the vasculum...1 the vasculum april 1975 vol. 60. no. 1. price £2.00 per annum, post free. edited...

1

THE VASCULUM

APRIL 1975

Vol. 60. No. 1. Price £2.00 per annum, post free.

Edited by

T. C. DUNN, B.Sc.

THE POPLARS, CHESTER-LE-STREET

BY THE WAY

Secretaries of Societies and other contributors to "The Vasculum" are invited to send their

notes to the Editor before June 15th 1975. Subscriptions for 1975 were due on January 1st.

Will subscribers please send their contributions, at the new rates, to the Treasurer as soon

as possible.

NEW SOCIETY.

It is with the greatest pleasure that, for the second year in succession, we can

welcome a new society to the Northern Naturalists' Union. This year it is Haydon Bridge Nature

Club. We hope that the members will be seen at meetings from now onwards, and that they will

take an active part in the functions of the Union. In return we have already offered to help them in

any way that we can.

PONDS.

After writing about the scheme to resurrect village ponds, in Vasculum, Vol.59, No.

1, further information has been gathered during 1974 about the status of Durham County

wetlands. We were asked to look at a number of ponds and marshes to assess their wildlife value.

In most cases partial filling or draining had occured recently and in several instances water had

completely disappeared from the site. For example, three ponds round the village of Ingleton had

all disappeared without trace, the marsh on Stressholme Golf Course, south of Darlington, was in

the process of being filled. A huge marshy area near Hutton Magna had been completely drained,

two marshes near Hurworth Burn Reservoir simply could not be found (they had been filled,

soiled , ploughed and had grown an arable crop during the summer), Leechmire Marsh near

Hutton Henry had suffered the same fate, whilst Coop House Marsh, Elemore Marsh and

Broomyholme Marsh were all undergoing new drainage projects which will account for their

complete demise in a year or two.

This is a dreadful state of affairs, especially at a time when so much publicity about

saving wetlands is taking place. No wonder the Common Frog is becoming a rare animal.

2

LEPIDOPTERA RECORDS.

With the increase in the number of light traps being operated for the Lepidoptera

Mapping Scheme, a relatively large number of new county records and re discovery of old

records is taking place. News from Upper Teesdale comes from the Nature Conservancy's trap at

Middleton in-Teesdale where at least 3 new records have been made, with many other

rediscoveries.

Even better results have occured at the Forestry Commission's trap at Kielder Forest,

probably because it has been running for a longer period. It is intended to publish many of the

more interesting records in this journal as space permits. All are with the kind permission of

Rothamsted Experimental Station by whom the traps are supplied.

WEATHER.

The weather men seem to have had another series of surprises this winter. We can

remember, in October and November 1974, the widespread predictions, both by meteorologists

and quacks, of a very hard winter. This, they said, was an absolute certainty on the law of

averages. But they were all wrong, for until March this year, we have had the mildest winter on

record for a long time.

Now we are told that with the increase of the polar ice cap the whole weather system

has moved south, so that the Gulf Stream, which used to flow near Iceland, is now nearer the

north of Scotland. This, they say, has resulted in milder, wetter winters. But we seem to remember

a drought during the 1973 74 winter.

All these unusual happenings make life difficult for the plants and animals. Out pop

hibernating or diapaused creatures during mild spells only to find there is nothing for them to eat.

Others go on multiplying during the mild spelts giving a possibility of pest epidemics later in the

year. There is always something new happening in the great outdoors and this is what makes

natural history so absorbing.

THE SOCIETIES.

NORTHERN NATURALISTS' UNION

The 51st Annual General Meeting was held in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle

upon Tyne on 22nd March 1975, by kind invitation of the Natural History Society of

Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne.

In the preliminary business meeting the Hon. Treasurer and Editor reported on the

state of the society's finances. On the year's working there had been a loss of £94.97, which put

the account in debt by £29.68. This was in spite of a loan of £73.40 to pay for the October 1974

edition of the Vasculum. This state of affairs obviously required a remedy and the members at the

meeting had no hesitation in ratifying Council's proposals to raise the subscriptions for 1975.

These were detailed in the last issue (Vasculum Vol. 59, No. 4). Members who have Banker's

Orders or who have already paid subscriptions at the old rate of £1, please note the increase and

take the necessary action. To help to recover the lost

3

position it was once again pointed out that a greater influx of new members would help

tremendously and everyone was urged to help in this.

The Hon. Secretary reported an increase in membership and it was hoped that this

would continue. A special welcome was extended to the Haydon Bridge Nature Club. They will

be most welcome at all future meetings and field outings.

The business was concluded by the election of officers for 1975, after which the

President, Mr. John Bradley gave his lecture on "Cliffs, Dunes and things."

A number of slides showing various cliffs were used to illustrate points of geology

that he wished to emphasize. These were from Cullernose, Seaton Sluice, Scremerston, the Fame

Islands and S. Wales.

The zonation of plants and animals on the seashore was then dealt with. The lecturer

first divided the foreshore into zones; splash zone, littoral, eulittoral and sublittoral. The

conditions influencing life in these zones were discussed and illustrated by means of slides

showing growths of different species of seaweeds, molluscs, coelenterates etc. A similar treatment

of dunes followed and the lecture ended with a few photographs of natural but artistically

beautiful patterning that Mr. Bradley had come across from time to time during his investigations

along our sea coasts.

A short vote of thanks was given by Mr. Dunn and we all adjourned to the adjacent

laboratory for the tea provided by Mrs. Hall and Miss Vincent. In this room were several

interesting exhibits set up by members, which were discussed during tea. Mr. Bradley showed

several examples of the seaweeds that had been mentioned during the lecture. Dr. Taylor

produced a series of photographs of the Linnaeus Garden and Museum at Uppsala, Mr. F. Stubbs

exhibited a gall and an example of fascination in Daphne mezerium, Mr. Derek Hall put out a

number of enlarged photographs of parts of a snail, a beetle and its larva. Dr. Todd a number of

Natural History books, Mr. Dunn a number of moths new to the Durham County list, a much

admired specimen of the orchid Pleione limprichti, and leaflets concerned with the Vasculum, and

Mr. Hird showed a large number of pressed plants. There was so much of interest that members

had some difficulty in tearing themselves away.

ANNFIELD PLAIN AND STANLEY NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB

A very full programme of outings has been arranged, starting with a trip to the Lake

District on March 8th. From March 29th field meetings occur regularly at fortnightly intervals for

the rest of the summer season right up to October 11th, when we end with a local walk from

Stanley to Bumhope (via Causey Arch, Stanley Banks and Craghead Woods.).

DARLINGTON AND TEESDALE NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB

The Annual Report for 1974, as usual, is an extensive summary of the activities

throughout the year. These have been both varied and interesting. Joint meetings with Durham

County Conservation Trust have continued, as have film

4

evenings with the R. S. P. B. and the Wildfowl Trust. The lecture programme covered a wide

field, quite a few of the talks being by the Club's own members.

During the summer the accent was on getting out into the field, in spite of the

weather. Support for the smaller sections has been encouraged and an after noon with Mr.

Harwood on Barnaby Moor was a high spot and certainly re awakened interest in the entomology

section. Two Tuesday evening "pond dipping" visits were arranged with splendid results.

NOTES AND RECORDS

NOTES

Bird Notes. Autumn 1974 was outstanding for waxwings, there being press reports of flocks along

the east side of Britain from Norfolk northwards, and of a large flock within the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. Mr.

L. Rugg advised me of a party of about 30 feeding on Cotoneaster berries in a garden at Jarrow on November

21st., one flew up into a tree at Berkeley Square, Gosforth on December 20th and three alighted briefly in a tree in

my own garden on the 29th. On January 5th., Mr. E. Turnbull telephoned to say that there were about 30 stripping

the berries off a white beam in his garden in a built up part of Gosforth, and when on my way to see them I

observed a party of 12 fly out of some trees in the Old Grammar School grounds. Subsequently on January 9th I

saw a party of 9 alight shortly before dusk in a hawthorn bush in the Heathery Lane, Low Gosforth.

For some years there has been a regular movement of starlings from the Gosforth area towards

Newcastle in the late afternoon, with a corresponding return flight each morning. Whilst these movements have

continued during the present winter there has also been a westerly flight in the late afternoon.

The increased breeding numbers of goosanders in Northumberland has been reflected in the

number occurring on inland waters during the winter months. There were 8 on Gosforth Park Lake and 20 on the

"Big Waters", Seaton Burn on February 20th.

Other records which may be of interest:—

Heron, 2 Gosforth Park, January 10th.

Whooper Swan, 8 Cresswell Pond, February 17th, 23 Hartburn Lough, February 28th.

Marsh Tit, 1 in song at Guyzance, February 17th.

Golden eye. Immature drake Exhibition Park Lake, Newcastle upon Tyne, November 24th.

C.J. Gent.

Northern Rustic Moth, Ammagrotis lucemea L. First let me quote Robson's Catalogue of the

Lepidoptera of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne:— "I found this moth flying in the sunshine

in considerable numbers, at Kyloe Craggs, on 1st. August, 1895, attracted to the flowers of the Wood Sage, along

with another good species, Plusia interrogationis, (G. Bolam, Trans. Ber. F. Club, Vol. XV, p. 305). I have no

Knowledge of its occurance elsewhere.." . No further information about this species in our counties appears to

have been discovered in the last eighty years. Its capture in Sun Wood, Forest in Teesdale, in August 1974, is

therefore both remarkable and of the utmost importance. The capture was at light and the operator Mr. I. Findlay,

Nature Conservnacy Warden in Upper Teesdale. Apparently this is an entirely new record for Durham County.

T.C.D

5

The Brindled Ochre Moth, Dasypolia templi Thunb. This is another species with very few

records in Robson's Catalogue and not seen by collectors in modern times. I quote Robson:— ".......... on a lamp at

Old Elvet Durham, T. Maddison; on a lamp, Darlington, October 1862, John Sang. Mr. Wade found it at Barnard

Castle, and Mr. Gardner has found the larva about Hartlepool and bred the imago. I never took it myself but at

Huddersfield in Yorkshire."

Its capture in UpperTeesdale at more than one station during 1974, again by Mr. I. Findlay, is

therefore of equal importance to the previous species.

Collecting at night by means of a portable M. V. Light, in the National Nature Reserve in Upper

Teesdale has not been attempted before, to my knowledge. Already several discoveries of some importance have

taken place and there is little doubt that with continued research, more are to come. Our knowledge of the

distribution of the Lepidoptera has been extended con siderably during recent years by the stimulus of the

mapping scheme, helped along by the distribution of Rothampsted Insect Traps. Their operation in places where

no such work has been done before, could be expected to produce fresh records. We congratulate the Nature

Conservancy on their discoveries and look forward to many more. T. C. D.

The Bog Pimpernel, Anagallis tenella (L.) L. During my wildlife surveys in Durham County in

1974, the Bog Pimpernel was discovered in two areas. In both the plant was quite plentiful so that the only reason

for the paucity of records in the past can only be that the areas concerned must never have been visited by

competant botanists at the right time of the year.

It was in full flower in all the flushes along the North and South Grain Becks on Pikestone Fell and

in similar places along the Nookton Burn, particularly on the Nookton Fell side to the north west. Both areas are

very remote and seldom visited.

A 1932 record for Waldridge Fell exists in the Vasculum but I have not seen it there since 1946.

Two other records exist as spots on the B. S. B. I. map. These are in such unlikely places that the actual presence

of the plant should be confirmed again. Generally speaking, the plant is of western distribution and stations east of

the Pennines are very few.

T. C. D.

RECORDS

LEPIDOPTERA BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS.

Aricia artaxerxes F. (Northern Brown Argus) 66

A small colony, previously not identified, near Pig Hill, Haswell.

Odezio atrata L. (Chimney Sweeper). 66

In several grassy places by the Houselop Burn, 11-7-74.

Xanthorhoed designata Hufn. (Flame Carpet). 66

Common in Westernhope Burn Wood, 22-7-74.

Eupithecia sobrinata Hubn. (Juniper Pug). 66

Common in a thicket of very old Juniper along the upper reaches of the Bollihope Burn, 24-7-74:

Lyncometra ocellata L. (Purple Bar Carpet). 66

Disturbed from bracken and other low growing vegetation along the upper reaches of the Bollihope

Burn, 24-7-74.

Zygaena lonicerae Sheven. (Narrow bordered Five-Spot Burnet). 66

Common in Pespool Quarry, Haswell and on Knitsley Fell, July 1974.

Entephria caesiata Schiff. (Grey Mountain Carpet). 66

Flying with many more common species in the beechwood at Pennington's Hamsterley Forest, 31-7-

.74.

Venusia cambrica Curt. (Welsh Wave). 66

Common in its well marked barred form, very beautiful, in North Carr Wood, hear Hamsterley, 6-8-74.

6

Epirrhoe tristata L. (Small Argent and sable). 66

In clouds along the North and South Grain Becks on Pikestone Fell, 9-8-74.

Lasiocampa quercusc callunae L. (Northern Eggar). 66

Caterpillars of the current brood and hundreds of old (dead) pupae in cocoons on parts of the heath

where the heather had been burned off by the keepers, Pikestone Fell, 9-8-74.

Amathes castanea Esp. (Grey Rustic). 66

Middleton in Teesdale and Sun Wood, 1974

Antitype flavicincta Schiff. (Large Ranunculus). 66

A single specimen at Middleton in Teesdale, September 1974.

Ammagrotislucemea L. (Northern Rustic). 66

Captured at light in Sun Wood, Forest in Teesdale in 1974. A new County record for Durham (vc 66).

Atethmia xerampelina Esp. (Centre barred Sallow) 66

Several at light, Middleton in Teesdale, 1974.

Dasypolidtempli Thunb. (Brindled Ochre). 66

A rare species east of the Pennines. At Middleton in Teesdale and at Sun Wood, 1974.

Nudaria mundana L. (Muslin Footman). 66

This lichen feeder was very common at light both at Middleton in Teesdale and in Sun Wood in 1974.

Stilbia anomala Haw. (Anomalous Wainscot) 66

Very rare in our counties. Only taken once before in Durham and that was by Gardner about 80 years

ago. Several at light at Middleton in Teesdale.

Xanthorhoe munitata Hubn. 66

Several at light , Middleton-in-Teesdale, 1974

I. FINDLAY

FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS

Anagallis tenella (I.) L. (Bog Pimpernel) 66

Common in nearly all the side flushes in the valleys of the North and South Grain Becks, Pikestone

Fell. Similar places on the NW bank of the Nookton Burn.

