This Monday, 30 November 2015, sees the start of Birdwatch Ireland's most popular survey: the annual winter Garden Bird Survey.Every year Ireland's largest conservation NGO asks households across the country to record the birds visiting their gardens between the start of December and the end of February. How the Garden Bird Survey works Between December and February each … [Read more...] about Birdwatch Ireland Garden Bird Survey kicks off Monday
surveys
Cork wildlife group needs frog survey volunteers
Frogs play an important role in our lives; they are great pest controllers in our gardens and on farms by eating slugs, worms and flies, while otters and herons rely on frogs to supplement their diets.Ireland has only one native frog species, the common frog, Rana temporaria. It is listed as an internationally important species and is protected under the Habitats Directive … [Read more...] about Cork wildlife group needs frog survey volunteers
Bird Atlas 2007-2011 — save 33% before 31 July
If you're a birder in Britain or Ireland then chances are you already know about the upcoming publication of "Bird Atlas 2007-2011".The culmination of one of the most ambitious citizen science projects ever undertaken, Bird Atlas brings together data on bird populations collected by tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers across the British Isles. It has been described … [Read more...] about Bird Atlas 2007-2011 — save 33% before 31 July
No newts in Louth or Tipperary according to survey
The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has published the results of its National Newt Survey for 2012, and reveals that to-date no newts have been recorded from Counties Louth or Tipperary.2012 was the third year of the survey, which is supported by Dublin Zoo, Fota Wildlife Park and The Heritage Council and the IWT is Gradually building a comprehensive picture of the smooth newt … [Read more...] about No newts in Louth or Tipperary according to survey
Are birds influenced by colour? BT Young Scientist needs your help
Two secondary school students from Co. Cork are in the process of conducting an intriguing experiment to ascertain how birds are influenced by colour, and how that affects their foraging and feeding habits.Jemma Dearden and her friend Gill Blackburn, who are currently in the transition year at Loreto Convent Secondary school in Fermoy, were short listed to attend the BT … [Read more...] about Are birds influenced by colour? BT Young Scientist needs your help
Birdwatch Ireland Garden Bird Survey starts Monday 03 December
Birdwatch Ireland's most popular "Citizen Science" project... the annual Garden Bird Survey... starts next Monday, 03 December.It's a survey that anyone can take part in and its really easy to get involved here's how Birdwatch Ireland explain it: The way the survey works is very straightforward... Between December and February each year, we ask members of the public to … [Read more...] about Birdwatch Ireland Garden Bird Survey starts Monday 03 December
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
Hop to it: report your Irish frog sightings
To mark World Wetlands Day on Thursday the 2 February the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) is launching its annual 'Hop To It Frog Survey'. The survey helps the IPCC to map the distribution and habitat preferences of the Common Frog (Rana temporaria), Ireland’s most widespread and familiar amphibian species. To do that they need help… and they’re calling on … [Read more...] about Hop to it: report your Irish frog sightings
Farmland bird populations at lowest ever level
Figures released by the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme reveal that Europe’s farmland birds are in dire straits. Researchers compiled population figures for 145 common and widespread bird species spanning 25 European countries between 1980 and 2009. Of the 36 species of common farmland birds included in the study, 20 were considered to be in decline, and overall … [Read more...] about Farmland bird populations at lowest ever level
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
