OUTDOOR MEETING REPORT

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WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS 2011

27th December .     Rindleford   Leader.   Geoff Lambert
We set off from Worfield village with 18 members on what was a spring like day with clear blue sky and
a mild temperature. Passing the war memorial we entered the grounds of Davenport house and having
crossed the first field, ascended the bank where we were presented with extensive views in all
directions. One interesting feature of the estate is the beautiful dovecote which must have provided
well for the house in its working life. Heading towards Burcote, we crossed the river Worfe for the first
time. Taking a northerly path, which sits above the Worfe, we soon had fine red sandstone rocks on our
left which are a feature of this part of Shropshire. Having reached the next bridge, we had our 10
minute break before heading to Rindleford mill, the old mill having been restored and converted to
apartments some years ago, a local landmark which would have been a great loss had it not been
saved. As we reached the escarpment at Pendlestone rock the views to the east enabled us to look back
towards Baggeridge, Sedgley, Dudley and Rowley. A surprise greeted us as we entered the woodland
near High Rock with many trees felled since the previous years walk . We enjoyed our lunch on High
Rock with views of Bridgnorth and further west, the Clee hills before setting off back towards Worfield
in what was by now an overcast sky. Having spotted Rooks, Magpies, Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Chaffinch on
route, it was nice to see a Robin perched on top of a public footpath post singing away and staying
there long enough for me to photograph him. Leaving the busy Bridgnorth road, we headed for
Chempshill coppice, a beautiful little woodland surrounded on 3 sides by the river Worfe. We were
back in the grounds of Davenport house and very soon back in Worfield village. Having said our
goodbye's, I tried to remember the last time we had enjoyed such wonderful weather on this
traditional walk in December, before some of us headed for a drink at one of the local pubs

5th November . Forest of Wyre. Fungus Foray Leader Roy Mantle
A select band of 6 met on a beautiful day at Earnwood Copse on 5th November. Up until then the
season had been very dry but some rain the week before raised hopes of good finds. The first was The
Beech Jellydisc (Neobulgaria pura) on a fallen beech tree. There were many fruitbodies covering the
upper side as well as the Beech Woodwart (Hypoxylon fragiforme) lower down on the trunk. After that
finds came at regular intervals as we walked through the beech and oak woodland. On the side of the
path we found the strange White Saddle (Helvella crispa) with its hollow deeply furrowed stem. In
amongst the conifers were large numbers of the beautiful False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis
aurantiaca). It is deep yellow with orange gills and is said to be edible! It differs from the true
Chanterelle in having gills whereas the latter has folds under the cap. Two very small but exquisite finds
are worthy of mention. The brilliant yellow Lemon Disco (Bisporella citrina) which consists of crowds of
tiny yellow discs 0.5 - 3mm across contrasting with the dark wood on which it was growing. Also
contrasting beautifully with the piece of dark oak on which it was growing was Dasyscyphus niveus
with its masses of tiny hairy white cups 0.5 - 2mm across. These were so small that only through a lens
could there fabulous form be appreciated.
We moved on for lunch to Hawkbatch, where the weather was warm enough for our sandwiches to be
taken out on a picnic table in the car park. Fungi here seemed sparser but some with interesting smells
were sniffed. The first was the Fragrant Funnel (Clitocybe fragrans) growing at the side of the path. It
was a very inconspicuous thing but smelt beautifully of aniseed. The other was even smaller and greyer
but had a strong smell of bleach or ammonia identifying it as the Nitrous Bonnet (Mycena
leptocephala)
All in all a good day with interesting things turning up and with the forest beeches at their most
colourful it was a pleasure to be out. Thanks to Roy for a very interesting walk.

9th October, Brewood Enid Lavender
   On a a day that which turned out pleasant and sunny, twelve of us followed the canal from Brewood to the
ornamental bridge, walked along the Lower Avenue to the car park and lane , then to Chillington lane which we
followed to the Hall. We ate our lunch on the grassy slope in the sun. Then we went up the lane, across Upper
Avenue to the Woolley, along Hyde Mill Lane and back across the fields to Brewood. There was not much Autumn
colour. At Hyde Mill Bridge we watched a heron as it reluctantly moved as a boat approached, only to come back to
the opposite bank..There were some long tailed tits in the trees in the lane.

1st October.              Hanbury Walk.         Leaders: Margaret and Harold Carr.

The party of nine members left the car park just off the Bromsgrove/Hanbury road and
ambled through the wood before climbing gently to Hanbury church. After admiring
the view and the information on the toposcope, the group continued on a circular route,
stopping for the lunch break at Hanbury Hall (NT) where refreshments and seating were
most convenient.
Continuing the walk along a tree-lined avenue, the party took a gentle slope back up to
Hanbury church before re-tracing the path to the car park. It was later established that
the day had been the hottest autumn one for many years, with temperature records
broken in various parts of the country.
Plant life noted: Greater knapweed (a pretty flower) and, of course, all the usual
"common suspects" - dandelion, digitalis, dockweed etc. All the soft fruits and berries
encountered looked very ripe and full, but the trees showed indication that autumn
change is very imminent and could occur very quickly once started.
Wildlife seen : Two things drew attention - a kestrel and a large grasshopper.
Returning home, however, a "family" of five herons was noted on the ground, close to
Ashwood Garden Centre - a somewhat astonishing sight!

28th August Ironbridge . Paul Newton

Eight members met in the car park at the old Ironbridge Railway Station. After a
dry, cool and cloudy summer we were not hopeful of recording many species. We
crossed the iron bridge and walked up the river bank to Buildwas. We then crossed
back over the river and headed up to Benthal Edge where we joined the Shropshire
Way and walked back, through the woods, to Ironbridge. We covered in total about
5 miles. The riverbank provided a wide array of species still in flower, the woods
had far fewer, as expected. In all we counted 109 species, including Arctium majus
in large numbers and Lythrum Salicaria by the river.

13th August . Wom Brook Leader Anita Ferguson

10 people attended this walk, starting as last year from Rushford Bridge at the western
end of `Wombrook Walk` which extends eastward to the Bridgnorth Road. We first
passed through an area once inhabited along the sides of the brook, known as Towns
End, dominated by a large Horse Chestnut Tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) showing
signs of both `bleeding canker` (recently identified as the result of an infection of the
bacterium Pseudomonas syringae, not the fungus Phytophthora ramorum), and
extensive attack by The Horse Chestnut Leaf- miner Moth (Cameraria ohridella). Next
the site of a demolished watermill was located; other historical aspects were explained
as the walk progressed.
Natural history observations included a magnificent Western Balsam Poplar (Populus
trichocarpa), old Crack Willows (Salix fragilis) once managed for firewood, Watervole
(Arvicola terrestris) burrow entrances, 7 species of butterfly and 6-spot Burnet Moths
(Zygaena filipendulae).
The walk ended at the new Winnie The Pooh Bridge, Wom Brook flowing on through an
area once rich with evidence of industrial history - all obliterated during construction in
the 1970`s of a large housing estate.

6th August . Church Stretton Eric and Vivien Garner
Eighteen members joined the walk in Church Stretton.
The following birds were seen : Buzzard , House martins, Swallows, Kestrel,
Raven and Redstart. We saw harebells and toadflax. The butterflies we saw
were Small heath, Speckled wood, Meadow brown, Green veined white and
small whites.

31st July . Beckbury and Badger. Leaders Anthony and Angela Cain
It was a beautiful warm day for the 16 members who met on the car park of the Seven Stars, Beckbury. We were pleased to hear a buzzard call, along with our lively conversation, as our walk commenced. The six mile walk took us along field edges, where we observed a crop of Lucerne, the attractive blue flowers of Chicory and a good example of Musk Thistle. We arrived at a sunny hillside where we all enjoyed a coffee break. Here we noted Autumn Hawkbit and heard a Green Woodpecker. It was such a pleasant position that some members would have enjoyed a longer break! However we continued on our way through woodland, where we saw a great deal of Himalayan Balsam, and down a lane to Stableford Bridge. At the bridge we saw White Bryony and on the banks of the River Worfe we identified Figwort, Gypsywort and Great Willow Herb. We saw three herons in flight as we made a short steep ascent up to a lane leading to Ackleton and Badger Dingle. In the dingle we split into two groups, one taking the adventurous scramble and the other group taking a more sedate high road to meet again at the ruined Gazebo. We noted good examples of a Stinkhorn and a Dryad’s Saddle fungus in the dingle. We then walked on to Badger where we ate a welcomed lunch at the edge of Badger Duck pond. We made a short walk along a quiet lane, where we saw numerous Holly Blue butterflies alongside the hedgerows, and then we crossed through onion fields which led us back to Beckbury Church. We had time for a brief look inside the church before walking back through the village for an enjoyable drink in the Seven Stars.
Further observations during the walk were Small Teasel, Water Chickweed, Touch-me-not Balsam, Greater Celandine, Canadian Fleabane, Black Bindweed, Black Nightshade, Hedge Woundwort, Rough Chervil, White Hemp Nettle, Dove’s Foot Geranium, Small Copper and Gatekeeper butterfly.

