Donncha Ó Catháin

Nice afternoon of botanising in Sliabh Aughty, Co. Clare. Highlights - a new site for gametophyte of Killarney fern and 2nd county record for Polystichum x bicknellii (hybrid between P. aculeatum and P. setiferum) Need to confirm ID of latter but it seem to fit the description 🤞

Wood-name townlands of Clonderlaw barony Co. Clare

Trees in the placenames are Oak (Doire/Derry); Alder (Fearnán/Fearnóg) & Holly (Cuileann)

In 1655 there were 1670 acres of wooded lands recorded consisting of

-Timber trees 701 a
-Young Wood 304 a
-Old Wood 361 a
-Shrubs 324 a

There's a definitely a learning curve with sedges (I'm still learning!) but it's rewarding when you start to recognize them in the field!
The BSBI handbook has v. good B&W line drawings that I find very useful. Good luck 🍀

Hi Margaret, I think there are two sedge species in your photos - possibly Carex nigra (only male flower in view showing yellowish anthers) & a species of Eleocharis (E. palustris maybe)

Sedges from a base-rich mire in Co. Clare yesterday. (Carex panicea, C. viridula subsp oedocarpa, C. dioecia & C. diandra) #wildflowerhour

Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) putting on a great display #wildflowerhour

Early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp pulchella) in Co. Clare #wildflowerhour

Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) #wildflowerhour

Some interesting #lichens & #liverworts seen today in old woodland.

Lovely! some filmy-ferns in the last pic too 🍀

The fresh leaves of the Fraochán (bilberry) brighten up the woods on a rainy evening. Co. Clare.

A freshwater macroalga - Delicate Stonewort (Chara virgata) - from a mire habitat. Co. Clare.

Glistening in the evening sun: two mosses, Bryum pseudotriquetrun & Campylium stellatum

Marsh Violet (Viola palustris) #wildflowerhour

Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) #wildflowerhour

Sphagnum in the limelight

Nice to find the scarce Sphagnum teres in the base rich mire in east Co. Clare. It is classified as having 'Near Threatened' status in Ireland

Lakes in Ireland - Mirrors of Change.

Available to download here: oar.marine.ie/handle/10793...

Edited by @cathdalt.bsky.social @ejen.bsky.social and @edeeyto.bsky.social with chapter contributions from 52 authors and sponsorship from state agencies & HEIs

Limited print copies available - DM me

Are you interested in the history, geography, biology and sociology of lakes in Ireland?
Take a look at our new book, with contributions from 52 people working in the area, and edited by @cathdalt.bsky.social and @ejen.bsky.social

#OpenAccess link below ⬇️⬇️⬇️💦🌊🐟🦆🦟🪲

Derrygarve Lake near Connolly, Co. Clare today.

Argyll's atlantic woodlands were bursting with life last week including the wonderfully named:

Hazel Gloves (Hypocreopsis rhododendri)

Frilly-fruited Jelly Lichen (Leptogium burgessii)

Yellow Specklebelly (Pseudocyphellaria citrina)

Deceptive Featherwort (Pseudomarsupidium decipiens)

So sad that Roy Maycock is no longer with us but great that people are celebrating his long & full life, and all his contributions to nature conservation.
BSBI County Recorders eg @sarahlambert7.bsky.social @astridbiddle.bsky.social @donncha-oc.bsky.social & @trisnorton.bsky.social do amazing work!

Hello BlueSkiers! I’ve made a starter back of people working on rewilding and similar things in UK and Ireland. Many more to add but it’s a start.

go.bsky.app/A7v5ZUQ

Nice oak woodland fragment near Ennistimon, Co. Clare.

Chevy Chase Wood, Co. Galway.