A MISSION LIKE NO OTHER

Climbing over fences, through saltmarshes and down ditches; into the Lammermuirs, around North Berwick Law and up Arthurs Seat, has all been part of an amazing mission undertaken by one of the Scottish Seabird Centre’s longest standing volunteers, to raise funds for the charity.

Mary Tebble, who is in her 80s, has had a lifelong passion for wild plants and in March this year she set off on a quest to find and record as many wild flowers as possible – and by her deadline of 31 October she has uncovered a very impressive 840 different species!

Mary followed the rules of the Wild Flower Society, which dictates that she could only count flowers that are genuinely wild (ie not planted or cultivated); count each plant only once; only plants that are numbered in Stace’s New Flora of the British Isles; and only plants which have at least one fully developed floret.

Some of her most interesting finds have included knotted (or soft) clover and hoary cinquefoil at the volcanic outcrop at Waughton Crossroads; rock samphire and sea holly at Belhaven Bay and even purple viper’s bugloss in West Lothian.

Mary Tebble said: “There have been many highlights in my quest: finding rue-leaved saxifrage at Yellowcraig, henbane in flower at John Muir Country Park and a pyramidal orchid on Aberlady Nature Reserve.

“Some of the spin-offs have been tremendous: I’ve been thanked by an artist who paints wildflowers, a lecturer who wishes to take photos to show his students and a retired botanist who has had his memory jogged about his own enjoyable hunts.

“Undertaking this mission has also made a big difference to me – not only have I lost weight but I have been able to walk on the level ground without my walking poles, which to me is a miracle!

“While I have had lots of fun and made many discoveries, I hope everyone remembers that the purpose of this task has been to raise funds to invest into the invaluable work undertaken by the Scottish Seabird Centre. I hope that lots of people will show their support!”

Please donate as much as you can to support Mary's amazing accomplishment!

Update on 1 May. Many thanks to many friends old and new. My little project has secured funds of £2,400 for the wonderful Scottish seabird Centre and we're not finished yet!