Dreich with a glowering sky.
2nd January 2016
(Above) The main path in Coire Ardair. Little to report (or see!) above the cloudbase, which clung on resolutely to the 700m contour line for most of the day. Some humid thin new snow towards 1000m but generally poor snow cover. Light snowfall at highest altitudes but just damp elsewhere.
(Above) Anyone know what these ‘ninja’ green ferns are called? They still seem to be growing at 400m in early January here at Creag Meagaidh. (Reminds me of the fossilised remains of prehistoric plants I saw at the Geological Museum.) The bracken died out months ago.
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Emma
2nd January 2016 5:58 pm
Hi, I would say the fern is hard fern, blechnum spicant, from the photo and where it is growing. There is a basic fern guide at http://www.ebps.org.uk and fortunately there aren’t too many different types of common ferns in Scotland. Hope that helps!
Kind regards,
Emma
meagaidhadmin
2nd January 2016 7:44 pm
Thanks for your reply, Emma. Excellent info.
The SNH people at Aberarder Farmhouse would probably have had the answer but they’re not back at work until Monday.
Scott Kirkhope
2nd January 2016 6:28 pm
Hard fern I believe.
meagaidhadmin
2nd January 2016 7:47 pm
Looks like the crowdsourcing request came up with the correct answer!
Many thanks for your response, Scott.
Grant Duff
2nd January 2016 9:37 pm
There is loads of this fern around Loch Laggan and particularly around birch trees.