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I knew about rosebay willowherb, but not that the other two - hairy willowherb and the tiny one, epilobium paviflorum - were willowherbs, until I was gazing idly at a patch of nettles, grass and willowherbs one day and thought 'hang on...' when looking at the tiny pink flowers. And then yesterday at the canal, a third kind, hairy willowherb, which is bigger than the small one, but smaller then the big one :) So many interesting things to discover when you take the time to really look. Pics show Rosebay Willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) and the tiniest is Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum). Tea can be made from the leaves of rosebay willowherb, but the others may be poisonous if eaten, based on my internet research. It's fun to make these new connections now that I'm looking more carefully at the environment! (pics my own except Epilobium parviflorum (c) Urban Fringe)

This is a moss carder bee on Rousholm Beach, Stronsay (Orkney) feasting on the clover which grows in abundance on the stony, sandy dunes Which reminds me of two poems, one by Brian Bilston, and another I wrote during the Covid lockdown.

Our pupils continue to ask questions about the different plant life at Lochshore, Kilbirnie.

Pupils are looking for ancient trees according to the following criteria: Wide trunk Small canopy Possibly hollow Fungus

Using measurement skills to find ancient trees.