On this page you can find out more about the national field meetings and indoor botanical events scheduled for 2023 across Britain & Ireland. Use the facilities below to search by month, by county or by country, and to find the kind of meeting or event that's right for you. Click on any entry in the list to expand the box and find out more. There's a searchable link (icon bottom left of each box) for each event that you can send to friends and colleagues or share on social media. Don't forget to also check out what's happening in your local area by visiting the Local Botany page and clicking through to your county.
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New Year Plant Hunt
1st – 4th January 2022recording general
Our 11th Hunt will go ahead subject to the latest restrictions around Covid-19. Find out more here and please check with your County Recorder and/ or local botany group for details of any group Hunts in your area.
BSBI Spring Conference
26th March 2022recording
The BSBI Spring Conference is being designed for the wider recording community and will be held via Zoom. The meeting will start at 10am. Talks may include topics such as Atlas 2020, use of the BSBI Distribution Database, Rare Plant Registers and other subjects. Details, including booking arrangements, to follow but for now, please save the date!
Irish Spring Conference
2nd April 2022general
The Irish Spring Conference will be held online. Further details will be available soon on the Irish Conferences webpage.
Westport House Demesne
West Mayo 24th April 2022general
This trip will look at some coastal saltmarsh and grassland in the morning and then will examine Westport House Demesne woodland and freshwater habitats in the afternoon.
Meet: in the car park across the road from the Helm Bar & Restaurant (F28 A146) at 10:00 am.
Taraxacum training and recording workshop, Portpatrick
Wigtownshire 6th – 9th May 2022training specialised
This is the eighth long weekend dedicated to the genus Taraxacum (Dandelions), and the first in south-west Scotland. It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid, and is the first to be held since the publication of the Field Handbook to British and Irish Dandelions which will be trialled in the field. Compared to most of Scotland, Wigtownshire is poorly studied for Taraxacum and recent work elsewhere in the far west suggests that interesting discoveries may await. Recent visits out of season suggest that good Erythrosperma and Obliqua species occur above strand-lines, while rich submontane habitats inland may harbour Naevosa and Celtica. It will be interesting to see if Irish specialities occur. Portpatrick has a range of places to eat and stay, but is popular at weekends. Stranraer, Lochans and Sandhead offer alternatives within 15 minutes by car. We will hire a room in a local hall as a centre and for evening studies so there will be a levy of £20 to pay for facilities. Caspian, who has a good knowledge of the area, will act as local agent and field guide.
Limehouse
Middlesex 14th May 2022beginners
We'll explore Limehouse basin and Limehouse Cut, recording for the London Natural History Society’s London Flora Project. The Limehouse area of London is one of the city’s most urbanised areas with a deep industrial heritage. Limehouse Cut, opened in 1770, is London’s oldest canal. This walk will be seeking to find some of the survivors its pre-industrial past, such as Alisma plantago-aquatica (Water-plantain), Apium graveolens (Wild Celery), Chenopodiastrum hybridum (Maple-leaved Goosefoot), Potamogeton pusillus (Lesser Pondweed) and Stachys palustris (Marsh Woundwort). However, the area is of greatest interest for the diversity of neophytes growing in it. Garden escapes and the waifs and strays of commerce and industry are frequent; these include: Angelica archangelica (Garden Angelica), Bidens frondosa (Beggarticks), Colutea arborescens (Bladder-senna), Dysphania ambrosioides (Mexican-tea), Galinsoga quadriradiata (Shaggy Soldier), Hirschfeldia incana (Hoary Mustard), Melilotus albus (White Melilot), M. indicus (Small Melilot), Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel-of-Peru), Nicandra physalodes (Apple-of-Peru), Rumex cristatus (Greek Dock), Senecio inaequidens (Narrow-leaved Ragwort), Solanum chenopodioides (Tall Nightshade) and Solanum nigrum subsp. schultesii (Black Nightshade). At the mouth of Limehouse Basin, facing the Thames we may find Sagina maritima (Sea Pearlwort), Trifolium pannonicum (Hungarian Clover) and other coastal halophytes; these species have been moving upstream as the salinity of the Thames increases, yet another subtle indicator of our changing environment. Suitable for beginners and experienced botanists.
Meet: Limehouse DLR (TQ361810) at 11:00 am.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Midlothian 14th May 2022beginners
Whilst there are many exotic species in the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we will search for species native to Scotland in the Rock Garden, the Woodland Garden, around the pond and in the Scottish Native Plant Collection in the Heath Garden. Also, some of the less intensively managed corners of the garden have some rather surprising species like Adoxa moschatellina (Townhall Clock) which we’d hope to see. The emphasis of this field meeting will be on learning and we would particularly welcome anyone who has not been on a BSBI field meeting before.
Further information and booking online: www.tickettailor.com/events/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/621461
Arthur’s Seat
Midlothian 15th May 2022beginners
Holyrood Park’s dramatic hills and crags give Edinburgh its distinctive skyline. They also provide grassland habitats for a remarkably diverse and interesting flora. We hope to see species such as Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder’s-tongue), Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort), Potentilla tabernaemontani (Spring Cinquefoil) amongst many others. Historic Scotland manage the park and we hope that one of their rangers might talk about its conservation management. The emphasis of this field meeting will be on learning and we would particularly welcome anyone who has not been on a BSBI field meeting before.
Further information and booking online: www.tickettailor.com/events/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/621498
The Mash
Co. Laois 21st May 2022general
This trip will explore the Shanahoe Marsh area, known locally as the Mash. This is a fascinating area of wet and dry grassland that is collectively managed as commonage grassland and is mown for hay in the summer. It floods as callows grassland along the River Nore in the winter and attracts significant numbers of wintering water-birds. It has a rich history – we will have to watch out for the “Mash Shark!”. The wet grassland is sedge rich and the surrounding hedgerows are also quite diverse with at least one Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia (Black Poplar) present. A small section of dry grassland has Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid).
Meet in Abbeyleix Town at the Heritage House, 10.00 am. Dress for the weather and rough round. Bring a packed lunch.
Tummel Shingle
Mid Perthshire 28th May 2022general training
This meeting will be of general interest, since the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve on the Tummel Shingle is a unique and botanically fascinating place – from Juniper to orchids, with birds and butterflies as added attractions. However, there will be a special emphasis on ID training, using the Pocket Guide to Wildflower Families.
Aquatic Plant Project Training Day 1
Co. Louth 28th May 2022general training
The first field day of the BSBI Aquatic Plant Project 2022 programme will be held on the Rivers Dee and Glyde in County Louth, with aquatic plants expert Nick Stewart and County Recorder Cliona Byrne. The aim is to improve identification skills and gather records in a range of aquatic habitats.
Everyone is welcome to attend and thanks to the generous funding from the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service the event is free. For more information and booking use this link: Saturday 28th in Louth.
Aquatic Plant Project Training Day 2
Meath 29th May 2022general training
The second field day of the BSBI Aquatic Plant Project 2022 programme will be held in County Meath on the River Boyne and the Boyne Canal with aquatic plants expert Nick Stewart and County Recorder Margaret Norton. The aim is to improve identification skills and gather records in a range of aquatic habitats.
Everyone is welcome to attend and thanks to the generous funding from the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service the event is free. For more information and booking use this link: Sunday 29th in Meath.
Sithean Mor and surrounds
West Inverness-shire 4th – 5th June 2022recording general
The aim of the weekend is to explore some of the rugged terrain between Loch Ailort and Loch Morar in hectad NM78. The exact itinerary will depend on the weather but should include the 600 m Sithean Mor (NM7286, the enigmatic second site for Diapensia lapponica (Diapensia)) and surrounding hills, coires and lochans, and possibly also the Ardnish peninsula. Calcareous flushes with species such as Saxifraga aizoides (Yellow Saxifrage), Pinguicula lusitanica (Pale Butterwort) and Platanthera bifolia (Lesser Butterfly-orchid) are known to occur, along with a range of western ferns and wintergreens, but much of the ground is unexplored. Hill-fitness is required. Accommodation (potentially from Friday 3 June to Monday 6 June) nearby is limited so early booking is advisable.
Wales Annual Meeting & AGM, Bangor
Caernarvonshire 10th – 12th June 2022general
The 2022 BSBI Wales Annual Meeting, exhibition and AGM together with the associated field excursions will be based at the Reichel Hall, Bangor University, Ffriddoedd Rd, Bangor LL57 2TW. Full details of the programme and a booking facility are available on the Wales Annual Meeting & AGM webpage, where any updates will also be posted.
Sedges at Tarn Moss and Eycott Hill
Cumberland 11th June 2022training
Tarn Moss National Nature Reserve is a basin mire holding a fine collection of sedges and acid-loving plants. The specialities are Carex magellanica (Tall Bog-sedge) and C. lasiocarpa (Slender Sedge) but other sedges including C. canescens (White Sedge), C. paniculata (Greater Tussock-sedge) and C. rostrata (Bottle Sedge) also grow here, along with Andromeda polifolia (Bog Rosemary), Dactylorhiza maculata (Heath-spotted Orchid), Dryopteris carthusiana (Narrow Buckler-fern) and Vaccinium oxycoccos (Cranberry). It is often very wet underfoot. Our second site is Eycott Hill not far from Tarn Moss and recently purchased by Cumbria Wildlife Trust. It is largely a series of mires that occupy a number of parallel troughs in the underlying volcanic rock and it too is very wet in places. The sedge flora includes good quantities of Carex limosa (Bog-sedge), C. pauciflora (Few-flowered Sedge), C. diandra (Lesser Tussock-sedge), C. dioica (Dioecious Sedge) and up to 16 other Carex species, together with some non-Carex sedges. There is a good range of other wetland species and, on the drier hillocks, Cryptogramma crispa (Parsley Fern) and Viola lutea (Mountain Pansy) are found.
This is a repeat of the 2021 Meeting, mainly to accommodate those who were unable to attend last year. Numbers are limited to 15 to minimise damage to fragile habitats. All sedge enthusiasts are welcome whether experienced or not. This will be a full day outing so please bring packed lunch. The distance covered will not be great – a little more than 5 kilometres but in places it will be very wet underfoot. Wellies or waterproof boots are essential.
Crook Peak and Sand Point/Sand Bay, Mendip Hills
North Somerset 11th – 12th June 2022general
A two-day meeting exploring species-rich limestone grassland and rock outcrops on steep south-facing slopes of the West Mendips. Ascending the steep side of Crook Peak we will see Trinia glauca (Honewort), Clinopodium acinos (Basil Thyme), Euphrasia tetraquetra (Western Eyebright), Koeleria vallesiana (Somerset Hair-grass), Filago germanica (Common Cudweed) and many other species of dry open limestone grassland. Carex humilis (Dwarf Sedge) and Marrubium vulgare (White Horehound) grow near the peak, where there are also interesting areas of limestone heathland. On a fine day, the panoramic views across Somerset are stunning. Sand Point is a Carboniferous limestone promontory, also home to Honewort, Somerset Hair-grass and other treasures of open rocky limestone grassland, but with additional maritime interest. We should see Limonium procerum (Rock Sea-lavender), Hypericum montanum (Pale St John’s-wort), Trifolium suffocatum (Suffocated Clover), Orobanche hederae (Ivy Broomrape) and Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar Pink), introduced here in the 1950s and thriving. Sand Bay has a good range of species typical of saltmarsh, strandline and sand-dune, including Limonium vulgare (Common Sea-lavender), Carex extensa (Long-bracted Sedge) and Althaea officinalis (Marsh-mallow).
Beginners will be very welcome. Please bring packed lunch on both days. Both sites involve steep ascents on uneven rocky paths. Please wear appropriate footwear for rough ground and bring waterproofs and sun cream.
Contact helenacrouch@sky.com for further information and to book, with email address/ mobile details.
Inishowen Peninsula
East Donegal 11th – 12th June 2022general
This two-day meeting will explore the flora of a number of coastal and upland locations on the Inishowen peninsula, Co. Donegal. The peninsula supports a range of good plant habitats with coastal habitats particularly extensive and well developed. Particular emphasis will be given to exploring areas that have potential for rarer species which have not been seen for some time in Inishowen, such as Pyrola media (Intermediate Wintergreen) and Equisetum pratense (Shady Horsetail).
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair & Sgurr Dubh
West Ross & Cromarty 17th – 18th June 2022recording
One of the most inaccessible parts of West Ross, this complex – in NH07 in the Great Wilderness – badly needs re-surveying, not least as part of the current Scottish HectAd Rare Plant Project (SHARPP). From past records, targets include Alchemilla wichurae (Rock Lady’s-mantle), Arabidopsis petraea (Northern Rock-cress), Athyrium distentifolium (Alpine Lady-fern), Carex atrata (Black Alpine-sedge), Cerastium nigrescens (Arctic Mouse-ear), Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. alpina (Alpine Hair-grass), Draba norvegica (Rock Whitlowgrass), Poa alpina & P. glauca (Alpine & Glaucous Meadow-grasses), and Polystichum lonchitis (Holly-fern). It is about a nine-mile walk-in from either direction – we’ll decide nearer the time whether this will be an early start from the Braemore end, from Kinlochewe, or both – so we’ll need an overnight camp on Friday night to have time to cover the ground effectively. Attendees therefore need to be fit, able to walk up mountains, and willing to camp.
Early booking of accommodation for Thursday or Saturday advisable.
Staines Moor
Middlesex 18th June 2022recording
This will be a continuation of last year's recording on this large site for the London Natural History Society’s London Flora Project. We will aim to explore the remaining parts of Staines Moor that we did not get to in 2021. Staines Moor SSSI is one of the relatively few large areas of open land left in the area. Even so, large parts are occupied by the King George VI Reservoir and the Staines Reservoirs and are now inaccessible. We will be focusing on the lower areas of the Moor (TQ0272, TQ0273, TQ0372 & TQ0373) and will be aiming to rerecord some of the rarities of the area including Groenlandia densa (Opposite-leaved Pondweed), Potamogeton spp. (Pondweeds), Catabrosa aquatica (Whorl-grass), Juncus compressus (Round-fruited Rush), Oenanthe spp. (Water-dropworts) and Persicaria spp. (Water-peppers). Suitable for beginners and experienced botanists.
Meet at Moor Lane, Staines (TQ030722) at 11:00 am. This location is about a 15 minute walk from Staines railway station. There is space for parking on Moor Lane.
Sedges & Rushes Workshop, Barony College, Dumfries
18th June 2022training
This workshop is one of a series of ID training workshops and is suitable for those with a basic knowledge of plant ID. The workshop includes classroom training, hands-on study in small groups, and some fieldwork. The booklet Start to Identify Sedges & Rushes will be included in the cost of the workshop – £30 (discount for BSBI members, young people & full-time students).
The Burren
Co. Clare 19th June 2022recording general
On this trip we will visit a range of botanically rich habitats in the Burren including limestone pavement, calcareous grassland and turlough. We envisage the trip to be suitable for botanists of all levels as we aim to cover the unique habitats and plant species of the Burren. If time allows, we will explore some locations that have received less recording attention in recent years in the hope of re-finding interesting species or new sites for others.
Expect to see a range of orchids including: Neotinea maculata (Dense-flowered Orchid), Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. okellyi (Common Spotted-orchid) and Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid); as well as plants characteristic of the Burren flora such as Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil) and Helianthemum oelandicum (Hoary Rock-rose). Please bring suitable footwear for rough terrain, and warm/waterproof clothing. Also bring a packed lunch, sun cream and water.
Meeting point will be at Cooloortla (R3418 9663) Burren National Park. There is some limited parking available here. If attendees have the option of car-sharing (in accordance with Covid guidance) this is recommended.
Alness
East Ross & Cromarty 23rd June 2022recording general
A joint meeting with BSS and Inverness Botany Group
This is an all-day meeting devoted to the urban flora of Alness and probably also the flora of the immediately surrounding area. We will be recording for the Urban Flora Project of the Botanical Society of Scotland and also the BSBI. We will also be enjoying the wild flowers and other wildlife of the area. Alness is a small town in Easter Ross, near the Cromarty Firth and bisected by the Alness or Averon river. We will visit habitats in the town and along the river. Alness was the first recent location in Easter Ross for Sherardia arvensis (Wild Madder), so rare in the north. We may also see Goodyera repens (Creeping Lady’s-tresses), quite a widespread species in the area, bur rare elsewhere. We should be mainly on good paths, with perhaps a short uphill section and we will cover about 3 miles.
Grasses Workshop, Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton
Lanarkshire 25th June 2022training
This workshop aims to introduce identification of common grasses to beginners and improvers who already have a basic grasp of plant ID. There will be a mix of classroom study and fieldwork, much of it in small groups with expert tutors. The programme will be based on Start to Identify Grasses by Faith Anstey, a copy of which will be included in the cost of the workshop – £30 (Discount for BSBI members, young people & full-time students).
Heartwood Forest
Hertfordshire 26th June 2022general
Occupying 350 ha between the villages of Wheathampstead and Sandridge, Heartwood Forest is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust and represents one of the most ambitious habitat creation projects in Western Europe. Until 2008, most of the site (other than small areas of semi-ancient woodland) was devoted to arable cropping. Since then 600,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted to create a mosaic of slowly maturing woodland and open meadows, supplemented by an arboretum containing the great majority of trees native to the UK and a newly created wetland area. We invite botanists of all levels of expertise to join a guided circular walk (c.5 km) encompassing most features of interest. There are no stunningly rare plants on offer but a great chance to see habitats in different stages of transition and hear about management and monitoring work underway. Meet at the main carpark (TL167107) at 10:00am.
