2010 Mink escape!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/29/animal-activists-freeing-5000-mink

An interesting article from the Guardian.

Polygonum?

A dense patch of this 1.5m tall plant is growing on a riverbank in Cawdor. Evidently in the family Polygonaceae (knotweeds etc...). Can anyone identify it, please?

Giants

The dead flower stems of Giant hogweed dwarf broom bushes (which are about head height), giving some impression of their impressive stature. Not an easy plant to eradicate as seed retains viability for many years.

Terrible trio

Three of the highest priority Invasive Non-native Species (INNS) in one frame.

Japanese knotweed (left), Himalayan balsam (foreground) and giant hogweed (right) all share a predilection for ungrazed riparian areas. Between them, they leave little room for native plants and present a real challenge for those using riverbanks for access, whether fishermen or families out for an afternoon stroll.

Knotweed flowering

Early autumn is a good time to treat Japanese knotweed, in fact many perennial weeds, as they are now storing reserves ready for next spring. The leaves take up systemic herbicides efficiently and translocate them down to the root system.

Balsam around Inverness

There are a number of Himalayan balsam populations around Inverness. Those located so far are Holm Burn, Mill Burn, Scretan and Cairnlaw Burns (both below Smithton). This is the lower section of the Scretan Burn, showing balsam dominating the banks and floodplain.

If you know of other areas with Himalayan balsam, please let me know by adding a comment below or phoning 01456 486426. Thanks!

It is less usual to see balsam growing on a slope. It is well-established and has apparently colonised from the floodplain below, indicating that it has probably been here a few years.

Rhode spraying on the River Orrin

Rhododenderon clearance is ongoing along the Orrin river.. Work began last winter when the plants were manually removed from a large section along the river bank on the Fairburn estate. The stumps are now being sprayed with herbicide to prevent regrowth as new plants will sprout from the cut back stumps. This is one of the methods employed to clear rhodes from this area. Stem injection is also being carried out on certain sections, pictures and info of that to follow.
The work is being carried out by BTCV with use of Cromarty Firth fishery trust baliffs who all hold the spraying licence required for such spraying.

ID anyone???

Can anyone ID this plant? It was found along the Blackwater river by one of the Fishery Baliffs, he said it was growing in a big stand right next to a stand of Japanese knotweed...the pic isn't great as the specimen was a bit whithered by the time I got it!...I think it might be Himalayan knotweed...

Buddleia in Glenurquhart, Loch Ness

Like many invasives, Buddleia favours disturbed habitats. Seen here colonising banks on the River Coiltie.

Little wonder it is known as Butterfly Bush. These bushes were aflutter with Peacock, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.