16th July. Newport, Salop, Leaders Barbara & Geoff Prosser.

“Rain before seven, fine before eleven” this old adage was almost right. Having experienced heavy and prolonged rain overnight, the early morning seemed to offer no improvement until fifteen minutes into the walk, that is about 11.00 am, the skies cleared, and the four hardy souls whom had ventured outdoors were easily able to cope with the damp fields of rape and fields and farm tracks.
It had been anticipated that a good selection of butterflies would be in evidence, as that part of the now disused Newport canal is noted for their usual presence, but alas these insects had stayed in bed out of the weather except for a few of the speckled wood variety.
Mallard and Swan with offspring were busy going about their business along the canal with several cygnets hiding from us among a profusion of yellow water lily.
A number of Buzzards were seen circling above St Peters church Edgmond, in the grounds of which we had our coffee break.
By now we where wondering if it would be sensible to apply the sun cream so pleasant had the day become, as we made our way toward Church Aston passing the former chapel of the Leeke family of Longford Hall, St Mary’s, now a private house would you believe.
On the dizzy heights of Aston Hill we had a short lunch break where we overlooked the greater parts of the south and south west of Shropshire, and admired the memorial to The Duke of Sutherland which stands out clearly in Lilleshall and an excellent view of the Wrekin.
The flowers we saw included lots of poppies, Oxeye daisy, Lesser burdock, hedge and field bindweed and honeysuckle.
Almost certainly the early bad weather brought the numbers of “Nats” out today well down, but what may have also contributed to the low turnout was the absence of the “July-August-Sept” newsletter on the club web site!
In conclusion Barbara and Geoff were treated to tea and cakes at the Mere Garden Centre by your club vice president ,who together with Harold had decided not to stay indoors and do the washing and ironing but to get out and make it happen!

9th July Long Mynd and Cardingmill Valley . Leader: Tim Coleshaw
A bright sunny day greeted members on the 9th of July for a visit to Cardingmill Valley and the Long
Mynd. Our first port of call was Townbrook Hollow where we followed the path on a steady climb to
the plateau. Near the bottom of the Hollow we watched small heath, small copper and meadow
brown butterflies taking nectar from wild thyme. Tormentil and heath bedstraw were the only other
flowering species in this heavily grazed sward.
A flush on the south side of valley contained several dozen specimens of the insectivorous common
butterwort and a large patch of bog pimpernel. Nearby, water forget-me-not was found on the
stream's edge and as we walked upstream we followed a fine golden-ringed dragonfly patrolling its
territory. Butterflies included a lone red admiral, green-veined whites and several small tortoiseshells
whose numbers seem to have recovered well from their disastrous crash in 2009. As we climbed higher
up the valley we had a solitary glimpse of whinchat perched atop a clump of bracken before the acidic
grassland community gave way to shrubby heath dominated by heather and bilberry, the latter bearing
ripe berries which were enjoyed by several members of the party. Meadow pipits were numerous here
and we watched many birds displaying their typical parachuting flight as they returned to the ground.
The bright light brought stunning views but little more in the way of wildlife as we walked across the
summit plateau, other than a brief glimpse of a northern eggar moth patrolling across the heather.
As we descended Cardingmill valley we came across several flowering plants of monkey musk Mimulus
guttatus growing in the stream. Although not native to the UK it has been known from the streams of
the Long Mynd since the nineteenth century. Finally, to round
off a glorious day, we had fine views of a merlin mobbing a buzzard as it soared over the Bodbury hill-
fort.

VISIT TO SELBORNE            E. Hampshire, 27 June-1st July
Leaders: Wenda Janes and Josette Pearn
Tuesday
Our first day out took us to Noar Hill, made famous by Gilbert White. His book about the natural history of Selborne, written in the 1700s and still published, was his recordings and comments on the nature around him. The area is charming, full of local history, and the chalk ground gives lots of interesting plants, butterflies and insects to feast any nature lover. Along the verges, we came across well-known plants including St Johns wort, Field bindweed, Wild marjoram, Wild thyme and Wild arum seed heads, but it was the Jack-go-to-bed at noon (Goatsbeard) that intrigued a lot of us as its flowers close up at noon.
The experts amongst us were able to specify Yellow vetchling, Tufted vetch, Dark mullein [Verbascum nigrum], Hedge woundwort, Hedge bedstraw and Creeping buttercup. Our very first need of a good reference book was for the golden scaled male fern, growing beside a contrasting hartstongue fern, a fern we often came across all week. Common knapweed, Common agrimony, B lack medick, Selfheal and Nipplewort were seen near each other. In a field hedge White bryony, Wild clematis and Dog rose caused discussion.
Alongside the Hill was the first sighting of orchids – pyramid and common spotted – great excitement, and we saw many more on the Hill. NOAR HILL had medieval chalk workings for fertilizer, unploughed for centuries but grazed, so produces rare chalk down plants in the micro-climates that have been produced. To understand a lot more of this interest, go to “Noar Hill Wikipedia” on the internet.
Once on the hill we were made aware of a fenced-off area where juniper, once very common in the area, is being encouraged to grow. Also we realised the importance of being careful of where we sat as the whole surface has interest – if very alert one can come across the very small musk orchid. But we only had Field scabious, Lady’s bedstraw, Nodding thistle and the parasite robin’s pincushion as the coffee flasks came out and we had marble white and ringlet butterflies to watch and a feeding tree pipit. Other birds sang – linnet, skylark and greenfinch – probably trying to warn us of what was to come! - close thunder and lightning accompanied by the appropriate rain! Sheltering in a piece of woodland, half the party decided to abandon the walk and went off to see indoor sights such as Jane Austen’s house in nearby Chawton.
The rest of us also abandoned the hill and walked at a good pace through woodland, across a field of sodden rape (!) and on to Selborne Common, now open woodland where cattle graze to keep control of the undergrowth although we didn’t see any. Suddenly the sun came out, shining between the old beech trees ( and others) – we felt great AND so did the butterflies that gave us a wonderful show – marble whites, ringlets, meadow brown and large skipper. We also saw a humming bird hawk moth and a cinnabar moth caterpillar. And, amongst other birds, we heard jay.
We had a lovely walk across the Common and down the Zig Zag path, cut by Gilbert and his brother, which eventually took us down to the village, having given us great views of the area, including the huge eerie-looking-golf balls for satellite communication, and Gilbert’s house reminding us of the morrow’s visit.
                                                                                                                                                                               Wednesday

This was a much better day, weather wise. Still unreliable but it proved good. The morning was spent at Gilbert White’s house, which also contains interesting exhibitions about Frank Oates, the natural history traveller around S. America and Africa, who sadly died young from yellow fever – and his famous nephew who took part in Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the S Pole. Gilbert’s garden was interesting and the grounds extensive. A roe deer was spotted in the garden. Several of us visited the local church where there are windows showing St Francis and many of the birds seen in this area and one dedicated to Gilbert white.
The afternoon took us on a beautiful walk along the lythes (hillsides not wooded in White’s day) to 3 lovely lakes surrounded by hangers (wooded hillsides). Nuthatch, kingfisher, heron, moorhen, coot, mallard all made their presence felt, and the swans and Canada geese were proud of their youngsters. The previous weekend, the leaders watched cormorants as they flew over. The huge carp were a sight to see. The damsel flies were lovely, the tiny grasshoppers amazing and the 12 and 6 spotted ladybirds fascinating.
In the woods were Enchanter’s nightshade Square stemmed St John’s wort and Wood and remote sedges. Large water forget-me-not, Marsh thistle, and Water bistort were found by or in the water. In a field we saw a mass of Meadowsweet , patches of Lesser stitchwort, Common sorrel (we talked about the comparison with dock), Greater bird’s foot trefoil and Marsh bedstraw.
Later on, at a small but very wet marsh area at the top of a field, there were Tufted forget-me-not, Fool’s water cress, Yellow pimpernel, and Celery leafed buttercup We did also see square-stemmed St Johns wort but am not sure where.
Walking on, round and back we noted an area probably badly affected by the huge “Michael Fish winds” and reached the old priory land (virtually no sign of the priory left), then used a historical Canon’s path back to Selborne village, listening to typical summer birds including whitethroats’ scratchy songs, and noting the signs of an old quarry.

Thursday
Our last day in the Selborne area took us to Old Winchester Hill on the S. Downs Way. The nature was as we had been seeing and hearing, but there were extras. The butterflies showed themselves amazingly well as we walked round to the top – at one point, one couple were watching 8 different species – small heath, small copper, large skipper, red admiral, comma, small white, small tortoiseshell –“ all I need is a painted lady”, exclaimed our butterfly expert and it appeared immediately!
The top of Old Winchester Hill is the site of an iron age hill fort (around 1,000 B.C.), a bronze age cemetery ( around 4,500 B.C.) and the site of WW2 mortar testing. We found Crosswort, Imperforate St John’s wort, Yarrow and Restharrow that used to get entangled in farmers’ harrows. Also the rare Round-headed rampion, Common catsear, Teasel, Great mullein and the small pink flowers of Squinancywort came to the fore.
After absorbing the amazingly distant views over to the Isle of Wight, we left the hill and strode out for a late lunch stop in farmland. The leader had heard a corn bunting there the previous month and year, but only a scratchy whitethroat today – a better birder spotted a smaller bird – was it a corn bunting? Swifts were around, and a linnet in a bush. Someone said they had had a wood warbler. AND there was a dark green fritillary butterfly.
So much to see and hear. We walked back to the cars along a lane with lovely views over to where we had been, and, near the end, a glorious view in the other direction. A few of us ended up at the pub with no name. Most of us had a very enjoyable farewell evening meal together.
  BUT ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END.                                                                                                   

   Many thanks to the leaders for introducing us to an area with such naturalistic and historic interest.

