Newsletter 2010
FLORA REPORT
Bog Asphodel
This year was quite a change from previous years with snow affecting the early months. Most spring flowers were late. Gorse and snowdrop did not appear until late January and although we had a primrose on time, this was in a sheltered area. Once spring did arrive things were still a little later. We did have more records of Moschatel but I am not sure if this was because of more flowers or the welcome increase in folk reporting sightings. Two new records for the year were Lesser Twayblade and Bog Asphodel. Both these had been noticed on Anglezarke Moor. We also had sneezewort and pyramidal orchid. Other interesting sightings were Black Nightshade on Cuerden and a Broad-Leaved Helleborine in Astley Village.
The Lancashire Bioblitz contributed several hundred extra records for Cuerden, which kept me busy for months. David Earle the vc59 recorder has a fondness for brambles and he recorded two new ones for Cuerden. Rubus duxburiensis and rubus cuerden valley. are plants that seem to occur only in the Chorley area.
Flowerburst for Cuerden Valley park:-
| Species | Cuerden 2007 | Cuerden 2008 | Cuerden 2009 | Cuerden 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bistort | May 7 | May 5 | May 9 | - |
| Bluebell | April 12 | April 4 | April 1 | April 8 |
| Butterbur | Feb 28 | March 3 | March 6 | - |
| Coltsfoot | March 3 | Feb 26 | March 6 | March 5 |
| Creeping buttercup | April 21 | April 27 | April 12 | April 18 |
| Dog’s Mercury | Feb 17 | Feb 17 | Feb 13 | Feb 20 |
| Lesser Celandine | Jan 19 | Jan 25 | Feb 14 | Feb 20 |
| Snowdrop | - | - | Jan 19 | Jan 24 |
| Wood Anemone | March 17 | March 18 | March 30 | March 27 |
| Wood Sorrel | April 6 | April 4 | April 11 | April 1 |
Thanks to Diana Downing, David Earl, John Haddon, Jack Hewitt, John Lamb, Gary Lilley, Jim Longbottom, Joyce Riley, Peter Ross, Andy Rowett, Colin Smith and Neil Southworth. Special thanks to Nora West and Carol Winder who contribute 75% of records submitted.
Da
D Beattie