Irish Wildlife Spring 2020

ISSN - 1649 - 5705 • SPRING ’20

IRISH MAGAZINE OF THE IRISH WILDLIFE TRUST

S AND’ IREL

TE S BIE F LDLI E W

AZIN MAG

the secret life of

solitary bees

DR ÚNA FITZPATRICK INTRODUCES THE AMAZING, LITTLE-KNOWN WORLD OF OUR SOLITARY BEES

SPOTTED IN IRELAND:

• HEDGEHOGS • FIELD GRASSHOPPER • BLACK FOX

DOLPHIN STRANDING

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SWIFT ACTION

ELECTION 2020

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

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Donate to the Irish Wildlife Trust to help us connect commnities with Nature

Donate online at ww.iwt.ie/donate Charity No: CHY 6264

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WELCOME

Chairman’s Comment

A Cover credits: iStock.com Contents page credits: Cormorant by Paul Hayse Fox at water by Chris Howes Fox cubs by Tara Holland Fox vixen by John Holden Mute swan by Lesley Barker Red squirrel by Feargal Quinn

We have a new email address

editor@iwt.ie We look forward to hearing from you.

Published by Ashville Media Group www.ashville.com

All articles © 2020. No part of this publication including the images used may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Opinions and comments expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure that all information contained in this publication is factual and correct at time of going to press, Ashville Media Group and the Irish Wildlife Trust

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cannot be held responsible for any inadvertent errors or omissions contained herein.

Please recycle this copy of Irish Wildlife

s I write this Chairman’s comment, much of the world is dealing with a crisis of unprecedented severity.

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, has swept across continents at an alarming speed, indicative of the daily mass movements of people as a result of ever increasing and unsustainable availability of cheap air travel. Already questions are being asked as to how COVID-19 came about and what other potential viruses are yet to be unleashed on the human race. In the short-term, scientists and medical professionals will focus on this particular virus but when the crisis is over, attention will inevitably turn to what other unknown viruses are lurking and to what extent are human actions increasing the likelihood of future and more deadly viral outbreaks emerging.

Viruses have been around for millions of years and depend on the availability of host species, such as humans, to replicate. Many animal species, such as fruit bats, harbour viruses which are generally not a health threat to humans. However, in a world where we are relentlessly encroaching upon and destroying habitats, humans are increasingly coming into contact with wild animals and as a result, zoonotic viruses (viruses that are capable of jumping the species barrier) emerge. Man-made climate change is another likely indirect factor; ecosystems are disrupted and collapse due to changing climatic and habitat conditions, weakening species and causing species dispersal, along with the viruses that they naturally carry.

In addition, the global illegal trade of wild animals is also adding to the threat of zoonotic viruses emerging and it is no coincidence that coronavirus emerged in China; a country that is responsible for most of the illegal global trade in wildlife, fuelled by a huge demand for exotic foods and ingredients for pseudo medicines. The abundance of so-called “wet markets” in China and other countries, principally in Asia and Africa, where live animals are slaughtered on demand and meat products stored side by side, also create favourable environments for zoonotic viruses and other diseases to spread. China has vowed to enforce laws and measures to curb these practices and it is hoped that other countries will follow suit. One sliver of a silver lining may be that

many species of wild animals on the verge of extinction may be spared if this illegal wildlife trade ceases or is greatly disrupted. Time will tell.

While we are all being asked to adhere to social distancing to help slow down the virus spread, it is very important that we look after our mental and physical health. We can still go for walks and enjoy the arrival of spring. One small blessing is that this crisis has struck at a time of lengthening evenings and more agreeable weather. The therapeutic benefits of a walk in a park, on the beach or in a woodland are well known and IWT recommends that to relieve cabin fever, people get out into the fresh air as much as possible. When getting outdoors, please do ensure not to gather in groups and make sure you and your family wash your hands afterwards.

Enjoy the arrival of spring and make sure younger members of our families do also.

Hopefully, this latest edition of our magazine will both keep you up to date on some of the latest conservation issues and also help you to pass some time during this difficult period. Articles include the worrying increase in dolphins being stranded along our shores, the aftermath of the Australian bushfires and some positive practical conservation measures to help the threatened swift.

IWT has postponed all public events for the foreseeable future, but our dedicated staff and volunteers will continue to work on our campaigns and advocacy work, so please keep in touch and up to date via our social media. Hopefully this crisis will pass quickly, and life can get back to normal for everyone and when it does, IWT will be back into the swing of things and organising plenty of events for you, your family and communities to enjoy.

On behalf of IWT, I want to wish our staff, volunteers, members and supporters all the best over the next weeks and months and to thank you all for your continued support.

Enjoy the read,

Seán Meehan Chairman, Irish Wildlife Trust

Pass it on. If you’re finished with your Irish Wildlife don’t throw it in the bin. Pass it on to someone who you think may enjoy it – or ask your local library or doctor’s office to leave it in the reception.

You’ll help the environment and the IWT while you’re at it.

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FIELD REPORT

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CONTENTS

Contents 4.

ABOUT US

Discover more about the work of the IWT and how you can get involved.

5. CONSERVATION NEWS

Tim Clabon compiles the latest conservation news and Mick O’Connell discusses the rise in Dolphin Strandings.

12. IWT NEWS

Read all about our recent successful activities.

18. CITIZEN SCIENCE

In this new Citizen Science section you can discover wildlife survey projects around the country that you can take part in to help make a difference for nature.

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EXPLORING WILDLIFE

Gordon Darcy explores our relationship with what nature washes up on our western seaboard.

22. AROUND IRELAND

IWT Laois and Offaly branch on what can be done across the country to improve green spaces and help offset the effects of climate change.

24. BIODIVERSITY

Marion Jammet explores the potential threats posed by the built environment to the natural world and how these can be minimised.

26.

EXPLORING PLACES

Wicklow Wild West by Martina Caplice.

28. FEATURE

Dr Úna FitzPatrick introduces the amazing, little-known world of our solitary bees.

33. FIADHÚLRA

Cén saghas Seamróg é seo?

Le Cáit Nic Lochlainn.

32.. SEASONAL FOCUS

Billy Flynn explores the “transition period”, the one-year time lag between the United Kingdom formally leaving the European Union.

34. COMPETITION

We’re offering our readers the opportunity to win a copy of Zoë Devlin’s Blooming Marvellous: A Wildflower Hunter’s Year.

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IRISH WILDLIFE TRUST

About Us The Irish Wildlife Trust was founded in 1979 and aims to conserve wildlife and the habitats it depends on throughout Ireland, while encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

IMAGES THIS PAGE: TOP: Andrena fulva by Jonathan Sexton ABOVE Grey Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) by Lill Dunne

The IWT is dedicated to creating a better future for Ireland’s wildlife through: Motivating and supporting people to take action for wildlife.

Education and raising awareness of all aspects of Irish wildlife and conservation issues.

Research of the natural environment.

Acquiring and managing nature reserves to safeguard species and habitats.

Lobbying decision-makers at all levels to promote policy in Ireland that provides a sustainable future for wildlife and people.

Working in partnership with other organisations to achieve results that matter for conservation.

Irish Wildlife is published quarterly by the IWT.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

HAVE COMMENTS? Magazine queries email: editor@iwt.ie Information on campaigning and policies email: irishwildlife@iwt.ie Phone: (01) 860 2839 Snail mail: The Irish Wildlife Trust, 8 CABRA ROAD, DUBLIN 7, D07 T1W2” Web: www.iwt.ie Social media: facebook.com/IrishWildlifeTrust twitter.com/Irishwildlife

The IWT encourages action at a local level and has a number of branches around the country: Dublin: Barbara, dublinbranch@iwt.ie facebook.com/DublinBranchIrishWildlife Trust, dubliniwt.blogspot.ie Waterford: Denis Cullen, iwtwaterfordbranch@gmail.com, deniscullen@eircom.net, irishwildlifetrust. blogspot.ie Kerry: Ger, iwtkerry@gmail.com www.facebook.com/KerryIWT Galway: Dan, iwtgalway@gmail.com www.facebook.com/IWTgalwaybranch Laois/Offaly: Ricky, iwtlaoisoffaly@gmail.com www.facebook.com/IWTlaoisoffalybranch

You, our members, make the IWT what it is. Through your subscriptions and support we can undertake the projects that are benefiting Ireland’s wildlife. If you would like to help more, here’s what you can do: • Make a one-off donation to the IWT. • Give IWT membership as a gift.

• Volunteer – we are always looking for people to help out. There are lots of ways to get involved, from helping with important admin work in our office to helping us increase membership by volunteering at public events. See our website www.iwt.ie for details or contact the office directly.

• Do you have land that you would like used for conservation? We are always on the lookout to establish new sites to enhance wildlife or provide education opportunities.

• Remember us in your will. Why not leave a lasting legacy towards conserving Ireland’s natural heritage? The IWT uses all funds towards our campaigns, managing reserves and our education programmes. Please visit www.mylegacy.ie.

• Set up a branch. Are you passionate about wildlife and are in a county that does not have an IWT branch? Contact the office and we can give you the support you need to get up and running.

Keep up-to-date on all the latest news from the Irish Wildlife Trust on www.iwt.ie 4

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CONSERVATION NEWS

CONSERVATION NEWS

The latest national and international news from the conservation world, compiled by Tim Clabon.

IRISH NEWS

Black fox sightings in Ireland Over the past few months, there have been reports of black foxes being spotted in Waterford, Cork and Dublin. Indications suggest they are escapees or deliberate releases of silver foxes into the wild.

Although some black forms of native red foxes have been spotted in the UK, there have been no confirmed sightings in Ireland.

The recent sightings of black foxes are most probably silver foxes that have either escaped or been deliberately released into the wild. These forms of foxes have been bred specifically for the genetic trait that gives the fur a black or silvery appearance. There are over 70 colour variations of the red fox that have been bred, mostly for the fur trade.

In the wild, melanistic foxes are the result of a very rare genetic colour variation of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). They can be black all over, often with a distinctive white patch on the end of the tail.

They may have been more abundant in medieval times, but due to hunting for their valuable pelts, are now rare to extinct in the wild.

All foxes go through a dark colour phase where the cub’s fur can be very dark, and almost black during the first couple of weeks after being born, though they outgrow this quickly, and moult to the more familiar chestnut colour. Older foxes can take on a darker fur colour, as well as foxes with mange.

All foxes are wild animals. While the silver fox has been bred through selective breeding, they have not been domesticated long

enough to be considered “tame” to be kept as pets, and they maintain their wild traits. Unfortunately, like many other exotic species, silver foxes seem to be caught between being tame and wild. Some may stay as loyal pets, others will leg-it at the first opportunity. They also don’t get on well with other animals and have pungent odours.

There really is a good reason why we never domesticated foxes.

Escapees do pose a risk to native species. If they do naturalise, they can become invasive species, competing with native wildlife for resources, introducing diseases that otherwise may not be indigenous, and if they interbreed with native foxes, this can damage the native genetic diversity.

From an animal welfare point of view, captive bred foxes that have escaped don’t have the same survival skills wild species have, and can face difficulties in hunting, foraging and living freely in the wild.

Although Ireland does have a voluntary code of practice for pet breeders and sellers, there is no specific legislation restricting the keeping, breeding, selling or supplying of exotic pet animals. This also means there is little information on what species are being brought into Ireland, and no control on species that could have a detrimental impact on ecology, health and agriculture. This is a huge concern. As we have seen with terrapins in the past, when people find out that they cannot keep some species as pets, unfortunately they often dump them in the wild.

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A dead porpoise washed up onto the rocks at Portrane

and Donabate cliff walk. Porpoise are small toothed whales that are very closely related to oceanic dolphins.

IRISH NEWS

Worrying seasonal spike in

Dolphin Stranding becoming the norm

By Mick O’Connell, Strandings Office with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

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very year since 2011, stranding of whales, dolphins and porpoises on the Irish coast have been increasing compared to historical levels, so that we now record twice as many as this time ten years ago (c.260 annually in recent years versus c.130 prior to 2011). Unfortunately, it feels like Groundhog Day now – we say the same thing every year, and mostly it feels like not many people care. One live stranded sick whale on a beach will get more attention than 50 dead dolphins, yet live strandings only account for around 10% of all recorded strandings – 90% die at sea and are washed up dead on shore. Like ourselves, cetaceans die for a multitude of reasons, including “natural” causes such as disease

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CONSERVATION NEWS

Fig 1 Fifteen year comparison of common dolphin strandings

during January and February 2006 to 2020.

Dead common dolphin, washed up with rope tied to tail (bycatch indicator).

Photo credit: Catherine Horgan

and old age. Others, less fortunate maybe, die as a result of human activities such as accidental bycatch in fisheries or through the effects of plastic, or even noise, pollution.

What is remarkable is that the large increase in recorded strandings is mainly down to increased strandings of common dolphins between January and March (so we can be reasonably sure that increased observer effort/ reporting is not the cause, as this would be more evenly spread over different species throughout the year). For example, before 2011, it would have been normal to have around 30 common

dolphin strandings per year – in the last few years, that figure has risen to around 110! Based on some research in France, it is estimated that less than 10% of dead animals that die at sea may wash ashore and be recorded so that 110 figure may represent c.1,000 dead animals. In January and February 2020, IWDG recorded 40 common dolphin strandings, the second highest annual figure for these months since 2018 (n=59). Again, it is important to note that this is only a minimum guideline, as it excludes animals that die at sea and don’t strand, stranded animals that aren’t reported and dolphins that are not positively

identified as common dolphins (Fig. 1).

With a number of dead dolphins showing typical signs of bycatch in fishing net (broken beaks, cut fins, etc), it is interesting to note that most common dolphin strandings in January and February 2020 were in Cork and Kerry.

A look at AIS vessel finder shows that much of the fishing effort off our coast at this time was also off the southwest, not by Irish vessels, but mostly large French, Spanish and Dutch vessels.

The owners of these large pelagic freeze trawlers say they are not finding dolphin bycatch an issue, and indeed, observers onboard a percentage of vessels are recording little if any bycatch of cetaceans. Yet, the signs on our beaches are saying something different – three dead dolphins in just over a week on Derrynane Beach in Co Kerry, for example, at least two of which were juvenile. Post-mortem reports on common dolphins in Mayo in 2013 did show a link to bycatch, and as some of the dolphins had been feeding on horse mackerel, the inference is a connection to that fishery.

In recent years, the Marine Institute and NPWS funded a necropsy scheme to look at the causes of death in common dolphins, striped dolphins and harbour porpoises. This scheme ended in December 2019, so currently, no animals are removed for post-mortem examination. After nearly ten years, it now seems that what was, at the time, an unusual spike in common dolphin strandings has become an unacceptable “norm”, and judging from the first eight weeks of this year, shows no signs of coming to an end.

If you find a live or dead stranded whale, dolphin or porpoise, you can report it online at iwdg.ie.

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CONSERVATION NEWS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Compiled by Tim Clabon

Australian bushfires

WILDLIFE REPORT The Australian government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has released a provisional list of 113 species identified by experts as priorities for urgent management following the bushfires in southern and eastern Australia. In some cases, at least 30% of these animals’ ranges have been burnt. The list includes 13 birds, 19 mammals, 20 reptiles, 17 frogs, five invertebrates, 22 crayfish, and 17 fish species.

The priority was identified based on the extent in which their range has been impacted, their conservation status before the fires, and how their biological and ecological traits make them vulnerable to disturbance by fire.

The fires covered an unusually large area, and in some places burnt with a high intensity. Some of the species listed were already threatened, and the fires likely increased the risk of extinction.

Species that were not considered threatened have lost much of their habitat and may now be at risk.

While the list of species continues to be added to the 113, species currently listed have been identified as priority for intervention.

Management of these species’ recovery will require the support of government agencies, NGOs, universities, community groups and the public (i.e. everyone).

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Of the species listed, some are at imminent risk of extinction, as most of their range has been burnt. These includes species like the Kangaroo Island dunnart, Pugh’s frog and Blue Mountains water skink.

These species were already threatened and are susceptible to fire and its after-effects. Other species require a strategic response to support recovery and include koala bears and the smoky mouse, as their range has been substantially affected by the fire.

Fish are also included, as they occur downstream of burnt areas and may be impacted by large volumes of ash and sediment, washing down waterways by heavy rain.

Other species on the list include less well-known species, like the Banksia brownii plant louse and golden-tipped bat. Many of the animals have an important function in the ecosystem, and their recovery is essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. An assessment on vegetation is underway, as well as the impact on other invertebrates.

Actions required to help these species include surveys of the affected areas to establish the extent of population loss and provide baseline data, and protecting unburnt areas to provide refuge for the species. Other steps required will be assessed based on each species, and the local requirements, such as supplementary feeding and predator control.

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CONSERVATION NEWS

GLOBAL NEWS

Re-assessment of global biodiversity loss

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information, see environment.gov.au/ biodiversity/bushfire-recovery/research-and-resources.

Biodiversity across the globe could be in a worse state than previously thought, as current biodiversity assessments fail to consider the long-lasting impact of abrupt land changes, a new study has warned.

Ignoring delayed impacts of abrupt land changes likely results in incomplete assessments of biodiversity change.

Studies carried out by PhD graduate Dr Martin Jung, senior lecturer in geography Dr Pedram Rowhani, and professor of conservation science Jörn Scharlemann at the University of Sussex, UK compared global data on biodiversity from the PREDICTS database, one of the largest databases of global plants, fungi and animals, with quantitative estimates of abrupt land changes, using data from NASA’s Landsat satellites from 1982 to 2015.

Their research showed that fewer species are observed on sites that have been disturbed by an abrupt use of land in the past decades. The authors warn that areas where deforestation or agricultural intensification have occurred can take at least ten years to recover.

When they do recover, there are reductions in species richness and abundance.

Lead author Dr Martin Jung said, “These findings show that recent abrupt land changes, like deforestation or intensification through agriculture, can cause even more impactful and longlasting damage to biodiversity than previously thought.”

The numbers of species at 5,563 disturbed sites were compared

with 10,102 undisturbed sites across the world. Researchers found that due to a lag effect, biodiversity remained affected by land change for several years.

Dr Jung explained: “For us, the results clearly indicate that regional and global biodiversity assessments need to consider looking back at the past in order to have more accurate results in the present.

“We’ve shown that remotelysensed satellite data can assist in doing this in a robust way globally. Our framework can also be applied to habitat restoration and conservation prioritisation assessments.”

Professor Jörn Scharlemann added: “Although the number of species and individuals appear to recover more than ten years after a land change, we will still need to find out whether the original unique species recover, or whether common widespread species, such as weeds, pigeons and rats, move into these disturbed areas.”

“These findings show that recent abrupt land changes, like deforestation or intensification through agriculture, can cause even more impactful and longlasting damage to biodiversity than previously thought.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information, see nature.com/articles/s41467019-13452-3 sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/ebe/newsandevents?id=50436

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PRACTICAL CONSERVATION

PRACTICAL CONSERVATION

 Triple-cavity swift nest boxes

and caller, Clonaslee, Co Laois (Birdwatch Ireland)

Swift Action

Swift populations are in severe decline, but there is hope for these beautiful birds, and you can help.

Here’s how, writes Ricky Whelan.

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Swifts are a fascinating species; their life history and ecology are both bizarre and beautiful, and they are a celebrated species in many of the regions they are found. However, swift populations in Ireland have seen severe declines in recent decades, and if this trend continues, we face the threat of losing this highly urbanised species from our towns and cities in the not too distant future. Swifts have evolved from nesting at natural sites such as in cliff crags and tree holes to a now predominantly urban existence, nesting in gaps in masonry, in small cavities behind guttering, fascia and soffit, and other enclosed spaces accessible to them. They nest in loose colonies and are site-faithful, meaning they return to the exact nest site year on year. The tendency to occupy older buildings, which are often demolished or renovated without knowledge of nesting swifts, and the fact that they cannot readily access nest sites in modern buildings (due to modern design and

materials) means they are facing a housing crisis of their own. The good news is young swifts approaching sexual maturity are constantly on the lookout for spaces to call home; it’s here we can assist these birds to do just that and help mitigate the loss of nest sites and arrest population declines.

PROVIDING NEST BOXES The key thing to do is get nest boxes up in a suitable location. Swifts are colonial nesters so prefer the company of other swifts; it is therefore recommended to use multiple nest boxes (in close proximity) or nest boxes with multiple nest cavities built in. I recommend six nest cavities to allow for colony expansion; for example, two triple-cavity nest boxes would be enough. An alternative might be four single-cavity nest boxes, but make sure to provide a minimum of three nest cavities in any case. The height, aspect and location are also very important, but when you know

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PRACTICAL CONSERVATION  Common swift.

a little about swifts, it’s mostly common sense.

Place boxes as high as possible – under the eaves of a two-storey house is ideal. Swifts dip low when exiting boxes, so it’s important that there are no flat roofs, ledges or structures (satellite dishes, etc) below the boxes. Fixing nest boxes up tight to the roof overhang will provide some shade and remove the risk of predators perching atop and potentially harming visiting swifts. The aspect is important, so the boxes are not over-exposed to the elements. All aspects can be considered, but it is strongly advised that if placing boxes on a south- or east-facing wall that they are fixed high under eaves for shade. Swifts go everywhere in a hurry (hence the name), so it’s vital that other barriers do not impede the approach or exit of the birds; trees very close to a wall with nest boxes can restrict the access, so an alternative location might be considered. Whilst other birds will be well into their breeding season, swifts only arrive back to Ireland in the first days of May, so any boxes erected ahead of that might well see some prospecting swifts during the summer months.

