Over to Jessica:
"Two years ago, I had very limited botanical
knowledge and wouldn’t have even been able to point out any wildflowers or
plants bar the more common species such as a buttercup or the humble daisy. So what got me into botany?
"As it was one of my first times using any
botanical key, I remember flicking back and forth multiple times to the
glossary at the back to de-jargonify the key steps so I would have some hope of
getting the plant out! From then on my love of botany has continued to grow
and to now be co-leader of county Kerry’s local group (BSBI Kerry, photo above) is such a
great experience.
"My appreciation is extended indeed to all staff involved in the course as to see people so passionate about their chosen disciplines, in combination with the small staff to student ratio within the college, further enhances the overall college experience.
"Later that day [Day One] after a few hours
kip, it was time for BSBI Kerry to head to Killarney to see what we could
find in flower on the Muckross Peninsula in the National Park, led by the
botanical force that is Rory Hodd.
"We steadily ticked
off species such as Lathyrus linifolius (on right), one of my favourite wildflowers. That said, as Rory pointed out, many
species were a lot harder to find in comparison to previous years.
"Two notable
examples of this were Rubus fruticose agg. and Arbutus unedo (on left), the latter a particularly a well-known species associated with the Muckross Peninsula
and, in previous years, a reliable species to be found with more ease.
"With
some searching, both were found in flower, although I think the Bramble flower
required a bit of scrambling over the thorny plant by Rory- persistence always
pays off!
We sauntered on for another bit and added
more species to our list slowly but steadily including species such as Juncus
tenuis, an introduced species of rush.
"The clock was paused while we had a quick
break for lunch at Muckross Abbey (on right) and added another ten or so species to
the list including Alliaria petiolata, and Fragaria vesca.
"As our time for hunting down plants came to
close, a few last minute additions such as Cerastium fontanum were ticked off.
This was one species we were looking out for intently as until then, the
specimens found were about to open, but not enough to be counted.
"At first, the weather looked promising and
the brief period of sunshine gave rise to me ticking the dainty Anagallis
arvensis off the list. Into the nearby graveyard and I crossed off
species such as Sticky mouse ear, F.verna, and a barely there fumitory along
with more common species such as Dandelions, prickly sow thistles and
Chickweed.
"To conclude our walk and as daylight faded,
myself and the pups took in the views of Ballyheigue Beach, a view I never get
tired of.
My Three Botanical Wishes for 2018:
1. As others have previously expressed for
their first wish, I would like to express my uttermost gratitude for the
general nature and community spirit within the BSBI. Every person I have met
has welcomed me with open arms and has happily answered any questions for me.
Only a little over a year ago I went on my first ever BSBI outing to search for
the rare and protected Lycopodiella inundata (Marsh Clubmoss) at Lough Mask Co.Mayo (on left) and I first became acquainted with Maria Long (BSBI Irish Officer) and Rory, both of whom I would
like to give an extra nod of thanks to as they have both been a wealth of
knowledge, from both a botanical point of view and getting BSBI Kerry up and
running, so thank you! J
So if as a group, BSBI Kerry can ignite a
few flames and people come away with a few more plant names to their repertoire
then I’d call that a success. Last year we visited Killarney National Park, Blennerville and Glanageenty for our first three outings.
"There are some nice outings in the pipeline for this year so I cannot wait for the 2018 season and I hope the group continues to grow.
"There are some nice outings in the pipeline for this year so I cannot wait for the 2018 season and I hope the group continues to grow.
"Our most well-known feature is our
fantastic beach so if people took a few moments to notice the flowers and
plants that they walk by or over, it would be great.
"Another one of my passions is photography, particular nature/plants and invertebrates and I’m currently working on my new website where I can display the hundreds of images of the various species over the past few years. [LM: all the images on this page are by Jessica so you can see how good a photographer she is!]
"Another one of my passions is photography, particular nature/plants and invertebrates and I’m currently working on my new website where I can display the hundreds of images of the various species over the past few years. [LM: all the images on this page are by Jessica so you can see how good a photographer she is!]
"It’s going to be more of a collection and
online “recording notebook” in a sense for myself but if a few people see it
and want to then go out and search for biodiversity, it will be worth all the
finicky editing that’s currently underway. So I look forward to completing that
over the coming months and adding new species to it as I see them. Thanks, Jessica".
LM: It's typical of Jessica that she's interpreted 'what are your three wishes?' not as 'here's what I want for myself' but as thanking people who've helped her and wishing that other people could enjoy botany as much as she does herself!
We'll be keeping you posted on Jessica's botanical adventures this year and will share the link to her new website as soon as it goes live. Many thanks to Jessica for all she is doing to promote botany in Ireland, and to Maria, Therese and Rory for supporting and encouraging her!
We'll be keeping you posted on Jessica's botanical adventures this year and will share the link to her new website as soon as it goes live. Many thanks to Jessica for all she is doing to promote botany in Ireland, and to Maria, Therese and Rory for supporting and encouraging her!
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