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WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS 2010

 6th March, . – Brewood Walk:   Leaders - Harold and Margaret Carr.

From the car park near Giffard’s Cross, the party of twenty crossed fields to join the Staffordshire Way, going over the grassy avenue with an open (but distant) view of Chillington Hall.   The route circled round to join the canal path before finally using tree-covered Lower Avenue to return to the starting point.                                                    Birds noted by members comprised Buzzard, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Nut Hatch, Blue and Great Tits.   Most interest, however, was caused by two separate flocks of about thirty birds each, Yellow Hammers and Lapwings.                                                                                                                         The plant interest was dominated by the hazel catkins and snowdrops as possible signs of winter’s end!                                                                             HLC

2nd January Trysull, Andrew Milligan

11 members [later joined by 2 more] met at Wombourne Station car park on a morning that was cold, frosty and sunny with a little snow as well, in a word "seasonal", for a 6 mile walk via Awbridge, Trysull, Woodford and the Bratch.
The countryside looked lovely and it was good to be alive and outside.
Both Wren [Troglodytes troglodytes] and Chaffinch [Fringilla coelebs] were seen along the old railway and we observed a pair of Dunnock [Prunella modularis] in a nearby field. On the canal there were several Mallard [Anas platyrhynchos] but most birds were seen later on as we walked down Flash Lane. These included Song Thrush [Turdus philomelos] and Mistle Thrush [Turdus viscivorus] as well as a Kestrel [Falco tinnunculus]. Finally we stopped to watch a flock of Fieldfare [Turdus pilaris] and Redwing [Turdus iliacus]. It had been a most enjoyable morning.

WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS 2009

27th December Rindleford. Geoff Lambert

On a freezing cold day 24 members of S.S. Naturalists and Wulfrun Walkers set off from Worfield village and entered the Davenport estate where ravens were spotted before crossing the river Worfe for the first time. As we approached our drinks stop by the weir, we encountered both difficult and dangerous icy conditions underfoot and in order to reduce the risk of mishaps we left the track and continued in the fields where conditions were slightly less hazardous.
After our short break we passed Rindleford Mill and again crossed the Worfe. It was at this point we encountered a treacherous stretch of track that necessitated taking extreme caution until we reached Fenn Gate. We soon arrived at High Rock where clear conditions gave us a wonderful view of Bridgnorth and the surrounding countryside whilst enjoying our lunch. Suitably replenished we headed back to Worfield via Chempshill Coppice in glorious sunshine and arrived back in time for some of us to enjoy liquid refreshments at the Dog Inn.

30th August. Flowers at Dimmingsdale. Paul Newton

8 members met on an overcast day, which threatened rain but stayed largely dry until the end of the walk. We met at Dimmingsdale Bridge and walked along the canal to Mops bridge and then across the Bridgnorth road. We crossed this near the ford and stopped by a track through arable fields for lunch. We then returned to Trescott and along the Staffordshire Way for a short while before crossing more arable fields along permissive paths.
Although late summer a fair selection of plants were still in flower. We recorded 64 species in total. Cichorium intybus [Chicory] was growing near the canal on waste ground. In the same area were Cotoneaster frigidus [Tree cotoneaster], Rosa rugosa [Japanese rose] and Carex pendula [Pendulous sedge]. On a canal bridge we found Ceterach officinarum [Rusty back fern], fairly uncommon in this area. Towards the end of the walk in an arable field we came across Chenopodiun ficifolium [Figleaved goosefoot] and Solanum nigrum [ Black nightshade], both late season agricultural weeds.

30th May Wyre Forest Olly Cadman

The weather was promising when 12 naturalists, plus leader, assembled at the car park by Dowles Brook.

There were many stops on the first part of the walk as Anne Daly explained to members the various trees, plants and grasses.                                            TREES - pedunculate oak, sessile oak, ash, hazel, birch, rowan, various willows, hawthorn, alder, holly, larch, Austrian pine, Bhutan pine, Douglas fir, wilder service tree, yew, guilder rose and gorse; also bilberry, heather, woody climbers, ivy and honeysuckle.

PLANTS - wood melick, a graceful drooping grass that fringed the footpath in place; wood avens, wood dock and wood spurge, dog’s mercury, pignut, foxglove, bracken and male fern.  Welsh poppy (possibly an escapee from a cottage nearby), wild garlic, yellow pimpernel, great woodrush, bluebell, wood anemone, common dog-violet, three-veined sandwort, wild strawberry and barren strawberry and remote sedge and pendulous sedge.

