.

.

Sunday 28 June 2009

A Glimpse of the Mersey Valley 50 Years Ago - Hilda Broady's Journal

28th June, 1959

As there had been quite a large amount of rain during the last few days I thought it would be a good idea to visit the plot, in the hope that there might be some water in the stream. However, although the ground and the grass was very wet, the stream was still quite dry. The lower vegetation appeared brown and dead, but the long grass looked very fresh and green.

New leaves are still appearing on the Sycamores, and many of them are eaten away. The stems of the new leaves are a deep red. Undersides of the leaves were covered in greenfly.

Searching among the tall grass I found an oak tree growing, the lower leaves being green, and the newer ones green and brown.

The Sorrel is now seeding. The Willow Herb is flowering half way up the stem. Also hidden in the grass I found Long-Rooted Cat's-Ear [Common Cat's-ear = Hypochaeris radicata - a yellow flowered, Dandelion-like composite, still very common in this area, Ed.], of which a specimen was taken.

The Pleurococcus [i.e. green algae, Ed.] on the tree trunks was very bright green.

A number of insects were collected.

Specimen also taken of Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium).

Posted by Dave Bishop, 28th June, 2009.

No comments: