COMPETITION

In this issue of Irish Wildlife, members have a chance to win a copy of An Irish Nature Year by Jane Powers, with illustrations by Robert Vaughan.

Call it a daily meditation on the world around us for naturelovers and nature newbies alike. An ‘Irish Nature Year’ gleefully explores the small mysteries of the seasons as they unfold – Who’s cutting perfect circles in your roses? Which birds wear feathery trousers? And what, exactly, is an amethyst deceiver? An ‘Irish Nature Year’ is an illustrated day book filled with plants, animals, birds and creepycrawlies from all over the island of Ireland. With one short entry for every day of the year, nature columnist Jane Powers serves up five minutes’ worth of wonderment to enjoy on your co“ee break, on your commute, or to relax with at bedtime. From ‘weeds’ in the pavement cracks and surprising inhabitants of vacant lots, to unusual finds along our shoreline and hedgerows, you’ll find more of the natural world to admire right under your nose and relish the little things that mark the passing of the seasons across the ever-changing Irish landscape.

We have three copies to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question:

Who is the new Minister for Biodiversity and Land Use?

Send your answer, name and address to magazinecomp@iwt.ie by October 31st.

Summer Issue

In our summer issue, we gave away a copy of Gordon D’Arcy’s ‘Breathing Burren’. Congratulations to Claire Crowley from Co. Kildare for correctly answering our question. Thanks to all who entered!

“The Badger Club is our Junior IWT Membership subscription.

Why couldn’t the gardener plant any flowers? He hadn’t botany! What makes some plants better at maths than others? Square roots!

What did the big flower say to the little flower? What’s up, bud?!

J U A Z N I E S G V C W K M Q

U G E Y U P Y V I N F I M M G W A S F R K S R E F I N O C B J W Q V E H S F O R W T C E Y C Y A W P S E D T L G E R V S K Z I W I T C H E S B R O O M F F X V N K E O L X I N E Y O D Z Q F U K U L T E R W H E X E B W R J L V L S S B B X W N C S X G R H J Y I I P G Q R V R U A N R O R S M N U I T T I F L X B M M S K K W C N N M T H Y S U J F L H V D X K Q E Y K L X A L T B O J Q P W Z J S J V Z Z R Y Q A U D U V V X H

BERRIES CONIFERS EVERGREEN HOLLY IVY JUNIPER MISTLETOE SCOTSPINE WINTER WITCHESBROOM YEW

Badger Club is a quarterly magazine for Junior and Family members of the Irish Wildlife Trust. To become a member please go to our website https://iwt.ie/ support-us/become-a-member/ Like our Facebook page at facebook. com/IrishWildlifeTrust and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/

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Text by Fergus DeFaoite Design by Barbara Vasic Front cover photo: Yew Taxus baccata, MHNT Muséum de Toulouse [CC BY-SA 4.0] Centre spread photos: Holly, Ruth Hartnup (CC BY 2.0); Ivy, Michael Maggs (CC BY-SA 2.5); Mistletoe, uncredited (CC BY-SA 2.0); Yew, Barbara Vasic Poster: Blackbird (Turdus merula) feeds on berries of ivy by blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo

The Irish Wildlife Trust was founded in 1979 as a charitable conservation body, Charity No. CHY 6264. We provide the public with information about wildlife, run education and training programmes, carry out habitat and species surveys, campaign and lobby around biodiversity issues, restore natural habitats, consult with industry, agriculture and Local Authorities to maintain our natural heritage, and contribute to national and international forums for the protection of biodiversity. The IWT is a nationwide organisation with a strong membership base, staff and Board of Directors, with branches in Dublin Galway, Kerry, Laois/Offaly, Longford/ Westmeath and Waterford. Copyright Irish Wildlife Trust 2020. All rights reserved.” Winter 2019/20 MAGAZINE FOR THE JUNIOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH WILDLIFE TRUST