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2012
Scottish BSBI Field Meeting Programme
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30
June - Ben Chonzie, Perthshire,
BSS/BSBI Joint Alpine Field Meeting
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11
August - Ochil Hills,
West Perthshire, Joint with PSNS
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DOWNLOAD
Full Scottish Field Meeting Programme
PLEASE NOTE: All contact details
can be found below or in the BSBI Year Book.

SATURDAY
19 MAY
KILPATRICK BRAES,
DUNBARTONSHIRE (v.c. 99) (EDUCATIONAL)
Leaders: Angus Hannah & Pamela Murdoch
An opportunity to
pay a spring visit to some base-rich grassland and
rocky woodland on the slopes north of the Clyde. The
area is easily accessed from Kilpatrick station (Balloch
trains) or from the A82, but has not been well
botanised and so the plants recorded will make a
valuable contribution to the vice county records.
The emphasis of
this meeting will be on learning to identify and
record, and we would particularly welcome anyone who
has not been on a BSBI field meeting before.
For further
information and to book please contact Pamela
Murdoch, 58 Prestonfield, Milngavie, Glasgow G62
7PZ, or e-mail
pamela.murdoch@networkgb.co.uk
SUNDAY 27 MAY TO SATURDAY 2 JUNE
ISLE OF COLL, MID
EBUDES (v.c.
103)
Leader: Lynne Farrell
This meeting will follow a
similar format to the one held on Tiree two years
ago. We will record on a tetrad basis across the
island, dividing into small groups in order to do
this effectively. Searching for, and recording
details of, TPP species and local specialities will
also be part of the programme. We will have a day
off in the middle of the meeting, but those who wish
to carry on recording may do so.
The terrain on Coll is varied from sand-dunes and
strands, to scattered, small lochans, rocky outcrops
up to 104m high at Ben Hogh, and wet, marshy ground,
rich grassland and miles of coastline. The going can
be tough, as there are not many roads or footpaths,
so participants must be able to cope with rough
walking.
Numbers will be limited to 20. Full facilities have
already been arranged at the Hebridean Centre on
Coll. This offers overnight accommodation in shared
rooms, breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal, all
provided by the staff, and rooms for working
/relaxing in. The cost is likely to be about £55.00
per person per day. Travel is from Oban by Calmac
ferry and it would be preferable to share cars both
on the ferry and whilst on the island.
An indication of interest would be appreciated ASAP,
in order to confirm the booking and numbers.
Final bookings must be made by 1st March. Please
contact Lynne Farrell at
farrell104@btinternet.com or 41 High St,
Hemingford Grey, Cambs. PE28 9BJ.
SATURDAY 23 TO SUNDAY 24 JUNE
MEGGET/TALLA, CENTRAL
SOUTHERN UPLANDS (v.c. 72, 78)
Leaders: Luke Gaskell & Chris Miles
The meeting will focus on the high hills in middle
of the Southern Uplands. At the centre of this area
are the botanically well known Moffat Hills where a
number of alpine species occur on the rocky crags,
flushes and screes. This meeting intends to explore
the lesser known hills to the north and south of the
Moffat range. We will record tetrads and any TPP
species. It is intended that each day there will be
an opportunity to explore lower ground requiring
less climbing or higher screes and crags requiring
greater fitness. It is hoped that species known from
the Moffat Hills will be found in new populations.
Amongst the possibilities could be Thalictrum
alpinum (Alpine Meadow-rue), Saussurea alpina
(Alpine Saw-wort), Sedum villosum (Hairy
Stonecrop), Salix herbacea (Dwarf Willow),
Alopecurus magellanicus (Alpine Foxtail),
Cornus suecica (Dwarf Cornel), Potentilla
crantzii (Alpine Cinquefoil) and Epilobium
anagallidifolium (Alpine Willowherb). It is
hoped that further populations of Gentianella
campestris (Field Gentian) and Coeloglossum
viride (Frog Orchid) can also be found.
Saturday 23rd meet at car park at Megget Water Dam
NT212233. On Sunday meet at the Ram statue in the
centre of Moffat.
For meeting times and further details contact. Chris
Miles:
chris.miles01@btinternet.com; tel. 01576 610303.
