Bugle Ajuga reptans can spread by long rooting runners to form large semi-evergreen patches of leaves. It has square stems with hairs on only two sides, and produces spikes of blue flowers with white markings. Photo: Plantlife
Look out for our native Bluebell Hyacinthoidies non-scripta forming carpets of blue in deciduous woodland this month. Flowers typically hang downwards and all to one side once opened, with tepals strongly curled back at their tips.
Photo: Sue McBean
Training workshop 30th April Getting started & plotting your NPMS site. Focused on locating, accessing & recording survey plots. Will cover mapping, orienteering & accessibility in your survey square plus techniques to get surveys off the ground. https://ow.ly/tfiZ50YEQ3I
Old Man's Clock, Tiddle-beds, Wet-the bed. It's Dandelion Day. Can you tell time by how many blows it takes to blow away the seeds? Whatever stories are associated with them, carpets of butter yellow flowers followed by delicate full moon 'clocks' is surely an invitation to make a wish! 📸 Sue McBean
Species spotlight - Butterbur Petasites hybridus is found in damp woodland and verges. Tall leafless spikes of tubular pinkish flowers open just before the rounded, unevenly toothed leaves appear. These are cobwebby underneath and can grow up to 1m wide.
Photo: Sue McBean
Species Spotlight - Look out for Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus in dry unimproved grassland, flowering from March onwards. It’s easily told from Meadow and Creeping Buttercup by the sepals, which turn sharply down instead of spreading out. Photo: Andrew Gagg
New survey square? Have you been out to recce your square ahead of this survey season? If you're planning a visit soon check out our video Don't lose the Plot over Plots! https://ow.ly/1lLx50Ysiam for top tips on setting up new plots in your square
Happy St. Patrick's Day and a big thank you to all our NPMS volunteers in Northern Ireland. Enjoy your day and good luck getting out in the field this season ☘️
Today is International Day of Action for Rivers so what better habitats to focus on than Freshwater. Find out how to set up a linear plot for rivers, streams and ponds to record these all important habitats https://ow.ly/KoOg50Ykh25
This British Science Week a big thank you to our volunteer citizen scientists contributing plant monitoring data to the NPMS. Your valuable data enables us to monitor trends in species abundance and habitat health over time. Hope you enjoy getting out into the field this season!
Species Spotlight - The massed white blossoms of Blackthorn Prunus spinosa appear in hedgerows and scrub early in spring, usually before the leaves come out. Sharp thorns are located at the end of bud-bearing lateral shoots. Photo: Ava Marley
Species spotlight - Patches of Dog’s Mercury Mercurialis perennis may be found in woodland on base-rich soils. Leaves are oval, toothed & finely hairy. Erect, catkin-like male flowers & inconspicuous, bristly hairy female flowers are found on separate plants. Photo: S. Shuttleworth
Today is World Wildlife Day. We all know that plants are the foundation of our ecosystems supporting pollinators and birdlife. Have you ever thought of monitoring wild plants for the NPMS? Look for a survey square near you https://ow.ly/Qi2L50Yki55 Photo: Sarah Shuttleworth
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus i bawb! Mae mis Mawrth wedi cyrraedd o'r diwedd. Dach chi wedi gweld unrhyw Cennin Pedr eto? Happy St. David's Day to you all! March has arrived at last. Have you seen any daffoldils yet?
Today is Celandine Day February 21st marks the date often associated with the first appearance of the Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna), a harbinger of spring, as noted by naturalist Gilbert White in 1795. Photo: Hannah Maltwood
Species spotlight - Gorse - Ulex europaeus
Spiny evergreen shrub with yellow pea shaped flowers. The leaves are deeply spiny and deeply furrowed. Flowers often have a faint coconut scent. Photos: L. Sue McBean R. Deborah Long
Marsh cinquefoil is red
Wall speedwell is blue
We love our volunteers
For all that they do 💕
#NPMS #plantmonitoring
Photo: Sue McBean
We are reviewing square activity ahead of spring. Keep an eye out for squares becoming available near you. If you’ve been allocated a square for more than 2 years, but are struggling to get started check your mail to update your records. Photo: Nathalie Esselin
Reminder. A week today - Habitat classification & designated sites webinar with Neill Talbot. We'll cover designations for important habitats, useful tools & information sources, & how access permissions may be affected. https://ow.ly/avmy50Y5kwu
Species Spotlight - Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis is a low growing herb. It has small white flowers with petals separated showing the green sepals in between. It has blueish green toothed leaves with 3 leaflets. Photo Sarah Shuttleworth
Botanical Skills N. Ireland NPMS Training - Broughshane 27th Feb 10-4pm. Join BSBI Training Officer Jo Mulholland for indoor & outdoor learning on how to take part in the NPMS. Setting up plots, recording, & recognising different NPMS habitats. More info https://tinyurl.com/bdhatrfy
Today is World Wetlands Day raising awareness of wetlands as an important ecosystem. If you want to learn more about wetland habitats and indicator species take a look at our Wetland Wonders webinar over on our YouTube site https://ow.ly/vi4I50Y4kUX Photo: Cath Shelswell
30th Jan - BSBI Botanical Skills NPMS Training Co. Antrim. The Botanical Skills Northern Ireland Project are running training on the National Plant Monitoring Scheme for beginners & existing volunteers. A mix of indoor & outdoor learning. Find out more https://ow.ly/YUgj50Y4Nzj
Today is National Daisy Day celebrating the beauty and simplicity of the humble Daisy - Bellis perennis. These cheerful solitary white flowers are surely a signal that spring days aren't too far away. Photo: Hannah Maltwood
Wildflower Poetry Workshop Weds 4th February 18.30 Don't miss out on this popular workshop. NPMS volunteers are invited to join artist, Iris Hill to create short wildflower poems and Haiku. See our training events page for more info and to book https://ow.ly/lSgm50Y3L1s
As the weekend draws to a close, settle down with a cuppa & enjoy the latest NPMS Newsletter. Hear from current volunteers, catch up with scheme news and enjoy some nature poetry. All alongside our regular newsletter features.
https://ow.ly/Shyg50Y3nnq
Webinar - Habitat classification & designated sites 12th February 12.30 - 13.30. An overview of UK habitat classifications. We will cover the main NPMS habitat types & hear about designations for important habitats e.g. SSSI's, SPA's SAC's. Led by Neill Talbot with Rachel Murphy.
Workshop -23rd Jan - Top Tips for Plotting (your NPMS site). Join Neil Talbot for this workshop which covers tips for locating, accessing & recording your survey plots. Explore mapping, orienteering and accessibility in your NPMS square. Info & booking ow.ly/le5T50XVA7E
New year new square? Skill up for the 2026 season with our Intro to NPMS Survey & Methodology online Zoom webinar 8th January 12.30 - 14.00 great for a skills refresh or as an intro to the scheme for new volunteers. https://ow.ly/4TAV50XRSjC
📸Ros Walters
On behalf of everyone at the NPMS, thank you to all our volunteers for your efforts and contributions to the scheme throughout this our milestone 10th anniversary year. We enjoyed celebrating with you this autumn and wish you a great festive period and a Happy New Year.