Daphne laureola L. (Spurge Laurel). 66

Quite a large stand in New Homer Carr Plantation, near Sedgefield.

Serratula tinctoria L. (Saw Wort). 66

Margins of Cumby Plantation, near Heighington.

Carex otrubae Podp. (False Fox sedge). 66

West Butsfield quarries where it was plentiful by the edge of running water.

Polygonum bistorta L. (Snakeweed). 66

One very large patch in Stanley Woods.

Carex pendula Huds. (Pendulous Sedge). 66

A very flourishing colony in Red House Gills Wood, near Brasside. '•

Dryopteris borreri Newm. 66

Not common in West Butsfield birch wood.

Juniperus communis L. (Juniper) 66

A small group of bushes near Middles Farm, below Honey Hill, Waskerley; one or two young bushes

in Pennington's Plantation, Hamsterley Forest; two bushes on Knitsley Fell; scattered along the North

and South Grain Becks. Pikestone Fell: near Doctor's Gate on Pikestone Fell; along Fine Burn and

Howden Burn, both running into Bollihope Burn; a fair sized copse by the side of the Bollihope Burn

itself west of the bridge carrying the B 6278 road.

7

Trientalis euopaea L. (Chickweed Wintergreen) 66

A few plants growing under bracken on Muggleswick Park Moor.

T. C. D.

Trifolium arvense L. (Hare's-foot). 68

Holy Island links; Coidgate Water.

Vicia sylvatica L. (Wood Vetch). 68

Cawledge Burn; Shipley Burn above Shipley Wood.

Vicia lathroides L. (Spring Vetch). 68

Carey Burn.

Potentillaanglica Laichard. (Trailing Tormentil). 67

S. Bank of Coquet between Weldon Bridge and Felton.

Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm. 68

Roadside near Wooler.

Acaena anserinifolium (J. R. & G. Forst.) Druce. 68

S. end of Newton Links.

Rosa rugosa Thunb. 68

Sand dunes, N. of Seahouses.

Cotoneaster simonsii Baker. 68

Embleton Quarry.

Chrysosplenum altemifolium L. (Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage). 67,68

Wansbeck near Wallington; Honeycrook Burn; S. Bank of Coquet W. of Felton (67); Till near old

railway bridge; Bathing Well Plantation and Boathouse Plantation, near Cornhill; Akeld Dene; wood

near Hedgeley Hall; Roddam Dene; S. Middleton Dene; N. bank of Coquet W. of Felton; near

Guyzance; Chew Green (68).

Lythrum salicaria L. (Purple Loosestrife). 67,68

Belsay Park (67); Kimmer Lough (68).

Daphne laureola L. (Spurge Laurel). 67,68

In a hedge, near Felton; (67) ; Cutting of old railway, near Lumby Law (Ediingham) (68).

Epilobium brunnescens (Cockayne) Raven and Englehorn subsp. brunnescens. 67

N. bank of Tyne opposite High Carriteth; forestry road, Spithope Burn; Deadwater Burn; S. bank of

Tyne, near Unthank Hall.

Circea x intermedia Ehrh. 67

Font near Pigdon Banks.

Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Spiked Water-milfoil). 67,68

Belsay Park (67); Tweed, Cornhill; Longhoughton Quarry (68).

Myriophyllum alterniflorum DC (Alternative-leaved Water-milfoil). 67

N. Tyne at various points between Bellingham and Eals; The Lake (Plenmeller). (67).

Hippuris vulgaris L. (Mare's-tail). 67

Between Long Green and Fozy Moss (Roman Wall); pond near Swinburn; The Tarn (Moralee).

Callitriche hermaphroditica L. (Autumnal Starwort). 67

Rauburn Lake.

Apium nodiflorum (L.) Lag. (Fool's Watercress) 68

Quarry Pond near Christon Bank.

8

Oenanthe lachenalli C. C. Gmel. (Parsley Water Dropwort). 68

Holy Island; Dunstanburgh.

Aethusa cynapium L. (Fool's Parsley). 68

Longhoughton Quarry; Embleton Quarry; Christon Bank; Ewart Park; between Wooler and Earl's Mill.

Silaum silaus (L.) Schinz & Thell. (PepperSaxifrage.) 67,68

Near Barrasford (67); S.of Beadnell; near Dunstanburgh (68).

Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm. & Lev. 67,68

Wansbeck,E.ofWallington; (67); Tweed, near Cornhill; Norham;Carham (68).

Euphorbiacyparissias L. (Cypress Spurge). 68

Hambledon.

Polygonum bistorta L. (Snake root) 67,68

Mill Burn (near Newlands); Wallington (67); N. bank of Coquet, W. of Felton (68).

Rumex hydrolapathum Huds. (Great Water Dock). 67

Belsay Park.

Parietaria judiaea L. (Pellitory of the Wall). 67,68

Near Black Heddon (67); Bamburgh Castle; Redbarns Links (Bamburgh); Beadnell; N. Middleton.

(68).

Salix triandra L. (Almond Willow). 67

Otterburn.

Salix phylicifolia L. (Tea leaved Willow) 67

N. bank of S. Tyne near Whinnetley.

Andromeda polifolia L. (Marsh Andromeda) 67

Between Long Green and Fozy Moss (Roman Wall).

Pyrold minor L. (Common Wintergreen) 67

Belsay Park; Wallington.

Primula veris L. x vulgaris Huds. (Common Oxlip) 67,68

Pasture near Honeycrook Burn (67); NearCamptield. (68).

Lysimachia nummularia L. (Creeping Jenny) 67

Belsay Park.

Trientaliseuropaea L. (Chickweed Wintergreen) 67

Belsay Park.

Samolus valerandi L. (Brookweed) 68

Between Craster and Dunstanburgh.

Vinca major L. (Greater Periwinkle) 68

Old railway near Carham.

Centauriumerythraea Rafn. (Common Centaury) 67,68

S. bank of Coquet near Acklington (67). Budle Point; Cullernose (68)

Centaurium littorale (D.Turner) Gilmour. 68

Budle Point.

Polemonium caeruleum L. (Jacob's Ladder) 68

Near Norham Castle.

Omphalodes verna Moench. (Blue eyed Mary) 67

Roadside near Temperley Grange.

Symphytum tuberosum (L.) Tausch. (Alkanet) 68

Near Thirlings; Ewart Park.

Pentaglottis sempervirens (l.) Tausch. (Alkanet) 67,68

Belsay Park; near Temperley Grange (67). Ewart Park; Thirlings; nearTillmouth; near Felton (68).

G.A. & M. Swan

9

THE VASCULUM

JULY 1975


Edited by

T. C. DUNN, B.Sc.


BY THE WAY

Secretaries of Societies and other contributors to the "Vasculum" are invited to send their

papers for the October special edition, to the Editor before 31st August, and for the

December edition notes and news by 15th November 1975. If you have not paid your

subscription would you please try to remember to do so as soon as possible.

OBITUARY, Mr. F. BELL

It was with real sadness and regret that we learned of the death of Fred Bell,

especially as we had been to see him just a short time before.

We had known him and counted him as a special friend for many years. We worked

together after he had taken over the position of Hon. Secretary of the Consett and Vale of

Derwent Naturalists' Field Club. Under his guidance and organisation the Club flourished and

became one of the most influential in the N. N. U. affairs. He never missed a Union Field Outing,

with the result that the Consett Club was always represented. Most striking was his friendliness

towards new members and on many occasions this comment was passed on to me by those very

members themselves.

The Field Club and the N. N. U. have lost a very loyal member. We extend our

deepest sympathy to Mrs. Bell and his family.

ROADSIDE VERGES

It was only in December 1972 that we wrote in these pages on this topic (Vasculum

Vol. 57, No. 4), but we do not apologise for raising the matter again.

The season for cutting roadside verges ( or shall we say shaving them) is upon us

once again. Last autumn, we were appalled to see the diabolical machines in action that have

recently been invented for cutting the herbage and then running up the hedges and tearing great

pieces out of them.

The A1(M) at present provides good examples of the effects of past cutting on

10

the flora. The beautiful colours of wild flowers can be seen on the higher ground of cuttings but

they cease at the stakes used to mark the boundary for verge treatment lower down. From these to

the hard shoulder there is nothing but grass, even though it has yet to receive its first shave of the

season. The contrast is most striking, the message is most obvious. At least some parts have been

left to develop naturally, but why not all ?

We think the time has come for the whole strategy of roadside verge treatment to be

looked at again. What is the object of all this cutting ? Does the result justify the expenditure ?

We feel that the practice has just " growed and growed '” without any real sound reason behind it

all. Or if there was a reason at the beginning it has long since been lost sight of. Certainly from

the aesthetic and natural history points of view it is disastrous. Verges of green lawn for mile after

mile are so monotonous that they tend to make a driver fall asleep, and the loss of habitat for

countless birds and insects figure largely on the debit side as well as the cost. What is on the

credit side ? We can think of nothing worth mentioning !

REVIEW.

We have just received from the Devon Trust for Nature Conservation, a 16 page

leaflet by Margaret Parkinson and Bob Hodgson. It is a Nature Trail Guide for the Salcombe Hill,

Sidmouth Trail.

We have seen many nature trail guides, but this one must be one of the most

luxurious in its production. The printing is of the best quality, it is on a good . quality glossy

paper and the line drawings by Barbara Prescott are excellent in their scientific detail.

The area is rich in views as well as in wildlife and the route appears to traverse land

belonging to several owners by means of public footpaths. Although the Conservation Trust have

arranged the trail and written the booklet it is not clear who has paid the piper. For the tourist, the

booklet must increase the interest of the 21/2 mile walk tremendously. Each section is covered

with a veritable mine of information presented in a manner that the veriest novice in natural

history will understand. For people with some knowledge of wildlife to start with it will be a most

useful addition for them, we hope the public will make full use of it.

THE SOCIETIES.


The 140th Field Meeting was held at Mere Burn near Ebchester on 31st May 1975.

After welcoming a gathering of thirty to forty members and friends Mr. Dunn gave a

short preliminary talk about the route to follow. He emphasised that little was known of the

natural history of the woodland, and everyone was urged to find out as much as possible and

report back. As a result, the specialists concentrated on their own interests whilst the more all

round naturalists took in anything that was seen.

11

The path followed the Mere Burn through a steep sided valley which was planted up

with a mixture of trees, most of which were deciduous but with some larch, spruce and pine here

and there. Near its junction with the Derwent a wooden bridge carried the path across to the

opposite bank of the stream. This path brought us back to the starting point.

The ground flora proved to be quite rich, with a wide variety of most of the expected

woodland plants, but no rarity was observed. Many shrubby plants and young birch saplings

showed extensive damage from the activities of deer. Many slots of roe were seen in the muddy

patches as were those of badger at one place in particular. There was also evidence of moles and

rabbits.

Much beating and sweeping for insects was carried out without any great success. A

single specimen of Eupithecia tantillaria Boisd. (Dwarf Pug), is perhaps worth mentioning as it is

not very common in our counties, although widespread. The commonest moth on the wing was

that woodland Tineid with the tremendously long antennae, Nemophora swammerdamella L.

Mr. Lowe made quite an impressive list of 19 Molluscs, which are named in the

records at the end of this number.

Mr. Dan Mold noted birds and submitted the following list:— Dunnock, Meadow

Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Linnet, Yellow Hammer, Wood

Warbler, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Robin, Blackbird, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long tailed

Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Swallow, Swift, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Wood

Pigeon, Lapwing, Pheasant and Partridge.

The weather remained good for the whole afternoon and since it came after a

fortnight of very low temperatures the improvement was much appreciated. Altogether this was a

very pleasant outing.

DARLINGTON AND TEESDALE NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB.

The summer programme, which is already well under way, is very full and of great

variety. There are full day meetings on Saturdays and Sundays whilst half day outings are also

arranged. Several evening walks of a more local nature, which have always been popular, again

appear in the list. Indoor meetings will take place about twice a month except for August.

Altogether this is a very ambitious programme. All that is needed is good weather to go with it.

SUNDERLAND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

The programme for this year's outings is already under way. The first outing was to

Holy Island in mid February and the party had to contend with an Arctic blizzard so that the list of

birds recorded was not long. The next outing was to Gosforth Park, Big Waters and Holywell

Pond. Weather conditions were much better and a large party had a successful day. Other full day

outings have been arranged for Aberlady Bay, Majham and the Washburn Valley, near Otiey. It is

hoped too to organise a visit to the Cleveland

12

Hills in September.

Informal evening rambles have been arranged to visit the Moorhouse Nature

Reserve, Pittington Hill and Waldridge Fell.

NOTES AND RECORDS

NOTES.

Bird Notes. Temperatures were generally above normal during January and February 1975, but the

colder conditions which prevailed during March and April adversely affected the arrival of the summer migrants.

Willow Warblers were, however, singing at several places in the Gosforth area on April 22nd when

an odd sand martin was flying over Gosforth Park Lake. A blackcap was in song in Gosforth Park on 28th and

single swallows were seen at Wylam and Bradley Hall on the 30th.

Wood warblers and tree pipits were in song and common sandpipers calling along the Tees

between Barnard Castle and Eggleston on May 4th. Swifts and swallows were flying over Seaton Burn Lake and

sedge warblers singing on the 14th. A cuckoo was heard at Wark (North Tyne) on the 18th. Two swifts appeared

in the vicinity of their breeding site at West Gosforth on the morning of the 19th increasing to 8 by evening and 17

on the 20th.

Other items which may be of interest are :—

Tufted Duck; a female with 2 fledglings on Gosforth Park Lake, June 12th

Sparrow Hawk; a female in the College Valley near Kirknewton, June 7th.

Green Woodpecker; One calling in the College Valley near Kirknewton, June 7th.

Great Spotted Woodpecker; birds drumming in Gosforth Park, April 28th and at Meldon Bridge,

May 5th.

Rook; There are 9 nests in the rookery at Newcastle (Haymarket) this year.

Nuthatch; One at Barnard Castle May 4th.

Whitethroat; my only record is one in song in the College Valley near Kirknewton June 7th.

Yellow Wagtail; a female at Seaton Burn Lake, June 6th.

C. J. Gent.

The Orange tip Butterfly. During the past two years I have recorded, in these pages, the upsurge

of numbers of Anthocharis cardamines L. at Chester ie Street. This spring news has been flowing in of its increase

almost everywhere in Durham. I have seen it myself flying in very large numbers (hundreds) in places where only

one or two could be seen formerly. This abundance has been a most welcome sight. One of the factors helping it

has been the succession of sunny days during June, but it may well be that a real build up of numbers of this

species is at present taking place.