19th June Cannock Chase - A variety of natural delights - Leader Dave Jackson
On a clear slightly overcast but warm mid-morning, several participants accompanied Dave Jackson on
a very pleasant walk from the Whitehouse car park down past the Katyn Memorial and along
Sherbrook Valley. We soon encountered a pleasing array of species. Tree Pipits sallied in song flight
from the birches to delight us with their spiral display. We caught
and examined the lovely yellow and pink blotched Clouded Buff a localised day flying moth of heaths
and moors, which we encountered a few times in the tussocky areas around the brook. A Common
Carpet Moth and Peacock caterpillars were also seen.
A Buzzard then a Raven put on a show overhead, while David used a pheromone lure to good effect, as
within seconds of standing close to a Willow by the stream he caught a superb Welsh Clearwing moth -
a national Red Data Book rarity, only re-discovered on the Chase in 2005. Looking quite
unlike other moth species, the Clearwing was admired by all before we released it. Daniel Traynor, an
eagle eyed teenage wildlife enthusiast, found an Adder basking on the edge of a patch of bracken, but
only a lucky few managed to see it as they are shy wary creatures, and by the time most of those
interested in getting up close and personal had come over to us, the Adder had slithered deep into the
denser undergrowth. Sherbrook Valley's main claim to fame, besides the Welsh Clearwing is the
healthy population of Small - pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies. Day counts in the valley have in
recent years can yielded over fifty, and in better years even more of these delightful denizens of the
marshy brook-side, where its caterpillars depend on Marsh Violets to survive. Either the season had
ended sooner than we thought this year, or the overcast conditions worked against us, as we only
encountered one Fritillary. I think we all felt that we had had some
special encounters with some of the Chase's rarer creatures as we trudged merrily back to our cars.

18th June Baggeridge Andrew Milligan
The main purpose for visiting Baggeridge this time was ORCHIDS and we were not disappointed! A few Bee orchids [[Ophrys apifera] were found on the slopes of the hill in the middle of the Country park just before a heavy shower arrived. Once the shower passed over we investigated several large patches of orchids, more than any of us had ever seen. Most of these were Southern marsh orchid [Dactylorhiza praetermissa] but there were also several Common spotted orchid [Dactylorhiza fuchsia] as well as hybrids. A search for the Northern marsh orchid [Dactylorhiza purpurella] eventually proved successful.                     This summer has seen an explosion of Common poppy [Papaver rhoes] and we were thrilled to see the first Rosebay Willowherb [Chamerion angustifolium] flowering several weeks earlier than usual. An area of heathland is being restored and here we noted Yellow rattle [Rhinanthus minor], Fox and cubs [Pilosella aurantiaca] and Heath bedstraw [Galium saxatile] . Further on we paused to study the tiny white flowers of Cleavers [Galium aparine]. In all about 20 species of flowers were noted. Whilst essentially a botanical field trip other wildlife was not ignored. We paused to watch a female Mallard and her young [Anas platyrhynchos], were accompanied by the song of the Skylark [Alauda arvensis] and heard the resident Tawny owl [Strix aluco]. The only butterfly seen was a Ringlet but we were fascinated by the sight of a Broad bodied chaser drinking at one of the pools where, in a wetter year Newts might be seen.                The 14 members who attended all agreed that it had been a most successful field trip and the sight of all those orchids will remain in our memories for many a year! It all goes to show that you don’t have to travel miles to see spectacular wildlife.
11th June Pattingham. Robin and Mair Stuttard

11th June Pattingham .Robin and Mair Stuttard

In good weather sixteen members gathered at the village hall for a different walk to the one
planned. On the planned walk all the interesting plants had been grazed down by cattle put onto
the slope the week before.
We proceeded down Moor Lane with typical roadside plants with the addition of Greater
Celandine, Opium Poppy and Shining Cranesbill. Passing the stables at Toad`s Nest we came to
the fishing pool created several years ago. On the bank there were over a hundred flowering
spikes of Bee Orchid. I had never seen them there before this year possibly because of walking
here at different times of year. Further information suggests that the bank material had come
from elsewhere (unknown) which might explain no other instances of Bee Orchid seen in the
neighbourhood. Following the path up towards Perton Ridge we saw flowering spikes of
Common Spotted Orchid.
Heading around the golf course towards The Bradshaws we encountered Horse Radish and
Goatsbeard. Just as we arrived at the Bradshaws the heavens opened but we sheltered in the
open barns where we ate our lunch.
The rain cleared and we made our way back to Pattingham via Nurton. A good day for unexpected
good plants.

4th June Shatterford and 3 Counties . Alan and Stella Clowes

Twelve members set off at 10.30am from Shatterford Village Hall Car Park. The walk was a gentle one with only 5 stiles to cross and no steep climbs.
The terrain was part woodland on paths and tracks and part open country on quiet lanes and tracks. A gentle pace was maintained with regular stops to look at the terrain, plant and bird life. Some of the less common species noted were:
Birds                       Butterflies                    Plants                              Fungi
Curlew,                Common blue              Yellow pimpernel          King Alfred’s Cakes
Sparrow Hawk,     Large Skipper        Fox and cubs hawkweed
Willow Warbler
Yellow Hammer
Grey Lag Goose
In regard to birds many more were heard calling but because of the thick foliage cover, could not be seen.
The walk commenced in strong sunshine but it gave way towards the end to showery rain. This did not detract from what was regarded as an enjoyable day which concluded on our return at just after 2.30pm

28th May Ironbridge, Broseley, & Benthall Woods Margot Manuel
The Severn Valley Way Seventeen of us met on Saturday morning at the Station Car Park, Ironbridge, which itself is on the SVW. The weather was ideal, sunny but with a slight breeze - what more could we ask for! This is one of the longest waymarked paths in Britain, around 210 miles from it’s source on the Plynlimon plateaux in mid-Wales through to merging with the Bristol Channel and the sea. Obviously the river, and the Severn Valley line of the Great Western Railway that once ran along this part had their influence on the local flora. Shortly after viewing Benthall Furnaces from our side of the river we passed an amazingly large fungus cluster which had grown on the base of ash tree, thought to be Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) - Anthony took a photograph of the monster!
SVW Plants: Field Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) , Meadow Speedwell - Germander (Veronica chamaedrys), Jack by the Hedge or Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale), Bush Vetch (Vicia sepium), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Herb Bennett (Geum urbanum), Harts Tongue Fern (also prolific on Benthall Edge), Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga), Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum), a few Blue Bells still in flower, Ground Elder in flower (Aegopodium podagraria), Comfrey common (symphytum officinale), Alkanett (anchusa officinalis), Bugloss (Anchusa arvensis), White Campion (Silene latifolia). Flowering Bramble, Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Lesser Trefoil (Tripolium dubium).
At Coalford we passed the old Wesleyan Chapel now home of Jackfield Brass Band and then went along a narrow fenced-off footpath by a factory which eventually led to Mone Wood. Once a muddy and difficult area to negotiate but with recent improvements and with it’s number of pools and brooks is a pleasant way to walk to Broseley. We arrived at the Hay Cop - a six acre site that recently had been designated a Nature Reserve thanks to the owner, a Mr Dereyk Roberts, and a band of helpers. Prior to that was a very muddy Japanese Knotweed choked place with the right-of-way it’s only asset. We endured a heavy burst of rain and sheltered under the trees by the refurbished old well - used by the people of Broseley until well into the last century!. The sight of a bull curbed are stroll across the Firey Fields so we retraced our steps and went via the Tynings.
Coalford to Mone Wood Plants: Prickly Sow Thistle (Sonchus asper), Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus), Nipplewort (Lapsana communis), Black Bryony (Tamus communis), Smooth Sow Thistle (Sonus oleraceus), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cucil), Red Campion ( Silene dioica), Vipers-grass purple (Scorzonera humilis), Long headed clover (Tri Folium incarnatum subsp molinerii), Fumitory common (Fumaria officinalis), Cuckoo Flower/Lady’s Smock (Cardamine pratensis), Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Bitter Cress , Bugle, (Ajuga reptans), Stitchwort Greater (Stellaria holostea), Common Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa, Three veined sandwort (Moehringia trinervia) Ca. Ivy leaved toad flax (Linaria cymbalaria ) Mare’s Tail (Hippuris Vulgaris).
Hay Cop Plants: Cat’s Ear (Hypochoeris radicata), Woody Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), Yellow Iris, in pool (Iris pseudacorus), Mouse-ear ( : Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), Woodruff (Galium odoratum), Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens), Cerastium fontanum), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica).
At the Tynings, sometimes there are a few horses in the meadows but always you hear the dogs barking from the large kennels that are housed there. Then Benthall via Barratts Hill and Floyer Lane where we crossed over a few fields and passed the pool that held the *Common Water Crowsfoot that only Robin could accurately identify. Then walking between an avenue of Chestnut Trees that once was the main driveway to Benthall Hall, we could see the property in the distance. We ate our lunch in St Bartholomew’s Church Yard a beautiful, peaceful spot which much belies the horrific episode of the Civil war that took place there. We spotted a Spotted flycatcher there, the best find of the day! In the lane Robin noted some White Comfrey (Symphytum orientale), excluding the Benthall area it is a rare find in this part of England. I spoke to Nick, the gardener at the Hall and he said George Maw, tile manufacturer and botanist who had lived there between 1890-1906 , had planted some of his finds along the lane, so maybe due to him but cannot confirm!
Tyning to Benthall Hall plants: Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum valgare), Sweet Rocket/Dame Violet (Hesperis matronalis), Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Hawkweed/Fox & Cubs (Hieractum aurantiacum),  Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans), Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), *Common Water Crowfoot on pool (Ranunculus aquatlis). White Comfrey
Benthall Edge was the final part of the walk. This area is another SSSI and is well managed by the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust. They have said that the woodlands are divided into lowland (wych elm and white ash), highland (oak, birch, rowan and holly). Obviously bands of coal, limestone, clay and iron have also had their impact. The walk finished with tea, cakes and sunshine in my                                       Benthall Edge Plants : Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), Crosswort (Cruciata Laevipes), Spindle Trees (Euonymus europaeus), Sanicle (Sanicula europaea), Yellow pimpernel (Lysimachia nemorum), Ground Ivy (Glechoma Hederacea)Black Medick (Medicago Lupulina), Speedwell wall (Veronica arvensis), Common Vetch (Vicia sativa). Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor). Birds noted on the walk: Swifts, Swallows, House martins overhead, Blackcaps singing in the hedgerows, Skylarks over the meadows, Willow Warblers & Chiffchaff singing, Robins & Dunnocks, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers calling in Benthall Churchyard, Spotted Flycatcher in Churchyard (Bird of the Day. Black Birds, Song Thrush but no Cuckoos. Butterflies noted on the walk: Small White and Common Blue.

