Joint meeting the the North Worcestershire Flora Group

Sunday May 25^th at 10:30am. Joint meeting with the North Worcestershire Flora Group within the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve. Meet at Hawkbatch car park.

This wonderful, large woodland located in both counties contains a number of rare species such as Epipactis purpurata, Violet Helleborine, Sorbus domestica, Service-tree, Melica nutans, Mountain Melick, Geranium sanguineum, Bloody Crane's-bill, Carex montana, Soft-leaved Sedge and Potamogeton crispus, Curled Pondweed.

A picture of Geranium sanguineum, Bloody Crane's-bill, taken by John Handley

The Wyre Forest Study Group have been systematically locating and recording flushes within the Forest and hopefully Cesca Beamish, the leader from the North Worcestershire Flora Group, can provide us with an update on this project. We shall be exploring the woodland from paths that are generally muddy in places but with the dry weather boots should be fine.

Parking is at Hawkbatch Car Park, SO 7609 7770, What3words: https://w3w.co/irritated.steered.glove. Please note the slightly earlier time of 10:30am.

John Handley is the leader for the Shropshire contingent, 07507 054695, email: johnhandley11@gmail.com

It is all happening in Harton Hollow, Sunday 4th May

First field meeting of the season:

Sunday May 4th, 11am.  Harton Hollow Shropshire Wildlife Trust Reserve, near Craven Arms. 

This lovely woodland on the carboniferous limestone of Wenlock Edge has many ancient indicators and axiophytes to find, such as Toothwort Lathraea squamaria, Wood Barley Hordelymus europaeus, Wood Millet Millium effusum and Early-purple Orchid Orchis mascula.  It will probably be too early for flowering Giant Bellflower Campanula latifolia and Nettle-leaved Bellflower C.trachelium but we might find the leaves.  It is a small site (3ha), with steep unsurfaced paths which are slippery when wet, but are very dry right now. 

The car park is along the lane from Westhope to Harton, see photo below. Please car share if possible, Grid Reference SO 47914 87490, What3words: https://w3w.co/lifters.stubbed.pampering

Leader Mags Cousins, Mobile 07873 532681, email: mags@bagbatch.co.uk

Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum

Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomis

AGM and “Losing my Wellies in Wellington”

Thanks to Stephen Lewis, our new editor and Gordon Leel, for his considerable skill in putting it together, your spring newsletter should have arrived in your inbox recently.

The Society AGM will take place on Sunday 13th April between 2.00 - 4.00 pm at Preston Montford Field Studies Centre.

The agenda is below but first we would like to draw your attention to the talk which is a highlight of the day. This is entitled “Losing my Wellies in Wellington” – Botanical Surveys of Dothill and Shawbirch and Apley Woods Local Nature Reserves presented by Mark Duffell.

Dothill and Shawbirch Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Apley Woods LNR both lie to the north of Wellington and are now surrounded by developments. Important to the local community, a repeat botanical survey was undertaken during 2023 to record the flora present and its significance.

Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife by Mark Duffell

This is a chance to hear about all the discoveries made on these two Local Nature Reserves, including at least one first country record, several first county records and numerous other weird and wonderful species.

Both sites have a fascinating history, and, using old maps and historical aerial photographs, changes in land use can be seen. An overview of the various habitats present on both sites, as well as the history of the sites and their botanical recording will be given. Historical botanists are uncovered (not literally!) along with the plants they found. Surveying also coincided with some recent management at Dothill, and this has resulted in several interesting finds from the seedbanks.

It is easy to ignore the wildflowers and trees on your doorstep, but this entertaining talk shows how much is on offer within Wellington.

Mark is a long-standing member of the Shropshire Botanical Society, enjoying botanising across the county and further afield, both professionally and as a volunteer. He has a wide interest in aliens and is BSBI referee for non-native shrubs. He enjoyed the opportunity to re-visit the subjects of this talk as it gave him a chance to really get to know a site and follow the flora throughout a season.

Agenda for the 2025 meeting:

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting (see below) and Matters Arising

2. Annual Report

3. Treasurer’s Report

4. Election of Officers

5. Any Other Business

There is a vacancy for Chair of the Society. Nominations should be submitted by April 5th to the Secretary, Penny Wysome.  Both Secretary and Treasurer are prepared to continue in their roles but nominations are welcome for all committee positions. Members wishing to be elected to the committee are welcome to have their 'proposers' submit nominations to the Secretary by April 5th: pennywysome@yahoo.com

There is also a celebration day being held at Minsterley Meadows by the Middle Marches Community Land Trust on the 25th April.

