Paisley Natural History Society

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 theContinue 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 LesserContinue 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!Continue reading "Volunteers needed for Clyde Area Amphibian Surveys, Spring 2024"

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 previouslyContinue reading "Report on winter tree id walk at Jenny’s Well"

Some outings for your diary

Hand holding a twig with a large pointed reddish brown bud at the end

First outing of the new Strathclyde Lichens Group Dave Mellor is leading a lichen trip to Shieldhill Glen on Tuesday 12th March.It's an outing of the newly formed Strathclyde Lichens Group and will be meeting at the Cornalees Bridge car park, Greenock Cut Visitor Centre at 10.00 am.Anyone interested in joining in should email DaveContinue reading "Some outings for your diary"

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 includedContinue reading "Report on lichen outing at Muirshiel Country Park"

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 bursariesContinue reading "Bursaries for natural history courses"

New Year plant hunt

Two people dressed in waterproofs wearing backpacks and woolly hats bending over looking at plants on the ground. They are standing at the edge of a cobbled lane with stone walls on either side.

Plans for outings are always at the mercy of the weather at this time of year. However, on the morning of the 30th December, the weather looked promising, some sleat was forecast but otherwise it was a dry, clear day. Seven people showed up looking forward to hunting for for wild plants in flower around Oakshaw, Paisley. Continue reading "New Year plant hunt"

Please help save Coul Links AGAIN!

Screengrab with photograph of coastline with title 'Save Coul Links' and text below

Highland Council votes to grant permission for golf course development despite overwhelming opposition. The Conservation Coalition asks for your help to stop this. Councillors voted by eight in favour, six against to allow the plans by developer C4C for Coul Links, near Embo in East Sutherland, against the advice of Highland Council’s own planning officers,Continue reading "Please help save Coul Links AGAIN!"

Help with Lichens

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

Offer of Zoom sessions and short outings Following the talk he gave for PNHS in November, Craig Postlethwaite has offered to run a few short zoom calls to show common lichens and the relevant identification characteristics from the Field Studies Council guides e.g. terminal soredia on Parmelia sulcata. He could then follow up with aContinue reading "Help with Lichens"