Doncaster Naturalists’ Society Excursion to Shaw Wood – April 25th 2024

Leader : Nora Boyle.
Meet : 10:30 am in the car park at Sandal Park DN2 5DW
Attendees : Twelve members attended.

Report :

Twelve members of Doncaster Naturalists met in the Leger Retail Car Park at 10.30 am on Thursday 25th April.

We started the meeting by walking on to Shaw Lane where the two most interesting occurrences were the corky bark  and mite galls on small leaved elm  saplings, and numerous specimens of Green Alkanet with its deep blue flowers. At the end of the lane we veered right  round the edge of the Industrial Estate  into Hag wood along a short section of path lined with Shining Cranesbill. Almost immediately we were walking along paths surrounded by brilliant views of Bluebells and cameras and phones were raised and time was spent composing the best images in front of us.

Photo1. Caroline Barrass photographing bluebells by Nora Boyle

Photo 2.   DNATS members by Caroline Barrass

We meandered through the wood to the railway crossing over which is a bridge leading to two paths, one path to another  entrance to the wood from Armthorpe and another taking us into the rest of the wood. Nearby was an Information Board erected by Doncaster Council, who purchased the wood in 1985, stating that Shaw Wood is actually made up of 3 separate woodland areas planted at different times. These comprise  Corporation Shaw, Streetthorpe Shaw and Armthorpe Shaw, locally referred to as Shaw Wood or Bluebell Wood. The path we followed round the edge of the wooded area took us through all three where we saw more of the  Ancient Woodland indicators including Greater Stitchwort.

Photo 3- Information board by Nora Boyle 

In some areas bluebells were the dominant plant on the woodland floor with a few pockets here and there of wood anemones. But in others, beneath  the mature Beech trees planted by the council, the woodland flora were sparse and the floor covered in last year’s leaves. Although a variety of trees and shrubs were found the majority of trees appeared to be beech, sycamore and oak. The continuity of the bluebells  was broken up by brambles, nettles and the seedlings of beech and sycamore which were more obvious than in the previous week.   In many areas the bright lime green  of the newly emerging beech leaves on beech saplings contrasted with the deep blue of the masses of bluebells. Many of the beech leaves had opened since the recce I carried out last Thursday.

Photo 4- Beech leaves and Bluebells by Caroline Barrass

When we reached the pond I pointed out that by by skirting the edge of the pond and following the edge of an adjacent field one could reach a nearby copse which is located on the edge of Sainsbury’s supermarket car park. Caroline told us that a few weeks ago the pond was filled with frogs and that she could see the floating plants of Water Soldiers. Some members were starting to feel the cold so we pressed on but on another occasion the pond would definitely be an area to examine further.

As we entered  Armthorpe Shaw we began to discover a greater variety of plants such as Herb Robert,Wild Garlic, Variegated Yellow Archangel, Garlic Mustard and Ground Elder.

Photo 5. Herb Robert by Nora Boyle   

Photo 6- Garlic Mustard by Nora Boyle.

As the path took us  closer to the housing estate we also found some garden escapes such as three cornered leek, variegated red dead nettle, a species of  heuchera, and the strap like leaves of montbretia.

Photo7-Three cornered leek by Nora Boyle

Colin has produced a species list  which will eventually appear on the website.
Ian Farmer concentrated mainly on galls and his report will appear separately.
Nora
 


 

Doncaster Naturalists’ Society Excursion to Thorpe Marsh NR – 21 April 2024 (SE/5803)

Leader : Mick Townsend.
Meet : 10:15 am at the level crossing on Applehurst Lane SK539912.

Report :

Thanks for the warm welcome and enthusiastic help from the splendid Thorpe Marsh volunteers.

Species List :

Thorpe Marsh – 21 April 2024
Taxonomic Name Vernacular Name
VASCULAR PLANTS  
Acer campestre Field Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore
Agrostis capillaris Common Bent-grass
Alliaria petiolate Garlic Mustard
Alnus glutinosa Common Alder
Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley
Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort
Bellis perennis Daisy
Betula pendula Silver Birch
Callitriche palustris Water Starwort
Carex otrubae False Fox Sedge
Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle
Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
Corylus avellana Hazel
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn (in flower)
Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dogtail
Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Grass
Dipsacus fullonum Teasel
Equisetum arvense Common Horstail
Erodium cicutarium Stork’s-bill
Ficaria verna Lesser Celandine
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hempnettle
Geranium molle Dove’s-foot Cranesbill
Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass (in ditch)
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog
Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Creeping Soft-grass
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell
Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush
Juncus conglomeratus Compact Rush
Juncus effusus Soft Rush
Juncus inflexus Hard Rush
Lamium album White Deadnettle
Lamium purpureum Red Deadnettle
Lotus corniculatus Bird’s-foot Trefoil
Luzula campestris Field Woodrush
Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort
Nuphar lutea Yellow Waterlily
Phlium pratense Timothy
Phramites australis Common Reed
Potentilla anserine Silverweed
Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal
Prunus avium Wild Cherry
Quercus robur Common (Pedunculate) Oak
Ranunculus acris Medow Buttercup
Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup
Rosa canina Dog Rose
Rubus frutucosus agg. Bramble
Rumex obtusifolius Broad Dock
Salix cinerea Grey Willow
Sambucus nigra Elder
Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet
Scrophularia auriculata Water Figwort
Scrophularia nodosa Figwort
Sherardia arvensis Field Madder
Silene dioica Red Campion
Silene latifolia White Campion
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
Sorbus aucuparia Rowan
Stellaria holostea Great Stitchwort
Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle
   
BIRDS  
Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler
Anser anser Grey Lag Geese
Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck
Branta canadensis Canada Geese
Buteo buteo Buzzard
Cettia cetti Cetti’s Warbler (singing)
Columba palumbus Wood Pigeon
Erithacus rubecula Robin (Singing)
Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch (Singing)
Fulica atra Coot
Gallinula chloropus Moorhen
Mareca strepera Gadwall
Parus major Great Tit
Philloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff (Singing)
Spatula clypeata Shoveller
Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap
Troglodytes troglodytes Wren
Turdus merula Blackbird
   
MAMMALS  
Capreolus capreolus Roe Deer (slots)
Meles meles Badger (sett)
Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit (warrens, diggings, latrines)
   
INVERTEBRATES  
Adela reaumurella Green Longhorn Moth (mating swarms of 20+ around sun-lit flowering Hawthorn shrubs)
Agalis io Peacock Butterfly
Agelastica alni Alder Beetle on Alnus glutinosa
Andricus foecundatrix Artichoke Gall on Q. robur
Anthrocharis cardamines Orange-tip Butterfly
Diplolepis rosae Robin’s pincussion Gall on Dog Rose
Pieris napi Green-veined White Butterfly
Pieris rapae Small White Butterfly
Propylea quatuordecimpunctatus 14-spot Ladybird
Pyrrhosoma nymphula Red Damselfly
Sialis lutaria Alder Fly

C.A. Howes.


 

Warren Wood –  20th April 2024

Leader :
Meet :

Report :

 

Species List :

Warren Wood 20 April 2024 (SE/620 000)
(Species noted during a brief visit by members of the Doncaster Naturalists Society)
Taxonomic Name Vernacular Name
VASCULAR PLANTS  
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore
Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard
Betula pendula Silver Birch
Buddleja davidii Buddleja
Calluna vulgaris Heather
Carex sylvatica Wood Sedge
Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut
Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley (10m2 ; 7m x 2m; 5m x 3m SE/619002)
Corylus avellana Hazel
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Cystus scoparius Broom
Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Grass
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Erica cinerea Bell Heather
Ficaria verna Lesser Celandine
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Galium aparine Cleavers
Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw
Geranium molle Dove’s-foot Cranesbill
Geranium robertianum Herb Robert
Geum urbanum Wood Avens
Hedera helix Ivy
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog
Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell
Ilex aquifolium Holly
Jacobaea vulgaris Common Ragwort
Juncus effusus Soft Rush
Lamium album White Deadnettle
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Luzula campestris Field Wood-rush (Good Friday Grass)
Moeringia trinervia Three-nerved Sandwort
Ornithopus perpusillus Bird’s-foot
Pilosella officinarum Mouse-eared Hawkweed
Quercus robur Common (Pedunculate) Oak
Ranunculus repens Buttercup (Creeping)
Rubus frutucosus agg. Bramble
Rumex acetosella Sheep’s Sorrel
Rumex obtusifolius Broad Dock
Silene dioica Red Campion
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Spartium junceum Spanish Broom
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort
Stellaria holostea Great Stitchwort
Taraxacum obtusifolius Dandelion
Taxus baccata Yew
Teucreum scorodonia Wood Sage
Ulex europaeus Gorse
Urtica dioica Stinging nettle
Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell
Viola riviniana Dog Violet
   
INVERTEBRATES  
Bombus lapidarius Red-tailed Bumblebee
Coccinella septempunctata Seven-spot Ladybird
   
BIRDS  
Columba palumbus Wood Pigeon
Erithacus rubecula Robin
Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch (singing)
Parus major Great Tit (calling)
Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff (singing)
Sitta europaea Nuthatch
Troglodytes troglodytes Wren (singing)
Turdus merula Blackbird (singing)
Turdus philomelos Song Thrush
   
MAMMALS  
Oryctolagus cunicula Rabbit
Sciurus carolinensis Grey Squirrel
   

 

Hatchell Wood [North] (Bluebell Wood) – 20th April 2024

Leader :
Meet :

Report :

 

Species List :

