Volunteer for Clyde Area Amphibian Surveys, Spring 2026

The Clyde Amphibian and Reptile Group (CARG) is recommencing the Greater Glasgow Pond Survey. They seek volunteers – old and new, regardless of experience, ability or background – to carry out surveys across amphibian breeding habitats. The purpose of the survey is to continue year-year assessment of the distribution and status of amphibian populations andContinue reading "Volunteer for Clyde Area Amphibian Surveys, Spring 2026"

Book review: Lichens of Britain and Ireland – An Introductory Guide by Rebecca Yahr & Frances Stoakley

Review by Craig Postlethwaite Publisher: Bloomsbury, 2025ISBN: 9781399404747Hardback, 256 pp, £22.50 (available for less at many booksellers) This is a new book published at the end of 2025 aimed at those who want a simple introduction to lichens. Both writers are based at the RBGE and Beccy Yahr is a past president of the BritishContinue reading "Book review: Lichens of Britain and Ireland – An Introductory Guide by Rebecca Yahr & Frances Stoakley"

Our 2026 New Year Plant Hunt finds

On 3 January we had our third New Year Plant Hunt in Paisley. The weather had been very unkind for the last two of these outings, with snow one year and torrential rainstorms the next. This year however, it was dry and dare I say it, sunny (albeit very cold). Seven of us started outContinue reading "Our 2026 New Year Plant Hunt finds"

PNHS meetings start back for 2025/26

We are looking forward to our first meeting of 2025/26 this Thursday 4th September, starting at 7.30pm. Instead of the planned talk, which has been postponed at short notice, we have asked our members to give the talks on Thursday! Come along prepared to tell us about what fires your enthusiasm for nature! Bring photographs orContinue reading "PNHS meetings start back for 2025/26"

GNHS and PNHS outing to Boylestone Quarry, Barrhead

Saturday 26th July 2025 Boylestone Quarry is a geological SSSI on the outskirts of Barrhead. The site was quarried for road metal but has been disused for decades.  The main mineralogical interest of the quarry is the presence of prehnite (calcium aluminium silicate).  The walls of the quarry also feature a good example of twoContinue reading "GNHS and PNHS outing to Boylestone Quarry, Barrhead"

PNHS Moth Evening at Muirshiel Visitor Centre

Friday 20th June 2025 A wild night was had by the few who ventured out after 9pm on a Friday night to go mothing up by Lochwinnoch. Gordon Phillips had arranged with Pat Emslie, Ranger at Muirshiel Country Park, to host a moth trapping evening to which members of PNHS were invited, along with localContinue reading "PNHS Moth Evening at Muirshiel Visitor Centre"

Join in the Big Butterfly Count

The Big Butterfly Count started yesterday, Friday 18th July and and runs until Sunday 10th August.  Male Common Blue butterfly It is an annual UK-wide survey organised by Butterfly Conservation. By taking part we can help them assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) thatContinue reading "Join in the Big Butterfly Count"

Outing at Dykebar and Hollybush, Paisley

14 June 2025 A small group of six, brave enough to come out, despite the wet weather, set off through the woodland shelterbelt at Dykebar hoping to get protection from the rain.  The plan wasn’t as effective as we’d hoped, but without the downpour we would never have seen what turned out to be theContinue reading "Outing at Dykebar and Hollybush, Paisley"

Mountain Pansies

We have recently returned from a very pleasant holiday in the Spey Valley. On our favourite evening stroll, high above the River Spey near Kingussie, we were delighted to discover that you do not need to be in the mountains to see Mountain Pansy. We were staying in a cottage at Ruthven, just outside theContinue reading "Mountain Pansies"

No Mow May 2025

Did anyone, like us, decide to give No Mow May a go this year? We have two areas of lawn, one front and one back garden. They produced quite different results. Our front lawn is quite small, and surrounded by flower borders. Over the course of the month of May, the grass grew tall andContinue reading "No Mow May 2025"