At Knowles Mill, Sylvia Sheldon showed us all manner of bugs and beetles underneath wooden panels (we were hoping to see grass snakes or adder); a blue tit’s and blackbird’s nests, complete with babies, and regaled us with some very interesting stories of her life at the Wyre Forest.  She also showed us the rare wood crane’s-bill growing naturally under trees behind her cottage.                              We were hoping to see the dipper, sparrows, grey wagtail and nuthatch, but although these were heard, we did not see them.  Birds seen: blackbird, blue and great tit, and robin.

The weather improved and the walk was exceeding leisurely in a beautiful part of the Wyre Forest,  and the last part of the walk was down a tributary of Dowles Brook, which is unspoilt and far from the regular walks areas.

25th October Fungus Foray on the Brown Clee. Roy Mantle                                       

The start of the fungus season (September) had been very dry and many of the usual species had failed to appear, and forays even into early to mid October had been barren. Some rain had fallen a week before and the Brown Clee, because of its altitude, does get more rain than the surrounding lowlands and so I was expecting to be able to find a few species. In fact we found over 30 different species. The day was fairly grey but the colour of the trees made things seem brighter. We kept to the lower slopes before returning to the cars for lunch. One notable old beech tree was covered with fungi. Some of the larger brances had broken off and these were covered with large patches of the orange Hairy Stumpflap Stereum hirsutum. Also on these branches were tufts of the beautiful white translucent Pocelain Fungus Oudemansiella mucida, whilst around the base were clusters of the Shaggy Pholiota Pholiota sqammosa. Nearby were some sweet chestnut trees and these also yielded some interesting finds such as the Charcoal Burner Russula cyanoxantha. The cap has pinkish and blackish tones which is supposed to look like the charcoal burner's ruddy face covered in soot. On a rotten branch nearby were what looked like a few drops of pink liquid which was starting to solidify. This was Lycogala terrestris. Lycogala translates as wolf's milk as in medieval times many things which seemed evil or sinister were put down to the wolves which roamed the forest. In the afternoon we climbed a little higher but before we had gone too far we found the Earthy Powdercap, Cystoderma amianthinum. This is a lovely golden fungus with a scaly "stocking" on the stem. Fallen branches were decorated with the tiny pale yellow jelly like tongues of the Pale Stagshorn Calocera pallidospathulata, the colourful cushions of the Purple Jellydisc Ascocoryne sacoides and the tiny pink dots of Coralspot Nectria cinnabrina. In the grassland we found the infamous Magic Mushroom Psilocybe semilanceata and the beautiful Golden Waxcap Hygrocybe chlorophana. There was plenty of sheep dung around and on one piece was the pure white Snowy Inkcap.             All in all a good day.

5th November Enville   Paul Edwin

The weather was fine and sunny despite a threatening forecast.
Seven members met at the Cat Inn.
The walk explored an area of ancient countryside, whose scattered farms and settlements have scarcely changed since early mediaeval times when the whole parish lay within Kinver Forest, and was divided into the manors of Enville, Morfe and Lutley.
Setting off from the Cat Inn at 10.30 a.m. our route followed the Hall drive southward past the historic cricket ground where W. G. Grace once played, and then eastward to cross Kinver Road and Cote Lane to enter Enville Common. From here by-ways and footpaths took us north and west through the once distinct hamlet of Blundies and across Sneyd's Brook to Morfe Hall Farm. Sneyd's Brook, together with Philley Brook to the north, are tributaries of Spittle Brook, and once formed the natural boundaries of the three manors referred to above.
Winding lanes through gently undulating terrain and past ancient farms, brought us to the footbridge over Philley Brook into the manor of Lutley where again evidence of antiquity lay all around us, Mere Farm and Mere Hall (with its flock of lamas) being striking examples. By now, we had joined the Staffs Way, and after a leisurely lunch break, it was by this long distance foot path that we made our homeward trek, re-crossing the two brooks, and finally being reunited with our cars at the Cat Inn at 2.15 p.m.    (Suggested further reading: A History of Kinver and Enville published by Staffordshire Libraries, Arts & Archives 1984).

11th October. Wyre Forest. Enid Lavender and Joan Pennock.

Ten of us set off from the Visitor Centre at Callow hill.
The weather was overcast with intermittent light drizzle, although it cleared later.
At the borehole pond we watched two grey wagtails very busy on the bistort leaves and around the water's edge. At lunchtime in the Arboretum we saw a greater spotted woodpecker at the top of a tall larch before it flew off. Later a flock of linnets flew over. We heard long tailed tits but we could not see them. The trees were starting to colour beautifully, especially Acers in the arboretum and the beeches in the main wood. This time we saw no fungi apart from one set of birch brackets.

