Final Newsletter of the Year November/December 2013
Merseyside Nature
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year from all at MBAN!
Created by and for Volunteer Naturalists. Edited by Bob Jude and Hugh Harris Special points of interest:
Views expressed in this newsletter are those of individual authors .
Birkdale Green Beach Buckthorn Bashes Rare Teal seen at Crossens Steve McWilliams finds scale insects previously unrecorded in the Northwest MBB volunteers help in the search for Red Squirrels in South Liverpool Hugh Harris reports on the Trees of Court Hey Park
Inside this issue: Phil Smith’s Wildlife Notes
2
Scale Insects on Bay Trees
3
Gall Wasps at Calderstones
3
Trees of Court Hey Park
4
In Search of Red Squirrels in South Liverpool
5
A Reminder to Groups from the Wildlife Trust
6
A Call to Arms by the BTO to Armchair Birdwatchers
7
Events
8
Fungal Foray Programme 2014
9
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) at a garden feeder in Formby, image courtesy of James Wheatcroft
Articles, photographs, real life stories, web links and events from active naturalists are welcome additions to this newsletter. Please send them in.
Stories from 250-1000 words with accompanying photographs will take us all on your journey. Please E-Mail your work to:
Naturalists are always welcome at MBB to freely use the available equipment and facilities
newsletter@activenaturalist.org.uk
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) 2013 has been a great year for red squirrels. The numbers in the North Merseyside and West Lancashire stronghold population are at their highest since the pox outbreak in 2008. We are also getting reports of red squirrels in areas outside of the stronghold which is very exciting. We hope that with the help of our dedicated volunteers we can investigate these new sightings and determine the current distribution of red squirrels in the area. Rachel Miller, Wildlife Trust Squirrel Officer, December 2013
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Wildlife Notes - November 2013 - Dr Phil Smith As usual, much of November was taken up with attending meetings, giving talks, writing up and circulating reports on earlier wildlife surveys.
Baikal Teal (Anas Formosa), D. Daniels, Wiki
After presenting a seminar on Birkdale Green Beach at Edge Hill University, I was delighted to be contacted by a student proposing a project on Green Beach soils, a topic not previously investigated. One of the Green Beach’s unique features is the incredibly rapid change in vegetation over time, especially in the wetlands, where open slack communities develop into fen and Alder woodland within a decade or so. This is likely to have a lot to do with the soil but nobody knows – yet.
Phil reports on the Green Beach at Birkdale Buckthorn bashes Sands Lake Birds of the National Trust Woodland Rare Teal duck spotted at Crossens
The Green Beach is still growing southwards, the latest data from Sefton Council showing that it now covers over 60ha (150 acres), all this representing new land won from the sea since 1986. Apart from its scientific and wildlife interest, the Green Beach has great value for coast protection, helping to counteract sea-level rise due to global warming of 3mm per year. While checking a grid reference from aerial photographs on www.gridreferencefinder.com, I was amused to see my car parked (with permission) at the southern end of the New Green Beach at SD3003313494. Judging by the vegetation, the photo was probably taken in summer 2010. Continuing work started in October, four more volunteer “buckthorn bashes” were organised to clear Sea Buckthorn from the dunes west of Sands Lake, Ainsdale. The warm summer seems to have encouraged the growth of this invasive shrub, older female bushes having even more orange berries than usual. This creates a problem because birds will disperse the seeds far and wide. In a magazine gardening article, Monty Don described Sea Buckthorn as his “plant of the week”, though he acknowledged that it makes “a large thorny shrub … unless kept pruned back”! Regrettably, he made no mention of its ability to create havoc in coastal habitats. Sefton Council made further progress controlling dense scrub in Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve. I visited the area twice during the month, enabling me to catch up with our only specimen of Black Bog-rush in a cleared slack.
I discovered it in 1977, so the plant is now over 36 years old and still perfectly healthy with a diameter of over 2m. The soil around the plant had a pH of 7.5, confirming its known association with base-rich soils. Also at Birkdale on 12 th was my latest ever Common Darter, reflecting the mild weather. A pleasant stroll through National Trust woodland on 19 th produced two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a foraging flock, of which at least 10 were Long-tailed Tits.
