between which Coincya plants were found

Fig. 2. Large Coincya plant derived from translocation, Crosby outer ridge, June 2015 Hightown A search of Coincya sites at Hightown dunes took place on 28 th May. The “oven� hollow in the frontal dunes east of the northern bund had 16 plants, compared with 20 in 2013. Interestingly, all were small non-flowering rosettes, despite the fact that they are at least three years old. The habitat here is a 30o south-facing slope with about 50% cover of dense Ammophila arenaria.

The sand-ridges occupying 0.5ha on the former works compound east of the Sailing Club supported 37 Coincya plants. Two were large individuals somewhat nibbled by Rabbits and first found in 2012, the rest being small rosettes derived from seed produced by these parents. Four plants had inflorescences, all being on south-facing slopes with semi-fixed dune vegetation.

South of the Sailing Club, 44 Coincya plants (13 non-flowering) were found along the eastern back-slope of the tipped sand bund in dense patchy Ammophila with occasional Salix repens (Creeping Willow) and a variety of other species typical of the transition between mobile and fixed-dunes.

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SEFTON COAST ISLE OF MAN CABBAGE SURVEYS, Philip H. Smith & Patricia A. Lockwood, June 2015 Another 19 non-flowering rosettes were on top of the bund and 18 (16 non-flowering) occupied a stand-line on the seaward (west) side, accompanied by Honckenya peploides (Sea Sandwort), Rumex crispus (Curled Dock), Beta vulgaris ssp. maritimus (Sea Beet) and other characteristic vascular taxa of this community. Table 2 compares the 2015 counts with those from earlier years. The lower totals for the southern bund are attributable to severe coastal erosion of this feature, much of which was washed onto the beach by storm surges, especially in the 2013/14 winter. Overall, the Hightown colonies have declined by 39% since 2013.

Table 2. Coincya counts at Hightown in 2015 compared with data for 2012 and 2013 2012 Northern bund

2013

2015

0

20

16

Eastern edge

50

44

44

Top

98

82

19

West face

86

51

18

Sand ridges

3

25

38

237

222

135

Southern bund

Total

Hall Road, Blundellsands The Hall Road colony originated from a translocation in 1992. Visiting on 29 th May 2015, we counted 226, 129 and 233 plants of Coincya at three almost contiguous sites between SD2993800660 and SD2986400839, a linear distance of 194m. The grand total of 588 plants represents a 19% increase on 493 in 2012 (Fig. 2). Although the habitat of fixed and semi-fixed dunes has become more overgrown in recent years (as shown in Google Earth aerial photographs), there is apparently sufficient disturbance from pedestrians to maintain suitably open conditions for Coincya, especially on track sides and the edges of small blow-outs (Fig. 3). Most of the individuals were large flowering clumps but many small rosettes were also found, indicating that the population is reproducing successfully.

Fig. 2. Trend of Hall Road Coincya counts from 1994 to 2015

Hall Road Coincya 800 700 600

No. of plants

500 400 300 200 100 0 1990 -100

1995

2000

2005 Year

2010

2015

2020

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SEFTON COAST ISLE OF MAN CABBAGE SURVEYS, Philip H. Smith & Patricia A. Lockwood, June 2015

Fig. 3. Mature Coincya plant on track-side at Hall Road dunes, May 2015

Fig. 4. Coincya in flower at Southport Marine Lake dunes, June 2015

Southport Although it was previously the largest colony of Coincya on the Sefton Coast (Smith, 2004), recent observations suggested the plant was possibly extinct on the Southport dunes west of the Marine Lake. However, on 4 th June we unexpectedly discovered 22 plants compared with only nine in 2010 and none in 2012 (Smith & Lockwood, 2010a; 2012b). Almost all were mature flowering individuals on the main seaward ridge between SD3374118564 and SD3384118666, a linear distance of 143m (Fig. 4). Much of the habitat is fairly densely vegetated semi-fixed dune dominated by Ammophila arenaria but with some Festuca rubra (Red Fescue), Anthyllis vulneraria, Senecio squalidus and Cerastium fontanum (Common Mouse-ear), etc. Many of the plants were associated either with the sides of an informal footpath along the top of the ridge or the edges of blow-outs, both features providing the disturbed sandy ground required for seedling establishment.