August 22nd. Pattingham, Robin & Mair Stuttard

On August 22nd , 14 members gathered at Pattingham Village Hall for a circular walk around Pattingham. Heading west towards Hamley Wood we encountered a rather shrivelled but fruiting White Bryony in the hedge before entering the wood and heading up to Rudge. On the roadside up to Rudge a number of common but vigorous examples of White Campion, Burdock, Agrimony and Prickly Lettuce were found. We tested, with a compass, the direction of the upper leaves which gives the alternative name of compass plant, but they were in no particular direction. Clearly the plant had not read the correct books! Continuing through Rudge we stopped to enjoy a snack of yellow plums conveniently hanging over the road. On the road heading towards the Fox Inn we found an interesting cluster of species, Field Scabious, Greater Knapweed and Bladder Campion, perhaps indicating a more limey soil. On the scarp slope heading towards Clive Farm we found Common Centaury, Ladies Bedstraw, Mouse-ear Hawkweed and Common Mallow while we enjoyed a break to enjoy the view. The Rest Harrow that had been present on the recce we failed to find. By Clive Farm there were some very large examples of Mullein. Passing a number of active badger entrances, we then headed down through the edges of arable fields to the ford at Waterey Lane encountering many arable weeds including Bugloss. The ford, all 200 yards of it, were negotiated without mishap but we were astonished to see the rampant growth of Himalayan Balsam crowding in on the ford. More Himalayan Balsam was encountered on the path up to Perton Ridge from Great Moor. Thankfully, previous walkers had cleared a way through. We then headed up through Nurton to the top of the Rifle Range path above Pattingham where we stopped and enjoyed the view over to the Clee Hills before descending back to Pattingham.

26 September, , Trysull and Seisdon walk . Harold and Margaret Carr.

Starting from Trysull Village Hall, the walk crossed fields, passed the Manor House and joined the Mill Lane track into Seisdon. From there it circled round and joined the Staffordshire Way, passing the Tinker's Castle hamlet to join the road briefly near Halfpenny Green Vineyard before entering more fields to return to the starting point.
Surprisingly, even the usually well informed members of the party of thirteen could find nothing of consequence to comment on in the way of nature interest - but, hopefully, all enjoyed the outing!

15th August Little Caradoc, Church Stretton. Vivien and Eric Garner.

The weather was breezy but warm and sunny. A group of 14 set out from the Carding Mill Valley to walk around the base of Caradoc and then up to the horizontal path leading to Little Caradoc where we arrived at 1pm for our packed lunch. After a leisurely lunch we walked across the Plantation and along the upward path to the Gaerstone. We then descended through Gaerstone farm and returned to Church Stretton and the cars at the Carding Mill.
Everyone then returned to 'Wood Hill' for refreshments. During the walk through meadow and hills we saw the following: Brooklime, Sneezewort, Harebells. Puff ball and Parasol mushroom. Golden ring dragonfly, Gatekeepers, Small copper and Green veined white butterflies.
Swallows, House martins, Buzzards and.Stonechats

1st August , Lem Hill. Wenda Janes and Josette Pearns

A nice way to start the month- a nature amble, especially as the promised rain stopped when we started out and returned only towards the end.
A dead grass snake [not its skin] and a toad got us started; then the sun shining through some clumps of delicate grass. The birds were very few- a wren, and a buzzard. We saw a deer slot and some ink cap fungi. We all felt the need of a drink on finding burdock, but waited to have our coffee stop in Betts Reserve. First we crossed the disused railway that used to run to Bewdley through the Wyre Forest via Dowles [a small thriving community at one time], west to Ditton Priors where in the war there was an ammunition dump hidden by railways signs. Shattered to see Furnace Mill House and garden deserted, we came across a planning request to have it pulled down and rebuilt on. In that area three brooks join the Dowles to eventually reach the Severn. Although busy in bygone days now it is a peaceful area for fishermen and walkers.
We saw many flowers including, Agrimony, Angelica, Cowwheat, Enchanter's nightshade, Greater celandine Harebell, Knapweed, Upright hedge parsley and Betony. We also saw fallen hazelnuts- oh no not Autumn yet please!
We all enjoyed a pleasant morning and ended up at the Forest's Visitor for lunch.

