When it comes to outdoor gear that can keep you comfortable in all kinds of conditions, and has the ethical environmental credentials many wildlife enthusiasts look for, UK based manufacturer Páramo is going to be up near the top of a very short list. I've been using Páramo rain gear since I reviewed their superb Valez Adventure Light smock here on Ireland's Wildlife back in … [Read more...] about Páramo champions recycling of its outdoor gear
The Ireland's Wildlife Blog!
Wildife and nature blog featuring an eclectic mix of wildlife, birding and conservation content from Ireland and around the world. Be warned there may be opinions flying around here....
2023 Discover Wildlife Weekend Dates
Our popular Discover Wildlife Weekends will once again take place in spring, summer and autumn of 2023. As always, we'll be hosting the weekends in Rosscarbery, on the stunning West Cork stretch of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.What are Discover Wildlife Weekends?Discover Wildlife Weekends are the perfect opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few … [Read more...] about 2023 Discover Wildlife Weekend Dates
Beneficial Garden Insects and How to Attract Them to Your Garden
Beneficial insects are essential in keeping our gardens and farms healthy. Some pollinate plants that produce our food. Others eat pests that would otherwise destroy our food crops. They also help break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the soil. We rely on these tiny insects more than we realize, and they are a valuable part of the ecosystem.What … [Read more...] about Beneficial Garden Insects and How to Attract Them to Your Garden
Cuckoo spit/spittlebug foam on plants is harmless. Please leave it alone.
I'm usually delighted to see Ireland's Wildlife featured in the media — but a recent article published in the Gardening section of the RSVP Magazine website has me less than thrilled.The article in question sensationalises the connection between frog-hoppers/spittle bugs (their American name) and a bacterial plant disease called Xylella fastidiosa. Yes, in areas where … [Read more...] about Cuckoo spit/spittlebug foam on plants is harmless. Please leave it alone.
Purple Heron: an epic end to our spring Discover Wildlife Weekend
Wildlife always has the capacity to surprise and delight us. No matter how long you've been watching and studying wildlife, how familiar you are with your local patch, you never can tell what you might encounter on an outing. The potential for the unexpected is always there... whether it's a completely new species, or a familiar bird or animal exhibiting some unusual behaviour, … [Read more...] about Purple Heron: an epic end to our spring Discover Wildlife Weekend
Free shore-based whale watching events to mark National Biodiversity Week
The Irish Whale And Dolphin Group (IWDG) is hosting free shore-based guided whale-watching events around the Irish coast on Saturday 21 May to mark National Biodiversity Week. IWDG personnel will lead events in 5 counties, assisted by local members and experienced observers who will share their skills and experience on the day. It offers a fantastic opportunity to learn more … [Read more...] about Free shore-based whale watching events to mark National Biodiversity Week
Competiton: win a border full of wildlife-friendly plants this spring
Our friends over at CJ Wildlife (birdfood.ie) are our go-to resource for all our garden wildlife supplies here at Ireland's Wildlife. From bird food and feeders, to nest boxes and bug hotels... and everything in between. They also carry a host of seasonal, wildlife-friendly plants, bulbs and seeds to help make sure your garden not only looks fantastic, but is fantastic for … [Read more...] about Competiton: win a border full of wildlife-friendly plants this spring
CJ Wildlife Free Delivery Weekend Plus Feeder and Food Giveaway
Our garden wildlife partners over at CJ Wildlife are making it easier than ever to stock up on your garden bird feeding supplies before Christmas with free shipping on all orders this weekend.We've been using CJ Wildlife for all of our garden wildlife supplies here at Ireland's Wildlife since 2013, and the quality, service and value is second to none. And with free … [Read more...] about CJ Wildlife Free Delivery Weekend Plus Feeder and Food Giveaway
Attract more wildlife to your garden this Black Friday
Encouraging wildlife to your garden is one of the best ways of getting closer to the natural world. It's also a great win-win: providing food and other essential resources for our wild garden visitors is fantastic for them, but it also helps our own mental health and wellbeing. For many of us over the last couple of years, maintaining that connection with the natural world has … [Read more...] about Attract more wildlife to your garden this Black Friday
World Animal Day Offer for your Garden Wildlife
Monday the 04 October is World Animal Day, and to mark the occasion, our Garden Wildlife Partner, CJ Wildlife, is offering Irish wildlife lovers a 15% discount across their entire range of high-quality bird and wildlife food, equipment and accessories until midnight on Monday 04 October. Just use the coupon code WELCOME15 at checkout to apply your discount.It's the … [Read more...] about World Animal Day Offer for your Garden Wildlife
Garden Bird Nestbox Resources
After feeding our garden birds, the next best way we can help them is to provide them with safe sites to nest and bring up their young.On this page we've gathered some links and resources to help you provide nest boxes for your garden birds.Why provide nest-boxes for garden birds?Populations of many of Ireland's bird species are in sharp decline, even for some of … [Read more...] about Garden Bird Nestbox Resources
Make your garden bird-friendly
In this guest post Tony Manhart, founder and editor-in-chief at Gardening Dream, shares his tips for making your garden more bird-friendly.Whether young or old, many people enjoy birdwatching. It can be a relaxing way to pass the time, and it is interesting to learn about the different birds that occur where you live. Making your garden more bird-friendly is a great way … [Read more...] about Make your garden bird-friendly
The hidden life of rivers
Earlier this year, in the midst of lockdown, Ireland's Wildlife Contributor Albert Nolan took his children to a river near his home to explore its hidden wildlife.We took the short trip to Toorenbrien Bridge, careful not to stray over our allotted 2km lockdown radius. Here there is a large parking space and the kids and I were going kick sampling in the river. This is … [Read more...] about The hidden life of rivers
Live White-tailed Eagle Webcam
Thanks to the National Parks and Wildlife service we can now follow the intrigues and antics of the white-tailed eagle pair nesting in Glengarriff Co. Cork live via their very own nestcam.Part of a reintroduction programme for the species that began in 2007, the adult eagles (male Blue W and female Black P) have successfully hatched a chick over recent days and it's a … [Read more...] about Live White-tailed Eagle Webcam
Going wild at home: The Blackbird.
For the last few days, I have been watching a beautiful male blackbird in the garden. He arrives around the same time every day, flying up from the wooded valley that runs away from my house.I am not sure if my garden forms part of his territory or he is just visiting for a quick meal. We think our green spaces belong to us but at this time of the year birds and other … [Read more...] about Going wild at home: The Blackbird.
“Be Planet Positive!” Tree Council of Ireland urges Irish Primary Schools
The Tree Council of Ireland, supported by Tetra Pak, is calling on primary schools across the country to get involved in Tetra Pak Tree Day and plant a tree on Thursday, 3rd October 2019. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Be Planet Positive!”, with a focus on the things that primary school children can easily do in their everyday lives to help nature … [Read more...] about “Be Planet Positive!” Tree Council of Ireland urges Irish Primary Schools
How Planting a Wildflower Bed Can Boost Local Wildlife
Over the past hundred years or so, as farming practices have changed and urban sprawl has extended, the number of areas of wild grasses and wildflowers in Ireland and the UK has significantly dropped. Some organisations state that the loss of ‘unimproved grasslands’ is as high as 99% in Ireland over the past hundred years.WildflowersIt becomes obvious then, if we have … [Read more...] about How Planting a Wildflower Bed Can Boost Local Wildlife
Thanks Josepha Madigan, you made the right decision.
In the wake of yesterday's decision by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, TD not to proceed with plans to extend hedgerow cutting into August, a newsletter landed in my inbox.It was from Birdwatch Ireland's Assistant Head of Policy and Advocacy, Oonagh Duggan.In it, Oonagh applauded the Minister's decision and highlighted the … [Read more...] about Thanks Josepha Madigan, you made the right decision.
New “Recommended” optics store on Ireland’s Wildlife
Our Recommended Optics "Shop" is now liveWe're in the process of going through our reviews for birding and wildlife optics with "Recommended" and "Highly Recommended" ratings, and posting them to a brand new section of our online shop imaginatively named "Recommended Optics".Some of our recently recommended birding and wildlife opticsYou'll notice the word … [Read more...] about New “Recommended” optics store on Ireland’s Wildlife
Certificate of Excellence for Ireland’s Wildlife Tours
We're delighted to announce that our guided wildlife and birding tours based on Ireland's Wild South Coast have been awarded the prestigious Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for 2019.It's a great endorsement, based on real reviews by guests who have spent time with us on the West Cork coast. There really is no better accolade.The great thing is that this is … [Read more...] about Certificate of Excellence for Ireland’s Wildlife Tours
Incredible humpback whale footage off Ireland’s south coast
This breathtaking drone footage of four Humpback Whales interacting with a pod of Short-beaked Common Dolphins was captured off the coast of West Cork in late April by researchers from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).https://vimeo.com/332435303The footage is part of an exciting new project called Whale Track Ireland, initiated by the IWDG thanks to funding from … [Read more...] about Incredible humpback whale footage off Ireland’s south coast
Lunge-feeding Fin Whale caught on camera by drone
On a trip with West Cork based whale watching operator Cork Whale Watch last week, drone pilot and Ocean Research & Conservation Ireland (ORCIreland) Observer Greg Coleman captured some astonishing aerial footage of a gigantic Fin Whale lunge feeding through bait balls created by Short-beaked Common Dolphins (see the ORCIreland YouTube clip … [Read more...] about Lunge-feeding Fin Whale caught on camera by drone
Puffins of Ireland
In this guest post, contributor Charlotte Klassa takes a closer look at many people's favourite Irish seabird, the colourful and charismatic Puffin.The Atlantic Puffin is a strange bird. It looks like a penguin and a toucan rolled into one. This is the tell-tale sign of the auk family of birds: that butler-like dignity and tail-coat. People can concentrate on this plump … [Read more...] about Puffins of Ireland
Eagles and Fin Whales star on Ireland’s Wild South Coast
The best part of being a wildlife guide on Ireland's south coast is being able to share the incredible wildlife of this stunning stretch of coastline with people from Ireland and around the world. It's fantastic to see people's reactions when they see for themselves why we call this Europe's Undiscovered Wildlife Frontier.Our latest wildlife holiday was a case in point -- … [Read more...] about Eagles and Fin Whales star on Ireland’s Wild South Coast
New Citizen Science Project needs your Seal Sightings!
A new research project at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is looking for public input to analyse seal populations around the Irish coast.The project is being undertaken by German native Kristina Steinmetz, a graduate of the Biodiversity and Conservation MSc. programme at GMIT, as part of … [Read more...] about New Citizen Science Project needs your Seal Sightings!
