Sefton Coast

Mar

01

2017

Dr Phil Smith: Wildlife Notes February 2017

By BDeed

The driest autumn and winter in living memory continued for the first part of the month with measurable rainfall on only three days up to the 17^th. Finally, more normal Atlantic conditions reasserted themselves, with high winds of storm “Doris” rattling in on 23^rd. At last, some proper rain fell on each day from 21^st to 28^th. Nevertheless, this had minimal impact on the depleted water-table. At the Devil’s Hole, I found the level had risen by only 4cm by the end of the month, being still 12cm below the ground surface. A Common Frog was hiding in my measuring hole!

Feb

08

2017

April Big Beach Clean

By BDeed

There will be a Big Beach Clean event on Monday 3rd of April 2017 from 10.30 am. It will be at Freshfield beach again (on the National Trust property).

The previous event in January 2017, 126 kg of waste was collected by 8 volunteers in 90 minutes. This total included 461 separate items of plastic.

Feb

06

2017

Dr Phil Smith: Wildlife Notes January 2017

By BDeed

The driest autumn and winter in living memory continued throughout January with only six rain-days. Total precipitation for the Northwest was said to be 50% of normal but I suspect it was much less than that here. At the end of the month, the Devil’s Hole water-table was 16cm (6 inches) below the ground surface, a full 54cm (21 inches) lower than last year. Of course, this has major implications for our wildlife, especially the Natterjack Toad which will have very few places to breed unless there is a deluge in February and March.

Jan

04

2017

Dr Phil Smith: Wildlife Notes December 2016

By BDeed

In complete contrast to last year, this desperately dry autumn and winter continued throughout December, with only nine days producing measurable rainfall. Much heralded in the media, two named storms were little more than damp squibs, producing an hour or two of light rain and a fresh breeze.

Dec

09

2016

Freshfield Beachwatch

By BDeed

Join Beachwatch - the UK's biggest beach clean and litter survey - and show our coastline some love! Voluteers needed!

Friday, 20 January 2017 between 10:30 and 12:00.

Contact greatbritishbeachcleanformby@yahoo.com for further detail.

Dec

07

2016

Dr Phil Smith: Wildlife Notes November 2016

By BDeed

After an exceptionally dry early autumn, it was expected, even hoped, that the heavens would open during November. In the event, there was significant rainfall on 12 days during the first three weeks, though in no great quantity, high pressure then returning, with dry conditions and frosty mornings.

Nov

03

2016

Dr Phil Smith: Wildlife Notes October 2016

By BDeed

October is traditionally the wettest month of the year but this one was the driest in living memory with measurable rainfall on only three days. It was also milder than usual with no frost. This was caused by persistent high pressure over Scandinavia, a pattern that in the recent past has often switched in winter to low pressure with westerly winds and high rainfall, as in 2015/16. We shall see.

Nov

02

2016

The re-discovery of Thanasimus formicarius at National Trust, Formby.

By BDeed

Thanasimus formicarius, also known as the ‘Ant Beetle’ or ‘European red-bellied clerid’ (fancy!), is a small but striking species of Beetle native to the UK. It is not un-common but being small and selective in its choice of habitat it is rarely seen in even more rarely reported!

The Beetle is typically found in coniferous woodland where it is a predator of Bark Beetles and is considered to be a natural control against infestation and damage caused by those species.

Oct

03

2016

Dr Phil Smith: Wildlife Notes September 2016

By BDeed

Oct

03

2016

New taxon for Crosby Coastal Park

By BDeed

A small-flowered Evenint-primrose from a population found at Crosby Coastal Park was collected and sent to Rosemary Murphy, the national referee for Oenothera, earlier this year. Rosemary has now carried out a detailed examination of the plant material and has concluded that it is most likely the 'triple hybrid' Oenothera glazioviana x O. biennis x O.cambrica an identification which had previously been suspected.