11th July Trysull. Geoff Lambert

We met at the Seven Stars pub in Seisdon, on a dull but mild day, and we soon found ourselves following the Smestow Brook, the first of several encounters. Passing the sand quarry in Church Lane, I spotted a Song Thrush in the hedgerow, which was being harassed by a Blackbird. The Old Mill soon came into view before we entered some fields that have, on previous occasions, provided two rather feisty horses to watch out for, however there was no sign of them this time round.
We were soon at the ruin of what remains of the Old Seisdon Workhouse, the gates being securely chained to prevent any closer inspection. Having reached Awbridge, we headed along the canal to Bratch Locks where we then had a coffee break, with the sun making an appearance. It was a pleasant interlude with several narrow boats passing through. We then moved onward to Ounsdale where we left the canal up through an old surviving footpath, sandwiched by new housing on the site of Ferro; a landmark for miles around before its demolition. Then from Bratch Common, we crossed the Smestow Brook in Woodford Lane and we were back in the heart of Trysull. Several old Horse Chestnut trees near to the Plough Public House, had fallen victim to a disease sweeping the country. Not only were the leaves showing the effects of the disease, but the trunks looked in a poor state as well.
At the Manor House, a sharp shower soon gave way to the sunshine and we reached the pub where we enjoyed a drink in the gardens before heading off home.

4th July Arley. Leaders: Stella and Alan Clowes

At just after 10.30am the group of seventeen left the
riverside car park at Upper Arley village and set off on
the riverside footpath walking upstream towards Alveley
and Bridgnorth.The weather was warm and dry with some
cloud, but plenty of sunshine and a gentle breeze. Very
soon some in the group had found some interesting flowers
and plant life including Black mustard, Purple
loosestrife, Knapweed, Common Valerian, Himalayan balsam,
Meadow cranesbill, Lady's bedstraw, Tufted vetch, Meadow
vetchling, Marsh woundwort and Autumn hawkbit On the
opposite riverbank we passed a small cast iron bridge                                                  spanning a tributary flowing into the Severn. This was                                                     early ironwork produced at Ironbridge. Ringlet,
Gatekeeper and Large Skipper butterflies and a Blue
Damselfly were seen.
The birdwatchers in the group were seeing a modest amount
of activity and some species were Green woodpecker,
Buzzard, Lapwing, Yellow hammer, Goldfinch, Wren and Sand
martin.
Our walk continued for about 1-1/2 hours taking us past
an inclined way that was used for bringing large sandstone
blocks from a quarry on the hillside down to the water's
edge for loading onto barges. Although long since disused
some large blocks still remain on the bank. Soon we
turned inland and moved up the hillside where during a
steep climb the sighting of a rare Black Grouse was noted.
Shortly after, we stopped for lunch adjacent to the ruins
of an old cottage known as Nether Hollies. After about 35
minutes we continued moving inland for a short distance
before turning right and heading back towards Upper Arley.
The route included many gates and stiles and sheep were
much in evidence in the fields we crossed. Views on this
return were superb out towards the Clee Hills and also
Highley village. Large parts of Wyre Forest also stretch
out on our right. The route also took us past Hextons Farm
and Bromley Farm both now developed with Barn conversions.
Arable weeds seen near here were Scarlet pimpernel,
Parsley piert and Corn poppy. As we neared our return
destination the path took us through a small fir tree
plantation at the edge of Arley Arboretum. The Arboretum
was started in the 1790's but only opened to the public in
2001. As we descended towards river level we passed the
church of St Peter, Arley House and the rebuilt remains of
Arley Castle. We arrived back at the car park
having had an enjoyable walk lasting just over 4 hours.

27th June Benthall Hall to Much Wenlock. Margot Manuel

A similar walk had been arranged last year on 21st June and although a small but stalwart group of people gathered there that day the weather was so horrendous we decided to cancel. This year we had been enjoying glorious sunshine for a long period and the previous night’s torrential downpour caused me concern, but we had perfect walking weather, warm and sunny and we managed to avoid the mud.
Robin & Mair, Eileen & Tony, Pansy, John P and Terry had congregated outside St Bartholomew’s Church adjacent to the Hall and we were soon on our way. We crossed a stile heading towards Wyke and the distant hills of Caer Caradoc, Wenlock Edge, The Lawley and The Long Mynd made a lovely backdrop whilst swallows flew above our heads. We walked by healthy crops of barley and broad beans and then later on saw a couple of fields full of old farm tractors and other large metal items slowly rusting away, perhaps diversification! We passed an isolated cottage named “The Vineyards”, I believe its history lies with The Priory at Much Wenlock but today no vines can be seen. From Wyke we walked down a lane where no traffic passed us but where a dead badger lay who had not been so fortunate. Then a right of way led us through Bradley Farm where beautiful decaying barns had now become a haven for flora and fauna and where we spotted the yellow hammer, chiffchaff and blackcap. We were now on the Shropshire Way and shortly crossed over a substantial footbridge to pass by Down Mill, a beautiful spot where the properties showed no scars of the stream breaking its banks in 2007. We carried on past the Sewage Work and then the Priory and spent a happy hour in Much Wenlock before retracing some of our steps. We walked though more fields and disturbed a gathering of sheep that were sheltering from the sun under a large oak tree, I felt quite guilty about that! We passed Woodhouse Farm where the week before I had spied a family of mute swans. Then we met our first hill, a lane amongst the woodland but it was not too strenuous, next Benthall Woods where I was shown how to recognise the Spindle, then back to the cars. Six of us returned to my garden where we enjoyed a cream tea. It was a very pleasant day.
Birds seen were :Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Wren, Swift, Willow Warbler, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch, Moorhen, Garden Warbler, Blackcap.
Plants seen were: Goatsbeard, Shining Cranesbill, Crosswort, Common Spotted Orchid
Pyramidal Orchid, Selfheal, Pellitary of the Wall, Spindle, Woundwort, Creeping Cinquefoil
Creeping Jenny, Meadow Vetchling.

21st June Much Wenlock [Flowers] Marj and Ken Horton

27 members met at Rossmore, Much Wenlock.
We walked through the Bull Ring and across the field path to Windmill
Hill, where we spent a couple of hours studying the flora. We then
walked along the old railway line path and a short way near the
perimeter of the disused quarry. 132 species of plants were recorded including Common spotted orchid, Pyramidal orchid, Twayblade, Viper's bugloss, Common centaury, Yellow wort, Agrimony and quaking grass. Small Heath and Gatekeeper butterflies were seen and also the Yellow under wing moth. We watched some flycatchers by the meadow.
The group returned to Rossmore for afternoon tea.
_______________________________________________________
6th June Aqualate Mere NNR, Tim Coleshaw

Tim Coleshaw met 2 members on a very wet dayand he took them to a hide where they saw swans on the mere. After a walk they returned to the cars. Thank you to Tim for taking this walk despite the bad weather.

23rd April, Much Wenlock and Venus Pools. Marjorie and Ken Horton
21 members met at Rossmore in Much Wenlock, the home of the leaders on a bright sunny day. Our walk led us through the local woods to the Gashill Playing Fields and alongside the Windmill. We crossed the Farley road and entered Sheinton Woods where many warblers were heard. After leaving the woods we crossed the Farley Road and walked the perimeter of the local quarry. We were delighted to have a good view of one of the local peregrines.
After lunch at Rossmore most of the party went to Venus Pools where we had wonderful views of the kingfisher.
Some of the other birds seen were: Great Crested Grebe, Teal, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Gold crest, Nuthatch and Tree creeper.

Machynlleth Holiday 17th - 20th May 2009

Some 23 members met in the centre of Machynlleth on the Sunday afternoon in wet conditions. However, Ken and Marj Horton lead the party on a very pleasant introductory walk to high ground overlooking the town and surrounding hills and then down through farmland along the banks of the river Dovey, North of Machynlleth.      The weather briefly improved and Ann Daly noted 70 different plant types.
As we passed through Machynlleth on Sunday afternoon, there were two nice little ferns growing on the walls - maidenhair spleenwort and wall-rue, as well as ivy-leaved toadflax, wall speedwell, and red-valerian. On the hillside the flora was typical of acid soil: gorse, bracken, and birch with hard fern and bilberry, but what most pleased the eye were the stunning displays of bluebells, with pignut (in a meadow) and mingling with red campion, and the white flowers of greater stitchwort in the verges. Wood anemones and dog violets, together with bugle, yellow pimpernel, and golden-saxifrage formed a colourful tapestry on old damp banks in the lanes, with the occasional Welsh poppy and some common corn-salad. We were quite surprised to find the saxifrage "London Pride" growing there too! By the river there was hemlock water-dropwort (very poisonous), lady-fern, and common winter-cress. A sample was taken of the water-crowfoot in the river, which was later identified as Ranunculus baudottii, brackish water-crowfoot, which has both floating and under-water leaves. We were pleased to find next day that a tablet in Pennal village listed this as one of the interesting species of that area! Others observed swifts, swallows, sand martins and grey wagtails.

  That evening 21 members sat down to a celebratory dinner at The Riverside Hotel at Pennal to exchange news and compare notes.

Next day, 19 members set off from Riverside, again with Ken and Marj as leaders, to cross fields and marshes towards the banks of the Dovey estuary in a quest to spot the resident Osprey.

The walk took them along a drainage ditch and over some good marshy ground. Aquatic and wetland plants seen there included: ivy-leaved crowfoot, water-plantain, flote-grass, water-starwort, broad-leaved pondweed, angelica, marsh bedstraw, marsh bird's-foot trefoil, spearwort, meadowsweet, celery-leaved buttercup, marsh ragwort, and the tiny white stars of bog-stitchwort.
Then they were met by a sudden heavy shower and decided on a strategic retreat to the shelter of a nearby wood to eat their lunch perched on suitable roots and hummocks.
As the weather cleared they again set off along the dyke and enjoyed glorious views - but unfortunately not of the osprey, who had elected for shelter in other woods we presumed. In the lane on the way back were enchanter's-nightshade and wall-pennywort. They returned through beautiful undulating farmland to reach Riverside by about 3.00 p.m.

News arrived that Robin Stuttard, the eagerly anticipated leader for the Tuesday walk, had been struck down by stomach cramps. A vote was hastily taken on how to use the day and it was decided to attempt Robin's walk through the Llyffnant Valley near Derwenlas on the other side of the estuary.

Morning broke with heavy and persistent rain. Several members understandably elected to either go home or find a dry alternative. Sheila Nock and Arthur Tyerman had to withdraw when Sheila slipped and fell outside their B&B (no lasting damage).
The start was postponed for an hour and a half and several members went to "see" the osprey in the project building (actually a recorded viewing but in superb close-up detail); the skies cleared briefly, but only to rain as hard as ever as 13 stalwart members, lead again by Ken, with support from Brian Jones, set off from outside the Black Lion pub up into the hills. There were brief dry spells but the vindictive weather chose to hammer down again during the lunch break on a bridge over the Llyffnant river. They then walked through the Llyfnant Valley, an ancient wet woodland rich in plant life. Small-leaved lime was certainly there, and the distinctive leaves of the hybrid enchanter's-nightshade; but by the time they reached the large wet rock-face where the rare filmy ferns grow, everyone was walking fast to get out of the rain! Woodland plants that were seen included: wood sorrel, wild strawberry, common vetch and bush vetch, sweet woodruff, marsh violet, marsh marigold, yellow- archangel, common valerian, honeysuckle, water figwort, remote sedge, and various ferns and grasses.
Nevertheless, the steep sided valley with its crashing waterfalls and varied forests was much enjoyed by the umbrella-covered and waterproofed crew.
All returned for a triumphal dinner at Riverside to round off an enjoyable but damp holiday where much friendship and expertise were shared.
Some of the other birds seen over the three days were, Reed bunting, Sedge warbler, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Gold finch, Red kite, Skylark, Shelduck, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Meadow pipit, Goosander and a Cuckoo was heard.

2nd June. Wild about Perton. Sheila Moore

On a hot sunny day nine members met in Perton for a walk to follow up the talk by Keith Elder about the wildlife of Perton.
We first watched the wildfowl on the central lake where we saw swans, mallards, tufted ducks, and some coots and great crested grebes nesting. A seagull dived and caught a fish, which he dropped and a heron flew in and ate it. There has been a problem with the Canada geese that have been fowling the school fields, so dogs
have been used to chase them away and the eggs are treated in the spring to keep the numbers down.
Next we looked at an area where wild flowers have been sown in a fenced off area near the lake. These included Ragged robin [Lychnis flos cuculi] , Dog daisy [Leucanthemum], Purple loosestrife [Lythrum salicaria] and Yellow Rattle [ Rhinanthus crista-galli] which is semi parasitic on grass. Dogwood, Guelder rose and Buckthorn shrubs have been planted for wildlife too. We smelt the leaves of Mugwort [Artemisia absinthium and the flowers of Pineapple mayweed and identified Black medick [Medicago lupulina] by the yellow flowers and a small point on the leaf. By the River Penk that flows out of the lake, we saw a grey wagtail, Brooklime [Veronica beccabunga] and blue damselflies. Passing through a wooded area we saw
Speckled wood butterflies and watercress in the river and heard a robin. At the next lake we saw pond skaters and then went into the Bluebell wood. The bluebells were over, but as we walked towards the duckboards a mole was walking across them. We were most surprised and watched it and then helped it to disappear into the undergrowth as dogs were about.
After a stop for a drink we followed a track skirting Smith's Rough wood and then over a bridge and along a path where we saw Russian comfrey [Symphytum x uplandicum] and Carex remota and Reedmace [Typha latifolia] in a pond. A jackdaw was seen and chiffchaffs were heard. We walked through some fields and then back to the centre of Perton. We had seen quite a lot of wildlife around Perton, the most unusual being the mole not often seen above ground.

