Our first day will start – and might end! – at Llynclys Common. You know how slow we can be when there is a lot to see and enjoy. Llynclys Common has everything – ancient woods, meadows, scrub, screes, old quarries, sunny glades, a pond and big skies. The extraordinary variety of habitats make it a fantastic place for plants, butterflies, moths and also, of course, for botanists, bryologists and mycologists. Our second day will start at Llanymynech Rocks. Other nature reserves within a mile include Sweeney Fen and Dolgoch Quarry and will be visited as time allows.
The idea is to enjoy all autumn has to offer, flowering plants, fungi or bryophytes. We will have knowledgeable people in all these areas on hand to help
We will be looking at the autumn flora which should include Autumn Lady’s-tresses Spiranthes spiralis, Autumn Gentian Gentianella amarella, Common Calamint Clinopodium ascendens, Blue Fleabane Erigeron acris and the fruits of Herb-Paris Paris quadrifolia and other vegetative ID. Llynclys Common is a fabulous site for grassland fungi, the waxcaps will have your camera buzzing. We should definitely see the Blue Elfcup and a number of rare grassland fungi. The damper cooler conditions of autumn are going to be good for the bryophytes. According to Mark Lawley the VC Recorder for Bryophytes for Shropshire, there should be a good range of the commoner calcicole species for those who are starting to learn about bryophytes, as well as many rarities recorded across the area. There are several records for Bryum canariense and other rare Tortella and Entosthodon spp.
Friday 20th September:- Llynclys Common
Leader: Matt Jones with help from Martin Godfrey and Philippa Thompson and John and Monika Walton
Meet at 10:30 in the parking area down the lane opposite the Lime Kiln pub just off the A495 5km south of Oswestry, SY10 8LX, Grid Ref. SJ272237
Saturday 21st September: Llanymynech Rocks
Leader: Matt Jones with help from Martin Godfrey and Philippa Thompson and John and Monika Walton
Meet at 10:30. There is a small car park located at the end of a narrow lane called Underhill Lane, off the A483 at Pant, SY10 9RB.
To book, contact Janet John wfs.meetings@gmail.com or phone 01753 884490