Earlier this year, in the midst of lockdown, Ireland's Wildlife Contributor Albert Nolan took his children to a river near his home to explore its hidden wildlife. We took the short trip to Toorenbrien Bridge, careful not to stray over our allotted 2km lockdown radius. Here there is a large parking space and the kids and I were going kick sampling in the river. This is … [Read more...] about The hidden life of rivers
About Albert Nolan
Going wild at home: The Blackbird.
For the last few days, I have been watching a beautiful male blackbird in the garden. He arrives around the same time every day, flying up from the wooded valley that runs away from my house. I am not sure if my garden forms part of his territory or he is just visiting for a quick meal. We think our green spaces belong to us but at this time of the year birds and other … [Read more...] about Going wild at home: The Blackbird.
The hidden creatures of the Glen — Glen of Aherlow nature trail
Ireland's Wildlife contributor Albert Nolan takes a walk around the woodland nature trail at the Glen of Aherlow in County Tipperary... and discovers a hidden world of wildlife. Dark, threatening clouds were rolling across the Galtees and spilling into the Glen of Aherlow as I pulled into the car park. Showers of rain splattered against the car testing my resolve as I … [Read more...] about The hidden creatures of the Glen — Glen of Aherlow nature trail
All abuzz in Limerick City!
Ireland's Wildlife Contributor Albert Nolan gets up close and personal with the bees of Limerick and discovers that the City really is buzzing! I pass quietly through the city streets pausing at every corner to scan the buildings for birds, or peeking into an overgrown garden in the hope of finding a few insects. I adjust my bumblebee net to a … [Read more...] about All abuzz in Limerick City!
Wildlife Projects for Tidy Towns
Ireland's Wildlife contributor Albert Nolan urges communities to champion wildlife as part of the nationwide Tidy Towns initiative. Spring had forgotten about our part of the world as a chilling wind greeted us in the morning. Bags and pickers were quickly shared out and everyone was glad to start walking and get the circulation going again. Our first … [Read more...] about Wildlife Projects for Tidy Towns
Digging, for the birds!
Regular IW contributor Albert Nolan reflects on how a bit of winter digging benefits the bird life in his garden. It was a day when you would have fought to have a shovel in your hand as the icy wind slipped easily through layers of clothes. I was finishing off a new bed that I had started a few weeks ago and for once the frosty weather had been a great help in … [Read more...] about Digging, for the birds!
Exploring the urban jungle
Join Ireland's Wildlife contributor Albert Nolan as he discovers the hidden wildlife gems of Limerick city. Cities like Limerick are havens for a surprising array of wildlife (image via Wikimedia Commons) The pleading calls of my kids tug at my heart strings as I slip into my walking gear. I see the window of the house start to fog up as little lips press against … [Read more...] about Exploring the urban jungle
Jinny go up: the story of the thistle
You have to walk through a lot of farmer’s fields today before you find a good patch of thistles. This strange thought occurred to me the other day after several strolls in the countryside around my house. For a plant that the books claim is extremely common I found it very hard to locate. At least the ones in my garden are doing well and despite having a formidable defence … [Read more...] about Jinny go up: the story of the thistle
Moths: from the classroom to the garden
Regular contributor Albert Nolan introduces some school children to the wonderful world of Irish moths, and explores some of the other wildlife that makes the most of his mothing endeavours. I clasped my hands awkwardly while the students recited their morning prayers. As the words echoed around the classroom I wondered if the mysteries of religion were on a par … [Read more...] about Moths: from the classroom to the garden
Secrets of the Sycamore
"So that’s what my breath looks like!" exclaimed my young daughter as we walked up to school on a cold and frosty morning. They had been busy breathing in deep lungfuls of the autumn air and watching excitedly as it escaped through their cupped hands. The novelty had long worn off for me and I encouraged them up the road with the promise of one more treat before their school … [Read more...] about Secrets of the Sycamore
A brush with Ireland’s urban foxes
Ireland's Wildlife contributor Albert Nolan introduces us to Ireland's urban foxes. The silence of Sunday morning was shattered by the harsh warning call of a pair of Magpies in the back garden. Despite the lingering affects of last night's wine I decided it was worth the effort of drawing the curtains as this warning call often indicates a predator is about. As I peered … [Read more...] about A brush with Ireland’s urban foxes
Hidden lives among the headstones
New contributor Albert Nolan takes us on a tour of his local graveyard, and discovers a haven for wildlife in the heart of Limerick City (CJ). When you think of wildlife habitats what springs to mind? Perhaps a field hedgerow full of berries and birdsong or wetlands where children come to get their first fragile look at nature and feed the bulging ducks. One of my … [Read more...] about Hidden lives among the headstones
