Fungus Foray

Our annual Fungus Foray is on Tuesday 11 November, starting at 10:30.  We're back at Steps Bridge on Dartmoor again this year, with Nigel Pinhorn leading the walk.  This event is open to all, and there are still some places left, so if you’d like to attend please contact Nigel (on 01392 211247 or at devonnaturewalks@btinternet.com) for full details and to book yourself on the walk.

Botany Section Programme for 2014

The Devonshire Association
for the Advancement of Science Literature and the Arts

BOTANY SECTION PROGRAMME 2014

Meetings are from 11.00 a.m. to approximately 4.00 p.m., unless otherwise stated. Bring packed lunch and appropriate footwear. Please contact the leader if you wish to attend.  Also check with the leader if you wish to bring your dog. NON MEMBERS WELCOME.

Saturday 5 April: Arlington Court, near Barnstaple. Joint meeting with the Devon Bryology Group to look at mosses and liverworts. The Arlington Estate is a large one, with a considerable variety of bryophyte habitats (examples include woodland, lake, roadsides, streams and masonry). The site seems surprisingly underworked and the National Trust are keen for us to visit and survey it for them. As usual, stout shoes are recommended as a minimum, with Wellingtons advised if the day or ground are wet. Meet in car park (SS610407). Leader Mark Pool (01803 316154, mark.pool@care4free.net). 

Monday 5 May, 2pm - 4pm: Spring Wildflowers at Mill Bottom DWT Reserve, Lustleigh. (Note later start time.) Come and see Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Primula vulgaris, and Orchis mascula in a beautiful woodland setting. We will walk along a Devon  lane and  footpath to this permit only reserve (permission obtained).   Andy Bakere, Nature Reserves Officer will join us.  Some uneven ground and one steep hill – 2Km. Meet outside the parish church in Lustleigh SX784812.  This is a joint meeting with the Devon Wildlife Trust Bovey Tracey Local Group.  Leader: Frances Billinge (fbillinge@btinternet.com)

Saturday May 17: Scabbacombe Head. A there and back walk to Scabbacombe Sands and south along the coast path to Ivy Cove for Mentha suaveolens, Melittis melissophyllum, Festuca longifolia, Hypochaeris glabra and much more. Meet at the National Trust car park south of Woodhuish Farm, SX911522. Leader: Roger Smith (01626 368577, r.smith192@btinternet.com).

Saturday May 24: Watersmeet and area (SS740477, postcode EX35 6LE for satnav). Because of Car Parking costs, meet at Combe Park, Hillsford Bridge, just off the A39 south of Watersmeet.  The National Trust car park there is free/donation (Watersmeet car park charges are a lot.) This wooded river complex has some easily accessible rock outcrops and tremendous views.  Plants: Alchemilla, Sorbus, Melittis melissophyllum, Euphorbia hyberna, Ulmus, Meconopsis cambrica. Ferns, lichens and mosses. Leader: David Cann (07583 078880, canndavid@hotmail.com).  See David’s Facebook page for pictures of the locality.

Saturday 7 June: Dunscombe Cliff, Lincombe and Weston Mouth.  A tough walk covering chalk cliff, some fen, and shingle shore, in search of Ophioglossum vulgatum, Epipactis palustris, Asplenium marinum (way above the reach of spray), Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum, Silene nutans and Vicia bithynica.  Stout boots and picnic lunch recommended.  Meet on track off minor road to Salcombe Regis @ SY155887, west of Dunscombe Manor Farm.  Leader: David Allen (01404 861394).

Saturday 14 June: Huccaby House.  Visit to some wildflower meadows on private land beside the river Dart. Meet at Dartmeet (SX672732) and then a walk along footpaths for about a mile to the site. It may be possible to arrange for the less mobile to park nearer. Leader Alison Watt (01822 612304, am.watt@btinternet.com).

Monday 16 June: Plymouth’s special plants.  Meet at Western King car park SX463533, and later move to Plymouth Hoe by the Dome. A joint meeting with the Plymouth Branch.  Leader: Bob Hodgson (01822 852826, rhodgson@tinyworld.co.uk).

Sunday 22 June: Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve. A visit to one of Devon Wildlife Trust’s newest reserves. Nearest postcode (for satnav) EX20 3EP, grid ref SS540084.  Leader: Mary Breeds (01271 817349, mary_breeds@hotmail.com).

Sunday 6 July: Gotleigh and Southey Moors SSSI.  Straddling the River Bolham and so also the Devon/Somerset county border in Smeatharpe, we last visited this site in 2000.  The wet heath supports a native population of Erica ciliaris and Genista anglica and hopefully also Dactylorhiza incarnata.  Meet at Smeatharpe Village Hall @ ST200109.  Leader: David Allen (01404 861394).

Sunday 20 July: Holne Moor. A 6-7km walk across open moorland with few paths to see Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum. It will also be possible to see Phegopteris connectilis on a roadside site close by. Meet at Combestone Tor car park SX670717. In the event of bad weather an alternative walk will be considered. Leader: Roger Smith (01626 368577, r.smith192@btinternet.com).

Saturday 26 July: West Prawle Wood. A walk of around two miles though wood, saltmarsh, arable and open grassland. The history of West Prawle Wood was featured in last year’s ‘Transactions’ in an article by John and Margaret Pilkington, who will be joining us on the walk.  Parking will be available near the entrance to the wood, just off the lane from South Pool to East Portlemouth at SX772387.  Leader: Gordon Waterhouse (01548 852570, g.waterhouse41@btinternet.com)

Sunday 10 August: Witheridge Moor.   Meet at Witheridge Moor Cross SS859150 in layby on road to west from Cross Road. Additional parking on verges.  Culm grassland so probably wet. Leader: Bob Hodgson (01822 852826, rhodgson@tinyworld.co.uk)

Tuesday 11 November, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm: Fungi Foray at Steps Bridge. (Note earlier start time).  Meet at Steps Bridge car park (SX802883).  Leader: Nigel Pinhorn (01392 211247, devonnaturewalks@btinternet.com) Numbers limited to 20, bookings made in advance only

Saturday 17 January 2015:  Botany Section AGM  - Newton St Cyres Village Hall (SX879979). Newton St Cyres is on the A377, about half way between Exeter and Crediton. There is a small car park outside the village hall.  (Additional space to park can be found on the lane outside or on side roads in the village). The AGM will be followed by an informal walk to look at lichens and bryophytes in the vicinity and a short slide-show. (Contact Secretary Tim Purches - 01752 795256, tim.purches@gmail.com - for further information.)