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
national biodiversity data centre
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