The decline of the Southport population from 874 individuals in 1997 to 281 in 2004 (Smith, 2004), nine in 2010 and apparent extinction in 2012 was attributed partly to the fencing of dunes by a private land-owner in February 2007 (Smith, 2007). This had the effect of reducing public pressure, which caused an increase in the density of vegetation and the loss of eroded, sandy patches, especially on the back-slope of the main dune ridge where most plants previously occurred. Latterly, the fence deteriorated and pedestrians regained access to the dunes re-creating disturbed areas, this being a likely reason for the reappearance of Coincya plants, perhaps from seed, since 2012. As at other sites, the importance of open plant communities for successful recruitment of Coincya was evident, it being well established that this species is susceptible to competition from dense closed swards (Hipkin & Facey, 2009) References Hipkin, C.R. & Facey, P.D. (2009).Biological Flora of the British Isles: Coincya monensis (L.) Greuter & Burdet ssp. monensis (Rhyncosinapis monensis (L.) Dandy ex A.R. Clapham) and ssp.cheiranthos (Vill.) Aedo, Leadley & Munoz Garm.(Rhyncosinapis cheiranthos (Vill.) Dandy). Journal of Ecology 97: 1101-1116.

Smith, P.H. (2004). Isle of Man Cabbage at Southport Marine Lake, July 2004. Unpub. report.

Smith, P.H. (2007). Recent works at Southport Marine Lake sand-dunes. Unpub. report.

Smith, P.H. & Lockwood, P.A. (2010a). Monitoring Isle of Man Cabbage on the Sefton Coast – 2010. Unpub. Report.

Smith, P.H. & Lockwood, P.A. (2010b). Sand-dunes on Crosby beach. Unpub. report.

Smith, P.H. & Lockwood, P.A. (2012a). Monitoring the translocation of Isle of Man Cabbage from Crosby Marine Park dunes , Merseyside, in 2011/12. Unpub. report Smith, P.H. & Lockwood, P.A. (2012b). Translocating Isle of Man Cabbage Coincya monensis ssp. monensis in the sand-dunes of the Sefton Coast, Merseyside, UK. Conservation Evidence 9: 67-71.

Smith, P.H. & Lockwood, P.A. (2013). Colonisation of sand ridges at Hightown sand-dunes; 2013 update. Unpub. report.

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NATIONAL TRUST COASTAL BIOBLITZ, Sat 20th and Sun 21st June 2015 - Hugh Harris The area at Formby Point managed by the National Trust has increased (520 acres) through a gift of the former tobacco waste areas by the British Nicotine Company, the purchase in 1985 of the Larkhill Lane heathland area from Ideal Homes Ltd and the recent purchase of the former agricultural area north of Wicks Lane.

In fact most of the 24 hour event activities had taken place on the shoreline, mobile dunes, dune grassland, dune heathland, plantation conifer woodland and deciduous woodland habitats on the Saturday and were very successful in discovering and counting species.

Goat Moth Cossus, cossus

Elephant Hawk Moth Deilephila elpenor

This area is heavily used for recreation and accessed via the large Victoria Road carpark. Here the frontal sand dunes are being rapidly cut back by the sea and prehistoric footprints can sometimes be found on the beach.

Levelling of the land in the past for asparagus cultivation means there are few natural slacks in this duneland.

South of the carpark is situated the “tobacco dump”, a nicotine waste tip, developed in the 1960s and 1970s and now largely colonised by nettles.

Another notable feature is the “Squirrel Reserve”, part of the large area of pines behind the open sand-dunes, where the famous but sadly declining Formby Red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris have become accustomed to visitors and can be fed by hand.

At Larkhill Lane, Formby, the National Trust manages small but interesting areas of heathery dune-heath and flower-rich meadow on former farmland.

In 1974, the coastline came under the control of one local authority, Sefton Council which allowed for the development of a coordinated approach to management which continues today.

Arriving at the Countryside Office as a volunteer on the Sunday morning had very much the ’morning after the night before’ feel about it: the overnight moth traps had been opened and recorded by the Lancashire Moth group, the Early Morning Bird Walk had taken place, Shrimping at the water’s edge investigated, the small mammal traps had been opened and one male Wood mouse released, and naturalists were assembling for ‘Bumbling for Bees’.

