2024 County Report for Co. Down

Graham Day

2024 County Report for County Down

Graham Day

Almost 6200 records were added to the BSBI DDB. Samples of wild roses and stoneworts were sent to the appropriate referees.

I led a meeting for the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club at Rostrevor NNR and, with Jake Dalzell, BSBI meetings on the Lecale coast and at Killard NNR.

Several opportunities arose to visit sites that are normally have restricted access. The woodland of the first, Rosemount Estate by Greyabbey on Strangford Lough, was dominated by Hedera helix (Common Ivy) and adding to the species list was slow. However, Catabrosa aquatica (Whorl-grass) was found by an access road, and an abundance of Myosotis discolor (Changing Forget-me-not) was present on an area of hardstanding.

The second site was Ballyedmond Estate by Killowen on Carlingford Lough and was organised by the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club in conjunction with the Irish Garden Plant Society. Actaea simplex (a Baneberry) was self-sown along a garden path and Aphanes australis (Slender Parsley-piert) and Oxalis exilis (Least Yellow-sorrel) were seen in the borders.

The third restricted location was the military base at Ballykinler, Dundrum Bay. Access was organised by Siobhan Thompson of Ulster Wildlife and Rhonda Ridley, curator at the National Museums Northern Ireland, was in attendance. Species lists were made and Erigeron acris (Blue Fleabane), last recorded here in 1936, was seen at several stations.

An updated edition of the County Down Rare Plant Register was completed and made available at https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/12/Down-RPR-2024.pdf

Actaea simplex (a Baneberry)

First record. Atropurpurea Group, self-sown in pavement cracks and in flower beds at Ballyedmond Estate. Recorded by G. Day.

Atriplex glabriuscula × praecox (an Orache)

First vc record. Recorded by P. D. Stanley at Killard NNR.

Atriplex praecox (Early Orache)

First vc record. Recorded by P.D. Stanley at Killard NNR.

Diplotaxis erucoides (White Rocket)

First Irish record. Confirmed by Tim Rich. Found during the Belfast Bioblitz. Recorded by G. Day. BEL

Erigeron bonariensis (Argentine Fleabane)

 First vc record. Recorded by G. Day. BEL

Erigeron sumatrensis (Guernsey Fleabane)

First vc record. Recorded by G. Day. BEL

Isotoma fluviatilis (Blue Star Creeper)

First record. Garden escape at Annacloy. Recorded by G. Day.

Physalis peruviana (Cape-gooseberry)

First vc record. Recorded by P.D. Stanley at Newcastle.

Rosa vosagiaca × sherardii (A Rose)

First Irish record. Collected at Clough by G. Day. Identified by R. Maskew.

Spergularia bocconei (Greek Sea-spurrey)

First vc record. Recorded by P.D. Stanley near Lisburn.