Irish Wildlife

ISSN - 1649 - 5705 • AUTUMN ‘17

IRISH MAGAZINE OF THE IRISH WILDLIFE TRUST

IRELAND’S

SIT BIE LDL FE W

MAGAZINE

LAMPREY:

Ireland's Strangest Fish SPOTTED IN IRELAND:

•Goose Barnacles •Bee Orchid •Mink

CLARA BOG

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PRESIDENT AT ABBEYLEIX BOG

GRASS

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BIOCLASS: A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT BIODIVERSITY AREAS ON THE COILLTE ESTATE The Coillte estate consists of a varied tapestry of different habitats, including: • Forests. Conifer forests, mixed and broadleaved forests • Open habitats. Uplands, bogs and heathlands • Lakes and rivers.

The best of these habitats are mapped and managed as biodiversity areas, and these areas currently include approx. 90,000ha (20%) of the Coillte estate.

We have embarked on an exciting new project called BioClass, which will implement a new system for ranking biodiversity areas from BioClass 1 to BioClass 4, based on their ecological value. The project, which is due for completion at the end of 2018, will flag our most ecologically valuable biodiversity areas, and will enable us to prioritise and plan investment of resources in site management.

BioClass rank is allocated by independent ecologists, using a set of features that are known to be indicators of biodiversity value. In forests, examples of these features are: stand structure (canopy and understorey), ground flora abundance and diversity, veteran trees

and deadwood. In peatlands, features such as diversity of micro-habitats are important.

Habitats that have lots of these indicators present score very well, even if they are “modified” habitats such as plantation forests and cutaway bogs. These habitats are not listed for protection but they have ecological value.

BioClass 1 consists of habitats of outstanding ecological value, which are significant at international or national level. Some examples include forests with a diverse structure, or intact blanket bog with pool systems.

At the other end of the scale are BioClass 4 sites, which consist of habitats that have ecological significance at the forest level, and they add important diversity to plantation forests.

Examples include lodgepole pine forests on poor soils with an open structure, well vegetated and some deadwood present; or a plantation forest in a pearl mussel riparian zone, yet to be converted to native forest or open heath habitat.

Photos: Top - Blanket bog pool system on Coillte estate.

Right - Scots pine plantation forest on floodplain.

For more information, visit www.coillte.ie Aileen O’Sullivan, Environment Technical Lead, Coillte

SECONDARY SCHOOL

BIOLOGY FIELD TRIPS WITH THE IWT

It is amazing what we can learn in our local nature reserve, park or even school grounds – all we have to do is get out in nature and have a look.

This year the IWT is running a range of curriculum-linked school field trips tailored to Junior Cert, Transition Year and Leaving Cert. All field trips are led by an IWT scientist, can be run in a location convenient to your school and cover biology curriculum needs such as ‘study of a habitat’.

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For course information, pricing and booking contact us at conservation@iwt.ie or call 01 860 2839

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WELCOME

Chairperson’s Comment

ISSN - 1649 - 5705 • AUTUMN ‘17

The theme of wetlands appears several times in this issue, and while I’m sure you’re sick of me waxing lyrically about Abbeyleix Bog, I’m delighted to see Ricky Whelan’s article giving some of the history of this wonderful project. While wetland restoration is of course a worthy goal in and of itself, what I feel makes the project so special is its community aspect. Like the bog project itself, this is a familiar refrain for me but one I think bears repeating – at a time when there is such great need for proper top-down conservation and sustainability initiatives, it seems that environmentalism in Ireland has become solely driven by local stakeholders, communities and charities. With eyes only for our economic recovery, post-crash, the approach of many of our current state departments has been to withdraw from any kind of meaningful engagement with the environmental sector in order to blindly pursue its own agenda or those of powerful lobby groups.

IRISH MAGAZINE OF THE IRISH WILDLIFE TRUST

IRELAND’S

T BESIFE WILDL

MAGAZINE

SOWING THE SEEDS OF

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTTED IN IRELAND:

•Goose Barnacles •Bee orchid •Mink

CLARA BOG

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PRESIDENT AT ABBEYLEIX BOG

LAMPREYS

Cover credits: Red squirrel (photo by Tristan Wilkinson) Goose barnacle (photo by Damien Ryan) Bee orchid (photo by Kathrina O’Dwyer) Mink (photo by Phil Cummins) Contents page credits: Dragonfly (photo by Chris Uys) Bird Nest (photo by Paul Madigan) Bearded Seal (photo by Paul Connaughton) Ladybird(photo by Peter Meininger) Lampreys (photo by Will O’Connor) Butterfly (photo by Chris Uys)

31/08/2017 16:27

Images not credited in this publication are sourced from iStock by Getty Images.

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.

Editor: Pádraic Fogarty, IWT Published by Ashville Media Group www.ashville.com

Printed on

All articles © 2017. 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 cannot be held responsible for any inadvertent errors or omissions contained herein.

Please recycle this copy of Irish Wildlife

Gordon D’Arcy speaks of the beauty of Clara Bog, rescued from the machinery of Bord na Mona during the 80s, it is now a vital and essential part of the local community and its surrounds. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council has added to its collection of reserves in recent times with the purchase of Coad Bog in south Kerry near the village of Caherdaniel and are seeking to engage locals as citizen scientists, to take ownership of this fantastic site and to engage in its monitoring and conservation. Merlin Woods in Galway is a wonderful urban amenity that has developed an important community base, which is a driving force behind the promotion of its biodiversity and its protection from outside pressures.

A stark contrast to the stories mentioned above is the effect being increasingly felt around the country from decades of wetland degradation, most recently in Donegal. The devastating ooding in the region is a direct result of the stripping of upland bogs coupled with e tensive arterial drainage and the removal of native woodland, all of which combine to cripple the landscape’s ability to hold on to water for any appreciable length of time. This too, is sadly familiar. This is one area where community-led projects cannot have enough impact – leadership from the government and a top-down comprehensive strategy of soft-engineering solutions and environmental restoration that would mitigate these issues, for the long-term, is urgently required. On a related note, it is great to read the article on high nature value farmland in this issue – initiatives that marry the needs of conservation, ecological restoration and agriculture are the only long-term solution to the sustainable management of our landscape.

The article on lampreys is a fascinating insight into these elusive creatures and the issues they face in Irish waters. Lampreys are suffering from the same threats as our other beleaguered freshwater fish the degradation of water uality and channel structure barriers to igration and so on but efforts to i prove our rivers for sal onid fishes can often worsen them for lampreys, which have markedly different ecological limits. This only highlights the need to stop loo ing at i proving catch ents for fisheries specifically and to invest in projects that improve the health of the entire system and restore its natural balance for the good of everything that lives there, not just the economically important ones.

David McCormick Chairperson, Irish Wildlife Trust

contriiButors WILL O’CONNOR

Will O’Connor is managing director of Ecofact Environmental Consultants in Limerick City. He is an ecologist and campaigns for the protection and sustainable management of our rivers and migratory fish. You can follow Ecofact on Facebook and Twitter for updates on Will’s work.

DR CAROLINE SULLIVAN

Dr Caroline Sullivan is currently the assistant manager and project scientist on the Hen Harrier Project. She works on developing and implementing a results-based agri-environment programme working with local communities to support agriculture in the delivery of important environmental public goods, including hen harrier conservation. Her main interests include semi-natural grasslands, HNV farmland policy, ecosystem services and rural development.

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FEATURE FOCUS

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Irish Wildlife Autumn ‘17

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FEATURE CONTENTS FOCUS

Contents 4.

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

5.

CONSERVATION NEWS All the latest in Irish and international conservation news.

8.

IWT NEWS What we’ve been doing throughout the summer months.

12.

EDUCATION Jenny Quinn discusses whether education may be the key to the success of sustainable development.

13.

NEWS FROM LAOIS AND OFFALY Local nature news from our branches in Laois and Offaly.

16.

WILD IDEAS Caroline Sullivan explores the concept of high nature value farming in Ireland.

19.

COMPETITION We’re offering our readers the chance to win one of two fantastic books.

20.

FEATURE William O’Connor provides an insight into the lives of the lampreys, which are definitely a ong Ireland’s strangest fish.

24.

EXPLORING WILDLIFE ordon ’ rcy delves headfirst into the wonders of Clara Bog in Co Offaly.

26.

AUTUMN FOCUS Billy Flynn details his complex relationship with grassland and documents how this common plant has fascinated us all throughout the generations.

28.

FIELD REPORTA The dedicated community conservation work at Abbeyleix Bog is brought into the spotlight by Ricky Whelan.

30.

OVER TO YOU A selection of photos and letters sent in by Irish Wildlife Trust members.

32.

ON LOCATION Gill Weyman and the harlequin ladybird in Ireland.

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31/08/2017 16:38

FEATURE CONTENTS FOCUS

Contents 4.

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

5.

CONSERVATION NEWS All the latest in Irish and international conservation news.

8.

IWT NEWS What we’ve been doing throughout the summer months.

12.

EDUCATION Jenny Quinn discusses whether education may be the key to the success of sustainable development.

13.

NEWS FROM LAOIS AND OFFALY Local nature news from our branches in Laois and Offaly.

16.

WILD IDEAS Caroline Sullivan explores the concept of high nature value farming in Ireland.

19.

COMPETITION We’re offering our readers the chance to win one of two fantastic books.

20.

FEATURE William O’Connor provides an insight into the lives of the lampreys, which are definitely a ong Ireland’s strangest fish.

24.

EXPLORING WILDLIFE ordon ’ rcy delves headfirst into the wonders of Clara Bog in Co Offaly.

26.

AUTUMN FOCUS Billy Flynn details his complex relationship with grassland and documents how this common plant has fascinated us all throughout the generations.

28.

FIELD REPORT The dedicated community conservation work at Abbeyleix Bog is brought into the spotlight by Ricky Whelan.