Field Meetings for 2025

The microscopy workshop that took place on Sunday was a tremendous success, with grateful thanks to Martin Godfrey for leading us through setting up a microscope, calibrating a micrometre and then teaching us techniques to identify potential hybrids and develop skills using stains. Everybody attending greatly enjoyed the day.

Whilst we are still working out the finer details for the forthcoming seasons field outings we wanted to give you some advanced notice so that you are able to put these dates into your diaries. All the details can be found on our Field Meetings webpage.

Sunday May 4th, 11am.  Harton Hollow Shropshire Wildlife Trust Reserve, near Craven Arms. 

This lovely woodland on the carboniferous limestone of Wenlock Edge has many ancient indicators and axiophytes to find, such as Toothwort Lathraea squamaria, Wood Barley Hordelymus europaeus, Wood Millet Millium effusum and Early-purple Orchid Orchis mascula.  It will probably be too early for flowering Giant Bellflower Campanula latifolia and Nettle-leaved Bellflower C.trachelium but we might find the leaves.  It is a small site (3ha), with steep unsurfaced paths which may be slippery.

Parking is along the lane from Westhope to Harton, please car share if possible, Grid Reference SO 47914 87490, What3words: https://w3w.co/lifters.stubbed.pampering

Leader Mags Cousins, Mobile 07873 532681, email: mags@bagbatch.co.uk

 

Sunday May 25^th at 10:30am. Joint meeting with the North Worcestershire Flora Group within the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve. Meet at Hawkbatch car park.

This wonderful, large woodland located in both counties contains a number of rare species such as Epipactis purpurata, Violet Helleborine, Sorbus domestica, Service-tree, Melica nutans, Mountain Melick, Geranium sanguineum, Bloody Crane's-bill, Carex montana, Soft-leaved Sedge and Potamogeton crispus, Curled Pondweed. The Wyre Forest Study Group have been systematically locating and recording flushes within the Forest and hopefully Cesca Beamish, the leader from the North Worcestershire Flora Group, can provide us with an update on this project. We shall be exploring the woodland from paths that are muddy in places.

Parking is at Hawkbatch Car Park, SO 76099 77701, What3words: https://w3w.co/irritated.steered.glove. Please note the slightly earlier time of 10:30am.

John Handley is the leader for the Shropshire contingent, 07507 054695, email: johnhandley11@gmail.com

 

Saturday June 14^th at 11:00am. Vegetative Sedge Training Day at Catherton Common.

Following on from the tremendously successful publication of Hilary Wallace’s Grasses: a guide to identification using vegetative characters, Hillary has been busily working on the production of an equivalent publication for Sedges. We are hoping that Hilary will be able to join us for a training session using vegetative characters to identify sedges at Catherton Common.

Catherton Common is such an important site that we are planning to hold two field visits this year. Along with an interesting range of sedges we should also be able to enjoy Lysimachia tenella, Bog Pimpernel, Pinguicula vulgaris, Common Butterwort, Narthecium ossifragum, Bog Asphodel and Drosera rotundifolia, Round-leaved Sundew. The going underfoot will be wet in places but there are no steep paths or steps.

Parking at SO 64174 78773, What3words: https://w3w.co/options.cobble.notch.

Leader John Handley, 07507 054695, email: johnhandley11@gmail.com

 

Sunday 29^th June. Llynclys Meadows – Anthill and Lower Butcher’s

We hope to visit two calcareous grassland meadows at Llynclys. The first is Anthill Meadow which has had scrub removed and is now recovering.  If time allows we will move onto Lower Butcher’s which is a short distance away. Both should have typical limestone species in flower in June.  The anthills used to be covered in Thymus polytrichus, Wild Thyme, with Heliantheum nummularium, Rock Rose is also present and these should now be coming back in quantity.  Distances are not big, but tracks are uneven and  the access to Lower Butcher’s is  quite steep.

Access is by walking up Sun Lane, a track off the A495 just east of Dolgoch. This not suitable for ordinary vehicles. Opposite Sun Lane is a turning to Llynclys Quarry. Take this turning and park in the approach road to Llynclys Quarry outside the gates, and as tidily as possible. Then walk back and cross the road to Sun Lane – with care as the traffic is heavy and fast moving.

