Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - November 2000 - No 66
Kath Cottingham
Leaders: Philip Jones, and Jan Crowden
The party met in the car park between the reservoirs and was entertained by a Blackcap singing, but it was several minutes before it was spotted in the willows and before good views of it were obtained. The route taken was over the small stream and onto the path skirting the south-eastern bank of the reservoir where Wood Avens (Geum urbanum), Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) and Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) were noted. Several fern species were also recorded, including Broad Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata), Lady Fern (Athyrium filix femina) and Scaly Male-fern (Dryopteris affinis); plants of the latter were more closely examined to determine their subspecies both sspp. affinis and borreri were thought to be present and were photographed. Characteristically, Dryopteris affinis spp. affinis generally stays green in the winter so last season's fronds were still evident. It also has a more upright 'shuttlcock' habit whilst Dryopteris affinis spp. borreri generally dies down in the winter. (Technical differences, including shape of sori and indusia, for example can be found in 'Welsh Ferns' by Barry Thomas and George Hutchinson).
A Badger run passed under the boundary fence and evidence of the animals foraging on Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) flowers was seen. A Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) was recorded and the Lesser Celendines (Ranunculus ficaria) were varied in their leaf patterns and colours some being markedly marbled with purple. A Toad (Bufo bufo) crossed the path, and was caught by Jan Crowden to be photographed by several members. Philip Jones pointed out the various species of fungi which he found in the woodland in the vicinity of the path. They included the cup fungus Cudonirlla clavus and a bracket fungus on willow, Daedaliopsis confragrosa, and the spring bracket fungus on buried cones, Strobilurus tenacellus. Philip also gave old vernacular names for some species which related to their past uses such as ‘razor strop' for sharpening blades and 'tinder box' for making gunpowder fuses.
An abnormally large, non-flowering, plant of what was though to be Lady’s-smock (Cardamine pratensis) was observed growing in a (nutrient-enriched?) flush by the reservoir bank and was examined and photographed. A cutting was taken and grown on by Tony Lewis who later confirmed the identification. In the reservoir near this plant, Willow Moss (Fontanalis antipyretica) was recorded; this is the only common moss to grow entirely submerged in water. At the foot of the wooded slope by the path to the east of the dam, Wood Horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum), Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), both Japanese and European Larches (Larix kaempferi and L. decidua) (their different cones were demonstrated), and Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus linifolius) were recorded. It was pointed out that the Blackcurrant leaves have a characteristic smell when rubbed and the flowers are an attractive cup-shape but often overlooked: several bumblebee species were attracted to them.
The party then continued over the dam and along the old railway now surfaced as part of the cycle network. The violets in flower were closely examined. A few with dark spurs were noted and confirmed as Early Dog-violet (Viola reichenbachiana) by Richard Pryce. This species is much less common than the light spurred Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana). Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) plants were frequent and a Song Thrush was heard along the railway path. Jan commented that the vegetation along this path was suitable Dormouse habitat and after a few minutes of searching found a characteristically chewed hazelnut shell, confirming the presence of the species - a new record. The party returned along the road to the car park with additional plants being recorded from the wall of the bridge, and Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) from the stream below.
