Wot! No CamelsThe stars of today's show were definitely Pat and her friend Philip Smith. Pat kept us on the move, fired us with enthusiasm for the plants and treated us with a lovely "cuppa" in her delightful home at the conclusion of the day. Philip kept us informed, pointing out the rare and special species of this section of the Sefton coast which is certainly something special and on this occasion we explored two areas. In the morning we covered a small section of the Birkdale plant community in the vicinity of Pontin's holiday camp. In the afternoon we went south to explore the Formby Dune system and the Devil's Hole, a crater-like blowout. We were slightly delayed in meeting up with Pat and Val (Margaret's friend). From the start we delighted in seeing a glorious display of flowers en route to our toilet stop. We were surrounded by Early Marsh Orchids and Marsh Helleborines in profusion.
Early Marsh Orchid Pyramidal Orchids were seen throughout the day in considerable numbers also in their white form albuflora. The flora included Evening Primrose, Hemlock Water Dropwort, Common Centaury, Round-Leaved Wintergreen, Yellow-wort, Twayblade, Catsear, Rest Harrow, Eyebright and Lesser Water- Plantain (a national rarity). Lyme-Grass and Marram Grass, the sand dune fixers, were seen. Continuing across a recently mowed grass area we encountered Haresfoot Clover, Storksbill and Stonecrop. Into the dunes we identified Ploughman's Spikenard, Fleabane, Houndstongue, Portland Spurge and Sea Buckthorn. Following lunch we returned to the minibus in order to meet up with Philip and encountered a female duck with a family of ten chicks needing to cross the road to return to the lake. Our party ensured that she and her family were returned safe and sound.
Leading The DucklingsFor the afternoon we were under the guidance of Philip Smith who escorted us through sections of the dune system from the fixed dunes, mobile and embryo dunes to the strand line. Of especial interest were the dune slacks. At the beginning of our walk we encountered Smooth Tare, Black Poplar ( a native but rare species), Asparagus ( previously grown as a crop), Polypody, Silvery Hair-Grass, Knotted Clover, Birdsfoot and Hop Trefoil. Moving into the dune system there was Dewberry, Thyme-Leaved Sandwort, Knotted Pearlwort, Wild Parsnip, Yellow Bartsia, Fairy Flax, Grey Club Rush, Wild Carrot and Lady's Bedstraw. On the strand line we saw Prickly Saltwort (a red data plant), Sea Holly, Frosted Orache, Guernsey Fleabane, Grass-leaved Orache, Sea Milkwort, Sea Spurge and Sea Rocket. We made our way back to the minibus via Devils Hole, a crater like blowout which had a unique feature that its western side was enclosed. This is a vast area of dune slack which floods in winter. Floral species have increased over a ten year period from 16 to 116 species recorded in 2014. We saw Marsh Helleborine, Bog Pimpernel, Grass of Parnassus mainly in bud,
Bee Orchid Brookweed, Creeping Willow and other willows and hybrids, Seaside Centaury as well as the hybrid Seaside and Common Centaury.
The bird count was disappointingly low numbering 16. The most common sighting was of Meadow Pipit. 6 butterfly species were seen including Dark Green Fritilleries feeding on Thistle on the strand line. Several interesting beetles were present including a large Ground Beetle with asymmetric mandibles and Northern Dune Tiger Beetle.
However this was definitely a flower day. It was with great regret that the curtain had to fall on a grand day out.
Just one or two additional points - the weather was fine and not too hot. Unfortunately John had missed out on a superb day. He was at home watching England draw with Costa Rica in the World Cup. Better luck next time!Margaret