13th May Shire Country Park. Andrew Milligan

Only 3 people participated, which was a pity since the country park is an area new to us and we reached it by train - free thanks to our passes! This Local Nature Reserve, which is in the care of the City of Birmingham runs along the course of the River Cole and includes Sarehole Mill, said to be the model for the Shire, home of the Hobbits. Indeed the whole area has strong associations with J.R.R.Tolkien.
For our field trip the dominant colours were the fresh green of the leaves and the white of the Wild Garlic [Allium ursinum], the Cow Parsley [ Anthriscus sylvestris] and the May blossom. Red and yellow were provided by the Red Campion [Silene dioica, Herb Robert [Geranium robertianum], Greater Celandine [Chelidonium majus] and Herb Bennett [Geum urbanum] to mention just a few flowers seen. Indeed you would never have known that you were only a few miles from the city centre, so rural was the scene!
When the leader had first visited the area he had seen a Kingfisher but not this time. The avian interest was provided by a Heron [Ardea cinerea], Thrush [Torus viscivorus] and the sounds of the Blackcap and Greenfinch.
We may only have been a small group but the visit was voted a success. Perhaps we should explore the country area of the West Midlands County more. It is, after all, the county in which most of us live.

 11th April, Severn Valley Country Park [Birds]. Leader Mary Adams

It was a warm sunny spring day. 16 members met at the Visitors Centre at 11.00am and walked down to the new bridge over the river Severn. We crossed the bridge and turned right by the riverside. There were plenty of bushes, nettles etc. ideal for birds and butterflies.
Flowers seen: Primroses, cowslips, barren strawberries, lady's smock, ground ivy, golden saxifrage, marsh marigold, wood anemone, blackthorn blossoms, lesser celandines, violets, bluebells and iris leaves.
Birds seen: buzzards, ravens, willow warblers, sparrow hawks, 2 kestrels, chiffchaffs, blackcaps, jackdaws, song thrush, blackbirds, swans, heron, coot, moorhen, Canada goose, goosander, mallard, dunnock, great, longtailed and blue tits. Greater and green woodpeckers were heard.
Butterflies seen : orange tip, comma, brimstone, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood.
We turned around and walked back to the bridge. We ate our lunch on some benches then climbed back up to the centre where the feeding station was quiet. We had a cup of tea at 2.30 before driving home.

4th April, Tixall Broad and Satnall Hills. Leader Bob Pucknell

Thirteen members turned out for this five and a half mile walk on a fine Saturday. Starting from Milford Common Car Park a short road walk led us to the towing path of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal which we followed past the open expanse of Tixall Broad to its junction with the Thames and Mersey Canal. A short distance along this brought us to Great Haywood with the chance of refreshments at the Lock House restaurant. We then crossed the ancient Essex Bridge from which the junction of the
Sow and Trent rivers can be seen, and then walked through Shugborough Park.              A few yards of the main A513 road brought us to Cold Man's Slade from whence we climbed steadily to the summit of the Satnall Hills and then descended through mixed woodland to the road close to our starting point.
Wildlife was in rather short supply that day, but on the canals were observed Mute Swan, Canada Geese, and Mallard, whilst Buzzards circled overhead and Raven and Chiff-chaff were heard but not seen. Plants seen included Butterbur, Lesser Celandine, and Bogbean while the only fauna of note was a Bumble Bee.

21st March Bradley Leader Brian Jones

Some 22 members enjoyed a 41/2 mile walk through rich agricultural scenery starting from the Village Hall car park of this quintessential English village with its half timbered buildings and 12th Century church.
We skirted around broad pastures, followed quiet lanes and picnicked in a woodland setting beside a stream where we saw lesser celandine, golden saxifrage and moschatel. Birds were scarce but we did see buzzards, green finches and other farmland birds.
You will not be surprised to know that few of the single ladies present observed the local custom of "bowing" to the Webb Stone towards the end of our walk.
Several members enjoyed lunch at The Red Lion afterwards but were saddened to hear that the pub was likely to shut two weeks later.

29th March, Kingsford and Caunsal, Leaders Stella and Paul Walsh

Four members joined the leaders for this gloriously sunny walk from Kingsford Country Park down the bridlepaths and footpaths to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Caunsall, under the canal tunnel to Cookley and up via Blakeshall to the Park. Chiffchaffs and green woodpeckers were calling in the woodland. A treecreeper was seen on the trees by the canal at Austcliffe, with a pied wagtail foraging on the canal overflow. The larks were singing and soaring in the meadows above Slad Barn and near Blakeshall. Two calling curlews were heard in the meadows to the south of Slad Barn. The white and purple violets bloomed along the paths above Cookley and by the canal. There was a profusion of flowering butterburr with some late celandine and coltsfoot along the canal by Austcliffe Bridge. Red and white deadnettle were flowering by the footpaths. The clear weather provided us with views of Clent, the Malverns, the Cotswolds, Abberley Hills and Rowley Regis.

April 2nd 2009.Bridgnorth- Eardington. Leaders Barbara & Geoff Prosser.

