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Andrew Chadwick
36 Ella Street
Hull
HU5 3AY

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Extracts from the archives of
The Hull Natural History Society

This page contains a series of extracts from the second series of the Society's Bulletin, ten issues of which were published between 1961 and 1965. They were all edited by Frank de Boer, assisted latterly by his wife Gwyneth (nee Sainforth). The volumes contain a wealth of local information contributed by many different members and it is hoped that at some stage they may be digitised and indexed in their entirety. In the mean time I have collected articles on two topics which are still relevant today.

The Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

The Collared Dove, a near relation of the Turtle Dove (S. turtar) has now reached the North of England, in the extraordinary N.W. expansion of its breeding range.

On July 8th Mr Alfred Rider rang me to say that a Pigeon which he believed to be a Collared Dove, was frequenting the gardens of the houses at certain places at the East end of Marlborough Avenue. Mr Rider based his belief on the fact that the bird sang exactly like one he had recently had pointed out to him singing on Fair Isle. July 10th was the first date on which I saw it, though only briefly, so I roused myself and went bird watching in the Avenue district at 6.0 a.m. on the mornings of July 12th and July 14th.

Good views of the singing male were obtained, and also the peculiar flight call ... "Neeaay" was heard, repeated three times rather like a sweet toned Black Headed Gull's call. A telegraph pole in Westbourne Avenue was the favourite singing post, A television aerial in Marlborough Avenue being another post. On July 28th, Mr J. Wood and I, with the kind help and permission of Mrs Pogson of 68, Westbourne avenue, obtained a tape recording of the bird.

Other Club members had seen and heard the bird by this time and after receiving reports that the bird or birds were still there during late Autumn, the question of late breeding was almost answered.

The habits of the species in extending its range were as follows. A Spring and Summer would be spent in the new area then the birds would depart for the Winter. The following year they would return, breed, and then remain for the Winter. Mr Rider was confident that these birds had been there the previous Autumn. This then looked like a second winter; and the outstanding memory? The sight on Christmas morning of an obvious family party in the rear of Westbourne Avenue, two youngsters still being shepherded by adults. The Collared Dove had reached Hull!

The Collared Dove

The Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto, belongs to the same group of birds as the half-collared doves of Africa, which are important taxonomically, and which contains the Barbary Dove, Streptopelia resoria, another bird which [can] occasionally be found.

The first details of the Collared Doves' spread occur between the 17th and 18th centuries, when it reached Constantinople (Istanbul). In 1912 it reached Belgrade, and remained staitionary for 20 years, consolidating its position. Then, between 1932 and 1952, itspread to 14 new countries, and bred in 11 of them, including Sweden, which meant that he species had extended its breeding range 1200 miles northwards in 20 years. This terrific spread across Europe seems to be too powerful to be attributed to the ameliorating climate which we know is affecting the breeding range of many other birds.

In 1952 a solitary male had a territory in Lincolnshire, and the same bird probably re-occupied the area the following year. On a recent visit to Fair Isle I saw one of these doves resting on a field. The day after returning to Hull I identified Collared Doves in Marlborough Avenue, half collar, vinous brown unspotted back, white under-tail, and dark primaries (the Barbary Dove has pale primaries). The flight call "Hroo" and the song, "Coo-coooo-coo" can be heard from my bedroom window in the Avenue any morning.

The Avenue birds bred successfully in 1960, (see Bulletin, vol 2, no 1 page 3). At least three males were singing within earshot of 23 Marlborough Avenue in 1961, and one of these had a nest on the truncated end of a vertical branch of a tree outside No. 26. Two broods, each of two, were successfuly raised to the flying stage from this nest, the first to be located in Hull. Young birds were also recovered from Newland Park. Reports indicate that the birds were established in the Avenue District, Newland Park, and one was seen in January, 1962 in Spring Bank West. There may well be birds in other areas too.

In display the male has the switchback flight used by the Woodpigeons, but there is no greatly pronounced stall. The bird flies from its elevated perch climbing shallowly, generally between 10 and 20 degrees from the horizontal, with 'power turned on' and tail spread, for 3-7 seconds, gaining sufficient momentum to continue climbing for two or three seconds befone nosing into a shallow glide long before stalling speed as in the case of the Woodpigeon is reached. The display lasts on average 20 seconds before the bird returns to its mate. Apart from late autumn and early winter, this display occurs frequently in all months, and is more refined and less axaggerated than the Woodpigeon.

Amongst the trees the birds can manoeuvre like helicopters from one perch to another directly above. They are very light, not clumsy like their heavier relatives, and have no difficulty in hovering between branches, and in turning round through 180°.

It will be interesting to see if its rapid increase is slowed down by predators. Certainly, it is now firmly entrenched here, and I know that the City is all the brighter for it.

Allerthorpe Common - an introduction

Allerthorpe Common has always been a popular venue for the Society's field excursions. As one of the few heathy areas that can be easily accessed from the City of Hull it always provides a welcome change for local naturalists and, despite the ravages of commercial forestry, still has a certain air of "wilderness". The value of lowland heath habitats is now recognised and efforts are being made to remove the alien conifers from large areas of the site and to re-create the heather dominated plant communities that were destroyed over 40 years ago. The sentiments expressed in the articles are still sound and there is a definite sense of "we told you, but you didn't listen ..."

Some of the plants mentioned in the following articles have managed to survive and may eventually flourish again in the re-created heath; others, such as the Marsh Gentian and Petty Whin have been lost for good. One or two like the Wintergreen and Sundew may still be hanging on and surprise us on some future field trip.

Right: Marsh Gentian photographed in Lincolnshire, 2004. Once present on Allerthorpe Common.

Allerthorpe Common

This is an area of great interest to the naturalist, and over the years frequent Field meetings of the Club have been held there. The YNU has also visited the area from time to time. It was with some dismay that we learned that the Forestry Comission has acquired the Common. In November last, Professor Robertson, Dr. Boatman and I were invited to meet a Nature Conservancy Officer and a representative of the Comission, to try and arrange for some parts to be left unplanted. It is understood that operations will not begin on the main part of the Common until 1963. In the meantime we are requested by the Nature Conservancy to make a thorough examination of the area. The botanical section of the Club is making plans to examine the vegetation in detail, and will welcome help from any botanist. Four visits to the Common have been included in the Summer Syllabus of the Club.

Progress Report on Allerthorpe Common

The Botanical Section has concentrated its efforts this year on a study of the distribution of vegetation at Allerthorpe Common. There have been five Club expeditions to the area, as well as other visits by individual members. The information colected will be presented by Miss Crackles to a representative of the Nature Conservancy, and it is hoped that part of the Common will be left in its natural state by the Forestry Comission to whom it now belongs.

At the Section meeting held before work in the field began, some ideas on tackling the problems imposed by the size of the area and the difficulties of mapping it were discussed. Our original intention was to make a detailed study of the frequency of species in each distinct community, but this has not proved possible in the time at our disposal. We have succeeded, however, im mapping the positions of the most interesting plant communities.

The method of mapping has been slow and laborious. Compass bearings have been taken at various points identifiable on the 6-inch Ordnance Survey, usualyy starting from the S.E. boundary ride, and distances have been estimated by pacing. Anyone who knows the Common will agreee that it is very difficult to pin-point localities on the map, as there are no distinctive landmarks, and also some of the boundaries and drainage cuttings marken on the Ordnance Survey have been altered or no longer exist.

The information collected during the summer was put together at the Section meeting held on 19th September. Some of us had become discouraged by the slow progress made, but when all the areas that had been studied were plotted on the map, it was evident that much valuable work had been done.

The part of the Common we should like to see undisturbed is bounded on the S.E. by the ride which lies just within the boundary of the Common. It is hoped that the whole of this ride can be retained in its present state. Plants growing in the wetter parts of the ride include Glyceria declinata (one of the Flote grasses), which is not known anywhere else in the E Riding and was only found here last year, Radiola linoides (All-seed), with only one post 1930 record for this vice-county, and with a local and sparse distribution over the rest of the country, Hydrocotyle vulgaris (Marsh pennywort), Peplis portula (Water Purslane), Polygonum hydropper (Water Pepper), Gnaphalium uliginosum (Marsh Cudweed), Pedicularis sylvaticum (Lousewort), and in the drier parts Cerastium semidecandrum (Little Mouse-ear Chickweed), Myosotis discolor (Yellow and Blue Forget-me-not), Aphanes arvensis (Parsley Piert), Aira praecox (Early Hair-grass), Odontites verna (Red Bartsia), Ornothopus perpusillus (Birds-foot), Rumex tenuifolius (Sheep's Sorrel) and Carex ovalis (Oval Sedge).

In a clearing in Peg Wood bordering this ride, two small plants of Gnaphalium sylvaticum (Wood Cudweed) were found.

A section of the Common about 800 metres wide, from this ride to the N, boundary includes a stretch of typical heath. Parts are dominated by Calluna vulgaris (Ling), while here and there Erica tetralix (Cross-leaved heath) is the dominant plant. Occasional patches of Erica cinerea (Bell Heather) are in a flourishing condition on the banks of one or two drainage cuttings, and this plant has only two records in the E. Riding. Genista anglica (Petty Whin) has a scattered distribution over parts of this area and this is an infrequent plant over most of the British Isles. There are considerable areas of heath which are being colonised by Betula pendula (Silver Birch) and, less frequently, Betula pubescens, the natural pioneers in the succession of heath to forest climax. A group of Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine) is adding its seedlings to those of the birches as a threat to the survival of the heath communities. A certain minimum intensity of grazing by rodents is necessary to maintain the heath and prevent its colonisation by trees which can tolerate the acid, sandy soil. Heavy, continuous grazing, on the other hand, will quickly convert heath to grassland. Another factor for preserving heath is fire, and the Birch and Pine seedlings of some parts of the area are of recent growth, possibly since the fires of the dry summer of 1959. Fire reduces the variety of species, however, and encourages the spread of CAlluna vulgaris at the expense of less hardy plants. Other plants noted here include Deschampsia flexuosa (Wavy Hair-grass), not common in E. England, Sarothamnus scoparius (Broom), Ulex europaeus (Gorse), Salix atrocinerea (Common Sallow), Potentilla erecta (Tormentil), Centaurium erythraea (Common centaury), Hypechoeris radicata (Cat's Ear), Luzula multiflora (Many-headed Woodrush), Juncus squarrosus (Heath Rush), carex binervis (Ribbed Sedge), C. nigra (Common Sedge), and C. pilulifera (Pill-headed Sedge).

This part of the Common includes several widely scattered damp patches, each supporting one, or at the most, two of the following rare plants: gentiana pneumonanthe (Marsh gentian) with only three stations in the E. Riding, and only recorded since 1930 for 13 other vice-counties; Cirsium dissectum (Meadow Thistle), local in Englan and Wales northwards to orkshire; Pyrola minor (Common Wintergreen), another generally local plant; Dactylorchis maculata ssp. ericetorum (Moorland Spotted Orchid). Hybrids noted this year are D. maculata x D. incarnata and D. incarnata x D. fuchsii. Other specimens noted in these damp places include D. fuchsii (Common Spotted Orchid), Salix repens (Creeping Willow), Potentilla palustris (Marsh cinquefoil), Valeriana dioica (Marsh Valerian), Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor-grass), Calamagrostis epigejos (Bushgrass), a very characteristic plant, one stand only of C. canescens (Purple Small-reed), Juncus bulbosus (Bulbous Rush), J. effusus (Soft Rush), J. inflexus (Hard Rush), and Trichophorum cespitosum (Deer-grass) which is rare in E. England generally.

There are also some true bog areas here, containing Eriophorum angustifolium (Common Cotton-grass) and Juncus conglomeratus (Common Rush).

In the drainage cuttings at the west side of this section there are some interesting and uncommon species, including one colony only of Hypericum elodes (Marsh St John's Wort) which is becoming increasingly rare in E. England through drainage, Drosera rotundifolia (Round-leaved Sundew), an insectiverous plant, Anagallis tenella (Bog Pimpernel), Potamogeton polygonifolius (Bog Pondweed), Ranunculus flammula (Lesser Spearwort) and Carex demissa.

To the east of the Thonton road, soon after the junction with the Sutton road, the following plants have been noted: Serratula tinctoria (Saw-wort), local throughout England and Wales, Listera ovata (Twayblade), Salix atrocinerea, Cirsium dissectum, Hydrocotyl vulgaris, Pyrola minor, centaurium erythraea, Dactylorchis fuchsii, deschampsia cespitosa and Carex binevis.

The species most worthy of preservation are scattered widely over the area. However it would seem essential that a reasonably large area should be left untouched, rather than small, isolated pieces, since their present plant populations could not continue to survive in the changed conditions imposed by further drainage lowering the water table and the shade cast by the planted conifers.

Many of the plants growing on the Common are calcifuges, i.e. plants which are intolerant of alkalinity. Soil tests taken at random show a pH range of 4.5 - 5.5, the higher value from the part that was cultivated and is now reverting back, indicating that some lime was added. There is a case for retaining this transitional area if possible for succession studies.

It is obvious that Allerthorpe Common is an area of great botanical interest, and one of the few places which still supports a natural vegetation in the E. Riding. It is to be hoped that the Nature Conservancy will be successful in preserving some of it in its present state.

Allerthorpe Common

Since my last report in the Bulletin of October, 1962, great changes, involving the cutting of new, wide drainage channels, and extensive clearing, ploughing and planting, have been brought about by the Forestry Commision at Allerthorpe Common. In spite of our insistance that to be of any scientific value a considerable proportion of the Common should be left in its entirety, only twelve ares, from the bomb crater to the swamp in the south-east, atre to be left undisturbed, in the hope that their interesting species will survive, presumably the south-east ride will be left too.

The Club were asked to provide one representative on the Allerthorpe Common Nature reserve Management Committee, which has held one meeting, in November, 1964. In view of the limited information available at that time, it was decided not to make a management policy until the spring. The next meeting is to be on the 12th May, 1965.

The final draft of the Agreement for the lease has now been approved by the Trust and the Northern Division of the Forestry Commision, and the document is now in the hands of the Commision's solicitors and officers for final approval.