7th May . Highgate Common . Leader : Andrew Milligan

The long hot dry spell which we had enjoyed for some weeks came to a sudden end. This was a disappointment for us, though doubtless welcomed by farmers, gardeners and those fighting the forest fire in the Million. However 15 hardy members donned wet weather gear and set off for a productive, if damp, field trip and noted some 16 different plant species. We saw a silver- winged day flying moth but the hoped for cuckoo sadly remained elusive. Most of the morning was spent in the woodland which at least afforded us some protection and contained if not carpets , then certainly “rugs”of English Bluebells {Hyacinthoides non-scripta]. We stopped to study the tiny three veined sandwort [Moehringria trinerva] and noted the usual Spring flowers such as Common dog violet, Greater stitchwort, Wood speedwell and Creeping buttercup. Eventually we emerged onto the heath an after visiting the Wildlife Trust’s offices made our way back to the cars. We had covered 4 miles.

30th April Much Wenlock, Leaders Marj and Ken Horton.

21 members met at Rossmore, the home of our leaders Marj and Ken Horton, on a warm, bright, sunny day.The walk began along Southfield Road and up past the local allotments towards the Syche Caravan Park and then onto the ridge above Homer. Here we had good views of a yellow hammer and of the Much Wenlock area.After a coffee stop, we continued down through the woods to Homer. The path took us through masses of wild garlic and bluebells in full flower. From Homer we walked up the 99 steps (but we only counted 88) and joined the Sheinton Road. After a long climb towards Much Wenlock, we diverted into the woods to see early purple orchids. We continued through Sheinton Woods to the Gaskell Playing Fields and then back to Rossmore.                                                                                                                                                                Tea was taken in the garden and was a fitting end to a good day’s walking.                                                    Other birds of interest seen were: kestrel, sparrow hawk, buzzard, black cap, willow warbler, swift, swallow and house martin.

23rd April Easter Sunday.               Grinshill .    Olly Cadman

Easter Saturday was a very pleasant contrast after a week of inclement weather, and whilst visibility
was not excellent from Grinshill Beacon we did enjoy our coffee stop in relatively warm sunshine.
Walking into Clive we were attracted by All Saints' Church, a massive sandstone building, and so
we went in. We found 2 ladies arranging, what seemed to be 'hundreds' of Easter lilies, into many
vases and urns. The perfume when we entered was overpowering.
From there we wandered down the lane towards Sansaw House, noticing how tree roots had grown
through the sandstone, then had a lunch break by Sansaw house pools. From there we headed
towards Yorton, and another church, but still the same theme, literally hundreds of lilies. We spoke
to the churchwarden who told us that they had recently had the bell reclad and because the lead of
the roofing had been exposed over 3 nights while this was being done, he had had to sleep in the
church. We all thought 'rather him than me'!
Because we felt that our walk had become more of a sightseeing to local churches, we did a slight
detour and went to see Grinshill church. Again the same story - lots of lilies. On walking back
towards the car park, Anthony spotted a hornet flying into its nest in a tree, which was a nice ending
to a lovely walk.

2nd April 2011 Brewood Leaders: Brian and Pauline Jones

Some 15 members set off in a Northerly direction from Newport Street in Brewood and soon passed through the newly established Barnfield Sandbeds Nature Park before crossing the fields to Horsebrook.
A short break was taken on the banks of the Penk to inspect the earthworks which mark the remains of the Roman Villa near Engleton Farm some 500 yards from the Roman road. This may have been the seasonal country residence of a privileged Roman. It must have been a healthy and invigorating place in which to pass the long English winters, with under floor heating, warm room, cold room and an indoor cold plunge.
A small sandstone pillar, alleged removed from a 12 feet diameter pit in the centre of the courtyard of the villa, was spotted in the grounds of the nearby Engleton Hall Farm. The party then moved on along Crateford Lane and finally entered the private grounds of Somerford Park. Lunch was taken in glorious Spring sunshine near the bridge over the main lake. A fish, perhaps 12 “ long and silvery pink was seen to leap up from the lake, splash back in and then forage amongst the weed on the edge of the lake. We were not sure what it was!
Birds seen during the walk included: chiffchaff, skylark, yellow hammer, lapwing, pheasant, cormorant (3), coot, mallard, Canada geese, greylag geese, chaffinch, linnet, greenfinch, grey heron, blue tit, buzzard, greater spotted woodpecker (drumming), jay, house sparrow and nuthatch.
After passing in front of Somerford Hall we re-crossed the Penk and headed back into Brewood via Sparrow’s End (inappropriate), The Pavement and Dean Street.
Afternoon tea was subsequently enjoyed in the garden.

6th March . Trimpley . Leader Bob Pucknell
 
Thirteen members turned out on a rather cloudy, misty day for a six mile walk in Worcestershire. Starting from the Eyemore Wood car park we had to walk back along the road we had driven for nearly a mile to gain the first footpath. After that we gradually descended towards Bewdley passing some young goats in one field and many very small lambs at another farm. We eventually crossed the Severn Valley Railway and came out by the bridge in that town. Lunch was taken in a play area near the river Severn, where there were several benches and tables. Later we walked along the Severn Way for some two and a half miles before climbing to the side of the Lower Trimpley Reservoir. We the recrossed the SVR and after a short but quite steep climb arrived back at the car park.
 Apart from the goats and sheep fauna observed included: Chiff Chaff, Lapwing, Mandarin Duck, Goosanders, Great Crested Grebes and Sand martins.
 Flora included Blackthorn, Cowslip, Oxslip, Ground Ivy, Barren Strawberries, Wood Sorrell, various Violets and Golden Saxifrage.

 8th January . Orton . Leader: Andrew Milligan
The threat of cold, snowy weather, fortunately, did not happen and it was on a comparatively mild day with sunny periods that 21 members left Wombourne station for a 5 mile walk via the Bratch, Awbridge, Orton Hill and Ladywell Wood an area which saw the first S.S.N.S. field trip back in 1894. We were especially pleased to welcome back some members who had not been with us for some time.
Wildlife sightings were few but we were impressed by seeing 15 cormorants [Phalacrocorax carbo] perched on a pylon. Not surprisingly a Buzzard [Buteo buteo] was spotted and was it a raven [Corvus corax] that we heard near the end? The other thing of note was the Jelly Disc fungus on a log in Ladywell Wood.
Finally at the invitation of Harold and Margaret Carr we went to their house for lovely refreshments to celebrate Margaret’s 80th birthday. A glorious start to the new season!

WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS 2010

27th December. High Rock . Leader :Geoff Lambert
December 2010 was to be the coldest December since records began in the late C19th with heavy snow,ice and fog. It was, therefore, not surprising that only comparatively few [13] people turned out for the traditional Boxing Day walk. We were very pleased to welcome Curly’s son Michael with his son and this added to our pausing to remember Curly and Harold Jones, who were the co-founders and leaders of this walk in 1947, I believe.
Snow was still thick on the ground as we made our way from Wombourne to High Rock for a shorter than usual lunch break. The stretch through the woods was also shorter than usual, but it did enable us to enjoy a drink in the warmth of the Dog Inn!
We all hope that Michael will accept my invitation to join us again: it would be god to keep the “Downing connection”.                                          AGM            

23rd October. Wyre Forest (Earnwood Copse), Leader Roy Mantle.
The season has been exceptional for fungi and the beech wood at Earnwood Copse had some very nice finds including two very good edible species, the Penny Bun (Boletus edulis) and the Wood Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum). The Wood Hedgehog is so called because the underside has no gills but instead is covered in soft spines hanging down like tiny stalactites. We also found the Curry Scented Milkcap (Lactarius camphoratus) with its strong smell of curry. We moved onto the pipeline for lunch and found a few grassland types including the Snowy Waxcap (Hygrocybe virginea) which is pure white and does look and feel as though it is made of wax. In the afternoon we took the forest road through Longdon Orchard and immediately found the large and spectacular Trooping Funnel (Clitocybe geotropa). This specimen was about 8 or 9 inches high and about 5 inches across the top. Growing on an old conifer stump was the very beautiful Jelly Antler Fungus (Calocera viscose). This is a bright orange yellow and shaped like stags antlers and in the gloom of the conifer plantation it seems to glow. On the way back up the path we made what was probably our most exciting find, the Common Bird’s Nest (Crucibulum laeve). It looks like tiny thimbles about 1/3 of an inch across filled with tiny “eggs” which are in fact packets of spores which get splashed out by raindrops. In all we found 36 species.
NAME AS RECORDED                                   ENGLISH NAME
Armillaria mellea s. l. rhizomorphs                             H oney Fungus
Boletus edulus                                                            Penny Bun/Cep
Calocera viscosa                                                       Jelly Antler Fungus
Chlorophyllum rhacodes                                            Shaggy Parasol
Clitocybe clavipes                                                      Club Foot                                                                        Clitocybe geotropa                                                 Trooping Funnel
Clitocybe nebularis                                                   Clouded Funnel
Collybia butyracea                                                        Butter Cap
Collybia dryophila                                                     Russet Toughshank
Conocybe subovalis
Coprinellus micaceus                                                  Glistening Inkcap
Crucibulum laeve                                                    Common Bird's Nest
Cystoderma amianthinum                                        Earthy Powdercap
Dacrymyces stillatus                                                  Common Jellyspot
Daedaleopsis confragosa                                            Blushing Bracket
Hydnum repandum                                                      Wood Hedgehog
Hygrocybe virginea                                                      Snowy Waxcap
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca                                           False Chanterelle
Lactarius camphoratus                                                   CurryMilkcap
Leccinum scabrum                                                       Brown Birch Bolete
Leccinum versipelle                                                     Orange Birch Bolete
Macrolepiota procera                                                         Parasol
Marasmiellus ramealis                                                   Twig Parachute
Mucilago crustacea
Panaeolus rickenii                                                       Dewdrop Mottlegill
Piptoporus betulinus                                              Birch Polypore/RazorstropFungus
Russula nigricans                                                     Blackening Brittlegill
Russula ochroleuca                                                  Ochre Brittlegill
Russula rosea                                                                Rosy Brittlegill
Stereum hirsutum                                                          Hairy Stumpflap
Strophariacyanea                                                                                                                                                     Tricholoma ustale                                                               Burnt Knight
Xylaria hypoxylon                                                         Candlesnuff Fungus
Melanoleuca melaleuca

14th August .Wenlock Edge: Leader: Tim Coleshaw
This walk was timed to give members a chance of seeing the 16 or so species of butterflies that are on the wing on Wenlock Edge at this time of year. Unfortunately the day dawned unpromisingly with grey skies and scattered showers although the forecast was for an improvement as the day went on. Sadly, by the time the SSN walk started, skies were still decidedly leaden with little prospect of seeing the sun. At the meeting point in the National Trust car park, a few common blue butterflies were seen on the wing and roosting on grass stems. A single small white put in a brief appearance and we had views of several six-spot burnet moths and their distinctive pupal cases. Limestone plants noted in the car park included burnet saxifrage, hoary plantain and yellow-wort, the attractive member of the gentian family. Crossing into Blakeway Hollow, a couple of members of the brown family, a gatekeeper and a freshly-emerged meadow brown, put in brief appearances, along with a single large white. A little further up the lane we had good views of a female holly blue resting in the adjacent hedgerow. Plants species seen here included salad burnet, agrimony and field garlic with its curious loose flower heads. By now the skies were darkening and the prospect of seeing many more butterflies looked remote. We therefore decided to abandon insects for the day and look for some of the more interesting limestone plants instead. Along the woodland edge we saw large-leaved lime, spindle and wild service tree and numerous specimens of common gromwell with its characteristic rock-hard seeds. After a further half mile we reached a small colony of autumn gentian which was just coming into flower before returning past an ungrazed meadow where we saw centaury, ox-tongue hawkweed, blue fleabane and the seed heads of pyramidal orchid. Returning to the car park, light conditions were a little brighter and we spent 10 minutes or so watching dozens of common blues flitting from flower to flower, before returning to our cars and heading for home.

17th October. Highgate Common. Joan Pennock and Enid Lavender

Fourteen members met at the Whitehouse Lane car park on Highgate Common. After a frosty night we were met by, not mist as feared, but by very welcome sunshine which lasted for most of the walk. The path through the plantation was very pleasant in the dappled sunlight. The first two positive identifications of fungi were Common Earthball [Scleroderma citrinum] and Sulphur tuft [Hypholoma fasiculare].

Later on we also saw Fly agaric [ Ceitocybe nebularis] , Shaggy parasol [Macrolepiota rhacodes],

Birch polypore [Piptoporus betulinus], Brown roll-rim [Paxillus involutus], Ivory clitocybe [Clitocybe dealbata], Blushing bracket [Daedaleopsis confragosa] , The Miller [Clitopilus prunulus]

and Parasol mushrooms [Macrolepiota procera]. We left the plantation and continued alongside various hedgerows. We walked across an autumn sown field which was already producing healthy green shoots. We joined the Staffordshire Way and were quite close to Mere Hall Farm, where a variety of unusual poultry and animals, including llamas, can be seen. We spent a very relaxing lunch break at the side of Mere Pool. It was extremely warm in the sunshine and many red dragonflies [Common sympetrum] were flying around in ones and twos. After lunch we climbed gently and were rewarded with extensive panoramic views and also the sighting of a young Common puffball [Lycoperdon perlatum]. We reached the new centre managed by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust . There are now excellent new toilets there. The centre itself is only used for educational visits from schools. New schemes for the development of the common and centre are planned. Finally we made our way across open scrubland, meeting a number of well controlled dogs and their owners in spacious surrounding, and so back to the car park. There are a number of designated car parks on the common. Very few flowers had survived the recent frosts. We saw Red clover [Trifolium pratense] ,White deadnettle [Lamium album] and Dandelion [Taraxacum]. The leaves of the Horse Chestnut [Aesculus hippocastanum] were showing signs of deterioration. This is caused by a leaf miner. Some of the UK’s Horse Chestnuts trees are suffering from bleeding canker which is also gradually moving northwards and these problems are causing some concern about the future of the Horse Chestnut. On a more positive note the hips, haws, sloes and berries on the ivy were in plentiful supply and should help our wildlife survive the winter.

29th August. Brown Clee Leader : Paul Newton
As this was the first meeting after hearing of the death of Curly we spent a short time in remembrance of Curly and all the hard work both he and Molly gave to the SSNS.
Nine members met on a bright but changeable day to walk to the top of Brown Clee, along the ridge and back through the forest. When we reached the old mine workings on Abdon Burf, members had to hurriedly shelter from a heavy blustery shower. The rest of the day was drier and brighter. Fortunately we were at the right time of year to see the heather in bloom on top of the hill.
In the forest there has been a lot of tree felling and we noticed Norway Spruce and Sitka Spruce regenerating naturally. Other trees of note included a planted fastigiated beech. We also observed an oak with hop galls – a less frequent parasite in this area.
There were no unusual flowers, though plenty of harebells on the lower slopes. Small copper and gamekeeper butterflies were pointed ou by a member of the group.

18th September Wildside Activity Centre Brian Jones and Stuart Carter

Some 14 members, including several new members, forgathered at The Wildside Activity Centre for a conducted tour of the premises and the grounds off Horden Road Whitmore Reans.

As General Manager Stuart had told us at an earlier indoor meeting, the Centre offers young people the opportunity to experience adventure, conservation and self-discovery in a 'green oasis', surrounded on all sides by differing natural habitats, none of which are normally associated with living in a town.