We will meet at 11.00a.m. at Sun Lane.

Lynclys Quarry is at SJ 264 241, Post code SY10 8LW, what three words https://w3w.co/passions.increment.pheasants

Contact for further information is Penny Wysome 01952 242617 pennywysome@yahoo.com

 

Saturday July 26^th at 11:00am. Exploring Betchcott Hill, the new Wildlife Trust nature reserve.

Betchcott Hill sits between the Stiperstones ridge and the Long Mynd, and the proposed reserve is 50 hectares. Currently we have 181 records for the plants that live there, ranging from 1977 to 2020, and containing 121 species; of which 32 of these are axiophytes.

The land between the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd is an important corridor and will be part of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and therefore it is important to know what is there before any restoration work commences.

Parking to be determined nearer the time. John Handley is the leader, 07507 054695, email: johnhandley11@gmail.com

 

Sunday 17^th August  Pam’s Pools nature reserve, Mor Brook valley near Bridgnorth. Meet at 11.00am, Pam Yuille’s cottage post code WV16 6TY.  Grid Reference: SO 686 817

This 44 ha site is the vision of Pam Yuille, part owned by Pam and the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. It comprises woodland, several large pools (ex quarry pits) and much interesting grassland varying from semi-improved to species rich meadows. It is usually only accessible on open days but the Botanical Society is delighted to accept an invitation to visit and improve the plant list.  More information can be found on the SWT website: Pam's Pools

The site is west of Bridgnorth and can be approached from either the A458 or the B364.  A lane between these two goes through Underton which is the nearest settlement.  Parking will be in a field off this lane through a gate as indicated when you arrive. There is a small visitor centre and compost loo. Although quite a big area the site is largely flat and paths are accessible.

Leader Mags Cousins, Mobile 07873 532681  mags@bagbatch.co.uk

 

Sunday September 21^st  at 11:00am. Our second visit in 2025 to Catherton Common.

As part of our project to record rare plants in Shropshire we are hoping to relocate Eleocharis multicaulis, Many-stalked Spike-rush, Eleogiton fluitans, Floating Club-rush, Eriophorum latifolium, Broad-leaved Cottongrass and Lysimachia minima, Chaffweed.

There will also be a wealth of other species including Sphagnum’s and other bryophytes, so this site promises to be a great way to end the field season.

Parking at SO 64174 78773, What3words: https://w3w.co/options.cobble.notch.

Leader John Handley, 07507 054695, email: johnhandley11@gmail.com

 

Forthcoming Botanical Events

On Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful talk from Dr Richard Gulliver on the anniversary of Oliver Rackham's book Trees and Woodlands in the British Landscape. Amongst the notices were a couple of events for your diary:

DarwIN Shrewsbury Festival

 

“Discovering new species and relocating extinct plants”

Dr Maarten Christenhusz

Shrewsbury Unitarian Church

Saturday 8^th February 3pm
Free, bookings via Eventbrite

Discovering New Species and Relocating Extinct Plants Tickets, Sat 8 Feb 2025 at 15:00 | Eventbrite

 

Full details of talk here Discovering new species and relocating extinct plants — DarwIN Shrewsbury Festival

 

Talk summary

Roughly 2300 new plant species are described each year. They are found in various ways, in the field, herbaria, genetic studies and even online. Sadly, some new species may already be extinct before they were even described.

Thousands of plant and animal species have gone extinct since humans started roaming the earth, but most plant extinctions never left a trace. This poses the problem known as Berkeley extinction: species that may once have existed but were never recorded and thus were never listed as extinct. They disappeared unnoticed. We will never know how many there were and where they grew. However, species that were recently listed as extinct may still exist. It will take some effort, but it is possible that many of these presumed extinct species may still be found somewhere. Modern technology such as satellites and drones are now being employed to scout for new and extinct species in inaccessible places.

 

With virtually everyone now carrying a camera and a GPS in their pocket, the information on species is increasing through an army of amateur and professional naturalists. This can be used to identify areas of high biodiversity, map rare species and even find new species or rediscover presumed extinct ones.

Microscopy Workshop provided by Martin Godfrey

Sunday 9th February 2025, 1030am-3.30pm Microscopy Workshop Field Studies Centre, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, SY4 1DX.

