MACKAYS HORSETAIL (EQUISETUM TRACHYODON)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

To maintain and increase the population.

LOCAL TARGETS

1. Maintain existing populations.
2. Encourage good management of habitats in which it grows.

CURRENT STATUS

This species, a sterile hybrid of rough horsetail and variegated horsetail, occurs in three sites in the Cheshire region, Red Rocks Marsh Nature Reserve and Royal Liverpool Golf Course at Hoylake, and Wallasey Golf Course, all on the Wirral peninsula. The species has been lost from a site in Meols but a substantial population was found a couple of years ago along a footpath south of Hoylake station. Nationally, the species occurs locally in two dozen locations in Ireland and five in Scotland but no other sites in England.

It thrives particularly in sites where competition from other species is low and especially where this state is maintained by surface erosion or continual addition of wind blown sand.

THREATS

Habitat loss to coastal accretion – it is not clear whether this natural change will provide new good habitat or not.
Habitat loss to cycleway
Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Course, 2006.

CURRENT ACTION

None

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

Continue working with Borough Engineers to protect Hoylake population from damage during construction of a cycle route
Continue working with Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Royal Liverpool Golf Club to protect all populations during the Open Championship 2006

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

Cheshire Wildlife Trust have carried out a detailed survey of the location and density of the population of this species at their Red Rocks Marsh Nature Reserve.
Initially four designated locations were planted with stem fragments. In autumn 1999 a further location was planted with stem fragments.
Chester Zoo successfully established plants in cultivation in 2004 for planting in their Sand Lizard exhibit, with appropriate interpretation.