April training session

Our first biodiversity training session took place at Baltrasna Bridge. Members of the local biodiversity group were joined by participants from around the county. The focus of the training was aquatic life and canal-bank plants. Ecologist Deborah D'Arcy pointed out that they are three kinds of grassland in the narrow strip between the canal towpath and the water: dry grassland, wet grassland and marsh. She dipped for wildlife using a net and also took samples of aquatic plants using a hook.

Date: 22 April 2017 Time: 10.30-12.30

Attendance: 11

What we observed and talked about —

Aquatic wildlife: Caddisfly larva, Great Pond Snail, Leech, Lesser Water Boatman, Pond Skater, Water Louse

Great Pond Snail

Bees: Bombus lucorum

Birds: Mute Swan (an unusually large group of five)

Butterflies: Orange-tip, Peacock, Speckled Wood

Flowers: Bush Vetch, Colt's-foot, Common Dog-violet, Common Knapweed, Cowslip, Dandelion, False Oxlip, Lady's Smock, Marsh Marigold, Meadowsweet, Primrose, Ribwort Plantain, Starwort, Tutsan, Water Lily, Water Mint, Water Plantain, Weld, Wild Angelica, Wild Strawberry, Winter Green, Yellow Flag

Grasses:  Meadow Foxtail

Trees and shrubs: Alder, Gorse

Other Plants: Cypress-leaved Plait-moss, Elodea canadensis, Evernia prunastri, Glaucous Sedge, Horsetail, Spiked Water-Milfoil

Glaucous Sedge