The Wall Butterfly, Pararge megera L. also continues to spread. The first brood was reported for

the first time this year, from Shincliffe, by Mr. Roger Dennis and it has literally swarmed in our limestone

quarries. The Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages L. has also been plentiful in these same quarries.

T. C. D.

The Grizzled Skipper Butterfly, Pyrgus malvae L. A small breeding colony of this rather

inconspicuous insect has been discovered in mid Durham. There is little doubt that it has been with us for some

years but overlooked due to its small numbers and short flight period. In terms of distribution over the country as a

whole, this is a most important find. The nearest recorded colonies known previously are in south Yorkshire

which means that the mid Durham stock is an isolated northern outlier which may prove to be a special form.

F. B. Stubbs.

13

The Scarce Prominent. On 12th May an excited Mr. R. Henderson brought to me an insect which

he thought was the Scarce Prominent, Odontosia carmelita Esp. Although he could not believe it without some

confirmation it proved to be the correct determination. It was caught on a lamp standard near Chopwell on the

night of May 11th. The place was along side the Forestry Commission woods and since the caterpillar is a birch

feeder, the moth undoubtably came from there. This is another outstanding record, the first for v.c. 66 and it

should be noted that it has not yet been recorded from either Yorkshire to the south or from Northumber land to

the north.

T. C. D.

The Bee Orchid. For many years this beautiful species; has eked out a precarious existence in

Fulwell Quarry. In spite of the tipping arrangements, it has been kept alive by first of all diverting the tipping and

then by transplanting. At last they seem to have disappeared, not as expected due to the tipping operations but by

the hand of some misguided vandal. In the position where they were seen last year, nothing remains but a series of

neat holes. This dastardly action only emphasises the need for the new Bill to protect wild flowers.

T. C. D.

A Strange foodplant. Two years ago I found about a dozen larvae feeding on Atropa belladonna

L. (Deadly Nightshade), in my garden. I kept a few pupae and they eventually hatched out. The moths were the

Dot, Melanchra persicariae L. The same moth appeared in 1974 again so it must be established around here.

What amazes me is its choice of foodplant, there cannot be another Deadly Nightshade in this district. P. F.

O'Neill (Ryton)

(P. B. M. Allan in his book '' Larval Foodplants" gives for the Dot, "Feeds on most native

deciduous trees and shrubs and on many garden plants e.g. Lupin, Hollyhock, Anemone japonica. Has been found

on bracken and ivy." From this it would appear that the moth in question can survive on a wide variety of

foodplants. Ed.)

The Flowering of the Bladderwort. This plant has been known in the Ryton area for many years.

As well as the "gut" on Ryton Willows, it is also present in a small pond in the church grounds.

I have visited this pond every year for sixteen years since returning to live in the North of England

and last year was the first time I have seen the plant in flower. I think this may be due to the fact that the pond has

become choked with all sorts of rubbish and other pollutants, especially over the last two years and this in some

way has stimulated flowering (there also was much less water in the pond last summer and the surface was solid

with vegetation, much of it the bladderwort).

P. F. O'Neill.

Birds at Chester ie Street. Early on April 29th an Egyptian Goose was seen on the River Wear at

Chester ie Street. When accidentally disturbed it flew low over the water so that an excellent view was possible

from higher on the river bank.

On the very next day, April 30th, I walked alongside the River Wear again, looking for the

Egyptian Goose of course. In that I was not so lucky, but a few hundred yards away from the previous day's

sighting, there, to my astonishment, was a Grey Lag Goose. This individual took off from the water, circled a

while and then, like the Egyptian Goose the day before, it set course in the direction of Washington.

Could thy both have had some connection with the new Wildfowl Trust Ponds?

E. Hall.

Wildlife Plurals. Many of the words applied to groups of birds and mammals are self explanatory.

Such are a skein of geese on the wing and a gaggle of geese on the ground,

14

an exaltation of larks, a parliament of rooks and a wisp of snipe. The birds are particularly favoured with such

descriptions. Less frequently heard now and disappearing these names are a bit of our heritage which I would love

to survive. What about a charm of goldfinches, a murmuration of starlings, a quarrel of sparrows and a pride of

lions ?

Some have a more mysterious origin and I would be pleased to know the origins of a nye or nide of

turkeys, a fesynes of ferrets and a cete of badgers. There must be many more of these interesting old terms,

survivors of the chase or of ancient farming practice. Would anyone like to supply more ? T. C. D.

RECORDS.

INSECTS.

LEPIDOPTERA BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

Harpyla furcula Clerk (Sallow Kitten) 67

Larva at Nine banks, September 1974.

Smerinthus ocellata L. (Eyed Hawk) 67

Larvae at Ninebanks, September 1974.

Laothoe populi L. (Poplar Hawk) 67

Larvae at Ninebanks and Staward, September 1974.

Gonodontis bidentata Clerck (Scalloped Hazel) 67

The nominate typical form in the Whitley Bay area, but ab. nigra taken at light at Bedlington and

Sheepwash in June 1975.

J. Parrack.

Apaltele menyanthidis View. (Light Knot grass Dagger) 66

One at light in Sun Wood, Upper Teesdale, May 1975. There is a very old record (about 100 yrs. old) in

Robson's Catalogue for Upper Teesdale, but nothing has been published about it since then. The present

record is therefore a confirm ation of this.

I. Findlay.

Pyrgus malvae L. (Grizzled Skipper) 66

A small colony in mid Durham This outlyer is so far north of the known Yorkshire colonies, that it

must have been here for some time. Because of its , shy habits, short flight period and of course its

small numbers it has, apparently been overlooked.

F. B. Stubbs.

Odontosia carmelita Esp. (Scarce Prominent). 66

Not mentioned at all in Robson's Catalogue and therefore a very important addition to our Durham and

indeed North of England list. One taken on a lamp post at Hookergate on the borders of Chopwell

Wood, 12th May 1975.

R. Henderson.

Anthocaris cardamines L. (Orange-tip). 66

Common in all its old haunts this year. Town Kelloe and Trirndon Grange. New colonies located at

Wingate,

T. C. D.

Pararge megera L. (Wall Brown) 66

One first brood male at Shincliffe in early June 1975.

R. L. Dennis

15

ODONATA DRAGONFLIES

Sympetrum danae Suizer (The Black Sympetrum). 67

Plentiful at Muckle Moss, July/August 1974.

J. Parrack

NEUROPTERA LACEWINGS ETC

Osmylus fulvicephalus Scop. (Giant Lacewing) 67

Taken near Dipton, 15 6 75.

J. Parrack

COLEOPTERA BEETLES.

Thanasimus formicarius L. (Ant Beetle) 67

Near Blanchland, 8 6 75.

J. Parrack

DIPTERA FLIES

Bombylius major L. (Bee Fly) .67

Taken at Gorse. Staward. 26 4 75

J. Parrack

HYMENOPTERA BEES, WASPS, ANTS, ICHNEUMONS ETC.

Cimbex femorata L. (Birch Sawfly) 67

Taken at Dipton, 30 5 75, rather early. Also at Staward, June 1974, and Harewood Forest, July 1974.

J. Parrack.

Mastrus sp. (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) 67

Ichneumon flies emerging from a cocoon of the Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia L. found near Whitley

Chapel, were sent to Michael G. Filton of the British Museum of Natural History and have so far been

determined as the above Genus but the species is not yet certain. Specimens not in the B. M. May be a

first record for the British Isles.

P. F. O'Neill

MOLLUSCA SNAILS AND SLUGS.

All the following species were taken at Mere Burn on the N. N. U. Field Meeting, 31 5 75, by R. H.

Lowe.

Ancylus fluviatilus (Muller) 67

Cochlicopa lubrica (Muller) 67

Marpessa lamirnta (Montagu) 67

Hygromia hispida (L.) 67

Discus rotundatus (Muller) 67

Anon hortensis (Ferussac) 67

Anon fasciatus (Nilsson) 67

Anon ater (L.) 67

Euconulus fulvus (Muller) 67

Vitrea contracta (Westerlund) 67

Oxychilus celarius (Muller) 67

Oxychilus alliarius (Muller) 67

Retinella pura (Alder) 67

Retinella nitidula (Draparnaud) 67

Vitrina pellucida (Muller) 67

16

Limax maximus (L). 67

Lehmannia marginata(Muller) 67

Agriolimax reticulatus(Muller) 67

Arianta arbustorum (L.) 67

MAMMALIA MAMMALS

Sciuris vulgaris (Red Squirrel) 67

One at High Angerton,5-5-75.

C. J. Gent.

FUNGI TOADSTOOLS AND MUSHROOMS

Mitrula paludosa Fr. (Bog Beacon) 67

A vernal species of acid bogs and damp places found in June near Allendale Town. Identified by Mr.

D. Reid of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

P. F. O'Neill

AVES BIRDS

Puffinus puffinus puffinus (Manx Shearwater) 67

Fifty flying north off St. Mary's Island, 24 5 75.

Stercorarius parasiticus (Arctic Skua) 67

Four flying north off St. Mary's Island, 24 5 75.

Stercorarius skua (Great Skua) 67

Two flying north off St. Mary's Island, 14-5-75.

Melanitta fusca (Velvet Scoter) 67

Three flying north off St. Mary's Island, 14 5 75.

Asio flammeus (Short eared Owl) 67

Two at Coalcleugh, 18 5 75; one W. of Nenthead, 156 75

Phoenicurus ochruros (Black Redstart) 67

One at St. Mary's Island, a male, 18 4 75.

Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Wood Warbler) 67

Two at Staward. 26 4 75

J. Parrack.

One at Mere Burn, 31 5 75.

D. Mold.


Carex dioica L. Dioecious Sedge. 70

Gamgill; near Nenthead; Darngill; near Coalcleugh; and at Butterburn, all June 1975.

Carex pendula Huds. Pendulous Sedge. 67

Near the Linnels, Hexham.

Carex paupercula Michx. 67

A few plants at Muckle Moss, 1974.

Carex pauciflora Lightf. Few flowered Sedge. 67

A few plants at Muckle Moss, 1974.

Primula farinosa L. Birds eye Primrose. 66,70

Flowering well near Garrigill, June 1975, together with Pinguicula vulgaris L.

J. Parrack.

Also doing very well at Wingate and Town Kelloe, 1975. T. C. D.

Gentiana verna L. Spring Gentian. 70

A few plants near Garrigill, June 1975.

Saxifraga hypnoides L. Mossy Saxifrage 70

Near Garrigill, 1975.

J. Parrack.

THE

VASCULUM

OCTOBER 1975

VOL.60, No.3. Price £2.00 per annum.

Edited By

T. C. DUNN, The Poplars, Chester-le-Street.

CONTENTS

Page

Editorial 17

The Durham Wildlife Survey - P. R. MARREN 17

A Buried Channel of a Pre-Glacial Tributary of the River Derwent. - G.

EVANS.

31

The Vegetation of Waldridge Fell, Co. Durham. 1. The Woodlands of The South

Burn Valley - B. WHEELER.

34

Notes on some Macroscopic Algae New or Seldom Recorded for Britain - N. T.

H. HOLMES and B. A. WHITTON

47

Published By

THE NORTHERN NATURALIST'S UNION

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions for 1975 are many months overdue. Fortunately, not many subscribers have still to

pay, but if you are one of them, will you please correct the omission right away.

17 VASCULUM VOL.60, No.3 1975

EDITORIAL

With the increased subscription and the help of our new printers the financial state of

the Union has improved a little this year. The new postal charges will, however, erode this

position to some extent. For the first time we cannot announce a single grant from sympathetic

onlookers, but the number of generous gifts from members has increased to such an extent that

they have made up for this loss. For their kindness we wish to record our sincere thanks.

THE DURHAM WILDLIFE SURVEY

P. R. MARREN

Van Mildert College, Durham.

On October 1st., 1973, the author was employed by Durham County Council in order

to collect data on Durham wildlife for the County Structure Plan. This is a field never before

included in development plans, and the planning policy for wildlife had hitherto been restrictive

and rather arbitrary, due to lack of information. In order to prepare wildlife policies, it was

necessary first to ‘quantify the total wildlife resources of the New County' and 'to identify the

factors which affect the extent and distribution of these wildlife resources'. This was my task for

six winter months, ending in April 1974, and the results are to be included in the Structure Plan

Report of Survey.

The Wildlife Survey seemed a golden opportunity to gather the dispersed but

considerable information on the semi-natural habitats of Durham, and this consideration prompted

a factual survey based on descriptive information, rather than the 'ecological formula' methods

used by some other Planning Departments, which produce numerical data. A further advantage of

a descriptive survey is that is more flexible, and can be used by development control staff on a

detailed scale, as well as for regional planning. It is also more useful to the Nature Conservancy

and Naturalists' Trusts. Available data and the expertise of many local naturalists suggested that

such an approach was possible. This was the first time that a wholly descriptive survey has been

attempted on a County scale.

The Wildlife survey consists of two mutually dependant parts - a wildlife 'atlas' on a

1:12500 scale, and a written report. These will be briefly described in turn.


The Wildlife Atlas.

The atlas consists of 128 maps bound in four volumes, and copies will be presented

to the County Conservation Trust and the Nature Conservancy Council. The mapped habitats

were based on a list compiled by the Wildlife Policy Working Party, set up in 1972 to advise the

County Planning Officer on the development of a wildlife policy. It was essential that each habitat

type could be mapped from aerial photographs and could be satisfactorily defined as a unit.

Eighteen types were defined:-

Predominantly broad-leaved woodland.

Predominantly coniferous woodland.

Mixed woodland.

Deciduous scrub.

Juniper scrub.

Parkland: grassland with scattered trees.

Limestone grassland, flushes and outcrops.

Scrub-invaded limestone grassland.

Acid/base-poor grassland (Bent/Fescue, Mat-Grass or Purple Moor Grass).

Hay meadows.

Predominantly heather moor.

Predominantly cotton-grass moor.

Mixed heather/cotton-grass moor.

Sphagnum bog.

Marsh.

Permanent standing water.

Rock outcrops and scree, other than limestone.

Industrial: quarries (active or poorly vegetated); spoil heaps; derelict land.

The habitat boundaries were mapped from aerial photographs, flown in April/May

1971, supplemented by Nature Conservancy vegetation maps of Teesdale and Startforth R.D.C.,

and a map of Upper Weardale by Keith Wardhaugh of Durham University.

The mapped boundaries are accurate to a resolution of 75-100 yards, but the smaller ponds and

marshes do not always show up well on aerial photographs and are probably underestimated in

numbers.

