‘Every kid has a bug period … I never grew out of mine’ E.O. Wilson zoologist

SPEKE-GARSTON COASTAL RESERVE, 13-14 May 2016. SJ450820 to SJ403832

The saltmarshes, sand and mud-flats along the northern fringes of the Mersey estuary form a Local Wildlife Site of 1727 hectares and possess a strange beauty all of its own in the midst of the housing, business parks and airports of  Speke-Garston. The Coastal Reserve is predominantly grassland comprising of a mix of sward density and height and a mix of neutral semi-improved grassland patches of acid grassland, recently cultivated wildflower meadows and marshy grassland, together with a number of damp scrapes, occasional scrub and a line of hedgerow.

Different plant species dominate in different zones and sections of the reserve but the saltmarsh as a whole supports a full range of species typical of the region. The eroding boulder clay and pebble cliffs alongside the Mersey Way support interesting vegetation, particularly at their base above the splash zone, as does the small shingle beach of water-worn pebbles and bricks below Liverpool Sailing Club, which served as basecamp for the two days of the Bioblitz.

·         Botanical walks

The Foreshore Walk on the Friday afternoon led by Peter Gateley focused on the strandline communities of plants to the north of the sailing club whereas the Plant Walk on the Saturday morning led by Dave Earl – both of Liverpool Botanical Society – focused on the maritime cliffs and slopes of the Mersey Way to the south of the sailing club.  

·         Butterfly Walks at Mersey Estuary Coastal Reserve Bioblitz

Along with all the rare flora & the internationally important area for wintering ducks & waders, Mersey Estuary Costal Reserve is cited as a Local Wildlife Site for supporting a breeding assemblage of 11 species of butterflies.  As part of the Bioblitz, Biodiverse Society Project Officer Julia Simons, along with Tony Parker of Liverpool World Museum & TCV’s Lorna Blackmore, led butterfly walks across the reserve.  Whilst the weather was breezy, the temperature was good throughout the weekend and a total of 9 species of butterfly were recorded. 

Our search for butterflies focused on sheltered areas; a sunny path leading from the Sailing club towards Speke Hall proved most profitable.  The tall hedgerows lining the path provided just enough shelter & sunshine.  Pieris brassicae Large White, Pieris rapae Small White, Pieris napi Green Veined White and both male and female Anthocharis cardamines Orange Tip were found in abundance.  Aglais urticae Small Tortoiseshell and Aglais io Peacock were seen basking on the bare ground on the path ahead of us.  As the hedgerow became more enclosed and sunlight became dappled, several Pararge aegeria Speckled Wood were observed. 

A highlight for many of the attendees on the Walks were both the male and female Gonepteryx rhamni Brimstone, with their distinctive leaf shaped wings & lemon yellow colouring.  Finally at the end of Friday, Julia relocated to the Western end of the reserve towards Garston. Whilst surveying the habitats with trainee officers Rachael & Catrin, the ninth butterfly species of the Bioblitz was recorded, a Celastrina argiolus Holly Blue beyond a line of trees which separate the reserve from allotments.  It had its diagnostic characteristics of light silvery blue underside with black spots and was flying up and down the height of the trees.

Although the local coastal landscape appears featureless,  a combination of features of conservation importance; 6 BAP habitats, 4 regionally important habitats, 7 regionally important species of plants, 45 locally rare species and an internationally important SPA and Ramsar for birds and a nationally important SSSI  for the Curlew give Liverpool’s only SSSI a high conservation value.

Hugh Harris and Julia Simons, Biodiverse Society