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Flora Records 2003 - 2004 [For more photos of Gateshead's Fungi]
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Seen anything in flower ..... let Doctor Gadwall know (email: doctor.gadwall@gatesheadbirders.co.uk). The full Gateshead flora list & 2004 dates 2004 Notable Records
October 2004 Collared Earthstar (Geastrum Triplex) found at Clara Vale GC on 26th. This species is locally common in the UK but usually found on chalky soils under beech trees. This is the largest of the Earthstars and is quite distinctive. September 2004 Heath Cudweed (Gnaphalium sylvaticum) found at Stella on 10th, the first record for the borough since the 1980s. August 2004 Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) and Scarlet Pimpernell (Anagallis arvensis) found at Longacre, Small Toadflax (Chaenorhinum minus) at Stella and at Blaydon railway level crossing a large colony of Greater Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella major) was located, only 2nd record for Gateshead?
Small Toadflax [Chaenorhinum minus] - This species was found at Stella Power Station in august [Photo: Brian Pollinger] A second site for Blue Fleabane (Erigeron Acer) was discovered, this time at Derwenthaugh. More Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera)
found. This time they were through the wire fencing on the Tarmac (company)
side at Portobello Trading Estate. Just in the grassy verge part. [Mrs
June Green]. Vervain (Verbena officinalis) and Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) found at Clara Vale and a single plant of the latter at Swalwell. Survey of waste ground at Bensham bank produced some interesting weeds including Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) and Scarlet Pimpernell (Anagallis arvensis).
Vervain [Verbena officinalis] - Found Clara Vale in early August - There are several possibilities of its origin such as from a seed bank in the reserve that has been disturbed during the creation of the pond. Seems unlikely as it is thought that more would emerge. But the ground would not have been disturbed for 60-70 years. It may have been imported with clay that was brought in to line the pond. That clay we believe, came from somewhere in Newcastle (allegedly the NUFC site!). Also several bags of chaff containing weed seeds from a local farmer was scattered over this area. Or it could just be an escape. [Photo: Gordon Pollinger] July 2004 Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus) found on 31st at Clara Vale, about the 12th county record. Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor) now in flower having been discovered earlier in the year. More Silver Hair-grass(Aira Caryophyllea ) found, together with a single plant of Blue Fleabane(Erigeron Acer) at Stargate. The good patch of Wild Majoram(Origanum vulgare) in flower at Timber beach on 18th.
Blue Flebane, close up of flower on plant found at Stargate on 18th July. This single plant may be only the second record for Gateshead. An annual or biennial of dry, grassy places reaching in UK northern limit in this region. [Photo: Gordon Pollinger] Another small colony of Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) found, this time on rather acid soil with Heath Milkwort (Polygala serpyllifolia ) near Chopwell. A single flower of Corn Cockle (Agrostemma githago) by the new path at Shibdon Pond on 3rd. June 2004 Fern Grass (Catapodium Rigidum) found near Scotswood Bridge and at Blaydon Quarry. Squirrel-tail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides) also at Blaydon Quarry. Grey Club-Rush (Schoenoplectus Lacustris Tabernaemontani) at Shibdon Pond Tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) also found on the A1 embankment with the Bee Orchids. Tall Rocket (Sisymbrium Altissimum) on the side of the A1, this time by the Metrocentre turn-off. Fen Bedstraw (Galium uliginosum) at Maryside Hill, Clara Vale on 11th.
Bee Orchid, Two of 30 or so spikes found on the embankment of the A1. Only a few specimens of this beautiful orchid have been found in Gateshead and never in this quantity. It is not known if this species occured naturally in wind-borne seed lanmding on the limestone or the seed was already in amongst the hardcore and rubble used in the building of the road. [Photo: Brian Pollinger] Hoary Plantain (Plantago media) and 30 spikes of Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) found near Shibdon on 10th.
Quaking Grass, A good colony found on Barlow Fell. Rare in Gateshead but fairly common in Durham. In Gatehead usually found as odd plants here and there. Probably thousands of plants in this field. Shame the field is threatened .[Photo: Gordon Pollinger] A large patch of Quaking-grass (Briza media) found on Barlow Fell together with White Spindles Fungi (Clavaria fragilis).
May 2004 A large colony of Silver Hair-grass (Aira Caryophyllea) found at Bewes Hills, near Stargate. A third site for Spiked Sedge (Carex spicata) in the borough found at Maryside of this rare in Durham species. Also nearby Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) in suitable wild habitat located. Good amount of Birdsfoot (Ornithopus Perpusillus) at Stargate as usual on 23rd.
Birdsfoot, Plant above, flower below, not to be confused with bird'sfoot Trefoil . Seen here at Stargate Quarry. Easy to find at this site which is probably the best locality for the species in the north-east of England. [Photo: Gordon Pollinger] Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis) found at Derwenthaugh Pasture on 14th. Annual Knawel (Scleranthus Annuus Annuus) found on bare ground at Pathhead Quarry and is the first record in recent times. Also Medium-flowered Winter-cress (Barbarea intermedia) found at Burdon Moor, the first record since at least 1986.
Annual Knarwel. Found on bare soil at Pathhead Quarry by Andy McLay is the first record in 'recent' times. [Photo: Gordon Pollinger] Hundreds of plants of Spring Sedge (Carex Caryophyllea) and Adders Tongue (Ophioglossum Vulgatum) and many St George's Mushroom (Tricholoma Georgii) - at another site in the west of the borough.
Adder's Tongue Fern.