Glen Douglas
Dunbartonshire 2nd July 2022recording
The moorland between Glen Douglas and Arrochar has received insufficient attention from botanists in recent years. This meeting aims to rectify the situation and will search for a number of interesting old records including Asplenium viride (Green Spleenwort), Juncus triglumis (Three-flowered Rush), Polystichum lonchitis (Holly-fern), Saxifraga stellaris (Starry Saxifrage) and Tofieldia pusilla (Scottish Asphodel). Hoping that participants will include at least one experienced recorder willing and able to lead a sub-party, there will be options to follow either a low-level route, keeping to an excellent track, or a higher-level route, involving rough walking on open hillside (with a maximum of around 300m of ascent). Come prepared for a day in the hills.
Ranscombe Farm Plantlife Reserve, Cuxton, nr Rochester
West Kent 3rd July 2022general
Join Kent Botanical Recording Group at Plantlife’s largest nature reserve in England, situated in the beautiful Kent Downs AONB. With Plantlife’s former site manager, Richard, we’ll be seeing an impressive array of arable plants and chalk grassland species. A great opportunity for all, beginners or otherwise, to enjoy species such as Filago pyramidata (Broad-leaved Cudweed), Agrostemma githago (Corncockle), Valerianella dentata (Narrow-fruited Cornsalad), Papaver argemone (Prickly Poppy), Ajuga chamaepitys (Ground-pine), Astragalus glycyphyllos (Wild Liquorice), Malva setigera (Rough Marsh-mallow) and Salvia pratensis (Meadow Clary).
Meet: 10:00 am in the Reserve car park at TQ715675: go through the small parking area just off the A228 and drive about 300 m into the site on the private entrance road (please take care on the blind bend and watch for pedestrians). For satnav, follow ME2 1LA, but stop when you see the car park and small buildings on your left. Bring a packed lunch and have suitable footwear and clothing.
Glynhir Recording Week
Carmarthenshire 4th – 11th July 2022general
The week-long annual Carmarthenshire Recording and Monitoring Meeting will include visits to sites around the county. The meeting will cater for both experienced and less proficient botanists and will provide an opportunity for the informal development of identification skills. Arrangements will be flexible, some days the group may stay as one body, other days smaller groups will visit different sites to monitor rare or scarce species or update grid squares not visited recently. Day outings will be tailored to individual needs to cover all fitness abilities. More information on the Carmarthenshire webpage.
Lough Ree shore
Co. Longford 9th July 2022general
This meeting will examine the flora of the lakeshore, callows grassland and associated habitats with woodland. There are lots of nice things to see in this area such as Lathyrus palustris (Marsh Pea), Stellaria palustris (Marsh Stitchwort), Teucrium scordium (Water Germander) and Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow-leaved Helleborine).
Meet at Cashel Graveyard, Elfleet at 10:30. N0142860190 is the meeting point. There is some parking available there. Booking is essential. Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for all weather conditions, sun protection, a packed lunch and hand lens.
Rubus Study Week
North Somerset, North Wiltshire, South Wiltshire, West Gloucestershire 11th – 17th July 2022training specialised
The week will be based in Bath and will include a mixture of field trips, lectures and workshops.
Bath is at the centre of a region of very varied geology, which in turn has resulted in a wide variety of habitat types. During the week a series of species-rich woodlands will be visited, including some which are remnants of medieval hunting forests, and other special habitats such as moorland on the high ground of the Mendip Hills and the peat fenland of the Somerset Levels. In the event of wet weather, field trips may be rearranged or replaced by workshops but most will include woodland so will only be cancelled if the weather is particularly bad.
Monday 11 July: 'Secrets of the Mulberry Bush', 7:30 pm, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution.
Introductory lecture open to all, whether attending the study week or not. Car park available nearby. For directions and to book, see www.brlsi.org.
Tuesday 12 July: Somerset coalfield and Mendip Hills, VC6.
Wednesday 13 July: Somerset peat moors, VC6.
Thursday 14 July: Chippenham, Braydon and Melksham Forests, VC7.
Friday 15 July: Selwood Forest, VC8.
Saturday 16 July: Cotswolds, VC33/34.
Sunday 17 July (am): Bristol coalfield, VC34. The meeting will finish close to the junction of the M4 and M5.
It will be possible for members to attend for part of the week but if so, please indicate this to the leader to ensure you receive details of meeting time and location.
Annual Summer Meeting, FSC Malham Tarn
Mid-west Yorkshire 15th – 18th July 2022general
The plan is to have a local walk on the Friday afternoon, with excursions to interesting sites over the weekend. The overall cost for the whole event (registration, accommodation and all meals) is £200 per person but there are also "pick 'n' mix" options if e.g. you want to make your own accommodation arrangements or you don't want to stay for the whole event.
Please use this link to view the outline programme, book your space and make a payment.
Herrington & Hasting Hills
County Durham 23rd July 2022general
This meeting will visit the Herrington Hill Durham Wildlife Trust Reserve on the west side of A19 and, after exploring the reserve, we will visit Hastings Hill SSSI on the other side of the A19. Both sites are areas of magnesian limestone grassland with all the classic indicator species that define this internationally rare plant community. Sesleria caerulea (Blue Moor-grass) is the dominant grass with Helianthemum nummularium (Common Rock-rose), Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle), Thymus drucei (Wild Thyme), Pimpinella saxifraga (Burnet-saxifrage), Gentianella amarella (Autumn Gentian, or as it is usually known locally, Felwort), Ononis repens (Common Restharrow) and Plantago maritima (Sea Plantain), which is more commonly associated with the coast. We should also see Epipactis atrorubens (Dark-red Helleborine) which was rediscovered here last year, after many years of absence.
Note: There are no defined footpaths and some steep slopes at both sites. This will be a general meeting for all levels of botanists.
Grasses, sedges and rushes, joint meeting with NTS & PSNS, Ben Lawers
Mid Perthshire 23rd July 2022training
This meeting aims to consolidate training in identifying grasses, sedges and rushes, as introduced in BSBI Scotland workshops. Copies of the booklets Start to Identify Grasses and Start to Identify Sedges & Rushes are recommended. We hope workshops will resume this year, but it doesn't matter whether you have been on one or not. The meeting is open to all members of BSBI, NTS, PSNS and anyone else interested, whatever level they are at. After some revision on what to look for, we will split into those who want to go on up the hill (perhaps those with more experience of grasses etc) and those preferring to stay on lower ground (and/or perhaps needing more ID guidance). Places are limited, booking essential.
Glenbower Woods, Killeagh
East Cork 23rd July 2022beginners
We will explore the woodland and spend some time identifying the different plants growing there. Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for all weather conditions, sun protection, a packed lunch and hand lens and ID book if you have one.
Meet at Glenbower Woods carpark (X00097734) at 10:00 am. This is a Coillte woodland and there is parking at this location.
Loch Maree
West Ross & Cromarty 5th – 7th August 2022recording general
A rare opportunity: the Reserve Manager has kindly offered boat transport on the Friday to allow five passengers (i.e. four plus organiser Duncan Donald) to record on the Loch Maree Islands National Nature Reserve [choosing early August to minimise disturbance to breeding black-throated divers]. From past records, targets include Aristavena setacea (Bog Hair-grass), Elatine hexandra (Six-stamened Waterwort), Goodyera repens (Creeping Lady's-tresses), Isoetes echinospora (Spring Quillwort), Lycopodiella inundata (Marsh Clubmoss) [a large colony], Sorbus rupicola (Rock Whitebeam), but above all Linnaea borealis (Twinflower), only reported from there once c.1873! Given that so few can take part in this, the organiser is planning that the meeting should run on for a further two days, to enable them and/or others joining just for the weekend, to do some more mainland-based recording; a get-together for all is proposed on the Friday evening. Targets around Loch Maree itself include Ajuga pyramidalis (Pyramidal Bugle) and the newly-described Scaly Male-fern variant Dryopteris affinis subsp. pseudodisjuncta at its first British site; Rhynchospora fusca (Brown Beak-sedge) will be seen. Otherwise, depending on what the June Meeting [q.v.] has already achieved, targets might include the Cambrian limestone outcrop beside Lochan Fada, with Dryas octopetala (Mountain Avens) and Epipactis atrorubens (Dark-red Helleborine); the little-recorded fringe of Beinn Eighe NNR at Fuaran Mor [NG9765]; or the mix of habitats at An Cearcaill [NG9368]. Alternatively, for anyone interested in camping overnight, the Letterewe Forest (including Beinn Lair & Sgurr Dubh) deserves attention: Asplenium septentrionale (Forked Spleenwort), Juncus biglumis (Two-flowered Rush) and Poa glauca (Glaucous Meadow-grass) records need updating.
Early booking of accommodation, potentially from Thursday to Sunday, is advisable.