Having seen the very beautiful Large Elephant Hawk Moth Deilephila elpenor for the first time I was tempted to stay and watch Richard, Lancashire Moth Group display his catches. Goat Moth Cossus cossus, Lime Hawk Moth Mimas tiliae, Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi, Figure of Eighty Moth Tethea ocularis, Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli, Pale Tussock Collit-

teara pudibunda.

Lime Hawk Moth Mimas tiliae

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NATIONAL TRUST COASTAL BIOBLITZ, Sat 20th and Sun 21st June 2015 - Hugh Harris

Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi

Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli

Pale Tussock Collitteara pudibunda

Meanwhile other naturalists were bumbling for bees in the dune heathland behind the Countryside Office.

Figure of Eighty Moth Tethea ocularis

These were first-time sightings for me although they are common in this coastal area of Sefton.

Tony, Lancashire Mammal Group, demonstrated how to set and release the small mammal traps which captured one Wood-mouse from the 30 concealed traps in the woodland. However such is the resilience of naturalists he told us that was the norm in that habitat. Also, he identified the gender of the captive Wood-mouse: it was male.

I shall be interested in the final number of species counted in the 24 hours as they will be entered into the National Trust’s national biodiversity database.

HH@Formby

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PONDNET: PROTECTING PONDS WITH THE FRESHWATER HABITATS TRUST - Ben Deed This year the Freshwater Habitats Trust (previously Pond Conservation) are rolling out their new national pond monitoring programme to North Merseyside.

Merseyside BioBank has been asked to help deliver the project on the ground by putting out a call to local naturalists and volunteers, that means you!

"There are opportunities for anyone and everyone to get involved in PondNet. Following extensive trials and feedback from volunteers, we have developed surveys to match different levels of skill and to match the different interests of our volunteers." – FHT website There are several levels of involvement in PondNet. Focal pond: These are set sites where surveys will be repeated year on year. There is 1 site in Sefton, North Merseyside and volunteers have already been found for eDNA surveys of Great Crested Newt. We still need people to record Aquatic plants, Aquatic invertebrates and Dragonflies. If you think you might be up for the challenge then let us know or contact Anne Heathcote (our Regional coordinator) directly (aheathcote@freshwaterhabitats.org.uk).

Species surveys: Each year there will be selected pond species which the FHT would like people to find and record. For this year records of two species have been selected for North Merseyside. These include the Pond Mud Snail (Omphiscola glabra) and Tubular Water-dropwort (Oenanthe fistulosa). A small number of old records have been identified by FHT for re-visiting, but they are also very keen for people to go out, find new sites and make new records. If you would like to, by all means go out and search for these species! If you'd like to be more involved let us know and we'll keep a list of potential surveyors for when training or more resources become available.

The wider Net: The third aspect of the PondNet project is about the wider conservation and monitoring of ponds. What we are asking people to do is choose a pond or a 1km square full of ponds and carry out similar surveys as those on the focal pond. Including a survey for Amphibians, Dragonflies, Aquatic plants and other aquatic invertebrates (to family).

We are coordinating a large portion of this work locally in partnership with the Biodiverse Society project.

We will help to support volunteers in training and recording and your pond will be listed on the Freshwater Habitats Trust project website. You should also recieve a nice welcome pack with all the instruction you need!

If you'd like to be involved in this part of the project as an individual or through the Biodiverse Society project then please contact Ben (ben.deed@merseysidebiobank.org.uk) or Joanne (jmoore@lancswt.org.uk).

If you'd like to know more about the project then contact us or Anne or check out the projects website http://www.freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/projects/pondnet/survey-options/

Keen on amphibians and like splashing about in freshwater ponds looking for all kinds of interesting creatures and plants, Here is your chance to develop your skills and knowledge and meet people by getting involved in this new and exciting project

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

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

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

Most venues have their own website.

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

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

Changes will be on the NWFG website.

Beginners are welcome at ALL forays.

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

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

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

Please contact the Membership Secretary for a membership form.

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

http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm Sunday 19th July - Goyt Valley, Errwood.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ample parking space.

SJ665922 (Sheet 109) (WA3 6QS).

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

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

Meet 10.30, small National Trust car park off road

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

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

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

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

Sunday 27th September – Rostherne Mere.

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

Leader - Tim Rogers (07890949997).

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

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

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

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

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A SMALL SELECTION OF MBAN PHOTOS REPORTED OVER MAY AND JUNE - Images by Bob Jude

Phyllopertha horticola

Miridae

Nomada

Symmorphus Sicus ferrugineus

Chrysotoxum festivum

Enoplognatha sp.

