COMPETITION

In this issue of Irish Wildlife, members have a chance to win one of three copies of a fantastic new book about Irish Rivers published by UCD Press

Rivers are said to be the veins, and streams the capillaries, that carry freshwater, the scarce lifeblood of the Earth. However, freshwaters are experiencing species extinctions at a rate faster than any other ecosystem, and human activities are threatening our survival through overexploiting and degrading water quality.

Rivers have been channelled, buried underground, dammed, diverted and polluted; some so over-abstracted that their waters no longer reach the sea. With abundant rainfall, Irish rivers are less damaged than many of those in other countries, but most have water quality problems that can impact the quality of our lives and economic activities, as shortages of safe water supplies have demonstrated.

This timely book aims to raise awareness of Ireland’s fantastic and often undervalued river resource, and the importance of changing our behaviour and policies to ensure that we keep it in a healthy condition for its sustainable benefits, as well as protection of its biodiversity. The book captures the expertise of 39 Irish freshwater experts to provide an up-to-date account on the evolution of Ireland’s rivers and their flow characteristics, biodiversity and how humans have depended on, used and abused our rivers through time. Irish rivers include types that are rare elsewhere in Europe and support a wide range of aquatic organisms and processes. In Ireland’s Rivers there are chapters on their hydrology and on their animal and plant life, on crayfish, fish and pearl mussels, and on aquatic birds and mammals, describing their importance and the threats to their survival such as pollution and loss of habitat. There are case studies of characteristic but contrasting Irish rivers, the Avonmore, Burrishoole, Araglin and the mighty Shannon, and information on invasive aquatic species. Water quality and river management are underlying themes. Ireland’s Rivers concludes with some suggestions for ways that individuals, households, communities and policy makers can help protect the health and beauty of our rivers and their wildlife.

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

What is the scientific name for the Eurasian Curew?

Send your answer, name and address to magazinecomp@iwt.ie by April 30th.

Winter Issue In our winter issue, we gave away three copies of John Boorman’s ‘Nature Diary’. The answer to the question was: Grey Seal and Common Seal. Congratulations to Eric Conroy in Dublin D12, Donal O’Farrell in Dublin 15 and Gerry Kane in Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow for getting in touch with the correct answer. Thanks to all who entered!

“The Badger Club is our Junior IWT Membership subscription.

JO K E S

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

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

WO R D S E A R C H

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

BERRIES CONIFERS EVERGREEN HOLLY IVY JUNIPER MISTLETOE SCOTSPINE WINTER WITCHESBROOM YEW

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

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

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

Evergreen plant s

EJoin the Badger Club to receive our quarterly junior magazine the “Badger” for €15 per year. The Badger is full of fun facts about nature vergree and features an A3 poster in each issue.