Composite flowers ID Workshop, The Ecology Centre, Kinghorn
Fife & Kinross 6th August 2022training
This workshop is the latest in the series of ID workshops for beginners and improvers. There will be a mix of classroom training and hands-on study in small groups, including fieldwork. The booklet Start to Identify Composite Flowers will provide the structure of the course, and will be included in the cost of the workshop – £30. (Discount for BSBI members, young people and full-time students).
Murvagh
East Donegal 7th August 2022general
Habitats at Murvagh include coastal dune grassland with the opportunity to re-find Botrychium lunaria (Moonwort) and Hypopitys monotropa (Yellow Bird’s-nest). Other species of interest include Pyrola rotundifolia subsp. maritima (Round-leaved Wintergreen) and Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder’s-tongue).
Meet in Murvagh carpark (G89637288) at 10:00 am. Please bring a packed lunch and appropriate gear.
Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses
Shropshire, Denbighshire 12th August 2022general
These Mosses on the England-Wales border were described by James Robertson in the October 2021 issue of British Wildlife. They form a raised bog, which retains many botanical rarities. The meeting will show off some of these specialties, carry out some recording and provide help on identification of the more common species. We will be joined by members of Natural England’s Marches Mosses BogLIFE team who manage the National Nature Reserve. Some of the terrain that we will venture into is very uneven, though there are more even paths.
Meet: 10:00 am at Morris’ Bridge car park Whixall SJ493354. Nearest postcode SY13 2RX.
Pumlumon
Cardiganshire 13th August 2022recording general
The highest point in Cardiganshire and source of the rivers Wye, Severn and Rheidol. Remarkably, Pumlumon is still the only high mountain in Wales to have achieved zero grazing (albeit with some trespass) and it is instructive to see the effects here of nearly 10 years regrowth and changes in species distribution and abundance. Over this time there has been a remarkable recovery in summit heath and grassland communities, with previously unsuspected populations of Salix herbacea (Dwarf Willow), Carex bigelowii (Stiff Sedge) – here at its southernmost site in Britain – and C. x decolorans, its hybrid with C. nigra (Common Sedge), together with the dwarf mountain variants of Succisa pratensis (Devil’s-bit Scabious), Solidago virgaurea subsp. minuta (Goldenrod) and other upland or montane taxa. Lower plants, fungi, invertebrates and birds all seem to have benefitted from grazing removal with, for example, Merlin (Falco columbarius) nesting on Pumlumon for the first time in living memory, and Wood Tiger (Parasemia plantaginis) and the rare rust fungus on Dwarf Willow, Melampsora arctica, both recently observed. Members with an interest in these groups might find reasons to attend – and would be particularly welcome. The meeting starts at 10:30 am. Note: As with all mountain tops, Pumlumon can be very challenging and attendees will need to be able to climb and descend over 450m over sometimes very steep rocky paths and boggy areas. Good wind and waterproof equipment and sturdy footwear are essential.
Meet: 10:30 am at Maesnant, on the end of the paved road on the south side of Nant y Moch reservoir at SN7748789.
When booking, please include an email address / mobile contact number.
Clydach Quarries and Cwm Clydach
Monmouthshire, Breconshire 3rd September 2022general
An extensive limestone quarry with a wide range of species-rich communities, including exposed rock outcrops, thin-soiled turf and flushed areas. We should see several rare and interesting taxa of these habitats (such as Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella (Autumn Gentian), Erigeron acris (Blue Fleabane) and Hypopitys monotropa (Yellow Bird's-nest)) as well as a good selection of sedges, whitebeams and the more widespread, characteristic species of limestone habitats. Some steep slopes and rough terrain but fantastic views and impressive local wildlife.
Meet: 10:30 am at Pwll Du (plenty of roadside parking at S0244118), walk to quarry and car share to Clydach. Note: Steep upland terrain with rocky areas. Attendees will need good wind and waterproof outdoor gear and walking boots.
When booking, please remember to provide a mobile contact number.
Plant Identification for Habitat Surveys, Dumyat
Stirling 3rd September 2022training
This meeting aims to introduce participants to the main indicator species which assist in habitat classifications, touching on several Phase 1 habitats and NVC plant communities. The workshop is not suitable for complete beginners but is more aimed at those who have some basic or intermediate plant identification skills, who are also interested in understanding the relationships between plant species and the habitats in which they grow. Please note that this is not a training course on Phase 1 habitat or NVC surveys but rather a workshop to assist participants in identifying key plant species in different habitats. The meeting is open to anyone who may have an interest, though priority will be given to BSBI and BSS members in the first instance. It is likely that the workshop will involve some rough walking over the open hill in places. Come prepared for a day in the hills! Places are limited, booking is essential.
Back Strand, Tramore
Co. Waterford 10th September 2022training
The aim of the meeting is to learn how to identify the two species of Eelgrass Zostera marina (Eelgrass) and Zostera noltei (Dwarf Eelgrass). They both grow on the mudflats, and in places in mixed populations. We will also look at Salicornia (Glassworts) and other saltmarsh plants, and explore the drain behind the seawall to look at Ruppia maritima (Beaked Tasselweed). We will also see Inula crithmoides (Golden-samphire) which grows in the saltmarsh, as well as on the seawall.
This site has been chosen as the mud is firm here, and there is no worry of getting stuck in the mud, plus the Eelgrass grows very close to the shore. Joining details will be sent to you once you have booked.
Daventry Country Park
Northamptonshire 17th September 2022general
This meeting will visit Daventry Country Park where we are hoping to look for species on the drawdown zone of the reservoir including Limosella aquatica (Mudwort), Rumex palustris (Marsh dock) and R. maritimus (Golden Dock). We may move onto the Northants 2nd site for Adiantum capillus-veneris (Maidenhair Fern), also at Daventry, and if permission is granted a look at Jasione montana (Sheepsbit), at a refind site for the county, last seen in the 1800's in the Daventry area at nearby Newnham Hill.
The meeting will start at 10.30 am.
Irish Autumn Meeting & AGM
Co. Dublin 24th September 2022general training
There is an exciting line up of talks, including Looking at rare plants in Tipperary by Anne Lloyd, The Montane Flora of West Galway by John Conaghan and an Introduction to spikey-rosette aquatics by Nick Stewart. The highlight, of course, will be a talk on the Ireland Officer's year! The talks will be followed by two workshops: Nick Stewart will look at aquatic plants in the ponds in the gardens and Alison Evans will look at Scaly Male-ferns in the herbarium. It's free and everyone is very welcome, but booking is essential: - Irish Autumn Meeting & AGM
Aquatic Plant Project Field Day - Royal Canal
Co. Dublin 25th September 2022recording training
Everyone interested is very welcome to participate in this Aquatic Plant Project field day. The emphasis of this field meeting will be on learning how to identify aquatic plant species, recording and fun! Book via the Aquatic Plant Project page.
Recorders' Conference
Shropshire 28th – 30th October 2022training specialised
Scottish Botanists' Conference
5th November 2022general training
The conference will be held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Our main speaker, Clifton Bain will give a talk entitled Rainforests and Peatlands: Travels around Scotland's most threatened habitats. There will be an interesting variety of short talks, workshops, exhibits and posters, the Scottish AGM and the Photographic Competition. Summerfield Books will operate their bookstore. Booking is essential and you can do that and see full details on the booking page here.
British & Irish Botanical Conference
19th November 2022general
This year’s face-to-face British & Irish Botanical Conference (the new name for the Annual Exhibition Meeting) will be held at the Natural History Museum in London. The programme has a theme of 'A Festival of Plants' and there will be nine talks, as well as flash talks, exhibits, John Poland's plant ID quiz, networking opportunities and a chance to join a behind-the-scenes tour of the NHM Herbarium. Click the link to book.
Aquatic plant workshop, Belfast, NMNI herbarium
Co. Antrim 16th – 17th February 2023training
This meeting will be a herbarium workshop event located at the Ulster Museum, Belfast. The workshop will focus on aquatic plants and is aimed at members at all levels of expertise.
England Annual Meeting and AGM
26th February 2023general beginners
The fourth England Annual Meeting and AGM will be an afternoon Zoom meeting. In addition to a short AGM, there will be a mix of short talks and a keynote talk on the theme of alien plants. Further details will be available via the England Annual Meeting webpage and an email invitation will be extended to members.
Introduction to Conifer Identification workshop, Nesscliffe, near Shrewsbury
Shropshire 11th March 2023training
This will be a field-based workshop and is a joint meeting with the Wild Flower Society and Shropshire Botanical Society. A range of different keys and other resources will be used to show the beginner and intermediate botanist how to accurately identify a range of conifer species. There will be a charge of £2 to cover the cost of printed resources including a mini-booklet. The number of participants will be capped at 15, but if there is sufficient demand the workshop may be run again later in the year.
Rosslare
Co. Wexford 1st April 2023general
This meeting is to look at early flowering spring plants on sandy soils, including dunes, and the urban weeds. This is a diverse habitat and will include plants such as Erophila majuscula (Hairy Whitlowgrass), Crassula tillaea (Mossy Stonecrop) and Laphangium [Gnaphalium] luteoalbum (Jersey Cudweed). There will be walking on dunes, and along pavements.