Descriptive information for every habitat over c.8 acres (or less with sites of known

interest) was gathered, where possible. Much of this was too detailed to print directly on to the

map, and a cross-referencing system was devised, linking each mapped area with a separate

habitat form, summarising the known details of the site. For a worker requiring less detail, and in

order to maximise the use of the maps in isolation, brief details were added to a label attached

adjacent to the area described.


A typical habitat form is shown on the opposite page. Separate comment on the form is probably

necessary only for the 'Wildlife Value' section, which is a subjective assessment of the relative

ecological interest of a site based on four grades:-

A. Site of National importance

B. Site of County importance.

C. Average representative of its type-within county.

D. Below average- within county.

A certain amount of weighting was given against uniformly dull habitats e.g.

managed conifer plantations were unlikely to score above C. These gradings were intended as a

rough guide only, and it is hoped that any threatened site will nevertheless be examined in the

field. Linear habitats such as road verges, railway cuttings and streams have been included in the

survey only where they are known to be of interest, and are graded subjectively as 'outstanding' or

'important'. Geological sites of special interest were also included. It has been stressed to the

Planning Department that lack of information does not necessarily imply that an area is of no

ecological value.

Available information on the natural history of Durham (mostly unpublished) plus an

excellent response from local naturalists allowed much of the County to be mapped on this basis

by the closure of the author's contract in early April, 1974. Information for a further 210 sites was

collected in the field by Mr. T. C. Dunn during Summer 1974.

The distribution of the major semi-natural habitats in the New County are shown on

Maps 1 - 5, and additional records, particularly for ponds, marshes and limestone grassland,

would be most welcome. One feature of interest on the maps is the tendency in Durham for

broad-leaved woodland to be confined to river valleys. Another is the extreme fragmentation of

most habitats in East Durham.

The Report of Survey.

The written report entitled 'Durham County Wildlife Survey', will become available to interested

persons, from the County Planning Department. It has three sections:-

1. A detailed description of the methods used to survey the County.

2. An ecological description of the semi-natural habitats of Durham.

This section is unavoidably semi-technical, and a glossary has been included

for the lay reader.

3. A description of present and potential human factors influencing these habitats.


Sections Two and Three are a synthesis of published material, unpublished files and reports, and

local knowledge and opinion. Although much of the more generalised material is applicable to

many areas in Britain, the perspective has been confined, as far as possible to County Durham's

special problems. The reader will find comparatively little on the Upper Teesdale National Nature

Reserve, for which several excellent descriptions are readily available. On the other hand the

Magnesian limestone has been described in more depth, because of the uniqueness of its

supporting vegetation and the threatened demise of some of the most interesting localities. Little

attempt has been made to describe or discuss animal life. This partly reflects the author's bias, as a

botanist, but more importantly, information is usually sparse or lacking except in the more

popular groups and localities. When surveying the wildlife of a large area, with limited time and

resources, one has to concentrate on vegetation, and assume that if the habitat is 'right' it will

support an appropriate fauna.

The format of Sections Two and Three is to take each major habitat in turn and

discuss natural and man-modified variation respectively. The main headings in each section are:-

Moorland and bog

Acid grassland

Carboniferous limestone grassland

Treated together as 'uplands' in Section Three.

Magnesium limestone grassland.

Woodlands.

Ponds.

Marshes.

In addition, a section on linear habitats has been appended to Section Three.

The findings of the report are too detailed to be adequately summarised here, but

some aspects can be highlighted. The current plight of the Magnesian limestone grassland for

instance is critical, with many former sites reduced in interest, and others threatened with tipping,

quarrying and scrub encroachment. The fate of some of the quarries mentioned by Heslop-

Harrison and Richardson (1953), as having "magnificent populations" reads very sadly now:-

Haswell Quarry - Re-quarried in recent years and extended.

Mostly bare of vegetation with some tipping.

Northern part overgrown with scrub, but may

retain some interest.

Farnless Quarry (Bishop

Middleham) -

Still interesting, despite official tipping of

limestone waste,' and unofficial dumping of

tyres and other rubbish. Recent application to

extend tipping areas.


Raisby Quarry - Intermittantly worked. Mostly bare of

vegetation at present.

Highland House Quarry. - Tipping of rubble over the whole of the quarry.

Sherburn Hill Quarry. - Recent tipping of untreated domestic waste,

resulting in an appalling eyesore.

Old Wingate Quarry. - Quarries on the" east side have been backfilled

with domestic and coal waste and are now

sterile. Remainder are overgrown with scrub,

with some interesting patches remaining.

Hawthorn Quarry - Active and of little present interest.

Aycliffe Quarry. -Again actively quarried with consequent

destruction of much wildlife.

There are now plans· not before time - to centralise official tipping which may relieve the

pressure on the more interesting quarries, but an overall conservation plan based on controlled

exploitation is long overdue. This is also true of road verges in limestone areas: during road

widening or path construction the verges have been backfilled with sterile rubble and ash, and

planted with coarse grasses and shrubs - which require continuous management. As such habitats

now seem to be the best hope of survival for the Magnesian limestone flora, (with the likelihood

of quarrying at Thrislington and other areas), it is important that they should not remain

neglected.

A good case could also be made for the conservation of the remainder of Durham's

unpolluted lowland ponds, particularly as these are the ideal self-contained ecosystems for

teaching ecology at secondary school level. The precise number of ponds in Durham has never

been assessed (it depends, of course,on how large a puddle needs to be before it becomes a pond).

The distribution map shown here is no doubt an underestimate, but possibly not by very much.

One of the most pleasant surprises during the wildlife survey, was the occurrence of a fine series

of marshes dependant on the Magnesian and Carboniferous limestone, which retain a remarkably

rich and varied flora, in spite of widespread drainage and the small area of some of the sites.

There are more such sites than most people suspected, and probably few habitats would be more

rewarding for the naturalist who is prepared to investigate unknown areas.

The extreme fragmentation of most of the broad-leaved woodlands in Durham has

already been briefly referred to. Most of the larger woods are along the middle reaches of the

Tyne and Tees (and to a lesser extent the Wear) and at Hawthorn and Castle Eden Dene. In

general, it is these woods which are the richest in wildlife, and the smaller,isolated woods are

more


less impoverished. These results would agree with current research at Monkswood by Hooper,

who has demonstrated that populations of woodland herbs in large woods can be considered to be

self-perpetuatinq, while small woods (c.10 acres or less) suffer random extinction of plants at a

rate of about three species per century, if recolonisation is excluded. This fragmentation of

habitat, typical of industrial districts, incidentally made a wildlife policy based on zonation

impossible to implement in detail. The author considered that a zonation policy such as that used

for the East Hampshire A.O.N.B. could not be used in County Durham, without seriously

compromising interesting areas.

The condition of semi-natural habitats in Durham today is in many ways a

microcosm of England as a whole, with its fair share - many would say far more than its fair share

- of adverse influences. Parts of East Durham seem to be a Preservationists despair with the entire

landscape in constant flux and apparently little room for wildlife anywhere. However today's

industralia often becomes tomorrow's wildlife refuge, and the variety (if not the quantity) of

Durham's wildlife seems quite remarkable. The County is the home of at least 60 species of rare

flowering plants, for example. It is too soon to assess whether the results of the Wildlife Survey

have altered people's conception of Durham's natural history in any way. At the least, it has

brought . together a great deal of scattered information, some of it in half-forgotten or inaccessible

reports, into what it is hoped is a coherent whole. One negative aspect the survey has revealed

very strongly is the scarcity of sound information for quite large areas of the County, and the need

for more knowledge of even relatively well-known localities, particularly in the less popular

orders of animals and plants. A County Wildlife Survey ought never to be described as complete,

and will require constant monitoring to keep up to date. Naturalists who are prepared to

investigate the less well known parts of the County, and make their field notes available for the

survey, will be performing a valuable service.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the County Planning Officer for permission to publish the maps

used in this article, and to the many naturalists who, by contributing information on the County

Wildlife, made a comprehensive survey possible. In particular, I am grateful to Dr. M. E.

Bradshaw, Rev. G. G. Graham and Messrs. T. C. Dunn and M. J. Hudson who gave of their time

willingly to correct drafts and submit to numerous interrogations. Finally I wish to thank the staff

of the Conservation team in the Planning Department for a pleasant and memorable six months in

Durham.


REFERENCES

To cite all the references used for the survey would be almost as long as this article, and the

reader is referred to the main report for a Bibliography.

Articles mentioned in this summary are:-

Hampshire County Council (1968)

East Hampshire A.O.N.B.

Heslop-Harrison and Richardson (1953)

Nature Conservancy Council (1974)

Monkswood Experimental Station

- Report for 1972 - 1973.

A BURIED CHANNEL OF A PRE-GLACIAL TRIBUTARY OF THE RIVER DERWENT

GEORGE EVANS

4, Rothley Terrace, Medomsley, Consett .

Recent boreholes put down by the National Coal Board between the Milkwell Burn

near Blackhall Mill and the Heugh Burn north of Ebchester have proved the base of the pre-

glacial channel which is near Broad Oak Farm. This channel has been known to geologists for a

long time. It can be easily traced when viewed across the Derwent Valley from High Westwood.

It is a dry valley and is a good locality for collecting glacial pebbles .

T. Herdman in his Glacial Phenomena of the Vale of Derwent (1909) describes it as

a "swire or inlet near Broad Oak which ceases to be a feature at about 375 feet". The recent

boreholes leave no doubt that it is the buried channel of the pre-glacial Milkwell and Heugh

Burns.

Between the two burns mentioned, sand and gravel quarries have been worked over a

long period. Coal drifts have also been worked on the west side of the Heugh Burn and the east

side of the Milkwell Burn. From this I would say that the two burns are post-glacial; the buried

channel being the pre-glacial stream.

The rock head of the buried channel is approx. 120 feet O.D. below the present

surface level, this seems to tie in with borings at Derwenthaugh which proved the base of the pre-

glacial Derwent near its confluence with the River Tyne at approx. 149 feet lower than at present.


West of Blackhall Mill, the level of the River Derwent is just under 200 feet above

sea level but near Broad Oak farm at the 300 feet contour the base of the drift material is 180 feet

A.S L. This is approximately. 20 feet below the present level of the river. There seems no doubt

that the confluence of the pre-glacial stream and the Derwent was at a much lower level than it is

now. I have proved in mine workings of the Brockwell seam at Blackhall Mill, that the rock head

is just below the river bed, but north of the river boreholes have proved at least 60 feet of drift.

This seems to suggest that the pre-glacial Derwent was about 150 yards or so north of its present

course; that is from a line just below Broad Oak farm, through Blackhall Mill village and

Armondside Farm.

I have marked on the sketch map the contours of the rock head at the base of the drift

of the buried channel (taken from boreholes). It seems that this stream became blocked with

glacial material during the glaciation period, but towards the end of this period melt waters cut the

present channels of the Heugh and Milkwell burns. A small area of coal (the Brockwell seam) of

poor quality coal is now being worked from the Broad Oak sand and gravel quarry.

I have proved in mine workings other examples where the pre-glacial streams are at a

deeper level and on a different course than the present-day streams.

In the Shotley Bridge area (near the hospital) are two tributary streams of the River

Derwent; the Elm Park Burn and the Snows Green Burn. When driving the Elm Park drift mine

between the two streams we actually followed the pre-glacial stream. The drift mine was put

down at a gradient of 1 in 3 and reached the base of the stream just above the roof of the

Brockwell seam.

I am grateful to Mr. W. Welsh, N.C.B. Area Director of North Durham and Mr.

Carslake No. 5 Area Group Surveyor for allowing me to take notes etc. from the colliery plans.


THE VEGETATION OF WALDRIDGE FELL CO; DURHAM

1. THE WOODLANDS OF THE SOUTH BURN VALLEY.

B. D. WHEELER

Department of Botany, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN.

INTRODUCTION

Waldridge Fell is an extensive area of common land associated with the village of

Waldridge some two and a half miles south west of Chester-le-Street in north east County

Durham. Occupying some 280 acres it is situated upon a sandstone bedrock of the Durham Coal

Measures. The north west side of the fell is bordered by the steeply incised valley of the Cong

Burn. Immediately south east of this the precipitous valley slopes rise up to the highest point of

the fell - a ridge of just over 400 ft O.D. From this uppermost part the ground slopes rather gently

south eastwards down to the valley of the South Burn which provides the south east boundary of

the site. This downslope - which comprises the bulk of the fell has an irregular topography with

some well marked hills and hollows. The most notable hill - on account of its steep sides - is

Wanister Hill in the south central part of the area. Immediately beneath this, on the eastern side, is

a relatively flat piece of land, a sump area known as Wanister Bog which is maintained in a

predominantly waterlogged condition by the run-off and seepage of water from the adjoining

slopes. Elsewhere also there are small, local patches of waterlogged ground associated with

springs and areas of seepage. Another area which is very marshy is in the vicinity of the South

Burn. -This stream has cut a rather steep-sided, though shallow valley through the sandstone and

much of the area alongside it is very wet, irrigated by a discontinuous line of springs.

The vegetation of Waldridge Fell is of some considerable interest and it is partly on

account of this that the area has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. First of

all, it represents an extensive area of semi-natural vegetation in what is otherwise a predominantly

agricultural landscape. Furthermore, it supports certain plant communities which are of very

restricted occurrence in north east England. Much of the area is heath land (though with marshes

in the wetter depressions) and the plant communities of these areas have already been described in

some detail by JEFFREYS (1916). An area of special interest, however, is the valley of the South

Burn where the boggy floor and drier slopes support various types of woodland vegetation. These

woods, which are very rich in plant species, were not given a very detailed description by

JEFFREYS and it now seems opportune for a fuller account to be presented.


THE WOODLANDS OF THE SOUTH BURN VALLEY

The part of the South Burn valley that is considered here is the small portion less

than half a mile long along the bottom of Waldridge Fell between the point where. the stream

enters the fell area and that where it is crossed by the road from Chester Moor to Waldridge.

Between these two points the stream flows through a shallow, peaty, steep-sided valley with both

sides covered by woodland.

If a suitable vantage point is found to overlook the valley it is readily observable that

there is a definite pattern to the distribution of the different species of tree. On either side, on the

steep, relatively dry slopes, there is a canopy formed by the crowns of the birch (Betula

pubescens) together with oak (Quercus robur).

The birch also occupies parts of the valley floor, particularly on the S. E. side of the

stream where, in the western part at least, it is the main tree to be seen, although even here alder is

found fringing the stream itself. Further downstream it is noticeable that the birch canopy is

overtopped in some places by crowns of alder (Alnus glutinosa) and indeed this species becomes

the predominant tree in some places. Thus in the lower part of the valley on the south east side

birch is little in evidence at all. Its place has been taken either by alder carr or, in certain areas, by

willow thicket composed mainly of the grey willow (Salix cinerea) and the bay willow (S.

pentandra).

