Puccinia brachypodii var. arrhenatheri on Aarhenatherum elatius in Kildavin, Co. Carlow today @bitheolaidhe.bsky.social?
Early-purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) recorded during fieldwork in Co. Wexford today. Survey was conducted as part of developing a bespoke "Plan for Nature" for the landowner, a biodiversity initiative coordinated by the @burrenbeotrust.bsky.social via The Hare's Corner program.
Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) & Cowslip (Primula veris) along a roadside verge of the N80 near Kildavin, Co. Carlow at the weekend.
Unfortunately, rampant Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is impacting several populations along the Slaney. Several plants evident in the first photo.
Nice suprise today scuttling over the steps of Aghade Church (the shieldbug, not me) outside Tullow, Co. Carlow. A new site for Forget-me-not Shieldbug (Sehirus luctuosus).
Some gorgeous pink hues to local Hawthorn around Kildavin, Co. Carlow over the weekend.
Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanum) along the River Slaney upstream of Kilcarry Bridge, Co. Carlow. #wildflowerhour
Mating 22-spot Ladybird pair, Red-headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) and Aceria crataegi gall on Hawthorn leaf along the Slaney near Clonegal, Co. Carlow yesterday.
For the past few years, I have walked regularly through the grounds of the local church in Kildavin, Co. Carlow. Recently, the church has changed its grassland management strategy, moving away from regular mowing to managing certain areas as meadow grassland. Great to see! #wildflowerhour
Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris), Two-handed Longhorn (Rhagium bifasciatum) and Rhagonycha lignosa from John's Hill pNHA, Co. Carlow over the weekend.