It will be flat walking. Please bring a packed lunch and appropriate gear.
Meet: at 11:00 am in public parking area along roadside opposite church T096156.
Taraxacum training and recording weekend, Orton, Peterborough
Northamptonshire 21st – 24th April 2023specialised
This is the ninth long weekend dedicated to the genus Taraxacum, and the first to be held in the English Midlands. In general, the dandelion flora of counties lying between Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Derbyshire is not well-known, and Northamptonshire has only 64 records of 42 species. Consequently there is the potential to make many new records and to fill in important gaps in species distributions. We aim to visit a variety of habitats including well-known species-rich limestone grasslands, flood meadows, country lanes and urban sites. We will be centred on Orton Hall Hotel and spa, which also provides pub-style meals and a room where we can meet in the evening. Alternative accommodation is available in local villages such as Helpston and Ufford.
Irish Spring Conference, Glasnevin, Dublin
Co. Dublin 22nd April 2023general
The Irish Spring Conference will be held at the National Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin. Registration is essential but the event is free to attend. Click here for more information and to register.
Further details are available on the Irish Conferences webpage.
Course Wood
Co. Laois 6th May 2023general
This trip will explore Course Wood, located close to Durrow and situated along the River Nore. Course Wood has some alluvial woodland and is one of the best river walks in Laois. Most typical woodland species found in Laois can be found in Course Wood including several Equisetum spp. (Horsetails) and Mercurialis perennis (Dog's Mercury). We will walk along the River Nore and move from Course Wood to Knocknatrina Wood, further south. This wood has some Leucojum aestivum (Summer Snowflake).
Meet at Dunmore Wood car-park at 10:30 am (Grid Ref S413241). Dunmore Wood is signposted on the N77, about 1.2 km north of Durrow. The terrain is reasonable with amenity tracks. Dress for the weather. Bring a packed lunch.
Annual Summer Meeting (ASM)
South Kerry, North Kerry 19th – 22nd May 2023recording general training
The 2023 ASM will be based at the Castlerosse Hotel in Killarney. Limited single B&B accommodation will be available for around €120 per night through the BSBI. The Hotel also has two-bedroom self-catering cottages. There are nearby campsites, or you can book your own accommodation elsewhere. There will be a mix of excursions to interesting sites, recording trips and evening talks or workshops. Excursions will centre on Killarney National Park and adjacent rugged mountains and coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula. Habitats include Atlantic oak woodland, blanket bog and coastal dunes. A wide range of species for which Southwest Ireland is famous will be seen, including Hymenophyllum (Filmy-fern) species, Saxifraga spathularis (St Patrick's-cabbage), S. hirsuta (Kidney Saxifrage), Pinguicula grandiflora (Large-flowered Butterwort) and Arbutus unedo (Strawberry-tree).
Further information is available on the Summer Meeting webpage, and here is the link so you can register for the event and book your accommodation at the Hotel: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/851562
Contact: Micheline Sheehy Skeffington or Jonathan Shanklin will be leading this meeting and you can email them if you'd like to find out more.
Victoria Park & Hackney Wick
Middlesex 20th May 2023recording general
We will be exploring the post-industrial streets and canals of East London as well as some recent habitat creation in Victoria Park. For those from outside London, this will be an ideal opportunity to see unusual non-natives such as Solanum chenopodioides (Tall Nightshade), Egeria densa (Large-flowered Waterweed) and Vallisneria spiralis (Tapegrass). This meeting is suitable for beginners and for more experienced botanists. Please bring a packed lunch.
Joint with the London Natural History Society.
Meet: at 11:00 am at Hackney Wick overground station, on Wallis Road (TQ37028458).
Scabbacombe Head
South Devon 21st May 2023general
On this interesting walk from Scabbacombe Head, we should see Eryngium campestre (Field Eryngo), Festuca longifolia (Blue Fescue), Melittis melissophyllum (Bastard Balm), Hypochaeris glabra (Smooth Cat’s-ear) and much more as we follow the path down to Scabbacombe Sands then south on the cliff path to Ivy Cove. The route continues as a circular walk inland to the car park near Coleton Fishacre, where it might be possible to leave one or two cars. The route back to the start is along quiet lanes. Botanists of all standards, including beginners, welcome. Joint with Devonshire Association.
Tain
East Ross & Cromarty 25th May 2023general
This all-day meeting will be held jointly between the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), the Botanical Society of Scotland (BSS) and the Inverness Botany Group. The day will be devoted to recording for the BSS Urban Flora Project and also to general BSBI recording. We will walk on mainly level footpaths, quiet roads and parkland and should only cover about two miles. Some of the walk will be by the shore with good views and we will also visit a cemetery and other habitats. If the tide is suitable, we may see both Zostera (Eelgrass) species. Ligusticum scoticum (Scots Lovage) is by the sea wall and Crassula tillaea (Mossy Stonecrop) is often on the gravelly paths. Dactylorhiza purpurella (Northern Marsh Orchid) may be in flower and Saxifraga granulata (Meadow Saxifrage) is known from here. We will also look out for other coastal species.
Meet: We will aim to start at 10:30 am and finish around mid-afternoon.
Hobson’s Park, Cambridge
Cambridgeshire 27th May 2023beginners
This meeting is specifically for beginners and new members of the BSBI, though everyone is welcome to attend. It is designed as an introduction to botany with a chance to see both common and unusual species. The site is a newly developed urban park with both accidentally introduced species such as Eriophorum angustifolium (Common Cottongrass) that came with deliberate introductions and native species such as Torilis arvensis (Spreading Hedge-parsley). We will walk around the site looking at different habitats and the plants within them. If there is time we will also look at some urban sites nearby. There are frequent trains to Cambridge and guided buses to the site are every 20 minutes. Participants are encouraged to use public transport.
Meet: 10:00 am at the guided busway Foster Road stop.
Galmoy Fen and the Loughans Turlough
Co. Kilkenny 27th May 2023general
Galmoy Fen is a cutaway bog now covered with a floating mat of sedges – Cladium mariscus (Great Fen-sedge), Schoenus nigricans (Black Bog-rush) and Carex diandra (Lesser Tussock-sedge). It has a multitude of other species, some of them unexpected like Carex dioica (Dioecious Sedge), Antennaria dioica (Mountain Everlasting) and Plantago media (Hoary Plantain). Every visit brings a new surprise. We will follow a morning at the fen by a visit to the Loughans turlough which has not had a good recording session since 1991. Viola canina (Heath Dog-violet), Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder's-tongue) and Rorippa islandica (Northern Yellow-cress) have old records here.
Meet: Galmoy village (Grid ref. S292714) at 10:30 am.
Sidbury / Silk Hill, Salisbury Plain
South Wiltshire 29th May 2023recording general
This meeting will take place on the eastern part of the Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA). Salisbury Plain, which is around the same size as the Isle of Wight, has been used by the military for training purposes for more than a century and is now the largest remaining tract of unimproved calcareous grassland in north-west Europe. We will visit Sidbury Hill and Silk Hill and should see the following: Filago pyramidata (Broad-leaved Cudweed), Clinopodium acinos (Basil Thyme), Neotinea ustulata (Burnt Orchid), Astragalus danicus (Purple Milk-vetch), Tephroseris integrifolia (Field Fleawort) and other notable chalk downland plants.
Please note that there are restrictions on access to the ranges and army training will always take priority. We have chosen the Bank Holiday Monday as this is the least likely day for closure. However, it is still possible that we would have to cancel at short notice or restrict the area visited.
Visitors have to be accompanied by ‘red card holders’, who at present are allowed to take five visitors each. This means that we will have to limit numbers. Guests would need to book a place and leave us with contact details in case of changes. We plan to meet near Tidworth. In the words of John Moon, who will lead the outing, ‘getting there by public transport is just about possible’. Botanists of all standards welcome, including beginners.
Glen Fender
East Perthshire 3rd June 2023beginners
This meeting is particularly aimed at beginners/improvers. However, it will be of general interest also as Glen Fender is a place much appreciated by botanists for its calcareous grassland slopes that support a number of notable species. Beginners will be helped to identify the commonest species using the Pocket Guide to Wildflower Families – and hopefully some of the more unusual ones too. The terrain is not especially taxing, but strong footwear is a must.
Sedges at Tarn Moor and Orton
Westmorland 10th June 2023training specialised
Tarn Moor is a rich botanical site on the Orton limestones of Westmorland and is a mosaic of base-rich and acidic areas. More than 25 different species of Carex have been recorded here with Carex capillaris (Hair Sedge), C. diandra (Lesser Tussock-sedge), C. dioica (Dioecious Sedge), C. elata (Tufted Sedge) and C. hostiana (Tawny Sedge) probably the pick of the bunch. There are also numerous non-Carex sedges and records for three Carex hybrids, two of which we should certainly see. Many other attractive species, including Primula farinosa (Bird’s-eye Primrose) and a fine array of orchids, are frequent and should be at their best in early June. If time allows we will also look at some drier limestone grassland near the village of Orton where C. ornithopoda (Bird‘s-foot Sedge) grows.