On the fell side of the burn a rather different pattern is evident. Here the main tree

covering the bulk of the valley floor is alder, though birch still remains an occasional component

of the woodland canopy and indeed, at the far N.E. end becomes the predominant species.

This differential distribution of tree species is reflected also in the distribution of the

associated species of the vegetation cover. The flora associated with the alder carr and willow

thickets of the valley floor is very different from that of places where birch is dominant. Further,

the floristics of the birch wood of the wetter parts of the valley bottom are quite different to those

of the drier forests of the slopes. For the purpose of describing the vegetation it is thus convenient

to recognise three main woodland types; the wet birch forest of the valley bottom in which

Molinia caerulea is prominent; the drier birch forest of the slopes with much Deschampsia

flexuosa; and the alder-willow forest. Alder and willow dominated areas are described together

as, although they differ in the dominant species of tree, the associated species are so similar that

they can most usefully be considered as a single unit.

1. ALDER-WILLOW FOREST

The best developed area of alder carr is on the N.W. side of the South Burn where

this type of vegetation forms a broad (up to 10 metres) band between the stream and the base of

the steep valley slopes. It extends as a virtually unbroken community for about two-thirds of the

way along the valley from the S.W. end, developed below a


well marked spring and seepage line. Towards the N. E. end, however, these wet conditions

become discontinuous and the alder forest gives way to a drier type of birch woodland. Alder

wood is also present on the S. E. side of the valley, alongside the stream and in association with

springs, but it is more fragmentarily developed and in the N. E. parts is largely replaced by willow

thickets (see below).

The dominant tree is Alnus glutinosa but other species also occur, in particular

Fraxinus excelsior and Sorbus aucuparia with occasional specimens of Ilex aquifolia and Prunus

padus. Shrubs are fairly well represented too with Viburnum opulus occuring occasionally and

with Rubus fruticosus agg. forming extensive patches, particularly in the drier areas. It is

however, the rich and varied herbaceous ground flora of the wood that is of especial interest,

containing as it does a number of species that are rare or absent from other parts of County

Durham. Most notable of these is the royal fern (Osmunda regalis) which has been known from

the site for a long time and still persists as a single plant. Equally interesting is the occurrence in

reasonable quantity, of the smooth-stalked sedge (Carex laevigata). This sedge was initially

recorded from Waldridge in The Vasculum in 1918 and the area has long been known as a good

site for it. It is,however, apparently a very uncommon plant elsewhere in the County and G

RAHAM et al (1972) give only one other record. In addition to these two plants there are a whole

range of others which are generally infrequent in County Durham. They include the hemp

agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), marsh hawk's-beard (Crepis paludosa}, large bitter-cress

(Cardamine amara), hemlock water-dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), skullcap (Scutellaria

qalericulata}, marsh valerian (Valeriana dioica) as well as the grass Poa nemoralis and the sedge

Scirpus sylvaticus. A full list of species growing in the alder wood is given in Table 1. A number

of other species have also been recorded from the woods which have not been noted in the present

investigation: Thus JEFFREYS (1916) recorded Pedicularis palustris - a plant which still

apparently occurs (T.C.Dunn, pers cornm.l. The presence of Dryopteris carthusiana 'has also

been rumoured and, although its occurrence has not yet been confirmed, the alder woods would

seem to present a likely habitat for this particular fern.

Even on casual inspection it is evident that the vegetation of the ground layer is by

no means uniform. In the wettest places, associated with the most active springs, the greater

tussocked sedge (Carex paniculata) is particularly prominent usually forming enormous

upstanding tussocks which are frequently crowned with a few plants of Oxalis acetosella and

which may also support specimens of Dryopteris filix-mas and Geranium robertianum. It is not an

invariant component of such places however, and when it does not occur in its place there is very

often a treacherous carpet of the golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium oppositiolium) often with very

few associated species, though usually including Caltha palustris and Mentha aquatica.


Away from the wettest areas of the valley bottom the drier, firmer substratum

supports a slightly different assemblage of plants. Most of the species already mentioned still

occur but in addition there are a number of others - mainly plants more characteristic of damp

woodland than of mire forest. They include Anemone nemerosa, Lysimachia nemorum,

Mercurialis perennis, Stachys sylvatica, Stellaria nemorum and Veronica chamaedrys. Such areas

of relatively dry alder wood are particularly characteristic of the S. W. end of the valley on the

fell side of the stream. They are frequently characterised by the growth of large amounts of the

meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).

Even in the wettest places, however, it is often possible to find relatively well

drained areas - usually as small elevated patches around the bases of trees etc. These areas are

readily distinguishable from the surrounding marshy woodland floor by the fact that they support

plant species which are much more characteristic of the drier slopes of the birch wood along the

valley sides - such as the bluebell (Endymion non- scriptus), foxglove (Digitalis purpurea),

woodsage (Teucrium scorodonia)and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum}. It is thus clear that the floor

of the alder wood supports an interlocking mosaic of different microhabitats, each with a rather

characteristic complement of plant species.

A number of mosses have been recorded from the floor of the alder forest (see Table

1). Of particular interest was the discovery of Mnium pseudopunctatum as this appears to be its

only record for vice-county 66. This is a moss which frequently occurs in fen woodlands in

Northern England and can be found in some quantity for example in the fen woods at Malham

Tarn in W. Yorkshire and in some of the small basin mires of Westmorland and Curnberland. It is

not, however, usually found in the type of alder forest that occurs at Waldridge. Mention may also

be made of the large thallose liverwort Conocephalum conicum which is not listed in Table 1.

This occurs abundantly in places on the muddy banks of the South Burn, but nonetheless appears

to be largely absent from the woodland.

On the S. E. side of the South Burn there is a plant community of very similar

floristic content to the alder woods just described. Here however, alder itself is of much more

restricted occurrence and in its place there are quite large amounts of the grey willow (Salix

cinerea) and the bay willow (S. pentandra). The eared willow (Salix aurita) also occurs together

with S. x multinervis Doell. (the hybrid of S. cinerea x S.aurita) and Betula pubescens is also

more prominent. In other respects, however, the flora is very similar to that of the alder wood. It

is not clear why alder is not better developed though JEFFREYS (1916) suggested that it might

have been felled.


The type of alder wood that is present at Waldridge represents a very characteristic

woodland community and comparable examples can be found in various parts of England and

Wales. Floristically, it is very different from, say, the extensive tracts of alder carr that occur in

the region of the Norfolk broads. The plant species that serve to characterise this woodland type

are Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Oenanthe crocata and Pellia epiphylla. Chrysosplenium

alternifolium is also characteristic of such alder woods but it does not occur at Waldridge.

Together, these species may be used to differentiate this version of alder wood from any of the

other types that occur in the marshes and fens of lowland England and Wales. A preliminary

account of the different alder wood types is given by WHEELER (1975) where a more detailed

account of the present community may also be found. On the basis of an initial survey of the

different types of British woodland KLOTZLI (1970) suggested that the name to be given to the

lowland alder woods of relatively nutrient rich habitats, into which category the Waldridge

examples seem to fall, should be the Osmundo-Alnetum (a name more or less equivalent to the

Irido-Alnetum . which was the name used by BELLAMY (1970) to refer to the alder wood at

Waldridge). Because the Waldridge alder carr represents a particular version of the Osmundo-

Alnetum WHEELER (1975) has given it an additional name to distinguish it from other types of

alder wood. This is the Osmundo-Alnetum chrysosplenietosum. The last name was chosen

because Chrysosplenium species are so characteristic of this type of vegetation.

Osmundo-Alnetum chrysosplenietosum communities occur in a number of places in

England and Wales, usually in the same sort of situation to that at Waldridge, that is to say

growing below the spring line in narrowly incised peaty valleys cut back into areas of sandstone.

In southern Britain a number of examples occur in association with the Lower Greensand

deposits, but still with a floristic assemblage very much akin to that found at Waldridge alongside

the South Burn.

THE TRANSITION TO BIRCH WOOD

In many places along the fell side of the stream there is a rather distinct assemblage

of plants occupying the transition between the alder carr and the drier birch wood above.

Particularly characteristic of this zone is the prominence of Sphagna with a number of species,

including Sphagnum palustre, S. recurvum and S. timbriatum, growing in some abundance. A

variety of higher plants may be found though the wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum) is

particularly characteristic and generally plentiful. Carex remota may also be especially frequent,

sometimes with much Viola palustris. Otherwise, this zone contains species both of the alder carr

proper (e.g. Angelica sylvestris, Cirsium palustre. Eupatorium cannabinum) together with plants

more characteristic of the birch woodland (e.g. Digitalis purpurea, Holcus mollis and Stellaria

holostea) .. The overshadowing tree is still largely alder but clearly this type of vegetation is very

different to the community described above.


The distribution of this Sphagnum dominated zone is of some interest. On the fell

side of the burn it occurs for almost half the length of the valley (the N.E. half) as a

discontinuous, though usually fairly discreet, band of some 1 - 2 metres wide along the base of the

steep sides. However, for reasons that are not altogether clear, further S.W. the Sphagnum carpet

disappears and in its place there is what appears to be an analogous zone (though rather nebulous)

in which Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and (often) Ajuga reptans are particularly prominent. On

the S. E. side of the burn there is often also a well marked Sphagnum zone separating areas of

alder (or willow) woodland from the adjoining birch wood. Juncus effusus is often prominent in

such places.

2. BIRCH FOREST WITH MOLlNIA CAERULEA

In its characteristic development, this type of vegetation is dominated by the birch (Betula

pubescens) which provides a rather open canopy beneath which an extensive ground vegetation

occurs. The chief species of this is the purple moor grass Molinia caerulea usually with Succisa

pratensis, Juncus effusus, Pontentilla erecta and Equisetum sylvaticum. Affinities with the drier

birch forest of the valley sides (see below) are maintained by the presence of plants such as

Deschampsia flexuosa, Endymion non-scrlptus, Galium cruciata, Oxalis acetosella and Pteridium

aquilinum though these may only be in small quantity. The bilberry, (Vaccinium myrtilus) also

occurs sporadically and betony (Betonica officinalis}may frequently be found. Particular interest,

however, centres upon the moss layer which is very extensively developed - although at present

large portions are regularly being torn up by the activity of the population of muntjak deer in the

area. Species of the bog moss Sphagnum are especially prominent with a number of species

occurring (including S. palustre, S. squarrosum, S. fimbriatum and S. plumulosum). The habitat

would appear to be rather dry compared to many of the places where these species grow and

indeed, during the summer months at least, the Sphagna often appear to be bleached and

dessicated. Other mosses present include Polytrichum commune (often abundant) and, in places,

Aulacomnium palustre and Leucobryum glaucum. A species list from stands of this community is

given in Table 2.

Birch-Molinia forest is most developed on the S. E. side of the South Burn. It is most extensive

towards the S. W. end where it occupies a flat terrace above the stream but smaller areas also

occur as small elevated islands within the alder-willow forests further downstream. Another

example occupies a rather small area at the N.E. end of the fell side of the stream where it

represents a slightly flushed area with in the drier birch - Deschampsia flexuosa type of

woodland.


As no phytosociological survey of birch woods in England and Wales has yet been

performed it is not possible to give a definite name to this birch-Molinia community. It may,

however, be noted that similar types of forest have been described from other parts of N. W.

Europe (e.g. from Holland and N. W. Germany) and here they are often referred to as the

Betuletum pubescentis.

3. BIRCH FOREST WITH DESCHAMPSIA FLEXUOSA

The steep, sometimes precipitous, slopes that occur on either side of the South Burn

support a rather characteristic and uniform type of vegetation. This is a form of birch woodland in

which the birch (Betula pubescens] is the dominant tree. Other trees also occur, however, notably

the oak (Quercus robur) but also others such as the holly (llex aquifolia) and rowan (Sorbus

aucuparia}. Some Betula pendula is also present. Together these form a canopy of varying

density but which is usually fairly open. Beneath it is a very characteristic ground flora, usually

with a high degree of cover except on the steepest slopes or in the most shaded parts,

Deschampsia tlexuosa is the dominant species over much of the area but in some places the

creeping soft grass (Holcus mollis) is particularly prominent and elsewhere bracken (Pteridium

aquilinium) is present in considerable quantity.

With these is a small assemblage of associates including Anthoxanthum odoratum,

Endymion non-scriptus, Galium cruciata, G. saxatile, Oxalis acetosella, Stellaria holostea and

Teucrium scorodonia. Creeping tormentil (Potentilla erecta)and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

frequently occur together with the spreading fronds of the hard fern (Blechnum spicant}. Species

more typical of the open heath also grow sporadically, such as Ulex europaeus and Vaccinium

myrtilus. Carex binervis grows in a few places. Mosses are not particularly well developed. The

main species, trailing along the ground and also growing around the bases of the trees is Hypnum

cupressiforme. Others include Brachythecium rutabulum, Calypogeia muellerana, Pleurozium

schreberi and Pseudoschleropodium purum.

As well as growing on the slopes, this type of forest is also found in certain flatter

places alongside the South Burn where the conditions are suitably dry.

Woodlands with a very similar floristic composition to the birch-Deschampsia forest

occur widely throughout England and Wales on rather nutrient-poor, freely draining substrata.

Often, however, oak is the dominant tree with Betula pubescens having only a subsidiary role.

This may well once have been the case at Waldridge with the present forest representing a

secondary woodland created by felling of the oaks. Similar woodlands occur elsewhere in N. W.

Europe where they are often referred to as the Quercetum roboris-Betuletum


The juniper (juniperus communis) is often a member of such communities. This was in fact noted

as a frequent component of the woodland at Waldridge by JEFFREYS (1916) but it has

subsequently been lost from the site.

THE FACTORS OF DISTRIBUTION

Having thus recognised the three main woodland types at Waldridge it would be of

some interest to identify the causal factors responsible for their distribution and occurrence.

Detailed work on this remains in abeyance but nonetheless some casual observations are of

interest.

The birch-Deschampsia forest is clearly a community of dry slopes and it might be

expected to be the main forest type which would cover much of the Fell were it not for the fact

that most of the area is kept as open heath by burning and grazing. It is developed only on free-

draining substrata and although it is mainly restricted to the slopes of the South Burn Valley, it

also occurs on the valley floor in places where this is relatively dry. In contrast, the alder-willow

woodland is mainly a community of very wet conditions, growing beneath the spring line in

places where the water-table is at or just below ground level and where trickling surface water can

often be found throughout most of the year. The birch-Molinia forest grows in places that are in

some respects intermediate between these two conditions with a substratum that can become

completely saturated during the winter months but which usually is comparatively dry during the

summer. It occurs above the main spring line, though clearly it must receive a certain amount of

irrigation either from seepage or from surface run-off.

