BSBI Ireland
@bsbiireland.bsky.social
I am the Ireland Officer at the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:l5qdqxst4ylza5myy6lbytwa) - promoting the enjoyment, study and recording of wild plants across Ireland.
https://bsbi.org/ireland
https://bsbi.org/ireland
#Invasive aquatic plants increasingly cause havoc in aquatic ecosystems.
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants
November 13, 2025 at 10:16 AM
#Invasive aquatic plants increasingly cause havoc in aquatic ecosystems.
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants
Today as part of the Botanical Skills Northern Ireland project, Mel Flexen introduced a group to the botany and ecology of lowland raised bogs in Peatlands Park, Armagh. Plenty to see, even at this tine of year!
November 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Today as part of the Botanical Skills Northern Ireland project, Mel Flexen introduced a group to the botany and ecology of lowland raised bogs in Peatlands Park, Armagh. Plenty to see, even at this tine of year!
Fewer flowers for #wildflowerhour - but still plenty of #ferns to see still! Nine species spotted at #SlishWood today, including these beauties. @bsbibotany.bsky.social #Botany #WBYeats #pteridophytes @pteridophytes.bsky.social @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social @coillte.bsky.social (Names in ALT text)
November 2, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Fewer flowers for #wildflowerhour - but still plenty of #ferns to see still! Nine species spotted at #SlishWood today, including these beauties. @bsbibotany.bsky.social #Botany #WBYeats #pteridophytes @pteridophytes.bsky.social @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social @coillte.bsky.social (Names in ALT text)
If fungi are allowed in #wildflowerhour this evening, it is really pushing it to include (rather late...) this amazing marsh clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata)? Like little green hairy worms🐍 in a wet #Connemara bog. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @npwsireland.bsky.social #botany
October 26, 2025 at 9:32 PM
If fungi are allowed in #wildflowerhour this evening, it is really pushing it to include (rather late...) this amazing marsh clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata)? Like little green hairy worms🐍 in a wet #Connemara bog. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @npwsireland.bsky.social #botany
Thanks to all who joined us in Oxfird Island to celebrate #NPMS10! Between talks, we practiced Wildflower ID, indicators knowledge, hedgerow surveys, and @organicbotanic.bsky.social took us through botanical photography using a camera phone!
October 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Thanks to all who joined us in Oxfird Island to celebrate #NPMS10! Between talks, we practiced Wildflower ID, indicators knowledge, hedgerow surveys, and @organicbotanic.bsky.social took us through botanical photography using a camera phone!
Photographed in Portugal: Pink-headed Persicaria (Persicaria capitata), growing everywhere on paths, walls & pavements.
This pretty Himalayan species, once unknown from Ireland & Britain, is slowly gaining a foothold here too (climate change?) #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social #PlantAtlas2020
This pretty Himalayan species, once unknown from Ireland & Britain, is slowly gaining a foothold here too (climate change?) #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social #PlantAtlas2020
October 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Photographed in Portugal: Pink-headed Persicaria (Persicaria capitata), growing everywhere on paths, walls & pavements.
This pretty Himalayan species, once unknown from Ireland & Britain, is slowly gaining a foothold here too (climate change?) #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social #PlantAtlas2020
This pretty Himalayan species, once unknown from Ireland & Britain, is slowly gaining a foothold here too (climate change?) #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social #PlantAtlas2020
Fantastic to have @bsbibotany.bsky.social Chief Executive Julia Hanmer @moschatel.bsky.social attending our #BSBIAutumnMeeting last Sat to speak about BSBI's work in #Ireland & some new region-wide initiatives. Luckily #StormAmy didn't steal the show! Thanks to @npwsireland.bsky.social for support.
October 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Fantastic to have @bsbibotany.bsky.social Chief Executive Julia Hanmer @moschatel.bsky.social attending our #BSBIAutumnMeeting last Sat to speak about BSBI's work in #Ireland & some new region-wide initiatives. Luckily #StormAmy didn't steal the show! Thanks to @npwsireland.bsky.social for support.
A treat to see these gorgeous photos - it's not so common in NW Ireland, where I am, or the Scottish Highlands, as shown in the @bsbibotany.bsky.social #PlantAtlas
October 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
A treat to see these gorgeous photos - it's not so common in NW Ireland, where I am, or the Scottish Highlands, as shown in the @bsbibotany.bsky.social #PlantAtlas
Still lots for #wildflowerhour on the dunes: Harebell, Lady's-bedstraw, Pignut, Carline Thistle, Common Milkwort & sumptuous scarlet Waxcaps. More modestly: hairy-white leaves of Mouse-ear Hawkweed, wild thyme #seedheads, kidney vetch leaves and gorgeous goldy-green mosses. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Still lots for #wildflowerhour on the dunes: Harebell, Lady's-bedstraw, Pignut, Carline Thistle, Common Milkwort & sumptuous scarlet Waxcaps. More modestly: hairy-white leaves of Mouse-ear Hawkweed, wild thyme #seedheads, kidney vetch leaves and gorgeous goldy-green mosses. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Papery Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris) always looks spectacular, even when it's gone over (hmm, it always looks a bit like it's gone over!)