All sedge enthusiasts are welcome, whether experienced or not, but numbers will be limited to 15 to minimise damage to fragile habitats. This will be a full day meeting so please bring packed lunch. The distance covered will not be great, 5 or 6 kilometres, but parts will be very wet so wellies or waterproof boots are essential. Although Tarn Moor can be idyllic at this time of year please come prepared for less clement conditions. There are no facilities at Tarn Moor but later in the day we will visit Orton which has a shop, cafes and toilets.
Cunnigar
Co. Waterford 10th June 2023general
The Cunnigar is a long sandy spit that stretches out into Dungarvan Bay from the Ring Peninsula. This is a botanically diverse area with a number of different habitats present including saltmarsh and sand dune. Plants we hope to see include Glaucium flavum (Yellow Horned-poppy), Bolboschoenus maritimus (Sea Club-rush), Prunus cerasus (Dwarf Cherry), Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid) and possibly Glassworts (Salicornia spp.).
This is expected to be an easy walk with little to no inclines and we envisage the trip to be suitable for botanists of all levels. Please bring clothing and footwear suitable for all weather conditions, sun protection, a packed lunch and hand lens.
Meeting point will be at the Cunnigar car park at 11:00 am.
Glenshelane
Co. Waterford 11th June 2023general
Glenshelane is a Coillte owned woodland that spans across two river glens. There is an extensive network of gently graded forest roads and trails within the area. Glenshelane is a mix of broadleaf and conifer woodland and we expect to see a wide range of woodland flora. There is also the potential to see Neottia nidus-avis (Bird's-nest Orchid) and Pinguicula grandiflora (Large-flowered Butterwort).
We envisage the trip to be suitable for botanists of all levels. There are some moderate inclines within the woodland but overall, the walk is not expected to be difficult. Please bring clothing and footwear suitable for all weather conditions, sun protection, a packed lunch and hand lens.
Meeting point will be at the Glenshelane car park at 11:00 am.
Rammey Marsh
Middlesex 17th June 2023recording general
We will be walking to Enfield Lock and then following the Lea Navigation footpath north into Rammey Marsh. The marsh was badly damaged by fire in 2022, we will be examining the impact upon the flora. We will be hoping to re-find county scarce and rare species such as Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid), Dactylorhiza praetermissa (Southern Marsh-orchid), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid), Lathyrus aphaca (Yellow Vetchling), Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid) and Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia (Black Poplar). This meeting is suitable for beginners and for more experienced botanists.
Joint with the London Natural History Society
Meet: at 11:00 am at Enfield Lock overground station, on Ordnance Road (TQ36429876).
Daneway Banks
West Gloucestershire 17th June 2023general
Joint with the Royal Entomological Society - this is a new venture to bring different interests together regarding conservation management for plants and invertebrates. Three short talks will be followed by a simple lunch and a 3-hour trip to the Royal Entomological Society Nature Reserve at Daneway Banks.
The Large Blue butterfly should be in flight and it will form one aspect of the excursion. Other invertebrates of interest include the Rugged Oil Beetle and Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Plants of interest include Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid), Prunella laciniata (Cut-leaved Selfheal) and Galium pumilum (Slender Bedstraw).
Numbers are limited to 15 members from each society and there will be a small charge for lunch and transport.
For more info and to book, please visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/882374
Gorumna Island, Connemara
West Galway 17th June 2023general
A number of locations on Gorumna Island in south Connemara will be visited. The area contains a wide variety of botanically interesting habitats including dry heath, oligotrophic lake and coastal grassland. Sites for a number of rarer species such as Viola lactea (Pale Dog-violet), Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) and Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid) are known from the island and will be revisited.
Meet: Gorumna Island (Grid ref. L890263). Specific meeting point to be arranged. Gortumna Island is connected to the mainland of Co. Galway via a bridge connecting it to Lettermore Island.
Plant Families Workshop, Holyrood Park Education Centre, Edinburgh
Midlothian 18th June 2023beginners
The Plant Families workshops are suitable for anyone who can tell a buttercup from a daisy but wants to learn more about plant identification within a structured framework. There will be a mix of classwork, small groups with expert tutors, and fieldwork, following the principle of 'finding the family first'. This is a tried and tested way of getting to grips with ID instead of just playing 'snap' with a field guide or wading through incomprehensible keys. A copy of the booklet on which the course is based – Pocket Guide to Wildflower Families by Faith Anstey – will be included in the charge for the workshop: £40 (50% discount for BSBI members and full-time students). Places are limited, register to attend here.
Deep Dale Plantlife Nature Reserve, Sheldon
Derbyshire 24th June 2023recording general
Deep Dale nature reserve comprises a range of vegetation types, most notably calcareous grassland along the steep north-west facing bank along the side of the dale. Historical lead mining has given rise to small areas of calaminarian grassland. The reserve also contains Hazel dominated woodland, several areas of Hawthorn scrub, the location of a Romano-British village and some areas of more neutral grasslands. Species of note likely to be found during the visit include: Epipactis atrorubens (Dark-red Helleborine), Rubus saxatilis (Stone Bramble), Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw), Sabulina [Minuartia] verna (Spring Sandwort), Viola lutea (Mountain Pansy), Saxifraga hypnoides (Mossy Saxifrage) and Saxifraga granulata (Meadow Saxifrage).
Access to the reserve from the public car park is along roughly 400 m of footpath which is rocky in places and features one stile within the reserve boundary wall. The reserve is open access so it can be explored at will. There is a pay and display car park, that is cars/motorcycles only and a day ticket is currently £4.75. There are toilets available. All standards of botanists welcome, including beginners. Numbers may be limited.
John Muir Country Park, West Barns, Dunbar
East Lothian 24th June 2023general
The meeting will visit the coastal flora in the dunes, as well as the salt marshes with sedges. We shall also look at the special grasses that grow in the area. These include Festuca arenaria (Rush-leaved Fescue), Parapholis strigosa (Hard-grass), Brachypodium pinnatum (Heath False-brome) and Corynephorus canescens (Grey Hair-grass).
Meet at Linkfield Car Park NT651786 at 10:00 am with packed lunch and equipped for a day in the field. Parking charge is £2.50. Follow signs off the A1087 Dunbar.
Glenbower Woods, Killeagh
East Cork 24th June 2023general training
This is a training meeting to learn tree identification. The wood has many paths and a good mixture of habitat. There is a large variety of trees to be found in the wood, as well as the native species, there is a large number of planted non-native trees.
Meet at Glenbower Woods car park (X00097734) at 11:00 am. Booking is essential as numbers will be limited.
Crohy Head
West Donegal 24th – 25th June 2023recording general
The Crohy Head area is one of the most remote and least developed parts of the Donegal coastline as well as being one of the most scenic. We hope to see Ajuga pyramidalis (Pyramidal Bugle), albeit out of season. Several small lakes need exploring; Eriocaulon septangulare (Pipewort) and Isoetes lacustris (Quillwort) have been found, and pondweed records are required for the area. The lagoon at Maghery is known for its charophytes and for both species of Ruppia (Tasselweed). The extensive dry heath, with characteristic Juniperus communis (Juniper) and Empetrum nigrum (Crowberry) also has many scarcer species; Diphasiastrum alpinum (Alpine Clubmoss) was seen in 1965. We will explore from Terman and Maghery in the north, to Falchorrib and Trawenagh Bay in the south.
Meet each day at the south end of Maghery Strand (B715090), at 10:30. There is plenty of accommodation between there and Dungloe (B7611), but it would be wise to book early. There are trails we can follow, but be prepared for some rough, heathery ground.
When contacting Ralph to book, please give your email address and phone number in case we need to contact you on the days of the field trip.
Rubus Weekend
Hertfordshire 30th June – 2nd July 2023specialised
We will explore parts of Hertfordshire and Middlesex with a view to adding to our knowledge of the distribution of Rubus (Bramble) species in these vice counties
Introduction to Bramble Identification, Maybole
Ayrshire 1st July 2023specialised
Brambles form an important element of our flora, which many botanists are reluctant to investigate in detail. This meeting offers an introduction to bramble identification for anybody who has yet to embark on a personal exploration of, or feels in need of basic revision about, this fascinating group of plants. In the indoor morning session we will work through the characters needed to identify a specimen and in the afternoon try out our new skills on some local bushes.
Plant Families Workshop, Dulnain Bridge
Moray 1st July 2023beginners
The Plant Families workshops are suitable for anyone who can tell a buttercup from a daisy but wants to learn more about plant identification within a structured framework. There will be a mix of classwork, small groups with expert tutors, and fieldwork, following the principle of 'finding the family first'. This is a tried and tested way of getting to grips with ID instead of just playing 'snap' with a field guide or wading through incomprehensible keys. A copy of the booklet on which the course is based – Pocket Guide to Wildflower Families by Faith Anstey – will be included in the charge for the workshop: £40 (50% discount for BSBI members and full-time students). Places are limited, register to attend here.
Derrycassin Woods and surroundings
Co. Longford 8th July 2023general
This trip will visit Derrycassin woods and surrounding habitats including a disused quarry, quite lanes and lake shoreline. There are also some boggy habitats with cutover bog present. Derrycassin Woods is in North-east Longford adjacent to Lough Gamhina. It is an amenity woodland with some mature conifers and other woodland habitats. This trip will be suitable for everyone.
Meet at the football pitch adjacent to Derrycassin Woods (N311859) at 11:00 am.
Bramble Recording Weekend, Maybole
Ayrshire 8th – 9th July 2023specialised
Following on from the training day held on the previous Saturday, this meeting is for people with some knowledge of bramble identification who are willing to assist to record brambles in the area, which historically has not been well covered. The meeting will probably begin informally on the Friday (7th July) and can be extended into Monday if anyone is keen to do so. Additional specimens from around the Clyde area will be available for inspection/identification.
Booking is essential and numbers are strictly limited. Participants will need to organise their own accommodation and early booking is advised.
Glynhir Recording Week (Residential)
Carmarthenshire 10th – 17th July 2023recording general training
The week-long annual Carmarthenshire Recording and Monitoring Meeting will include visits to sites around the county. The meeting will cater for both experienced and less proficient botanists and will provide an opportunity for the informal development of identification skills. Arrangements will be flexible, some days the group may stay as one body, other days smaller groups will visit different sites to monitor rare or scarce species or update grid squares not visited recently. Day outings will be tailored to individual needs to cover all fitness abilities.
Glynhir Mansion is located about 2 km east of Llandybie on the western flank of Mynydd Du (the Black Mountain) at SN640151. The River Llwchwr runs through the estate and at one point plunges over a 10 m waterfall into a humid, rocky gorge where Dryopteris aemula (Hay-scented Buckler-fern), Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Tunbridge Filmy-fern) and Asplenium trichomanes subsp. trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) are among the ferns growing on the cliffs. There will be ample opportunity in the timetable to visit the site. Large parkland trees provide the setting to the mansion, including Tilia cordata (Small-leaved Lime), and there remains much scope for further discoveries to be made in the vicinity.
The cost of the week from lunchtime on 10 July to breakfast on 17 July, including bed, breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals, will be approximately £600.00 and will be limited to about 15 participants. Accommodation for part of the week will be charged pro rata. A limited number of en suite rooms are available on a first-come first-served basis. Participants not requiring accommodation will also be welcome on a day to day basis. A 35% deposit will be required by Glynhir on booking. Initial bookings to Kath and Richard Pryce.
Rubus recording weekend, Darlington
County Durham 14th – 16th July 2023specialised
Based in the Darlington area, we will explore parts of County Durham and North Yorkshire (particularly along the wooded river valleys systems) with a view to adding to our knowledge of the distribution of Rubus species in the region of North-East England.
Rufford Colliery
Nottinghamshire 15th July 2023general
Rufford Colliery is a vast area with a mosaic of habitats created by clearance of the colliery yards, railway lines and headstocks. A wide range of county rare and scarce species, England Red Data List species and rare neophytes have been recorded. We will be checking on some of the county rare species such as Euphorbia stricta (Upright Spurge), Carex arenaria (Sand Sedge) (only native site on Sherwood Sandstones), Omalotheca sylvatica [Gnaphalium sylvaticum] (Heath Cudweed), Lythrum portula (Water-purslane), Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal) and Persicaria mitis (Tasteless Water-pepper), but also searching for new taxa. Extensive surveys have been carried out since the colliery closed, but new species are found on every visit. Botanists of all standards, including beginners, welcome. Numbers are likely to be restricted because of the site owners’ safety requirements.
Ballycroy
West Mayo 15th July 2023general
This trip will explore some of the habitats at Wild Nephin National Park. Some coastal habitats and blanket bog habitats will be explored close to the visitor centre at Ballycroy.
Meet at Ballycroy Visitor Centre Car Park (Grid ref 805098) at 10:00 am.
Northern Fannichs, NH17/NH27
West Ross & Cromarty 15th – 16th July 2023recording
The plants in this area remain surprisingly poorly recorded, despite it having been visited by a steady stream of botanists since Druce’s first reports from Beinn Liath Bheag and Sgurr Mor c.1902. An issue in the past has been poor understanding of the boundary with v.c.106, so great care will be taken on this visit to record using accurate grid references. Targets for re-finds include Alchemilla glomerulans (Clustered Lady's-mantle), Athyrium distentifolium (Alpine Lady-fern), Carex atrata (Black Alpine-sedge), C. vaginata (Sheathed Sedge), Cerastium cerastoides (Starwort Mouse-ear), Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. alpina (Alpine Hair-grass), Juncus castaneus (Chestnut Rush) and Salix lapponum (Downy Willow); help from a Hieracium expert would be particularly welcome, since Archie Kenneth and others noted an impressive number of taxa in 1960-1990. Attendees need to be fit enough to walk up mountains. Attendees will be responsible for their own accommodation, options including camping or indoors at Aultguish Inn, Inchbae Hotel or, further afield, in Ullapool: early booking advisable.
Monken Hadley Common
Middlesex 22nd July 2023recording general
This is the last remaining unenclosed part of the former Enfield Chase. On the very edge of modern Greater London, we will be aiming to record a range of species such as Achillea ptarmica (Sneezewort), Blitum bonus-henricus (Good King Henry), Calluna vulgaris (Heather), Danthonia decumbens (Heath-grass), Galium saxatile (Heath Bedstraw) and Hydrocotyle vulgaris (Marsh Pennywort) that are now increasingly rare in Middlesex. This meeting is suitable for beginners and for more experienced botanists.
Joint with the London Natural History Society
Meet: at 11:00 am at the entrance to St Mary's Church, Hadley Green Road, Monken Hadley (TQ24989740).
Grasses, Sedges and Rushes, Ben Lawers
Mid Perthshire 22nd July 2023training
This meeting will provide field training in the identification of grasses, sedges and rushes and repeats the training event held previously at Ben Lawers. Although initially designed to consolidate the skills of attendees on BSBI Scotland workshops, past experience has shown that previous attendance at relevant workshops is not a prerequisite. Copies of the booklets Start to Identify Grasses and Start to Identify Sedges & Rushes are recommended and will be available for purchase on the day.
The meeting is joint with National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and is open to all members of BSBI, NTS and anyone else interested, whatever level they are at. After some revision on what to look for, we will split into those who want to go on up the hill (perhaps those with more experience of grasses etc) and those preferring to stay on lower ground (and/or perhaps needing more ID guidance). Places are limited, booking essential.
Mugdock Country Park
Stirlingshire 23rd July 2023beginners
This meeting will explore the varied flora of Mugdock Country Park and its surroundings, with an emphasis on learning, and we would particularly welcome anyone who has not been on a BSBI field meeting before. With a wide range of habitats present, including woodland, grassland, heathland, marshes and lochs, there should be many interesting plants to encounter, hopefully including species such as Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly-orchid) and Nuphar pumila (Least Water-lily). The Park has a good footpath network and excellent facilities, including cafes, toilets and even a garden centre for the horticulturally inclined. The Park is also accessible by public transport from Glasgow Queen Street (train then bus). Places are limited, so booking is essential.
Grasses Workshop, Birnam
Mid Perthshire 29th July 2023training
This workshop aims to introduce identification of common grasses to beginners and improvers who already have a basic grasp of plant ID. There will be a mix of classroom study and fieldwork, much of it in small groups with expert tutors. The programme will be based on Start to Identify Grasses by Faith Anstey, a copy of which will be included in the cost of the workshop: £40 (50% discount for BSBI members and full-time students). Places are limited, register to attend here.
Wales Annual Meeting & AGM, Gregynog Hall, Newtown
Montgomeryshire 2nd – 4th August 2023general
The 2023 BSBI Wales Annual Meeting, exhibition and AGM together with the associated field excursions will be based at Gregynog Hall, near Newtown. The theme is wetlands - canal, floodplain, rivers, pools and upland bogs. Accommodation will be in single-occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms.
A preliminary programme has been prepared that includes:
- Field visits to local sites of botanical interest. We hope to be able to see Luronium natans (Floating Water-plantain), Potamogeton compressus (Grass-wrack Pondweed), Limosella aquatica (Mudwort), Sparganium natans (Least Bur-reed), Carex magellanica (Tall Bog-sedge) and Pilularia globulifera (Pillwort) depending on suitable site access and the weather.
- Botanical workshops and a keynote talk by Alastair Hotchkiss.
- The BSBI Wales AGM.
- Exhibits and posters prepared by members.