Martin Godfrey will be running a workshop on microscope techniques. All microscopy kit and specimens will be provided - attendees should bring their favourite ID guides and their own lens and forceps if you have them. You are also encouraged to bring any specimens which may be puzzling them. Martin is a wonderful tutor and this is a comfortable and friendly atmosphere to develop a new skill. Please email mfgodfrey49@gmail.com to book a place on this workshop.

Happy New Year

We would like to wish all our members a Happy New Year and to thank you for sending in your botanical records during 2024.

We have had another busy year with seven field outings, four of them to sites managed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. As well as two indoor meetings and a microscopy session generously provided by Martin Godfrey. Whilst your committee are busy organising next years field meetings we would like to bring your attention to some things we think will be of interest at this time of the year.

Shropshire Botanical Society winter social and talk

Sunday 12th January 2025 2pm-4pm,  Field Studies Centre, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury SY4 1DX.

Everyone is welcome to the friendly winter social - involving tea and cakes as usual!

We are blessed to receive as a talk from one of our own members, Mr. Richard Gulliver, with the title: “The Legacy of Oliver Rackham – The Cambridge Scholar who Enhanced Our Understanding of Woodlands Forever”. Richard writes: “My well-illustrated talk will provide insights into the genius of the man in advance of the 50th anniversary of the publication of his pioneer work ‘Trees and Woodland in the British Landscape’ in 1976.

Microscopy Workshop provided by Martin Godfrey

Sunday 9th February 2025, 1030am-3.30pm Microscopy Workshop Field Studies Centre, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, SY4 1DX

Martin Godfrey will be running a workshop on microscope techniques. All microscopy kit and specimens will be provided - attendees should bring their favourite ID guides and their own lens and forceps if they have them. They are encouraged to bring any specimens which may be puzzling them. Please email mfgodfrey49@gmail.com to book a place on this workshop.

Take part in a Mistletoe abundance survey

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is thought to be spreading in Britain and Ireland, but where will the mistletoe go? With a changing climate, an evolving treescape and shifts in distributions of seed-dispersing birds, the future of this Christmassy parasitic plant is unclear. To predict mistletoe distribution, we are collecting data on local mistletoe abundance, and you can help!

After a successful season of 1,250 records last year, the Tree Council want more data on where mistletoe is today to forecast where it is going to be. You can submit your photos and locations of mistletoe to the “MistleGO!” survey via the Survey123 app, and record how much mistletoe you see – it’s the perfect addition to your winter walks! You can still help the Tree Council if there is no mistletoe in your area by submitting a valuable absence record. Follow this link to download the app or use in browser. For more information, check out the Tree Council’s website.

Ollie Spacey, University of Oxford and the Tree Council

Webinars from the Northern Ireland Botanical Skills Project

Under the banner of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland DAERA-funded Botanical Skills Project in Northern Ireland, the BSBI have organised a webinar series running through to February. The webinars cater to botanists across the skill spectrum. Each webinar is on a Tuesday evening at 7pm and lasts for around an hour, and we intend to record them for the BSBI YouTube channel so they can be viewed by anyone who couldn’t join them live. The talk series, and links to book, are:

14th January - Grasses, Sedges and Rushes for Absolute Beginners

21st January - Grasses and grassland habitats

28th January - Getting started with Cotoneasters

4th February - Rubus (Brambles) in Northern Ireland

James Harding-Morris, BSBI Countries Manager

That is all for now folks - we shall look forward to seeing you in just over a weeks time!

Minsterley Meadows secured for the community

We have received some exciting news from the Middle Marches Community Land Trust - following a 10-month campaign by local people and nature conservationists, Minsterley Meadows has been purchased by MMCLT:

"Thanks are due to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, 367 donors (including Shropshire Botanical Society), Morris & Co ,100+ supporters and a hard-working group of volunteers on the Steering Group.

The Meadows are nationally important and are amongst the best flowery grasslands in Shropshire. They support over 5,000 Green-winged orchids. This is a species which has severely declined over the last 100 years and over 90% of Shropshire’s Green-winged orchids are in these two hay meadows.

The meadows will be owned by the Middle Marches Community Land Trust, a local community-led Trust dedicated to helping to create an ecologically healthy and sustainable countryside. The Marches Meadow Group will help manage and look after the meadows and there are also funds to support local people to care for them and engage with young people to learn about them. This includes a local art project, activities and events as well as working closely with local primary and secondary schools."

For further information see the MMCLT website:

https://middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk/minsterley-meadows/