Hatchell Wood [North] (Bluebell Wood)
(Species noted during a brief visit by members of the Doncaster Naturalists Society)
Taxonomic Name Vernacular Name
VASCULAR PLANTS  
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore
Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley
Betula pendula Silver Birch
Ceratocapnos claviculata Climbing corydalis
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay
Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley
Corylus avellana Hazel
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Cystus scoparius Broom
Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Grass
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Ficaria verna Lesser Celandine
Galium aparine Cleavers
Geum urbanum Wood Avens
Hedera helix Ivy
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell
Ilex aquifolium Holly
Lamium album White Deadnettle
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Pentaglottis sempervirons Green Alkanet
Plantago lanceolata Lanceolate Plantain
Plantago major Rat-tail Plantain
Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken
Quercus robur Common (Pedunculate) Oak
Ranunculus repens Buttercup (Creeping)
Rosa canina Dog Rose
Rubus frutucosus agg. Bramble
Rumex obtusifolius Broad Dock
Sambucus nigra Elder
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Sorbus aucuparia Rowan
Stellaria holostea Great Stitchwort
Taraxacum agg. Dandelion
Urtica dioica Stinging nettle
Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell
Viola riviniana Dog Violet
   
BIRDS  
Columba palumbus Wood Pigeon
Cyanistes caeruleus Bluetit
Erithacus rubecula Robin
Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch
Parus major Great Tit
Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff
Troglodytes troglodytes Wren
Turdus merula Blackbird
   
MAMMALS  
Talpa europaea Mole (hills)

C.A. Howes

Embankments either side of M18 Footbridge between Hatchell Wood [North] & Hatchell Wood [South] 20 April 2024 (SE/626006)(Species noted during a brief visit by members of the Doncaster Naturalists Society)
Taxonomic Name Vernacular Name
VASCULAR PLANTS  
Cyclamen hederifolium Cyclamen (Well established colony on north side)
Ulex europaeus Gorse
Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore
Geranium lucidum Shining Cranesbill
Lamium album White Deadnettle
Myosotis sylvatica Garden Forget-me-not
Oxalis latifolia Garden Pink Sorrel

C.A.Howes.

 

Hatchell Wood [South] 20 April 2024 (SE/624003)
(Species noted during a brief visit by members of the Doncaster Naturalists Society)
Taxonomic Name Vernacular Name
VASCULAR PLANTS  
Acer campstre Field Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore
Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard
Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley
Carex sylvatica Wood Sedge
Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut
Ceratocapnos claviculata Climbing corydalis
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay
Circaea lutetiana Enchanter’s Nightshade
Conopodium majus Pignut
Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley
Corylus avellana Hazel
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Cystus scoparius Broom
Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Grass
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Ficaria verna Lesser Celandine
Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry
Fragaria x annanassa Garden Strawberry
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Galium aparine Cleavers
Geranium robertianum Herb Robert
Geum urbanum Wood Avens
Hedera helix Ivy
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell
Ilex aquifolium Holly
Lamium album White Deadnettle
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Moeringia trinervia Three-nerved Sandwort
Oxalis acetocella Wood Sorrel
Phragmites communis Common Reed
Plantago lanceolata Lanceolate Plantain
Plantago major Rat-tail Plantain
Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken
Quercus robur Common (Pedunculate) Oak
Ranunculus repens Buttercup (Creeping)
Rosa canina Dog Rose
Rubus frutucosus agg. Bramble
Rumex obtusifolius Broad Dock
Sambucus nigra Elder
Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort
Silene dioica Red Campion
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Sorbus aucuparia Rowan
Stellaria holostea Great Stitchwort
Taraxacum agg. Dandelion
Taxus baccata Yew
Urtica dioica Stinging nettle
Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell
Viola riviniana Dog Violet
   
BIRDS  
Columba palumbus Wood Pigeon
Corvus monedula Jackdaw
Cyanistes caeruleus Bluetit
Erithacus rubecula Robin
Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch (singing)
Parus major Great Tit (calling)
Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff (singing)
Troglodytes troglodytes Wren (singing)
Turdus merula Blackbird (singing)
   
MAMMALS  
Sciurus carolinensis Grey Squirrel
Talpa europaea Mole (hills)

C.A. Howes.
 


 

Doncaster Naturalists’ Society Three Pits Walk – Number 1 Brodsworth – Wednesday April 10th 2024

Leader : Hilary Hilton
Meet : 1.30 pm at SE569074 (DN6 7FF)

Report : Three Pits Walk – Number 1 Brodsworth

Due to the poor weather forecast only 3 Doncaster Nats members attended.

The weather was cold and very wet with heavy downpours throughout the duration of the walk.

The bottom path was flooded , and we had to back track to continue our circular route of the site as we could not cross the stream by the bridge.

It was still early in the season that there was not much of note in flower flight or visible. The weather was so bad that it was decided to enjoy the” Walk “ at a faster pace than would be needed to record .

After the walk a visit to the nearby Markham Main was made to warm up and dry out
 


 

Indoor Meeting – 4th April 2024

Title : Aerial Photography by Tim Prosser.
Meet : 7 pm at Parklands Club, Doncaster

Report