It’s official - It’s all about climate change and ecosystem conservation. Check out the Nature Scot website. https://www.invasivespecies.scot
In May 2021 just as in May 2020 and numerous years before the Birnam and Dunkeld balsam blitz gets underway.
Himalayan Balsam - with its pretty pink flower, a rich source of nectar loved by bees - is ones of Britain’s INVASIVE SPECIES. So don’t be fooled.
That means it isn’t just a plant that has come from elsewhere, it is one that is harmful to our natural environment.
It was imported from Asia as a garden flower, became a garden escape and then mounted an unwitting takeover bid for the countryside.
It grows quickly. It can grow to be huge. It will swamp out the native plants and deprive numerous insects etc of the plants they rely on for feeding and reproduction.
It is easily removed - it pulls up easily and as an annual plant relying on its seeds to keep on going, it can be cleared from an area.
So every little helps.
If you would like to get involved either on your own or with others in removing balsam contact - Bill or Katharine Melville at 01350 727048 (bill.b.melville@btinternet.com)
See also - Mark Purrmann-Charles via the Nature Scot website and Catherine Lloyd at Tayside Biodiversity Partnership.
Some people have expressed and interest in setting up a litter collecting group. Give us a call if you would like to join in midweek or at weekends.