SATURDAY 30 JUNE
BEN CHONZIE, PERTHSHIRE (v.c. 88)
BSS/BSBI JOINT ALPINE FIELD MEETING
Leader: John Holland
Ben Chonzie is the highest point (929 m) in the
south-eastern Highlands approximately 13 km
north-west of Crieff. We will approach this SSSI
from Glen Turret and botanise the extensive range of
moorland communities including blanket mire, heather
moorland, montane heaths and acidic grasslands. Both
acidic and calcareous flushes occur in places, and
herb-rich grasslands occur beneath the species-rich
cliffs.
The meeting point will be the car park at the Loch
Turret dam at the end of the Glen Turret road
approximately 6km north-west of Crieff (NN 821 265).
Contact John Holland for timings and further
details, and to confirm a place (booking is
essential as numbers will be limited), tel. 01838
400524 (day) or 01567 820509 (evening), e- mail
john.holland@sac.ac.uk.
SATURDAY 30 JUNE TO SUNDAY 7 JULY
KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE (v.c. 73)
SCOTTISH RECORDING WEEK
Leader: David Hawker
After several seasons in the highlands, we are
moving to Galloway for this year’s recording week.
Kirkcudbrightshire, one of the southernmost counties
of Scotland, has a wide variety of habitats ranging
from sea level to Corbetts and is the meeting ground
for many southern and northern elements of the
flora. These include Vicia lutea (Yellow
Vetch), V. bithynica (Bithynian Vetch), V.
tetrasperma (Smooth Tare), Carex punctata
(Dotted Sedge), C. elongata (Elongated
Sedge), Crambe maritima (Sea Kale),
Astragalus danicus (Purple Milk Vetch), A.
glycyphyllos (Wild Liquorice), Linum perenne
(Perennial Flax), Thelypteris palustris
(Marsh Fern), Meum athamanticum (Spignel),
Saussurea alpina (Alpine Saw-wort), Sedum
villosum (Hairy Stonecrop), Salix herbacea
(Dwarf Willow), S. lapponum (Downy Willow)
and, very recently discovered, Epilobium
anagallidifolium (Alpine Willowherb). A recent
colonist is Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid). Many
of these we expect to see during the week.
It is a sparsely populated county, attracts few
botanists and is under-recorded, with only one Flora
produced in 1990. There has been no systematic
recording of recently naturalised species or garden
escapes such as Cortaderia selloana (Pampas
Grass), Lysichiton americanus (American
Skunk-cabbage), Centaurium scilloides
(Perennial Centaury) or most of the conifers of
forest plantations. There have been new hectad
records for a number of species, such as
Dryopteris aemula (Hay-scented Buckler-fern),
Frangula alnus (Alder Buckthorn), Euonymus
europaeus (Spindle), Huperzia selago (Fir
Clubmoss), Dianthus deltoides (Maiden Pink),
even Populus tremula (Aspen) and Drosera
anglica (Great Sundew), in the past couple of
years. The aim of this week is (i) to record in
areas which have not been surveyed for some time, if
at all, (ii) to monitor populations of a number of
rare and scarce species, including TPP species, and
(iii) to accumulate records to assist the production
of a CRPR. The week will aim to cover a range of
altitudes and habitats.
We will be staying at Orroland, a luxurious lodge in
large private grounds (NX774464) overlooking the
Solway Firth and The Lake District, within 1km of
coastal populations of several of the above species,
as well as Hierochloe odorata (Holy Grass),
both Blysmus compressus (Flat-sedge) and
Blysmus rufus (Saltmarsh Flat-sedge),
Limonium vulgare (Common Sea-lavender), L.
humile (Lax-flowered Sea-lavender) and
Calamagrostis epigejos (Wood Small-reed).
For further information, contact David Hawker,
Windywalls, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7
2DE; tel. 01557 814249 or email
hawker398@btinternet.com (preferred). Thanks to
the free services of our excellent cook, Hilary
Hawker, the total cost of the week including food
(and drink in moderation) will be about £280.
Bookings and deposit (£70, cheques payable to Angus
Hannah) to Angus Hannah, Glenmore, Rothesay, Isle of
Bute, PA20 0QU, tel. 01700 503879, e-mail
butesedge@yahoo.co.uk
SATURDAY 14 TO SUNDAY 15 JULY
ABERLADY BAY, EAST LOTHIAN (v.c.
82) (SUNDAY IS EDUCATIONAL)
Leaders: Alan Silverside & John Harrison
Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve boasts a fine
example of habitat transition from open sea to
woodland - through saltmarsh, sand dunes, freshwater
marsh, calcareous grassland, and scrub. Such a
mosaic of habitat diversity has given rise to well
over 500 species of plant having been recorded.
