merseyside nature (2015 february-march)
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Articles, photographs, real life stories,
web links and events from active
naturalists are welcome additions to
this newsletter. Please send them in.
Stories from 250 words with accom-
panying photographs will take us all on
your journey. Please E-Mail your work
to: newsletter@activenaturalist.org.uk
Phil continues his excellent articles around
and about the Sefton Coast
Hugh Harris visits Risley Moss to study
Mosses and Mycos
Hugh Harris and Tony Carter provide an
insight into slime moulds of the area from
separate perspectives.
Jim Pearson researches the transmission of
parasites and disease from the Honey bee to
the Bumble bee
A guide to Dragonflies of Lancashire and
Merseyside
Bob and Norma take a short walk around a
section of Brockholes Nature Reserve
The National Plant Monitoring Scheme
requests help from volunteer naturalists
Created by and for Volunteer Naturalists. Edited by Bob Jude
Views expressed in this newsletter are those of individual authors.
Inside this issue:
Phil Smith’s Wildlife Notes 2-3
The ‘new’ Shieldbug Project 3
Mosses and Mycos 4-5
Introduction to the Biodiverse
Society
6
The Magic of Slime Moulds 7-8
A Matter of Slime 9
The Transmission of Bee
Parasites
10-12
The Dragonflies of Lancashire
and Merseyside
12
NWFG 13
A First Visit to Brockholes 14-16
National Plant Monitoring
Scheme
17
Events 18-19
Merseyside Nature
Friends of Merseyside BioBank
Feb/March
2015
Issue 24
Breaking News:
Found and recorded by Steve Mcwilliam and posted on MBAN
Facebook page were these Australian flatworms (Kontikia
ventrolineata (Dendy, 1892)) at Calderstones Park, Liverpool,
(18/03/2015).
A small flatworm of approx 2cm in length, black with two pale
grey stripes down either side of the dorsal mid-line with a dark
black stripe between. This species eats small snails and slugs
and was found under sandstone rocks in an Ivy rich area of the
park along with Porcellio scaber.
Naturalists are always welcome at
MBB to freely use the available
equipment and facilities
Sue Marley posted this image of a Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) at Crosby on the MBAN Facebook Page
There were only nine “rain-days” in February, the first fortnight being com-
pletely dry. Although the regional rainfall for the month was measured at 80%
of normal, I suspect that, as usual, the Sefton Coast had far less than that.
My perception of a dry winter was confirmed by water-table data for Ainsdale
National Nature Reserve provided by Dr Derek Clarke of Southampton Universi-
ty. These show that the mid-winter level was the lowest since 1997/98. This
does not augur well for our hard-pressed Natterjack Toads who rely on winter
recharge of the water-table to flood their breeding pools.
As usual, February was a quiet month for wildlife sightings but a visit to Mere
Sands Wood Nature Reserve was rewarded with close views of four superb
Bullfinches on the feeders. At least 16 species of birds and a Brown Rat were
taking advantage of the free handouts!
Signs of spring always raise the spirits after a long winter. My first singing
Skylark was on 20th, while the following day Common Whitlowgrass was
WILDLIFE NOTES FEBRUARY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith
Page 2 Merseyside Nature
blooming abundantly at Marshside. This tiny white-flowered dune annual is
invariably the first to appear. The first Avocets turned up at both Marshside
and Martin Mere on 16th, the latter reporting 44 by the end of the month.
Snowdrops are always easy to find in February, almost all being the com-
mon Galanthus nivalis. Our best site is at Cabin Hill Wood where it puts on a
spectacular show. A small population of the Green Snowdrop (G. worono-
wii) at Hesketh Road,
Marshside, now supports ten large plants with their characteristic broad,
bright-green leaves but the single individual of Greater Snowdrop (G.
elwesii) that I found a few years ago at Kenilworth Road dunes had no flow-
ers. Another non-native in flower at this time of year is the Corsican Helle-
bore; I counted 35 plants at its long-established colony south of Wicks Lake,
Formby. Also here is a large population of Primrose, the first flowers of
which were just showing, while on the bank above was scatter of Siberian
Squill, naturalised here for many years. Several bushes of Siberian Violet-
willow were already producing their remarkably furry catkins.
Management activity on our coastline continues apace in winter and I was
pleased to see that the National Trust has cleared lots of Gorse on Larkhill
Heath, Formby. To tackle the Gorse problem on parts of Freshfield Dune
Heath Nature Reserve, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust organised an experi-
mental burn of half a hectare, supervised by a fire crew from Formby Com-
munity Fire Station who used it as a training exercise.
Reg Yorke drew my attention to a fascinating 200-year-old account of our
area. A voyage around Great Britain by Richard Ayton was published in
eight volumes around 1814. Volume 2 (pp. 97-100) finds our hero roughing it
on a walk from Liverpool to Southport.:
“I now turned from the shore and proceeding for about a mile and a
half inland arrived at the village of Formby, sheltered by a few
stunted and weather-beaten trees, which, in a neighbourhood gen-
erally so bare of wood, were something to boast of. In the morning,
Bullfinch
Corsican Hellebore
Salix acuifolia
WILDLIFE NOTES FEBRUARY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith
Page 3 Merseyside Nature
I returned to the shore over a waste of sand-hills, on a scale of such
grandeur and covering such an extent of ground, that familiarised as I
was with sand, the effect was something novel to me. They extended for
at least a mile in depth; and were thrown into very striking groups, ex-
actly resembling a range of mountains, with all their ridges, peaks and
precipices. Many of them were fully sixty feet in height, rising precipi-
tously on all sides. They were all very thinly sprinkled with the sea-bent,
and exhibited a sense of frightful and irredeemable barrenness…. I did at
length arrive at some bathing machines….. and paused for a rest at
Southport ….. Amidst a waste of sand-hills, there were planted a dozen
houses …. The situation is as disagreeable as possible; a windy day
smothering you with sand and a calm one suffocating you with heat….
When out of doors, there is no quarter; all is open and exposed, without a
tree or a bush to fly to for shade.”
What a difference a couple of centuries make!