Eight members plus one new face (Christine) met at the Severn Park pay and display car park, and then made off in a southerly direction along the Severn Way. It was soon evident how much corrosion of the riverbank there had been, due to flooding and the like, with the closure of the path for some 500 yards at a spot adjacent to Daniels Mill.    A diversion took us onto the main road, albeit on a footpath, soon to return to the riverbank and onto the re-established footpath.     Keen eyed “Terry” spotted two green woodpeckers, the first perched in a tree, the second in an undulating flight-path. Coffee was taken near to Slade Lane, a popular place for spotting Kestrels, (but none today). Buzzards however were seen in combat with several crows. We were now moving North on this circular walk passing alongside the oddly named “Potseething Farm”. After descending Panpudding hill we split into two groups with Barbara P taking two members along the bottom road and Geoff P taking five members on the scenic walk above low town, meeting up again at the base of the cliff railway then over the bridge and back to the cars. Five of the group then enjoyed the hospitality of the Bandon Arms with the other four enjoying a picnic on the river- bank. Some of the more significant flowers we saw included Lady’s Smock and Golden Saxifrage.                                             

7th March/ Baggeridge and Himley. Andrew Milligan
This was the second field trip to Baggeridge and Himley , designed to note the differences of the various seasons. It was warm and sunny and those who arrived early  were treated to a guided tour of Rosemary O'Garra's lovely garden.
Early in January we had been preoccupied with birds, now in early March it was the Spring flowers that commanded our attention and despite the harsh winter there were plenty to be seen. Dog's mercury [Mercurialis perennis] was plentiful almost at the start and we soon saw both Lesser Celandine [Ranunculus ficaria] and Coltsfoot [Tussilago farfara], the latter being the first I had seen this year. Primroses [Primula vulgaris] were appearing also. However the most spectacular botanical displays especially in Himley Woods, were the Snowdrops [Galanthus nivalis] and Daffodils [Narcissus pseudonarcissus] which covered the woodland slopes. We also noted Pussy Willow, Hawthorn in leaf and many trees in bud.
The birds were not forgotten. Apart from the usual water birds, Mallard [Anas platyrhynchos, Coot [Fulica atra] and Canada Goose [Branta Canadensis] both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were clearly heard, loudly drumming. A Nuthatch [Sitto europea] was heard also but sadly the Tawny owl was not at home.
Towards the end of the morning we inspected the work being done to restore the heath land at Baggeridge.
These two field trips have been very worthwhile and clearly popular with our members [17 members participated and we covered 5 miles]. Next year [2010] I propose organising field trips here in May, when the Bluebells and Wild Garlic should be in flower and, possibly, in the Autumn also. It is after all, very important that we visit and study the countryside on our doorstep. AGM

28 February, 2009.Ombersley and Severnside walk - Leader Harold Carr.

Eight members joined the leader for the walk. From the village, it proceeded across fields and through woods to the bank of the river, then along to Holt Fleet, continuing to the place where the inn across the river is served (in busier times!) by a small boat ferry across the river.
The route then went west to a high point with fine views of a panorama from the Malverns to Abberley and northwards before the group returned to Ombersley with its old cruck house (amongst other black and white houses but the only one bearing an ancient 'firemark'). The old Public Weighbridge, now disused, testified to the one-time importance of the crossroads in the village.
Plants and flowers noted (thanks to Andrew) were:
Dandelion, lesser celandine, primrose, dog's mercury, and snowdrops.
Birds were not much in visible evidence, except for:
Buzzard, cormorant, geese and swans                                                                              As a nearer (and shorter) alternative to the above, three ladies accompanied Margaret Carr in a stroll along the Wombourne Railway Walk, joining the canal at Awbridge to view boats passing the locks before returning along the canal side to keep the distance to about four miles. Robins were mostly in evidence only by loud song!

3rd January 2009 Baggeridge and Himley. Andrew Milligan

The temperature had dropped to -7 degrees in the early hours but that did not stop18 members meeting at Wombourne on a cold, frosty but lovely sunny day, for a gentle 7 mile walk in the country park and Himley. Cold it may have been but within a few minutes we were treated to the sound of the Great Tit [Parus major] singing merrily. During the morning we were to see Long Tailed Tit [Aegithalos caudatus],Wren [Troglodytes troglodytes] and Buzzard [Buteo buteo]as well as Coot [Fulica atra ]and Mallard [Ana platyrhynchos] "skating" as it were on the frozen pools. The greatest excitement however, was watching one of the resident Tawny owls [Strix aluco].
I should not overlook the lovely views on this sunny morning, not only over Wombourne and Penn, but also the peaks of Brown and Titterstone Clees rising above the mist. It will be interesting to see how the area has changed when we return in March.