Geomorphological processes are causing rapid change
to the coastline which, in turn, has effect on the
resultant flora. Salsola kali (Prickly
Saltwort) follows the shifting sand, while
Trifolium fragiferum (Strawberry Clover),
Parapholis strigosa (Hard-grass) and Blysmus
rufus (Saltmarsh Flat-sedge) occur on the
accreting saltmarsh. Within the fixed dune
grassland, Astragalus danicus (Purple
Milk-vetch) is widespread with Anacamptis
pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid) and Botrychium
lunaria (Moonwort) also being present. The
former turf nursery (still cut annually) plays host
to 100 species alone, including Anagallis tenella
(Bog Pimpernel) and Equisetum variegatum
(Variegated Horsetail). Within the wetter wet bits
can be found Stellaria palustris (Marsh
Stitchwort), Baldellia ranunculoides (Lesser
Water-plantain) and Utricularia vulgaris
(Greater Bladderwort).
This meeting is to see some of the diversity of the
reserve, but also to hunt for a few species that may
not have been seen recently, including Dianthus
deltoides (Maiden Pink), and also two
Equisetum hybrids (E. x dycei and E. x
rothmaleri) that were recorded on good authority
but need relocating. Saturday will be a recording
day looking at target species, key sites and newly
formed habitats. The Sunday will be an opportunity
for beginners and improvers to spend more time
learning how to identify a variety of plants on the
nature reserve. Nevertheless, beginners and experts
alike will be welcome on either or both days
Most of the various habitats are found close to the
main path, from which access is easy. For the more
adventurous on the Saturday, Wellington boots may be
necessary. There is a toilet in the main car park at
the nature reserve and a convenience store in the
neighbouring village.
For further details or to confirm a place, contact
Dr. Alan Silverside at the School of Science,
University of the West of Scotland, Paisley,
Renfrewshire, PA1 2BE, e-mail
alan.silverside@uws.ac.uk.
SATURDAY 21 TO SUNDAY 22 JULY
ULLAPOOL, WESTER ROSS (v.c.
105)
Leader: Margaret Bradshaw
The aim of this workshop is to promote a better
understanding and better recording of Alchemillas
in Scotland. The workshop will start in the
classroom on Saturday morning and go out into the
field in the afternoon, and be entirely field based
on the Sunday. We would hope to see a selection of
Alchemilla (Lady’s-mantle) species including
A. glaucescens, A. glomerulans and
A. wichurae on areas of nearby Durness
limestone.
Places will be strictly limited to 15. For
further information and to book, please write to Mrs
Jane Jones, BSBI Admin Assistant, Cuilvona Cottage,
Aberfoyle, Stirling, FK8 3TQ, or e-mail Jane at
jane@cuilvona.plus.com
SATURDAY 28 JULY
TENTSMUIR, FIFE (v.c. 85)
Leaders: Sandy Edwards & Bill Hay
Tentsmuir in Fife has a very varied number of
habitats all within a small area. The forest itself
is not too dense in most places allowing for a good
selection of woodland plants, particularly
Goodyera repens and Pyrola minor. There
are wide tracks and paths with plentiful roadside
vegetation with some burns and drainage channels
through the wood. Ophioglossum and a large
variety of Salix repens hybrids are found on
the woodland edge. The seaward side provides some
excellent sand dune systems and a large area of dune
slack, which at this time of year usually has some
ponds and good wet areas with large masses of
Centauria littorale and Parnassia. There
is also Polygonum oxyspermum, Erigeron
acer, Lathyrus japonicus and
Salicornia spp.
Most of these sites are easily accessed from the car
park, which has toilets and a picnic area. The burn
runs by here and into the sea giving some
interesting habitats with Rumex hydrolapathum,
Carex and Juncus species.
For further details, and to book, please contact
Sandy Edwards:
ase1@st-andrews.ac.uk, or by phone on 01334
478629 or 07986183706
SATURDAY 4 TO SUNDAY 5 AUGUST
ARDROSSAN/STEVENSTON/SALTCOATS,
AYRSHIRE (v.c. 75)
Leaders: Dave Lang & Gill Smart
As may be also be the case in some other Vice
Counties, there is a feeling that relatively little
of the botanical recording in Ayrshire to date –
including that represented by the most recent Atlas
date class – has been focussed on the County’s more
urban areas. This field meeting will attempt to
redress that balance by trialling techniques
developed to take on the unique challenges of
botanical recording in a more urban environment. The
outcome will hopefully be the first comprehensive
list for at least one tetrad within Ayrshire’s
“Three Towns”.
