Gateshead Birder Home Page

2008 Notable Records and first flowers

October 2008

The piece of distiubed land around Derwenthaugh contiues to produced aliens. This month Viola x wittrockiana (Garden Pansy) and Medicago arabica (Spotted Medick) was noted.

September 2008

Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder) - The first record since 2004 was noted independently at Derwenthaugh on 14th and 17th where Galinsoga quadriradiata (Shaggy-soldier) was also present for the first time this decade

Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder) at Derwenthaugh [George Simpson]

The patch of ground behind SHibdon disturbed by the new pylin erection continues do produce unusual plants with Lobelia erinus (Garden Lobelia) and Euphorbia lathyris (Caper Spurge) noted here on 26th.

Lobelia erinus (Garden Lobelia) at Shibdon on 26th [George Simpson]

August 2008

Picris hieracioides (Hawkweed Oxtongue) - a new species of plant for Gateshead noted on 2nd at Shibdon. Circaea lutetiana (Enchanter's-nightshade), Genista anglica (Petty Whin), Festuca gigantea (Giant Fescue), Bromopsis ramosa (Hairy-brome), Lythrum salicaria (Purple-loosestrife), Rosa rugosa (Japanese Rose), Festuca ovina (Sheep's-fescue) and Centaurea scabiosa (Greater Knapweed) all in the Mount Escomb area / Pockerley Pond area on 28th and a recount of the list after finding a couple of ommissions resulting in 366 species recorded this year (so far!).
A nice find in Gateshead on 22nd was Berula erecta (Lesser water parsnip ). One large bushy plant was growing in the marshy corner of an old horse pasture near Stargate. Associates included Isolepis setacea (Bristle Club-rush), Juncus bufonius sens. str. (Toad Rush) and Veronica beccabunga (Brooklime).It is a notable plant anywhere in the county. Whether an overlooked native or accidental introduction, perhaps by transported horses?
The last day of August produced The Guards produced Stachys officinalis (Betony) and Hypericum humifusum (Trailing St John's-wort), Senecio viscosus (Sticky Groundsel), Diplotaxis muralis (Annual Wall-rocket) and Oenothera biennis (Common Evening-primrose) were at the old Birtley railways sidings and Lycopus europaeus (Gipsywort) growing in the main Kibblesworth Brickworks pool

July 2008

The 1st at Shibdon had (Ligustrum vulgare) Wild privet in flower. 2nd July produced Catapodium rigidum (Fern-grass), Vulpia bromoides (Squirreltail Fescue) and Geranium columbinum (Long-stalked Crane's-bill) near the Metrocentre and Centaurea nigra (Common Knapweed) and Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle) near Birtley. The 3rd/4th prodced Eschscholzia californica (Californian Poppy), Malva moschata (Musk-mallow).

Malva moschata (Musk-mallow) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

The 19th produced Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), Phragmites australis (Common Reed), Hieracium agg. (Hawkweed) and Picris echioides (Bristly Oxtongue)

Bristly-Oxtongue (Picris-echioides) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Melilotus altissimus (Tall Melilot) and Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed) at Shibdon and Pastinaca sativa (Wild Parsnip) near Birtely.

Melilotus altissimus (Tall Melilot) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Blackstonia perfoliata (Yellow-wort) was seen on 7th at Shibdon and Persicaria lapathifolia (Pale Persicaria) on 10th. Odontites vernus (Red Bartsia) and Centaurium erythraea (Common Centaury) was seen in flower at Shibdon on 11th. On the 13th - Old railway sidings at Birtley produced Hypericum perforatum (Perforate St John's-wort), Hypericum androsaemum (Tutsan), Vicia sylvatica (Wood Vetch), Rosa sherardii (Sherard's Downy-rose) and Origanum vulgare (Wild Marjoram) with Torilis japonica (Upright Hedge-parsley) and Centaurea montana (Perennial Cornflower) nearby at the sewage works. Rosa pimpinellifolia (Burnet Rose) at Timber Beach and Solidago gigantea (Early Goldenrod), Stachys palustris (Marsh Woundwort), Valeriana officinalis (Common Valerian) and Equisetum palustre (Marsh Horsetail) at were Shibdon and Aster tripolium (Sea Aster) at Costco on the same date.

