2023 County Report for Co. Leitrim

Eamon Gaughan

  • 2,248 records were collected for Leitrim.
  • Elatine hexandra (Six stamened Waterwort) and Erigeron acris (Blue Fleabane) are new county records for Leitrim.

Other highlights include

  • Epilobium alsinifolium (Chickweed Willowherb) was refound at its only Irish station in Glenade in September.
  • Sorbus rupicola (Rock Whitebeam), Sorbus hibernica (Irish Whitebeam) and Hypopytis monotropa (Yellow Bird’s Nest) were seen near Lough Gill in September.
  • New sites (mostly new hectads) were found for several rare or locally uncommon species. These include; Moehringia trinervia (Three nerved Sandwort), Polystichum aculeatum (Hard Shield Fern), Oreopteris limbosperma (Lemon scented Fern), Viola reichenbachiana (Wood Dog Violet), Dryopteris carthusiana (Narrow Buckler Fern), Carex dioica (Dioecious Sedge) and the alien Mycelis muralis (Wall Lettuce).

I plan to have more outings to Leitrim in 2024, particularly to the still somewhat under recorded south eastern parts. Hopefully we will get a better summer so that more of the lakes and wetlands can be surveyed

Sorbus rupicola (Rock Whitebeam)

Refound at Sriff Lough Gill in September

Erigeron acris (Blue Fleabane)

Found on forest track ner Kiltyclogher in August