October had a total of 16 rain-days, being wet and windy early and late in the month, with a dry 10-day period in the middle. Gales in early October blew in masses of sand, deeply burying the rich strandline vegetation at Ainsdale that I highlighted in the September notes. The associated 10m high-tides washed up drifts...
The fungi season has begun in earnest. Forays with North West Fungus Group and Liverpool Botanical Society have been held. Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR produced over sixty specimens, seven not having previously been recorded there by the Group! Stereopsis reidii was also discovered last month in Ainsdale, its only known location in the UK! Check out this article...
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) is a non-native invasive species, causing major issues for native species and even us! Horticulture.co.uk have released an interactive map on it’s website, which show users Japanese Knotweed records in their area, with the aim of improving public awareness and increasing data collection for Fallopia Japonica.
Another month without meaningful rainfall. Nevertheless, fungi have started to show. This month Tony recorded several different species such as, Hypholoma fasciculare (Sulphur Tuft) , Leucopaxillus giganteus (Giant Funnel) , Leucopaxillus giganteus (Giant Funnel) and many more.