For those concerned that urban recording might all
be aliens and garden escapes – do not despair!
Though we are likely to find our fair share, the
area is coastal, which has an influence on the
vegetation, and also includes disused railway line
and other patches of semi-natural vegetation – so
who knows what else the first reasonably systematic
recording of this area might reveal! We also intend
to visit nearby Ardeer, where the long-disused ICI
works have been re-colonised by such rare and
threatened taxa as Salsola kali subsp.
kali (Prickly Saltwart), Coincya monensis
subsp. monensis (Isle-of-Man Cabbage) and
Gnaphalium sylvaticum (Heath Cudweed).
The area is very easily accessed by frequent trains
from Glasgow Central - and there is plenty of
accommodation both in the city and locally for
anyone planning to join us from further afield.
For more details, any queries and to book please
contact Dave Lang at Flat 2/1, 27 Skirving Street,
Shawlands, Glasgow, G41 3AB; by telephone on 07999
384376; or by e-mail at
dave.lang@snh.gov.uk.
SATURDAY 11th AUGUST
OCHIL HILLS, WEST PERTHSHIRE (v.c. 87)
JOINT WITH PSNS
Leader: Liz Lavery
A
day exploring bogs and flushes in the middle of the
Ochil Hills; access to this remote area has recently
become much easier along roads built for Burnfoot
Windfarm. In the 1990s Rod Corner recorded
Alopecurus ovatus – now A. magellanicus –
(Alpine Foxtail), in two flushes on the slopes of
Ben Buck and we will be searching for the very rare
Saxifraga hirculus (Yellow Marsh Saxifrage),
not recorded from the Ochils since the mid 19th
century. Thought to still be there somewhere, it is
extremely hard to find looking very like
Ranunculus flammula (Lesser Spearwort). As it is
a threatened and declining species throughout much
of Europe and a UK BAP species, it would be a great
achievement if we could re-find it. Our walk should
take in some magnificent views if the weather is
kind to us.
For further information and to book please contact
Liz Lavery, Burach, Carnbo, Kinross e-mail
lavery@carnbo.freeserve.co.uk or Mrs Jane Jones,
BSBI Admin Assistant, Cuilvona Cottage, Aberfoyle,
Stirling, FK8 3TQ, e-mail Jane at
jane@cuilvona.plus.com
SATURDAY 18 AUGUST
WEEDS OF BUTE, CLYDE ISLES (v.c.
100)
(EDUCATIONAL)
Leader: Angus Hannah
Following on from last year’s very successful arable
weed meeting at Melrose, this is a chance to see and
learn some of the arable weeds of the west. The
sandy soils of south Bute are particularly
favourable to some weed species, and we will
probably look briefly at adjacent dune habitats. The
emphasis of the meeting will be on techniques of
identification, and, as on all educational meetings,
we welcome anyone who has not been on a BSBI field
meeting before.
Bute is easily accessed by frequent ferries from
Wemyss Bay. For details, and to book, please contact
Angus Hannah, Glenmore, Rothesay, Isle of Bute or
e-mail
butesedge@yahoo.co.uk
SATURDAY 25 AUGUST
TILLICOULTRY GLEN, WEST PERTHSHIRE (v.c. 87)
EDUCATIONAL
Leader: Liz Lavery
This is a day looking at the wide range of plants to
be found in one of the Ochils most attractive wooded
glens. A chance to learn about plants in a beautiful
setting, we will be looking at anything that catches
your attention and help will be on hand to identify
all the plants we may find. These will include
trees, herbs, grasses, sedges and ferns. The scenery
as you walk up the Glen changes from lowland ash
wood in a narrow gorge to upland ash wood and open
hill with bracken and heather providing a variety of
habitats to discover.
This is another educational meeting with an emphasis
on learning to identify and record, and we would
particularly welcome anyone who has not been on a
BSBI field meeting before.
For further information and to book please contact
Liz Lavery, Burach, Carnbo, Kinross e-mail
lavery@carnbo.freeserve.co.uk or Mrs Jane Jones,
BSBI Admin Assistant, Cuilvona Cottage, Aberfoyle,
Stirling, FK8 3TQ, e-mail Jane at
jane@cuilvona.plus.com
2011 Field Meeting
Programme
2010
Field Meeting Programme
2009 Field Meeting Programme
2008 Field Meeting Programme
(D.
McNaughton) Last updated 24th November 2011 |
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