WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS  2008

6th August 2008 Batch and Gogbatch lead by Vivienne Garner

This was a scenic walk in dry and warm weather.
:Flowers : Harebells, nodding thistles, marsh thistles, foxgloves, gorse, lesser spearwort,
tormentil, cotton grass, thyme
Birds: Raven, buzzard, kestrel, linnet, swallow, green woodpecker.
(heard nuthatch and meadow pippet).
Butterflies: Gatekeepers, small copper, two meadow browns, number of green whites
Alpacas/llamas were seen in a field at the Jinlye.

12th July, Weston Park. Brian Jones and Margaret Harper

There were 11 members on this walk. We walked all round the formal gardens and parkland and had a picnic lunch by the Church pool. There are some fine trees in the park namely, some very large Spanish chestnuts and Cedars. Several swamp cypresses by the Church pool and 2 Tulip trees in flower. There were not a great variety of flowers in the "wild flower meadow" which had been taken over by several grasses. However the Purple loosestrife, Meadowsweet. Agrimony, and Greater Knapweed were good to see.
After the dismal weather recently we were pleasantly surprised to see a few butterflies, but the numbers were worryingly low. We saw one small heath [Coenonympha pamphilus], one large skipper [Ochlodes venata], only one meadow brown [Maniola jurtina], but several ringlets [Aphantopus hyperantus]. Also there were a few blue-tailed damselflies [Ischnura elegans] by Temple Pool.
There were some House martins nesting on the buildings and swallows flying low around us. A young heron on the Temple pool had a few unsuccessful jabs into the water.

7th July, Field trip to Wybunbury Moss NNR. Leader Tim Coleshaw.

Some of the interesting plants seen at Wybunbury Moss NNR, Nantwich on June 7.
Hare's Tail Cotton Grass [Eriophorum vaginatum], Bog Sedge [Carex limosa],
Great Fen Sedge [Cladium mariscus], Bog Rosemary [Andromeda polifolia],
Bay Willow [Salix pentandra], Marsh Arrow Grass [Triglochin palustris], Marsh Fern
[Thelypteris palustris], Alder Buckthorn [Frangula alnus]. Report by R. Stuttard

24th May 2008 Walk near Pattingham. R & M Stuttard
Fourteen of us gathered at the Summerhouse pub car park on a rather dull morning that cleared as we started the walk. We crossed the road and headed towards Wrottesley Hall where we examined a newly planted hedge nearby, trying to identify the range of plants used. We turned and went around to the back of The Bradshaws where a footpath diversion is planned due to the development of outbuildings. We moved on to Mere Oak and then along the bridle path to Bluebell Wood where we had a minor delay while a mislaid coat was retrieved. From there it was an almost straight route back to the Summerhouse where a good lunch was enjoyed.
Birds seen and heard:
Chaffinch, whitethroat, blackcap, skylark, kestrel, buzzard
Plants seen:
Hedgerow Cranesbill, Small-flowered Cranesbill, Red Campion, Brooklime, Greater Stitchwort, Common Fumitory, Comfrey, Herb Bennet, Tufted Vetch, Field Pansy, Green Alkanet, Common Field Speedwell.

Saturday 31st May, Lapley and Bickford Meadows Nature Reserve.                      by Andrew Milligan

South Staffordshire, the area from which our Society takes its name, may lack the ruggedness of the Peak District in the north of the county, or the grandeur of the Shropshire Hills to the west, its attractions are more gentle but well worth exploring none the less. It is a quintessentially English landscape of quiet lanes, meadows, small villages and ancient churches.
   It was from one of these churches, Lapley, that we set off on a warm and sunny day. The roadsides were ablaze of colour with the wild flowers: Jack by the hedge [Alliaria petiolata], Cow parsley [Anthriscus sylvestris] and Greater Stitchwort [Stellaria holostea] provided the white, yellow from Creeping buttercup [Ranunculus repens], red from the Campion [Silene dioca] and also Bush and Common vetches [Vicia sepium and sativa]. The meadows, too, provided much to interest us with butterflies including Green- veined White [Pieris napi], Peacock [Inachis io], Large and small white[ Pieris brassicae and rapae]. Some of these were noted in Bickford Meadows, one of Staffordshire's smaller reserves, the main goal of this field trip, consisting of two wet fields, bordered by Longnor Brook. Its wetland plants were Ragged robin [Lychnis flos-cuculi, Marsh thistle [Cirsium palustre] and Brooklime [Veronica beccabunga]. Greater Water parsnip [Sium latifolium] was spotted but not in flower. Damselflies and tadpoles were seen in large numbers and oak apples on the trees.
Both Grey and Redlegged Partridge are found here but were not seen. Indeed the only birds noted were Kestrel [Falco tinnunculus], Buzzard [Buteo buteo], Skylark [Alauda arvensis], and Pheasant [Phasianus colchicus]
    It had been a field trip that was both enjoyed by the 9 participants and fruitful in the number of flower specimens seen. [about 40] Some records for the Staffordshire new Flora were made too. South Staffordshire is certainly an area, which we should explore more often!

GOWER HOLIDAY; 18 - 21 MAY, 2008

Bob and Barbara Pucknell organised a short break on the Gower Peninsula from Sunday, 18 May to Wednesday, 21 May. It was based around the Reynoldston area which lies in the centre of Gower. There were two full-day walks on the Monday and Tuesday, with a short "taster" of approximately 2 miles on the Sunday and an opportunity to walk out to The Worm's Head before leaving on Wednesday.
There were 27 members on the holiday, the majority of whom stayed at the King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston. The other members either camped nearby or stayed in alternative accommodation.
We were accompanied by Malcolm and Ruth Ridge, personal friends of Bob and Barbara, whose expertise and knowledge of the natural history of the area was highly regarded. They joined us for dinner on the Sunday evening and gave us a very comprehensive and informative presentation, with slides, on the archaeological history, flora and fauna of Gower which was a very useful preamble on what was to come.
The weather throughout was fine and sunny - and with temperatures that made it perfect for walking. More than 200 plants were seen and 43 birds and many insects, including holly blue, brimstone, orange tip, speckled wood, small heath and wall brown butterflies. A white crab spider was sitting on hogweed.

Sunday, 18 May. Most of the party joined Bob and Barbara at Pennard Cliffs for a short walk along the extent of West Cliff to view Pobbles Beach and Three Cliffs Bay.
The cliffs were covered in the common and hoary rockroses, which were a lovely sight. We also saw some Early purple orchids. Choughs and jackdaws were seen and heard on the cliffs

.Monday, 19 May. This walk was led by Malcolm and Ruth. We met at Penmaen, and climbed steadily along the path running up the spine of Cefn Bryn, noting the plaque set in a large stone to commemorate the opening of the Gower Way by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Cefn Bryn is an area of open moorland with extensive views on both sides. We then descended to Perriswood and to the mock ruined gateway to Penrice Castle. An adder, a Dor beetle and a Dartford Warbler were seen on the way down. Shortly after, we entered Nicholaston Woods, a very ancient woodland, and later came out onto the open dunes of Nicholaston Burrows. We spent some time exploring the dunes because of the presence there of several rare species of flowers, including Lousewort, Burnet rose,Yellow rattle, Twayblade, Hairy rockcress and Sea milkwort. We also saw Early marsh orchid and Rosy garlic. Cetti's warbler and sedge warblers were heard in the reeds.
We then climbed up through the woodland where we saw Wood spurge and the rarest plant that we saw, Purple gromwell, and then returned to Penmaen. The walk was approximately 7 miles long.
Tuesday, 20 May. Again we were led by Ruth and Malcolm, and started from Port Eynon where we saw Tree mallow, Bugle, and violets. We climbed over the headland and on descending towards Overton Mere some members walked a short distance to view Culver Hole, an unusual construction built into the cliff side with several large holes evident. Then followed a coastal walk, firstly below and then on top of the cliffs with magnificent views of the coastline. On the way we saw choughs, ravens. stone chats, meadow pipits and watched a pair of wheatears. On reaching Foxhole Slade we turned inland and used field paths, passing Paviland Manor, to return via Overton to Port Eynon. This walk was approximately 7 miles.

Wednesday 21 May. Most of the members started their return journeys on that day but a few of us drove to Rhossili and walked out to the old Coastguard Station overlooking the Worms Head, a promontory which is an island except at low tide. The about 2.5 miles. It was apparent from the appreciative comments made to us that the holiday has been very successful and much enjoyed. For some members it was their first visit to Gower, and many said that they would like to return.

Monday 12th May, Knapp and Paper Mill [Birds], Gordon and Kath Low.

Four Members met on a gloriously sunny and warm day with a pleasant breeze. The morning was spent near the entrance to the reserve and in the woodland.
The afternoon walk was beside the Leigh Brook, upstream, returning through
the Big Meadow.
28 species of bird were seen or heard, notably spotted flycatcher, cuckoo, chiffchaff, goldfinch, swallow, redstart, jackdaw, kingfisher [several sightings] and great spotted woodpecker.

Saturday 3rd May, Ironbridge Bird Watching with Glen Bishton

Report by Margaret Harper

About 16 of us set off, including some friends of Margot's who are not members. By happenchance members had 5 minutes of fame by participating in the official opening of the Ironbridge Walking Festival. The person opening the festival was David Wright M.P.
Then Glen led us through the woods after looking across the River Severn, where a few people spotted a dipper. Up and up we went higher and higher, climbing more than a hundred steps. We did not see many birds but we heard plenty singing namely;
Great tits, Blue tits, Coal tit, Marsh tit, Chiffchaffs. Black caps,Song thrushes, Nuthatches, Buzzard and Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. Glen showed us a nest hole in a tree that was being used by nuthatches,
We saw lovely patches of wood anemones with some wood sorrel as well. Dog violets, bluebells, yellow archangel, pendulous sedge, lady's smock, lesser celandines and primroses carpeted the ground. There was a vast amount of garlic but it was not quite in flower. At the end of the walk a holly blue butterfly was seen. Thanks to Glen for leading this walk.