Species spot - Marsh marigold Caltha palustris, is associated with the 1st May. It was considered unlucky to bring it into the house before this date so houses often used to be decorated with a bunch on May Day as a charm against lightening during May storms⚡📷 Sue McBean

Great start to our programme of training events, spending the day with Nick Marriner & volunteers of the Chalk Cherries and Chairs Team #trackingtheimpact project. Talking survey methodology, planning for the season & practicing plot set up. More NPMS training opportunities coming soon!

What better species to celebrate this #EarthDay than Cowslip (Primula veris) Showing signs of recovery following dramatic decline from 1930-1980, mainly due to loss of grasslands. The nodding heads with trumpet-like calyxes, lead to bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers. #NPMS

National Plant Monitoring Scheme My local ones are looking good 👍

Twayblades. Kent. Kent Wildlife Trust BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland Wild Orchids UK & Ireland Plantlife National Plant Monitoring Scheme #wildflowerhour

Lady Orchids starting to flower early this year. Kent. Kent Wildlife Trust BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland Plantlife National Plant Monitoring Scheme Wild Orchids UK & Ireland #wildflowerhour

It's officially time for a brew. Today is National Tea Day & what better excuse to pack your flask if you're out on a recce of your NPMS square this weekend. Our flask is pretty battered but we're always cheered by a good cuppa out in the field.
Tea ✅Biscuits ✅ Raincoat ✅ 🍵

Species spot - Lords & Ladies, Arum maculatum has arrow shaped leaves with a wrinkled surface. The club shaped spike releases a urine-like odour attracting flies for pollination. The fruit – a spike of bright orange berries – can be a common sight in woodlands in autumn.

Species spot - Daisy, Bellis perennis. The true arrival of spring is subject to debate, but the Daisy was said to herald the change in season. When you could place your foot down & cover seven daisies this was said to mean spring had sprung. We love them for their simplicity.

Species spot - Ramsons Allium ursinium. We can almost smell the species spot today! Ramsons, or wild garlic makes a fragrant carpet in damp woodland as well as along hedgerows. The white bell-shaped flowers grow on long leafless stalks in April & May. 📷 Donna Radley / Plantlife

Dog’s Mercury, Mercurialis perennis the verdant green stems are a lovely sight along old hedgerows & in woodlands. The male & female flowers are distinctly different the male flowers borne on long spikes whilst the smaller female flowers are formed on separate plants.

Today's species spot on #InternationalDayofForests is the Wood Anemone, Anemone nemorosa is in flower early in the season. One of the delights of a springtime walk, the petals open out fully in good sunlight & follow the direction of the sun. #WoodlandFlowers 📷L Waterman

Alder, Alnus glutinosa can be found in wet places. Flowers are on catkins, male catkins pendulous, & female catkins like tiny cones. Alder wood was put in cupboards as the beetles are said to prefer it for egg-laying. A distraction to stop them laying eggs elsewhere! 📷Sue McBean

Species spot - Hazel, Corylus avellana with long catkins. Hazelnuts were said to bestow wisdom. An old Irish tale of hazel growing by a sacred pool, tells how Salmon in the pool ate fallen nuts, absorbing wisdom. Spots on the skin were said to show how many nuts they had eaten.

Gorse - Ulex europaeus with needle like leaves & yellow coconut scented flowers, provides cover for birds & insects. In days gone by it was burned at Midsummer. Blazing branches were carried around herds of cattle to bring health to the herd in the year ahead. 📷Beth Halski

Such a relaxed workshop with NPMS volunteers last week. Artist Iris Hill helped us explore the Snowdrop, developing uses of watercolour and letting go of perfectionism! Thanks to all those who joined. As one participant said 'Can't we have watercolour Wednesday every week now?!'

It's a great time to get involved with the National Plant Monitoring Scheme. There're still survey squares available to adopt in the national park (blue dots). Up your skills and take action for plants! npms.org.uk National Plant Monitoring Scheme Cairngorms Volunteers Plantlife Scotland BSBI Scotland

New webinar recordings available on the NPMS YouTube channel ow.ly/Ih5H50QIfp0 If you missed the live sessions, catch up with botanical specialist Ben Averis on vegetation of disturbed urban places, or BSBI's head of science Kevin Walker's intro to the Plant Atlas 2020.

Chickweed salad anyone? The Chickweed species spotlight in our NPMS winter newsletter has been written by our lovely volunteer Tara. Check it out for more info about this often overlooked plant 📷Sue Harris ow.ly/M2T150QzbnE

There's still time to sneak into the re-scheduled Wild Watercolour workshop lead by Plantlife artist in residence Iris Hill. Register here: ow.ly/zWXF50Qz9Oe for the workshop this Wednesday at 6pm.