Common Century at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Sonchus arvensis (Perennial Sow-thistle) at Shibdon on 24th

Perennial Sow-thistle [George Simpson]

At the end of the month, 2 rare Gateshead plants were noted - White Bryony (Bryonia dioica), near Birtley at Gateshead's only site, known here since 1770, but not seen for 50 years with Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) present , There are two sites in Gateshead, the other being at Dunston.

June 2008

The 1st at Shibdon had Glyceria maxima (Reed Sweet-grass), Juncus inflexus (Hard Rush), Vicia sepium (Bush Vetch) and Trifolium pratense (Red Clover). Burdon Moor on the same date had Kniphofia uvaria (Red-hot-poker) and Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair-grass).Shibdon held Solanum dulcamara (Bittersweet)

Bittersweet at Blaydon [Peter Harvey]

and Conium maculatum (Hemlock) on 2nd.
Another 7 on 4th - Arctium minus (Lesser Burdock), Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort), Trifolium hybridum (Alsike Clover) , Scrophularia auriculata (Water Figwort), Geum rivale (Water Avens), Geum urbanum (Wood Avens) and Tragopogon pratensis (Goat's-beard) in flower making year total 217. Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry) and Sorbus hybrida (Swedish Service-tree) in flower on 5th. On 6th, Fallopia convolvulus (Black-bindweed), Galium mollugo (Hedge Bedstraw), Lathyrus pratensis (Meadow Vetchling) and Papaver rhoeas (Common Poppy) were noted.
In the Birtley/Kibblesworth area on 7th - Vicia cracca (Tufted Vetch), Alopecurus geniculatus (Marsh Foxtail), Typha latifolia (Bulrush), Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawk's-beard), Papaver pseudoorientale (Oriental Poppy), Stachys sylvatica (Hedge Woundwort), Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid), Alchemilla mollis (Garden Lady's-mantle), Cirsium palustre (Marsh Thistle),

Marsh Thistle [George Simpson]

Carduus crispus (Welted Thistle)

Welted Thistle [George Simpson]

with Scrophularia nodosa (Common Figwort),

Common Figwort at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed), Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire-fog), Juncus effusus (Soft-rush) and Conopodium majus (Pignut) all at Shibdon on 8th

67 Spikes of Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine) were counted at the colony at Shibdon on 10th.

Broad-leaved Helleborine at Shibdon [George Simspon]

Other plants in flower 10th-14th were Silene vulgaris (Bladder Campion), Potamogeton natans (Broad-leaved Pondweed), Chamerion angustifolium (Rosebay Willowherb), Anagallis arvensis (Scarlet Pimpernel), Prunella vulgaris (Selfheal), Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged-Robin), Lemna minor (Common Duckweed), Reseda luteola (Weld),

Reseda luteola (Weld) [George Simpson]

Potentilla reptans (Creeping Cinquefoil) and Potentilla erecta (Tormentil), whilst the 13th found Calystegia sepium (Hedge Bindweed), Cirsium arvense (Creeping Thistle), Cotoneaster simonsii (Himalayan Cotoneaster) and Trifolium dubium (Lesser Trefoil). Thlaspi arvense (Field Penny-cress), Daucus carota (Wild Carrot), Verbascum thapsus (Great Mullein), Viola arvensis (Field Pansy), Phleum pratense (Timothy) and Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove).
Two grasses, Trisetum flavescens (Yellow Oat-grass) and Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dog's-tail) were in flower at Shibdon on 15th together with Myosotis scorpioides (Water Forget-me-not), Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet-briar), Salix x sericans (Broad-leaved Osier), Juncus tenuis (Slender Rush), Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet) and Carex ovalis (Oval Sedge). On the same day in Chopwell Woods - Dicentra eximia (Turkey-corn) was found to be naturalised and may be a first for Gateshead. Also here were Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock-spruce), Geranium x magnificum (Purple Crane's-bill), Buddleja davidii (Butterfly-bush), Pulmonaria officinalis (Lungwort), Salix pentandra (Bay Willow), Teucrium scorodonia (Wood Sage), Tilia x vulgaris (Lime) and Poa trivialis (Rough Meadow-grass). Ravensworth had Athyrium filix-femina (Lady-fern)

Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

The 21st/22ns at Shibdon produced Erodium cicutarium (Common Stork's-bill)), more Field Pennycress, 10 more Bee Orchid plants, a count now of 111 Broad-leaved Helleborine and Coronopus didymus (Lesser Swine-cress), Impatiens glandulifera (Indian Balsam),

Impatiens glandulifera (Indian Balsam) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Euphorbia helioscopia (Sun Spurge), Chenopodium album agg. (Fat-hen), Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy), Lepidium heterophyllum (Smith's Pepperwort), Carex spicata (Spiked Sedge), Persicaria maculosa (Redshank), Alisma plantago-aquatica (Common Water-plantain), Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort)and Lamium amplexicaule (Henbit Dead-nettle) were all at Shibdon and Anthyllis vulneraria (Kidney Vetch), Lotus pedunculatus (Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil), Leucanthemum lacustre x L. maximum (Shasta Daisy) and Trifolium campestre (Hop Trefoil) at Kibblesworth. Symphytum officinale subsp. officinale (Common Comfrey) was noted on 25th.

Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort) [George Simpson]

At the end of the month, Kibblesworth produced Matricaria recutita (Scented Mayweed), Ranunculus flammula (Lesser Spearwort), Knautia arvensis (Field Scabious), Galium verum (Lady's Bedstraw), Atriplex patula (Common Orache), Juncus articulatus (Jointed Rush), Echium vulgare (Viper's-bugloss), Festuca arundinacea (Tall Fescue), Chaerophyllum temulum (Rough Chervil), Geranium sylvaticum (Wood Crane's-bill) and Geranium dissectum (Cut-leaved Crane's-bill) on the 29th.

May 2008

On 28th, Ajuga reptans (Bugle) was at Westfield Pasture, Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine) at Blaydon town centre and Rhododendron ponticum (Rhododendron) at Thornley.

On 29th, Birtley had Hordeum murinum (Wall Barley) in flower and the next day Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle), Epilobium hirsutum (Great Willowherb), Epilobium montanum (Broad-leaved Willowherb), Lolium perenne (Perennial Rye-grass) and Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oat-grass) was also seen here.

Shibdon held Rumex conglomeratus (Clustered Dock) and Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Water-cress) on 30th and Veronica agrestis (Green Field-speedwell) at Blaydon. Shibdon on 31st held Euphrasia nemorosa (Eyebright),

Eyebright at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Ranunculus sceleratus (Celery-leaved Buttercup)

Celery-leaved Buttercupat Shibdon [George Simpson]

and Rhinanthus minor subsp. minor (Yellow Rattle) in flower for the first time this year.

Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid) at Shibdon on 28th when Pilosella officinarum (Mouse-ear-hawkweed) in flower nearby in Cowen Road, Blaydon

Pilosella officinarum (Mouse-ear-hawkweed) in flower Cowen Road, Blaydon
[Peter Harvey]

Bromus hordeaceus (Soft-brome), Agrostis stolonifera (Creeping Bent) and Ranunculus repens (Creeping Buttercup) at Birtley on 27th.
Bank Holiday Monday had Doronicum pardalianches (Leopard's-bane) and Rubus fruticosus agg. (Bramble) at Shibdon were in flower

Rubus fruticosus agg. (Bramble) at Shibdon
[George simpson]