Thus to a certain degree at least, the distribution of the woodland types in the South

Burn valley appears to reflect the occurrence of springs. The influence of these is not just to be

considered in terms of the height of the water table but also in terms of the nutrient status of the

water they supply. Thus the water irrigating the alder carr below the main spring line has a higher

pH (range = 5.5-7.0) and content of dissolved salts than is the case with the ground water

associated with the birch-Molinia forest (pH range = 4.5-6.0). This effect is likely to be enhanced

by the fact that, whereas the springtime induces a pronounced throughflow of water in the alder

carr, in the birch-Molinia woodland there is no strong input of irrigating water and, more- over,

the relatively flat terrain is likely to encourage stagnation. It thus seems possible that the

occurrence of alder carr rather than Birch-Molinia wood is the result of a supply of (more or less)

constantly flowing water (of subterranean origin) with a relatively high nutrient content at a

continually high level as opposed to a weak and intermittent water supply (perhaps largely of

superficial origin) of lower nutrient status leading to a generally lower water-table which shows

marked fluctuations in height.


This same reasoning may also be applied to the band of Sphagnum dominated

vegetation that is peripheral to the alder carr in a number of places. The location of this is always

above the main spring-line supplying the alderwood and again the water has a lower

concentration of dissolved salts as well as a lower pH range = c. 4.5 - 5.5) than is the case with

that below the spring line. The input of water is not very pronounced and may be largely of

superficial or sub-surface origin. However, in general, this zone seems to have a more constantly

high water level throughout the year than is the case with the birch-Molinia wood and in this

sense represents an intermediate situation between that and the alder carr. It may be noted that

whatever the precise determinative habitat factors they would appear to have only a very

restricted spatial expression as this zone is always of very limited dimensions.

It may thus be postulated that the distribution of the woodland types at Waldridge is

largely in response to the water supply of the substratum, particularly in relationship to the

occurrence of springs. However, further work is required to establish the relative importance of

variations in the level, flow and nutrient status of the water as determinative factors.


List of species from the alder-willow woodland

Table 1

Alnus qlutinosa d

Betula pubescens occ

Fraxinus excelsior occ

Ilex aquitolio occ

Quercus petraea r

Salix aurita r

S. cinerea If

S. pentandra If

Crataequs monogyna occ

Rosa canina occ

Rubus fruticosus agg. f

Viburnum opulus occ

Agrostis stolonifera occ

Ajuga reptans f

Anemone nemorosa f: especially in the drier parts

Angelica sylvestris f

Caltha palustris f la

Cardamine amara f

C. flexuosa occ

C. pratensis f

Carex laevigata occ: scattered throughout the area

C. nigra r: mainly on S.E. side near the

transition to birch woodland

C. paniculata la: especially important in wet

spring areas

C. remota f

Cirsium palustre f

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium la: especially abundant in some

very wet areas.

Crepis paludosa f

Dactylorhiza fuchsii f

Deschampsia cespitosa occ

D. flexuosa r: confined mainly to slightly

elevated areas, around the

base of trees etc.

Eupatorium cannabinum f -la: especially prominent S. E. of

stream at the N. E. end

Festuca gigantea f-Ia:. especially in drier parts

Galium aparine occ

G. palustre occ

Geranium robertianurn occ


Holcus lanatus f

[uncus acutiflorus occ

J. conglomeratus r

J. effusus occ

Lonicera periclymenum f: mainly in association with

trees and bushes

Lychnis ttos-cuculi occ

Lysimachia nemorum occ

Mentha aquatica f

Menyanthes trifoliata r: mainly restricted to a small

area with Carex paniculata on

S. E. side

Mercurialis perennis f

Oenanthe crocata occ: scattered throughout the area

Oxalis acetosel/a occ: mainly confined to the

crowns of Carex paniculata

tussocks.

Phalaris arundinacea occ: alongside stream

Poa nemoralis r

P. trivialis occ

Pontentilla erecta r: in a few dry places

Ranunculus acris f

R. repens occ

Scirpus sylvaticus Id: mainly in one spring on the

N.W.side

Scrophularia aquatica r

Scutellaria galericulata r

Stachys sylvatica occ

Stellaria alsine r

S. nemorum occ

Succisa pratensis occ

Taraxacum officinale agg. r

Tussilago farfara occ: in some of the most open wet

habitats

Urtica dioica r

Valeriana dioica f

V. officinalis f

Viola palustris f

Veronica chamaedrys occ

V. montana r

A thyrium filix-femina f - la

Dryopteris tillx-mas occ

D dilatata f

Equisetum fluviatile r

E. palustre occ

E. sylvaticum f - la

Osmunda regalis r: one plant


Osmunda regalis r:

Acrocladium cuspidatum f

Brachythecium rivulare r

B. rutabulum occ

r

Calypogeia muellerana f

Eurhynchium praelongum f

Lophocolea bidentata f

Mnium affine r

Mnium hornum Lf: mainly around base of trees

Mn. pseudopunctatum one clump on S. E. side near

the Osmunda

Mn. punctatum r

Mn. undulatum f

Pellia epiphylla f - la

Sphagnum palustre occ

S. squarrosum occ

Table 2. List of species from the birch-Moliinia woodland.

Betula pubescens d

Sorbus aucuparia r

Agrostis canina r

Anthoxanthum odoratum occ

Betonica officinalis occ

Carex nigra r

Cirsium palustre r

Deschampsia flexuosa occ

Digitalis purpurea r

Endymion non-scriptus r

Galium cruciata r

G. saxatile occ

Holcus mol/is occ

Juncus effusus f

J. conglomeratus r

Lonicera periclymenum occ

Luzula multiflora r

Molinia caerulea d

Oxalis acetosel/a occ

Potentilla erecta occ

Succisa pratensis f

Vaccinium myrtilus r

Viola palustris r


Equisetum sylvaticum f

Pteridium aquilinum occ

Aulacomnium palustre r

Hypnum cupressitorme r

Leucobryum glaucum r

Pleurozium schreberi occ

Polytrichum commune f

Sphagnum timbriatum f

S. palustre a

S. plumutosum occ

S. recurvum f

S. squarrosum f

REFERENCES

BELLAMY, D. J. 1970 The Vegetation In: Durham County and City with Teesside, ed; J. C.

Dewdney, 133-141.

GRAHAM G. G., C.D. SAVERS & J. H. GAMAN 1972. A Check list of the Vascular Plants of

County Durham. University of Durham.

JEFFREYS, H. 1916. On the vegetation of four Durham coal-measure fells. 1. General

description of the area and its vegetation. J. Ecol.4, 174-195.

KLOTZLI, G. 1970. Eichen, Edellaub-, und Bruchwalden der Britischen I nseln.

Schweiz Zeitschr. Forstwesen 121, 329 -366.

WHEELER, B. D. 1975. Phytosocioloqical studies on rich fen systems in England and Wales.

Ph.D, Thesis. University of Durham.


NOTES ON SOME MACROSCOPIC ALGAE NEW OR SELDOM RECORDED FOR

BRITAIN:

N.T.H. HOLMES & B. A. WHITTON Department of Botany,

University Science Laboratories, Durham, England.

SUMMARY

Accounts are given of the distribution and ecology of five macroscopically recognisable attached

algae in rivers of N·E. England and S-E. Scotland. For two of these species, Nostoc parmelioides

and Rhodoplax schinzii, these are the first records for the British Isles, while Cladophora

aegagropila has only been recorded previously from lakes. Although Heribaudiella fluviatilis,

one of the few freshwater species of brown algae,

has previously been described in the British Isles only from North Devon, our present studies

have shown that this alga is in fact rather common in fast-flowing rivers. The fifth alga dealt with,

Monostroma bullosum, has so far been found by us in one catchment area only.

INTRODUCTION

Recent surveys of many rivers in N·E. England and S-E. Scotland have shown the presence of a

number of algal species which are either first records for the British Isles or have seldom been

reported previously. In some cases at least, these algae appear to be quite common, and it is

evident that the lack of previous records is probably a reflection of how few algologists ever wade

down rivers collecting attached algae. The present paper describes five of these species which,

although relatively small, are nevertheless usually clearly reconizable macroscopically.

METHODS

The data reported here have been obtained mostly whilst recording the presence or absence of all

macrophytes in 0.5 km lengths of rivers, a method described originally by Whitton and

Buckmaster (1970). Some rivers have been surveyed from source to mouth, and a number of spot

checks have been made on other rivers; the various sites Surveyed are summarized in Table 1.

Full details of data and locations studies within the Tweed Catchment are given in Holmes

(1975). Background information on the Wear has been given by Whitton and Buckmaster (1970),

and on the N. Tyne and Tyne by Holmes et al. (1972), but the surveys for the present paper have

been carried out subsequent to those previous reports. The primary surveys have in all cases been

made


Table 1

Details of surveys for presence or absence of species studied.

River Type of survey Main years of study

Biggar whole river 1971

Lyne spot checks in lowest 10 km 1973-4

Yarrow spot checks in lowest 10 km 1973

Ettrick spot checks in lowest 20 km 1972

Jed spot checks in lowest 20 km 1973

Teviot spot checks in lowest 10 km

whole river

1972

Eden spot checks in lowest 10 km 1972

Till spot checks in lowest 10 km 1973

Leet spot checks in lowest 10 km 1972-4

Blackadder spot checks in lowest 30 km 1973

Whiteadder spot checks in lowest 40 km 1973-4

Aln a few spot checks 1973

Coquet a few spot checks 1973

Tyne whole non-tidal river 1975

N. Tyne all lowest 10 km 1975

S. Tyne all lowest 2.5 km 1975

Wear spot checks 1973

Tees whole river below Cow

Green

1975

Lune all lowest 2.5 km 1975

Balder all lowest 2.5 km 1975

Greta all lowest 2.5 km 1975

Claw Beck all lowest 2.5 km 1975

Skerne all lowest 10 km 1975

Leven all lowest 2.5 km 1975


during the months of June to September, a period in which the majority of macrophytes are most

easily seen, both because of the frequency of low flows and the fact that most species are well

developed at this time of the year. Many checks have however also been made at other times of

the year, the bulk of all the field work being carried out by N.T.H.H.

In the discussion given below concerning Heribaudiella, brief reference is included

to the range of water chemistries associated with this species. Details of chemical methods and

results are not given here, but the authors would be pleased to give further information to anyone

interested.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Nostoc parmelioides Kutz. (Myxophyta)

The present records are the first for this alga in the British Isles (J. W. G. Lund,

personal communication). It was however first found by Kutzing in mountain streams in the

German Thuringian Forest as long a90 as 1843 (Todd, 1971). It has been found at other mainland

European sites since that date, and a century after its first record, Drouet {19431 reported it from

the U.S.A. Further records from the U.S.A. include the Firehole River (Jonea 19671. nine

mountain streams in Colorado and the Upper Rio Grande River {Todd, 1971).

Nostoc parmelioides is a thalloid blue-green alga which resembles in gross

morphology another better known member of the genus, N. verrucosum Vauch. Geitler {19321

indicates that the former never reaches such large dimensions as have been reported for the latter,

and the material of N. parmelioides that we have found typically consists of groups of distinct

discoid, smooth surfaced colonies with maximum diameters ranging from 5 to 15 mm. However,

the main difference between N. parmelioides and N. verrucosum isthe presence within the thalli of

the former, of a midge larva (Cricotopus spp.) growing in a presumed mutualistic relationship

with the alga. This relationship was first described by Johannsen {19371 and dealt with in detail

by Brock (1960).

Among the rivers summarized in Table I, we have so far found N. parmelioides only

in the upper Tees, N. Tyne, Tweed and three tributaries of the latter, Yarrow, Ettrick and Teviot,

but it has also been observed in the R. Beela, Cumbria. In all but the Teviot it was recorded

frequently, being often locally abundant. It occurred most frequently on flat hard rock surfaces

exposed to high current velocities, but in the mid-reaches of the Tweed sandstone surfaces subject

only to moderate current velocities were also colonized. At all the sites studies, the algal

populations were well developed throughout the year. There was no evidence of a summer fall-off

in the size of population following the reported period for the emergence of the midge larvae and

subsequent degeneration of many algal colonies as described by Brock (1960) for Sagehen

Creek,California.


It seems quite possible that in the past, N. parmelioides may have been under-

recorded due to confusion with N. verrucosum. It is clear that they are rather similar in their

general morphology, and experimental studies should be carried out to establish whether N.

parmelioides is simply a form of N. verrucosum resulting from the presence of the midge lava.

Heribaudiella fluviatilis (Aresch.)Sved. (Phaeophyta, Ectocarpales)

Heribaudiella fluviatilis is an encrusting brown alga, one of the few non-marine

members of the Phaeophyta. The only published record for the British Isles is that of Fritsch

(1929) for fast flowing streams in N. Devon, but its distribution in mainland Europe is certainly

widespread as is made clear in Israelsson's (19381 review of earlier literature. Israelsson also

demonstrated that in mid-Sweden, an area which he had studied intensively, the alga was present

at many sites representing a wide range of types of river.

This alga is certainly very widespread in N-E. England and S-E. Scotland (Fig.1), the

only major river for which it has not been found being the Wear. The alga is easy to overlook, and

we failed to observe its presence in the Tyne system in 1972 (Holmes et al., 19721. though in

1975 we found it there as a relatively uncommon species. It was at first thought that we may have

overlooked the alga also in the Wear, but as a result of repeated searches for it in 1973 and 1974,

we believe that at least in the middle and lower reaches of this river it was genuinely absent. The

alga has also been found during spot checks made in the Rivers Eden and Leven, Cumbria, Lakes

Windermere and Coniston, and also as far away as the Thames at Marlow.

The absence of this alga from the Wear may possibly be due to the effects that coal

mining has had over several centuries on the river downstream of the entry of the R. Gaunless.

Although the effects of this mining are in little evidence today, many boulders on the river bed are

nevertheless still overlain with dark inorganic crusts. Such crusts may possibly have been

responsible for preventing Heriaudiella colonizing rock surfaces. Hildenbrandia rivularls

(Liebm.) J.Ag., an encrusting red alga, has recently begun to colonize large boulders in stretches

of the Wear with fast currents (e.g. Finchalel where it was almost certainly absent in 1966.

