Botany along Newry Greenway

Botany along Newry Greenway

Today I guided a Winter botany walk along Newry Greenway

Today was a productive day along Newry Greenway, with a group of us ready to learn more about botany (and of course other wildlife) along this public greenway which runs between Newry canal and Newry river.

Despite the cold and drizzle, there was plenty of life to be seen along the greenway. We discussed everything from Winter tree ID, winter-green plants, invasive plants, medicinal uses of plants, folklore, epiphytes and the food trees provide for wildlife! All of our senses were engaged, especially our sight and hearing.

Fact of the day in my opinion: alder have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Frankia alni) in their roots which provide a source of nitrogen for the tree, similar to beans and peas!

Winter casts a particularly beautiful and uniquely colourful hue over the land and this was very evident today. The canal was still and reflected the bright bark of overhanging ash. In the distance, down the loch, low-hanging fog enveloped the hills and mountains in an ethereal blue. Wading birds were not afraid to make their presence known; teal fleeing from our shadows, grey herons cackling as they fly barely a feather distance from the surface of the water. Above us, finches, tits and thrushes fed on the alder cones and joined us in our ramblings.

I hope the people who joined me have a greater capacity to find beauty and life in Winter and appreciate how the finer scientific details complement what we experience with our senses!