Medicago lupulina (Black Medick) at Birtley on the 1st was followed by Ranunculus acris (Meadow Buttercup) noted on 3rd near Stargate when Prunus domestica (Wild Plum), Sambucus nigra (Elder) and Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) were at Shibdon and Myrrhis odorata (Sweet Cicely) near Birtley. On the 5th, in flower today Carex paniculata (Greater Tussock-sedge), Carex riparia (Greater Pond-sedge) and Veronica chamaedrys (Germander Speedwell). Between the 2 Bank Holidays another 57 species were noted - Dryopteris dilatata (Broad Buckler-fern), Dryopteris filix-mas (Male-fern), Elytrigia repens (Common Couch), Galium aparine (Cleavers), Melica uniflora (Wood Melick), Geranium robertianum (Herb-Robert), Geranium pratense (Meadow Crane's-bill), Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak), Potentilla anserina (Silverweed), Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Perennial Wall-rocket), Dipsacus fullonum (Wild Teasel), Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved Toadflax), Securigera varia (Crown Vetch), Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed), Carex hirta (Hairy Sedge), Lotus corniculatus (Common Bird's-foot Trefoil ), Leucanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy), Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris), Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis (Common Vetch) , Veronica arvensis (Wall Speedwell), Laburnum anagyroides (Laburnum), Stellaria holostea (Greater Stitchwort), Stellaria graminea (Lesser Stitchwort), Cerastium glomeratum (Sticky Mouse-ear), Acer campestre (Field Maple), Aegopodium podagraria (Ground-elder), Aesculus carnea (Red Horse-chestnut), Agrostis capillaris (Common Bent), Barbarea vulgaris (Common Winter-cress), Blechnum spicant (Hard-fern), Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd's-purse), Veronica serpyllifolia (Thyme-leaved Speedwell), Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam), Cruciata laevipes (Crosswort), Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail), Salix cinerea subsp. oleifolia (Grey Willow), Heracleum sphondylium (Hogweed), Hesperis matronalis (Dame's-violet), Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea-buckthorn), Holcus mollis (Creeping Soft-grass), Ilex aquifolium (Holly), Ranunculus bulbosus (Bulbous Buttercup), Hypochaeris radicata (Cat's-ear), Mercurialis perennis (Dog's Mercury), Plantago major (Greater Plantain), Anisantha sterilis (Barren Brome), Poa pratensis (Smooth Meadow-grass), Populus alba (White Poplar), Populus deltoides x P. nigra (Hybrid Black-poplar), Rumex obtusifolius (Broad-leaved Dock), Rumex crispus (Curled Dock), Rumex acetosa (Common Sorrel), Rubus idaeus (Raspberry), Ribes nigrum (Black Currant), Sagina procumbens (Procumbent Pearlwort), Salix viminalis (Osier), Salix alba (Salix alba), Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Burnet), Sonchus asper (Prickly Sow-thistle), Sonchus oleraceus (Smooth Sow-thistle), Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan), Silene latifolia (White Campion), Pseudofumaria lutea (Yellow Corydalis), Senecio jacobaea (Common Ragwort), Arum maculatum (Lords-and-Ladies), Rosa canina (Dog-rose), Reseda lutea (Wild Mignonette), Viburnum opulus (Guelder-rose), Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder's-tongue), Dactylorhiza fuchsii x D. purpurella, Dactylorhiza purpurella (Northern Marsh-orchid) and Trifolium repens (White Clover).

One of the First Elder flowers [George Simpson]

Flora in flower near the Metrocentre on the 5th included Valerianella locusta (Common Cornsalad) - the first record since 1999, Festuca rubra (Red Fescue), Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal-grass) and Carex flacca (Glaucous Sedge. Also on the 5th, Eleocharis palustris (Common Spike-rush) and Carex otrubae (False Fox-sedge) were at Lamesley Water Meadows.