Lots on the dunes at #Strandhill, #CoSligo @bsbibotany.bsky.social @organicbotanic.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #seedheads (just!)
Lots on the dunes at #Strandhill, #CoSligo @bsbibotany.bsky.social @organicbotanic.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #seedheads (just!)
October 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Papery Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris) always looks spectacular, even when it's gone over (hmm, it always looks a bit like it's gone over!)
Lots on the dunes at #Strandhill, #CoSligo @bsbibotany.bsky.social @organicbotanic.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #seedheads (just!)
Lots on the dunes at #Strandhill, #CoSligo @bsbibotany.bsky.social @organicbotanic.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #seedheads (just!)
Fantastic talks at @bsbibotany.bsky.social #BSBIAutumnMeeting: here is Cilian Roden describing the unique vegetation on the islands in #LoughCorrib. Thanks to @npwsireland.bsky.social and the National Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin for their support.
October 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Fantastic talks at @bsbibotany.bsky.social #BSBIAutumnMeeting: here is Cilian Roden describing the unique vegetation on the islands in #LoughCorrib. Thanks to @npwsireland.bsky.social and the National Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin for their support.
Last few days to book a place on BSBI's #IrishAutumnMeeting and AGM! Always a great day, with talks and workshops on all things botanical, and a chance to meet up with like minded friends. Book your free place at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @npwsireland.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @npwsireland.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Last few days to book a place on BSBI's #IrishAutumnMeeting and AGM! Always a great day, with talks and workshops on all things botanical, and a chance to meet up with like minded friends. Book your free place at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @npwsireland.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @npwsireland.bsky.social
Yesterday, NI Training Officers Kim and Jo led two groups on a tree Identification walk through Corbie Wood in Lagan Valley Regional Park, Belfast. We got to see the impressive 500-year old Belvoir Oak, amongst many other species of tree - and some beautiful fungi too!
September 29, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Yesterday, NI Training Officers Kim and Jo led two groups on a tree Identification walk through Corbie Wood in Lagan Valley Regional Park, Belfast. We got to see the impressive 500-year old Belvoir Oak, amongst many other species of tree - and some beautiful fungi too!
On Saturday, we held a Northern Ireland Recorders Meeting in the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre. From far and wide, recorders came to learn about willow identification and hybrids, then roamed the site, willow-hunting. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @mikekally.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 6:12 AM
On Saturday, we held a Northern Ireland Recorders Meeting in the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre. From far and wide, recorders came to learn about willow identification and hybrids, then roamed the site, willow-hunting. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @mikekally.bsky.social
It's always a delight to see violets coming out for an autumn encore.
Common dog-violet (Viola riviniana) looking sweet in Dooney Rock woods, next to beautiful #LoughGill in #Co.Sligo.
#wildflowerhour #springflowers @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social
Common dog-violet (Viola riviniana) looking sweet in Dooney Rock woods, next to beautiful #LoughGill in #Co.Sligo.
#wildflowerhour #springflowers @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social
September 28, 2025 at 7:40 PM
It's always a delight to see violets coming out for an autumn encore.
Common dog-violet (Viola riviniana) looking sweet in Dooney Rock woods, next to beautiful #LoughGill in #Co.Sligo.
#wildflowerhour #springflowers @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social
Common dog-violet (Viola riviniana) looking sweet in Dooney Rock woods, next to beautiful #LoughGill in #Co.Sligo.
#wildflowerhour #springflowers @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social
Late-blooming spikes of purple loosestrife catching the evening glow💜 what a gorgeous plant to have as a garden weed!
Lythrum (from Greek 'lythron'=blood) salicaria ("like willow": look at the leaves) @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
Lythrum (from Greek 'lythron'=blood) salicaria ("like willow": look at the leaves) @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
September 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Late-blooming spikes of purple loosestrife catching the evening glow💜 what a gorgeous plant to have as a garden weed!