Using the well-known birders trick of “pishing”, that is imitating squeaky bird calls, I attracted them closer hoping for something a little rarer. This gave great views of these delightful little birds but nothing out of the ordinary. Nearby, a fruiting bush of Willow-leaved Cotoneaster provided a feast for a male Blackbird. Autumn colours were almost over but several Field Maples at Larkhill had enough leaves to give a spectacular golden glow in the late afternoon sunshine. I was also pleased to see that the National Trust has been clearing some of the Gorse on Larkhill Heath, providing opportunities for a wider variety of heathland plants and the insects they support. The widespread habit of keeping wildfowl in collections has long created problems for bird-watchers. Thus, an apparent American Wigeon filmed by Ron Jackson at Marshside may have been an escaped hybrid. Similarly, a juvenile Ross’s Goose spent much of the month at Marshside Nature Reserve. Rather than a genuine straggler from Arctic Canada, this was probably also of captive origin. Finally, a male Baikal Teal photographed at Crossens on the last day of the month was either a “first for Lancashire” of this extremely rare East Asian duck or a further addition to the long list of escapees.
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Scale Insects - Correspondence from Steve McWilliams Steve McWilliams reporting on finding a new species to the North Merseyside species list - the record has been added via the Biobank copy of RODIS (biobank.rodis.co.uk). Yesterday (2nd December 2013) Susan brought in some Bay (Laurus nobilis) leaves from the small bush which grows in the garden just outside the back-door.
Steve McWilliams reports on a new species of Soft Scale Insect Steve reports on galls found on Turkey Oak in Calderstones Park
These were to go into the stew for tea. Before she put them into the stew (thankfully) I picked them up and noticed something on the underside of the leaves. Using a hand-lens I decided that they were scale insects but of a species I had not seen before. I could not track them down on the Net and asking the Panlisters group on Facebook did not elicit any positive responses. Consequently, I took a few photos of them and sent one to Dr Chris Malumphy the Principal Entomologist and Curator for the Food and Environment Research Agency in York.
(Chris has written a book and a number of papers on scale insects, especially on Ferns and of those species recorded in Bedfordshire). He responded to say that the scale insects were in fact the Brown Soft Scale (Coccus hesperidum L.) (Hemiptera: Coccidae).
rial. It is a serious pest in Britain of ornamental plants grown indoors but is rarely a pest outdoors. So there we have it - another ‘first’ species and record for the database!
It seems in the photo the four female scales in the lower left segment of the photograph have been attacked by a parasitic wasp - sadly Chris did not indicate which wasp - I have written back and asked him. It seems C. hesperidum is cosmopolitan and one of the most polyphagous of all scale insects, feeding on hundreds of different plants. Bay is one of its preferred hosts. It is very common on indoor plantings in the UK but is also found on evergreen plants in sheltered situations outdoors. It was introduced to Britain more than a century ago and is still one of the most common scale insects intercepted on imported plant mate-
Galls on Turkey Oak at Calderstones Park - Steve McWilliams This gall was first found in the UK in Berkshire in 1997 so is likely to be a decent record for our area (and the wider North West!). The record is already in BioBank RODIS ! I found a good number of Aphelonyx cerricola galls on Turkey Oak - at Calderstones Park, Liverpool on the (25th October 2013)
These pictures are posted on my timeline on Facebook and also on the Pan Species Listers Group. Now the search begins in Cheshire as well.
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What’s in your Quadrat? 1.12 - Hugh Harris 2013 Rob Duffy, World Museum, Liverpool
Hugh Harris reports on the history and flora of Court Hey Park Hugh praises the actions of the committed conservationists and gardening staff of Court Hey Park in helping safeguard tree health
The Holly and the Ivy at Court Hey Park
Rob Duffy is one of a group of conservationists; Kieron Connell Knowsley Council, Anne Faulkner Landlife, Rebecca Cunning OPAL and others who have helped the naturalist community make connections with the trees of Court Hey Park. “The flora of Court Hey Brook is typical of a public park. Much of the area is mown amenity grassland, with mature trees and some younger stands. Many of the mature trees are very large and at least 100 years old, and mostly either Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Beech (Fagus sylvatica), or Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa).” This short extract from Ms Paula Cass’s M.Sc. dissertation submitted to Liverpool University, introduces us to the abundance of ornamental and non-ornamental trees found within the parkland acquired and developed by Robertson Gladstone, the elder brother of four times British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone. Rob Duffy, whose bedroom gave him an overview of the park from 1959 onwards, gave us the benefit of his local knowledge of the park and its trees with a comprehensive collection of 70 slides. Importantly, the creation of the National Wildflower Centre, 1999 in the park established native British wildflower areas which encourage a wider engagement with plants. Rob has carefully recorded the location and species identification of the trees - as those members of Liverpool Botanical Society who recently took up the challenge of his ‘Tree Orienteering Trail’ will affirm.