Some 5000 young people had already experienced the variety of activities on offer during 2010.

The tour included a “woodland” meeting area, a willow grove and potential “homes” for otters, kingfishers and bank voles - all on scrubland next to the canal.

The party then set off on a “cruise” in the centre’s narrow boat Trebalisa through Newbridge and Compton to Wightwick, where a picnic was taken. Several members enjoyed helping with lock gates and helming!

The party expressed enthusiastic support for the activities of the centre and wished it well for the future

22nd May Wom Brook. Leader : Anita Ferguson

13 people attended the walk which began at Rushford Bridge over Wom Brook just off the A449, the day was hot sunny and still. At intervals along the walk historical aspects relating to visible evidence were explained, including past use of Crack Willows (Salix fragilis) pollarded for firewood, Osier Willows (Salix viminalis) for baskets etc and a weir where sluice-gates once controlled water flow to a nearby mill, now non-existent.
Abundant colourful bankside spring flowers seen included Ramsons (Alium ursinum) and Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens)-beloved by bees. Insects noted included 4 species of common butterflies, Common Carder Bumblebees (Bombus pascuorum) and most excitingly a Hornet (Vespa crabra). It obligingly landed on a large pebble in the brook, drank and groomed, providing a very photogenic subject! Of the few birds active in the heat of the day, a Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) was the most notable.
Wom Brook is home to a fluctuating population of Water Voles (Arvicola terrestris). It was explained that so far this year they are present in greater numbers in many locations since interest in their presence began over ten years ago, partly attributable to ongoing management to increase floral diversity and abundance of suitable food plants by the removal of invasive plants. Disappointingly no Water Voles were seen, but their presence and activity were evident by the amount of nibbled and disturbed vegetation near and around numerous burrow entrances.

17th July. Butterflies & Day-flying Moths at Baggeridge.Warden
Unfortunately David Jackson was unable to lead this walk but the Warden stepped in and led an interesting trip. After an unpromising morning with pouring rain the skies cleared after lunch and several flowers were seen including St John’s wort, Yellow rattle and Common centaury. A thrush was heard singing. Ringlets, Meadow browns, Gatekeepers, and Small skippers were seen. The rare Essex skipper was also seen. It has black on its antennae. Commas, Small heaths and Common blue butterflies were also seen. Burnet moths and Cinnabar moth caterpillars were noted. The six belted Clearwing and the white letter Hairstreak butterfly on the side of the creeping thistles were rare finds for the day. A grasshopper and a grass snake under some metal sheets were good finds too.

29th May. Hampton Loade . Olly Cadman

Just 5 very brave members turned up for my walk on a day which promised no let-up in the rain and wind. After a warming hot chocolate, in the Severn Valley Nature Reserve Centre, we walked downhill towards the River Severn and the bridge to take us to the west bank. On the way down we saw Teasel, Cowslip, Ox-Eye Daisy, Red Campion and Cow Parsley all in various stages of growth and all seeming to like the very wet conditions. We crossed the river and checked the bat boxes on the bridge. Apparently bat residents in the past have been – Daubenton’s, Natterer’s, Noctule, 3 types of Pipistrelle, Brown Long-eared, and the quite rare Leisler’s. Birds were very scarce but we did see a family of Mallards on the river – they too seemed to like the wet conditions.
As we walked upstream towards Hampton Loade we saw, Birds-foot Trefoil, Russian Comfrey, Herb-Robert, Ragged Robin, Stitchwort, Wild Garlic (Ramsons), Goose Grass, Self Heal, Ground Ivy and or course the inevitable Himalayan Balsam, again all in different stages of growth. We saw too a Field Maple which had a really unusual shape.
By the time we ate our lunch on the picnic tables at Hampton Loade Station it had stopped raining, which improved conditions for our walk back downstream on the walk/cycle track alongside the Severn Valley Railway tracks. We saw more of the same plants and also alongside the path we saw ‘Granny’s Bonnet’ – Acquilegia – in a variety of colours. Part way along the track, in the wooded area of the fields sloping down to the river we saw the Long-horned bull, standing quite still. Those who hadn’t seen him before thought he was a statue, but he proved he was real by blinking an eye. He has been on his own there for such a long time – he must be very lonely.
Back at the nature reserve we had another hot chocolate to warm us for our journey home feeling very refreshed after an invigorating walk.

25th September Stourport - Leaders : Harold and Margaret Carr.

The party of twelve walked from the Wilden Top Car Park over the Common and down through the wood to cross the Worcester road and reach the riverside through a mobile home park. After going over the canal entrance lock at the edge of Stourport, lunch was taken on picnic tables near convenient toilets.
Continuing through the town and on to the canal again, the walk eventually passed through further housing, over the River Stour and climbed through more thin woodland to regain the Common and the starting point. To conclude on a pleasant note, the party then adjourned to De Beer’s Garden Centre for tea or coffee – and cakes . . . . .
Plants noted on the walk ( courtesy of Margaret Harper) were : Himalayan Balsam, Gorse, Yarrow, Meadow Cranesbill, Soap Wort, Greater Celandine, Hedge Mustard, White Dead Nettle and Elderberry.
It was perhaps an interesting comment on the time of year that, apart from the usual swan and mallard population, small birds were not in evidence at all. The suggestion here is that the moulting season might be responsible for some reclusive behavior until new plumage allows full vigour to be resumed.

June 5th Pattingham Robin Stuttard                                                                            On a bright, sunny morning fourteen gathered for a walk circling Pattingham looking for early summer flowers and birds. We set off around Pool meadow and down to the Tan Pits encountering many of the common arable weeds such as Pineappleweed, Cow Parsley, Dove'sfoot Cranesbill, Smooth Hawksbeard, Catsear, Smooth Sow Thistle, White Bryony and Common Mouse-ear. We also heard and more importantly saw a Cuckoo near Tan Pits. Coming back into the village we saw a profusion of Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Green Alkanet and Greater Celandine.
We then walked up to and through Hamley Woods seeing Common Ramping Fumitory, Common Vetch, Bugloss, 3-veined Sandwort, Yellow Pimpernel and Creeping Cinquefoil.
We then moved off up the hill towards the cattle pound encountering White Campion, Field Pansy, Hedge Mustard, Prickly Lettuce, Wild Radish and Common Poppy.
Down from the pound towards the Fox Inn we found Spanish Bluebell and Star of Bethlehem on the grass verge but rather close to a house. Further away from habitation we found on a grass verge, rather depleted by council mowing, Meadow Vetchling, Greater Knapweed and the not yet flowering shoots of Bladder Campion and Field Scabious.
We then turn up towards the scarp slope near the Clive Farm which should have been stunning with flowers. However, the week before, the farmer had put thirty cows and calves onto it so it was well grazed. There was still sufficient to give interest including Field Bindweed, Annual Knawel, Sand Spurrey, Bird'sfoot and Bird'sfoot Trefoil, Wall Speedwell, Cut-leaved and Small-flowered Cranesbill and Scarlet Pimpernel.
We then had to make a detour around a field occupied by a bull that seemed very interested in people. While making the detour a Hare and Green Woodpecker were seen. We then made our way to the ford in Watery Lane where we saw Russian Comfrey, Hedge Woundwort, Brooklime, Valerian, Meadowsweet and Common Mallow. Then back to Pattingham along Moor Lane observing the Llamas in passing.

7th August Church Stretton Eric and Vivian Garner
16 members of the NATS met at the Jinlye. The walk was to the trig point on Pole Bank.
The weather was warm with a couple of showers.
Seen on the walk: Ling Heather, Scarlet Pimp, Tormentil.
Meadow Pipppit, Ringed caterpillar and a group of wild ponies with a foal..
Members then went to 'Wood Hill' for refreshments.

31st July Chelmarsh. Margaret Harper and TerryTaylor
It was a cloudy but warm and pleasant morning. 17 members walked the 4 miles by or near Chelmarsh reservoir in Shropshire. We had views of birds on the scrape and shallow water at the top end, namely lapwing, moorhen and mallard. Then turning the other way to look over the lake we spotted a swan with 5 cygnets. There were great crested grebes diving and plenty of mallards, tufted ducks, coots and greylag geese. A heron stood on the bank. The path led us higher up to give us excellent views all round but it proved to be a bit too breezy for our lunch stop ,which we had when we came to a more sheltered spot a bit lower down. There weren’t as many butterflies as I had hoped. Perhaps it was because dry weather and earlier heat had finished a lot of flowers. We did see red admiral, small copper several green veined whites, gatekeepers and speckled wood butterflies. Among the interesting plants noted was meadowsweet. There was a lot of this and some had gone to seed. Also we saw Fleabane, Knapweed, Red bartsia, Teasel, Agrimony and a Spindle tree. As we completed our circle to return to the village we could see across to the Clee Hills. Over the car park there were a good number of swifts and house martins flying.

Saturday 10th July Corvedale - Brian Jones

Some 23 members and guests assembled outside the late Norman church of St Michael’s in the hamlet of Munslow towards the Western End of Wenlock Edge.Local resident Doug Scarrett and his wife were extremely helpful in arranging parking with the local farmer, inviting us into his house to use the facilities and providing detailed lists of mosses and lichen present in the churchyards and on his garden wall!. We had an abundance of flora and fauna experts in the party, but our timing was poor because most of the species were dried up in the heat!

We climbed steadily up winding tracks through ancient pastures into Playground Plantation and then down the other side to Wetmoor Farm. Some of the more unusual flora spotted at this stage included:  Lotus corniculatus - Birds foot trefoil; Vicia cracca -Tufted vetch; Stachys sylvatica - Hedge woundwort; Agrimoni eupatoria - Common agrimony; Malva moschata - Musk mallow; Betonica officinalis - Betony; Schrophularia nodosa - Common figwort; Ajuga reptans - Bugle.

Birds seen included: Mistle thrush, Greater spotted woodpecker, Yellow hammer, Raven and Buzzard.

Butterflies seen included: Ringlet, Meadow brown, Small tortoiseshell, Speckled wood, Small white and Small copper.

Having received dire warnings about a large bull with cows and calves, some members were disappointed to pass through uneventfully - the herd had ambled into the next field! Lunch was taken on an open hillside with a panoramic view of the Long Mynd, Stretton Hills and Hope Bowdler in the background and Hope Vale in the fore ground. Flora spotted here included:

Thlaspi arvensis - Field pennycress; Sisymbrium officinalis - Hedge mustard; Gnaphalium uliginosum - Marsh cudweed.

Having skirted another wood, we breasted the hill to gaze down on the opposite panorama across Corvedale and beyond it both Clee Hills and Mortimer Forest. In the lane we spotted the stub end of a deer’s antler. Coming down to pass through the outskirts of Aston Munslow (without stopping at The Swan Inn!) we took the path across eight fields before descending to a footbridge into Munslow Village and so back to its church.

Apart from the magnificent 14th Century timber-framed porch, we inspected the 12th Century stained glass windows believed to have been hidden during the reformation and the copied Mappa Mundi.

Sunday June 27th
Ironbridge & Coalport Walk (with a little history of the area) Margo Manuel
Seven of us met in the Station Car Park, Ironbridge at 10am - I believe it was one of the hottest days for the year and I would have preferred to sit in a shady corner of my garden but it was not to be. We left the car park and were immediately on the Iron Bridge - the bridge completed in 1779 at a cost that was five times the original estimate of £550, does nothing change! We went past the Tontine Hotel and walked up the steps to St Lukes Church, stopping at the churchyard for a few minutes to regain our breath and admire the view of the river, the rooftops and Benthall Edge. We then carried on up Church Hill to Lincoln Hill and the Rotunda, passing the “Lime Burners” the home of a keen plants lady whose amazing garden is a sanctuary for wild life. I remember visiting her garden for the first time with Curly some 15 years ago, I met her recently and she asked to be remembered to Curly.
Lincoln Hill is composed of a seabed laid down some 400 million years ago during the Silurian period. In the 19th Century one of the great attractions of the famous Ironbridge Fetes, which drew thousands of visitors in excursion trains from as far a field as Chester, Worcester & Birmingham, was a visit to Lincoln Hill. The caverns were illuminated, bands played in them and experts gave interminable lectures on the geology and history of the hill. By that time, quarrying was carried on in a very, very small way.
The Rotunda is a viewing area at the top of Lincoln Hill and when conditions are right affords fantastic views of the Gorge, the Wrekin, Caer Caradoc, the Lawley and Hope Bowdler. Early in the 1790’s a structure, the Rotunda, was built there but a little later demolished. It is said that it was similar to a small bandstand, which possessed a seat, the whole thing could be revolved by foot so the different views could be encompassed, and fortunately, its name lives on. We saw Meadow Vetchling, Ragwort, Knapweed, Wild Carrot, Wild clematis.
From the Rotunda, we walked across to Lodge Field - an “ancient field” and scrubland that has recently been set aside for nature and is manned by volunteers. This too offers good views of the area. We saw Common Vetch, Kidney Vetch and Honeysuckle
After crossing Madely Hill, we passed the Golden Ball (built 1728) and famed for being the oldest pub in Ironbridge. Then we walked down to and through Lloyds Coppice where intensive working of the clay, coal & ironstone began here in 1750 although had gone on in a much smaller scale throughout the centuries The Antice family, powerful local industrialists lived here at Madeley Woods Hall but all that remains is the cold stores that ran beneath their property.
Nightingales were renowned within the coppice for centuries and the Corporation tried to replicate traditional coppice management of the woods for these birds but to no avail.
Plants seen: Woody Nightshade, Willow Herb, Common Flebane, Birds Foot Trefoil, Dog Mercury,
Butterflies Seen: Ringlets, Meadow BrownsWe moved further on towards Coalport where William Reynolds, a man of great vision who can fairly be called a genius and who left more of a mark on the Gorge than any other ironmaster. He built a new town and port at Coalport, where he also planned very large chemical complex. There was a canal/river interchange and an incline plane to carry boats 200 feet up to a second canal. There were wharves, warehouses, factories and cottages. Many of the building remain but excluding the cottages, their purpose has changed. It was outside the café at the YMCA that some of our group saw a sparrow feeding her young.
After eating our lunch down by the riverside, we walked over the Woodbridge at Coalport. Woodbridge owes its name to the original bridge that was made of wood designed by William Hayward. Apart from the old medieval bridge further up the river at Buildwas, when it opened in 1780 was the first bridge to carry traffic across the River Severn Gorge. Over the centuries, the bridge has been extensively rebuilt, altered and repaired and now is made of cast iron, metal plates and stone.
In the 1860’s the bridge became a road link between the Coalport branch of the London & North Western Railway, which terminated on the north side of the river (the Silken Way) and the Severn Valley line of the Great Western Railway which was on the South. We actually viewed the station of the Severn Valley Coalport line, it looks very attractive with its two static Pullman coaches but it is under private ownership.
We then walked on to Preenhead which is a large open field which wends its way down to the river, a fishermen‘s paradise! As the weather had been so hot and dry and the main problem here is usually boggy conditions I thought I had no problems but our pathway was almost impassable with brambles and other such rampant wild plants, but a member of the group came to my rescue lent me a pair of secateurs.
Plants seen: Willow Herb, Brambles, Marsh Orchid
Jackfield Memorial Bridge- Plans for the erection of a footbridge was first mentioned in the Shrewsbury Chronicle in June 30th 1922, a much-needed access from Jackfield to Coalport & Madeley. The reverend R Gillinder suggested that it should be a memorial to those in the area who had died in the First World War and represents a departure from the usual war memorials.
We visited the Church of St Mary’s the Virgin - built in 1863 an early work of Arthur Bloomfeld then under the influence of a far greater architect - William Butterfield, the designer of Keble College, Oxford . We then moved on to the Free Bridge - Coalford. In 1990, the present bridge replaced the first wide-span reinforced concrete bridge built in this country in 1908. The original bridge received its name as no toll was charged unlike the Iron Bridge and the ferry. We passed Craven Dunhill- Factory and we moved on to Calcutt House.
We then went forward onto the old Severn Valley Way that is now used by walkers, cyclist and recently become a bridle path. By the end of the walk, we had become tired but the shade from trees with the high temperature was helpful. We saw Common Comfrey, Hedge Bindweed, Enchanted Nightshade, Common Valerian, Weld, Thistle (possibly Musk).The birds we saw were Sparrow, Robin, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Wren, Swifts & Buzzard. Four of the group came home with me for tea and cakes.
Margot Manuel (With thanks to Margaret Harper for all her help)

The Llangynog Experience

The South Staffs Naturalists' annual 4-day gathering, 2010, organised by Arthur Tyerman and Anne Daly, was based in and around Llangynog, an old mining village in Montgomeryshire, nestling below the rocky mass of Craig Rhiwarth. Lead, slate, granite, and phosphate were all quarried or mined in this area at various times from the Bronze Age to the early twentieth century. Llangynog, a quiet place now, stands among the foothills of the Berwyn, and at the conjunction of the rivers Tanat and Eirth, and so well-placed for walking.

Tuesday 8 June
Drifting mist hid the tops of the mountains and drizzling rain fell as members foregathered at the New (1751!) Inn where most folk were staying. Undaunted, however, we set off for a short introductory walk led by Anne to give a brief overview of the history of the village. Crossing the Afon Eirth bridge we walked up an old lane lined with miners' cottages, which, prior to 1910, formed part of the main road to Bala. Towards the top stood an interesting old cast-iron drinking fountain with a step to take the bucket.

A zigzag route took us up Craig Rhiwarth to a small plateau by the head of one of the inclined-planes, down which had travelled sledge-loads of slates. The massive iron axle of the winding-gear still stands there - an appropriate monument to the industry. From this vantage point the hill Cyrniau (meaning 'horns') and the sharp ridge of Y Gribin ('mountain crest') could be seen, scarred by mines, quarries, and their spoil heaps. Down below, the village was spread out before us, with its cottages, churches, and inns, and the turnpike road running south east and crossing the Tanat bridge.

