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British Lichen Society outing to Neilston Pad

twig with a number of different lichens one bushy, one foliose and the rest crust-like with colours ranging from grey, orange and black

There is a BLS Strathclyde Group outing on Thursday 15th August at Neilston Pad. They are meeting at 10:00 at the car park on the bend of Harelaw Road, near the pigging station (Grid Ref NS 472 543). This is an all-day (until 15:00ish anyway) event where they will be looking to record rather thanContinueContinue reading “British Lichen Society outing to Neilston Pad”

PNHS outing to Cashel Forest

A group of people standing in a wood with bracken in the foreground

6 July 2024 The weather looked promising as we made our way to the eastern Loch Lomond banks for the postponed Cashel Forest trip. Although the temperature was rather low for July, it proved to be a lovely day with only a short shower at lunch time. Society members were treated to a tour ofContinueContinue reading “PNHS outing to Cashel Forest”

Book review: The Lost Rainforests of Britain by Guy Shrubsole

Review by Simon Stuart (originally published in the Native Woodland Discussion Group Newsletter, and re-used with kind permission) In this eagerly anticipated book, the author gives an often very personal but informative overview of the current state of Britain’s temperate rainforests, discusses their historical (and current) decline and the main factors affecting their survival andContinueContinue reading “Book review: The Lost Rainforests of Britain by Guy Shrubsole”

Glow-worm weekend on Isle of Cumbrae

Close-up of a beetle with two lower segments of its body glowing bright green and perched in a grassy area.

22-23 June 2024 Fintry Bay We arrived on the Isle of Cumbrae at lunch time and headed over to the Fintry Bay Café, with beautiful views over the Clyde Estuary. After a delicious lunch we made our way along the coast towards Millport and discovered the walking track uphill to Millport Golf Club. Our routeContinueContinue reading “Glow-worm weekend on Isle of Cumbrae”

Beginners’ Botany with Michael Philip at Thornly Park

A group of people standing in a grassy area surrounded by trees

A group of 7 members gathered for this evening walk on 5th June, to learn about botany in the grassland adjacent to South Avenue, Paisley. It was led by Michael Philip, Vice-county Co-recorder for Lanarkshire (vc77) and co-ordinator of the Renfrewshire Vice-county (vc76) Botany Network. Rather than repeat the same route as last year, weContinueContinue reading “Beginners’ Botany with Michael Philip at Thornly Park”

Neilston Pad outing

Group of people scattered across open grassland looking downwards

On 25 May 2024, a group of twelve, including insect and plant specialists from both Glasgow and Paisley Natural History Societies, gathered in the south-west car park at Neilston Pad. Known locally as ‘The Pad’, it is an old volcanic plug surrounded by several dams and offers a variety of habitats to explore. The areaContinueContinue reading “Neilston Pad outing”

Gay Christie

We were very saddened to hear the news that Gay Christie died on May 28th in a hospice after a very short illness. Gay and Andy were committed members of Paisley Museum Natural History Society from its foundation in the early 70s and then developed their long commitment to animal rescue which led to theContinueContinue reading “Gay Christie”

Holly Blue butterflies spotted in Renfrewshire

Silvery blue butterfly feeding on a holly flower with its underwing showing.

Have you seen any Holly Blue butterflies? The Holly Blue had been slowly moving North in the Glasgow and Southwest area over the last 5 years particularly. During 2023 the species went through a massive explosion in numbers and range in Scotland, particularly on the East coast. This has continued in 2024. Spread on theContinueContinue reading “Holly Blue butterflies spotted in Renfrewshire”

Outing at Ardeer Peninsula

Group of people standing in front of a metal-link fence with gorse scrub behind

Around 13 members from the Paisley Natural History Society, Glasgow Natural History Society and interested delegates from the recent Scottish Ornithologists Club/ British Trust for Ornithology conference arrived at Broom Farm for 11.00 am on Saturday 4th May, to walk about in the extensive brownfield site at Ardeer, looking in particular for the rare LesserContinueContinue reading “Outing at Ardeer Peninsula”

Volunteers needed for Clyde Area Amphibian Surveys, Spring 2024

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 “Volunteers needed for Clyde Area Amphibian Surveys, Spring 2024”