CONSIDER A CALLER SYSTEM Established swift pairs will not just move to a new spot or occupy new nest sites readily, so you are really targeting young birds that are on the lookout for available nesting space.

These birds are often referred to as “bangers”; this refers to the behaviour of the birds landing with a thud near to what they believe might be a suitable nest site. They are trying to elicit a response from inside to see if the space may be occupied, as they wish to avoid any potentially costly conflicts with other swifts. By playing a lure from a caller system, you can attract these prospecting birds to your nest boxes, as they believe that swifts are already nesting close by. They may visit the nest boxes over a period of days or weeks before vanishing in the late summer and returning the next year to establish and nest.

Caller systems are made up of a small external speaker and an electronic amplifier broadcasting a suitable call. This sounds a bit technical, but it really isn’t. A licence must be secured to broadcast a swift lure; this sounds off-putting, but it is a relatively simple and free process. Using a caller system can rapidly increase the rate of occupancy, but this is nature, and nothing is guaranteed!

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER Building your own boxes can be rewarding; plans for a model known as the “zeist” box are available online. The most vital thing is

(Mike Taylor)

 Zeist box design.

(Birdwatch Ireland)

the entrance size and shape – this is important to try and reduce other species occupying the swift box you provide. The entrance hole should be 28mm high by 65mm wide – this will stop starlings taking over. Boxes darkened inside and with nest cups are shown to be occupied more readily by swifts.

A little more care is needed when providing nest boxes for swifts, and it is more complicated than simply screwing a small

wooden box to a tree for a blue tit; but swifts need all our help, and by making efforts, you will be contributing to direct conservation action for the species.

For all you need to know and for more detail on all of the above, download the Saving Swifts guide free from the BirdWatch Ireland website: birdwatchireland.ie/publications/savingswifts-guide/.

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IWT NEWS

IWT NEWS A C T I V I T Y U P D A T E By Kieran Flood, IWT Coordinator

W

inter is finally over. Looking back, we remember that winter brought quite a few storms, a snap general election and a global viral pandemic. The storms have passed, the election is over (for now) but the pandemic is still here.

Of these three forces, we focused our effort on the General Election 2020 this winter. With heightened public awareness of our planet’s current climate change and biodiversity emergency, we had hoped that action on these issues would dominate the election promises and debates. While this did not come to pass, we did our bit to inform this debate by producing asks for biodiversity conservation in Ireland. These election asks were circulated widely and list some of the actions we would like to see our new government take to lead us out of the present environmental crisis and save nature in Ireland’s land and sea. These are shared here; feel free to use these points when discussing wildlife protection with your local representative.

Looking to the future, the Irish Wildlife Trust will be as active as we can in the current conditions and hopefully you can take action too. This year we will continue work on our flagship terrestrial and marine projects – “People for Bees” and “Bigger & Better”. Our local branches may not be able to run their great events and practical conservation days for a while, but they will still be there working to build a network of wildlife lovers around Ireland. We shall continue our advocacy work lobbing our local and state government for better protection for nature.

Over the coming weeks we will be promoting pesticide- free gardening as part of our People for Bees project. Sprays such as weed and bug killers can harm our insect populations in many ways by destroying their habitat and food supplies as well as poisoning them directly. One area we can all take action in immediately is to cut out using these sprays in our gardens and on our vegetable patches. Check out our website for pesticide -free pest control tips at iwt.ie/people-for-bees.

Another way you can take action to help pollinating insects this year is simply to count them. This information helps us learn how our insects are doing and whether all our efforts to save them are working. Why not try out a new initiative from the National Biodiversity Data Centre called the Flower-Insect Timed Count. The instructions are simple: Watch a 50x50cm patch of flowers for 10 minutes and record how many insects visit the flowers. This survey takes place between the beginning of April and the end of September. You can do it in your own garden or in a local park. A

"SPRAYS SUCH AS WEED AND BUG KILLERS CAN HARM OUR INSECT POPULATIONS IN MANY WAYS BY DESTROYING THEIR HABITAT AND FOOD SUPPLIES AS WELL AS POISONING THEM DIRECTLY."

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"THE CURRENT STATUS OF MANY PROTECTED MARINE HABITATS IS SADLY DECLINING AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES ARE NOT ADDRESSING THIS DECLINE SUFFICIENTLY TO REVERSE ANY DOWNWARD TRENDS."

recorder’s booklet has been produced which you can download free from www. pollinators.ie, where you can also find further instructions on how to take part. This is a great way to get outside while also learning about nature and contributing to important scientific knowledge.

On that note, our magazine now includes a Citizen Science column where in each issue you can find out about different projects across Ireland that you can help out with.

We are delighted to be running our Bigger & Better Marine Protected Areas campaign in 2020. We are entering our second year of working on this international project, which is co-ordinated by Seas at Risk in Brussels. The current status of many protected marine habitats is sadly declining and management measures are not addressing this decline sufficiently to reverse any downward trends. We are hopeful that a new batch of Irish MPAs will be created following the publication of a government -commissioned advisory group report later this year. By taking part in national and international events and consultations (coronavirus permitting) and by continuing our lobbying efforts here at home, we hope to achieve a better deal for Ireland's MPAs. For more information on our project, visit our website, or follow @BiggerBetterMPA on Twitter.

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IWT NEWS

10 ASKS to Save

Nature in Ireland in the Biodiversity Crisis

What does our new Government need to do to help save nature in Ireland?

1.

Re-structure and properly fund the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The NPWS should be independent (like the Environmental Protection Agency), allowing it to provide scientific advice, take enforcement action and run education programmes as well as the day-to-day work of protecting nature. Sufficient resources are required to implement the National Biodiversity Action Plan as well as to meet minimum legal requirements under the Habitats and Birds Directives, including drawing up and implementing management plans for all existing protected areas. We also need legislation for our National Parks, which will allow for their management and expansion. There should be a long-term funding commitment to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, which is integral to this work.

2.

We need a clear commitment to fully implement all existing environmental legislation.

The 2020s need to be the decade of nature restoration.

3.

To convene the Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity loss as committed to by the Dáil in their declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency in May of 2019. This must be followed by a sustained, national education programme to inform people of the implications and solutions to the ecological crises.

4.

Ireland should support the EU in committing to the forthcoming Global Deal for Nature to be agreed at COP15 in China later in 2020 to protect 30% of land and sea for biodiversity conservation.

This is in line with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

5.

Nature-based solutions for climate. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action Plan should be implemented, recognising that nature-based solutions could bring us onethird of the way to meeting climate targets.

6.

Agriculture. Payments under the Common Agricultural Policy should be based on measurable results/outcomes rather than actions. Payments under Pillar 1 should be given for land which is not farmed (abolishing current eligibility rules which require land to be in "good agricultural condition"). Allowing land to revert to woodland/wetland has multiple benefits to society.

7.

Forests. Large areas of connected native woodlands should be created which will be set aside predominantly for nature, with no commercial extraction. Future commercial forestry should be "close to nature" with "continuous cover".

8.

Oceans. Legislation should be introduced for the designation of large, effective and fully managed Marine Protected Areas. The network of protected sites should cover at least 30% of Ireland’s exclusive economic zone by 2030 and 50% of sites should be no-take zones. The Wildlife Act should be amended to give legal protection to (non-mammal) marine species such as sharks.

9.

Rivers. The Arterial Drainage Act of 1945 should be repealed/replaced to give priority to the restoration of river systems, water quality and natural flood prevention over heavy engineering

10. Bogs and peatlands should be restored/rewetted where possible.

Rewilding should be used to reforest areas of peatland where this is appropriate.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information, contact Pádraic Fogarty, IWT Campaigns Officer: irishwildlife@iwt.ie

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IWT NEWS

Effective Marine Protected Areas in Ireland

10 ASKS for healthier seas Background Ireland’s marine region is ten times the size of its land mass. When the seabed is included, Ireland is one of the largest EU countries. Ireland committed to the Aichi target 11 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity of protecting at least 10% of its marine region by the end of 2020. Currently, the total marine area covered by marine protected areas (MPAs) in Ireland is 10,420 km2 or 2.3%. According to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), most habitats inside the marine N2000 network are in decline in Ireland(1) in spite of their “protection”. Current conservation management of protected sites is not good enough and MPAs in Ireland are meaningless squares on a map unable to reach their full potential.

Well-managed MPAs are safe spaces where sea life is protected and habitats can be restored. They increase biodiversity and resilience, can enhance commercial fish and shellfish stocks inside and outside their boundaries, enhance tourism and even have a role to play in carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation. A study funded by the European Commission(2) found that well-managed MPAs have economic benefits for the fisheries and tourism sectors in local communities.

What does the government need to do TO help our MPAs thrive?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Protect at least 30% of our seas by 2030 of which at least 50% should be no-take zones. The MPAs should build a network of sites that are well-positioned, representative, connected, monitored, enforced and researched. It requires robust legislation, properly resourced and empowered local stakeholder groups with balanced representation.

Protect all MPAs from the impacts of bottom trawling and dredging as this type of fishing causes the most harm to sea life. We also need to restrict the use of pelagic nets that might contribute to bycatch of sensitive species inside MPAs. Prohibit industrial scale fishing inside MPAs in line with IUCN guidelines. (3) Properly resource the NPWS to enable effective monitoring of sites and draw up conservation management plans for each of our MPAs. Launch a complete review of marine enforcement.

Allocate more budget and staff for the agencies carrying out risk assessments of activities within MPAs to ensure thoroughly researched and scientifically sound reporting to eliminate the current adverse human impacts on protected habitats and species.

Reward sustainable small-scale and low-impact fisheries with eco-certification in order to improve market access and increase value of catch.

Legalise commercial diving for scallop/razor clam and only allow this type of scallop/razor clam fishing in MPAs as this is one of the most sustainable ways to harvest high value seafood.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

If you have any questions about this document contact Regina Classen at r.classen@iwt.ie

References 1 NPWS (2019). The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Volume 2: Habitat Assessments. Unpublished NPWS report. Edited by: Deirdre Lynn and FionnualaO’Neill 2 European Union (2018) Haines, R. (ICF), Hattam, Caroline (PML) Pantzar, M. (IEEP), & Russi, D. (IEEP). Study on the Economic Benefits of MPAs. 3 Day J., Dudley N., Hockings M., Holmes G., LaffoleyD., StoltonS. & S. Wells (2012). Guidelines for applying the IUCN Protected Area Management Categories to Marine Protected Areas. Gland,Switzerland: IUCN. 36pp

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IWT NEWS

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Election

2020

An opinion piece on the election campaign and results with regard to their potential impact on our biodiversity crisis, by Pádraic Fogarty, IWT Campaigns Officer.