Controlled Burning of Gorse
Over the last year or so a number of MBAN members have noted the lack of records for even some common and widespread species of Shieldbug in North Mer-
seyside (Aaron!). This is not just a lack of records at the LRC, but generally, information on Shieldbugs in our area appears to be rather absent.
With this in mind, keen office based volunteer David Mallaburn, has taken on responsibility for creating resources and direct ing a Shieldbug recording project
through the MBAN membership.
The recording project has been developed entirely by volunteers and will be entirely volunteer led. I have kept my nose well out of it! In a way this will be the
first in what we hope might become an increasing amount of MBAN member activity and ownership over the direction of the group and the first of similarly
developed recording projects.
The project will kick off as of 1st April 2015 and we will provide updates via the Newsletter of Shieldbug records submitted to Merseyside BioBank. All records will
also be provided to Tristan Bantock and the national recording scheme. You are welcome to submit your records direct to the scheme but unfortunately we will
not be able to include them in our feedback.
We would also like to encourage the submission of photos with the records for future newsletter articles and to aid in confirming your species identification!
NORTH MERSEYSIDE SHIELDBUG PROJECT - Ben Deed
Parent Shieldbug (Elasmucha grisea) Common Shieldbug (Palomena prasena)
MOSSES & MYCOS - Hugh Harris
Page 4 Merseyside Nature
RISLEY MOSS NATURE RESERVE (LNR, SSSI, SAC) – SJ 664920
On a cold damp Valentine’s morning in February, the newly-formed Warring-
ton Plant Group met at the Visitors’ Centre in Risley Moss. Mark Cozens, Rang-
er led us to the ‘mini-moss’, an area full of Purple Moor-grass Molinia caer-
ulea, Cotton grass Eriophorum angustifolium and Sphagnum moss Sphag-
num fallax.
The variable grass is an indicator species found in most parts of the British
Isles, in wet or damp peaty areas on moorland heaths, commons and in the
fens; usually abundant and dominating large areas, often to the exclusion of
other flowering plants, according to Hubbard.
The moss is characteristic of waterlogged acid areas. These waterlogged and
acidifying conditions caused by bogmoss have pickled dying plants, forming
layers of peat.
At this location Mark explained how he was managing the hydrology of the
Moss and the threat of its drying-out: internal ditches had been dug and
dammed to maintain the water table and seal the Moss from draining away.
Birch trees had been felled and log-piled to reduce water loss through tran-
spiration thereby re-contouring the land and modifying the bog habitat.
Mark then left us with our able Group Leader, Gail Quartly-Bishop who
showed us how to identify the Bryophyta with hand-lens, field-guide and key
(“Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland”, British Bryological Society).
Mosses and liverworts are generally small low-growing plants susceptible to
desiccation (drying-out) because, unlike vascular plants they do not retain
water, and so are limited to damp or humid environments like the meres,
mosses and bogs of temperate latitudes.
Soon, our baseline taxonomic knowledge and diagnostic skills increased from
the questions; “Is it a moss or liverwort?” and “Is it an acrocarpous or pleu-
rocarpous moss?” as we became more interested and familiar with the ter-
minology. ‘Capsule, seta, leaf, perianth, thallus, rhizoids’, “It’s a new world
and language,” commented one of the group.
Within an hour we had found and keyed a distribution and abundance of five
mosses and one liverwort in our moss-land quadrat.
Acrocarpous Moss Pleurocar-
pous Moss
Sphag-
num
Leafy Liver-
wort
Campylopus flexu-osus Aulacomnium palus-tre Polytrichastrium formosum
Hypnum cu-pressiforme
Sphag-num fallax
Lophocolea heterophylla
Cotton grass Eriophorum angustifolium, in flower, Ben Nevis,
Tim Bekaert, Wiki Commons, Accessed: 24/2/15
After a relaxed lunch in the Reception Area we explored the woodland habitat
behind the Visitor Centre and did not have to walk far along the trail before
discovering a further nine species of moss under decking, on tree trunks,
around ponds, on stone troughs etc. We also added to our anatomical
knowledge as we delved deeper into the structure of the capsules; calyptra,
operculum, annulus, peristome and urn.
The highlight of the day was finding a loose cushion of Thick point Grimmia
Schistidium crassipilum growing on a stone trough outside the Visitor Centre.
After an enjoyable day of identifying and recording in a random sample of
lowland bog in the unique landscape of Risley Moss we ended up with a species
list of 14 mosses and 1 liverwort.
The complete list of 15 species is:
Scientific name Common name
Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-Moss
Sphagnum fallax Flat-topped Bog moss
Campylopus flexuosus Rusty Swan-neck Moss
Lophocolea heterophylla Variable-leaved Crestwort
Aulacomnium palustre Bog Groove-moss
Polytrichastrium formosum Bank Haircap
Plagiomnium undulatum Hart’s-tongue Thyme-moss
Atrichum undulatum Common Smoothcap
Kindbergia praelonga Common Feather-moss
Calliergonella cuspidata Pointed Spear-moss
Bryum capillare Capillary Thread-moss
Brachythecium rutabulum Rough-stalked Feather Moss
Ulota crispa/bruschii Crisped Pin-cushion
Schistidium crassipilum Thick point Grimmia
Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Springy Turf-moss
If this is the model for future field assignments then I shall be accepting
more invitations to the Warrington Plant Group’s monthly meetings.
References:
(“Grasses”, C.E. Hubbard, Penguin 1984. “Features of Mosses and Mere”, FSC,
2012. “Dictionary of Plant Sciences”, ed. Jill Bailey, Penguin 1999)
(“Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland”, British Bryological Society
(2010))
HH@MBAN
Page 5 Merseyside Nature
MOSSES & MYCOS - Hugh Harris
Fellow field group members
Local Wildlife Sites (LWS's) are wildlife-rich sites selected
for their local nature conservation value. The designation of
LWS’s are non-statutory and their only protection comes
through the local planning system, unlike SSSI designations
which are protected by law. Though LWS’s don’t receive the
same level of protection as statutory designated sites, they
are still hugely important for local nature; providing wildlife
refuges, protecting rare species and habitats and acting as
corridors in ecological networks.
The Biodiverse Society project is funded by Heritage Lottery
Fund & is a partnership project between The Lancashire
Wildlife Trust, Merseyside BioBank, and LERN (Lancashire
Environment Record Network).
The project is aiming to enhance sustainable ecological data
collection on Local Wildlife Sites in both North Merseyside
and Lancashire, by enabling and supporting volunteers, local
naturalists and community groups to monitor and record
wildlife on these sites.
The North Merseyside team consists of project officer; Julia
Simons, and two trainees; Ami Weir and myself, Iain MacKen-
non. We will be conducting wildlife surveys and monitoring
the condition of local wildlife sites, assessing the sites
against the guidelines for which it was designated. We will
also be assisting in community outreach events and sup-
porting Merseyside’s wildlife groups, with the team really
looking forward to meeting and working alongside Mersey-
side’s hard working community of naturalists.
As a trainee, I have had a really enjoyable first 2 months. We
all took part in an induction, which has helped us settle into
the project, and trained us up in skills like outdoor first aid,
and Phase 1 surveys. We also had an enjoyable residential in
Arnside, where we carried out habitat management with The
National Trust and got to meet similar trainees with the
Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
After an extensive induction, the Biodiverse Society team
have been preparing for surveying, undertaking some site
visits in preparation for the ecology season come spring
time.
On a recent visit, records of Giant Hogweed were made at
Otterspool Park, and it is records like this that can actually
be used to recommend site management. Other interesting
wildlife observations on our site preparations include a
close encounter with a Buzzard along Netherley brook, Taw-
ny owls preparing for nesting next to our office at Court Hey
Park, and skeins of Pink Footed Geese flying over Holiday
Moss in Rainford.
The Biodiverse Society is a 3 year project, with the team
surveying around 35 LWS a year. Some of the more well-
known wildlife sites include; Leeds Liverpool canal, Speke
Hall, Halewood Triangle, Formby National Trust, parts of
Sankey Valley Park, and Stadt Moers Country Park.
Our site visits will provide great opportunities for volunteers
to get involved in the project, undertaking various ecological
surveys. Some of our volunteers are currently being trained
for breeding bird, and brown hare surveys, with plenty of
other surveys to get involved with, throughout the year.
If you would like to get involved in the project, have
knowledge of Merseyside’s Local Wildlife Sites or would like
to help add to our survey data, we would love to hear from
you. You can contact the North Merseyside project officer,
Julia Simons, at jsimons@lancswt.org.uk, or come down to
BioBank for an informal chat.
AN INTRODUCTION TO LWS AND THE BIODIVERSE SOCIETY - Iain Mackennon
Page 6 Merseyside Nature
Iain reports on
his first two
months as a
Biodiverse
Society Project
trainee for
North
Merseyside
Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae )
Phase 1 with Martin and Jules from LWT
Trainee officers Matt, Ami, Iain and Patrick
A short talk by Bruce Ing, North West Fungus Group at the Risley Moss Centre,
Warrington. February 2015.
Bruce Ing focused his talk on four questions and used his comprehensive col-
lection of slides to illustrate their individual characters and ecological infor-
mation.
What are they? - Protozoans related to amoebae as Bruce said,
“Honorary fungi and can be lovely to look at.”
What do they do? They are definitely NOT decomposers or parasites but
basically consumers (like animals) that ingest food - Bruce de-
scribed them as ‘scavengers’. They eat bacteria (especially) + fungi
and other protozoans. As they do this phosphate is released from
the food eaten
Where do they live? - They are found in the tropics and the temperate
zones. Typically they are found in decaying, moist, and shady places,
such as in the leaf litter on the forest floor. Some are known to live
in aquatic systems. One is a parasite of eelgrass, and there is one
that parasitizes the grass of golf courses.
What use are slime moulds? - improve soil fertility, used in anti-biotics,
medicinal uses, engineering uses, computational uses and playing
the piano!
The features of different forest zones and the growth/feeding characteristics
were described;
corticolous Grows on bark of trees or shrubs
lignicolous Lives on or in wood without bark
fungicolous Grows on other fungus
follicolous Lives on leaves
muscicolous Grows on or among mosses
fimicolous Grows on dung
Certain species were regarded as indicators of climate change e.g. Licea
biforis found in the London Parks.
Some of the more common species that Bruce Ing showed us were:
Ceriatomyxa fruticulosa, Lycogala terrestre, Reticularia Lycoperdon, Arcyria
denudata, Stemonitis fusca, Stemonitopsis typhina, Fuligo septica and Muci-
lago crustacea - all different colours, shapes and sizes.
Myxomycetes (one of three groups of true slime moulds).
Once thought of as bizarre fungi, slime moulds are now recognised as being
entirely unrelated, they are placed in the kingdom Protozoa.
Slime moulds start life as single-celled amoeboid organisms that are free-
living and feed by ingesting mainly bacteria but also fungi.
When feeding conditions are good, and they encounter suitable mating part-
ners they coalesce into a plasmodium stage of interconnecting strands. In
larger slime moulds, these slimy masses often form colourful coatings on
vegetation and fallen timber can be observed in autumn.
Plasmodium
This stage is the creepy stage, the slime mould plasmodium is a mass of
glistening vein-like material that moves slowly across dead leaves or wood at
the rate of as much as an inch per hour, growing and eating. There are no
cell walls in the plasmodium, and its motion is the result of protoplasm
flowing rhythmically through the organism.
Sporangia
When the plasmodium runs out of food (or when light or moisture changes
alter its environment), it converts itself into sporangia--globes or balls
made up of spores. In some kinds of slime moulds, the sporangia have stems;
in others the stem is missing; in still others a large, single sporangium is
developed. How, exactly, the spores are dispersed is unclear but eventually, a
single spore germinates, becomes amoeba-like that may or may not have a
flagellum, hooks up with some other amoeba-like organism and becomes a
zygote, which eventually grows into a plasmodium.
Slime moulds are usually found in soil, lawns, and on the forest floor, com-
monly on deciduous logs. However, in tropical areas they are also common
on inflorescences, fruits and in aerial situations (e.g., in the canopy of trees).
In urban areas, they are found on mulch or even in the leaf mould in gutters,
and also grow in air conditioners, especially when the drain is blocked. One of
the most commonly encountered slime moulds is the yellow Physarum poly-
cephalum, found both in nature in forests in temperate zones, as well as in
classrooms and laboratories.
One of Bruce Ing’s anecdotes that I took away from the talk is about the
North Wales Farmer and his field full of Friesian cows and Dog’s Vomit
THE MAGIC OF SLIME MOULDS - Hugh Harris
Page 7 Merseyside Nature
Arcyria denudate, Larich Rig, Wiki Commons: Accessed March 2015
Slime Mould Fuligo septica whose plasmodial stage is a bright yellow spongy
mass resembling ‘scrambled eggs’.
When asked by the farmer how he could get rid of it, Bruce replied “Wait until
it rains!” The farmer expecting a bio-chemical solution to his cattle-grazing
problem was suitably un-impressed.
It was an impressive talk covering a range of mysterious myxomycetes and I
rank Bruce Ing among the top naturalists whom I wish I’d met sooner.
Acknowledgement: Dr. Irene Ridge, Chair, NWFG. Citation: Kuo, M (2003, Au-
gust) Myxomycetes:
Hugh@MBAN
THE MAGIC OF SLIME MOULDS - Hugh Harris
Page 8 Merseyside Nature
Stemonitopsis typhina, HelenGinger, Wiki Commons: Accessed March 2015
A MATTER OF SLIME - Tony Carter
A contributor to the decomposition of vegetable matter is the Myxomycete.
Known as a Slime Mould this is a misleading description as Myxomycetes are
not moulds and only a few are slimy.
They ‘feed’ on microorganisms found on soil, lawns, litter and wood. They are
single cell organisms but if food is in short supply, they will combine together
to form a structure that can move when they detect a food source. They
engulf bacteria, fungal spores, protozoa etc. When the time is right they are
able to turn into a spore bearing fruit body and the cycle starts again. Be-
cause they produce spores they are often recorded as fungi, which they are
not.
Many are very small but a combined structure can measure in square me-
tres.
Some of the larger ones that can be found locally include Reticularia lycoper-
don or Bark Puffball. This one is from Calderstones Park. Often on dead
Beech trees, the ‘casing’ often breaks to reveal a brown spore mass.
Fuligo septica, commonly known as Dog’s Vomit. One of the largest, the
spores are dispersed by beetles. Very common on many substrates, usually
on wood. This one at Ainsdale.
Following a theme, Mucilago crustacea is known as Dog Sick Slime Mould
(do I detect a lack of imagination?) Common on grass and soil in large patch-
es. Recorded at Sefton Meadows.
Tubifera ferruginosa ( Red Rapberry Slime) was seen at Ainsdale on wood.
Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa or Coral Slime.
The small finger like projections can appear in large masses on fallen trees,
this group at Pennington Flash.
Lycogala epidendron/terrestre (Wolf’s Milk or Toothpaste Slime) is a com-
mon slime mould on wood, seen at Allerton Golf Course. When broken, the
spore mass is either grey or pink, depending on which species it is.
There are hundreds of much smaller species that may only be easily seen if
they form a sizeable group structure. In the adjacent column there are exam-
ples of Stemonitis, Arcyria and Trichia species, all locally sourced.
This Reticularia lycoperdon image in the slime stage was seen on a later
visit to Ainsdale on 6th April 2015.
A MATTER OF SLIME - Tony Carter
Page 9 Merseyside Nature
Tubifera ferruginosa ( Red Rapberry Slime)
Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa or Coral Slime
Lycogala epidendron/terrestre (Wolf’s Milk or Toothpaste
Slime)
Stemonitis
Arcyria
Trichia
Reticularia lycoperdon Ainsdale, 6/4/2015
There are approximately 250 bee species in the UK comprising one species of
honeybee (Apis mellifera), 25 species of bumblebee (Bombus spp. - including 6
species of cuckoo bumblebees) and 225 solitary species.
Until now, Honeybees have been declining largely because of diseases such as
varroa mite, whereas falls in our solitary and social bumblebee populations have
been caused by agricultural intensification and increasing urbanisation over the
past 70 years causing the loss of more than 97% of the UK’s wild flower meadows
thus reducing the foraging and nesting sites for bees. As a result approximately
32% of our UK species have declined with two bumblebee species becoming ex-
tinct and seven listed as priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
Bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers (80%) and high value agricul-
tural crops (84%) a valuable (and free) activity worth £560 million per year to
our economy.
Different species of solitary, honeybee and bumblebee have differing tongue lengths allowing for pollination of different crops and wildflowers which have
varied corolla lengths. Therefore protection and conservation of all types is vital. Bumblebees are unique in the UK in causing buzz pollination or ‘sonication’
where crops, such as tomatoes, which hold the pollen tightly on their anthers, can be made to release it by a bumblebee landing on the flower and vibrating
its body, causing the anther to shake and shed its pollen.
Although there is no evidence that Albert Einstein ever made the claim shown in Figure 2, it can be of little doubt that declines in our bee populations will
result in widespread damage both to our economy and our environment.
If the bee populations fell to zero, then Aristotle’s dictum “nature abhors a vacuum” might apply with other pollinators stepping in to fill the gaps.
Whether this would occur sufficiently quickly to avert disaster and
whether the organisms replacing the bees would also bring associated
pests and disease are moot points. Therefore, ignoring threats to our
bee populations and hoping for the best is foolhardy.
However, populations of bumblebees face a new threat, according to scientists
reporting in the Journal ‘Nature’ who have found that two disease agents, de-
formed wing virus (DWV) and Nosema ceranae (a fungal parasite, harboured by
honeybees are spilling over into wild bumblebees.
THE TRANSMISSION OF PARASITES FROM HONEY BEES TO BUMBLE BEE SPECIES - Jim Pearson
Page 10 Merseyside Nature
Figure 2: Albert Einstein
Figure 1: Apis mellifera, Photo: Thomas Bresson
Figure 3: "Bumblebee October 2007-3a" by Alvesgaspar - Own work. Licensed
under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bumblebee_October_2007-3a.jpg#/media/
File:Bumblebee_October_2007-3a.jpg
In honeybees, deformed wing virus (DWV), one of the most preva-
lent infections in recent years, causes well-defined disease symp-
toms including shrunken, crumpled wings, decreased body size,
deformed abdomen, leg paralysis, and weakness of the neck mus-
cles, discoloration in adults and impaired learning capabilities,
although the mechanisms are unclear. Some infected adults may
appear normal but have a reduced life span.
The severity of its effects are worsened by the presence of the
varroa mite; although deformed wing virus is also found in colonies
not infected with varroa, it appears commoner and more destruc-
tive where varroa is well established, possibly leading to colony
collapse.
The other disease-causing agent, Nosema ceranae is contributing
to worldwide honey bee colony losses. Originally noted in Apis
cerana, the Asiatic honey bee, it causes nosemosis, the most wide-
spread of the adult honey bee diseases. Nosema invades and de-
stroys cells in the bees gut. Affected bees display unconnected
wings, missing hair, dysentery marked by brown faecal marks in
the comb and death.
Bees get infected by eating contaminated water or honey. Its
spores can persist 2 years in faecal droppings and one year in
honey and bee carcasses. It has now been identified in bumblebee
species in England, with studies indicating it is more virulent in
bumblebees than honeybees.
In 26 sites across Great Britain and the Isle of Man, about 11% of
bumblebees were infected with DWV and 7% were infected with
Nosema ceranae. By comparison, about 35% of honeybees carried
DWV and 9% had the fungus.
Bumblebees do not carry the Varroa mite, but the scientists found
that those infected with DWV had a dramatically shortened lifespan;
Nosema ceranae has also been shown to have an impact on bum-
blebee longevity.
According to Professor Brown, the distribution pattern of the dis-
eases indicates transmission is occurring among these species of bee which are sharing parasite strains.
Although not definite, the most likely explanation is that the honeybees are acting as the source of the virus for the bumblebees. The team says that controlling
disease in honeybee hives is vital to stopping the spread.
Dr David Aston, president of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), claims that beekeepers can reduce the impact of pests and diseases on honeybee colo-
nies using biotechnical controls and practices such as apiary hygiene, regular brood comb changes, ensuring the colonies are strong and well-nourished and
the use of authorised treatments although beekeepers need new effective medications and other and that this should be a high priority for action.
Furthermore, researchers want to investigate whether neonicotinoid pesticides are playing a role in problem.
THE TRANSMISSION OF PARASITES FROM HONEY BEES TO BUMBLE BEE SPECIES - Jim Pearson
Page 11 Merseyside Nature
Figure 4: Deformed wing virus in a honeybee 30 May 2013, Author, Xolani90
Figure 5: An adult female of Varroa destructor, a mite parasiting the honeybee - frontal view, on
the head of a bee nymph. 3 October 2010, 22:54, Uploaded by Jacopo Werther, Author, Gilles San
Martin from Namur, Belgium
THE TRANSMISSION OF PARASITES FROM HONEY BEES TO BUMBLE BEE SPECIES - Jim Pearson
Page 12 Merseyside Nature
A recent paper in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ suggested neonicotinoids
are affecting the immune systems of honeybees, making them more susceptible to pathogens
.
References
AHP Disease Manual https://www.spc.int/lrd/ext/Disease_Manual_Final/b454__nosemosis.html
Bee Viruses, Beeologics, Honey Bee Health Summit http://www.beeologics.com/colony-health/bee
-viruses/
Cameron, S. A. et al. Patterns of widespread decline in North American bumble bees. Proc. Natl
Acad. Sci. USA 108, 662–667 (2011)
M.A. Fürst, D.P. McMahon, J.L. Osborne, R.J. Paxton & M.J.F. Brown (20014) Disease associations
between honeybees and bumblebees as a threat to wild pollinators, Nature, Vol. 506, No. 7488
Morelle, Rebecca, (2014) Bumblebees infected with honeybee diseases http://www.bbc.co.uk/
news/science-environment-26242960
The Short-haired bumblebee project, http://www.bumblebeereintroduction.org/the-project/why-
conserve-bumblebees/
Root, A.I. (2012) The ABC and XYZ of bee culture; a cyclopedia of everything pertaining to the care of
the honey-bee bees, hives, honey, implements, honey-plants, etc., p 129-132
Figure 6: Extended data - host bee species and sampling site distri-
butions. The commonest Bombus species is represented by the
colour of the letters, the second most common by the colour of the
dots. M.A. Fürst, D.P. McMahon, J.L. Osborne, R.J. Paxton
An invaluable guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Lancashire and North Merseyside.
This latest guide, produced by the Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Society and published in 2015, brings
together local expertise and information on all species known to occur in North Merseyside and Lanca-
shire. It provides a superb insight into how populations of Dragonflies in Lancashire and North Mersey-
side have changed over time such as the earlier emergence of many species, changes in abundance and
their current breeding status and considers what factors may be causing these changes.
An in-depth account is provided for each species. This includes distribution, frequency and breeding
status maps, illustrations of flight periods, photos and ecological information as well as notes on any
significant records and findings.
This is the go-to guide for experienced
and budding Dragonfly enthusiasts and
will help you to uncover their hidden
world, gain insight into their ecology
and behaviour and perhaps discover
unknown populations in our region.
Perhaps even contribute to future
publications and the conservation of
dragonflies.
Details on how to get hold of the excellent guide, costing only £10, can be found on the Lancashire
and Cheshire Fauna Society website http://www.lacfs.org.uk/
THE DRAGONFLIES OF LANCASHIRE AND NORTH MERSEYSIDE - Steve White and Philip H. Smith
Libellula quadrimaculata, Green Beach 19 06 13
Foray Programme 2015
Held in association with the British
Mycological Society
Bring strong footwear. Details about terrain and
accessibility of sites can be obtained by contacting
the foray leader.
Most venues have their own website.
Forays are planned so that they can continue into
the afternoon. If you intend to so continue please
bring food and drink.
If travelling a considerable distance to a foray it is
advisable to confirm with the leader that the foray
is taking place, as on extremely rare occasions,
forays have had to be changed at short notice.
