To the untrained eye, a grey seal and a common seal may look the same, yet there are key differences. Grey seals are huge. Males can weigh up to 300kg and grow to 2.5 metres long, whereas common seals are almost a third of the size. Grey seal pups are distinctly covered in white fur. Common seal pups, on the other hand, are born with a brown, waterproof coat, making them … [Read more...] about New threats facing Ireland’s seals
Features
Irish wildflower favourites
Early summer sees our wildflowers resplendent and is a great time of year to search for a wide range of species blooming in our meadows, verges and woodland. Here, guest contributor Rosie Jones (no relation) shares a few of her favourites (CJ).I’ve always loved learning about wildflowers, vibrant and vital, they were how I first got interested in the natural world. … [Read more...] about Irish wildflower favourites
12 Expert tips on choosing binoculars for birding and wildlife observation
Binoculars are perhaps your most indispensable piece of wildlife watching equipment (with the possible exception, here in Ireland at least, of good waterproof gear).The right pair of binoculars can enhance your enjoyment of and engagement with the natural world exponentially. But choosing binoculars for birding and wildlife watching can be a tricky proposition.At … [Read more...] about 12 Expert tips on choosing binoculars for birding and wildlife observation
Birding for Beginners: The Next Steps
In this, the final feature in our four-part series on beginning birdwatching, we take a look at some ways you can take your budding birding hobby to the next level. The Birding for Beginners series is brought to you in association with Hawke OpticsBirding is an exciting and diverse hobby that has something for everybody. One of the real beauties of catching the bird … [Read more...] about Birding for Beginners: The Next Steps
Birding for Beginners: bird watching equipment
In this feature, the third in our four-part series on beginning birdwatching, we take a look at some of the equipment owned by birders, and how choosing the right equipment will help you to develop your bird watching skills. The Birding for Beginners series is brought to you in association with Hawke OpticsWhile it's true that all you need to start your bird watching … [Read more...] about Birding for Beginners: bird watching equipment
Watching Whales, Dolphins and Basking Sharks
Two of our most popular articles here on Ireland's Wildlife are features on How to Watch Basking Sharks and How to Watch Whales and Dolphins.Ireland's marine wildlife is showcasing in an incredible two-part documentary, "Ireland's Deep Atlantic", at the moment as part of RTÉ's Our Wild Island series of programmes (the first episode aired last night -- repeated on … [Read more...] about Watching Whales, Dolphins and Basking Sharks
Birding for Beginners: getting to know your local birds
In this feature, the second in our four-part series on beginning birdwatching, we take a look at your garden birds, your local patch, and how getting to know them better can help you improve as a birder.The Birding for Beginners series is brought to you in association with Hawke OpticsIt's tempting when you're just getting started with bird watching to head … [Read more...] about Birding for Beginners: getting to know your local birds
Birding for Beginners: why watch birds?
Bird watching or birding is a fascinating pastime enjoyed by vast numbers of people around the world. It's a hobby that's growing in popularity here in Ireland as more people discover the joy that watching birds can bring. From following the antics of common birds at our garden feeders, to appreciating the birds of the various habitats that criss-cross this island, to … [Read more...] about Birding for Beginners: why watch birds?
The World Land Trust
World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity, which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife.World Land Trust's mission is:To protect and … [Read more...] about The World Land Trust
How to see more wildlife
There's something a little bit special about a wildlife encounter. It taps into a childlike sense of wonder that all too often remains hidden beneath our sensible adult facade. For a brief moment we're transported to a simpler, more natural world, and reminded of how we fit into it.It's a thrilling experience, and a feeling that endures long after the moment itself has … [Read more...] about How to see more wildlife
Wildlife highlights of a memorable year
Life is punctuated by years that are particularly memorable for wildlife. Calvin Jones looks back at some of the highlights of the 2016 wildlife year on the West Cork stretch of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.With 2017 well underway I'm looking forward to the wonderful wildlife encounters the year undoubtedly has in store, but I also can't help looking back at the year … [Read more...] about Wildlife highlights of a memorable year
Christmas gifts with a wildlife twist
You know it’s coming. Big commercial brands have been pushing it since October, and yet somehow this most surreptitious of holidays still creeps under your radar.One day you glance at the calendar… and PANIC!Yes, Christmas is just around the corner, and with it the challenge of choosing something different, unusual and thoughtful for your nearest and dearest. Christmas … [Read more...] about Christmas gifts with a wildlife twist
9 top tips for feeding your garden birds
During the winter short days and long nights limit the time birds have to forage, while at the same time natural food becomes more scarce. Our garden birds have increasingly come to depend on the food we provide as an essential supplement to what they can find for themselves at this challenging time of year.According to bird conservation organisations like Birdwatch Ireland … [Read more...] about 9 top tips for feeding your garden birds
Antlers at dawn: Killarney’s red deer rut
Sean O'Callaghan of Kerry's Wild Side gives us the low-down on one of the most testosterone-charged events in the Irish wildlife calendar: the annual red deer rut at Killarney National Park in County Kerry.Each autumn as the first of the winter chills set in and the summer’s dying leaves stubbornly depart their branches, the Killarney valley and surrounding … [Read more...] about Antlers at dawn: Killarney’s red deer rut
How to watch whales and dolphins
Whales and dolphins are an exciting part of Ireland's wildlife. As an island nation perched on the edge of the north east Atlantic we have some of the best whalewatching in Europe right on our doorstep. We teamed up with UK optics company Hawke to bring you this in depth feature on how to spot whales and dolphins around the Irish coast, from shore and when you're out on the … [Read more...] about How to watch whales and dolphins
Kinabatangan — an incredible Borneo wildlife experience
The gibbon sat in a tree, gazing out across the turbid waters, its long, sinuous limbs somehow more graceful than gangly. It was the black variant of the endemic Bornean gibbon, and a magnificent specimen. As our guide manoeuvred the small boat to give us better views of one of Borneo's most iconic primates, I took a second to look around at my three teenage … [Read more...] about Kinabatangan — an incredible Borneo wildlife experience
Birdwatching for Beginners Revisited
With spring on its way, our resident birds getting ready for nesting season, and the prospect of spring migrants just around the corner, this is the perfect time to revisit our popular series of articles on birdwatching for beginners.This series of four articles is a great introduction to birding, spanning everything from getting started, to bird watching equipment, to … [Read more...] about Birdwatching for Beginners Revisited
Christmas gift ideas for wildlife and nature enthusiasts
What do you buy the wildlife enthusiast or nature lover for Christmas? It's a conundrum faced by partners, families and friends every year.You'd think it would be easy... anything to do with wildlife would be perfect, right? But from long years of experience I know that we wildlife enthusiasts can be notoriously difficult to buy for.So here's a little post to help out … [Read more...] about Christmas gift ideas for wildlife and nature enthusiasts
