Just back from the @bbsbryology.bsky.social meeting in Co. Waterford. Great fun and some fabulous species seen including a new moss for Ireland (the rare Dialytrichia saxicola) and new sites for Sphagnum skyense. Thank you @joannedenyer.bsky.social and Rory Hodd for organising a brilliant week!
Lovely to be back in Ireland this time in Co Waterford for another brilliant @bbsbryology.bsky.social meeting. Thanks so much to @joannedenyer.bsky.social and Rory Hodd.
Largely disappointing results to MV trap so far this year eg only 36 of 17 spp on 8.5.26 (close to being outnumbered by Maybugs). Good to see first hawk moths and my favourite twig moth 😊
And now for some quality pics courtesy of Neil Bell from Stob a’Choin; Bartramia halleriana, Plagiopus oederianus, Herbertus hutchinsiae & Racomitrium ellipticum
Mustn’t leave my TG6 at home next time. Flora’s Daltonia possibly the find of the week and a new VC record. Cynodontium jenneri was a nice find on Ben Ledi, Aneura mirabilis more exciting than it looks and I’ve never seen so much Blindia acuta. @bbsbryology.bsky.social
Just back from Trossachs bryology meeting. From Flanders Moss to the heights of Ben Lomond there was something for everyone. An historic meeting too; we transferred from British Bryological Society (BBS) to the British and Irish Bryological Society (BIBS) on the 21st April. @bbsbryology.bsky.social
Yes - like when local MP had a meeting to talk about improving flood defences when attending this national emergency briefing should have the priority for that day - it’s all here, eloquently communicated by experts, no agenda except desire for a healthy planet www.nebriefing.org
National Emergency Briefing on climate & nature
National Emergency Briefing | The UK’s leading climate and nature experts brief MP's on the risks, impacts and solutions to the climate emergency
nebriefing.org
Prof Bill McGuire@profbillmcguire.bsky.social · 7mo agoJust mind-boggling that climate breakdown isn't even mentioned in this piece Despite the fact that it is driving more powerful storms, higher sea level, bigger waves and more intense rainfall People - apparently even the reporting journalist - still don't get it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Great Glos bryology group meeting last Sunday at the Hudnalls NR on challenging slippery slopes above the Wye. Over 100spp - thanks to Sharon for the report www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/event/glouce... and an awful lot of the ids! @pilkyplant.bsky.social @bbsbryology.bsky.social
#RecordOfTheWeek today is the Springtail Pogonognathellus longicornis, seen in Abernant by Mark Evans. This is the largest Springtail species in the UK, reaching a massive 6mm 😁 Many thanks to Mark for the record and great photo, submitted via www.sewbrecord.org.uk
Journeying home from a fantastic @bbsbryology.bsky.social meeting this weekend - interesting to visit Thorne Moors, an area ravaged by industrial peat extraction which ceased in early 2000s. Conservation management in the region now focused on rewilding and restoring precious peatlands.
Eared Leafhopper - Ledra aurita, unusual visitor to MV trap on 23Aug25 (but see not alone whetstoneskev@bsky.social) amongst numerous hornets & wasps, large numbers of regular species. Also 6 Dark Sword-grass & 11 Centre-barred Sallow #teammoth #hemiptera
Tree-planting is always good, right? Well, it turns out that a tree planted in the wrong place can actually have a negative impact on the climate. That’s why a research team with scientists from The Nature Conservancy developed maps to help with strategic reforestation for maximum benefit!
New maps help decision-makers factor albedo into tree-planting plans
Albedo can cause large reductions to the climate benefit of tree planting – but new science helps identify locations with greatest climate-cooling potential
nature.org
Late but… The day-flying Forester moth (Adscita statices) on Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) at end of May, in Gloucestershire #wildflowerhour #PollinatorPals
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social we also found this forest of Adder’s Tongue Fern at #bythesea Kenfig dunes
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social. Eryngium maritimum has to be one of the most photogenic plants #wildflowerhour #bythesea
The earliest I’ve had the mighty Clifden Nonpareil, Catocala fraxini, to my MV trap here in North Monmouthshire, VC35. Always a thrill.. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @hewittkvnvc35.bsky.social @gmtord.bsky.social #moths
Great few days at the BSBI Wales Annual Summer meeting in Denbighshire this week / cawsom dri diwrnod gwych yng nghyfarfod haf blynyddol BSBI Cymru yn sir Ddinbych.
Just returned on a high from the annual Wales meeting, exhibition & AGM in VC50 based at Rhyd-y-creuau. Fantastic organisation by Denbeighshire recorder. Delyth Williams. Fabulous sites, plants & people (in no particular order 😉). diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb @bsbibotany.bsky.social
We also moth trapped in Co Clare end of June/beginning of July. Nothing extraordinary but then all moths are beautiful #moths Both Dew Moth (Setina irrorella) & White-spotted Sable Moth (Anania funebris) were glimpsed on The Burren #Irishmoths Too early for the Burren Green maybe..
Although a bryology meeting to Co Clare, it was impossible not to take in the very special higher plant flora @bsbibotany.bsky.social including Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil), Dryas octopetala (Mountain Avens), Epipactis atrorubens (Dark-red helleborine), & Viola elatior (Fen Violet).
Delightful BIBS meeting in Co Clare with special thanks to Rory & Jo @bbsbryology.bsky.social. Lovely to meet so many Irish members, visit turloughs and the very special Burren #bryophtes
Labour are backtracking on a plan to help save birds: by blocking a new rule that would make developers put a £35 nest brick in every new home. They think it'll help win them votes - we need to show it would do the opposite. Sign the petition 38d.gs/ky2i
Rewarding trap 30th April N. Monmouthshire VC35. 157 of 51spp, 25 ffy. Some highlights; White-pinion Spotted, Alder Kitten, Lobster Moth, Great Prominent, Buttoned Snout, Least Black Arches, White Ermine, Orange Footman, The Coronet & Pauper Pug (FW11mm)?#teammoth
Fantastic Freiburg. Huge thanks to @milueth.bsky.social & Philippa @bbsbryology.bsky.social for wonderful week of bryologising. From the banks of the Rhine to the heights of Feldberg.So many highlights..
Back home in North Monmouthshire (VC35), first good trap results this year on a mild cloudy night (22Mar25). 84 of 19spp to MV. Lots of ffy including Yellow-horned and White-marked.
We also ran a Robinson moth trap at Nell Bank (VC64) and were pleased with 17spp over the 6 nights including Pine Beauty, Engrailed, Brindled Pug, Dotted Border, Early Thorn, Early Grey and Dark Chestnut
Stunning Blue Moor-grass - Sesleria caerulea in full bloom on the calcareous grassland throughout the week at BBS Wharfdale spring meeting.
