The programme comprises the Section excursions and links to other organisations for joint excursions. Booking should be made before joining an excursion with the PSNS or contact with the host organisation. The following posts give the PSNS Nature Section programme, invitations from The Dundee Naturalist’s Society, the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, The Botanical Society of Scotland, Faith Anstey’s workshops, the Butterfly Conservation, Scotland and the Tayside and Fife Fungal Group. TaFFG have a programme of Forays in addition to that listed, at which PSNS members are also welcome.
Author Archives: Jeffrey Banks
Nature Section Excursions
The summer programme is detailed below, by month. These may be amended as dates are confirmed. Locations and time to meet up will be emailed to you on booking. To book please contact Jeff Banks, nature@psns.org.uk or Liz Lavery eldlavery@outlook.com
Nature Section Excursions
April
Wednesday, 10th April, 5pm-8pm: Ospreys and Holy Grass, Loch Leven, Burleigh Sands
Nature Section Excursions
May
Sunday, 12th May, 7:30am-11:am: Bird Song and Bluebells, Kinclaven North Woods
Saturday, 18th May: Plant Families Workshop, with BSBI, booking required, see BSBI post below, Townhill Community Centre, Dunfermline
Saturday/Sunday, 25/26th, May: Survey of Sticky Catchfly, Dumyat. Contact lindsay@thefutureforestcompany.com For people with a head for heights!
Wednesday, 6pm, 29th May: Birds and Reeds, Tay Reed Beds, Errol
Nature Section Excursions
June
Saturday/ Sunday, 15/16th, all day: Meum and herb rich grassland, Enochdhu, Pitarrig/ Straloch moraines
Date to be arranged: Juniper Wood, Balnagard
Nature Section Excursions
July
Wednesday, 3rd July, 18:00-20:00: ‘An amazing orchid meadow,’ Marlee Mill, Clunie
Saturday 5th / Sunday 6thJuly, 11:00-15:00: Upland Orchid Meadow, Braeleny, Callander
Saturday, 20th July: 2 walks: Low-level walk to look at grasses and mountain plants, or a mountain day for sedges and grasses. Ben Lawers
Saturday, 27th July, 11:00-15:00: A walk round Pitlochry, exploring town and woodland
Nature Section Excursions
August and September
Saturday or Sunday, 10/11th August: Wildlife Site Survey, Venue to be decided
Saturday or Sunday, 17/18th August: Wildlife Site Survey, Venue to be decided
Saturday, 14th September Fungus Foray, Killiecrankie
Joint meeting with Tayside and Fife Fungal Group, and Dundee Naturalists
The Dundee Naturalist’s Society
The Dundee Naturalist’s are planning a full programme of excursions during the year to cover a range of interests. PSNS members are welcome to join them.
View the programme at https://dundeenaturalists.org.uk/events/
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
BSBI have a full programme of events.
These can be viewed at https://bsbi.org/field-meetings-and-indoor-events
Of particular interest may be
18th May, 10am-4.30pm: Identifying Wildflower Families
Townhill Community Centre, Dunfermline
22nd June, 10am-4.00pm: Start to Identify Grasses.
Falls of Clyde SWT Reserve, New Lanark
Booking is essential
Botanical Society of Scotland
The BSS have a full programme of summer outings, see https://botsoc.scot/events/
Plant Identification: WhatsApp group
An informal plant identification WhatsApp group is led by Faith Anstey at what may be short notice. Contact faithanstey@gmail.com to join the group.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterfly Conservation Scotland hold a number of meetings through the summer. These can be viewed at https://butterfly-conservation.org/events/scotland
The following may be of particular interest;
Monday, 20th April: Rare Butterfly and Moth Workshop, Dun Coillich, Nr Aberfeldy
Friday 5th July: Northern Brown Argus Workshop; Tummel Shingle Islands
Anthony McCluskey is creating a mailing list for notifying those interested in forthcoming events. To be included in the mailing contact amccluskey@butterfly-conservation.org
PSNS Nature Section Newsletter – January 2023
Video Talk – Tracking Short Eared Owls
John Calladine, Senior Research Ecologist, BTO
John tells a fascinating story of where these owls may wander off to, having spent much time and effort to follow their movements by tracking. You’ll be amazed.