Lots to see at La Societe Guernesiaise botany walk
AN ORCHID field in the north of the island is expected to put on a good display of flowers later this year, after leaves were spotted emerging.
It was just one of the interesting things spotted on a special La Societe Guernesiaise junior botany walk.
The event is part of a drive by La Societe to get young people more engaged with the charity’s wide-ranging work.
Education and conservation leader Becky Ogier said she was glad to see some families braving the weather, which was damp and windy.
‘We are very keen for all the sections to run events for juniors, as they are the future of La Societe,’ she said.
‘We want to give them a chance to experience all the different sections. We also want to encourage families to join La Societe.’
The walk was led by special guest and world-renowned clematis grower Raymond Evison.
‘I thought it might be a nice idea to do a flower walk for children, as it was what I always did with my daughter,’ he said.
Among the walkers were Ian and Elisabeth Lihou and their daughter Florence, 6.
‘I think it is great to get the young interested in nature,’ Mrs Lihou said.
Florence already knew some of the plants they were trying to spot. ‘My favourite is gorse, because I like the colour,’ she said.
Botany section co-secretary Helen Litchfield said around half a dozen families had attended and it had gone really well.
‘The flowers were gorgeous,’ she said. ‘We found lots of different species.
‘The sand crocuses were hiding [closed up, because of the weather].
‘They are a very rare plant – only found in 25 different places in the British Isles. But they do very well here.’
They also saw some upright chickweed, ragged robin and bog pimpernel.
There is an area at the east end of the L’Ancresse Common, which has been carefully managed by Nature Guernsey and the Guernsey Conservation Volunteers to encourage orchids.
Ms Litchfield said the field was looking promising for this year. ‘We were really pleased to see lots of emerging rosettes, emerging leaves of orchids,’ she said. ‘It looks like there will be a good display this year.’
n A La Societe botany walk is taking place at 6 this evening, starting from Icart car park. It is free and open to everyone.