The general election on February 8th didn’t turn out to be the “climate election” (never mind the biodiversity election!) that some had predicted, but there are a number of positives that we can take away both from the campaign and the election results themselves. Although the level of attention given to environmental issues wasn’t where it needs to be, they did feature, and in the run-up to voting, the IWT scrutinised all of the election manifestos from the various parties.

Many of the parties explicitly recognised that we’re in a biodiversity crisis (yes – this counts

as progress!) while a number, specifically the Green Party, Social Democrats and Fianna Fáil called for increased resources for the National Parks & Wildlife Service. In our opinion, any move to reverse the tide on biodiversity loss has to start with this step.

The Social Democrats particularly impressed us with a standalone biodiversity policy statement, penned (we suspected) by the newly elected TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore.

It was bursting with very ambitious goals, including reintroducing lost species, a fund for buying lands for rewilding, restoring river systems, and removing dams. People Before Profit has stood out in recognising the links between climate change, collapsing ecosystems and the global economic system which drives inequality. Their (re-elected TD) Bríd Smith has been a strong media performer and strident proponent for ending exploration of fossil fuels through her Climate Emergency Bill (blocked in the Dáil by Fine Gael). Their manifesto was widely praised for setting out targets for decarbonising the economy and, while a little bit woolly on the biodiversity side, they did call for a “major rewilding programme” and a move to sustainable agriculture. The Greens didn’t

disappoint with their own biodiversity policy, including a goal of protecting 50% of the seas in Marine Protected Areas. Many of the parties addressed rewetting worked-out bogs, mostly raised bogs in the Midlands, but the Greens uniquely identified that our blanket bogs also need major restoration works. Fianna Fáil had some eye-catching ideas, including an Oceans Act to protect marine biodiversity and a €10 million biodiversity fund for environmental NGOs. On the downside, manifestos from Labour and Sinn Féin were weak on biodiversity, with few mentions or poorly-thought-through ideas. Our friends in Fine Gael took the biscuit, however. Their signature ambition is to put beehives on the roofs of public buildings, something which would not only do nothing for biodiversity, but would present a threat to the few native bees we have left.

The media are a continuing disappointment, with very few journalists showing any appreciation for the collapse in nature, a low level of ecological literacy, and a tendency to reduce complex issues to single sound bites – e.g. “Will you reduce the national herd?” All in all, however, this is my first election in which I remember biodiversity featuring at all, and so we must acknowledge that things are moving on.

When the ballot boxes were opened, it was quickly clear that Sinn Fein were putting in a strong performance, and it seemed any predicted “green wave” was not going to materialise.

However, the Green Party put in their strongest performance ever, and now have 12 TDs, even though they must be disappointed (as I was) that some of their rural candidates like Pippa Hackett and Saoirse McHugh didn’t make it over the line. People Before Profit held onto their seats, and the other big success story from the election was the Social Democrats, who jumped from two to six seats.

Anyone who has been at the coal face of environmental issues in the last five years will tell you the biggest obstacle to progress has been Fine Gael, and so it is a relief that they came out of the election in a weaker position. As I write, it is looking unlikely that they will form part of the next government. Of course, when or even if we’ll get a government is anyone’s guess. Although Sinn Fein were not strong on climate and biodiversity in the run-up to voting day, my feeling is that they would be less resistant to the changes needed than the other two big parties. In all, there were a lot of positives to take from this election – but if you’re expecting to see actual action to address the climate and biodiversity crises, it looks like you’ll be waiting a while yet.

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IWT NEWS

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Farming and the environmental crisis

By Pádraic Fogarty, IWT Campaigns Officer

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N

o area of climate action seems to be more contentious than farming. Agriculture is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Ireland, and no meaningful action to reach our (legally-binding) targets can be made without reducing emissions in this sector.

Farmers, meanwhile, feel increasingly squeezed – blamed (unfairly, in their eyes) for climate change, feeling threatened by a growing trend towards veganism (and lowering beef

consumption in Europe), and incomes that rarely allow them to break even. The debate around farming in the media is increasingly polarised, and this is not helped by the tendency to focus solely on greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the debate to the size of the national herd. The recommendation of the Climate Advisory Council, a state body that is heavily loaded with economists, is to drive on with expansion in the dairy sector (profitable) while replacing the beef herd (not profitable)

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IWT NEWS

Photo credit: Pádraic Fogarty

with plantations of conifer monocultures. This line of thinking only makes sense if the wider ecological impacts of farming, e.g. to biodiversity and water quality, as well as the social impacts of replacing small-scale beef farming with industrial forestry are completely ignored. How can we address the multiple environmental impacts from agriculture while simultaneously keeping farmers on the land?

Early in February, the IWT joined forces with Regenerative Farming Ireland (a recently

formed forum exploring innovative farming methods) to explore some of the answers. We held a public discussion evening in Waterford, where we heard from Sadhbh O’Neill (a climate researcher at University College Dublin), James Foley (a dairy farmer), Suzanna Crampton (a sheep farmer in Co Kilkenny), Stuart Meikle (a farming analyst), and yours truly.

Regenerative farming can be described as a range of techniques which are designed to improve and regenerate the health of the soil

by restoring its carbon content, promoting plant health and productivity and mimicking processes found in nature. Intensive farming practices, using monoculture grass swards and artificial chemicals, is a carbon emitter.

Regenerative farming, on the other hand, draws carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil. The Drawdown Project has ranked it as the 11th leading solution to addressing the climate challenge while resulting in net savings of nearly UD$2 trillion by 2050 (see drawdown. org). It holds enormous potential to restore nature while delivering for farmers. James Foley told the crowd that he was weaning his land off artificial fertiliser (a huge cost to him and a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution). In its place, he is restoring the natural fertility of the soil through planting a variety of plant species. Typically, Irish pastures are based on a single type of grass – rye-grass – with maybe a bit of clover thrown in. This low diversity in the fields is one of the main reasons why we’re seeing declines in insects in the countryside. James had diagrams showing how the roots of rye-grass are relatively shallow, only reaching 10 or 20 centimetres into the ground. This means the soil becomes quite compacted and cannot absorb water. The plants that he is now sowing in his fields, on the other hand, such as ribwort plantain and bird’s-foot trefoil, have roots that reach up to a metre into the soil. This means a lot more water can absorb into the ground, reducing vulnerability to floods and drought.

Diversity also reactivates the soil biology, and this is key to the natural fertility that allows his animals to flourish with few artificial inputs.

The abundance of flowers in his field in summer attracts pollinators, while dung beetles help to draw the nutrients of the cow pats into the soil. James hopes to be totally free of chemical fertiliser in a few years – big savings for him and big pluses for nature!

It was very encouraging to see so many farmers turn up to our talk. They listened intently to James in particular and mobbed him afterwards with questions. Remember, this is the heart of intensive dairy country – it is not the traditional view of “marginal land” that we associate with “high nature value” farming schemes we see in places like the Burren. James and the other farmers in the Regenerative Farming Ireland group are pioneers in this area, and it is natural that there will be some scepticism from his peers. Teagasc – the farming research body – has also been slow to carry out trials that will back up what the regenerative farmers are seeing in their fields, but some trials are underway.

They should be much more enthusiastic, as these techniques have enormous potential to deliver on multiple levels.

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26/03/2020 11:48

CITIZEN SCIENCE

HELP NEEDED FOR NEW Hedgehog SURVEY

Hedgehogs are among our most beloved creatures. Elaine O’Riordan writes about the efforts being made to protect their future. In this new citizen science section you can discover wildlife survey projects around the country that you can take part in to help make a difference for nature.

Hedgehog

(Pat Morris)

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Foot print tunnel

(Emily Thomas)

THE LAST HEDGEHOG I like hedgehogs. I like them for their wary black eyes and damp, turned-up noses. There is something sweet and homely about the rounded, prickly body and the way it can suddenly lift up and scuttle off on surprisingly long legs. Their presence enriches my garden. I love to see them. I would love my grandchildren to see them. And your grandchildren.

Pam Ayres, 2018

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CITIZEN SCIENCE

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS PROJECT PLEASE CONTACT ELAINE. ORIORDAN@ NUIGALWAY.IE

Hedgehog

(Pat Morris)

The hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is one of our most distinctive animals. Their Irish name An Gráinneog means “little ugly one”. With their appealing features, wombling ways and penchant for eating garden pests, they are generally regarded with fondness and curiosity. While hedgehogs are perceived to be common and widespread, there has been very little research on the species in Ireland to date. Thus, we have no data on the size or status of the Irish hedgehog population. A new research project on the ecology of the European hedgehog in Ireland is underway at NUI Galway.

This will include a citizen science recording scheme and volunteer survey, which will hopefully provide answers for some of our questions.

Many people are surprised to hear that hedgehogs are not, in fact, native to Ireland. It is believed that they were introduced in the 12th century from Britain or the Continent, with some suggestions that they were brought here by the Normans for food. A genetic study carried out in UCC in 2011 found that the Irish hedgehog population descended from a small number of introduced animals (Haigh, 2011). Despite its nonnative status, the hedgehog is not considered an invasive species and has not become a pest. Rather, it has become naturalised in the Irish environment, and hedgehogs are found all over the country except in unsuitable habitats such as wetlands, karst and mountain regions.

POPULATION DECLINE AND CONSERVATION In Britain and Europe, where hedgehogs have been more extensively studied, the research indicates that hedgehog numbers are in decline. Results from long-term road casualty monitoring studies infer that the population there has fallen by nearly 50% over the last two decades. The “State of Britain’s Hedgehogs” report (2018) found that the decline is greater in rural areas. The decline is slightly lower in urban areas and villages where hedgehogs live in gardens and parks. These trends are due to loss of hedgerows and marginal habitats to intensive agriculture, increased road traffic, and predation or competition from the badger (Meles meles). Hedgehogs in Britain are the subject of conservation efforts on behalf of several agencies, including The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and The People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

Ireland has suffered many of the same ecological problems as Britain, and many native animals have suffered population declines due to habitat loss and degradation, including several birds, invertebrates and mammals. It would be reasonable to assume that the hedgehog has followed a similar trend here; however, this cannot be confirmed in the absence of reliable scientific studies. Although it is afforded protection under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000, as a common, non-native species,

the hedgehog is not considered a priority for conservation in Ireland. It is hoped that the current study will provide baseline data in order to monitor their numbers in the future.