It is clear that Heribaudiella has a very wide distribution and is often frequent in stretches of river

with a substratum of boulders. It is tolerant of a wide range of water chemistries from ones which

may be considered as relatively soft to hard, and from ones which are relatively oligotrophic to

relatively eutrophic. Israelsson (1938) mentioned that he had never found this alga from humus-

rich oligotrophic waters. Several of the rivers in which we have found Heribaudiella might

perhaps qualify for such a description, as for instance the upper reaches of the Tees. However,

none of these waters combine being humus-rich with being very soft.


In order to encourage others to take up the study of this alga, a practical note on its

recognition may be useful. Fritsch (1929) mentioned that the forms of Heribaudiella found by

him in Devon were yellowish brown rather than olive green to black as given in Pascher's (1925)

flora. Our observations would tend to SUpport Fritsch rather than Pascher. In the geographical

region shown in Fig.l brown encrusting growths in rivers could be one of at least four organisms.

Once these four organisms have been recognised, then it is quite easy to distinguish colonies of

Heribaudiella, for it is typically a rich-brown colour, and reaches diameters of up to 20 mm. The

two blue-green algae Chamaesiphon fuscus (Rostaf.) Hansg. and C. polonicus (Rostaf). Hansg.

are also both common and brown in colour. The former may appear an almost identical shade of

brown when viewed macroscopically, but differs in shape, forming a fleck on the rock surface

rather than being more circular in outline. C. polonicus is a much lighter brown and rarely

develops colonies with distinct margins. Permanently submerged Verrucaria spp. are generally

darker than Heribaudiella, appearing almost black, rather than brown. Heribaudiella may also be

distinguished from the others by the difficulty involved in trying to remove it from the rock

surfaces it colonizes, while the Chamaesiphon spp. may be scraped off quite easily, and

Verrucaria, though relatively difficult to detach, can usually be eventually removed in large

lumps.

Cladophora aegagropila (L.) Rabenh.· (Chlorophyta, Siphonocladales)

Unlike Cladophora glomerata, the member of this genus usually recorded from

rivers, C. aegagropila does not grow into the very long smothering filaments known so aptly by

fishermen as blanket-weed. The thalli of this species never exceed 30mm and the filaments are

extensive1y branched. The thick cell walls and the interwoven nature of the filaments give the

plant a tight knit, stiff texture. This same species in lakes may form characteristic 'balls' (see van

den Hoek, 1963), but all the material we have observed in rivers has been firmly attached.

Within the area covered by Fig.l, we have found C. aegagropila only within the

catchments of the Tweed, Tyne and Tees. In all cases it distribution was within the distribution

range of C. glomerata. Although usually relatively uncommon, it was more abundant in the

middle reaches of the Tweed, being recorded frequently from similar microhabitats as Nostoc

parmelioides. The Till was the only tributary of the Tweed in which this alga was found, and in

this river it was recorded only in isolated localities in the most downstream 20 km of the river.

C. aegagropila has previously been recorded from a few lake localities in the British

Isles, such as Malham Tarn (Lund, 1961), but the records in Fig.1. are the first for rivers in the

British Isles. Van den Hoek (1963), however, lists records from small rivers in Switzerland,

Finland and France, and also from the R. Moine and the R. Seine at Paris.


C aegagropila appears to differ from C. glomerata not only in its morphology, but also its

ecology. Unlike C. glomerata there is little tendency for it to be reduced to a basal stump in

winter. In fact C. aegagropila appears rather similar at all times during the year, though at least in

the Tweed winter material often looked black rather than green due to being smothered with

epiphytic blue-green algae, especially Oncobyrsa spp. C. aeqaqropilo often originates from small

cracks or other obvious depressions in rock surfaces. From our general observations on its

distribution within a river it seems probable that it is more tolerant of low light intensities than C.

glomerata.

Monostroma bullosum (Roth.) Wittroch. (Chlorophyta, Ulvales).

This species has a sac-like structure, the sacs rarely exceed 10 mm and are attached

by single holdfasts. Detailed accounts of its morphology may be found in Printz (1964) and

Bliding (1968). West and Fritsch (1927) reported that Monostroma bullosum is not at all common

in Britain. We have osberved M. bullosum only in the Tweed catchment area, where it was

present in the main river, the Teviot, and five of the tributaries for which partial surveys have

been made (Table 1; Holmes, 1975). Typically, the species occurred on the surfaces of large

boulders that are alternatively wetted and dried. In the Whiteadder M. bullosum was also found

attached to the stems of larger submerged species and on the submerged fibrous roots of trees

growing along the bank.

Rhodoplax schinzit Schmidle & Wellheim (Chlorophyta, Chlorococcales)

In spite of being a member of the Chlorophyta, the most obvious macroscopic feature

of this alga is its crimson colouration that it imparts to all rock surfaces it colonizes in any

abundance. Taxonomic descriptions may be found in Jaag (1932) and Bourrelly (1966).

Growths of Rhodoplax schinzii do not have distinct borders, but the areas colonized

tend to blend gradually with adjacent uncolonized areas. Because of this lack of distinct colony

formation, when rocks are thinly covered, it is difficult to establish the presence of this species

without detaiied microscopic studies. However, in the Lyne, Yarrow, Ettrick and extreme upper

reaches of the Whiteadder, all tributaries of the Tweed, Rhodoplax was frequently very obvious.

In the Yarrow and some of its feeder streams many small boulders in stretches with torrential

currents were found to be blood red in colour, entirely due to this alga. In the upper reaches of the

Tweed, although present, it was rarely distinct when viewed macroscopically.


These are the first records of this alga for the British Isles (J. W. G. Lund,

personal communication). In mainland Europe it has been quoted from only a few sites, the

best known being the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen, described by Jaag (1932, 1938). These

records for mainland Europe, like those reported here, were all confined to rocky stretches

with torrential current velocities.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are most grateful to Dr C. van den Hoek for identifying a specimen of Cladophora

aegagropila, to Dr J. W. G. Lund for general information about previous British records of

the species described here, and to Dr E. Kann for guiding us to the literature about Rhodoplax

schinzii. We are most grateful to the Natural Environment Research Council and the Tweed

River Purification Board for research grants for general surveys of the Tees and Tweed

respectively, during which the present observations were included. We also acknowledge

with thanks a grant from the Nature Conservancy (now Nature Conservancy Council) for a

survey during August 1972 of macrophytes in the R. Tyne.

REFERENCES

Bliding C. (1968) A critical survey of European taxa in Ulvales. II UIva, Ulvaria,

Monostroma, Kornmannia. Bol. Notiser. 121, (4). 535 - 629.

Bourrelly P. (1966) Les Algues d'Eau Douce I Les Algues Vertes. 511 pp. N. Boubee & Co.

Paris.

Brock E. M (1960) Mutualism between the midge Cricotopus and the alga Nostoc.

Ecology 41, 474 - 483.

Drout F. (1943) Myxophyceae of eastern California and western Nevada. Field Mus. Bot. Ser.

20, 156.

Fritsch F. E. (1929) The encrusting algal communities of certain fast-flowing streams. New

Phytol. 28, (3). 165 - 196.

Geitler L. (1932) Cyanophyceae: Rabenhorst's Kryptoqarnen-Flora, 14. 1196 pp. Leipzig.


Holmes N. T. H. (1975)The Vegetation of the River Tweed. Ph.D. Thesis, 489 pp. University of

Durham.

Holmes N. T. H., Lloyd E J H, Potts M. and Whitton B. A. (1972) Plants of the river Tyne

and future water transfer scheme. Vasculum 57 (3) 56 -78

Israelsson G. (1938) Uber die Süsswasserphaeophyceen Schweddens. Bot. Not. pp. 11 3 . 128.

Jaag O. (1932) Rhodoplax schinzii, eine interessante Alga vom Rheinfall. Ber.

Schweiz bot. Ges. 41, 356 - 471.

Jaag O. (1938) Die kryptogamenflora des Rheinfalls und des Hochrheins von

Stein bis Eglisau. Mitt. naturf. Ges. Schaffhausen 14, 1 : 158,

Johannsen O. A. (1937) Aquatic Diptera, II Chironomidae: subfamilies Tanypodinae,

Diamesinae and Orthocladiinae. Mem. Cornel! Univ. Agric. Sta. 205, 1 - 84.

Jones W. E. (1967) Benthos as Related to Water Temperature, Firehole River, Wyoming. 193

pp. M. S. Thesis, Colorado State University.

Lund J. W. G. (1961) The algae of the Malham Tarn district. Field Studies 1, (3). 85 - 119.

Pascher A. (1925) Die Süsswasser-tlora Mittleuropas II Heterokontae, Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta,

Charophyta. 250 pp. G. Fischer, Jena.

Prinz H. (1964) Die Chaetophoralean der Sinnengewasser.. Eine systematische Ubersicht.

Verlag. W. Junk. Den Haag. Hydrobiologia 14 (1 - 3). 1 - 376.

Todd D. J. (1971) New algal species record for Colorado. J. Phycol. 7(3). 266-267.

van den Hoek C. (1963) Revision of the European species of Cladophora. 248 pp. + 55 plates.

J. E. Brill, Leiden.

West G. S. and Fritsch F. E. (1927) A Treatise on the British Freshwater Algae. 534 pp.

Cambridge University Press, London.

Whitton B. A. and Buckmaster R. C. (1970) Macrophytes of the River Wear. Naturalist, Hull.

914, 97 - 116.

57

THE VASCULUM

DECEMBER 1975


Edited by

T. C. DUNN, B.Sc.


BY THE WAY

Secretaries of Societies and other contributors to "The Vasculum" are invited to send their

notes to the Editor before 15th March, 1976.

THE LONG HOT SUMMER.

Writing this on a cold November evening makes it difficult to remember those long

sunny days with the highest temperatures recorded, in this part of the world, for as long as anyone

can remember. We have experienced odd days with temperatures in the nineties, in other

summers, but never for such a prolonged period.

As a result many unusual happenings .were reported. Times of emergence for insects

were all wrong. Mostly they were advanced by anything up to three weeks, but in some cases they

were retarded because of the drought.

The most spectacular occurrence here was the sudden appearance of myriads of

hoverflies. In the garden at Chester-le-Street they were jostling for a place on a flower, the

greenhouse was full of them and so was the house. In a few days, between 200 and 300 dead ones

were swept up from one windowsill.

Three species were involved. By far the commonest was Syrphus ribesii L, but

Syrphus balteatus Deg. and Scaeva pyrastri L. were also in much larger numbers than usual. The

last two are well known immigrants and the whole swarming process may have been part of a

massive influx from abroad.

Gardeners will be interested in the life history of these insects. S. ribesii is typical of

many species. The adult female lays her eggs on the undersides of leaves that are likely to be

infested with aphids. In our gardens these might be the leaves of rose bushes. The tiny slug-like

larva which emerges, searches for and quickly finds a greenfly, which it impales with its

mouthparts and proceeds to suck dry. From about three aphids a day when it first appears on the

leaves, the hoverfly larva's appetite increases rapidly from day to day until in ten days it has

consumed an enormous number of flies. It is now full fed and pupates on the underside of a leaf.

Here the pear-shaped pupa remains attached for about fourteen days when a new adult

58

hoverfly emerges to start the cycle again. In the heat that we experienced in August this life cycle

may well have been somewhat shortened so that the build up of numbers would be explained. It

certainly did the roses a favour, for a large aphid infestation seemed to be building up in the early

part of the year. It faded out, never having reached the expected plague proportions. In the

greenhouse aphids were much less common than usual but other pests took over. Never have I

seen so many Snowy Flies or Red Spider Mites.

Further afield, in the countryside generally, the butterflies had a very successful year.

The Peacock, for once, was actually abundant, especially on the fells in Weardale. Red Admirals

and Painted Ladies appeared in some numbers in August and Humming-bird Hawk Moths were

reported from coastal areas in September. There was even a possible sighting of the Clouded

Yellow in S.E. Durham. This could well have been the case for Mr. F. Stubbs reported one on the

Galloway Peninsular to the west at about the same time.

The Seven-spot Ladybird did well too. Reports of swarms from various parts of the

north were common, but it was very patchy, some areas having no more than usual.

Finally the rhododendrons in the garden flowered for a second time in one year, in

the middle of October. This has never been seen here before.

ROADSIDE VERGES.

For many years naturalists have been unhappy about the way roadside verges have

been mown down every few weeks during the growing season. Only this year, in No.2 of this

Volume of the Vasculum we brought the practice to your notice.

It was, therefore, like an answer to a prayer when we heard about a recent circular to

all local authorities from the Ministry of the Environment. The essence of this is that on

motorways the verges are no longer to be treated in any way unless there is a palpable safety

problem. In addition it is recommended that all other roads are to be given the same treatment,

wherever it is possible. No doubt there will be differences of opinion about what constitutes a

safety hazard. In any case naturalists will be pleased with this money saving idea for the wildlife

reason as well as for its affect on the rates.

BATS

During the eighth Harrison Memorial Lecture at Middlesbrough, the lecturer. Peter

Yeoman, kept coming back to the point that very little is known about the distribution of our bat

species. One of the aspects of his research is to visit, identify the species and estimate numbers in

all our northern colonies. He requires information on the location of bat roosts in order to do this.

Any reader who has seen bats flying about in the evening and is fairly certain where they roost

59

should write to the secretary as soon as possible. He will coordinate the information and send it to

Peter Yeoman in bulk, from time to time. If you do this, it may not be long before Peter Yeoman

contacts you and visits your colony.

NEW SOCIETY

It is with the greatest pleasure that, once again, we are able to welcome another

society to affiliation with the Northern Naturalists' Union. It is the Border Natural History Society

and its activities are based on Bellingham. We look forward with interest to meeting the new

members in the Hancock Museum or in the field during the coming year.

REVIEW

From Devon Trust for Nature Conservation comes another of their small booklets

which already have proved of such great value to those engaged in managing County Trust

Reserves. It is entitled "Wildlife Conservation and Lichens" and the author is our old friend Dr.

O. L. Gilbert, who, until a few years ago, was so fully involved in conservation in this part of the

country.

The booklet begins with a little lichen biology with a very striking map of their

density. The correlation of industry with lichen poverty is most obvious. Dr. Gilbert's reasons for

the conservation of these plants are set out under five headings, one of which we would like to

quote:

"Lichens cannot, at present, be permanently cultured, grown in botanical gardens,

stored in seed banks or be artificially maintained in any way. The only method of guaranteeing

the perpetuation of communities or individual species is to safeguard their existence under natural

conditions in the field".