Changes will be on the NWFG website.
Beginners are welcome at ALL forays.
Please note that forays are not suitable for
very small children.
DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
About the North West Fungus Group
The North West Fungus Group is a regional um-
brella group aiming to promote an interest in fungi
across the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire,
Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria, Flint-
shire & Denbighshire. Benefits of membership
include:-
two newsletters per year.
forays and special events.
help and advice on a range of fungi related
topics.
Membership
Individual membership - £7.50
Family membership - £10.00
Members joining after November 1st will receive
membership for the following year.
Please contact the Membership Secretary
for a membership form.
Officers
Chair: Dr. Irene Ridge,
Smalley’s Farm, Whalley Old Road, Billington
Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9JF
Tel. 01254 247274
Treasurer and Membership Secretary:
Liz Moore,
48 Alan Road, Heaton Moor,
Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 4LE
Tel. 0161-432-9124
Recorder: Tony Carter
NWFG Home Page:
http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm
Sunday 12th April – Freshfield and Ainsdale
NNR, Merseyside. Ken Jordan Memorial
Foray.
Meet 10.30 at Freshfield Station car park
SD291084 (Sheet 108) (L37 7DD). Leave A565
Formby-by-Pass onto B5424 at roundabout
signposted for Formby Point BUT at mini round-
about keep straight on until Freshfield Road then
turn right. (OR go by train).
Leader - Tony Carter (0151-724-4600)
Sunday 17th May - Beacon Hill Country Park,
Upholland, West Lancashire.
Meet at 10.30 in Rangers' car park, Elmers
Green Lane, off Beacon Lane SD505067 (Sheet
108) (WN8 7RU). From M58 Junction 5 exit for
A577 Skelmersdale East, passing south under
the Mway but then turning back north until to you
reach a roundabout signposted to Beacon Park.
Take right up A577 Windmill Road and continue,
turning right then left into Upholland. At wrought
iron clock in town centre, turn sharp left onto Mill
Lane /Beacon Lane. Continue 2 miles to Beacon
Park Golf Centre on left, turning down to car park
continuing left to the far end of this car park and
the Rangers' cabins.
Leader - John Watt (07768 043 461/01695
578843).
Sunday 28th June - Spring Wood, nr Whalley.
Meet 10.30 at Spring Wood Car Park, adjacent to
Visitor Centre / Picnic Area on A671. SD741361
(Sheet103) (BB7 9TD).
Leader – Mike Valentine (07541 240874)
Sunday 19th July - Goyt Valley, Errwood.
Meet at 10.30. From A6 approaching Whaley Bridge
Turn right at the roundabout (Signed Macclesfield
B5470) and go forward A5004 at the TL where
B5470 turns right.
In about 5 miles turn right (Goyt Lane) signposted
Goyt Valley. Cross dam to meet at car park SK
013758 (Sheet 119).
Leader - Norman Bamforth (0161-336-3914).
Sunday 9th August - Clock Face Colliery Coun-
try Park, Bold, St. Helens.
Meet 10.30 at Gorsey Lane Car Park. From Jct 7 of
M62 follow A57 Warrington Rd. After 2 miles turn
left on to A569 Clock Face Road. After 1.5 miles,
(passing back under M’way), turn right into Gorsey
Lane (blue cycling sign Burtonwood). Continue to
entrance on right. SD 535915 (Sheet 108) (WA9
4SN).
Leader – Tom Ferguson (01744 739774 /07743
509671 (m))
Sunday 16th August - Moor Piece NR, Bashall
Eaves.
Meet 10.30 in Bashall Eaves Village Hall car park at
SD696434 (Sheet 103) (BB7 3DA) on right just past
Red Pump Inn before onward journey to the Re-
serve. (Follow signs for Whitewell/Trough of Bow-
land). Terrain is rough and wet.
Leader – Mike Valentine (07541 240874)
THE NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP - Tony Carter
Page 13 Merseyside Nature
Sunday 23rd August – BEGINNERS FORAY at
Risley Moss, north Warrington.
Meet 10.30. Access from M62 Jct 11. Continue along
A574 to first island, turn left. Reserve signposted.
Ample parking space. SJ665922 (Sheet 109) (WA3
6QS).
Leader - Irene Ridge (01254-247274. A morning foray
will be followed by an afternoon microscope work-
shop.
Sunday 6th September - Styal Woods, Cheshire.
Nr. M/c Airport.
Meet 10.30, small National Trust car park off road by
Styal Village, 600 yds past the Ship Inn on opposite
side of road. SJ836836 (Sheet 109) (SK9 4JE).
Leader - John Taylor (0161-445-3308)
Sunday 13th September – Roudsea Wood, south
Cumbria.
Meet 10.30 am on the road by the Anglers Arms,
Haverthwaite – we will park there and take full cars
on for the final mile or so to Roudsea as parking
there is limited. Via Newby Bridge A590 west to
Haverthwaite. Take B5278 left, the pub is directly in
front of you. Roudsea woods location SD330827
(Sheet 97) (LA12 8AJ).
Leader – Helen Speed (01539 733959). No dogs.
Sunday 27th September – Rostherne Mere.
Meet 10.30. Take the third turn on the left going
south on the Chester Road (A556) from the
M56 Jct 8. The car park is 200 yards past the
church on the left hand side SJ743833 (Sheet 109)
(WA16 6SB). Or park on the road.
Leader - Tim Rogers (07890949997).
Friday 2nd October to Monday 5th October -
Residential Foray at Keswick Convention Cen-
tre.
Cost inc. meals, for members and for non-
members will be announced later. Booking form in
Newsletter.
Contact Irene Ridge (01254-247274)
Sunday 4th October – BEGINNERS FORAY at
Moore Nature Reserve, Warrington
Meet 10.30. 2 miles south of Warrington on A56
turn north to Moore at traffic lights at Higher
Walton. 1 mile turn right, crossing railway and ship
canal. Go to end of road to reach entrance. Car
park to right of entrance road. SJ578855 (Sheet
108). Leader - Paul Hamlyn (0161-434-1401).
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October – Na-
tional Fungus Day.
