In this instalment of our Wildlife Portfolio series we take a look at the work of William Helps, a wildlife artist based in Rosscarbery in Co. Cork. Click on any of the images in the portfolio below to open up a larger version and scroll through the gallery. About William Helps I was born in Skibbereen, County Cork in 1978. As far back as I can remember I have drawn … [Read more...] about Wildlife Portfolio: William Helps
west cork
Wildlife Portfolio: Phil Pound
In this first in a new series of posts featuring the work of some of Ireland's best wildlife photographers we look at the winning portfolio of West Cork photographer Phil Pound, who won the prestigious "Best Wildlife Portfolio" and "Best Single Wildlife Image" in the 2104 Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA) Awards earlier this week. Phil has been … [Read more...] about Wildlife Portfolio: Phil Pound
A journey to Antarctica: ten weeks in the freezer
The West Cork and Cork Branches of BirdWatch Ireland are hosting an illustrated talk by Cork based author and naturalist Jim Wilson on Friday 7th February 2014. The event takes place at the Cork International Airport Hotel, with doors opening at 7pm, and the talk commencing at 8pm sharp. This is the second time the two regional branches of Birdwatch Ireland have come together … [Read more...] about A journey to Antarctica: ten weeks in the freezer
Book Review: The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other Islands in Bantry Bay
The islands of West Cork, a region I feel privileged to call home, have a reputation for being excellent locations for wild plants. My life-changing introduction to West Cork was as a volunteer biologist at Sherkin Island Marine Station way back in 1993. I worked on the rocky shore monitoring project -- but the Marine Station conducts studies covering a multitude of … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other Islands in Bantry Bay
New wildlife walks get you closer to nature
I love wildlife, and I love walking. Best of all I love walking where I can watch wildlife and share what I see with other interested people. It was on one of these wildlife walks on the stunning West Cork coastline (see the photo -- no exaggeration) that I had one of those "eureka" moments. "Why not offer guided wildlife and nature walks through the Ireland's Wildlife … [Read more...] about New wildlife walks get you closer to nature
New book documents the wild plants of Bantry Bay islands
Sherkin Island Marine Station has just published a book documenting the diverse plant life of the islands of Bantry Bay, Co. Cork. Edited by botanical consultant, conservationist and writer John Aykeroyd, "The Wild Plants of Bere, Dursey, Whiddy and other islands in Bantry Bay" explores the history, geography, geology vegetation and land use in this beautiful part of … [Read more...] about New book documents the wild plants of Bantry Bay islands
Butterflies… and so much more!
Against all odds a mini-heatwave seemed to have descended on Ireland. The sun blazed out of a sky for once devoid of cloud as we met up in the car park at Barleycove beach in West Cork. It was early June and we were looking for butterflies. Our target species for the day was the rare marsh fritillary -- one of Ireland's most striking butterfly species … [Read more...] about Butterflies… and so much more!
West Cork Butterfly Field Trip: Saturday 08 June 2013
Butterfly enthusiasts Abigail Brewer, Damaris Lysaght and Ciaran Cronin are leading a guided butterfly field trip in West Cork on Saturday 08 June. The day is open to everyone of all knowledge and experience levels, and offers a great opportunity to get out in the field with experts to search for butterflies. The team is hoping to head to the Mizen Head area in search of the … [Read more...] about West Cork Butterfly Field Trip: Saturday 08 June 2013
Join us for a spring wildlife extravaganza this April
One of the most appealing things about nature is that you never really know what to expect. Every time you venture outdoors there's a sense of heightened anticipation as you wonder what you might encounter. In Ireland at least that sense of the unknown tends to include the weather. This morning, for example, it was snowing. Snow... and it's nearly April. Nuts! But the cold … [Read more...] about Join us for a spring wildlife extravaganza this April
IWDG humpback research charter opened to non-members
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has opened up a research charter scheduled for tomorrow morning to non-members. The formerly "members only" research trip is hoping to find and photograph the humpback whale confirmed in the area yesterday afternoon, and is scheduled to leave Reen Pier, Union Hall, West Cork at 9am sharp... details via the IWDG provided … [Read more...] about IWDG humpback research charter opened to non-members
New humpback whale for Ireland spotted off West Cork
A new humpback whale for Ireland was spotted just off the coast of West Cork yesterday (Mon 18/03). Micheal Cottrel, owner of Baltimore Sea Safari confirmed the humpback sighting, and photographs obtained by Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) members Simon Duggan and Youen Yacob allowed the IWDG to confirm the young animal as a brand new addition to the Irish humpback … [Read more...] about New humpback whale for Ireland spotted off West Cork
American black duck… maybe I’m going quackers…!
Yesterday I dropped everything and went hightailing down to Mizen Head -- Ireland's most southerly point -- with a birding friend for an opportunity that was just too good to miss. Ducks. Yes, that's right, ducks. And pretty unusual ducks at that. While the two chaps in the photo (a very dodgy-scoped effort taken hand-holding my ancient 2MP iPhone3GS camera up to the … [Read more...] about American black duck… maybe I’m going quackers…!
Bird Identification Expert speaking in Cork
The Art of Identification A forty-year perspective on birding and Field Guides With Killian Mullarney Friday 01 February 2013, Cork International Airport Hotel Doors open 7pm, talk commences at 8pm Join Killian Mullarney, renowned bird artist and and international authority on bird identification in Cork on 01 February for this not-to-be-missed talk on a fascinating … [Read more...] about Bird Identification Expert speaking in Cork
Waxwing invasion of Ireland continues
The influx of waxwings continues, with reports of these striking birds coming in from all over the country. I finally managed to hook up with a small flock in Clonakilty, County Cork over the weekend... and what a lovely lot they were too. Here are a few photographs. The waxwing irruption seems to have been prompted by a combination of a good breeding year (boosting … [Read more...] about Waxwing invasion of Ireland continues
West Cork Whale Watching: Front Page News
Whale watching in West Cork is in the news again after this incredible shot made the front page of several national newspapers today. A humpback breaching off the West Cork Coast (c) Simon Duggan, All Rights Reserved It is a once-in-a-lifetime moment captured by whale watcher and long time Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) member Simon Duggan. The boat in the … [Read more...] about West Cork Whale Watching: Front Page News
Baltimore whale stranding: a good news story?
I was getting settled at my desk yesterday morning, pondering what to write for my Irish Independent wildlife column, when the phone beeped. It was a message from Padraig Whooley, sightings coordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, telling me that a suspected fin whale had live-stranded in Baltimore, West Cork. He'd be passing my house in a quarter of an hour if I … [Read more...] about Baltimore whale stranding: a good news story?
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
New humpback whale for Ireland recorded off Cork coast
A new humpback whale, the 20th to be recorded in Irish inshore waters, was added to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s (IWDG) photo-ID catalogue over the Easter weekend. Researchers photographed HBIRL20 on Saturday 07 April just West of The Stags off Toe Head in West Cork. The whale was one of two humpbacks seen from Galley Head, near Clonakilty earlier in the week, but with … [Read more...] about New humpback whale for Ireland recorded off Cork coast