Lichens are just about unique in this and consequently extremely vulnerable to

changing ecological conditions. The conditions are discussed in detail. The most dangerous is the

presence of sulphur dioxide (SO3) in the air and it is put there by burning fossil fuels. Other

pollutants such as blowing fertilisers, roadside sprays, water pollution and managing techniques

in farming and forestry are considered separately.

There follows a section on how Trusts can act as "watch dogs" over important sites,

and how management of their reserves can help to safeguard species that are in the firing line of

man's destructive practices.

At 25p. this leaflet is excellent value for money. The glossy paper and photographs

alone are worth much more than this. Every Trust administrator should possess at least one copy

and every individual actively engaged in conservation, including reserve managers, should obtain

a copy for reference.

60

THE SOCIETIES


The 141st Field Meeting was held at Bonnyrigg Hall, by kind invitation of the

Westwater Lakes Society, Field Section, on July 5th 1975.

About twenty members and friends had arrived by 11 a.m. when the party set off

with Mr. J. Bowman, to investigate the woodlands stretching from the hall to the western end of

Broomlee Lough. In the ivy growing on the wall of the boathouse we were shown a Pied

Flycatcher's nest, while in the water alongside was a fine growth of Potamogeton crispus L.

(Curled Pondweed) together with a varied collection of associated freshwater planktonic animals.

It was hot work forcing our way through the birch scrub nearby, but it was well worth the trouble

to see the rich assemblage of lichens and mosses. Beyond the wood on rough grassland which was

really the dried out western end of Broomlee Lough, several butterflies were seen on the wing.

These were the Small Heath, Green-veined White and Common Blue. We also disturbed the

moths, Xanthorhoe montanata Schiff. (Silver-ground Carpet) and Odezia atrata L. (Chimney

Sweeper), the Birch Sawfly, the large Green Lacewing and several Dipterous flies, not to mention

the Northern Midge, which seemed to be more plentiful than anything else.

Back at Bonnyrigg Hall, where more members had gathered, we rested a while on

the lawns to enjoy a drink and a picnic lunch before setting out for the pine and birch woods on

Gallowshieldrigg, just across the valley. The central space consisted of a large raised bog, now

beginning to dry out. It was very sheltered so the heat was terrific. The vegetation was mostly of

Mollinia tussocks. Cotton Grass ( Eriophorum vaginatum) and sedges, with considerable stretches

of Sphagnum on which grew Vaccinium oxycoccus L. (Cranberry), Galium palustre L. (Marsh

Bedstraw) etc. The insects swarmed, the rarity being the Large Heath Butterfly, here flying in

thousands. Others seen were the Small Heath, Green-veined White and a single Red Admiral.

Again Diptera were in evidence, not so much flying about as sitting on hands, legs and neck for a

good drink of human blood. There were many shouts for First Aid treatment as the Midges,

Gnats, Horseflies and other horrors revelled in the feast that appeared so suddenly. Over all this

activity a young Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk (we were unable to make up our minds as to which it

was) sat majestically in the top of a tall pine tree, in full view, but not in the least disturbed.

After a full afternoon's hunting we returned once more to Bonnyrigg Hall where Mrs.

Bowman and the other ladies of the host society had prepared an excellent and very welcome tea.

The 142nd Field Meeting was to the woodlands in the valley of the River Greta,

known as Brignall Banks. The leader, Mr. V. Brown, met about 20 members and friends at the

Morritt Arms at 11 a.m. on September 6th 1975. The morning had been wet but it faired up and

remained fine and warm for the rest of the day.

61

The route lay along the north bank of the river as far as Moor House Farm. In the

main this was mixed deciduous valley woodland with quite a rich woodland ground flora, quite

undamaged in any way. Although no rarities were seen, the vegetation was very varied, the ferns

being particularly plentiful. Apart from the common species, Phillitis scolopendrium (L.) Roth,

(Hard Shield-fern), and Polypodium vulgare (L.) (Common Polypody) were identified, the last

one growing in the fork of a moss-covered tree trunk.

There was frequent evidence of the presence of roe deer although none was actually

seen. We did, however, see more than one grey squirrel. The bird-watchers had lots to enthuse

about. Apart from many common birds they were delighted to see such species as heron, long

tailed tit, dipper (this one entertained us throughout our picnic lunch), nuthatch, marsh tit, greater-

spotted woodpecker, gold crest, tree creeper, teal, red-legged partridge and grey wagtail.

By the time we reached the end of the path, which was sometimes rather difficult, the

very young and the old were tired out. A car shuttle service very happily came to the rescue.

The eighth Harrison Memorial Lecture was given at Middlesbrough in the Leeds

University Centre on 1st November 1975. The lecturer was Mr. Peter Yeoman and his subject

"Bats".

After a few words on the history of bat investigation in the North-East and about

their folklore it became evident that not a lot was known about the distribution or the detailed life-

history of our local bats. Only six species are as yet known from North-East England. These are

the Whiskered, Pipistrelle, Natterer's, Daubenton's, Noctule and Long-eared. All in this country

are insectivorous, feeding mostly on small Diptera such as Midges and Gnats, consuming huge

numbers during the season. They are all highly specialised in their evolutionary development,

which makes them very vulnerable to pollution and environmental changes. Sizes of colonies

have been steadily falling during recent years, possibly because of the application of D.D.T. and

other organochlorine compounds to control insects. Bats are at the end of a food-chain. Since they

eat such enormous numbers of insects, each with its little bit of chemical poison, they can soon

accumulate a lethal dose in a heavily sprayed area.

Towards the end of the lecture Mr. Yeoman showed us some of his electronic

equipment for detecting and recording the super-sonic sounds uttered by bats during their search

for insects, the process known as echo-location. He also told us of a new piece of equipment

which has been specially built for him to detect and count the number of individuals using a

particular roost.

He then made an appeal for information about bat colonies, further details of which

you will find elsewhere in these pages. Altogether this was an absorbing and fascinating lecture,

one which deserved a far larger audience than it had.

Finally, the Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club supplied us with a splendid tea in the

Centre Refectory where the exhibits of bats, butterflies and books were on show.

62

NOTES AND RECORDS

NOTES

Further Spread of the Wall Brown Butterfly. Continuing the saga of the spread of this butterfly,

the first example to be seen on Waldridge Fell was a fresh male, very dark in colour, on 11th August, an early date

for Durham, where September seems to be the peak emergence month for the second brood. On 13th two were

seen in Wingate Quarries and on the following day it was abundant all over Thrislington Plantation, where many

other more common species were on the wing. It was first noticed on the river banks at Chester-le-Street on 18th

August and remained common enough there until about the middle of September.

T. C. D.

Bee Orchids. In the July Vasculum (Vo.60, No.2) we reported the disappearance of the Bee Orchid

from Fulwell Quarry. Although some of them were most certainly dug up, subsequent visits by Mr. Lowe

established the fact that many specimens remained and flowered vigorously. We apologise for the mistake. In

addition, a new colony was found near Darlington, consisting of two distinct swarms in the same quarry.

Unfortunately, one of these groups was in imminent danger of extinction due to quarrying activities, at the time of

discovery. The Darlington Field Club, in cooperation with the Conservation Trust moved this group to one of the

Trust reserves. Time will show whether the rescue operation has been a success, for wild orchids are notoriously

difficult plants to transplant. We wish the project every success.

T. C. D.

Bird Notes. Swallows were below normal numbers during the spring, but would seem to have had

a successful breeding season judging by the parties on the telegraph wires in late August and early September.

The swifts appear to have departed early: my last record is 5 at West Gosforth on August 6th.

Two Whooper swans were on Holywell Pond on October 7th whooping continuously as the two

resident mute swans attempted to usher them off, but on November 7th the herd of whoopers had increased to 31.

Other records which may be of interest are:-

Golden-eye — 2 females, Bolam Lake, November 5th

Shoveler — 11 Seaton Burn Lake, July 31st.

Ruff — 6 Ellington, September 21st

Curlew Sandpiper — 1 near St. Mary's Island, September 11th

Buzzard — 1 near Studdon, September 17th

Grey Wagtail — A nest with 4 eggs at Wallington, July 5th

C. J. Gent

Notes from Holy Island I was on holiday on Holy Island from 18th to 25th October this year when

large numbers of birds were passing through or in residence. The more unusual ones were 2 Slavonian Grabes, a

single Scaup, 5 Goosanders, 2 Shelducks, 1 Brent Goose, a single Merlin, 6 Grey Plovers, 6 Greenshanks, a

Hooded Crow, a Black Redstart and a number of Goldcrests. There were also flocks of about 20 Teal, large

numbers of Wigeon, Lapwings, Turnstones, Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Fieldfares, Redwings, Linnets and

Bramblings. Small parties of Eider ducks. Mergansers, Whooper Swans, Ringed Plovers, Sanderlings, Stonechats,

Redstarts, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Bullfinches were moving about on various parts of the island. In addition

there were many more common species that I did not record.

I also came across a plant which is new to my list, viz. Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum L.

L P Hird

63

Butterflies in the area north of Darlington. In spite of the long hot summer, butterfly populations

of most species were sparse. May be the cold June would play havoc with hibernating larvae and the intense heat

of the summer would cause desiccation and a very short life to adult insects.

The Common Blue, Small Copper and the Castle Eden Argus (Aricia artaxerxes silimacis) were in

small numbers or absent except in favoured areas. The Green-Veined White made an early appearance but 2nd

brood insects were much delayed and appeared with the Small White and Large White butterflies in July and

August. The Orange-Tip was in much smaller numbers than last year but the Meadow Brown was everywhere in

its one-time numbers. Once more it could rightly be called "ubiquitous". Similarly the Wall appeared as last year,

and two records are significant. It was seen near Heighington on August 17th and a week later near Newton

Aycliffe. The rapid spread of insects is quite astonishing. In early July I found a flourishing colony of the Large

Skipper near Denton Grange.

The summer brood of the Small Tortoiseshell has been sparse and disappointing in the view of the

large numbers of spring hibernators.The cold lot late June might well account for this.

The Peacock was a very welcome visitor to the buddleias and I counted six during September.

They accompanied the goodly numbers of Red Admirals and one rare visitor on September 1st a Painted Lady.

Apparently this year one or two spring immigrants came well inland to lay their eggs.

T. W. Jefferson.

The Broad-bordered White Underwing in England. This moth was found on Cheviot on 12th

June 1974. Since then we have discovered that Lieut-Col. Logan-Home saw it there in the early 1950's. Further

enquiries indicate that, so far, this is the only known locality south of the Scottish border. In Great Britain Anarta

melanopa Thunb.has always been looked upon as an exclusively Scottish moth.

I. D. and B. Wallace.

A Yellow Wagtail. On 22nd July 1975, while motoring alongside Lampton Park, and approaching

the Castle, we stopped the car to admire a fine patch of well grown meadowsweet The time was about 6 p.m. With

some delight I suddenly noticed, about 30 yards away, a magnificent specimen of Yellow Wagtail. We were able

to watch it intently for some time. In my experience, this beautiful bird has become rather rare in our northern

area. some years since I saw one and I do hope it is on the increase.

R. Pirt.

Wildlife Plurals. In the July issue of the Vasculum the Editor asks for the origins of three nouns of

assembly; a nye or nide of turkeys, a cete of badgers and a fesynes of ferrets.

Nye or nide means 'nest' and is from the Latin nidus through the french nid. Cete also has a Latin

origin and means 'group'. Fesynes does not appear in the Oxford English Dictionary and is, apparently, a misprint

of "besynes" a medieval spelling of "busyness". In the "Boke of St. Albans" (1486) there is the phrase "a besynes

of ferettes", which tallies with the modern expression, a busyness of ferrets.

Many of these nouns of assembly such as a covey of partridges, a bevy of quail and a pride of lions

are still well known but others are rarely heard of now. Some of which seem to have disappeared are a murder of

crows, a kindle of kittens, a raft of coots, a Fall of woodcock, a dopping of shield-ducks and a trip of dotteral.

It is a pity that plants seem to have no such collective names with the possible exception of a bed of

roses. Otherwise we might have had such expressions as a dance of daffodils, a sleep of poppies, a rash of nettles

or an incontinence of dandelions.

R. H. Lowe.

64

RECORDS

INSECTS

LEPIDOPTERA -BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

Plusia gracilis Lempke 66

At light in the garden at Crook

Hadena conspersa Schiff. 66

Also in the garden at Crook, 3.6.75.

F. Stubbs

Inachis io L. Peacock Butterfly 70

Two with other Nymphalids on moor slopes near Garrigill, Alston, 18th August, 1975.

Stilbia anomala Haw. The Anomalous 67

One taken at car headlamps, Dipton, 27th August.

Cryphia perla Schiff. Marbled Beauty 67

Taken abundantly at the Bedlington light-trap this summer within 2 miles of Blyth Power Station.

All specimens were entirely typical there being no trace of melanism.

Gortyna micacea Esp. Rosy Rustic 67

Appearing very early, the first being on the wing by the end of July, Bedlington.

J. Parrack.

Venusia cambrica Curt. Welsh Wave. 67

Rothley, July 21st.

Macrothylacia rubi L. Fox Moth. 68

Larva on Girdle Fell (Redesdale), September 28th.

C. J. Gent.

HYMENOPTERA

Vespula rufa L. Red Wasp 67

A single specimen amongst vulgaris in a 'jam trap' at Gosforth. August 19th 1975.

Vespula sylyestris L. Wood Wasp 67

Several in the 'jam-trap' at Gosforth August 1975.

Bombus lapponicus Fab. 67

A male, Allendale, September 16th 1975.

C. J. Gent.


Polygonum viviparum L. Viviparous Bistort. 70

A few plants near Garrigill, June 1975.

Genista anglica L. Needle Furze. 66

Flowering well on Knitsley Fell, 1975.

A Todd

Erinus alpinus L. Fairy Foxglove 67

On churchyard wall at Wark (North Tyne)

Impdtiens glandulifera Royle. Himalayan Balsam 67

Side of Ouseburn, Low Gosforth.

juniperus communis L. Juniper 67

Large patch in the Cleugh, Allendale.

C. J. Gent.

Cheiranthus cheiri L. Wallflower 66

A large patch in Hawthorn Dene, apparently, by their colour, somewhat hybridised with garden

plants, possibly with the Siberian wallflower.

Smyrnium olusatrum L. Alexanders. 67

Doing well in Hawthorn Dene.

Paris quadrifolia L. Herb Paris 66

Hawthorn Dene

Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich. Bird's-nest Orchid. 66

Hawthorn Dene.

T. C. D.

the vasculum...1 the vasculum april 1975 vol. 60. no. 1. price £2.00 per annum, post free. edited...

Documents