Good numbers found in a field in west of the Borough by Andy McLay and
Brian Pollinger . Now rare and this one is likely to be lost since the
field is probably going to be "improved". April 2004 1000+ plants of Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) found on edge of arable field at Clara Vale on 23rd.
Field Pennycress at Clara Vale.. This species is not usually more than a casual with usually only the odd plant or two being found. This mass was estinmated to be in excess of 1000 plants. [Photo: Gordon Pollinger] St George's Mushroom (Tricholoma Georgii) noted at Shibdon Pond on 20th A good population of Ivy-leaved Crowfoot (Ranunculus hederaceus) in flower on Burdon Moor. Masses of Common Whitlow-grass (Erophila Verna) at Stella, carpeting areas white in places. Danish Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia Danica) in flower on a minor road in Dunston. Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) in flower on 13th. Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in flower from 14th. Hen-bit Dead Nettle (Lamium amplexicaule) at Blaydon Quarry. For first dates of flora seen (and first flowers) see Full List. March 2004 Andy McLay has discovered Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor) in the borough. Andy was busy surveying during March and also had the following notable records - Birdsfoot (Ornithopus Perpusillus)
- P H Quarry Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage (Chrysoplenium Alternifolium) and Spring Sedge (Carex Caryophyllea) - Wylam River side, Westfield Pasture
Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus Nissolia)
- Greenside Folly and also the following fungi - Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha
coccinea)
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Vervain [Verbena officinalis] - Another photograph of the single plant at Clara Vale in early August - It may be an escape as both this species and Small Scabious also present were thought to be on sale at Bradley Nurseries several years ago. We will try to find out when they were last sold. Maybe they are both commonly available in nurseries/garden centres? Does anyone else know? [Photo: Gordon Pollinger]
Dog Stinkhorn [Mutinus caninus] - Clara Vale 31st July . This species is quite rare in County Durham, (12 records) and described as occasional nationally. Stinkhorns have slender stipes (stalks) with heads that are covered with smelly gleba (spore mass). [Photo: Gordon Pollinger]
Blue Fleabane - This one plant discovered on 18th July as observer was looking for the Emperor Dragonfly at Stargate [Photo: Gordon Pollinger]
Bee Orchid, Close up of one of the flowering spikes. This species requires limestone or chalk which is generally lacking in the borough. However these are growing on limestone rubble that makes up the embankment of the A1. Interestingly Hoary Plantain and Tor Grass both also calciphilous species also discovered here. [Photo: Brian Pollinger]
White Spindles Fungi,
Found 5th June in the same field as the Adderstongue. Its a nationally
uncommon fungus, rare in Gateshead and the north east generally. Clavaria
fragilis, a member of the Fairy clubs family. Only one other record for
Gateshead in 1985. 3 records for Durham. Indicator species for unimproved
grassland.
Common flora in flower Common Chickweed (Stellaria media), Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), Gorse (Ulex europaeus), Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica), Red dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus), Common Dandelion (Taraxacum agg.), Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum) and Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua) flower throughout the year in the borough. Some first flower dates 11th April 2004 Broom (Cytisus scoparius) 8th April 2004 Wild: Field Horsetail (Equisetum Arvensis), Crack and White Willows (Salix Fragilis & S. alba), Common Fumitory (Fumaria Officinalis), Wavy Bittercress (Cardamine Flexuosa), Common Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia Officinalis), Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata), Cowslip (Primula Veris), Sycamore (Acer Pseudoplatensis), Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage (Chrysoplenium Oppositifolium), Wild Cherry (Prunus Avium), Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella), Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis Odorata), Hairy Wood-rush (Luzula Pilosa) Escapes: Norway Maple (Acer Platanoides), Flowering Currant (Ribes Sanguineum), Apple (Malus Domestica), Lungwort (Pulmonaria Officinalis) 2nd April 2004 Field Wood-rush (Luzula Campestris) 31st March 2004 Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus Pratensis). 27th March 2004 Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria Holostea), Common Storksbill (Erodium Cirutarium), Bugloss (Anchusa Arvensis), Common Whitlow-grass (Erophila Verna). 25th March 2004 Marsh Marigold (Caltha Palustris) 21st March 2004 Wild: Grey Willow (Salix cinerea oleifolia), Ash (Fraxinus Excelsior), Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus Ficaria), White dead-nettle (Lamium album ). Escapes: Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Spanish Daffodil (Narcissus Pseudonarcissus Major), 14th March 2004 Wild: Goat Willow (Salix caprea), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis), Petty Spurge (Euphorbia peplus), Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), Escapes: Grey Alder (Alnus incana), White Poplar (Populus alba), Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus) 1st January 2004 Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Hazel (Corylus avenula), Downy & Silver Birch (Betula pubescens & pendula) are all in flower at several sites across the borough. Some last flower dates 14th December 2003 Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) at Timber Beach 23rd November 2003 Autumnal Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis)
at Dunston Staithes 16th November 2003 Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) at
Burdon Moor 9th November 2003 Perennial Wall Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia)
at Timber Beach
2003 Notable Records September 2003 Earth Star (Geastrum pectinatum) noted. Quite scarce nationally and rare in this region. The colony is getting smaller. [Photo: Gordon Pollinger]
July 2003 Wild Majoram (Origanum vulgare) found at Timber beach (a new 10km square record),
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| ©2002 Wigeonsoft Rare Bird Photos • |
Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage
by the River Tyne near Wylam. This local species can be
identified by the alternate, not opposite, kidney-shaped leaves which
are usually single on the flowering stem. [Photo: Gordon
Pollinger]
