On a very overcast evening 14 members met at the main car park in Forge Valley and walked North along the board walk and riverside.
The Botanists were successful finding the following.: Herb paris (paris quadrifolia); Great Horsetail (Equisetum telmataea ); Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium alternifolium); Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage (c.oppositifolium); Large Bittercress ( Cardanune amara) and Early Purple Orchid (Orchis nuascula).
Fungi found was Microbotyrum violaceum (A Rust) and Polyporus squamosus (Dryad’s saddle).
The Birders struggled in the deteriorating light but 3 separate Tawny Owls were heard and a Curlew flew over. Other birds seen; 2 Song Thrushes; Blackcap; Wren; Goldcrest; Pheasant; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Marsh tit; Robin; Chaffinch and 3 Mallard.
Returning south we walked to a viewing area where Brian Walker and Brian Cockerill used the Bat detector to tape some Pipistrelle bats flying along the river.
After an enjoyable evening the meeting closed at 21-15 hrs