On this craggy mountainside the wild plants are typical of heathland and acid rock, e.g.: wild thyme, heath bedstraw, heath speedwell, tormentil, bell-heather, sheeps' sorrel, English stonecrop, wavy hair-grass, and the pretty emerald-green parsley fern with its two types of frond.

After descending, we crossed the Bala road and followed a sloping path down to what had once been a corn mill driven by water, the mill wheel long gone. A footbridge took us across the rushing river Eirth and we returned to the village across a field and down a lane, comparing the three common buttercups en route. In the churchyard, many slate gravestones bear testimony to the short lives of the miners.

Back at the New Inn we had a short break, during which Arthur introduced Brayton Holt (bird Recorder for Montgomeryshire) and his wife Wanda, who accompanied us on our next walk. This took us eastward along the base of the mountain, looking over the broad glacial valley to the right, and with slate scree and rocky crags to our left. Brayton gave us ideas of what to look for, but pointed out that early morning, not mid-afternoon, was the ideal time to see birds.

We followed a narrow track diagonally up the hillside and paused in an old open oakwood, typical habitat for redstart, wood warbler, and pied flycatcher. On exiting the wood we skirted the eastern flanks of Craig Rhiwarth into Cwm Glanhafon, a narrow valley where choughs are known to nest. Then down a rugged track to the road, and across pastures to the Tanat, alongside which we walked back to the village, enjoying two good views of dippers on the way.
Other birds seen or heard: pied flycatcher, garden warbler, buzzard.

Plants of interest (extra to those seen earlier) were: wall-rue (fern), sheep's-bit scabious, climbing corydalis, bog stitchwort and oval sedge. Over 30 species of plant were noted that day.

Wednesday 9th June
Today we were in the beautiful Cwm Pennant, another broad green valley. At its head is the waterfall that is the start of Afon Tanat. Nestled between the hills is Pennant Melangell church, and it is very fitting that we visited this peaceful spot as it was a 7th century wildlife sanctuary. The interesting story behind this was recounted to us by Jacquie Sharpe, who runs the lovely Christian Centre for pastoral care.

In the morning we ambled along narrow lanes, full of wildflowers, at a gentle pace in order to observe more. The lane crossed several pretty brooks and streams feeding the river Tanat, which we met and crossed, and then walked across fields following an 'avenue' of ancient twisted trees, the remnant of an old road presumably hedge-lined at the time, but, left to its own devices, the trees had grown.

Although drizzly at first, the day became drier. Not many birds were seen except for a large flock of twittering house sparrows nesting near an ancient barn. Wood warbler was heard, a chaffinch and a song thrush. The plant list was richer, and included crosswort with its whorl of four leaves and tiny yellow flowers; this was compared with other members of the bedstraw family (heath bedstraw and cleavers). Other comparisons made were greater and lesser stitchwort, and two species of dock.

Yellow pimpernel, bugle, three-nerved-sandwort and trailing St John's-wort were some of the wayside species noted, and gooseberry bushes were observed in hedgerows.

After a little uphill walk, with the Tanat flowing down the valley below, we passed by a mansion guarded by raucous peacocks; then we descended through a nice wet patch, closer to the river, with bog stitchwort, brooklime, a water forget-me-not, toad rush, and the miniscule "blinks" all in bloom.

We circled back to the Centre for a good lunch, prepared for us by Julia Evans. As we finished, we were joined by a local resident, Peter Barton, who had kindly invited us to visit his unusual garden for the afternoon. Here members were in for a surprise, as Peter's garden was like no other ever seen! Basically it is a chunk of mountain and woodland with a fast-flowing stream coming down it in a series of waterfalls and pools. The name of this property, Nant Ewyn, means 'foaming white stream'. Peter and his wife, Gill, have, over ten years, created the garden out of a wilderness of bracken and bramble, and now there is an abundance of native wild trees, shrubs, ferns and flowers, all in their rightful setting. Little bridges take one over the stream, and capricious narrow paths lead off in various directions. As we wandered we wondered in amazement at the creative work of love that had gone into it.

Otters have been seen here, and dippers frequent the stream.
Amongst the many plants were yellow flag, honeysuckle, comfrey, slender St John's-wort, polypody fern, enchanters'-nightshade, and broad-leaved helleborine.

An interesting insect seen was the hairy-footed flower bee, Anthophora plumites, a solitary bee with a very long tongue. The female is black, the male honey-coloured.

Thursday 10 June
We started today's walk at the village of Hirnant, which takes its name from the river Hirnant ('long stream'), another tributary of the Tanat forming yet another valley, which ends near Pen-y-bont-fawr.

From the community centre we followed an old pack-horse road, a narrow sunken tree-shaded track climbing steeply up Cefn Hir-fynydd to pasture land above. The plant list for both these areas was comparatively short, yet included two 'new' species, both found in the lane: hairy woodrush (Luzula pilosa), with flower-stalks of different lengths; and burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga), which has two types of leaf, one being similar to that of salad-burnet. The best display of colour was a 'forest' of foxgloves that ran for many yards just below the top of the ridge on which we were walking. Another plant of interest was a gnarled ancient birch tree. A corner of farmland provided a few arable weeds: pineapple-weed, knotgrass, shepherd's-purse, and water-pepper.

When we reached the road below, the verges were much more floriferous. Plants not seen hitherto included: yellow-rattle, spindle, shining crane's-bill, navelwort, knapweed, butterbur, and coltsfoot.

A well-placed bird-feeder by a road junction brought the party to a halt for some time as we enjoyed the sight of siskins, goldfinches, coal-tits and great-tits, chaffinches, house sparrows, and robin. Buzzard, chiffchaff and blackcap were also seen and/or heard on this walk.

Outside the community centre there was a bright patch of orange hawkweed, or 'fox-and-cubs', and maidenhair spleenwort, a little fern, on the walls. Inside, another splendid lunch had been prepared for us by Julia. Here we were joined by Kit Carter and Wynn Thomas, who were to help us enjoy the afternoon session. Over lunch Kit and Wynn explained how the church, faced with dereliction, had been saved by the villagers from destruction, and became a useful community centre.

After lunch we were privileged to be shown, by the very experienced Kit Carter, how bird-ringing is done. From a pied flycatcher's nest (in a nest-box) nine incredibly small chicks were "borrowed" and carefully ringed to enable migration patterns to be studied. The anxious parents hopped from branch to branch of the alder trees in the background, and were quick to return to the nest once their family was restored. A second nest yielded 5 more chicks and a repeat of the ringing experience. It was a good opportunity to get close-up views of these pretty birds. The alder trees themselves were a source of concern to Wynn Thomas, because of a destructive disease posing a threat possibly as great as Dutch Elm disease had been.

Wynn kindly took us onto his land where the river runs through woodland, and there is also a pool. This wetland area boosted the plant list with several aquatics and marshland plants, such as Himalayan balsam, marsh bedstraw, marsh thistle, watermint, wavy bittercress, tufted hair-grass, golden-saxifrage, bur-reed and duckweed.

Birds seen over these three days, not so far mentioned: Crow, blue tit, blackbird, pied wagtail, house martin, swallow, kestrel, magpie, green woodpecker, willow warbler, wren, dunnock, yellowhammer, redstart, collared dove, jackdaw, greenfinch, nuthatch, and grey wagtail.

Friday 11 June 2010
Our last morning, and before leaving for home there was one final treat in store. Arthur had arranged with the RSPB staff at Lake Vyrnwy to take us up onto the moorland and blanket bog on the Berwyns.

We travelled in two Landrovers, driven by Jude Lane and Janet Evans. After a long and bumpy journey we arrived on the moorland where Jude and Janet talked about the LIFE Active Blanket Bog in Wales Project, raising the profile of peat bogs. Their work includes removing self-seeding Sitka spruce and rhododendron, whose roots dry out the bogs. Also, blocking drains that channel rainwater off the uplands in order to hold the water on the moors, where it seeps off naturally. Janet and Jude demonstrated the depth of the peat by having us pull out of the ground long canes that had been pushed in to a depth of two metres, representing about 2000 years of growth. We didn't actually have much time to explore, but in about half an hour had seen some very typical and interesting plant species; especially pleasing was the lesser twayblade. Others included: cranberry, cowberry and crowberry; round-leaved sundew, bog asphodel, deer-grass and mat-grass.

An Oak Eggar moth caterpillar (Lasiocampa quercus) was also found - a huge hairy beastie! It is so named because the cocoon resembles an acorn. It feeds mainly on heather and bilberry, both of which were abundant.
Thanks to Robin Stuttard for these two photographs, and also for finding most of the special plants.

After taking us to a vantage point from which to view the 11-mile long lake curving round the landscape, and the extent of the hills looked after by the RSPB, the two vehicles proceeded to the peregrine-watch hides, where we were shown (through telescopes) chicks in a nest across the lake. Back at the RSPB Centre, we said our goodbyes to each other at the end of a very satisfactory four days.

Anne P. Daly