Myathropa florea

Oedemerida

Aphidoidea

Lagria hirta

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A SMALL SELECTION OF MBAN PHOTOS REPORTED OVER MAY AND JUNE

Peregrine falcon: Image by Danny Foy Southern Marsh Orchid: Image by Danny Foy

Ragged Robin Lychnis flos-cuculi : Image by Hugh Harris

Purple Tansy Phacelia tanacetifolia: Image by Danny Foy Orchid in Childwall Woods: Image by Hugh Harris

Orchid in Childwall Woods: Image by Hugh Harris

Fox on the Hightown Dunes: Image by John and Elizabeth Highet

Californian poppy Eschschoozia California: Image by Danny Foy

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

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

How can you help?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What support will volunteers get?

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

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

These include Mammal Trapping at Knowsley Park and other venues.

Please contact Tony.Parker@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk for details and to book places. Museum collections are open to amateur naturalists and volunteers (by appointment) Other activity events Knowsley: www.knowsley.gov.uk/things-to-see-and-do/ events.aspx Liverpool Parks: liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-andevents Wildlife Trust: www.lancswt.org.uk/what-s-on Court Hey Park: www.courtheypark.co.uk National Wildflower Centre: www.nwc.org.uk/events North West Fungus Group There are forays and special events, with help and advice on a range of fungi related topics.

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

Liverpool Botanical Society www.liverpoolbotanicalsociety.co.uk

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

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

Interested in arranging one yourself next year?

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

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

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

HELP! BIRDERS STILL NEEDED The Mersey Estuary is one of Britain’s best wetlands. We know this because each month we count the waterfowl as part of the national Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS).

However, we need ‘new blood’ volunteers. You don’t need to be an experienced wildfowl counter, though you should be able to identify common waders and wildfowl. If you think you can help then please email Dermot Smith at dermot.smith71@gmail.com or phone 07505 418832 for further details.

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

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

RIXTON PITS Merseyside

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.

AUGUST Sunday 2 August GRONANT Merseyside Sunday 9 August FIELD TRIP - BURTON MERE TO INNER MARSH FARM Merseyside Saturday 15 August HASKAYNE Merseyside

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 Merseyside SUMMER 2015.

Details copied from RSPB Events Page https://www.rspb.org.uk/ discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/ results.aspx RSPB Tel: 01704 226190 JULY FIELD TRIP - LOGGERHEADS WALK Merseyside Sunday 19 July

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.

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

Biodiverse Society Training y Online Recording (beginners course) Online Recording databases are an easy way for recorders to securely store their own records whilst making them available to the Local Records Centre.

Time: 6-8pm Location: Merseyside BioBank, Court Hey Park Contact: For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129 Tuesday 18th August Invasive Non-native Species (INNS Surveying) Join Senior Conservation Officer John Lamb to learn about the late signs of identifying invasive species; covering identifications, misidentifications and eradication techniques.

Time: 10-12pm Location: Fishwick Bottoms LNR, Preston Contact For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129t to Wednesday 23rd September

Urban Bryophytes Join Merseyside BioBank Manager Ben Deed for this three day workshop which will introduce beginners to the identification of key species and how to use keys.

Day 1 (Monday 21st Sept) - Field identification Day 2 (Tuesday 22nd Sept) - Use of keys Day 3 (Wednesday 23rd Sept) - Use of microscopes Time: 1pm-3pm Location: Merseyside BioBank, Court Hey Park Contact: Catherine Haddon at chaddon@lancswt.org.uk Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October Fungal Foray Weekend Celebrate National Fungus Weekend by joining Tony Carter and John Watt from the North West Fungus Group (NWFG) to improve your skills in the identification of fungus Time: 10am-4pm Location: Sat 10th Oct: Indoor session at Merseyside BioBank followed by a fungal foray at Clarke Gardens, Merseyside with Tony Carter.

Sun 11th Oct: The Barn, Cuerden Valley Park, Preston with John Watt. This session will involve an outdoor fungal foray and indoor session identifying using microscopes and making spore prints.

Contact: For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129 Fungal Foray at Fishwick Bottoms Join John Watt from the North West Fungus Group (NWFG) to improve your skills in the identification of fungus.

Time: 10-4pm Location: Fishwick Bottoms LNR, Preston Contact For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129