Wildlife sightings – Page 2 – Paisley Natural History Society

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!”

Outing to Hurlethill, Glasgow Local Nature Reserve

On 27th July we had another opportunity to join Glasgow Natural History Society on their outing to Hurlethill. It had been designated as a Local Nature Reserve by Glasgow City Council in January this year. Hurlethill offers a variety of habitats including semi-natural grassland, beech woods, oak woods, pine woods and wildflower meadows with ponds. ContinueContinue reading “Outing to Hurlethill, Glasgow Local Nature Reserve”

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”

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”

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”

Report on winter tree id walk at Jenny’s Well

Group of 11 people standing around a path next to a holly bush with mature leafless trees behind

Thirteen tree-lovers gathered at Jenny’s Well on a pleasant, if chilly, Sunday afternoon on 18th February, for a spot of winter tree identifying. We were accompanied by Matt and May, from the Friends of Jenny’s Well, who were doing a litter pick round the site. Kirsty, who led the walk, helped by Judy, had previouslyContinueContinue reading “Report on winter tree id walk at Jenny’s Well”

Report on lichen outing at Muirshiel Country Park

Group of people wearing waterproof clothing, bending over looking at pale lichen growing on a log covered in moss

Craig Postlethwaite led another excellent walk for the society, sharing his knowledge about lichens. There was a very good turn out for the walk on 27th January. Not put off by the bitterly cold winds we dawdled along the track examining lichens on logs, trees and stone walls. Craig has written this report on the walk and includedContinueContinue reading “Report on lichen outing at Muirshiel Country Park”