kirmen

PNHS summer study group outings

Group of 9 people wearing waterproofs, posing formally in a grassy field with trees in the background

We plan to have weekly or fortnightly outings to some of our local wildlife places. There are many local places to be explored, including Renfrewshire Local Nature Conservation Sites that need more surveying. Along with this, we hope to help members develop more skills in identifying the local wildlife with a bit of training, depending onContinueContinue reading “PNHS summer study group outings”

PNHS feature in Mill Magazine

Pages of Paisley Natural History Society article in Mill Magazine with photographs of a Kingfisher, a Purple Hairstreak butterfly, a group of people looking at lichens on a mossy log and text titled "Bask in the beauty"

The March issue of the Mill Magazine is out and features a great article on Paisley Natural History Society and some of our favourite local wildlife spaces. Mill Magazine, March 2025 For those of you not familiar with it, The Mill Magazine is a fabulous FREE lifestyle and culture magazine covering stories on businesses, groups, activities and eventsContinueContinue reading “PNHS feature in Mill Magazine”

Ewan Douglas

Man sitting beside a table with an 80th birthday cake

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Ewan Douglas, a few days before his 89th birthday. Ewan was a pillar of both the Renfrewshire RSPB group and the Paisley Natural History Society from the early 2000s. He served on the committee of both organisations for several years, played aContinueContinue reading “Ewan Douglas”

Report on Tree Walk, Spier’s School Grounds, Beith

Group of 13 people dressed in warm coats and hats standing beside a tree with red, sinewy trunk

Saturday 15th February 2025 A change from our usual winter tree walk in woodland plantations, this year we went to the grounds of the Old Spier’s School in Beith, which has more mature formal planting and some challenging, unusual species. Fortunately, there is a tree trail map and we had the invaluable help of SimonContinueContinue reading “Report on Tree Walk, Spier’s School Grounds, Beith”

Volunteer for Clyde Area Amphibian Surveys, Spring 2025

Clyde Amphibian and Reptile Group (CARG) is recommencing the Greater Glasgow Pond Survey. The purpose of the survey is to assess the status of amphibian habitats and populations across Glasgow North, Glasgow South, East Kilbride, Paisley, and Barrhead. They are calling on volunteers, old and new, to make this season as fruitful as those past!ContinueContinue reading “Volunteer for Clyde Area Amphibian Surveys, Spring 2025”

Interested in wildlife study groups?

Composite picture with photographs of orange butterfly, pink flower, orange toadstools, two birds, ladybird, lichens on twig, longhorn beetle on bramble flower and sporulating moss

Dave Mellor has sent this proposal to start online study sessions to look at wildlife groups and to go out into the field to record what we find. Open to anyone interested in learning more about identifying and recording wildlife: Spring is on its way! and the opportunity to get active in the field againContinueContinue reading “Interested in wildlife study groups?”

Gleniffer Braes Lichen Outing

Group of people standing chatting at an open gate next to an old mossy wall

On Saturday 18th January 2025 Eleven people met at the Nethercraigs Road entrance to the country park for the third of the now annual lichen walks run by the society. Most were members of the society but we also had one person from the local British Lichen Society group. The intention of this walk wasContinueContinue reading “Gleniffer Braes Lichen Outing”

Bursaries for natural history courses

Bursaries of up to £400 available for natural history courses Looking to improve your plant ID skills? Interested in recording and identifying wasps? Or would you like to learn how to track mammals? Since 2009, Biological Recording in Scotland (BRISC) and the Glasgow Natural History Society (GNHS) have been offering bursaries for natural history training courses. These bursariesContinueContinue reading “Bursaries for natural history courses”

Braving the weather on a New Year Plant Hunt

Large red multi-storey building next to a river which has burst its banks and two swans standing on the grass in the foreground

Every year the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI) organise a New Year Plant Hunt. All you have to do is spend a couple of hours looking for wild plants in flower between 29 December 2024 to 1st January 2025. Ours was arranged for 31st December. It is a lovely way to spend aContinueContinue reading “Braving the weather on a New Year Plant Hunt”

Hair today, gone tomorrow!

piece of decaying wood with strands of white ice exuding from the surface like a wave of hair

A rarity to look out for in the current frosty weather. Last night at the PNHS meeting, Nigel Scriven, showed a photo of the Hair ice he and Catriona spotted at Bank Brae woods, Glentyan, Kilbarchan, on 8th January. Here’s his photo of it, quite a remarkable sight. Hair ice requires very specific conditions toContinueContinue reading “Hair today, gone tomorrow!”