30.

OVER TO YOU A selection of photos and letters sent in by Irish Wildlife Trust members.

32.

ON LOCATION Gill Weyman and the harlequin ladybird in Ireland.

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01/09/2017 17:13

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: Donadea Forest Park ABOVE: Brook lamprey, Youghal

Have comments?

Magazine queries, general wildlife questions or observations email: irishwildlife@iwt.ie All other queries email: enquiries@iwt.ie Phone: (01) 860 2839 Snail mail: The Irish Wildlife Trust, Sigmund Business Centre, 93A Lagan Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 Web: www.iwt.ie Social media: facebook.com/IrishWildlifeTrust twitter.com/Irishwildlife

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.

The IWT encourages action at a local level and has a number of branches around the country: Cork: corkbranch@gmail.com Facebook: search for ‘Irish Wildlife Trust – Cork Branch’ Dublin: Barbara, dublinbranch@iwt.ie facebook.com/DublinBranchIrishWildlife Trust, dubliniwt.blogspot.ie Waterford: Denis Cullen, iwtwaterfordbranch@gmail.com, deniscullen@eircom.net, irishwildlifetrust. blogspot.ie Cavan: cavanbranch@iwt.ie www.facebook.com/irishwildlifetrust. branch Kerry: Pat, iwtkerry@gmail.com www.facebook.com/KerryIWT www.iwtkerry.blogspot.ie Sign up to their monthly newsletter!

Galway: Lenny, iwtgalway@gmail.com www.facebook.com/IWTgalwaybranch Longford/Westmeath: Chris Martin, iwtlongfordwestmeath@gmail.com Facebook: search for ‘Longford/ Westmeath Irish Wildlife Trust Branch’ Laois/Offaly: Ricky, iwtlaoisoffaly@gmail.com www.facebook.com/IWTlaoisoffalybranch

How can you help?

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 in different ways.

There are lots of ways to get involved, from work experience in specialist areas to getting your hands dirty at our sites or helping us increase membership at 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

LOCAL FISH KILL  Dublin’s river Tol

ka

Sinéad Ní Bheolain outlines the latest national and international news from the conservation world.

IRISH NEWS

Arctic Seal Holiday’s in West Cork

By Chairman Birdwatch Ireland, West Cork Branch, Paul Connaughton

Bearded seal. Photo: Paul Connaughton

On Friday the 4th of August, as I journeyed home to Ballinglanna in West Cork, I was passing the estuary in Timoleague when I spotted what appeared to be a seal hauled up on a bank above the high tide mark. I was immediately struck by the paleness of the animal. I did a quick u-turn and pulled in to get my binoculars and camera. At first glance, I knew this was something different.

I grabbed my telescope from the car and with a lot of fumbling I managed to erect the tripod. It was, in fact, a bearded seal!

With a fine old-fashioned moustache, a short neck and smallish square head compared to the size of the body and an overall solid creamy grey colour with no markings of any sort on the body, I was sure of my incredible find. I rattled off a few photos from the camera, then got out the digiscoping camera and managed to get some fantastic record shots! The gravity of the find eluded me at first. I quickly phoned some local friends and one managed to come and see the bearded

seal just before it bumbled along into the water and swam away down the estuary, causing quite a wave as it travelled through the shallow water. At the time I didn’t realize that this was only the second Irish record of this species.

The bearded seal is an Arctic and subArctic species that has a circumpolar distribution. It can be found from Northern Canada, Greenland, the Russian Arctic to the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk. It is usually associated with the drifting pack-ice where it breeds from late March to early May. Its diet consists of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, octopus and marine algae. Full grown adults can reach up to 2.5m in length and weigh up to 250 kilos.

There are less than 20 records in the UK, mainly from the Shetland and Orkney Islands off Northern Scotland. The only other on Irish record was of a female taken into care and rehabilitated in Co Galway in 2002.

Dublin’s river Tolka is heavily polluted but fish stocks have been slowly recovering and in 2011 Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) reported the presence of salmon for the first time in 100 years. It was proudly reported by all media outlets that Dublin was the only European Capital with salmon in three of its rivers; the Liffey, the Dodder and the Tolka. However, for the third time in four years pollution has caused a major fish-kill. This time, the pollution occurred in mid-July when a dumped car tyre in sewage pipes created a blockage, causing a manhole to overflow into the adjacent Tolka.

Along a 2.7km stretch between Mulhuddart Bridge downstream to the rear of Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, in excess of 500 fish were killed including juvenile and adult brown trout, stone loach and minnow.

Derek Talbot from an angling store in Blanchardstown told the Journal that the kill was an “absolute disaster” for the angling community and queried how the sewage system was maintained. Live fish were found immediately upstream from the affected area so if any positives are to be taken from yet another fish-kill, it is that it was a young member of the public who noticed it and alerted IFI to the issue straight away. IFI took samples and alerted Ervia, Irish Water’s parent company, who removed the tyre the next day, allowing the sewage system to return to normal flow. (source:

The Journal)

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CONSERVATION NEWS

IRISH NEWS

Locals join forces to save threatened meadow Friends of Merlin Woods, are a local community group involved in the promotion of the positive uses of Merlin Park Woods in Galway and documenting the various wildlife habitats and species within it since October 2012. They are currently leading a campaign to save the meadows, an important habitat within the park which is a species rich orchid lowland hay meadow.

In December 2016, a majority of the city councillors voted for seven acres of this important meadow habitat to be zoned for the specific development of a new Galway hospice complex. This enables this public land to be sold by the HSE into the private ownership of the hospice, destroying a valuable public amenity. The park is a haven for the local community, as a green space to

Flower rich meadow. Photo: Colin Stanley

oto: Colin Stanley

Bee orchid. Ph

enjoy in an ever-expanding urban setting, with a population of 30,000 people which is expected to rise to a further 60,000 people. Further fragmentation of the city’s oldest and largest urban woodland habitat threatens the native red squirrel, six different bat species, over 19 species of butterflies, eight species of bum-

ble bee and many more species of wildlife.

Furthermore, currently there is 84 acres of land available to be developed in and around Merlin Park Hospital complex.

A nine-year-old pupil in Renmore was able to get to 113 signatures to stop the development and Friends of Merlin Woods asks for your support to help in the protection of this old woodland habitat and public community land. Sign the petition which can be found through their Facebook group or join the campaign to add your voice.

POACHERS CLAIMED THEY DID NOT KNOW THEY HAD COMMITTED A CRIME In Ireland, deer are protected and may only be hunted with a rifle, under license. While it is common for poachers to use firearms at night, however, the Gardaí are seeing an increasing amount of poaching with specifically bred greyhound-bulldog cross dogs and as a result, Operation Bambi has been an ongoing pursuit by Gardaí since 2013. Deer are chased by the large dogs and when they become tired, they are pinned to the ground before being either bludgeoned to death with a hammer or a crowbar or having their 6

throat cut. Three men in their late twenties pleaded guilty at Clonmel District Court on 25th July to illegally hunting and killing wild deer and to causing them unnecessary suffering between September 2014 and January 2015. An activist with the Wild Deer Association of Ireland, founded in 1981 for the management and conservation of Ireland’s wild deer herds, alerted the Gardaí to disturbing footage on Facebook, filmed on a field near Clonmel. It showed the deer being bitten on the neck before escaping across the river Suir. The

Gardaí came across other nighttime stills involving 12 deer that showed more poaching with dogs or people posing in front of dead deer. The three men told the court they did not consider what they were doing was illegal. They regarded the poaching as a sport and one claimed he did not realise the cruelty involved until it was shown to him. They received two-year suspended sentences and were told to pay 1,000 each to an animal welfare organisation within the next nine months. (source: The Irish Times).

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CONSERVATION NEWS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Can the EU save the forest from Poland’s government?

Białowieža is a primeval forest, covering 350,650 acres in Poland and Belarus, home to 250 species of birds and over 12,000 invertebrates. There are lynx, wolves and hundreds of European bison, Europe’s largest land mammal, plus fir trees towering 50 metres and oaks and ashes of 40 metres. The forest is completely protected in Belarus but only partly protected in Poland with worrying developments there.

Licenses tripling the amount of logging allowed in unprotected areas were granted in May 2016. Environment Minister, Jan Szyszko, granted the rights to protect the forest from a black beetle outbreak in 10% of the spruce trees. Jagiello, an activist with Greenpeace Poland told The Guardian that “the minister does not understand that this insect is a frequent and natural visitor that has always existed and the forest has managed to survive.”

The outbreak does seem to be an excuse, as the government’s only published inventory shows the logging will be affecting other species too by allowing 180,000

cubic metres of trees in nearly two thirds of the unprotected area to be felled by 2021.

Warsaw had vowed that logging would not occur in protected areas but in June 2017, Szyszko called for the forest to be stripped of UNESCO natural heritage status because it was granted illegally without consulting the local community.

UNESCO responded urging Poland to halt all logging, warning that the forest would be declared an endangered heritage site. The European Commission warned in April that it would take legal procedures and at the time of this article going to print the EU has asked the European Court to authorise an immediate ban on all logging, which the authority has agreed to.

TROPHY HUNTING OR ECOTOURISM? Two years after the condemnation of Cecil the lion’s killing by trophy hunters, the world has seen his six-year-old son, Xanda, suffer the same fate.

Xanda was the pride male with two adult lioness and cubs which roamed near the boundary of the National Park in Zimbabwe. This time the hunter was with a responsible operator who had a legal quota and the killing happened two km from the park’s boundary.

The Oxford scientist who collared Xanda last October, Andrew Loveridge, was saddened by his death but did not condemn trophy hunting itself.

As the practice protects an area approximately the size of France and Spain combined, he recognises it as a necessity to maintain the habitat within the region. Philip Mansbridge, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, told The Guardian that the outcry following the death of Cecil illustrates that the majority of people worldwide were opposed to this kind of tourism.

There are calls from animal rights organisations

to follow the example of Botswana and Kenya and ban trophy hunting.

A Maasai conservation group, Kopelion, works to warn local communities when prides are near, reinforce corrals that protect livestock and provide wound treatment when animals are attacked. They have prevented 26 hunts in 2016 and on the July 11th, an ecotourist took a photo of an action never before seen in wild cats, in a pride monitored and collared by their scouts in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation area. Lioness, Nosikitok, adopted and is nursing a leopard cub. Big cat conservation group, Panthera, believe the phenomenon is due to Nosikitok having lost cubs of the same age and found the leopard in a bereaved state. Lion prides have complicated social relationships and recognize each other by sight and by roar so it is unlikely the rest of the pride will allow the cub but if it can survive for 12-18 months, reaching adulthood it is thought it will revert to leopard behavior and go its own way. (Source: The Guardian)

TEXAS FISH KILL On the 9th of June, YouTuber Kyle Naegeli, also known as The Fish Whisperer, posted six minutes of video showing thousands of fish (flounder, trout, menhaden and red drum) surfacing and dying along the banks for a few miles of the Matagorda River Channel leading to the Mexican Gulf. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is investigating the kill and a spokesman for the department, Steve Lightfoot, told USA Today that it was not the first time that a large-scale kill had happened in the area, which was caused by low dissolved oxygen in the water. This is possibly a result of menhaden fish (forage fish that travel in slow moving and tightly packed schools with open mouths) entering the Old Colorado River channel from the Gulf.

One commentator on the YouTube channel agreed with Lightfoot that the large number of fish had caused them to run out of oxygen. However, the general consensus from commenters was that algae blooms on the surface were stopping sunlight from reaching plants that create oxygen, in turn killing the plants.

Theoretically, the fish swarm at the shallows because there is less algae there and more oxygen but they end up pushing against each other and beaching.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA) informed USA Today that nutrients and agricultural runoff, such as nitrogen, can spur the growth of algae. The decay of these consumes oxygen faster than it can brought down from the surface, causing fish, shrimp and crabs to die.

Watch The Fish Whisperer’s video @ Pw youtube.com/watch?v=t0hsWSYnD

Keep up-to-date on all the latest news from the Irish Wildlife Trust on www.iwt.ie Irish Wildlife Autumn ‘17

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IWT NEWS

IWT NEWS

By Kieran Flood, IWT Conservation Officer.

Outreach and education are key activities of the Irish Wildlife Trust because they are a powerful way of engaging the people of Ireland with our wildlife and the issues associated with its protection. The summer

of 2017 has come to an end and it has been a busy season for our outreach and education across the country. We kicked off the summer with National Biodiversity Week, after which we ran information

stands at festivals such as Bloom in the Park. We also continued our National Reptile Survey and started two new projects - People for Bees and Waterways for Wildlife.

BIODIVERSITY WEEK We had a great Biodiversity Week this year with a wide range of talks and walks which were free for all to attend. These events covered subjects from otters to bats, seaweed to orchids and included a biodiversity trek to our Lough Boora nature reserve at the Lough Boora Discovery Park.

Here are some images from this fantastic week of educational events exploring our nation’s biodiversity.

Walk in St Annes Park during Biodiversity Week.

Explore The Shore during

Biodiversity Week.

Boora Trek during Biodiversity Week.

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Exploring native habitat at the Botanic

Gardens during Biodiversity Week.

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IWT NEWS

PEOPLE FOR BEES The IWT is a supporter of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and we are delighted to have launched our People for Bees project this summer. The project saw us delivering training on bee identification, monitoring and wildflower seed collection to community groups and members of the public, in every province of Ireland. This training included practical outdoor sessions where participants got to practice bee identification and biodiversity record taking skills in the field. With the new skills learned through this programme, participating groups will have the knowledge and confidence to start carrying out bee population monitoring and habitat creation in their communities, thus completing two of the objectives of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan - Making Ireland more pollinator friendly and to encourage bee population monitoring. This programme is kindly supported by Patagonia.

Bee Identification

WATERWAYS FOR WILDLIFE Our Waterways for Wildlife programme is supported by Waterways Ireland and focuses on the importance of our rivers and canals as corridors for wildlife in the Irish landscape. This summer we ran community biodiversity monitoring days along the length of the Grand Canal. At these events community groups and IWT members received training in natural heritage recording techniques as well as canal wildlife identification. Small

sections of the Grand Canal in each host community were surveyed by the event participants, with the subsequent animal and plant record being uploaded to the National Biodiversity Data Centre records database. This project helps communities living along waterways to understand the natural heritage present in this habitat and the wildlife connectivity their waterways provide in the landscape.

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IWT NEWS

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

By Pádraic Fogarty, IWT Campaigns Officer GOOD NEWS FOR COD

Irish Sea. Cod numbers had been officially ‘collapsed’ and ICES has been advising zero catches since 2004 – something politicians have routinely ignored. While the increase is welcome, the IWT has cautioned against increasing the fishing effort. Most cod are still only juveniles while the bulk of the increase is from baby fish born in 2013 – a boom which was not seen in subsequent years. This means that even with no change in fishing effort, the population is likely to shrink again. Our meeting with the minister was disappointing from a number of aspects – he did not seem to think that supertrawlers were a particular problem, despite record levels of dead dolphins washing up on beaches each winter and while he acknowledged that little is known about ‘pair trawling’ for tiny sprat, he did not agree that suspending the fishery was a good idea. Furthermore, we didn’t get much traction with the idea of MPAs, with his officials telling us that they would not work in rebuilding fish populations in Irish waters. Autumn is traditionally the busy season for fish negotiations and we will continue our work with our NGO partners in promoting measures to enhance the sorry state of our seas.

In May of this year the IWT, along with Coastwatch and BirdWatch Ireland met with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed. We discussed a number of topics including ending overfishing, the need for marine protected areas (MPAs), supertrawlers in our waters and the damaging practice of ‘pair trawling’ in coastal estuaries. While some progress has been made in ending overfishing, nearly half of fish stocks remain overfished and the deadline for ending all overfishing is only a little over two years away! There was some good news when the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES – a scientific body which publishes data on fish populations) recorded a significant increase in the size of the cod population in the

// [THE MINISTER] DID NOT SEEM TO THINK THAT SUPERTRAWLERS WERE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM, DESPITE RECORD LEVELS OF DEAD DOLPHINS WASHING UP ON BEACHES EACH WINTER... //

STAY OF EXECUTION FOR KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK’S UNESCO STATUS

Chels

The IWT has been raising the issue of mismanagement at Killarney National Park for many years. In particular, the continuing spread of the invasive rhododendron, ill-

ea cod

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Atlantic co

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Biosp

here Ma

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thought out culling of the unique red deer herd, fires and general overgrazing by deer, sheep and goats (which means no new trees can emerge to replace the old ones).

Killarney has held UNESCO ‘biosphere’ status since the early 1980s but last year we discovered that despite this, UNESCO has never received (or looked for) the ‘periodic review’ which is designed to ensure that the park is properly managed. We called on UNESCO to remove the biosphere status and demand that a new application be made. Earlier this year it was learned that park authorities intended to expand the biosphere to bring it into line with current requirements from UNESCO. Along with our partners in Groundwork, the voluntary organisation which had worked for decades on clearing rhododendron in Killarney, we met with officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in May to discuss the proposals. However, there was no consultation on a new biosphere and no details were forthcoming on what it would actually mean for managing the unique natural heritage of this landscape, which was proposed to encompass all the Macgillycuddy Reeks mountains as well as existing areas of the national park.

Reassurances given to farmers that the biosphere would have no impact on current practices also did not bode well. Throughout this process we have found it very difficult to establish what is happening in Killarney and have found the entire procedure to be opaque in the extreme. The IWT supports the idea of an expanded biosphere but feels that the serious ecological problems being faced must be dealt with before granting any UNESCO stamp of approval. Otherwise, it is just another exercise in ‘greenwashing’

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and marketing. In the end, UNESCO allowed Killarney to retain the existing biosphere status but deferred any decision on the expanded boundary. To be continued...

HOPE FOR THE HILLS?

2017 was one of the worst years for wildfires in Ireland – will 2018 be any different? This summer the IWT met with the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association at their base in Tubercurry, Co Sligo. We talked about the state of the Irish hills, the bureaucracy of nature conservation in Ireland and what – if anything – could be done to address the problems. There was welcome acknowledgement that our hills are in bad shape and have been mismanaged for some time now. The decline in wildlife, however, has mirrored the decline in hill farming itself, so the challenge is to find ways of restoring both. One of the issues we face is that there are no places in Ireland where we can look to for inspiration, there are simply no areas

left where habitats and wildlife populations are in good shape. Meanwhile, in Britain, controlled burning is widespread but for grouse shooting, not sheep farming, and their hills are nearly as bare and lifeless as ours! While we don’t have all the answers - the IWT believes that solutions can be found without recourse to fire, something which is harmful to the environment even where it is of the ‘controlled’ variety.

Studies have shown that controlled burning leads to pollution of water, drying out of peat and loss of biodiversity (even if it is good for some species, such as red grouse).

In Norway, extensive sheep and cattle farming is a major part of the rural economy.

However, unlike in Ireland or Britain, fire is not a commonly-used tool. Vast areas of uplands are instead cloaked in forests of birch and pine – beautiful places which attract hill walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The forests provide shelter for the animals and a greater variety of plants to eat (and so is

Norweigan

pland forest. Ph

oto P.Fogarty

healthier for them). Leaves falling in autumn make sure that nutrients are recycled back into the soil, instead of being washed off in every rain shower. Farmers are also better off as they earn money from holiday-makers and from selling wood for fuel. Woodlands like these have vanished from Ireland – so much so that most people have come to believe that our hills are naturally bare.

Could restoring large-scale native woodlands in upland areas provide hope for wildlife and people in these areas? It’s worth a try!

Corrections and apologies In our summer issue we failed to credit Mario McRory’s wonderful image of a hen harrier which went alongside the feature article on Pádraic Fogarty’s Whittled Away. Sorry Mario! You can check out more of his amazing photography on Twitter (@muddyboots) or Facebook (@muddybootswalking). Apologies also to Geoff Hunt, who took the photo of the peregrine falcon on the church spire in our Eyes to the Skies article.

Photo:

ory

Mario McR

Photo: G

eoff Hunt

Notice of AGM THE 2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE IWT CLG WILL BE HELD IN: THE BOTANIC GARDENS, GLASNEVIN, DUBLIN ON SATURDAY SEPT 30, 2017 AT 14.00 HRS. Elections will be held to fill vacant positions on the Council. The Council functions as the Board of Directors of the Trust, a charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. No member, except a retiring member of the Council, shall be eligible for election thereto, unless either they are recommended by the Council or notice in writing proposing them for election thereto at the next AGM has been given to the Hon. Secretary by two or more members whose subscriptions have been paid for the current year. The notice must reach the Hon. Secretary not less than 7 or more than 21 days before the date appointed for the meeting and must be accompanied by the assent in writing to such proposal by the member concerned.

Such nominations for election to the Council may be forwarded, between Sept. 9 and Sept 23, by eMail to: iwtsecretary@ gmail.com or by post to: The Irish Wildlife Trust, Sigmund Business Centre, 93A Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, D11 EP9P, Ireland.

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EDUCATION

True Education for

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT With sustainable development becoming a critical issue for our environment globally, Jenny Quinn feels that education is the key to survival.

T

he concept of sustainable development has a number of definitions and interpretations associated with it. It is a concept that is criticised for this very reason – its ambiguous nature.

The most common definition cited, however, appears to be development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Brundtland Report, 1987). In other words, development that can meet human and economic goals while at the same time preserving the natural system.

Not an easy feat. Since the emergence of the term in 1987, many countries and indeed individuals, have struggled to even comprehend how social, economic and environmental goals can be achieved in harmony with each other. Despite this, many view sustainable development as a step in the right direction, at least.

Of course, if sustainable development is to become a legitimate principle that

Photo: Donadea Forest Park, Co Kildare

skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future (UNESCO, 2014). There is a focus on young people too. The UN calls for sustainability issues (climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, poverty reduction and sustainable consumption) to be included into teaching and learning in schools at all levels. There is now a Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) which stipulates that

// OF COURSE, IF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS TO BECOME A LEGITIMATE PRINCIPLE THAT PEOPLE LIVE BY, EDUCATION IS KEY. // people live by, education is key. The United Nations has recognised this and has strived to roll out an educational framework for engaging people in sustainable development: Education for Sustainable Development allows every human being to acquire the knowledge, 12

all countries, including Ireland, must move forward with establishing ESD in schools. So what’s happening in schools?

The global Eco-Schools programme (or Green Schools programme as it’s known in Ireland) is arguably the biggest effort to engage schools in ESD.

The programme was designed to encourage schools to take action on sustainable development via various projects which ultimately lead to awards.

There are 49,000 schools signed up in 64 countries. This is very positive, however, these projects are often seen as extracurricular. In order for true ESD to happen, I would argue that it needs to be embedded more in curriculums across the board - in business studies, science, geography, history etc. Although this is happening to some extent (for example sustainability issues are included in Junior and Leaving Certificate geography) experiential learning should be built in to syllabi and curriculums in the form of (more) field trips, grow your own initiatives etc. to enhance learning.

Engaging students in authentic enquiry results in environmentally conscious citizens, and stronger problem solvers.

This, to me, is true education for sustainable development.

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BRANCH FOCUS

The latest news from

LAOIS AND OFFALY Family Forest Days in Tullamore, Co Offaly

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n June and July 2017, the IWT Laois/Offaly branch Badger Club ran a six-week pilot series called Family Forest School in Charleville Demesne, Tullamore. The sessions were held on six consecutive Saturdays and were led by the branch’s Badger Club Co-ordinator, Barbara Sullivan, who has recently completed training as a Forest School leader.

WHAT IS FOREST SCHOOL? Forest School refers to an ethos and ethod of increasing confidence and self-esteem through facilitating largely child-led, hands-on experiences. Forest School usually takes place in a woodland environment, however, their methods can be applied in any outdoor environment.

The focus is on building a relationship with the natural world and learning about the environment through a range of activities that are offered to participants.

One of the key aims in delivering Forest School sessions through the IWT is to: • awaken a sense of value and respect for the natural environment • encourage active learning about our natural heritage

• promote care for our environment • promote sustainable living • encourage leaving no negative trace Through games and activities that encourage awareness and engagement with nature, Forest School attendees learn about respect and responsibility for the world around them, as well as becoming actively involved with conservation activities.

FOREST SCHOOL IN CHARLEVILLE DEMESNE All six Saturdays spent in the forest were attended by the same families, aiming to build relationships with each other and the environment. Children and adults alike took part in a wide range of activities, both fun and educational. For example, some of the craft activities we enjoyed were making tree spirits using clay and natural materials, making plant print bunting, or wreaths and dream catchers.

The children learned the traditional method of making ink from oak galls and enjoyed painting, using the ink and natural materials as brushes. There was an excellent opportunity for tool use as the children participated in a variety of building projects.

They built shelters and dens, learning a range of techniques for tying secure knots to make structures, obstacle courses and they even experimented with making bows and arrows. The children were also taught to identify different types of wood, native and non-native species, and their suitability for the different projects they were planning.

There was a lot of incidental learning through discovery using identification eys to identify species encountered in the woods.

We collected seeds and observed insects.

We played a number of awareness raising games throughout the sessions, which were much enjoyed by all. On our last session,

children were instructed on how to light fire we lit fires in buc ets as the ground was peaty), and enjoyed cooking popcorn, bread on a stick and toasting marshmallows.

Children were advised on maintaining and e tinguishing fire in a safe and controlled way, and how to remove every trace.

Throughout the weeks, children and families were actively involved in assessing what is appropriate risk taking and sustainable and respectful use of the environment. The feedback for the Forest School sessions was very positive and there have been a number of requests to run more sessions for a range of age groups. Watch this space!

Get involved!

For more information or if you are interested in attending future Forest School sessions please contact barbara.iwtlaoisoffaly@gmail.com

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BRANCH FOCUS

GAA and Wildlife: Laois GAA clubs doing their bit for wildlife - by Brian Gaynor

I

n conservation, we often look at the big landowners and what they can do to improve their lands for wildlife. Typically, we may straight away think about Coillte, Bord na Mona or the farming community.

One organisation though that doesn’t spring to mind as readily but which has a presence in practically every parish in the country and that has the ability to connect and inspire so many Irish people is the GAA. With pitches in all corners of the country, often surrounded by more grounds both used and unused, and its cultural importance, the GAA should be considered important players in the conservation of our native wildlife.

So how do we go about getting the different clubs around the country to start thinking about helping our wildlife? After all, the primary purpose of these clubs is to provide facilities for their members to play football or hurling and so naturally the majority of their grounds are dedicated to pitches, training areas, club houses and car parking. The time that members give up voluntarily is spent looking after these facilities or training the teams.

The answer is simple. If we start thinking about the needs of these clubs and how nature can fulfil the then you’ll find they are more than happy to dedicate some of their limited resources. Take for example, shelter for pitches; players generally prefer not to be playing on pitches that are very exposed, as on windy days, this can affect their game. Yet, a lot of club grounds have little or no shelterbelts on parts of or all of their grounds. By explaining how good quality shelterbelts, consisting of native shrubs and trees which filter and slow the wind if planted strategically around the grounds, can help solve this over time, clubs tend to be more than happy to give over the

New woodland and

wildflower meadow habitat at Portlaoise GAA

necessary resources to achieve this.

Depending on the size of the club and the space available this can lead to significant a ounts of new woodland planting that benefits everybody It’s also useful to highlight that planting green walls like big Leylandii hedges, can actually make the problem worse.

This is not to say that clubs and their members don’t care about conserving wildlife for it’s own sake but just that their resources, both time and money, are often thinly stretched as is, and they need to justify allocating these limited resources to non-core related activities. I think this is the same for most other landowners as well.

The IWT Laois Offaly Branch has taken exactly this approach and reaped great rewards already. To-date, we have worked in partnership with three clubs in Laois: Portlaoise, The Rock and The Heath. Each

// TO DATE WE HAVE WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THREE CLUBS IN LAOIS: PORTLAOISE, THE ROCK AND THE HEATH. EACH CLUB WAS DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF THE SPACE AVAILABLE AND THE CONDITION OF THEIR GROUNDS. //

14

g

r tree plantin GAA at The Rock

Voluntee

club was different in terms of the space available and the condition of their grounds.

Portlaoise GAA had just moved to their new grounds, over 30 acres of farmland, which were very exposed to the elements. lub finances at the ti e for anything but core-related projects, were limited.

However, they did have ample space around the perimeter and down the centre of the grounds. These areas was being maintained as mown grass with no sporting purpose and so were the ideal locations for establishing shelterbelts. It

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BRANCH FOCUS

// THERE WERE LOTS OF OTHER WILDLIFE BENEFITS RESULTING FROM THE PLANTING BECAUSE IN PLACES, THE CLUBS HAVE DECIDED TO LET THE GRASS GROW NATURALLY UNDER THESE TREES, CREATING NEW HABITAT FOR A RANGE OF FLORA AND FAUNA. PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, WE GOT TO ENGAGE WITH LOTS OF NEW PEOPLE BOTH YOUNG AND OLD THROUGHOUT THE WORKS. // was at this stage we got involved with them and targeted these areas for tree planting with the aim of having, in time, better shelter across the grounds. hese shelterbelts have the added benefit of reducing the amount of grass cutting required and have improved the visual appearance of the grounds already. The club had a mown grass access track (approx.

