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/

Botany Events and Indoor Meetings

23rd November 2024, British & Irish Botanical Conference 2024, London - fully booked but all talks will be recorded and posted on YouTube.

The BSBI returns to the Natural History Museum, London, for the main indoor event of the year. A day of talks, exhibits, posters, a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous herbarium, a chance to catch up with botanical friends old and new.  

29th December 2024 – 1st January 2025, New Year Plant Hunt 2025 

Join thousands of fellow plant-hunters across Britain and Ireland in our annual quest to find out which wild or naturalised plants are able to bloom in midwinter. Your data are helping us learn more about how our plants are responding to a changing climate. The New Year Plant Hunt is also a great way to shake off the winter blues and get outdoors with friends, family, solo or joining a group hunt. Find out more from the New Year Plant Hunt Support Team, email: nyplanthunt@bsbi.org 

Sunday 12th January 2025 2pm-4pm, Shropshire Botanical Society winter social and talk. Field Studies Centre, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury SY4 1DX 

Everyone is welcome to the friendly winter social (involving tea and cakes as usual!), and a talk by 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. One may consider ecology to be the interactions between man, plant and animal communities, and the physical environment e.g. soil type and climate. Oliver Rackham’s unique contribution was that by identifying with the activities of woodmen, investigating coppice and pollard structure, decoding medieval manuscripts, and studying both individual plant species and plant communities, he brought woodland interactions to life in a way no one had done before. His lively, often iconoclastic, writing was always well illustrated with his informative and powerful line drawings. His immaculate scholarship gave woodland conservation a sound historical dimension and a scientific basis - along with the equally illustrious activities of George Peterken. His impact will endure for many decades to come. If you have not yet read ‘Trees and Woodland in the British Landscape’, I suggest you do so soon; it is as relevant today as when it was first published, especially as a clarion call to explore, interpret and enjoy.” 

Richard and Mavis Gulliver were fortunate to be able to move to the Hebrides in 1991 where they both studied the ecology and conservation of Irish Lady’s-tresses orchid, a species which until recently was known only from Ireland and the West of Scotland, but latterly has been found near Borth. During this period Richard was BSBI vicecounty recorder for VC102 - Southern Hebrides - for many years.  Also at this time he tutored the Ecology Course for The Open University, which periodically brought him to Preston Montford Field Centre for the fieldwork component of the course. Richard and Mavis are co-authors of three Aidgap guides featuring woodland plants, orchids and grassland plants (other than those of chalk and limestone). Since moving to Shropshire in 2017 Richard has continued his studies on woodland history and grassland plant communities, topics on which he had published previously. Currently he is studying and communicating new and correct information on English Elm - Ulmus procera - including fruit production which he has observed in the county in 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

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. 

Friday 4th Apr 2025 1:00pm to Sunday 6th Apr 2025 2:00pm, BSBI England Recorders’ Meeting 2025, Field Studies Centre, Juniper Hall, RH5 6DA. 

The 2025 Recorders’ Meeting is based at the Field Studies Council Juniper Hall Centre near Dorking. The meeting is aimed at all those who record plants, ranging over all skills levels from beginner to expert. You don’t have to be a vice county recorder as it is about skill sharing and learning but VCRs will be there. It is intended that workshops will include plant id sessions, practical recording, the Distribution Database, recording apps, talks, excursions to Box Hill Country Park and a group discussion. The timing is leisurely and may change at short notice in order to accommodate a weather window for group excursions. Juniper Hall offers the standard FSC centre accommodation, with cooked breakfast, DIY packed lunch and a two course evening meal. The centre is licensed. Half the rooms are en suite, and there are some for multiple occupancy. Non-residents are welcome to join the group during the day and for meals. Total numbers will be capped at 40, with priority given to those who are residential. Contact Jonathan Shanklin email: fieldmeetings@bsbi.org 

Sunday 13th April 2025 2pm-4pm, Shropshire Botanical Society AGM and talk, Field Studies Centre, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury SY4 1DX 

AGM and talk by Peter Carty titled: “Saving Minsterley Meadows and Other Grassland Projects”. 

The AGM business is minimal as we prefer to focus on flora! There will be refreshments after Peter’s talk and time to chat and plan a year of botanising.

Autumn Newsletter 2024 - coming soon!

The formal field meetings program may be over, but never fear, the Shropshire Botanical Society Autumn 2024 newsletter will be out soon!  

It is packed full of features, with articles by new contributors, field visit accounts, plus a rundown of this year's plant finds.  

Sorry it has been a while, but we didn't have an Editor for a Spring 2024 edition, which is why this Autumn's is a chunker.

The newsletter will be emailed to members as a pdf just as soon as it is ready.

Non members will have to wait a seemly amount of time before the latest edition will become available via the website newsletter archive:  https://www.shropshirebotany.org.uk/p/newsletter-archive.html 

Enjoy!

Meandering in Church Stretton

The final field meeting of the season is at Coppice Leasowes Nature Reserve on the 31^st August. The reserve belongs to the Church Stretton Town Council and a neighbouring site: High Leasowes a 16 acre meadow was purchased in 2022 by the local community.

Greater Butterfly Orchid Platanthera chlorantha recorded at Coppice Leasowes in 1995.

Coppice Leasowes is a wetland site; the stream, Ashbrook from Cardingmill Valley, has recently been re-meandered so there will be plenty for us to look at. Parking and meeting on the east side of the A49, on Helmeth Road,  SO 46038 93846, https://w3w.co/special.dentures.expensive. Mike Carter and John Handley to lead 07507 054695, johnhandley11@gmail.com.We look forward to seeing you next Saturday.

We look forward to seeing you next Saturday.