The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) has launched a major upgrade to its online data portal, Biodiversity Maps. The new system offers enhanced online access to the Centre's national repository of sightings data, consisting of more than four million verified records from multiple sources spanning almost 16,000 species.The system is free and open to all via the … [Read more...] about New Biodiversity Maps system a “game changer” for conservation
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Authorities ask for help to contain deadly crayfish plague
Authorities are urging water users on the River Suir to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of Crayfish Plague on the stretch of river downstream of Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir in Tipperary.DNA analysis following the discovery of a large number of dead crayfish in the river earlier this month has confirmed Crayfish Plague as the cause. The fungal disease … [Read more...] about Authorities ask for help to contain deadly crayfish plague
Island Bioblitz — head offshore for a wild weekend!
I'm off to the stunning Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork tomorrow to take part in Ireland's first ever Island Bioblitz.I was a member of the Bioblitz team at Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve in 2012. It was a fantastic event and a great excuse to take time out and spend a whole weekend immersed in searching for wildlife in an acknowledged biodiversity … [Read more...] about Island Bioblitz — head offshore for a wild weekend!
All Ireland Pollinator Plan good news for bees…. and for people
A new island-wide plan to halt the decline in Ireland's bees and other pollinators was officially launched yesterday by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.Backed by by 68 governmental and non-governmental organisations across the Island of Ireland, the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 identifies actions we can take on our farmland, public land and private land to … [Read more...] about All Ireland Pollinator Plan good news for bees…. and for people
Black arches moth recorded for the first time in 100 years
The National Biodiversity Data Centre announced on its Facebook Fan Page yesterday that it has received a record of a Black Arches moth (Lymantria monacha) from Camolin Woods in Co. Wexford. This is the first record of this species occurring in Ireland for 100 years. It was last recorded from a site in Glengarriff, Co. Cork in 1914.See the Facebook post below for more … [Read more...] about Black arches moth recorded for the first time in 100 years
Lost bumblebee rediscovered in Dublin after 88 years
A gardener at a Dublin park has rediscovered a bumblebee species last recorded in Ireland in 1926.Eddie Hill, who is an avid bee recorder, and regularly submits bee sightings to the National Bumblebee Monitoring scheme, noticed some odd looking bees feeding on flowers at St. Enda’s Park in Rathfarnam. After studying photographs and two specimens of the bees, experts Dr. … [Read more...] about Lost bumblebee rediscovered in Dublin after 88 years
Ireland’s first Urban BioBlitz to take place in Limerick City
Members of the public in Limerick City and surrounding areas are being invited to join wildlife experts and ecologists this weekend in Ireland’s first ever Urban BioBlitz.Hosted by Limerick City Council, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns Group and the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the Limerick Urban BioBlitz aims to identify and document as many wildlife species as … [Read more...] about Ireland’s first Urban BioBlitz to take place in Limerick City
Colebrooke Estate claims Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 crown
The team of volunteer experts at Colebrooke Estate in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland were crowned "All Ireland BioBlitz Champions" for 2013 over the weekend with an impressive closing tally of 1,086 species in 24 hours.Colebrooke beat Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Rosscommon (959 species); The Burren National Park, Co. Clare (947 species) and Wicklow National Park (908 … [Read more...] about Colebrooke Estate claims Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 crown
Irish Pollinator Initiative: driving bee conservation through better data
Dr. Una Fitzpatrick, Ecologist with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, explains why we need to conserve our pollinators, and how you can help.The staggering value of pollination Pollination services provided by insects, mainly bees, have been valued at €153 billion a year. With 71 out of the 100 crops that provide 90% of food worldwide being pollinated by bees, we … [Read more...] about Irish Pollinator Initiative: driving bee conservation through better data
Irish Earwigs: the caring nature of a much maligned insect
Dr Eugenie Regan from the National Biodiversity Data Centre introduces us to Ireland's three species of earwig.Earwigs are an unloved group of insects. They generate reactions of disgust from the general public, are considered by most a pest, and are surely one of the reasons that insects have a bad name. But they are also a fascinating animal. For example, did you know … [Read more...] about Irish Earwigs: the caring nature of a much maligned insect
Glengarriff crowned BioBlitz 2012 champions
Glengarriff Nature Reserve in West Cork was crowned BioBlitz Champion 2012 over the weekend with an incredible tally of 1,020 species over 24 hours. The team at Glengarriff beat stiff competition from Crawfordsburn Country Park in Co. Down, Lough Boora Country Park in Co. Offaly and Dublin’s Phoenix Park, coming from behind to take the title. At the 3pm tally on Saturday … [Read more...] about Glengarriff crowned BioBlitz 2012 champions
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
Landscape conservation to help Irish bats
A new initiative to help authorities make informed decisions about landscape conservation for Ireland's bat species was launched in Dublin earlier this week by Dr Liam Lysaght, director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC).A joint project by Bat Conservation Ireland (BCI) and the Centre for Irish Bat Research (CIBR), the "‘Landscape Conservation for Irish … [Read more...] about Landscape conservation to help Irish bats
Ireland’s Butterflies: how they fared in 2010
The Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme has released its annual report for 2010. Established in 2007 by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, this Citizen Science project aims to improve our overall understanding of Irish butterfly species, their distribution and their population dynamics. Last year the scheme involved more than 140 volunteers around the country who contributed … [Read more...] about Ireland’s Butterflies: how they fared in 2010
National survey of protected Marsh Fritillary imminent
A national survey of the rare marsh fritillary butterfly is currently being commissioned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the National Biodiversity Data Centre according to press reports at the end of last week. Butterfly expert and ecologist Dr Eugenie Regan of the National Biodiversity Data Centre described the survey as "the least we can do” for … [Read more...] about National survey of protected Marsh Fritillary imminent
Species-rich Areas Pitted Against Each Other in Annual Biodiversity Challenge
The gloves will be well and truly off later this month as five of Irelands most iconic and species rich wildlife areas compete for the title of National BioBlitz Champions 2011. BioBlitz 2011 will take place during a 24 hour period on the weekend of 20-21 May. This year teams of scientists, students and the general public at Ballycroy National Park, Co Mayo; Dromore Woods, Co … [Read more...] about Species-rich Areas Pitted Against Each Other in Annual Biodiversity Challenge
