Today we met in Strathpeffer for the Spring Meeting of HBRG. I ended up giving a talk on the flora of Raasay – a shortened version of a previous offering – as the planned speaker was unable to be present. We also heard about blowflies, earthworms, freshwater sponges and kiwis.
I am told by Ian Evans that the green thing I reported last summer growing in a burn is probably Ophrydium, a protozoan which usually lives in spherical jelly-like lumps containing Chlorella-like endosymbionts
Since getting home I have
– looked at the OPAL earthworm project and downloaded the earthworm field guide – despite appearances on the NBN Gateway, we do have earthworms in Scotland…
– had a look at Global Biodiversity Information Facility
– and ordered a copy of Collins Photo Guide to Lakes, Rivers, Streams & Ponds by Fitter & Manuel. More available second-hand at Abeboooks but I have had the cheapest!