See website for events
Sunday 18th October – Raven Meols Hills,
Formby
Meet 10.30. From A565 Formby-By-Pass turn
west to Formby at Tesco traffic lights on to
B5195 Altcar Road. Continue to travel west to
Formby Point, past Formby Railway Station to
end of Kirkdale Road (1.8miles). Turn left, past
church to Shorrocks Hill Night Club (L37 2EB)
then right on to Lifeboat Road to car park Bay
One.
Leader – Tony Carter (0151-724-4600)
Sunday 1st November – Turn Slack Clough,
Littleborough.
Meet at 10.30 at Clough. Left off A58 onto White-
lees Road approaching Littleborough from west,
continue along Calderbrook Road turning left at
Clough Road. SD935173 (Sheet 109) (OL15 9JZ).
Leader - Norman Bamforth (0161-336-3914).
THE NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP - Tony Carter
Page 14 Merseyside Nature
On 6th March 2015 Norma and I decided to visit Brockholes Nature Reserve for the
first time, attracted by the reports of other volunteers and the possibility of ob-
taining images of Brown Hare and Deer. We arrived at around 11.30 am. at Junc-
tion 31 on the M6.
Close to the entrance we noted cars who owners clearly had not wished to pay
the relatively modest parking fees.
A FIRST VISIT TO BROCKHOLES - Bob Jude
Free to enter, these fees are essential in continuing the work in develop-
ing this Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Conservation site.
At first the view of the site in early March was rather disappointing, main-
ly due to the drab winter colours. The floating village site has been delib-
erately created on a wetland that overlooks a large lake. We wanted to
support the continued development and so ordered lunch at the village
cafeteria. The large windows give panoramic views over the lake and as
we sat down for our meal of fish, chips and mushy peas we were able to
see Coots (Fulica) and Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in the distance and a
seemingly lonely beautiful Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) that gently and se-
renely swam past.
After lunch we called in at the visitor centre and obtained a free map and
asked about Brown Hares and Deer and were told that hares could some-
times be seen in the car park and central areas and deer had often been
seen around the east portion of the site close to the boundary with the
motorway.
Following the map we went in the opposite direction towards the river,
despite not having the advised waterproof footwear and tracked the
wooden paths from the car park up the hill towards the western edge of
the site.
The Lake at Brockholes
The dull early morning had turned to beautifully warm spring sunshine and
clouds had given way to clear blue skies.
Sitting on a bench for a short time was most relaxing but there was no sign of
the river which was invisible among the grassland as the land drops away. As
we walked over the fields dodging boggy ground and shallow puddles, skirting the
trees, there emerged wonderful distant views over the farmland. The Ribble
forms the boundary of the western edge of the reserve where there were sev-
eral anglers along the opposite bank. Far in the distance a working bright red
combined harvester could be heard.
We kept stopping to try for photographs, searching in vain the bare branches of
deciduous trees to find the source of the numerous bird calls. A flock of Canada
Geese (Branta Canadensis) calmly swam undisturbed by young couples walking
hand in hand along the river edge and a Carrion Crow perched on a branch of a
single small tree on the far bank.
A brightly coloured male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) hid in the reeds with
his mate and we watched as two intrepid kayakers traversed the weir before
trekking along the fenced woodland edge back towards the main path.
A path diverges northwards through Red Scar Woods and we stopped to talk
to some keen nature watchers who told us of some excellent photo opportu-
nities.
They were not wrong. One particular section of the woods contained very
large numbers of Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), Great Tits (Parus major),
Treecreepers (Certhiidae), a Nuthatch (Sitta) and Robin (Erithacus rubecu-
la). The birds rummaged among the mosses quite oblivious to our presence
mere yards from the path.
Another nature photographer we met was looking to take pictures of foxes
and after a brief chat he disappeared into the undergrowth.
Page 15 Merseyside Nature
A FIRST VISIT TO BROCKHOLES - Bob Jude
Canada Geese on the Ribble
Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Great tit (Parus major)
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) darted among the tree branches where the
canopy had become less dense. At the far end of the wood we rejoined the
main path and decided to avoid the north east edge of the site due to the traf-
fic noise.
This was the area we may have found deer but time was pressing and the
unpleasant traffic noise disturbs the calm serenity of the site so we traversed
our way back towards the car park.
A short distance in front of us, a Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), that we had
earlier seen high in the sky, hovered searching for prey just a few metres
from the ground.
Arriving back in the car park just as the light was fading we were disappointed
in our failure to see all the reported mammal life but were happy to have
viewed the wonderful bird life and resolved to return in the early summer
when meadow flowers would be in bloom adorning the fields and pastures of
this excellent site attracting a variety of insect species, migrant birds and
extraordinary wildlife.
There are specific guided walks and though we like to independently wander
it would be good to see those hidden places and charms we missed on our
first visit. This is a visit I would thoroughly recommend to naturalists even
in late winter/early spring.
A FIRST VISIT TO BROCKHOLES - Bob Jude
Page 16 Merseyside Nature
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
South East across the lake through cafe window
Kayaking on the Ribble
Looking west to farmland across the river Ribble
Treecreeper (Certhiidae) clambering up a trunk at Red Scar Woods
Felicity Harris informed us of the new National
Plant Monitoring Scheme which was launched on
March 1st2015.
The scheme asks for volunteers across the
United Kingdom to visit a kilometre square
local to them and record the plants they find
there in several different plots.
The scheme will enable the exploration of how
plants in different habitats are responding to
changes in the environment.
It may be that there are people who would like to be
involved in this government backed scheme which is
being delivered by a partnership comprising Botani-
cal Society of Britain and Ireland; Centre for Ecolo-
gy; Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Plant-
life.
What support will volunteers get?
All volunteers registering for a square
on www.npms.org.uk will receive a survey pack
(survey guidance; species list; species guidebook)
All volunteers will be able to access telephone
and email support provided by the volunteer
coordinator
All volunteers will be able to access free train-
ing courses
Additional information
Squares have been randomly selected across
the UK and it will be possible to see if there is a
square in your area from the 1st of March by
visiting the website above.
