Birkdale Green Beach        8th August 2009         Leader: Pat Lockwood

In all 20 members gathered together at Birkdale Station.  It was a glorious morning and we made our way down to the beach, some going by car, others walking.  It was such a contrast to the year before, when the rain was torrential and the meeting, after 2 hours, was cancelled. I enjoyed hearing the chattering of happy voices.  We were sorry that George Russell was unable to join us.  We wish him well and hope he will lead us another time.

The first plant that really stands out is the Sea Club Rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), it is really impressive. Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus), Saltmarsh Rush (J. gerardii ) Baltic Rush (J. balticus) and Common Cord-grass (Spartina anglica) were studied, also Fools Water-cress (Apium nodiflorum) and Wild Celery (A. graveolens) and the Lesser Water Parsnip (Berula erecta).  Lots of Willow-herbs were poured over, Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum), Great Willowherb (E.hirsutum) and Marsh Willowherb (E. palustre).  The Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) was an interesting contrast to the thousands of plants of Parsley Water Dropwort (O. lachenelii), wonderful hosts to so many insects. Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima), Sea Aster (Aster tripoleum) , Watermint (Mentha aquatica) Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) ,Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum), Alsike Clover (T. hybridum), were all in very good flower.  Sea Arrow-grass ( Triglochin maritima), Marsh Arrow-grass (T.palustris), Thrift ( Armeria maritima), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Greater Sea-spurrey and Lesser Sea- spurrey (Spergularia media and S.marina) and Common Glasswort (Salicornia europaea). David Bryant found a Lesser Conehead, a rare species of insect.

We wandered on to the main path where there were lots of goodies. Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Spear thistle (C. vulgare) were studied, so were Large-flowered Evening Primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) and Intermediate Evening Primrose (O. x fallax), and the Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata). Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus) , Common Restharrow (Ononis repens).  Tufted forgetmenot (Myosotis laxa), Sea Mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum) grew along the edges, also the Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Seaside Centaury (C.littorale) and Lesser Centaury (C.pulchellum).
I was very pleased to see Cyperus longus (Galingale).

In the dunes Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) was everywhere, Marion spotted the Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor), Yellowort (Blackstonia perfoliata) still in good flower, Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) , Eyebright (Euphrasia sp), Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris), Garden Speedwell (Veronica longifolia), and Ploughman's Spikenard (Inula conyzae).  John found really very good flowers on the Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris), and two members (I am sorry,I didn't put your names down) found very good specimens of fruiting Crosswort (Cruciata laevipes).

We were very pleased to see Joan Wilson following her major surgery only a few weeks ago. We all send her our best wishes.  Many thanks to you all for making it such a special day.

Patricia Ann