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This is a quick survey on why people choose to study plant science. Fellow botanists do fill it out, especially field botanists. I'm not sure if I went to university now that I would end up on the same path, because of changes to field teaching at universities.

Lovely winter snippet frm #BigMeadow in Glengarriff Woods NR, one of the #GrasslandsTrail sites This unassuming #grassland is v important, w astounding #anthills, & supports Marsh Fritillary butterfly too 🦋 And don't forget, you can download booklet here: greatirishgrasslands.ie/the-grasslands…

Gorse (Ulex spp) already showing bursts of yellow at Salthill, Co. Galway. Could it be Ulex galli (Western Gorse) Considering the flowering time, or is it a weird time for U. galli and U. europaeus? Couldn't get closer, on a golf course! BSBI Ireland BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland wildflowerhour

Even in winter, #GreatIrishGrasslands can be amazing 👏 😍 I had a wonderful, sun-filled in Ireland's newest #NatureReserve at #Cullahill, Co. #Kilkenny yesterday. It boasts species-rich calcareous grassland, lowland #Haymeadow & #MarshFritillary 🦋 National Parks and Wildlife Service

Passed my MSc by research viva today 🥳. Some minor corrections to do, but the MSc is in the bag! Got to explore some lovely Semi-natural grasslands over my fieldwork, analyse plant data and write-up the story the data told. What a lovely project. Thanks to all those who helped!

Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. Wet weather, but still a very enjoyable place to visit. Not much botanising this time, but plenty of Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and plenty of ferns to admire along the way, with the beautiful scenery! Nice way to celebrate my MSc viva!

Join us ATU Galway City on Jan 15th for our EPA Research News funded River Flow and Ecology Workshop. Tickets are free and you can register here 👉Riverflowandecology.eventbrite.ie

Some bryophyting to satisfy the mind in Winter. Calliergonella cuspidata (Pointed Spear-moss) really showing off the characteristic spear-like points, formed by the upper leaves being tightly rolled. Galway City BBSBryology @NimbosaEcology @uniofgalwayBPS

Never mind Christmas, some of us are already thinking of next spring! From my garden, in alphabetical order:buds of ash, beech, blackthorn, cherry, guelder-rose, hawthorn, hazel, sycamore, (English) walnut and (grey) willow. Try this fun quiz: buzzfeed.com/speciesrecover….

Polystichum aculeatum (Hard Shield Fern) outside Moycullen, Co. Galway. My first time seeing it, so open to correction. Otherwise a new monad record in west Galway (VCH16). BSBI Ireland BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland

Check out this lovely vid frm #Sheskinmore #NatureReserve in #Donegal, one of the #GreatIrishGrasslands. See how the Konik ponies are getting on - helping the managers keep the site grazed. It's such a compkex area that they, and the managers, are busy! youtu.be/w26QfaGXGqM?fe…

Pimpinella major (Greater Burnet Saxifrage), Nasturtium officinale (Water cress), and Ranunculus acris (Meadow Buttercup) in flower on University of Limerick campus. wildflowerhour #wildflowerhour BSBI Ireland BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland

Managed to squeeze in a New Year Plant Hunt 2025 by torch light. Hopefully I'm not too late! Got 14 species, happy with that considering the darkness! BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland wildflowerhour BSBI Ireland. Rathcooney, Co. Cork while visiting family. #NYPH #NewYearPlantHunt

So #NewYearPlantHunt is over for another year. Please send in all your records by Sunday so we can analyse them & report back. Meanwhile here's our Day 4 round-up: what we know so far, messages from the Hunt founders & a shout-out to the Support Team! bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/01/new-ye…

Join us next Tuesday for 'Ask the Farmer' with Michael and Tom Keane where we discuss all things species-rich grasslands, unusual habitats and heritage breeds 🔗Register here: buff.ly/49BuhOd #webinar #FarmingforNatureAmbassador

I think it is time for me to move away from X. I do not like how the app is going, and my feed is now dominated by far-right topics, and just full of hatred. It is no longer the botany/ecology network that I initially joined for. Follow me in Bluesky: ollysflora123.bsky.social

Some grassy wetlands for #WorldWetlandsDay! Ireland has many beautiful, biodiversity and important #WetGrasslands. This mosaic of different habitats borders a fen in Co. Clare. #HabitatsToCelebrate #GreatIrishGrasslands More... greatirishgrasslands.ie

For anyone who tried to identify the #GreatIrishGrassland plants in winter, here's a handy crib sheet from the ACRES booklet. Showing leaves from blades and simple leaves to more toothed and pinnate structures

First Tussilago farfara (Colt's-Foot) of the season for me! Castletroy, Co. Limerick. BSBI Ireland BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland wildflowerhour

Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Tunbridge Filmy-Fern), Smyrnium olusatrum (Alexander's) and Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) this week! wildflowerhour #wildflowerhour BSBI Ireland BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland