Botanical outreach, BSBI Scotland style

Jim and young botanists, Scottish Birdfair
Image: F. Anstey

BSBI Scottish Officer Jim McIntosh has just taken a short break from preparing for the BSBI Summer Meeting, due to start in Perthshire this evening, to tell me about his team's incredibly successful day at Scottish Birdfair last month. 

Jim said "We had a great weekend at Scottish Birdfair, despite a poor weather forecast which discouraged folk, but which never really materialised.  More than 50 people took part in the BSBI Wildflower ID Quiz and many others complimented us on how nice our stand looked, with a colourful assortment of 12 wild flower specimens in jam jars on display for the competition.  There were 14 Junior (under 18) competition entries – several of whom got 12/12. Two prizes were awarded: a Collins Flower Guide by David Streeter (18+) to Kirsty Godsman and a Black’s Wildflowers of Britain & Europe (Junior) to Anne Clark.  Both of whom got 12/12 – and Kirsty got extra points for adding the correct scientific names".

One of this year's Wildflower Family Workshops
Image: J. McIntosh

 Apparently "a further 25 folk noted their interest in future Wildflower Family Workshops". These were organised jointly by BSBI and Plantlife and ran at locations across Scotland this year. They were so successful that a repeat performance is pretty much guaranteed for next year and it sounds as though Jim is already taking names. Contact Jim for more information. 

Jim also tells me that Kirsty Godsman, who won the the Over 18s prize in the ID Quiz, took the plunge and joined the BSBI, so a big welcome to her and congratulations to both prize-winners. And congratulations to Jim and his team of volunteers for representing the society so well at Scottish Birdfair. 

Don't forget, BSBI will also be attending British Birdfair in August. But first, there is the BSBI Summer Meeting - fingers crossed that the weather is kind for all those fabulous fieldtrips!