Further details, booking and online payment will be possible via the Wales AGM webpage. Accommodation has been reserved for 25 people so early booking is advised (booking deadline 21 April 2023).
Barra Islands
Outer Hebrides 5th – 11th August 2023recording general
The meeting will be based on the MV Cuma, a converted fisheries vessel (see www.island-cruising.com) with pickup and setdown at Lochmaddy, North Uist (to travel with the boat towards Barra). We will visit a range of islands and islets around Barra, including some of the islands to the south which have a variety of habitats including machair and moorland. The larger islands have reasonable lists, but have not been recorded in tetrads or monads, and this meeting will provide detailed records for a new flora. Several smaller islands are completely unrecorded. The terrain is generally rough, but there should be a variety of easier and more strenuous options each day. The cost is £1100 per person full board, sleeping on the boat, which takes 12 people, so please book early, preferably by the end of February.
This event is now fully booked, but contact the organiser Paul Smith to be added to a reserve list.
This meeting is fully booked
Syon Park
Middlesex 19th August 2023recording general
Syon Park has the last remaining extensive stretch of semi-natural and un-embanked landscape adjoining the Thames in Greater London. We aim to record the flora in this important landscape (permission pending!) and rediscover, hopefully, some lost treasures such as Sium latifolium (Greater Water-parsnip), Cyperus longus (Galingale), Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal) and Persicaria mitis (Tasteless Water-pepper). Please note, the terrain is unlikely to be easy going and may be flooded depending upon the tide. If this the case, we will focus on exploring other areas of the park. This meeting is joint with the London Natural History Society and is suitable for beginners and for more experienced botanists.
Meet: at 11:00 am on the junction of London Road and Park Road (TQ17107717) on the Thames Path route.
Plant Identification for Habitat Surveys, Dumyat
West Perthshire 20th August 2023training
This meeting aims to introduce participants to the main indicator species which assist in habitat classifications, touching on several Phase 1 habitats and NVC plant communities. The workshop is not suitable for complete beginners but is more aimed at those who have some basic or intermediate plant identification skills who are also interested in understanding the relationships between plant species and the habitats in which they grow. (Please note that this is not a training course on Phase 1 habitat or NVC surveys but rather a workshop to assist participants in identifying key plant species in different habitats).
The meeting is open to all members of BSBI and BSS or anyone else who may have an interest (Priority will be given to BSBI and BSS members in the first instance). It is likely that the workshop will involve some rough walking over the open hill in places. Come prepared for a day in the hills! Places are limited, booking essential.
Ferns for Beginners Workshop, New Lanark
Lanarkshire 2nd September 2023training
This workshop aims to introduce the identification of some common ferns and is for "complete and utter beginners" in fern identification. Ferns are often thought of as difficult, so participants will gain some foundational knowledge which may then be confidently built upon through outings, field meetings and workshops elsewhere. Introductory work in the classroom with experienced tutors will be followed by fieldwork in the spectacular surroundings of the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Falls of Clyde Reserve. The programme will be tailored carefully, assuming no previous knowledge. All course materials will be provided and included in the cost of the workshop: £40 (50% discount for BSBI members and full-time students). Places are limited, register to attend here.
Fern training day
Co. Wexford 2nd September 2023specialised beginners
This will be a day learning fern ID. It is aimed at the Dryopteris affinis group, but we will look at all ferns. We will visit more than one site, and it should be fairly level walking. Location to be confirmed. Email Paul Green for more information and joining details.
Traeth Lligwy
Anglesey 3rd September 2023recording
An opportunity to help record in varied coastal habitats in NE Anglesey as part of the ongoing monad-based updating of the Anglesey Flora. We will concentrate our efforts in SH4987, looking closely at strand line, sand dune, soft coastal cliff, saltmarsh, heath, scrub and unimproved grassland habitats. We hope to relocate a twenty year old record of Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal) at its only known Anglesey site as well as assess the populations of two horsetail hybrids (Equisetum x font-queri and E. x robertsii) and search for Helictochloa pratensis (Meadow Oat-grass). We will be joined by members of the Anglesey Flora Group. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring sun cream and waterproofs
Meet: 10:00 at beach car park at Traeth Lligwy (Lligwy Beach) SH493873 - car parking charge applies. Site has toilets and small cafe facilities.
Booking is essential and numbers will be limited to c.15 participants.
Wallasea Island
South Essex 9th September 2023general
Wallasea Island lies more or less at sea-level at the confluence of the Rivers Crouch and Roach. It was formerly a site of intensive agriculture, but under the management of the RSPB and with the deposition of vast amounts of substrate from the Crossrail excavations, it is being transformed. A range of habitats is being created over several square kilometres, and coastal realignment is taking place, with the removal of a section of seawall. This is allowing the development of an extensive transitional intertidal zone, a rare thing in Essex where transitional zones are usually prevented from developing by the presence of seawalls.
Our visit is timed to fall between the sensitive bird breeding and wintering seasons, and is optimal for many of the late-growing coastal plants of the region in particular the Chenopodiaceae. The habitats are continuing to mature, and, because of the site’s location and recent history, we should expect the unexpected.
This is a day-long meeting. Access to the site is really only possible by road. The site is quite isolated, with no nearby shops or hostelries, so please bring everything that you will need for the day. There is a portable toilet located at the carpark. The terrain is moderate. It is largely flat, but we will encounter steep-sided seawalls, borrowdykes and ditches, and the intertidal zone may be uneven or muddy.
Poulaweala Creek and Limerick City
Co. Limerick 9th – 10th September 2023general
This is two days of very different habitats. On the Saturday we will be exploring the coast looking at saltmarshes where we hope to learn how to identify Salicornia (Glassworts), Atriplex (Oraches) and many other coastal plants. The Sunday will be a complete contrast as we will be exploring the urban flora of Limerick City.
Newry (West)
Co. Armagh 16th September 2023training
The purpose of this meeting is to acquaint participants with some of the up-and-coming, as well as the long-established weeds, of urban Ireland. As a transport hub with a mainline railway, both used and disused canals, and a port area developed for recreation, it has a rich urban flora, including Potamogeton trichoides (Hairlike Pondweed) at its first confirmed Irish site, Galinsoga quadriradiata (Shaggy-soldier) and two species of Erigeron (Fleabanes). Our aim will be to refind and quantify some of the less common species and foster interest in a sometimes neglected aspect of the Irish flora.
Meet in car park at Newry Railway Station (Grid Ref J069279). Time to be arranged.
Caughwell and Monivea
South-east Galway, North-east Galway 17th September 2023recording general
There are a number of small lakes and ponds on both limestone and cut over raised bog in the area; few have been surveyed. The day will be spent exploring these sites, (bring grapnels and chest waders if available). We expect to find a mixture of charophytes and acid loving water plants but anticipate some sites may be damaged by excess phosphorus.
Meet: Croughwell railway station at 10:30 am.
Recorders’ Meeting, Preston Montford
Shropshire 6th – 8th October 2023recording
This residential meeting is aimed at all BSBI members, especially County Recorders and referees, who make botanical records. There will be a mix of talks, walks and workshops, with plenty of time for general discussion.
More information to follow on the Recorders' Conferences & Meetings webpage.
Contact Jonathan Shanklin for enquiries.
Irish AGM and Autumn Conference, Glasnevin, Dublin
Co. Dublin 21st October 2023general
The Irish AGM and Autumn Conference will be held at the National Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin. Further details will be posted nearer the time on the Irish Autumn Meeting webpage.
- All our annual conferences are open to everyone, wherever you are based, and you don't need to be a BSBI member to attend but you will need to book in advance.
- Unless otherwise stated, our non-residential field meetings are free to attend and you don't usually need to be a BSBI member, although if there are more applicants than spaces available, we reserve the right to prioritise our members.
- For field meetings, you will need to book in advance and/ or contact the organiser to find out where to assemble: please don't just turn up at a field meeting where pre-booking is required.
- For general enquiries about field meetings contact the Field Meetings Secretary, Jonathan Shanklin.
Information for those attending field meetings
- Guidance for participants at field meetings (second 2023 update);
- Safety in the field;
- BSBI Code of Conduct 2017 for picking, collecting, photographing and enjoying wild plants;
- BSBI's Safeguarding Policies: for adults; and for children and young people;
- BSBI's Privacy Policy.
Local meetings
For more info about botany meetings in your area, organised by local groups and County Recorders, check our Local Botany page and click through to your county page or contact your County Recorder.
Country Field Secretaries
- England: Mary Dean
- Ireland: Mark McCorry
- Scotland: David Elston
- Wales: Andy Jones
Information for leaders of field meetings
Please click on these links to go direct to dedicated webpages for national and country events such as our Annual Exhibition Meeting, the BSBI Recorders' Conference, the Annual Summer Meeting, the Scottish Botanists' Conference, Irish and Scottish spring Conferences and the Welsh AGM; and don't forget our New Year Plant Hunt.
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