Volunteers are asked to record up to 30 plant
species in any one square or linear plot as long
as it fits into 1 of the 28 NPMS habitats
Volunteers are asked to survey between 3-5
plots within their kilometre square
Volunteers are required to carry out the sur-
vey of their plots 2 times per year
Volunteers may be individuals or small groups
How can you help?
The project can be followed on Twitter
twitter @thenpms and retweet us as we launch
on March 1st and send out tweets throughout
the week.
We do hope that people will be inspired to take
part.
Felicity Harris
Head of Outreach
Direct Dial: 01722 342740
Mobile: 07753 495971
Felicity.Harris@plantlife.org.uk
NATIONAL PLANT MONITORING SCHEME: Information Courtesy Felicity Harris
Page 17 Merseyside Nature
Events are run throughout the year by
Liverpool Museum.
These include Mammal Trapping at Knowsley Park and
other venues.
Please contact Tony.Parker@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk for
details and to book places. Museum collections are open to
amateur naturalists and volunteers (by appointment)
Other activity events
Knowsley: www.knowsley.gov.uk/things-to-see-and-do/
events.aspx
Liverpool Parks: liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-
events
Wildlife Trust: www.lancswt.org.uk/what-s-on
Court Hey Park: www.courtheypark.co.uk
National Wildflower Centre: www.nwc.org.uk/events
North West Fungus Group
There are forays and special events,
with help and advice on a range of
fungi related topics.
NWFG Home Page: http://
www.fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm
Liverpool Botanical Society
www.liverpoolbotanicalsociety.co.uk
Merseyside Naturalist Association
The MNA organize informal nature events in-
cluding field trips, talks and practical sessions
Visit www.mnapage.info for the programme of
events
Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group
The group runs events and training throughout the year
check the group website, twitter or Facebook.
Facebook links require membership of
Some links may additionally require permission which
can be obtained by contacting the group over Facebook
as a pre-requisite. These links are increasingly becom-
ing a major contact point for rapidly expanding natu-
ralist groups and volunteers. Interested then link to:
Merseyside BioBank
www.facebook.com/MerseysideBioBank
MBAN
www.facebook.com/groups/ActiveNaturalists/
UK Hoverflies
www.facebook.com/groups/609272232450940/
WeBS
www.facebook.com/pages/Mersey-Estuary-WeBS
Lancashire Lepidoptera
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/119829941488294/
British Wildlife Photography
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/415160405188412/
Lancashire Mammal Group https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lancashire-
Mammal-Group/169476803103866?
BTO Garden Birdwatch
https://www.facebook.com/gardenbirdwatch
RSPB
https://www.facebook.com/RSPBLoveNature
British Spider ID
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/829354860449271/
British Mycological Society (BMS)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/18843741618/
Conopids
https://www.facebook.com/groups/british.conopids/
EVENTS SUMMARY
Page 18 Merseyside Nature
Interested in arranging one
yourself next year?
For advice contact
ben.deed@merseysidebiobank.org.uk
HELP! BIRDERS STILL NEEDED
The Mersey Estuary is one of
Britain’s best wetlands. We know
this because each month we count
the waterfowl as part of the
national Wetland Bird Survey
(WeBS).
However, we need ‘new blood’
volunteers. You don’t need to be
an experienced wildfowl counter,
though you should be able to
identify common waders and
wildfowl. If you think you can help
then please email Dermot Smith at
dermot.smith71@gmail.com or
phone 07505 418832 for further
details.
For more information plus recent
reports and photos visit the
Mersey Estuary WeBS page on
Booking is essential for these events
Call 01519342964
Walks last around 2.5-3 hours and require
good footwear. The walk may include small
hills and undulations. It would also be advisa-
ble to wear appropriate clothing for the day.
Heritage & Health Walks
“Discover the heritage along with coastline with a
series of walks. Part of the Sefton Coast Land-
scape Partnership scheme”
“The walks will take you through a variety of
habitats including woodlands, sand dunes and
beach walks”
Other Events
Why not visit Facebook page SeftonCoast?
RSPB Tel: 01704 226190
Thursday 9 April
Wildlife Home Event at Marshside
Sunday 19 April
Big Tide Bird Walk at Marshside
Lancashire Wildlife Trust Events
Biodiverse Society Project Volunteer Recruit-
ment Event
Sat, 21/02/2015 - 11:00am - 2:00pm - The Wildlife
Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Mer-
seyside
Venue: Berkeley Drive
Find out all about our exciting new Biodiversity
project and have a chat with the Project Team.
More event info
Friends of MSW Talk - Wigan Flashes
Wed, 15/04/2015 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm - The Wildlife
Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Mer-
seyside
Venue: Mere Sands Wood nature reserve
Join us for the Friends of Mere Sands Wood's
monthly event, which is a talk about the iconic Wig-
an Flashes.
More event info
Friends of MSW - Dawn Chorus
Sat, 09/05/2015 - 4:00am - 7:00am - The Wildlife
Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Mer-
seyside
Venue: Mere Sands Wood nature reserve
Join us for the Friends of Mere Sands Wood's
monthly event, which is a Dawn Chorus walk around
the reserve.
More event info
Bird Watching and Beyond Course
Detailed Description
Part Time Course £225
Includes monthly seminar and field trip
One Wednesday every month “Edge Hill University
are offering a part-time course which involves a
mixture of field excursions and a taught pro-
gramme. On one Wednesday of every month there
will be a seminar at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk
in the BioSciences building (at 7.00 pm).
These Wednesday sessions will be followed by a full-
day field excursion on either the following Saturday
or Sunday. These field trips will focus on bird
identification and will initially take advantage of the
many varied local sites. Trips further afield will be
used to extend your experience. The taught pro-
gramme will involve informal seminars that will
deal with the principles which underpin birdwatch-
ing.
This will cover the biological topics relevant to
birds including bird anatomy and physiology, gen-
eral ecology and population dynamics, migration,
the principles of census techniques, conservation
etc. In addition to reinforcing your existing
knowledge, this course should also help you to take
your birdwatching further.”
SUMMARY of EVENTS PROGRAMME of 2015 at SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP www.seftoncoast.org.uk
Page 19 Merseyside Nature
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