Over the last few weeks, those acorns have begun to sprout oak seedlings. I’ll pot them in the next couple of weeks, and next year, they will be planted out into their forever home where they will begin their multi-century journeys to become Mighty Oaks too. #Garryland #Galway #oak #ireland (6/6)

I also noticed that the acorns were smaller than the acorns from the other, younger oak trees around Garryland - I had also collected some of their acorns that had fallen on the paths around the woodland. #Garryland #Galway #oak #ireland (5/6)

Last October, I noticed a lot of acorns on the ground so I collected some for planting. Usually, the acorns don’t last long - the jays, magpies and squirrels see to that. Rain was falling, and soon, the meadow would disappear under water for another winter. #Garryland #Galway #oak #ireland (4/6)

In summer, the turlough transforms into a wonderful wild meadow, bounded by a line of oak trees, including ‘my’ Mighty Oak. #Garryland #Galway #oak #ireland (3/6)

It is at the edge of the winter waterline of one of the turloughs in Garryland, which is marked by a stone wall. Beyond the wall, no new trees can survive the winter flood, which can sometimes cover the top of the stone wall. #Garryland #Galway #oak #ireland (2/6)

There is a very large, old oak tree in the Garryland-Coole Park woodland in south Galway that I call the Mighty Oak. I haven’t found a larger one in the woodland yet, and every time I visit Garryland, I swing by the tree for a visit. #Garryland #Galway #oak #ireland @thekentacorn.bsky.social 🧵 (1/6)

One of Irish nature's success stories has been the resurgence of the Common Buzzard. This one was keeping watch on nearby crows across a turlough from me in Garland 3 years ago (they are a frequent sight there). #commonbuzzard #Galway #Garryland #ireland #nature

I noticed some oak seedlings staring to sprout in trays that I planted with acorns last Autumn. The acorns came from this mighty oak in Garryland and I'll plan out the seedlings later this year. Then, all I need to do is wait a couple of centuries! #nationaltreeweek #garryland #galway #oak #ireland

Cheer yourself up by watching a red squirrel snacking on an acorn (recorded just before storm Éowyn last month). #redsquirrel #garryland #gort #Galway #ireland #woodland @irishwoodlandtrust.bsky.social @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social
youtu.be/5aqpUMv8COc

These crab apples lying on the ground in Garryland woods near Gort are still in good condition and should provide a good source of food for birds well into February. #garryland #Galway #nature #woodland

Busy red squirrel today gathering moss in Garryland woodland near Gort #redquirrel #Garryland #Galway #Gort #Ireland

brimstone butterfly

buff tailed bumblebee

Knapweed might be a common wildflower( or weed) but it is a great source of food for insects. Pictured are a brimstone butterfly, a buff tailed bumblebee and a comma butterfly in Garryland woods in Galway
#butterfly #bumblebee #bufftail #garryland #galway #ireland #knapweed #flower #nature #ireland