April 2008

Hairy Bittercress [George Simpson)

The first Field Woodrush (Luzula campestris) was noted at two sites on the 2nd as was Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Bluebell) at Longacre Wood. Veronica hederifolia (Ivy-leaved Speedwell) and Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle) were seen in flower at Springwell on 3rd. Oxalis acetosella (Wood-sorrel) and Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard) in flower at Clara Vale on 5th. By the 9th the following were also noted White Dead-nettle (Lamium album ), hybrid Bluebell (Hyacinthoides x massartiana), Wavy Bitter-cress (Cardamine flexuosa), Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale ), Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica ), Cowslip (Primula veris), Honesty (Lunaria annua ), Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) and Apple (Malus domestica). On the 10th Common Dog Violet (Viola Riviniana) and Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) was noted at Shibdon. Ribwort Plantain was in flower by the 14th. The 17th produced Arenaria serpyllifolia (Thyme-leaved Sandwort), Cytisus scoparius (Broom)and Prunus padus (Bird Cherry). The 20th produced Ribes uva-crispa (Gooseberry), Salix fragilis (Crack-willow), Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry Laurel), Vinca major (Greater Periwinkle), Muscari armeniacum (Garden Grape-hyacinth) and Fagus sylvatica (Beech), followed the following day by Stellaria holostea (Greater Stitchwort), Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow Foxtail), Silene dioica (Red Campion) and Luzula sylvatica (Great Wood-rush). The 27th produced Myosotis sylvatica (Wood Forget-me-not) at Ravensworth Fell and Lady Park produced Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine), Narcissus poeticus (Pheasant's-eye Daffodil), Allium ursinum (Ramsons), Brassica napus subsp. oleifera (Oil-seed Rape), Dactylis glomerata (Cock's-foot Grass) and Sinapis arvensis (Charlock). The 29th in the Blaydon area had Cerastium fontanum (Common Mouse-ear), Geranium molle (Dove's-foot Crane's-bill)

Geranium molle (Dove's-foot Crane's-bill) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

and Viola arvensis (Field Pansy)in flower. Carex caryophyllea (Spring-sedge) at Westfield Pasture and Myosotis arvensis (Field Forget-me-not) near Birtley were both noted on 29th.

Ash bud opening up [Peter Harvey]

March 2008

Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa ) & Primrose (Primula vulgaris) in flower at Swalwell visitor centre on the 12th. Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) was noted on 19th together with Swede (Brassica napus subsp. rapifera). On the 30th Adoxa moschatellina (Moschatel), Chrysosplenium oppositifolium (Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage), Cochlearia danica (Danish Scurvygrass), Petasites hybridus (Butterbur) and Salix cinerea subsp. cinerea (Grey Willow) were in flower. Finally on 31st, Veronica filiformis (Slender Speedwell) and Arabidopsis thaliana (Thale Cress) was noted

Petasites hybridus (Butterbur) in flower at Shibdon

[George Simpson]

February 2008

Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

On 1st, the Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera ) at Shibdon as noted to be in flower. On 5th, Common Whitlow-grass (Erophila verna) and Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. major) was seen in flower. On the 8th at Hollinside Manor Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) in flower and more at Paddock Wood. The next day Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) was noted in the Derwent Walk CP.

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica) was noted at Shibdon on 11th. On 17th the first Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) was noted in flower

Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera ) at Shibdon on 1st [George Simpson]

January 2008

Nine species of plant were in flower on 1st January Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus), Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Dandelion (Taraxacum aggregate) , Hazel (Corylus avellana), Downy Birch (Betula pubescens), Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) at Shibdon on 1st [George Simpson]

By the 11th, Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Petty Spurge ( Euphorbia peplus), Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua), Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) were noted. Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter-cress) and Betula pendula (Silver Birch) on 13th and. Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) first recorded on the 17th. Tripleurospermum inodorum (Scentless Mayweed), at Dunston was in flower on 20th.

Tripleurospermum inodorum (Scentless Mayweed) at Dunston [George Simpson]

Towards the end of the month, the first ,Goat Willow (Salix caprea) catkins seen on 29th (13th February last year) as was Shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) and Common Chickweed (Stellaria media )

Goat Willow (Salix caprea) at Shibdon on 29th [George Simpson]

Gateshead Birders