Lythrum (from Greek 'lythron'=blood) salicaria ("like willow": look at the leaves) @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
Lythrum (from Greek 'lythron'=blood) salicaria ("like willow": look at the leaves) @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
Maybe my #FavouritePlant this summer: slender, papery lamb's-tails of Cyperus Sedge (Carex pseudocyperus) on a #Leitrim lakeshore, looking way too ornamental to be wild! A new record for that site too 😊🌾 @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #lakeshoreplants
September 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Maybe my #FavouritePlant this summer: slender, papery lamb's-tails of Cyperus Sedge (Carex pseudocyperus) on a #Leitrim lakeshore, looking way too ornamental to be wild! A new record for that site too 😊🌾 @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #lakeshoreplants
No #Seedheads here! Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) displaying vivipary, where tiny baby plants form instead of seeds. This happens in various grasses, usually in late-flowering plants- does the plant get a bit panicky about running out of time? #wildflowerhour #GrassFamily @bsbibotany.bsky.social
September 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
No #Seedheads here! Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) displaying vivipary, where tiny baby plants form instead of seeds. This happens in various grasses, usually in late-flowering plants- does the plant get a bit panicky about running out of time? #wildflowerhour #GrassFamily @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Bilbao Fleabane (Erigeron floribundus) by a mountain footpath. This S. American member of the #DaisyFamily is spreading NW-wards fast in #Ireland since first arriving in 1992, spread with gravel & spoil as well as by its airborne seeds #seedheads @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
September 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Bilbao Fleabane (Erigeron floribundus) by a mountain footpath. This S. American member of the #DaisyFamily is spreading NW-wards fast in #Ireland since first arriving in 1992, spread with gravel & spoil as well as by its airborne seeds #seedheads @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Yesterday, we visited @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social 's working farm reserve in Fermanagh with the NIEA Habitats team, carefully exploring around the Marsh Fritillary caterpillar webs in the grasslands, and combing the woods for Yellow Birds Nest Orchid.
September 6, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Yesterday, we visited @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social 's working farm reserve in Fermanagh with the NIEA Habitats team, carefully exploring around the Marsh Fritillary caterpillar webs in the grasslands, and combing the woods for Yellow Birds Nest Orchid.
On Thursday, NIEA joined us in Fermanagh to study horsetails and hunted for Lesser Twayblade in Lough Nevar Forest Park, as part of our Botanical Skills NI project.
September 6, 2025 at 11:37 AM
On Thursday, NIEA joined us in Fermanagh to study horsetails and hunted for Lesser Twayblade in Lough Nevar Forest Park, as part of our Botanical Skills NI project.
Thank you to the brilliant NPMS volunteers who braved persistent rain today in Co Antrim for NPMS training on setting up plots with Jo, BSBI Training Officer. Lovely Hawthorn berries and beautiful Devil's-bit Scabious in flower.@bsbibotany.bsky.social #daera-ni.gov.uk #plantlifeuk.bsky.social
September 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Thank you to the brilliant NPMS volunteers who braved persistent rain today in Co Antrim for NPMS training on setting up plots with Jo, BSBI Training Officer. Lovely Hawthorn berries and beautiful Devil's-bit Scabious in flower.@bsbibotany.bsky.social #daera-ni.gov.uk #plantlifeuk.bsky.social
Rosehips after rain, Co Leitrim.
Rose ID is 'thorny', but start with this riddle:
Q: Mrs Rose has five sons: two have beards, two don't, and one couldn't decide and has half a beard.
A: a dog rose, Rosa canina agg.(look at the lobes on the sepals) @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #fruits
Rose ID is 'thorny', but start with this riddle:
Q: Mrs Rose has five sons: two have beards, two don't, and one couldn't decide and has half a beard.
A: a dog rose, Rosa canina agg.(look at the lobes on the sepals) @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #fruits
August 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Rosehips after rain, Co Leitrim.
Rose ID is 'thorny', but start with this riddle:
Q: Mrs Rose has five sons: two have beards, two don't, and one couldn't decide and has half a beard.
A: a dog rose, Rosa canina agg.(look at the lobes on the sepals) @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #fruits
Rose ID is 'thorny', but start with this riddle:
Q: Mrs Rose has five sons: two have beards, two don't, and one couldn't decide and has half a beard.
A: a dog rose, Rosa canina agg.(look at the lobes on the sepals) @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #fruits
Fantastic views of Scotland today for Glenarm Wildlife Group NPMS volunteers carrying out the second NPMS survey of the summer with Jo BSBI Training Officer. The cows had already visited plot 4! @bsbibotany.bsky.social
August 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Fantastic views of Scotland today for Glenarm Wildlife Group NPMS volunteers carrying out the second NPMS survey of the summer with Jo BSBI Training Officer. The cows had already visited plot 4! @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Pretty Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum) prefers weedy, disturbed places. Its long beak explodes to disperse seeds, transforming it from bird to elegant candlebra. It's an archaeophyte in Britain & Ireland, having arrived here from Europe pre-1500. @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
August 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Pretty Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum) prefers weedy, disturbed places. Its long beak explodes to disperse seeds, transforming it from bird to elegant candlebra. It's an archaeophyte in Britain & Ireland, having arrived here from Europe pre-1500. @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour