Eddie, the White-tailed Eagle chick who made headlines in 2016 when he became the first wild-fledged eagle to take to the skies of County Cork in more than 100 years, was found dead on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry in June.According to reports from The Golden Eagle Trust/National Parks and Wildlife Service Eddies remains were discovered by a forestry worker … [Read more...] about Young White-tailed Eagle found dead in Co. Kerry
Kerry
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
White-tailed eagle chicks fledge successfully in 3 counties
A total of six white-tailed eagle chicks successfully fledged from five nests in three different counties in 2016, making this the most successful year to date in the long-term reintroduction programme for this iconic bird of prey in Ireland.Eight pairs of white-tailed eagle attempted to breed and successfully laid eggs in 2016 and five pairs managed to rear chicks … [Read more...] about White-tailed eagle chicks fledge successfully in 3 counties
Sharks are back!
Great news for wildlife enthusiasts -- sharks are back off the Irish coast.Basking sharks, the world's second largest shark species, return to Irish shores every year around the same times as swallows. Early sightings of these less well known but much larger harbingers of spring trickled in at the end of March from West Cork, and with an impressive record of 20 basking … [Read more...] about Sharks are back!
“Britain’s” Whales: stunning aerial humpback footage, filmed in Ireland
Humpback whales filmed off the south coast of Ireland last year will feature prominently in a new wildlife documentary to air on UK TV network ITV this coming Good Friday (25/03/2016) at 8pm.The film crew captured spectacular drone footage of humpback whales bubble-net feeding off The Blasket Islands in Co. Kerry in September 2015. Presenter Ben Fogle was with Irish Whale and … [Read more...] about “Britain’s” Whales: stunning aerial humpback footage, filmed in Ireland
Irish white-tailed eagles hatch chicks in four counties
The Irish white-tailed eagle reintroduction project has received a much-needed boost with news that five pairs, spanning four Irish counties, now have chicks in the nest. According to a press release issued by the Golden Eagle Trust, of the eight pairs that attempted to breed this year, eagle chicks have now hatched at sites in Glengarriff, West Cork; two sites in Co. Kerry; … [Read more...] about Irish white-tailed eagles hatch chicks in four counties
Hen Harrier blog-star “Heather” shot dead in Co. Kerry
A young hen harrier has been found shot dead near Waterville in Co. Kerry.The satellite tagged bird-of-prey, a young female dubbed "Heather" by local schoolchildren, was part of a joint project by regional development organisation IRD Duhallow and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Heather became an online star via the Hen Harrier Ireland Blog, with thousands … [Read more...] about Hen Harrier blog-star “Heather” shot dead in Co. Kerry
The puffins of Skellig Michael by Crow Crag productions
We just had to share this captivating video of the puffins on Skellig Michael, Co. Kerry. shot in June of this year by Peter Cutler for Crow Crag Productions.You've got to love puffins -- they have a comical charisma all of their own, although, truth be told I personally have a soft spot for razorbills.Enjoy!Puffins from Crow Crag on Vimeo. … [Read more...] about The puffins of Skellig Michael by Crow Crag productions
Endangered natterjack toad makes an Irish comeback
The natterjack toad, the most threatened of only three native amphibian species to occur in Ireland, is making a comeback in its traditional strongholds on the Kerry coast according to a recent report by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).An ongoing habitat creation scheme established by the NPWS back in 2008 seems to be paying dividends, with staff describing … [Read more...] about Endangered natterjack toad makes an Irish comeback
New humpback whale recorded in Irish waters
Ireland's 2013/14 "Large Whale Season" got off to a flying start last week with a brand new entry to Ireland's humpback whale catalogue.Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) member and keen whale watcher Nick Massett observed and photographed the whale -- the 23rd humpback recorded in Irish waters, and now dubbed HBIRL23 -- off Clogher Head and Sybil Head, Co. Kerry on the … [Read more...] about New humpback whale recorded in Irish waters
Free Butterfly ID Course in Co. Kerry
Are you interested in learning how to identify Irish butterflies? Would you like to contribute to butterfly conservation in Ireland? Can you make it to Tralee, Co. Kerry on Saturday 28 April? Butterfly Monitoring Workshop Date: Saturday 28 April 2012 Time: 10:30 am to 3:00 pm Venue: Business/IT Building, North Campus, Tralee Institute of Technology This free butterfly … [Read more...] about Free Butterfly ID Course in Co. Kerry
Least Sandpiper: JUST A BIRD!
Just a bird!That’s why I found myself standing outside in foggy drizzle at daft-o’clock on the morning of Tuesday 27 September. That’s why three of us drove through the misty darkness from West Cork to the far west coast of County Kerry.Just a bird!No garages open – no breakfast rolls to be had – and as last to be picked up I got the back seat. When he’s hunting … [Read more...] about Least Sandpiper: JUST A BIRD!
More white tailed eagles released in Co. Kerry
Determined not to be thwarted by the spate of illegal poisonings, the Golden Eagle Trust has released ten new white tailed eagles into the skies of County Kerry as part of their on going re-introduction for this iconic bird of prey. The new birds, all between 10 and 14 weeks old, come from a batch of 23 chicks donated to the Kerry project by Norwegian wildlife authorities … [Read more...] about More white tailed eagles released in Co. Kerry
Roseate Tern offered lifeline on Ireland’s East Coast
The population of the roseate tern (Sterna dougallii), which is classed as one of Europe’s rarest breeding seabirds, is getting a much needed boost thanks to a Birdwatch Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service conservation initiative. According to a report in today’s Irish Times Ireland now boasts 90 per cent of Europe’s core breeding population of these scarce birds, … [Read more...] about Roseate Tern offered lifeline on Ireland’s East Coast