We're calling on all plant-lovers to take images of wonderful wildflowers this summer & enter them in our Botanical Photographer of the Year competition! There are 5 categories and (new for 2026) we are introducing a separate award for young photographers. Find out more: bsbi.org/take-part/ac...

Another picture of a sand martin in Rossnowlagh yesterday for the #BirdOfTheDay alt theme of #LowFlying.

Sand martins are really hard to photograph, as I found out on Rossnowlagh earlier. I like this one though, it's so blurred it looks like a painting.

Stopped for a break by Lough Ramor in Co. Cavan and this Green Drake mayfly was on the car when I came back.

Bluebells, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Bog Stitchwort, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Cuckooflower, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Red clover, Ballyshannon. #wildflowerhour

Bush Vetch, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Common Dog-violet, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Creeping Buttercup and hoverfly, Co. Donegal. Think it's a ladder-backed hoverfly, but that could be the rung name. #wildflowerhour #buttercupchallenge

Hawthorn, Ballyshannon. #wildflowerhour

Wavy Bitter-cress, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Not in flower yet, but always lovely to find some Round-leaved Sundew, one of Ireland's carnivorous plants. While looking at this, I heard my first cuckoo of the year. Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Tbe bird-like flower of Lousewort, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Beautifully scented Gorse, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Early-purple Orchid, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Red Valerian, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Shining Crane's-bill, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Wild Strawberry, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Wood Speedwell, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Germander Speedwell, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Wood-sorrel, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Bugle, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal. #wildflowerhour

Chocolate mining bee, Ballyshannon. Sounds like a nice job to have.

Bog beacon, Co. Donegal.

Drinker moth caterpillar, Co. Donegal. #teammoth

Roadside Early Purple-orchids out the Knather, Co. Donegal.

Common Ground-hopper, Knader Wood, Co. Donegal.

Dandelion clock, Dún Laoghaire.

Slender Speedwell, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. #wildflowerhour

Dandelion, Dún Laoghaire. The term 'dandelion' actually encompasses dozens of species that are really tricky to tell apart. #wildflowerhour

Dove's-foot Crane's-bill, Greystones, Co. Wicklow. While taking this photo, a dog came over and peed on my leg, highlighting the extreme dangers of botany. #wildflowerhour

Common Mouse-ear, Sandycove, Co. Dublin. #wildflowerhour

Red Dead-nettle, Dún Laoghaire. The name 'Dead-nettle' comes from the fact it looks like a nettle but doesn't sting. #wildflowerhour

Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Dún Laoghaire. Very easy to miss due to its size, but worth a closer look. #wildflowerhour

Star-of-Bethlehem, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. #wildflowerhour

Red Campion, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Cow Parsley, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

There's a little patch of Thrift along the seafront between Dún Laoghaire and Sandycove (Newtownsmith). Every year I think the winter's storms will have done away with it, but every year the bright pink flowers appear. #wildflowerhour

A little egret in Alcúdia, Mallorca, last week. #Birdoftheday #LongNecks

Whoever does Tesco's labelling is a comic genius.

Twelve grey squirrels were introduced to Ireland as a wedding gift in the early 20th century and quickly escaped and spread. They damage trees and are bad news for our native red squirrels. The recovery of pine martens, who prey more on greys, is helping to control them and boost numbers of reds.

Lovely to see the butterflies back now that it's getting a bit warmer. Holly Blue, Dún Laoghaire.

Common Ramping Fumitory, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Greater Knapweed, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Cowslip, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Forget-me-not, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Common Vetch, Dún Laoghaire. #wildflowerhour

Annual Wall-rocket, Dún Laoghaire. #CabbageFamily #wildflowerhour