The indoor meeting profited from the previous outdoor experience by tree and feature recognition.
Historic maps show the main treeplanting areas are along the main driveway from Roby Road to the Mansion and stable blocks, along the banks of Court Hey Brook, and around the perimeter of the park. The more ornamental species perhaps collected from around the world by Victorian plant hunters are to be found closer to the Mansion, formal sunken and walled productive gardens. The value of trees and their biodiversity is shown in the collection of mature species of popularly-known trees. Several species of Oak (Quercus) are present; Pedunculate, Scarlet Pin, Chestnut-leaved, Red and Holm; Maple (Acer) species of Silver, Amur, Smooth Japanese, Ash Leaf, Cappadocicum and Norway; Rowan (Sorbus) trees of Chinese Scarlet, Japanese, and Joseph Rock’s variety; Chestnut (Aesculus) species of Horse, Red Horse and Sweet all enhance the aesthetic appeal of the park-scape. Individual species of Ash, Hawthorn, Sycamore, Poplar, Elm, Alder, Hornbeam, Tulip Tree, Norway Spruce, Tree of Heaven, False
Acacia and Indian Bean Tree also add to the interest of shape, bark, shoots, buds, leaves and flowers and fruits and help to create a green structure in the park. Historically, the choice of treeplantings was not for economic or productive reasons but to enhance the pleasing appearance of the park. One of the losses to the park was the ancient Beech (Fagus sylvatica) which became diseased and unsafe and had to be carefully cut down. Even in its leafless condition it commanded a central position between the Rose Garden and buildings and was a solid landmark in the 14 hectare park. Now it is to become part of an art project overseen by Friends of Court Hey Park. Youtube and Facebook show videos and slides of this magnificent tree. The skills of successive Head Gardeners and their staffs have contributed to the tree health in the park and ensured their well-being by pest control of invertebrates and treatment of pathogenic diseases. The native trees that are most susceptible to pests and diseases are the Oak, Ash and Horse Chestnut. Out of the 18 pests and diseases which attack these three trees the damage caused by the Knopper Gall Wasp (Andricus quercuscalicis) on the Oak was easily recognisable – small wood-like balls where the wasps germinate. As long as there are people like Rob who are prepared to share their passion and knowledge of their local Green Flag park then present and future generations will benefit.
Hugh@Liverpool Botanical Society
Merseyside Nature
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Hugh, Bob, Rachel and Dave visit Childwall Woods in search of Red Squirrels Merseyside Biobank at Court Hey Park is a good place for visiting naturalists for a number of reasons. While there using the microscopes Rachel Miller, the Red Squirrel Field Officer at the Wildlife Trust, discussed with Ben Deed her ongoing project utilising volunteers to collect squirrel hairs from different northwest habitats, to provide evidence that Red Squirrels are making a comeback, recent Red Squirrel sightings have even been reported at Childwall Woods and the adjoining Black Woods in South Liverpool. Many years ago they were common in Sefton Park, a short distance away but competition from Greys and Squirrel Pox has led to them dying out in those areas. Ben indicated to Rachel that he knew a couple of volunteers that could help and introduced Rachel to Hugh and myself, as two active local MBAN members who had an interest in Childwall Woods. Tuesday 3rd December: We agreed to take part in the project and Rachel explained what was necessary and we met up for some initial training at Childwall Woods. Rachel mentioning health and safety explained that tree climbing was not allowed which had been one of our initial concerns. As we walked around, Rachel demonstrated her skill in spotting squirrels, counting around nine greys on our trek, in the canopy above. Rachel indicated the approximate area that she would like the collectors sited and explained the use of the device and the need to record a GPS reading for mapping and re-collection. No tubes were set out on this reconnoitre.
Red Squirrel hairs, R. Miller, 2013
Monday 9th December: Our first visit, was on a dry, cool day, Hugh who knows the woods, continued to lead the way following marked trail posts. In all it took us around 3 hours to set 9 tubes. Tubes were sited low down, close to larger trees and away from the path so squirrels would feel secure and the devices unlikely to be found.
We spent time cutting and threading wire through the tubes (with a pair of blunt cutters) then took photographs using a GPS camera and wrote down GPS locations , storing the waypoints on an Etrex. Thin plastic wire, passed through small holes at the base were used to fix a single tube to a horizontal branch. Inside the tube, at either end, are a pair of Velcro pads. The squirrel, attracted to the peanut butter smeared around the tube edges, squeezes past the Velcro pads to get at the larger mass of peanut butter in the centre and deposits hairs on the Velcro pads. Our collection of tubes exhausted, we realised we had missed taking pictures of the 2nd location so I demonstrated to Hugh how to use the waypoints to find the location using an older Etrex. It worked well and little time was lost.
Grey Squirrel hairs, R. Miller, 2013
Wednesday 11th December: The second visit was far more productive, It helped that all the wire had been pre cut and fitted and we had another volunteer helper, Dave Flynn. We started at 9.00 am. The weather was still around 9 degrees, cool and damp, ideal for fungi. A number of fungi species were spotted in passing, the largest being a Razorstrap or Birch Polypore. We completed setting out tubes for Childwall Woods and passed over the steel bridge and old shadowy carBirch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus) riageway below that once led to the long since demolished hall. Crossing Woolton road we went through the steel gates into the Black Woods.
Volunteers site Squirrel ‘Hair Tubes’ in Childwall, and Bob Jude and Dave Flynn taking GPS readings of Hair Tube location
Black Woods South Liverpool
Here the woodland changes as mature trees intermingle with young saplings. A carpet of soft brown leaves in varying shades leave vivid reminders of a more open brighter environment. We finally finished, having set out 20 tubes, just in time for lunch. Weeks later these pads will be collected, bagged and labelled with the GPS location and the hairs taken to the office and microscopically examined. Data from the eTrex was downloaded at MBB using a cable and the free program from Garmin (Easygps). Data was uploaded to Google Earth 20 Hair Tube Waypoints at Childwall and Black and a jpg image generated. Woods from Etrex mapped onto Googleearth
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A Reminder to Naturalist Groups - The Lancashire Wildlife Trust
Many thanks to those that have responded to our survey in relation to The Biodiverse Society. The results across all of the surveys are building up a very good picture that shows where we need to focus activity, where support is needed the most and which Local Wildlife Sites we should choose to encourage more active recording. I appreciate it is a very busy time before Christmas but we seem to have a lack of responses from Local Naturalist Groups. It may be that people are responding as individuals and not from a group perspective, or that people do not feel they have the right to speak on behalf of the group. I hope that you can understand how important it is we get responses to our questionnaire, as without this, your group, or sites that are close to where your group is based, may miss out on the opportunity that The Biodiverse Society presents, or worse still, Heritage Lottery Fund do not award us with the funding as they do not feel it is a strong enough proposal. I do not mind if I receive numerous responses from the same group; in some ways that just strengthens the need to work with that particular
group, and with the Local Wildlife Sites that are known or close to that group. Please visit: http://www.lancswt.org.uk/ bioconsultation In light of the low responses I am still welcoming responses to the survey. If you indicate that you would welcome a telephone call we will be carrying this out in January.
and what you hope (or your group) to get out of it. If you would like to find out more information about our proposal, or would like to discuss specific elements, I would be more than happy to discuss the project with you. I can be contacted by email and if you leave your telephone number I will call you back. Or you can phone my mobile 07740419180.
If you have some spare time at Christmas please
By the end of January we hope to have the Activity Plan produced for circulation to whoever would like to comment. At this point there will be little room for additional activity, it is more shaping and providing more detail. We will also be seeking (very informal) agreements and letters of support that backs up further why we have chosen certain activities, and that there is the interest from those that want to participate in The Biodiverse Society. If you would like to write a letter of support you may use our FREEPOST address: The Lancashire Wildlife Trust FREEPOST PR983 Preston PR5 6BY Please try to include in your letter why you think the project is important
I really hope you can understand why we need your input into the proposal, and I look forward to receiving your responses over the next few weeks. In the meantime I wish you all a very Merry Christmas Daveen Wallis’ communication via EMail reposted by Ben Deed
respond to Daveen’s request
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A Call to Merseyside's Armchair Birdwatchers from the BTO Winter is an exciting time for bird lovers in Britain with immigrants from Scandinavia and continental Europe settling in and our British birds making the most of the resources in our gardens.
Like many common birds the Blackbird (Turdus merula) is likely under recorded
As we all know British winters can be unpredictable so the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) needs your help to see how our birds cope with the cold weather. Gardens are havens for our wildlife, covering an area larger than that occupied by our National Nature Reserves.
Over Christmas why not look in your garden, take some pictures and send them to MerseysideBiobank Common bird records are especially welcome.
Around half of all householders are thought to feed their birds, which is one reason why gardens have become an important habitat, especially during the winter when food is scarce elsewhere. Rarer garden birds, like immigrant Fieldfares and Waxwings, are exciting to hear about but the BTO really wants to find out about the common birds living in and visiting local gardens. This year, in Merseyside, about a third of the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch (GBW) gardens have reported visiting House Sparrows and Starlings, and yet these birds have shown huge declines throughout the country.
The Starling (Sturnis vulgaris) is a priority species locally and across England.
In order to get a clearer picture of why and how garden bird populations are changing, the BTO needs more local people to tell them what they see. BTO Garden BirdWatch is the world’s largest year-round survey of garden birds, having run every week since 1995. Anyone who enjoys watching the highs and lows of their garden birds is welcome to get involved – it is a simple survey and one that encourages you to sit in your armchair and stare out of the window!
There are just 136 Garden BirdWatchers in Merseyside and the BTO needs your help to increase that number! If you don’t watch the birds in your garden but know someone who does, pass on the word about the Garden BirdWatch. Clare Simm, of the BTO Garden BirdWatch team commented: "Watching birds in your garden can
be like watching your own mini soapopera especially with the cold weather bringing more birds together. The squabbles, the friendships, the family bonding – it’s incredibly interesting and fun to discover." She added: "If you spend a few
minutes each week watching what birds get up to in your garden, then you are already doing enough to take part in the BTO Garden BirdWatch. Get in touch with us for a free magazine and information pack on how to take part." For a free BTO Garden BirdWatch information pack, which includes a copy of our quarterly magazine, please contact gbw@bto.org, telephone 01842 750050, or write to Garden BirdWatch, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU.
Waxwings visiting Court Hey Park, Ben Deed, 2012
Editors Note
The Blackbirds of Court Hey Park will be happy that mild weather and a plentiful supply of food has kept these Waxwings in Northern Europe. Last year the Blackbirds fought a losing battle as these birds completely stripped the berries We however, are hoping they will provide some new pictures for 2013/14 If you see any of these startling and easily recognisable birds please let us know
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Events 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-and-events Wildlife Trust: www.lancswt.org.uk/ what-s-on
Merseyside Naturalist Asso- North West Fungus Group ciation Membership The MNA organize informal nature events including field trips, talks and practical sessions Visit www.mnapage.info for the programme of events **Details of the programme for 2014 will be loaded on the website in January 2014**
Facebook is increasingly becoming a major contact point for rapidly expanding Individual membership - £7.50 naturalist groups and volunteers. Unlike Family membership - £10.00 fixed web pages Facebook is easier to Members joining after November manage, costless and attracts like minded 1st will receive membership for individuals who post pictures, pass data the following year. and contact each other. Please contact the Membership Secretary for a membership Future Newsletter Editions will expand this form.
list but good starting points are:
Officers Liverpool Botanical Society Saturday 11th January Treasure House Theatre, Level 1 World Museum Caledonian Pine Forests Peter Gately Saturday 8th February Treasure House Theatre, Level 1 World Museum AGM plus members’ field meetings photos
Court Hey Park: www.courtheypark.co.uk National Wildflower Centre: www.nwc.org.uk/events
President: Prof. Bruce Ing Chair: Dr. Irene Ridge, Smalley’s Farm, Whalley Old Road, Billington Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9JF Tel. 01254 247274
MerseysideBiobank www.facebook.com/ MerseysideBioBank MBAN www.facebook.com/groups/ ActiveNaturalists/
Treasurer and Membership Secre- UK Hoverflies www.facebook.com/ tary: Liz Moore, 48 Alan Road, Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 4LE Tel. 0161-432-9124 Recorder: Tony Carter
groups/609272232450940/ WeBS www.facebook.com/pages/MerseyEstuary-WeBS/216178248450013?fref=ts
NWFG Home Page:
Shoresearchnews
http://www.fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm Extract from 2014 Programme can be found on following page.
www.cumbriawidlifetrust.org.uk 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.
