Cookstown Wildlife Trust  Ballyronan Marina Thursday 29^th June 7.00pm

23 members met at Ballyronan Marina on a dry calm though cloudy evening. We were led by Jackie Arrell and Ian McNeill.

Interesting botanical specimens were found in the first few yards of our walk along the water’s edge at the slipway and marina. We were shown Red Valerian, Bittersweet, Liverwort, Shepherd’s-purse, Wall Speedwell, Marsh Woundwort, Flowering Rush, Water Mint, Water Forget-me-not, Great Willowherb, Bird’s-foot-trefoil, and Branched Bur-reed. Jackie explained the interesting life cycle of Branched Bur-reed.

Jackie also pointed out lots of white “Red valerian” on the high wall of the slipway.

Then on to the artificial “Wildflower Meadow” where we saw Yarrow, Wild Carrot, Knapweed, Ribwort Plantain, Greater Plantain, Oxeye Daisy, Ground-ivy and Lesser Trefoil. Despite the lateness of the evening and dull conditions a number of Blue-tail Damselflies were out.

This is a relatively new artificial wildflower meadow only sown a couple of years ago. Some of the annuals present last year eg. Cornflower and Poppy were not showing this year. Ian explained that their seed was probably lying dormant. To germinate annuals require the soil to be disturbed regularly.

The two groups then entered the Woodland where Wood Avens, Wild Angelica, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Flag Iris, Hedge Woundwort, Teasel, Marsh Thistle, Red Campion and Common Marsh-bedstraw were seen as well as lots and lots of Himalayan Balsam.

Ian commented that a lot of the wildflower species he had recorded at the water’s edge in the wooded area in previous years have now disappeared probably due to nutrification of the soil from regular flooding by the lough in winter months.

Thanks to Jackie and Ian for leading us on a very interesting evening field trip.