2024 County Report for Co. Laois

Mark McCorry

BSBI activity was limited in Co. Laois in 2024.  No significant recording apart from field trips

The main activity was organising and leading 2 BSBI fieldtrips and several additional events where BSBI were involved.

The first BSBI field-trip was to Abbeyleix Woods and it was very well attended (25 people).   Highlights were seeing the oldest oak tree in Ireland (reputably!), a succession of very old oak trees and Nettle-leaved Bell-flower.

The second BSBI field-trip  was to the upper Ridge of Capard.  This event was also well attended and turned up some very interesting records including Round-leaved Wintergreen.

There was a third walk to Abbeyleix Woods that Fiona MacGowan was asked to lead - as a local botanist.

Abbeyleix Town won the National tidy-towns competion in 2023 and Fiona was a key person who has been supporting the group with biodiversity initiatives including wildflower friendly mowing regimes around the town.

 

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