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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Extract from the Fungal Foray Programme 2014 - Tony Carter For all events 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. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed.
Saturday 22 nd February – AGM 10am (Coffee) for 10.30 at Risley Moss, north Warrington. Usually followed by an informal foray. Sunday 23rd March - Spring Wood, nr Whalley. Meet10.30 at Spring Wood Car Park, adjacent to Visitor Centre / Picnic Area on A671. SD741361 (Sheet103) (BB7 9TD). Leader – Mike Valentine (07541 240874) Sunday 13th April – Freshfield and Ainsdale NNR, Merseyside. Meet 10.30 at Freshfield Station car park SD291084 (Sheet 108) (L37 7DD). Leave A565 Formby-by-Pass onto B5424 at roundabout signposted for Formby Point BUT at mini roundabout keep straight on until Freshfield Road then turn right. (OR go by train). Leader - Tony Carter (0151-7244600) Sunday 11th May – Carr Mill Dam. Meet at 10.30 in car park of The Waterside Premier Inn SJ524976 (Sheet 108) (WA11 7LX). Entrance off A571 to Billinge at junction with A580 (T). Leader - Tony Carter (0151-7244600). Sunday 8th June – Tandle Hill CP, Royton, Greater M/C. Meet 10.30, car park end of minor road off A671
north from Royton to Rochdale. Tandle Hill on northern outskirts of Royton. SD908088 (Sheet 109) (OL2 5UX). Leader - Norman Bamforth (0161-336-3914) Sunday 13th July - Beacon Hill Country Park, Upholland, West Lancashire. Meet at 10.30 in Rangers' car park, Elmers Green Lane, off Beacon Lane SD505067 (Sheet 108) (WN8 7RU). From M58 Junction 5 exit for A577 Skelmersdale East, passing south under the Mway but then turning back north until to you reach a roundabout signposted to Beacon Park. Take right up A577 Windmill Road and continue, turning right then left into Upholland. At wrought iron clock in town centre, turn sharp left onto Mill Lane /Beacon Lane. Continue 2 miles to Beacon Park Golf Centre on left, turning down to car park continuing left to the far end of this car park and the Rangers' cabins. Leader - John Watt (07768 043 461/01695 578843). Sunday 17th August – Dibbinsdale, Wirral Meet 10.30 at Woodslee Cottages. SJ346828 (Sheet 108) (CH62 2BJ). Leave M53 at Jct4 onto B5137 Spital Road. Reserve on right about 2 miles after RH bend. 15 mins walk from Spital Railway Station. Leader – Jeanette Maddy (07548 838946) Sunday 7th September - Ainsdale NNR. Merseyside. Ken Jordan Memorial Foray. Meet 10.30 car park at Reserve Manager’s Office. SD303112 (Sheet 108) (PR8 3QW). Take A565 north past Woodvale Airport, turn on to Coastal Road, over railway bridge and left into private drive. Leader - Tony Carter (0151-724-4600) Sunday 14th September - 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)) Saturday 20th September – Risley Moss, north Warrington. Beginners Foray. 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 28th September – Moor Piece NR, Bashall Eaves. Meet 10.30 in Bashall Eaves Village Hall car park at SD696434 (Sheet 103) 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 - Irene Ridge (01254247274) Sunday 19th October - - Duxbury Woods, Chorley. Meet 10.30, Duxbury Park Golf Course car park. SD585152 (Sheet 108) (PR7 4AS). From A6 to Chorley take A5106 at traffic lights. Take first right and follow signs to Duxbury Golf Course. Keep left at each junction till car park reached. Leader - Peter Smith (01204-843439) Sunday 26th October - 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).