We were greeted by a pleasant spring morning and began our excursion by looking into Sprodley Wood from the main road from where we could see nice patches of Wood Anemone, Dog's Mercury and Lesser Celandine in flower and also found an established patch of Lesser Periwinkle by the woodland edge.

Having crossed the busy main road we then explored Fairy Glen. There are several areas of wet woodland in the upper section of the wood where we found Marsh Marigold, Large Bitter-cress, Pendulous Sedge, Remote Sedge, Wild Angelica, Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Lady Fern, Meadowsweet, Hemlock Water-dropwort and Yellow Flag with Common Valerian, Wood Speedwell, Ramsons and Bistort occurring along the stream banks. On the surrounding slopes the flora included Bluebell, Dog's Mercury, Enchanter's-nightshade, Lords-and-ladies, Pignut, Red Campion and Wood-sorrel. Patches of Town-hall Clock where found at the base of trees and surprisingly it was later found that this species had not previously been recorded from this area for the South Lancashire Flora Project. A patch of Garden Grape-hyacinth was found by a pathway and was thought to have been planted.

About the footbridge at the top of the ‘gorge like’ section of woodland patches of Fringe-cups are well established. The steep banks of the clough beneath the footbridge provide a habitat for Hart's-tongue, Scaly Male Fern, Soft Shield-fern, Hard Fern, Hairy Wood-rush and the rather splendid Great Wood-rush. A small population of Hairy Saxifrage remains established on the wet rocks by the waterfall.

After lunch we saw how patches of Himalayan Balsam have extended from the stream sides to colonise the Bluebell slopes of the clough and evidence suggests that such colonisation does results in the decline of our native Bluebell populations.

Finally we returned via the higher pathways which frequently adjoin the nearby gardens. A number of escapes are established along this section of the woodland and include Wood Forget-me-not, Snowdrop and several Garden Daffodil cultivars. Here also were a few patches of Primrose which may be of garden origin.