IRISH HEDGEHOG SURVEY The Irish Hedgehog Survey will launch in spring 2020 and will run for two seasons (April to October 2020/21). The first element of the Hedgehog Survey will be a casual observer recording scheme, with the general public and relevant interest groups encouraged to record sightings of live and dead hedgehogs via a dedicated portal on the National Biodiversity Data Centre website (biodiversityireland. ie/record-biodiversity/surveys/irish-hedgehogsurvey/). The second strand of the project is a dedicated volunteer survey to check for presence/ absence of hedgehogs in different habitat types using either footprint tunnels or trail cameras. For the footprint tunnels, the methodology will follow that used in a recent survey in the UK. Volunteers will deploy footprint tunnels at a site for five days at a time to check for hedgehog activity. Volunteers can make their own footprint tunnels (instructions will be provided) or they will be supplied with footprint tunnels made from upcycled election posters (donations of old posters are currently being solicited from recent candidates).

Otherwise, volunteers can deploy their own trail camera at any given site for five days at a time to survey for the presence of hedgehogs. The presence of other species caught on camera can also be recorded. The results will be submitted via an online form on the NBDC website.

Training workshops will be run at several locations in May and June to familiarise volunteers with the methodology for sampling and returning data. Volunteers are welcomed from the general public, wildlife interest groups, conservation rangers, community groups, students and farmers.

Further information Irish Hedgehog Survey social media pages – Facebook @IrishHedgehogSurvey and Twitter @Irish_Hedgehogs – and the NBDC website, biodiversityireland.ie. Elaine O’Riordan in the Zoology Department at NUI Galway is co-ordinating the survey; email elaine.oriordan@nuigalway.ie or phone 091 493572.

References Haigh, A. (2011). The ecology of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in rural Ireland. PhD thesis, UCC. Wilson, E & Wembridge, D. (2018). The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2018. People’s Trust for Endangered Species and British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

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WILD IDEAS

Bountyfrom

Gordon Darcy explores our relationship with what nature washes up on our western seaboard.

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I

reland’s western seaboard is a happy hunting ground for the peripatetic naturalist.

Most of the shoreline detritus is, of course, seaweed and shellfish fragments, but the occasional marine bauble – a mermaid’s purse, an intact urchin “test” – will focus one’s attention, at least for a while. Though human cast-offs are hard to ignore, there is, thankfully, less plastic than even a decade ago. We are clearly catching on, albeit slowly. Occasionally, something startlingly unexpected turns up. A dead minke whale, jetsam of a January storm (seen previously by other coast-watchers), lay high and dry on the storm beach near my home, amid tidewrack and stones. The carcass was a

sad reminder of the precariousness of cetacean life, made more so by the hazards of shipping traffic in our seas. The fact that this was probably a juvenile of the species (less than five metres long) added poignancy to the find.

Before long, representatives of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group arrived to take particulars and samples in an effort to determine cause of death. Others came for bits of the hapless beast. Within a week, the bow-shaped jaw bones had been removed and the delicate baleen sieves stripped. Over the ensuing month, despite the toing and froing of the tides, the carcass remained in situ. Since it was far removed from any human habitation, there was

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WILD IDEAS

no contamination issue. It was fascinating to watch the scavengers at work, capitalising on this gift from the sea. A mob of great blackbacked gulls quickly commandeered the corpse.

All but two were adults. Latterly a glaucous gull, ghostly white in its second winter plumage, muscled in among the black-backs. A pair of hooded crows, which clearly had similar designs, were simply not tolerated: it was like lions and hyenas in the Serengeti. Despite their best efforts, over the period of a month, the gulls’ formidable hook-ended beaks could only open the tough skin in a few places.

One is reminded of the role played by the huge-beaked lappet-faced vulture of the African

savannas, which rip open the carcasses of the dead animals on the plains, rendering them accessible to other vultures and a host of mammalian scavengers. In Ireland, its counterpart, prior to its extermination, was the white-tailed sea eagle which, with its massive pick-hooked bill, has a similar capability.

The Brehon Laws mention the whale as a resource. Distribution of the largesse of meat and bones was the gift of the chief on whose territory the whale had ended up; the fifth century Senchus Mor refers to the utility of various whale products. Otherwise impoverished coastal communities must have jealously guarded this “marine manna”, the rich

meat being a valuable source of protein and the huge bones, functional members for buildings and other structures.

Nowadays, whale recycling continues, but more as form than function. A two-metre-long jawbone from a sperm whale, conveniently washed up near a shore-side drystone wall on Inis Oírr, one of the Aran Islands, ended up as both decoration and reinforcement in the wall.

A 20-metre-long fin whale washed up near Black Head in the Burren became a long-term source of plunder. For months, gulls, ravens, foxes and a host of other scavengers gorged on the rotting carcass while human observers kept watch… upwind. When the last of the flesh had been devoured or worn away to nothingness by the elements, the human scavengers moved in. First to go were the enormous bow-shaped jaw bones, recycled as decoration on the front lawn of a country cottage. Then went the individual vertebrae, to become outdoor stools, garden conversation-pieces. For weeks afterwards, enthusiastic individuals could be seen struggling back from the shore laden with hoop-shaped rib bones from the disappearing leviathan.

James Fairley in his Irish Whales and Whaling (Blackstaff Press, 1981) shows photos of whale bones recycled for aesthetic purposes, including part of a skull of a sperm whale made into an outdoor seat on Inishnee island in Connemara.

He also mentions the extraordinary range of uses – gaming pieces, bodkins, buttons, shoehorns, rolling-pins, knitting needles, doorstops… to which whale bones have been put. The most valuable cetacean product, one avidly sought after since the earliest times, is ambergris, found only in sperm whales. This intestinal secretion is soft and pungent initially, but hardens into a pleasant-smelling substance with time. It is most prized as a stabiliser for expensive perfumes. Prior to the manufacture of a synthetic substitute, it was worth its weight in gold. Roderic O’Flaherty, last Gaelic chief of Connemara, in his Iar Connacht alludes to the washed-up abundance of ambergris in the year 1666 and how the locals made the most of this expensive bounty from the sea.

Nowadays, watching live whales in their natural element is a universal attraction. It is clear, however, that whales, even as washed-up corpses, retain a certain magic.

See our conservation news section for news just in on a terrible seasonal spike in dolphin strandings.

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20/03/2020 11:23

AROUND IRELAND

Branching out The recent donation of 12,000 trees to IWT Laois Offaly Branch by Trees on the Land shows what can be done across the country to improve green spaces and help offset the effects of climate change.

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oodlands in Co Laois will have a new look for spring if the folks at the Trees on the Land project have their way. In early February, the project donated more than 12,000 native trees to IWT Laois Offaly, to be distributed to local community groups in the county to provide tree cover for public spaces and gardens.

Branch Chair Brian Gaynor noted, “For the last several years, IWT Laois Offaly has been very fortunate to receive trees from this amazing charity to contribute to our reforestation efforts.” The cross-border initiative works to establish young native trees across the island. The tree giveaway programme will enhance woodland and 22

hedgerow habitats as well as local gardens in Laois.

Based in Co Cork, Trees on the Land is a project of the Green Economy Foundation, which uses an island-wide network of professionals, volunteers, landowners and business supporters to dispense “Irishgrown trees on Irish lands”, particularly deciduous species such as oak, alder, rowan, willow, hawthorn and hazel. Native pine species are also distributed.

The Trees on the Land project supports the community efforts beyond the planting days, with a goal of 80% survival rate for the trees. The group favours low-impact management practices, with as little ground disturbance and maintenance as possible.

For instance, although the saplings will need some TLC during the early years, they encourage hand weeding over spraying.

HEDGEROWS AND COPSES; PARKS AND PITCHES When planted, the 12,000 trees will create approximately 1.6km of new hedgerow, and several small copses of woodland, and will increase the numbers of native wildlifefriendly trees in gardens throughout the county. When grown, these trees will provide valuable habitat for a range of native species, enhance the visual appearance of community green spaces, act as a source of wild food (e.g. berries, and nuts), and provide shelter and screening for wildlife.

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AROUND IRELAND

County Laois community groups received their share of the 12,000 trees distributed by Irish Wildlife Trust Laois Offaly. Trees were supplied by Trees on the Land.

In addition, the project provides an opportunity to connect community members in the spirit of volunteerism through participation in tree planting days.

Twenty local community groups, including Tidy Towns groups and Laois GAA, received donated trees. The recipients will gather in mid-February to plant the bare root saplings.

The distribution was facilitated through a Laois Tidy Towns training programme, funded by Laois Partnership Company and LEADER, which is training 25 local Tidy Towns groups on actions they can take to enhance their local communities in areas such as biodiversity and sustainability.

One such group is Camross Tidy Towns, which will develop a native woodland in their new Village Park as a community-led action to address the global climate emergency and enhance local biodiversity. The group received 200 trees and shrubs to establish a new native hedgerow on the park boundary, which will be planted with assistance from the Community Employment Scheme. The group also received 100 trees for a garden giveaway, distributed to individuals and groups around the village perimeter.

Johanna McDonald Steenkist from Camross

 Marcel Steenkist planting a rowan tree received from the Camross Tidy Towns garden tree giveaway.

Tidy Towns commented, “Trees and woodlands make a positive contribution to an area’s biodiversity and landscape, providing a habitat for wildlife and a place of recreation and relaxation for those who live in the area. We are delighted to be part of this tree planting initiative with Irish Wildlife

Trust and have these wonderful trees to add towards the new community woodland site in our Village Park.”

Approximately 2,000 donated trees will now enhance the Laois GAA’s green infrastructure.

County Board Chairman Peter O’Neill stated, “These trees will help us strengthen the hedgerows around the boundaries of our new training facilities at the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence, creating valuable shelter for the pitches. We are also keen to do what we can on our grounds to create a habitat for biodiversity, and to that end we have recently commissioned a biodiversity action plan for the Centre of Excellence and O’Moore Park (the county grounds adjoining it). These hedgerows and tree planting were an important part of this and will also complement the other actions we hope to carry out in the coming years.”

On a national scale, the tree plantings will deliver multiple benefits. IWT Laois Offaly’s Gaynor states, “Planting trees at the local level, if carried out through the country, will also help us as a nation to mitigate some other pressing environmental concerns, such as climate change, and improving air and water quality.”

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BIODIVERSTIY & SOCIETY

In the context of our current housing crisis, Marion Jammet explores the potential threats posed by the built environment to the natural world and how these can be minimised.

Building our future O

ur natural world is at a tipping point. Between 1970 and 2013, 58% of monitored species globally declined. Ireland is no exception.

Species loss and habitat deterioration are accelerating here too.

Agriculture, forestry, natural systems modification, pollution and invasive species are some of the main threats. All these are further exacerbated by climate change. In 2019, Ireland became the second country in the world to declare a biodiversity emergency. As 500,000 homes must be built between now and 2040, this article explores the potential threats posed by the built environment to the natural world. It also reflects on how these can be minimised.

AN EVER-INCREASING PRESSURE ON WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS Our cities, towns and villages have become less compact over the last century. While this initially contributed to better quality of life, this type of development is affecting biodiversity.

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As they expand into agricultural lands, woodlands and drained wetlands, roads, cities and towns degrade habitats. They also fragment the landscape.

This in turn impedes the movement of species and increases traffic-related wildlife mortality. Soil sealing is another key environmental challenge associated with sprawl. The covering of the soil surface with impervious materials increases precipitation runoff and alters the hydrology of the local watersheds. It also prevents the soil from performing other functions, such as providing habitats, producing food and regulating climate.

Beyond these direct impacts on wildlife and ecosystems, sprawl contributes to increasing our carbon emissions. New homes built to current regulations are generally very efficient. But, the carbon emissions associated with our built environment does not only relate to the energy we use to heat, cool and power our buildings. Where we build our homes impacts our transport emissions. How we build them impacts our industrial emissions from the production of construction materials. Transport is Ireland’s second and fastest growing source of carbon emissions. It is predicted to grow

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Today, land recycling and densification account for only a small fraction of new developments – 10%. Building on brownfield sites or on empty areas between existing structures helps limit the amount of land covered by buildings and reduces need for additional road and water infrastructure.

It also minimises use of resources and prevents further fragmentation of landscapes. Developments on previously undisturbed greenfields should be the least preferred option. When these happen, they should be located near existing infrastructure to reduce unnecessary materials use and protect habitats. They should also be designed to maintain existing wildlife corridors.

Other key elements to take into account are density and diversity of use. Transport is Ireland’s second highest source of carbon emissions.

It is also our fastest growing source of emissions. With half a million new homes to be built, it is critical these are located in more walkable areas. The use of less carbon intensive construction materials should also be encouraged. Besides a reduction in our carbon emissions, this approach could support the diversification of our agriculture and forestry sectors, and benefit biodiversity.

significantly by 2030. The whole life emissions of an oversized home in a non-walkable area will never be recovered by either energy efficiency or by swapping petrol for electric vehicles.

LEAVING SPACE FOR WILDLIFE The housing crisis and the urgency to build should not make us forget that we must build better. Half a million homes must be constructed in the next 20 years. This means adding approximately one-third more homes to our existing stock. We must do it in a way that does not add too much to the environmental pressures that are already evident. In brief, a clear mitigation hierarchy should be followed: Avoid, minimise, mitigate and, lastly, compensate.

The existing built up areas must be better used and consolidated. Many of our town and city centres are in decline. Renovating these properties to high standards can cut carbon emissions from both buildings and transport.

TOWARDS MORE WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY TOWNS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS So far, this article has focused on the negative environmental impacts of sprawl, and on how to avoid and minimise them. But many things can be done in built up areas to enhance biodiversity.

A recent study by the National Biodiversity Data Centre highlights that our bumblebees are dying of hunger and in danger of disappearing. The way we manage the landscape and tidy up nature means there aren’t enough flowers for them when they come out of hibernation in February and March. This shows once more the need to focus less on perfectly manicured lawns and to make space for nectar-rich plants in our gardens, streets and parks, integrating wildflower meadows where possible. Flower boxes and green roofs also have a role to play. Generally speaking, native landscaping must be the preferred choice, as it provides habitat for a much greater variety of native species and food for pollinators, birds and other species.

These recommendations apply to all built up areas, but they are particularly critical, and easy to implement, in new developments. Other measures that can be taken at that stage include ensuring all surfaces are permeable to water, preventing light pollution and leaving a section of the landscaping for natural succession.

CONCLUSION As our country faces a housing crisis, building more sustainable homes may not be seen as a priority. But, with half a million new homes to be built in the next two decades, and as our wildlife is under increasing pressure, we must do it right. A clear, hierarchical approach is more than ever needed: Avoid, minimise, mitigate and, lastly, compensate.

We must also invest in nature in our cities, towns and villages. This won’t only be good for biodiversity, it will also support climate change adaptation.

Nature-based solutions can prevent flooding, regulate temperatures, and filter pollution from air. Last but not least, interactions with nature can significantly improve our health and wellbeing. We now spend up to 90% of our time indoors – the indoor generation. Our cities, towns and villages must be designed to encourage interactions with nature. This is particularly critical in raising awareness and appreciation of wildlife.

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EXPLORING PLACES

WICKLOW WILD WEST

By Martina Caplice

D

uring the summer of 2014, I met Katy Egan, an environmental education consultant and now owner of An Ghrian Glas farm. She had a similar lifelong dream as mine and was in the middle of making it happen. This dream was to travel through some of Ireland’s wild places on horseback! Once we got to talking about her plans, it was soon decided that I would join her, and her solo trip became a journey for two, and we started to plan an adventure of a lifetime.

After approximately two months of planning, we were finally ready to begin our adventure on July 28, 2014, looking like two cowgirls straight from the Wild West. Our journey began in the Dublin side of the Wicklow Mountains; by the end, it would take us through four counties (Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and 26

Carlow) and over 180km of road. We rode out from the Glencullen area in the early morning, heading for the Wicklow uplands. There are views from these hills that show you the full expanse of Dublin, and how lucky this city is to be surrounded by wild spaces like the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere to the north/ northeast; and to the south, Wicklow Mountain’s National Park.

Katy and I chose our route so that we could experience this wilder Irish landscape from a new perspective, all viewed through the horses’ ears. We chose to ride along one of the many roads that already run through the national park, as there are no true bridleways in Ireland, and horse riding off road in the park requires a permit. The national park is a special area of conservation, and its primary purpose is

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A Field grasshopper

nymph, Chorthippus brunneus, that hitched a ride on one of our saddle bags. (Martina Caplice)

Katy and Jack taking

a riding break in the Wicklow uplands.

(Martina Caplice)

Katy Egan on Jack

and Martina Caplice on Andromeda, delighted after our completed crossing through the Sally Gap.

conservation. With both of us having a background in environmental science, this was of the upmost importance for us during this trip. The Wicklow Mountains National Park was set up in 1991 in order to protect the flora, fauna and stunning landscapes of the Wicklow uplands. It comprises of 20,000 hectares of land and includes multiple habitats such as blanket bog, grasslands, heath and woodland.

The scenery surrounding us was absolutely amazing, and the biodiversity that surrounded us was an entomologist’s dream, with little grasshoppers, Chorthippus brunneus, and other arthropods trying to hitchhike along the way. As our horses walked along the road, it gave us the best opportunity to fully appreciate the landscapes around us. We could watch as the hedgerows slowly passed us by; at the pace a horse walks, it allows you enough time to really observe the plants that are growing all around. This is one of the best ways I have ever appreciated the Irish countryside. From the saddle, I spied some wild bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, and jumped down to pick a few.

Back in the saddle, we rode higher up towards the Sally Gap and watched how the landscapes changed from tamed gardens, agricultural fields and forestry to the open wilds of the mountain habitats. The air was filled with the scents of bell heather mixed with gorse and the drumbeat of horseshoes on tarmac. Each hoof beat brought us deeper into the wilds of Wicklow and as we drew nearer to the Sally Gap, the sunshine and views from earlier began to fade and suddenly we were riding in a cloud. We decided to stop and enjoy a bit of breakfast at the edge of the road, a combination of delicious bilberry and tinned creamed rice.

There is something about eating a meal in wild places that not only nourishes your body, but also the heart and mind.

The old military road took us across the Liffey head bog, which stretches between the peaks of Djouce, Tonduff and Kippure.

This unique habitat is the best example of a bog on the east coast of Ireland. The open expanse of the bog drifts by in a sea of bog cottons and sphagnum mosses, which grow lavishly over the moist peaty surface – telltale signs of an actively growing bog. Once we reached the Sally Gap, we were surrounded by thick fog covering the blanket bog.

Through the fog, the watchful eyes of ghostly sheep marked our crossing over the Sally Gap. It was one of those terrifyingly wonderful experiences where the whole world seems to melt away and you are left with the muted sounds of nature.

View from our starting point near

Glencullen looking out towards the Wicklow uplands. (Martina Caplice)

We descended along the road past Lough Tay and Lough Dan, veiled from sight by the fog until finally it melted away and with it went some of the wildness of the world. The landscape that materialised in front of us took the form of conifer plantation and grazing fields. These roads might have been surrounded by a landscape more tamed than the bog, but they still provided their own wild wonders. The bountiful hedgerow habitats provided more treats – wild raspberry and strawberry – for us to forage as we walked along beside our horses, giving them a wellearned rest. Hedgerows are extremely important within the Irish landscapes. They provide more than treats for weary travellers, but are such a useful resource for many birds, mammals and other Irish animals. Hedgerows are a larder for our native wildlife – in spring, soft new leaves are a source of food for a range of caterpillars and other insects, who themselves feed our birds and bats. The blossom of the willow, whitethorn and hawthorn follow, providing food for our pollinating insects such as bumblebees. Once pollinated, these flowers grow into fruits to feed our birds and mammals in autumn and early winter. Hedgerows create wildlife corridors, helping to connect Ireland’s wild spaces, and are a rich source of biodiversity and refuges for many endangered species.

Our journey continued for ten days in total, and we traversed many roads through woods, grasslands and towns, all the while experiencing Ireland’s ancient east in a new yet nostalgic light.

Riding a horse through these landscapes gave us a new vantage point from which to view nature. The pace is slow enough to immerse oneself in the landscape. Being tall enough to see over the hedgerows, you can spy fellow wild companions on the road; grazing fallow deer would stand and watch us pass with relaxed muscles, one animal watching another. There is a sense of connection to the wild that the horse gives you that is hard to manage on your own two feet. A kind of equine camouflage, where all types of wildlife accept your presence and are more comfortable than they normally would be with people alone, giving you a deeper sense of belonging to the natural world.

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FEATURE  Nomada goodeniana.

(Andrew Byrne)

THE SECRET LIFE OF

SOLITARY BEES Dr Úna FitzPatrick, senior ecologist at the National Biodiversity Data Centre and co-founder of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, introduces the amazing, little-known world of our solitary bees.

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FEATURE

in our garden every summer. We knew that little insects lived inside and we happily ignored them, but back then I didn’t know what they were. I now know they were mining solitary bees (mining into bare soil to create a small nest) and that they have one of the most fascinating life cycles you’ll find in nature.

Solitary bees don’t make honey; and don’t form large colonies with a queen, like bumblebees or honeybees. They take one whole year to pass through a complete life cycle and may only survive as adults for a few months. This isn’t long enough for them to raise their offspring to adulthood, so the young bees have to fend for themselves, hence the term “solitary bee”.

Male and female adults normally come out of hibernation in spring and the females each make a nest. Within the nest, she constructs a small number of little cells, and in each she’ll lay an egg and leave a ball of food that she’s made by mixing pollen and nectar. Once she’s happy that the task is complete, she’ll close the entire nest and all the females and the males will die, their job complete. The larvae survive the winter, eat the food supply that’s been left for them, each dining and sleeping in its own single chamber, and emerge the following spring as adults. Then they try to find a mate and the cycle begins again.

After mating, the female can store sperm to use as required. We don’t know exactly how many eggs one solitary female lays, but we do know it varies from species to species, and that experts estimate it’s a maximum of 20-25 eggs per female. She will purposely use her sperm store to lay fertilised eggs at the back of the nest, and these will become females. At the front, she’ll lay unfertilised eggs, which will become males. They’re closest to the entrance, so that they emerge first and will be ready and waiting for females once they appear.

Although most solitary bees prefer to make their nest alone, some species are more sociable and like to build their nests in little groups or aggregations. Some solitary bees are called cuckoo bees or cleptoparasites.

This means they steal the nest of another solitary bee instead of creating their own.

The female, so-called “cuckoo bee”, enters the nest of another species and lays an egg near the pollen food supply gathered by the owner. When the cuckoo bee’s egg hatches into a larva, they kill off the cell occupant and eat the food supply that’s been left. This may seem cruel, but it’s a common phenomenon in nature.

Solitary bees vary in the way they make their nests. Most of our solitary bees (62 species or 80% of Irish species) make their

Osmia bicornis.

(Julie Kendall)

H

ave you ever heard of solitary bees? Many people have an affection for bumblebees, but most are totally unaware of the little solitary bees out there, going about their business in our gardens, parks and farms. If you’ve not noticed them before, they are a treasure waiting to be discovered.

Solitary bees are amazingly good pollinators, have a unique and intriguing lifestyle, and are probably living in your garden without you realising it.

In Ireland, we have 77 different solitary bee species. If you add our 21 bumblebees, this brings the total number of wild bees to 98 individual species.

When I was a child, lots of tiny little volcanoes of soil used to appear in the grass

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Megachile with leaf.

Christina Ni Dheaghaidh

Megachile centuncularis.

(Jimmy Goodwin)

Grey mining bee, Andrena cineraria

(Lill Dunne)

nest by excavating a tiny little burrow into bare soil. It need not be soil; it could also be peat, clay or a coastal sand dune – they just need a substrate that is stable and free draining. Solitary bees need to warm up before they can fly, so they tend to make their nests on south- or east-facing slopes, but some will nest on bare areas of flat ground or within your lawn.

The others (15 species or 20% of our Irish species) are cavity nesters. This means they need an existing cavity in which to nest. The most commonly used are holes in dead wood, hollow stems or crevices in loose masonry.

The bee boxes/hotels you can make or buy commercially are targeting these cavitynesting species.

It couldn’t be easier to create a solitary bee nest site, and is an extremely useful action to take. Three key things to remember are: (1) By simply creating small areas of bare soil, you are potentially helping a huge number of species.

(2) Bee boxes can be useful, but are only targeting a very small proportion of our solitary bees. If you put up a bee box, it should be the size of a blue tit bird box – any bigger, and it will attract predators and be more likely to harbour disease.

These should be placed about 1.5-2m off the ground in a sheltered south- or south-east-facing location.

(3) The most important thing to remember is that solitary bees are very small and don’t fly very far. Nest sites need to be very close to flowers that they can feed on for the duration of their life cycle.

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CHAMPION POLLINATORS Bees feed their young on pollen, and the adults themselves rely on nectar to provide them with the energy to fly from flower to flower, collecting this pollen to bring back to the larvae in the nest. Their entire lives are dedicated to this, which makes them by far our most important insect pollinator.

When it comes to bees, solitary species are “pollinators extraordinaire” – oddly because they are less good at collecting pollen!

Honeybees and bumblebees have evolved to be extremely efficient at collecting and transporting pollen. They store it as a moist pellet on their back legs (pollen baskets). Most solitary bees have also evolved to transport pollen on their back legs, but they don’t moisten it. They pack it into the hairs on their legs as a dry or loose pellet. This means that more falls off and gets dispersed to new flowers as they move around collecting as much as they can. The mason and leafcutter solitary bees haven’t evolved to store it on their back legs at all. The underside of their abdomen is very hairy, and they pack the pollen into these hairs. As you can imagine, as they move around, pollen goes everywhere, making them great pollinators of plants. Not so good for them, of course, as it does mean they have to make many more trips!

Within the mining and cavity-nesting groups of solitary bee species, there is a huge diversity of interesting and charismatic characters;

CAVITY-NESTING SOLITARY BEES The mason bees are in the genus Osmia. In Ireland, we have two different species. The gold-fringed mason bee (Osmia aurulenta) is a gorgeous little coastal dweller. It only lives on sand dunes, where it makes its nest in an empty snail shell! The red mason bee (Osmia bicornis) usually nests in loose masonry or in bee boxes. It’s a super pollinator and it’s reckoned just one female can do the pollination work of more than 100 honeybees.

The leafcutter bees (Megachile) might be the most interesting of all and can be found in most habitats. We have five different species in Ireland. The female cuts out circular pieces of leaf or petal and flies them back to line the cells in her nest. Watching them at work is nothing short of a joy. These are the solitary bees most likely to use a bee box. You’ll know your box is occupied if you see a little piece of leaf closing off the entrance to cavities.

The white-faced bees (Hylaeus) are tiny; they are not much bigger than your little fingernail. We have four different species in Ireland. They are black and almost hairless and resemble flying ants with yellow or white markings on their faces. They don’t carry pollen on their back legs like most bees, or on their hairy abdomen like the leafcutter or mason bees. These little bees swallow pollen and regurgitate it back at their nest,

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FEATURE  Andrena cineraria on dandelion.

(John Cullen)

 Tawny mining bee

on Blackthorn.

(John Fogarty)

in the same way that many birds feed their young. They are found in most habitats and make their nest in hollow stems or reeds.

The wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) is a new arrival. It was first spotted in Ireland in 2015 in Wexford and since then has been happily expanding in the south-east. It’s another very interesting character! This one is a large bee (8-12mm), with distinctive yellow markings on the sides of the abdomen, head and legs. Unlike other male solitary bees, this one will

vigorously defend clumps of favoured flowers and will intercept and chase away any other insect that enters its territory.

However, he does make an exception for females, who he allows to visit the flowers, and it’s here that mating takes place. Wool carder bees need hairy plants like lamb’s ear or woundwort, as they collect the hairs to bring back to line their nests.

There are two different sharp-tailed bees (Coelioxys) in Ireland. They are very unusual, as the female has a sharp, pointed abdomen.

 Halictus rubicundus.

(Liam Stenson)

Solitary bees need to warm up before they can fly, so they tend to make their nests on south or east-facing slopes, but some will nest on bare areas of flat ground or within your lawn.

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FEATURE Bee hotel

A. fulva nests.

(Anthony Slattery)

Of our 77 species of solitary bees in Ireland, two have already disappeared and another 24 species are threatened with extinction.

They’re a very rare type of cuckoo bee that parasitises the nests of the leafcutter species.

The violet carpenter bee (Xylocopa violaceae) is the biggest solitary bee in Europe. It nests in dead wood and has been on the move northward in Europe as a result of climate change. It has only been spotted once in Ireland so far – from Waterford City in 2007.

MINING SOLITARY BEES The main group of mining bees are in the genus Andrena, which has 26 different species in Ireland. They are found in a variety of habitats and are the solitary bees you’ll most often spot. Keep an eye out for the ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria) in spring.

This one is very distinctive, as it’s completely black, with grey bands of hair. Clarke’s mining bee (Andrena clarkella) is a fussy eater – the only thing it will feed on is willow. Willow trees only flower in early spring, so as soon as it has finished flowering, this little bee’s larvae go into hibernation until the following year. The tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva) recently came back from extinction in Ireland. Before 2012, no one had spotted it for 87 years! It likes to live in gardens, but again you’ll only see it in spring. It burrows 32

into short grass to make its nests, which look like tiny volcanos made of soil.

The cuckoo mining bees (genus Nomada) parasitise the nests of Andrena species.

There are 12 different species in Ireland.

These solitary bees often have black, yellow or red stripes on their abdomen and look like friendly wasps.

There are four species of plasterer bee (Colletes) in Ireland. They smooth or plaster the walls of their nest cells using secretions applied with their mouthparts. The northern colletes bee (Colletes floralis) is coastal and makes a nest by burrowing into stable banks of sand. Globally, most of the remaining northern colletes bees live in Ireland, as they have almost disappeared elsewhere.

There are two different genera of sweat bees in Ireland. We have two species of Halictus and 11 species of Lasioglossum.

They are mainly small, black bees that resemble ants with wings. They occur across a variety of habitats and are very difficult to distinguish from each other. They are called sweat bees because it is thought that some are attracted to human sweat, although it has never been reported from Ireland.

There are seven species of blood bees (Sphecodes) in Ireland. These solitary bees are black, with a blood red stripe on the abdomen. They are cuckoo solitary bees who parasitise the nests of sweat bees.

rest of nature. They are totally dependent on climate cues to tell them it’s spring and time to emerge from hibernation – they’re also reliant on those cues being accurate. Unusual events can be catastrophic. If the bees emerge from hibernation too soon, there won’t be food for them to eat, and they simply won’t survive. This is a huge problem, as bees tend to respond to temperature increases; whereas for plants, it might be increasing day length.

Of our 77 species of solitary bees in Ireland, two have already disappeared and another 24 species are threatened with extinction.

Like all our wild bees, solitary bees face many threats, not least hunger. There simply aren’t enough flowers across our increasingly sterile landscapes.

The good news is that we can all help, and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has been overwhelmed with support across all sectors, from people willing to do exactly that. It’s not difficult and doesn’t cost much – bees simply need food and shelter.

But we do all need to get involved – from farms to councils, local communities, businesses, schools and gardens. If we act, we can change their fate. Keep an eye out this spring or summer, and you might spot solitary bees calmly going about their business as they have done for millions of years. It would be an enormous loss if we didn’t protect that for future generations.

When you begin to learn about solitary bees, one of the things that strikes you most is their intrinsic and fundamental link to the

To learn more about the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s recording initiatives and to find out how to help, visit pollinators.ie.

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FIADHÚLRA

Cén saghas Seamróg é seo?

Níl se pioc soiléir cad saghas planda a d-úsáid Naomh Pádraig nuair a bhain sé an seamróg chun an rang sin finscéalach a mhúineadh: cé gur é an Seamróg an siombail náisuiúnta, níl aon guth d'aon toil ar an speicis. Cur ceist ar dhaoine ó chontae éagsula in Eirinn and gheobhaidh tú freagraí éagsula freisin!

Ach caithfidh gur planda é atá ar fáil san Earrach, go bhfuil trí duilleoga le chéile ar ghas amháin, agus go bhfásann sé ar fud na h-Éireann. Ta trí nó ceithre iarrthóirí: •

•

• •

An Dúmheidic (Medicago lupulina, Black medick) Anchoiteanta, fásann sé i ngach contae agus tagann ó thalún go luath sa bhlian.

An Seamar bhuí: (Trifolium dubium, lesser trefoil) : An-chosúil leis an chéad ceann seo thuas ach beagán níos déanaí - seans nach mbéadh sé réidh le piocadh in Mí Márta i ndroch-bhlian.

An Seamar dhearg (Trifolium campestre - clovers ) Bláth dearg orthu seo, ach trí duileog glas san earrach. Cnapán maith luib.

Seamsóg - (Oxalis acetosella, wood-sorrel) - Tá na duilleoga geal ach tá na gassanna singil agus ni féidir iad a chur mar “dos seamróg” ar bhóna no ar ghualainn do chóta!

Fásann na seamair uilig i measc féar: ach fásann an Seamar Choille in gcoillte; beidh ort é a lorg in áiteanna níos dorcha. Mar is gnáth le plandaí coillearnaí, tagann siad faoi bhláth go luath sa bhliain nuair a bhíonn níos mó solais ar fáil sa choill. Nuair a dhúnann an ceannbhrat le duilleoga go ti ubh sa samhradh, tá sé ró-dhorcha do formhór na mbláth. Ach i Mí Feabhra, chífidh tú an Seamair choille in áitenna foscúil, agus tar éis tamaillín na bláthanna cosúil le cloigeanna beaga bána agus línte mín corcra orthu, i Mí Aibreán.

Má tá suim agat sa cheist seo, (cad é an “Fior-Sheamróg”?) d’fhéadfá trial a bhaint as seo: Bain dos den saghas planda a chreideann tú gurb é an fíor sheamróg atá ann: caith é ar do chóta nó do hata ar lá na féile, ar ndóigh! An féile thart, cur é i bhfochupán uisce and coinnigh súil air - ná lig dó eiri tirim. Nuair a thagann préamhacha as agus bláthanna air, beidh tú in ann a aithint cé’n speicis atá agat! Tá seans maith gur saghas áirithe den Seamair dhearg a bheidh agat; tá trí nó ceithre speicis daoibh agus tá na trí duilleoga ar ghas amháin acu uilig. An t-aon chean NACH ceart a úsáid ná an Seamair Bán - mar tá spotaí bána i gcónaí le feiscint ar gach duilleog and ba cheart do bheith siad glas go h-iomlán. Ach, bain spraoi as an gcuardach, agus beannachtaí na féile!

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Wood Sorrel copy right Zoe Devlin

Le Cáit Nic Lochlainn

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SEASONAL FOCUS

The Farm Next Door Billy Flynn speculates what might happen with UK agriculture, and therefore the environment, post-Brexit.

T

he “transition period”, the one-year time lag between the United Kingdom formally leaving the European Union and anything actually changing, has the feel of something like a phoney war.

Everyone knows that something is coming down the tracks, but not just yet.

Amid all the drama and brinkmanship that led up to the withdrawal agreement, few positive notes were sounded, especially when it came to matters environmental. Those of us that care deeply for our natural world had surely little to look forward to when the time came for our nearest neighbour to unburden themselves of the EU’s vast blanket of environmental laws. Were we mistaken,

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though? Is there a silver lining in all this that the UK could tailor-make that might be a better fit than anything the European system could ever mass produce? Is the UK about to show us a better way to farm and also protect the environment? Maybe.

In January 2020, the UK government announced that post-Brexit, British farming would see its greatest shake-up in 40 years. This would be a radical departure from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the subsidies that are received based on the area of land farmed (whether usefully or not), and moving toward a system that will see farmers paid for the “public goods” they supply. These are things that can benefit everyone, but bring no financial reward to those who

produce them. Examples include clean air and water. A period of seven years has been marked as the period that it will take to transition to this new system. The government has said that a similar amount will be paid to farmers for a more environmentally-friendly way of producing food as is currently paid under the CAP system. Written into the goals will be the guarantee of better wildlife habitat for the species that depend on the farmed countryside. Farmers have been assured that management of their land for these goals will be agreed on a far more local level. Rather than Europe-wide regulations and payment systems, the new paradigm will be based on decisions specifically arrived at to suit soil types, landscape and habitats. New national

powers will exist that can regulate fertiliser use and organic farming. A new Environment Bill has been introduced to the UK parliament that will give teeth to some of the proposals for managing the countryside, including a new independent Office for Environmental Protection. So far, so good.

However, in much the same way as it is difficult to imagine a trade deal between the EU and the UK being hammered out in less than a year, it’s hard to see that seven years will be enough for any one country to replace all of the environmental legislation of the European bloc with its own. Even a decade sounds ambitious. Those with any grounding in environmental legislation will know that the few European Union environmental rules and

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SEASONAL FOCUS

regulations we might encounter in our day-to-day lives are but a tip of a massive iceberg that comprises EU environmental law and policy. Is the UK even interested in attempting to match this? Even if it does, no one knows what power the proposed Office for Environmental Protection will have, and indeed whether this not-yet-existing body will be willing or able to employ it effectively. If it does not, what then? Who will be watching this watcher? The bulwark of the European courts will be gone.

While the proposals sound extremely positive for wildlife and habitats on local, regional and even national levels, no firm commitments on the imports from non-EU countries have been made. Those with concerns over animal welfare are nervously watching the

international space for signs of where the UK’s new nonEuropean food suppliers will be.

No hard lines have been drawn or even sketched on these yet.

This is a genuine concern for a country that imports a quarter of its food supplies from abroad; most currently coming from the EU, but in the event of a “nodeal”, who knows?

Now, it should be said that the present standards of food production in the UK are very high, some of its regulations and guidelines even exceeding what is currently required under EU law. But outside of the EU and a deal on agricultural trade, the UK may take the unsavoury step of importing from countries with food, environmental and welfare standards much lower.

In this case, the UK farmers would be at a competitive

disadvantage and would have to be allowed to lower their own standards to stay in business. Ireland could find that its biggest trading partner will be in a race to the bottom, with both imports and homeproduced outputs. Not good for anyone, not least the planet.

What will be the point of a greener, more wildlife-friendly farming system at home if all it does is import the fruits of habitat destruction elsewhere?

This would be akin to exporting hazardous waste to a developing country and declaring green credentials. Of same, what about regulations on agrochemicals? Will we have a neighbour that will continue to cling to herbicides and insecticides long after they are banned in the EU? It would be horrifying to envision a time where the “six counties” can

use prohibited products that have been outlawed for their environmental effects for use in the Irish Republic.

As the only nation that shares a land border with this newly non-EU country, we should have a strong interest in how they will seek to shape food production and land management. County Monaghan has only one Special Area of Conservation and one Special Protection Area, and for now, we share these with the UK. A brand new approach to how these lands are managed across a suddenly more relevant border could be hugely beneficial for these protected sites overall. Or it might not. It’s too soon to say, but we have only a limited time to get across to our politicians and fellow EU members how important this will be to us.

Irish Wildlife Spring ‘20

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COMPETITION

Competition We’re offering Irish Wildlife readers the chance to win this fantastic book!

Zoë Devlin’s Blooming Marvellous: A Wildflower Hunter’s Year

W

henever I see the first cowslips of the year, I imagine myself back in a field near Sandyford, County Dublin, in the mid 1950s…

Zoë Devlin has viewed her whole life through greentinted glasses, describing herself as an “unofficial ambassador for weeds, wasps and wagtails”. What began as a childhood delight in wildflowers grew into a hobby, then blossomed into an enduring passion. She recalls her encounters with various species, divulging the history of where she discovered them alongside tales from her own life. Skilfully interweaving her captivating memories with her expertise, each chapter celebrates a particular

month, capturing the beauty and joy it has to offer: birds, butterflies, mammals and even tasty recipes, from nettle soup in April to blackberry-and-apple jam in September. She writes fondly of those who helped her knowledge of our flora, particularly members of her extended family, such as her watercolourist great-aunt, Gladys Wynne, and her cousin, 1916 veteran Dr Kathleen Lynn.

By turns witty, informative, dark and bizarre, Zoë opens our eyes to the beauty all around us, whatever the time of year. Her uplifting recollections will encourage readers to identify, understand and savour the plant life that so often goes unnoticed beneath our feet – she hopes, in this way, to help preserve it.

To be in with a chance to win a copy of Zoë Devlin’s Blooming Marvellous: A Wildflower Hunter’s Year, just answer the following question:

How many species of solitary bees do we have in Ireland?

Please send your answer along with your name and address to editor@iwt.ie by May 10th

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Irish Wildlife Spring ‘20

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26/03/2020 13:08

Check out our shop for a range of gift ideas...

...perfect for the nature lover in your life!

iwt.ie/shop

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18/03/2020 14:10

Introducing the new Irish Wildlife Trust membership card.

Please fill in your name, cut out and keep your new membership card to present at talks and other events.

Cards valid until end of 2020.

Your 2021 card will be printed in our 2020 winter issue.

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Membership Card 2020

Individual members, please fill in your full name. Family members, please fill in your family name. Card valid until end of 2020. Your 2021 card will be printed in our 2020 winter issue. Š Irish Wildlife Trust 2019.

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19/03/2020 14:02

The Badger Club is our Junior IWT Membership subscription.

JOK ES

What mak so better me pla es at m nts otheraths than s?

Squar e roo ts!

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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/ irishwildlife

A E S Q A I X Q W X A X S X Z

Z Y F V W W V F R G N B U A Z

N U R E P I N U J R R M J L R

I P K H S T K K L H O M F T Y

E Y S S E C E U V J R S L B Q

S V R F D H O L L Y S K H O A

G I E O T E L T S I M K V J U

V N F R L S X E S I N W D Q D

C F I W G B I R B P U C X P U

Winter 2019/20

E A RC H W I N T E R N W B G I N K W V

K M O C R O E H X Q T N Q Z V

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

M M C E V O Y E W R T M E J X

Q G B Y S M O X N V I T Y S H

BERRIES CONIFERS EVERGREEN HOLLY IVY JUNIPER

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U G A W Y Z F Z B S U L Y L V

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MISTLETOE SCOTSPINE WINTER WITCHESBROOM YEW

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.”

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J U W J C K F D E C R F H K J

What did the big flower say to the little flower?

What ’s up, bud?!

R D

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MAGAZINE FOR THE JUNIOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH WILDLIFE TRUST

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Join the Badger Club to receive our quarterly junior magazine the “Badger” for €15 per year.

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The Badger is full of fun facts about nature and features an A3 poster in each issue.

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To join visit the Join IWT section on www.iwt.ie and select Junior Membership

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