2020 County Report for Mid Ebudes

Lynne Farrell

I've not been into my VC at all this year but local residents have provided some interesting records, including annual reports from John Bowler, Tiree and Ben Jones, Coll, RSPB officers.

Advice has been given on Bee-Lines project run by Buglife, and to Mull rangers on new and upgraded walking and cycling routes.

Many records have been validated during the year.

Some species have fared well this year and Mertensia maritima (Oysterplant) has reappeared in one site and has significantly increased in another round the west coast of Mull. A new site for Cephalanthera longifolia ( Narrow-leaved Helleborine) was found in Aros Park, Tobermory and both species of Platanthera ( Butterfly Orchid) had a good season. An additional population for Hieracium maritimum (Maritime Hawkweed) was found near the known location and Ribes rubrum (Red Currant) has been found in the wild near Treshnish farm, where it has presumably grown from bird-sown seed from the bushes in the farm garden. Pimpinella saxifraga (Burnet Saxifrage) was found on Gunna during a local boating trip.

Control if Allium triquetrum ( Three-cornered Garlic) on Iona continues, and it has now been found on Erraid. The locals have included a recipe for making a pesto out of it in the local magazine!