10m wide) between the new shelterbelts and the existing hedgerow, that was used for maintenance machinery and for club members to walk or run on. We worked with them to reduce the mowing to a 1.5m wide track during the summer months, with the rest being allowed to grow naturally as wild ower eadow. he results have been immediate with oxeye daisy, selfheal, clover, and much more appearing in the

The plan ting of new woodland shelterbelt along the pe rim the new pitc h at The Hea eter of th GAA

first year giving an immediate visual impact, with positive feedback from all involved. Our latest work with them also includes installing bird and bat boxes around the grounds.

The Rock GAA had two pockets of ground that couldn’t be used for playing purposes and were looking for ideas on what to do with these difficult to anage areas. In addition the pitch was very exposed with little in the way of tree planting on one side of the grounds.

We again suggested planting native trees that would deliver on all their needs.

The Heath GAA club faced similar issues to the other two clubs, namely the exposure of their new pitch to the wind and again, we suggested planting a strip of native trees and shrubs along the boundary to help solve this in time, which we completed in 2016.

These three sites alone involved the planting of thousands of new native trees. here were lots of other wildlife benefits resulting from the planting because in places, the clubs have decided to let the grass grow naturally under these trees, creating new habitat for a range of ora and fauna. Probably most important of all, we got to engage with lots of new people both young and old throughout the works. All the planting was done voluntarily through our Volunteer Work Group and Badger Club programmes

Portlaoise

oject

Swift Box Pr

with members of all ages helping out. The GAA has always been about more than just sport, it is a cultural organisation as much as anything else. And a big part of our culture is our natural heritage. By wor ing with clubs helping to fulfil their needs, we can help make this connection again with a great organisation.

PORTLAOISE SWIFT BOX PROJECT he I aois ffaly branch were delighted with our recent successful application for funding for a swift box project in Portlaoise through the Heritage Council. We will be installing 12 triple cavity boxes on six different buildings (private and public) throughout the town, with each site getting a solar powered caller as well. The works will be completed in time for National Heritage Week, which this year has the theme of biodiversity.

The IWT welcomes views from around Ireland on environmental and nature issues affecting local communities – not just the challenges but the good news too! Just email the editor on irishwildlife@iwt.ie

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WILD IDEAS

FARMING for

BIODIVERSITY Caroline Sullivan explores high nature value farming and the programmes in Ireland that support this crucial practice.

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any farms in Ireland have important habitats that benefit nature such as grasslands, peatlands or woodlands. Farm management decisions in uence whether these habitats occur on farms and they also have a big in uence on their ecological quality. The most important habitats for farmland wildlife are se i natural habitats. hese have never been reseeded or chemically fertilised but they are grazed or cut on a regular basis.

On average, farms in Ireland have around per cent se i natural habitat and these are typically hedgerows, a patch of woodland, scrub, or a pond or marshy area that isn’t used for grazing or saving fodder.

For other farms, these habitats are essential parts of the grazing and hay or silage systems and make up the majority of the farmed land. This is always the case for High Nature Value (HNV) farmland. Important farmland habitats for the production of food usually fall into two categories: peatland or se i natural grassland habitats.

These habitats support high plant and animal biodiversity 16

 High nature value farmland on Inis

Meain, Aran Islands, Co. Galway

and occur across the country.

A recent study produced a map of the areas in Ireland with positive HNV farmland potential. If you compare the map with the Wild Atlantic Way maps you will see that the most scenic areas in Ireland are in areas of HNV farmland, in areas that are mountainous, or areas where natural constraints prevent intensification. ow

intensity farming sustains the biodiversity of these landscapes.

Supporting this type of farmland would ensure the delivery of important environmental public goods such as high levels of farmland biodiversity, vibrant rural communities, high water, air and soil quality and resistance to ooding. o the question begs, how can we support HNV farmland?

SUPPORTING HNV FARMLAND IN IRELAND The Burren Programme in County Clare is an excellent example of farmers producing high quality environmental products specifically species rich grassland, and being rewarded for that. It is called a results based progra e. he higher the ecological quality of the product produced, the

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WILD IDEAS

Species-rich wet grasslands in the Slieve

Aughty mountains. Photo: C. Sullivan

higher the financial reward for the farmer. A results-based programme doesn’t follow rigid rules. The desired result is clearly explained and the farmer

can decide what management is required to achieve it, in consultation with trained advisors. Unfortunately, this is focused on just one small

area of the HNV farmland that occurs throughout Ireland. If we want to ensure the delivery of these important environmental public goods we need this type of programme to apply to many regions across Ireland and we need to support both the farmers and advisors who want to participate.

This year, the Department of Agriculture funded the Hen Harrier Project to follow a similar model to the Burren but aimed at delivering high quality farmland habitats required by the hen harrier (a bird of prey) in an effort to stem its continuing decline.

The Hen Harrier Project will target farmers with land in six special protection areas

(SPAs) across nine counties from Monaghan to Cork. This is the largest of a number of projects being funded by the Department of Agriculture with a results-based focus that brings together farmers, farm advisors, conservationists and any other relevant stakeholders to come up with management solutions for this type of farmland. Traditionally, HNV farmland has been viewed as marginal land with little value.

However, with recognition of the environmental goods that this type of farmland produces (along with food) and the value that the public put on it, high nature value far land ay finally receive the support it needs to thrive.

MORE INFORMATION To find out more about high nature value farmland see www.high-nature-value-farmland.ie

Map of the distribution of potential HNV farmland in Ireland from S. Matin, C. A. Sullivan, D. Ó hUallacháin, D. Meredith, J. Moran, J. A. Finn & S. Green. Journal of Maps Vol. 12, Iss. Sup 1, 2016).

For more information on results-based agri-environment programmes see ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/rbaps/

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Ph: 0872339280

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n o i t i t e p m Co

COMPETITION

Be in with a chance to win one of these wonderful new books!

Owls – A guide to every species by Marianne Taylor.

Uncover the beauty and great diversity of owls, including some of the most elusive species.“It’s hard to think of any living things that are as familiar and yet as mysterious.” The charm and mystique of owls resonates through human history. From ancient myth and superstition to the most popular modern children’s stories, these beautiful, deadly birds are harbingers of good and bad news, icons of fear and wisdom, and powerful sidekicks of magic-makers. Yet, uncovering the reality of their lives is a tremendous challenge, as most are nocturnal and many extremely secretive. New species are still being discovered, as are new insights into the habits of even the most familiar species.

Owls - A Guide to Every Species, brings together full descriptions and distribution maps for all 225 owl species in the world, illustrated with stunning colour photographs. Marianne Taylor is a freelance writer, illustrator, photographer and editor. Her interest in natural history began as soon as she could point at animals, and she has continued to be a committed fan of wildlife and wildlife-watching over the years. Despite recent flirtations with dragonflies, hares and orchids, birds remain her primary passion. In 2001 she took a job as editorial assistant at the bird book publishers Christopher Helm, and she continued to work in book and magazine publishing for several more years before taking the plunge as a freelance writer in 2007. Since then she has written more than 20 books for adults and children on a range of natural history subjects. Her previous publication on this fascinating bird is titled Beautiful Owls: Portraits of Arresting Species from Around the World..

Blooming Marvellous – A Wildflower Hunter’s Year by Zoë Devlin Zoë Devlin has viewed her whole life through green-tinted glasses, describing herself as an unofficial ambassador for weeds, wasps and wagtails. Childhood delight in wild flowers grew into a hobby, then blossomed into an enduring passion. Skilfully interweaving her memories and expertise, she celebrates the joy each month has to offer: birds, butterflies, mammals and even tasty recipes. In stories that are by turns witty, informative, dark and bizarre, Zoë invites us to celebrate the wildlife that so often goes unnoticed beneath our feet.

We have one copy of Owls - A Guide to Every Species and two copies of Blooming Marvellous to give away. To be in with a chance of having one of these magnificent publications grace your bookshelf, just answer the following question: What type of ladybird in Ireland is thought to be a threat to our own native species?

Send your answer, name, postal address and the title of your preferred book to irishwildlife@iwt.ie by November 1st.

Summer ’17 Winners: In our summer issue we gave our readers a chance to win a copy of Whittled Away – Ireland’s Vanishing Nature by Pádraic Fogarty or A Sea Monster’s Tale – In Search of the Basking Shark by Colin Speedie.

The question we asked was: What pricy fish has been making its presence felt off the Irish west coast in recent years? The answer is the blue-fin tuna.

The winners are: Declan O’Driscoll, from Thurles, Co. Tipperary, John Fleming, Athy, Co. Kildare (A Sea Monster’s Tale), Keith Talbot from Celbridge, Co. Kildare and Mark Moloney from Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin (Whittled Away).

Many thanks to all who entered and congratulations to the winners!

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n o i t i t e p m Co

COMPETITION

Be in with a chance to win one of these wonderful new books!

Owls – A guide to every species by Marianne Taylor.

Uncover the beauty and great diversity of owls, including some of the most elusive species.“It’s hard to think of any living things that are as familiar and yet as mysterious.” The charm and mystique of owls resonates through human history. From ancient myth and superstition to the most popular modern children’s stories, these beautiful, deadly birds are harbingers of good and bad news, icons of fear and wisdom, and powerful sidekicks of magic-makers. Yet, uncovering the reality of their lives is a tremendous challenge, as most are nocturnal and many extremely secretive. New species are still being discovered, as are new insights into the habits of even the most familiar species.

Owls - A Guide to Every Species, brings together full descriptions and distribution maps for all 225 owl species in the world, illustrated with stunning colour photographs. Marianne Taylor is a freelance writer, illustrator, photographer and editor. Her interest in natural history began as soon as she could point at animals, and she has continued to be a committed fan of wildlife and wildlife-watching over the years. Despite recent flirtations with dragonflies, hares and orchids, birds remain her primary passion. In 2001 she took a job as editorial assistant at the bird book publishers Christopher Helm, and she continued to work in book and magazine publishing for several more years before taking the plunge as a freelance writer in 2007. Since then she has written more than 20 books for adults and children on a range of natural history subjects. Her previous publication on this fascinating bird is titled

Beautiful Owls: Portraits of Arresting Species from Around the World.

Blooming Marvellous – A Wildflower Hunter’s Year by Zoë Devlin Zoë Devlin has viewed her whole life through green-tinted glasses, describing herself as an unofficial ambassador for weeds, wasps and wagtails. Childhood delight in wild flowers grew into a hobby, then blossomed into an enduring passion. Skilfully interweaving her memories and expertise, she celebrates the joy each month has to offer: birds, butterflies, mammals and even tasty recipes. In stories that are by turns witty, informative, dark and bizarre, Zoë invites us to celebrate the wildlife that so often goes unnoticed beneath our feet.

We have one copy of Owls - A Guide to Every Species and two copies of Blooming Marvellous to give away. To be in with a chance of having one of these magnificent publications grace your bookshelf, just answer the following question: What type of ladybird in Ireland is thought to be a threat to our own native species?

Send your answer, name, postal address and the title of your preferred book to irishwildlife@iwt.ie by November 1st.

Summer ’17 Winners: In our summer issue we gave our readers a chance to win a copy of Whittled Away – Ireland’s Vanishing Nature by Pádraic Fogarty or A Sea Monster’s Tale – In Search of the Basking Shark by Colin Speedie.

The question we asked was: What pricy fish has been making its presence felt off the Irish west coast in recent years? The answer is the blue-fin tuna.

The winners are: Declan O’Driscoll, from Thurles, Co Tipperary, John Fleming, Athy, Co Kildare (A Sea Monster’s Tale), Keith Talbot from Celbridge, Co Kildare and Mark Moloney from Rathfarnham, Co Dublin (Whittled Away).

Many thanks to all who entered and congratulations to the winners!

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FEATURE

An Introduction to

LAMPREYS IN IRELAND While not as renowned as salmon and trout, lampreys are vital a part of the river ecosystem and due to a recent decline in population, the need for conservation is evident, writes Will O’Connor.

T

hree species of lamprey occur in Ireland; the brook lamprey Lampetra planeri, the river lamprey a petra uviatilis and the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus. The lampreys (family Petromyzontidae, stone suckers)

20

Lizzy Daly of the BBC with an adult

sea lamprey. Photo: Will O’Connor

belong to a small but important group known as Agnatha (jawless fish the ost pri itive of all living vertebrates. They are eel-shaped but there is where the similarities between eels and lampreys end. Unlike eels, lampreys have no jaws or bones with all their skeletal structures consisting of cartilage. Moreover,

lampreys have no scales or paired fins. heir outh is a sucking disc and they have distinct eyes, seven gill pores on each side of their body, a single nostril at the top of their heads, with fins running along their back and surrounding their tail.

The three Irish lamprey species are of high conservation

value and are all listed under Annex II of the European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/ EEC), and are included in Schedule Four of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (S.I. No. 477/2011). The river lamprey is also listed on Annex V of the Habitats Directive (1992).

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ll three la prey species are listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention (1979). he life cycle of the three species varies, but all have an e tended sedentary larval stage during which the juvenile la prey a ocoetes live as burrowing filter feeders in depositing areas of watercourses for up to five years or ore. ollowing this they metamorphose into adults. Sea and river la preys have an anadro ous life cycle which eans they go to the sea to feed as young adults but return to rivers to spawn. While at sea they are he atophagous parasites of other fish they attach to fish using their ouths and feed on the blood and tissues of the host. roo la preys only undertake localised migrations and do not feed as adults. River la preys are thought to feed ainly in estuaries while sea la preys will travel further out to sea. After an unknown period in the marine environment perhaps up to two years anadro ous la preys will return rivers to spawn. The spawning takes place in the spring and early su er period in often the same habitats where salmon and trout spawn. Unlike salmon, la preys do not necessarily enter their natal rivers to

Juvenille lamprey on the River Slaney. Photo: Will O’Connor

// THE KEY IMPORTANCE OF LAMPREYS IS THE FACT THAT, TOGETHER WITH THE HAGFISHES, THEY ARE THE SOLE SURVIVORS OF THE AGNATHAN (JAWLESS) STAGE IN VERTEBRATE EVOLUTION. // spawn. Instead, it is thought that they will be attracted into rivers by the phero ones released from juveniles. a preys are an i portant ele ent in river ecosyste s. he ey i portance of la preys

Adult river lamprey trapped below Annacotty Weir on the River

Mulkear, Co. Limerick. March 2017. Photo: Will O’Connor

is the fact that, together with the hagfishes they are the sole survivors of the Agnathan (jawless) stage in vertebrate evolution. Recent work on fossils in hina indicates that la preys arose over illion years ago.

hey are of high ecological value and can play an i portant role in processing nutrients, nutrient storage and nutrient cycling in strea s. oreover they also constitute a food source for other animals and can act as a buffer for salmon from predators in areas where they are abundant. hey are considered to be ecosyste engineers’ and their nest-building activities can shape river channels and create habitats for other species – including maintaining and extending spawning habitats for salmon and trout (who use these areas in the winter).

It is now understood that they are susceptible to the sa e threats facing other native freshwater fish i.e. pollution barriers to migration, habitat destruction . i e all fish species la preys and their habitats are vulnerable to water pollution. Ammocoetes larvae are relatively i obile in the substrate and tend to concentrate in areas that include any age classes a ing the very susceptible to pollution. he physical destruction of uvenile la prey habitats is also a major factor in the decline of the population. Much of this loss can be attributed to the Irish Wildlife Autumn ‘17

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Adult sea lamprey spawning on the old River Shannon, Castleconnell, Co Limerick. Photo: Will O’Connor

dredging and channeli ation of rivers. ny pro ects in rivers that change ow hydraulics alter strea substrates and decrease habitat co ple ity can also negatively affect la preys. In the longer ter river channeli ation negatively i pacts the larval la prey habitat by increasing velocity thereby reducing depositional areas. a preys are poor swi ers and cannot u p li e sal on or cli b li e eels. herefore they can be severely i pacted by the presence of even s all weirs and da s in rivers. Indeed in ost rivers in Ireland anadro ous la preys are confined to the lower reaches of rivers. ven though these pri itive fish share any of the sa e habitats as sal onids and can

bring any benefits to sal onids la preys have received little attention in Ireland. n rivers li e the hannon la preys have been severely i pacted on by da s and weirs river regulation channeli ation canalisation ood sche es and water uality decline. igratory la preys are now al ost co pletely confined to below the hannon da s with their igration into tributaries of the old river i peded by weirs. igratory la preys are rare in the orrib catch ent with their igration into ough orrib bloc ed by the alway barrage and all spawning and nursery habitat downstrea of the weir re oved by drainage wor s. n rivers li e the oyne and arrow also s

special areas of conservation designated for la preys a series of weirs built to a e the rivers navigable continue to act as la prey igration barriers. t the ti e of preparing this article a or dredging wor s were ongoing in the iver andon o or . nli e any rivers in Ireland there are no weirs or other barriers in the lower reaches of the andon and river la preys could previously run right up to the weir in andon town. his stretch of river was relatively un odified in the past and held one the best river la prey populations in Ireland. uring ay a or dredging wor s co enced here during the river la prey spawning season disrupting spawning la preys

// IN IRELAND, WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND TOWARDS RIVER RESTORATION, TO BENEFIT ALL THE ECOLOGICAL INTERESTS IN A RIVER CHANNEL. // 22

and re oving possibly tens of thousands of larval la preys in the dredged soil. lthough dredging can be re uired to aintain navigation sche es there is a growing awareness that dredging rivers ay not be helpful in relation to increasing ood conveyance and ay even be counter productive. redging can a e river ban s prone to erosion and hence sti ulate a further build up of silt e acerbating rather than i proving proble s with water conveyance capacity. he ooding at andon should have been addressed by a sustainable catch ent based ood anage ent approach. iver restoration wor s in Ireland are al ost e clusively focused on sal on and trout usually to the detri ent of la prey habitats. Infilling rivers with roc s and boulders re oves la prey nursery habitats. hen the ban s of rivers are ar oured with riprap and other hard engineering easures

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(as proposed on the Bandon) the river’s energy is directed downwards which can result in spawning gravels becoming compacted – which of course also impacts on salmon and trout. In Ireland, we need to ove away fro fisheries development and towards river restoration to benefit all the ecological interests in a river channel. There is also an ongoing con ict between salmon census and protection of the other conservation interests in Irish rivers – crump weirs block lamprey (and eel) migrations. In May 2017 Inland Fisheries Ireland opened a fish counter on the River Lackagh in Donegal.

The counter was described as innovative in their press release. Indeed, so innovative that it lacked both a lamprey pass and a pass for the critically endangered European eel.

Despite a recent €1.75m EU LIFE project on the River Mulkear, Co Limerick, which stated an aim to restore the lower River Shannon SAC, little progress was made in relation to assisting lampreys in this catchment. In March 2017, I found thousands of river lampreys trapped below Annacotty weir in the lower

Lamprey in Annacotty Weir. Photo: Will O’Connor

// DESPITE A RECENT €1.75M EU LIFE PROJECT ON THE RIVER MULKEAR, CO LIMERICK, WHICH STATED AN AIM TO RESTORE THE LOWER RIVER SHANNON SAC, LITTLE PROGRESS WAS MADE IN RELATION TO ASSISTING LAMPREYS IN THIS CATCHMENT. // reaches of the river. These lampreys are unable to ascend this weir, and cannot use the experimental lamprey pass which was installed here as part of the Mulkear LIFE project.

Although I initially set out to e pose the fish passage proble s at this site, I also unexpectedly uncovered a major lamprey poaching problem here. a preys are used as fishing

Adult brook lamprey spawning on a tributary of Lough Derg. Photo: Will O’Connor

baits and frozen lamprey sections can sell for up to €2 each to pike anglers. The impact of this illegal bait collection on lampreys is li ely to be significant and it is of concern that gangs of poachers were openly collecting lampreys on the River Mulkear in Annacotty village during March 2017, apparently without fear of prosecution.

While there is still much to be learned about lamprey distribution and abundance, the need for conservation of lampreys is evident. Until recently, lampreys were widely distributed in aquatic systems throughout much of Europe but a considerable decline in lamprey populations has been observed in recent decades. Ireland still retains extensive lamprey populations and could play an important role in the conservation of these species in Europe.

I was delighted to work recently with BBC Earth on a documentary on sea lampreys. he fil ing too place during early-June 2017 on the Old River Shannon at Castleconnell, Co Limerick. This is part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation, and sea lampreys are a key conservation interest of this Natura 2000 site. This video is now available to view on YouTube.

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EXPLORING WILDLIFE

Midlands

MAGIC

Ireland’s iconic midlands have long held a vast bogland landscape that has interested both visitors and natives.

Gordon D’arcy takes a closer look at the landscape of Clara that holds, perhaps the best example, of Ireland’s raised bogs.

I

f you place your finger on a ap of Ireland at where you thin its centre is you ight alight upon one of Ireland’s iconic locations lon acnoise perhaps or isneach often ta en as the centre of the country. ou ight however touch on lara and its fa ous ha bog regarded as the best re aining e a ple of a raised bog in Ireland and deserving of iconic status for that feature alone. lara is not entirely pristine. It had a road built across it over years ago and prior to being prepared for turf e traction in the s had drains cut across its do ed surface. It is ost interesting to see how the curved surface has been dragged down by the road apparently to half its original height thus creating two do es. he drainage networ than s to dedicated re edial action is now barely visible on the bog surface. espite these significant intrusions lara bog continues to act as an ecological entity an enor ous water saturated cushion as it has done for seven thousand years. Its water is not static however. hydrological survey carried out in the s revealed a distinctive dual ow regi e. ater in the bog itself ows out radially fro ushes at the bog surface. nother ow occurs beneath the bog issues fro es er deposits to the north travelling through underlying glacial sedi ents south towards the ilver iver. i e all idlands bogs lara is deep ore than etres so and is contained

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by the contours of a hollow which in early postglacial ti es contained a la e. etre or so above the glacial sedi ents the peat is blac and sloppy a conse uence of the deco position of the fen vegetation that filled the la e prior to it beco ing a bog. ctual bog develop ent the upward swelling of the surface occurred as a conse uence of cli atic deterioration resulting in the growth of layer upon layer of oss and other typical bog plants. It is thus a saturated ass of partially deco posed vegetation. ue to its acidity the a ority of the bog is relatively sterile it is the thin vegetative s in that is ost i portant. he ecological wealth of this layer cannot be overstated it is a species rich ungle. phagnu osses which for colourful carpets and hu oc s around bog pools along with any algal and lichen species do inate the surface. ladonia lichens of several species add te ture a id sprays of sedges. hite topped bog cotton and bright yellow asphodel spangle the surface in places. ore robust plants such as cross leaved and ling heather bog rose ary and cranberry create a healthy layer while upright clusters of royal fern bog yrtle and stunted willow punctuate the otherwise at surface. lara along with other e a ples would not have been saved for posterity were it not for the efforts of a few dedicated individuals and groups such as the Irish

Clara Bog, Co Offaly. Photo: P. Fogarty

The bog surface. Photo: P. Fogarty

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EXPLORING WILDLIFE

 The colours of sphagnum and other mosses in Autumn. By P. Fogarty

// CLARA IS NOT ENTIRELY PRISTINE. IT HAD A ROAD BUILT ACROSS IT OVER 200 YEARS AGO AND PRIOR TO BEING PREPARED FOR TURF EXTRACTION IN THE 1970S HAD DRAINS CUT ACROSS ITS DOMED SURFACE. // Peatland Conservation Council) who, from the early 1980s, worked tirelessly for their preservation. The Dutch Foundation for the Conservation of Irish Bogs founded by Matthias Schouten was a major player in the process. Aware of rapid disappearance to industrial turf-cutting the foundation anaged to accu ulate significant funds which were subsequently donated to the Irish government. It is doubtful whether any raised bogs would remain today were it not for this extraordinary gesture.

When I visited Clara in June, accompanied by Horseleap National School, I became aware of the wonderful educational resource it now represented.

Visitors were milling around in the neat, tastefully designed centre in Clara village and a school party was sitting down to view the audio-visual display in the company of a voluntary guide.

A guide from the National Parks and Wildlife Service was engaging with yet another class at the boardwalk which

leads out onto the bog surface. It was clear that the children were enjoying the experience though for many it was their first ti e. It was a day of colourful owers butter ies birdsong and a picnic in the sunshine; simply magic.

A week before our visit I was informed that Matthias Schouten, accompanied by a member of the Dutch royal family, had come to Clara. According to the staff, they were well pleased with what they found. We should raise a glass to conservation heroes such as Matthius Schouten and others inspired by him.

Thanks to them we still have magical outdoor classrooms like Clara bog for the enjoyment and education of this and future generations.

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AUTUMN FOCUS

TAMING

NATURE Billy Flynn delves into his conflicted relationship with the grasslands that have spread across the isle of Ireland for centuries and questions man’s fascination with this ubiquitous plant.

Cocksfoot. Photo: Jenny Seawright

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AUTUMN FOCUS

// “I BELIEVE A LEAF OF GRASS IS NO LESS THAN THE JOURNEYWORK OF THE STARS.”— WALT WHITMAN //

I

have a problem with grass. There is no other way of putting it. With no other type of plant do I have such a con icted relationship. enerally ti e spent outside for leisure is a rarity but yet I s uander it loo ing at soldier beetles on cow parsley, admiring the dance of St Mark’s ies or arvelling at how uch bra ble can grow in no time at all. However, when it comes to mowing the lawn, I take to the task with focus and gusto. There is very little about mowing that I don’t love. That combination of freshly cut grass mingled with petrol fumes, it smells like victory. Man has once more tamed nature - his eternal foe, and bent it to his will. So I do suspect that there is something primeval in this banal task.

Our landscape is grass. Our largely treeless hills and plains have their origins in Neolithic labours to clear woodland in order to gra e ani als. rass is what got us here. e hu ans simply wouldn’t exist without grass. Seeing as how around four tenths of the landmass of Earth is some kind of grassland, a world without grass would be just about unrecognisable to us. It’s important to realise just how many species fall into the category of grasses. These are all the living things in the family Poaceae or Gramineae and include all of the cereal crops - that’s all the wheat, barley oats ai e and rice and there are thousands of varieties of these as well as ba boo and do ens of species that we commonly call reeds are in fact grasses too.

The key feature of grass that has made it such a success is that it grows not from the tip but from the base. Cut it and it will eep growing. ra e it and it will grow stronger.

This key growth habit is also the reason we are all grassaddicts. We plant it, gather its seeds, spread them, sow the have cattle sheep horses rabbits and deer gra e it.

We clear rainforests to allow cattle more grassland. We harvest it, dry it, store it, ferment it. We build and roof houses with it. No other group of plants has become so vital for our existence as the grasses.

Part of the enduring success of grass is due to its growth form. Generally small and low to the ground, and with much of its biomass below it, grass will survive a wildfire when trees and bushes ay not.

Trees being almost always taller, will eventually outshade and e clude the grasses. ut if you add gra ing or browsing pressure, young trees will be nibbled to nothing, while grass will come back stronger. here an ind increases density of gra ing animals - those that specialise in eating grasses are the graminivorous - grass will survive the extra trampling when the higher plants generally will not.

It’s only relatively recently that grass has become associated with finery and cere ony. It’s ust a matter of a few centuries since lawns became a thing. They really have their origins in the

estates of our nearest neighbours. Although beautiful to look at now, they have something of a dark past. The Inclosure Acts created the grand estates from the late 1700s to late 1800s forcing peasants from common lands and freeing up lands for hunting, tree-planting and later, lawns. Showing that you could afford to devote large swaths of your lands to a frivolous use like growing grass for decoration became a point of pride, and so lawns got bigger.

Today they serve ceremonial purposes. Distinguished guests mingle and chat on the lawns at grand garden parties. Important pronouncements are made on the White House lawn. The world’s most watched tennis tournament is a lawn tennis event when almost all other important open events are not. The ground at Wembley the spiritual home of football - is known as the hallowed turf. While working in Donegal a few years ago, I was bemused to see a Glasgow eltic ag on the edge of a gra ed field. s all pla ue on the stone wall infor ed e that it was fro here that the first sod laid at Celtic Park was dug. We do like our grass.

Is it because we depend on grass so much that we take such pleasure in taming it in our own little patches? Are we just aping the rich, who devoted otherwise useful land so frivolously to it? Or is it just because we enjoy seeing our children play on it, knowing that if they fall they’ll simply get up and keep going, as will the grass?

Quaking grass.

Photo: Jenny Seawright

ail. d dog’s-t awright e S y n n e Photo: J

Creste

Yorkshir

e fog. Photo: Jenny Seaw right

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FIELD REPORT

Community Conservation at ABBEYLEIX BOG The Abbeyleix Bog Project has enjoyed much media coverage in recent months but it’s not without a lot of work and sacrifice, applied locally, to save this special site. By Ricky Whelan

W

ith the first oves to protect the site ade in une the develop ent of the bbeylei og ro ect into a national success story has ta en its ti e. ut the patience and persistence of the local co unity has guaranteed we will still be tal ing about this Irish bog for any years to co e. ound on the southern edge of bbeylei ounty aois the ha site is about half high bog whilst the rest is ade up of a osaic of habitats including bog woodland fen species rich grassland i ed woodland scrub and riparian areas to na e a few. he species diversity here is e plained by the presence of this habitat i and although the restoration of the peat habitats ta es priority the other habitats are treated for the ost part as co ple entary and a e the entire site a wild and wonderful place to visit. he history of the site is as rich as its species diversity. bbeylei bog had been in the hands of the e esci fa ily estate since the early s. urf cutting by hand by local residents was active for a ti e but had petered out by the s. In the bog was bisected by the il enny unction ailway which ran through the bog until dra atically altering its hydrology. he foundations are now the ain wal ing trac on site delivering visitors right into the heart of the bog. In 28

the

s peat harvesting in aois by ord na na was in full swing and an i portant industry in the region. hilst o e esci now ecutor of the e esci estate had no wish to sell in ord na na used a co pulsory purchase order under provisions contained in the urf se and evelop ent ct of to ac uire bbeylei og. In ord na na cut of drains into the high bog in preparation for future turf harvesting another significant step to altering the bogs hydrology. hereafter no further wor occurred until on the orning of riday st of une

locals noticed unfa iliar heavy achinery had been oved onto the bog. In response an old crane was driven in with the intention of bloc ing the entrance realising that ord na na were about to begin pre peat harvesting wor on site. ord na na was well respected locally and provided any obs in the area but locals feared that their bog which had beco e an a enity area would be lost and the site ulti ately used as a landfill he group of local activists grew and on onday orning over people had gathered in a state ent to ord na na that this particular bog wasn’t for cutting

June 2000 Abbeyleix locals form a blockade with

help of an old crane. Photo: Kevin Hutchinson

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FIELD REPORT

President Higgins visits Abbeyleix

Bog, in May 2017. Photo: Alf Harvey

Early on, there were talks involving Bord na Móna and locals but no satisfactory resolution was reached. Legal action was taken and the issue sat in the courts until 2007. The stalemate meant nothing progressed at the bog. The turning point ca e in when two significant things happened. In June, Bord na Móna announced a policy not to harvest any new bogs. With help from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC), then Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, was briefed about the situation at the bog and agreed to meet locals and Bord na Móna. By that November, a mixed stakeholder group had formed known as TAG (Technical Advisory Group) with the overall aim to restore Abbeyleix Bog. With trust slowly being built, Bord na Móna took a leading role in the restoration process from here on. TAG was made up of members from Bord na Móna, IPCC, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Laois County Council as well as local people. The bog would see some major restoration work including drain blocking (3,300 drain plugs installed), ecological surveys and habitat mapping take place.

In pril a fifty year lease agree ent between Bord na Móna and trustees representing the local community was signed and with that the Abbeyleix Bog Project (ABP) was born. The lease stipulates that the site must be managed for the conservation of

Four-spotted chaser. Photo: Chris Uys

the habitats and species, developed as a local amenity and contribute to educational and research efforts.

So, after another busy summer at the bog, including a visit from President Michael D Higgins during the Community Wetland Forum Strategy, the bog is now in safe hands.

We have worked hard to save, develop and share this special place, so if your passing and want to soak up some of the rich natural history, we’d love to see you!

For news, events and photos of Abbeyleix Bog Project check out our Facebook page – Facebook/Abbeyleixbog.

Silver-washed Fritillary feeds

on Knapweed at Abbeyleix Bog. Photo: Chris Uys

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MEMBERS’ LETTERS

OVER TO YOU Over the summer months IWT members have been making the most of the sunshine to get out and about and capture some stunning wildlife

SOME NECK DAMIEN RYAN found these gooseneck

barnacles washed up on the shore in Quilty, Co Clare. They attach themselves to floating objects like the discarded plastic bucket shown in the photo. It was once thought that geese transformed themselves into barnacles – explaining why they disappeared in summer. This is why we have barnacle geese and goose barnacles!

Gooseneck barn

acles

HOUSING CRISIS AFFECTING MIGRANTS

BEE ORCHID

PAUL MADIGAN sent us this photo of a

swallow’s nest in a most precarious position!

The availability of real estate is clearly not just a problem for us humans. Latest reports are that all young successfully flew the nest.

Thanks so much to KATHRINA O’DWYER from Limerick City who sent us this beautiful photo of a bee orchid, which she found growing in June of this year. Bee orchids can be found throughout Ireland but are not exactly common. They can turn up on sand dunes and old hay meadows but they are also known to pop up in car parks or abandoned building sites!

PINE MARTEN ADVANCE CONTINUES!

Pine Martin 30

Thanks to EMILY MANGAN from Ashbourne, Co. Meath who sent us these photos of a pine marten family in her garden. 10 years ago pine martens were not to be found in Meath but the database of the National Biodiversity Data Centre has had a number of records across the county since 2015.

But this is the first from Ashbourne!

Bee orchid

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MEMBERS’ LETTERS

CAUGHT ON CAMERA Dear IWT, I was out shooting some bird photos along the bank of the Liffey in Kilcullen Co. Kildare, at about 8pm in the evening, when I noticed what I originally thought might be an otter swimming up to the river bank about 20 feet downstream. A moment or two later, this mink came scarpering by along a lower section of the river bank approximately two feet below me. Luckily, he stopped for about 20-30 seconds to look around and I took the opportunity to grab the shots.

Mink sp

otted in K

Phil Cummins

ildare

v

DELIVEROO...

FOR WASPS! Hello IWT! be feeding on This wasp appeared to r people a caterpillar. I always hea d they an complaining about wasps tell them that get very bad press but I apart from in wasps do a lot of good, bit tetchy. I August when they get a day evening tur was leaving work on Sa to head home and just sat into my car I took the when I noticed the wasp. phone.

A3 g un photo on my Sams n George Watson, Monagha

IWT REPLY HI GEORGE, To find out what type of wasp this is we posted your picture to the excellent Insects/ Invertebrates of Ireland Facebook page. They confirmed that it is a potter wasp although, as there are a number of types, they could not say exactly which one.

They get their name from their nests, which look remarkably like clay pots.

The caterpillar is being carried away to be fed to the young larvae.

All the best from IWT!

If you have a story, question, or an image you’d like to share with us, or, God forbid, even a complaint, send it to irishwildlife@iwt.ie

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31/08/2017 16:57

ON LOCATION

Where do the

LADYBIRDS FLY? As information on ladybirds in Ireland is mostly unknown, Gill Weyman is investigating where both native ladybirds and the more invasive harlequin ladybird can be found.

H

elp is needed to find out about ladybirds in Ireland. It is especially i portant to find out where native ladybirds and the invasive harlequin ladybird can be found. This is something I am currently researching on behalf of Fota Wildlife Park and University College Cork.

There are 17 recorded species of ladybird in Ireland. Some, like the larch, the 18-spot and the hieroglyphic ladybird, have a low number of records but may simply be just under-recorded. The harlequin ladybird is an invasive ladybird that originates from Asia.

Its first introduction into western urope was in France in 1982, as a biological control agent. It then became established in the wild of France during the 1990s. By 2003, wild populations had spread to be found in

Harmonia axyridis. Photo:

Saxifraga-Ab H Baas

Kidney-spot ladybird.

Photo: Gearoid O’Sullivan

32

Anatis ocellata Photo:

Peter Meininger

ngland. y the beetle was discovered in Antrim and by 2010 a population of harlequin ladybirds had arrived in Cork City.

The harlequin is now securely established in Cork City and there are further one-off records in Dublin, Tralee, Listowel, Offaly, Wicklow and Carlow.

The harlequin ladybird is considered invasive and a threat to native ladybird for a variety of factors. These are namely concerned with its varied appetite. It often out-competes the native ladybird for its primary food source, the aphid. However, it is also known to feed on the larvae of other ladybird species. o help find out ore about ladybird species in Ireland, a citizen science project has been developed where members of the public are being asked to submit any sightings of ladybirds that they see. The possible outcomes of this project include conservation plans for Irish ladybirds and an educational model for Fota Wildlife Park on ladybirds. Along with these outcomes, it is hoped that the citizen project will provide a better understanding of the

Harmonia axyridis. Photo:

Saxifraga-Ab H Baas

impact of an invasive species on native ladybirds. Information on the survey is available at www.biology.ie. If you see a ladybird please take a photo and submit your record to this page. Identification guides are available on the web page, as well as information about the project.

In addition, Facebook and Twitter pages have been set up for Irish Ladybirds to share information. Please contact ladybird@ fotawildlife.ie for any further information.

The research is funded by the Irish Research Council and Fota Wildlife Park

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01/09/2017 09:14

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 31st December 2017.

Your 2018 card will be printed in our spring 2018 issue.

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Membership Card 2017

Individual members, please fill in your full name. Family members, please fill in your family name. Card valid until 31st December 2017. Your 2018 card will be printed in our spring 2018 magazine. Š Irish Wildlife Trust 2017.

01/09/2017 09:23

CARSTEN KRIEGER PHOTOGRAPH FINE ART PRINTS - BOOKS - WORKSHOPS CARSTEN KRIEGER

FINE ART PRINTS - BOOK

Join or renew your IWT membership today and make a difference for Irish Wildlife

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