The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed earlier this week that colonies of the invasive Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) had been discovered on four oak trees in a Dublin housing estate. The caterpillars and the trees have been destroyed in an attempt to eradicate the pest before it becomes established. Intensive surveying of the … [Read more...] about Oak Processionary Moth confirmed in Ireland
Irish and International wildlife and environmental news from Ireland's Wildlife
Wildlife and environmental news from Ireland and international wildlife and environmental news with a potential link to or impact on Ireland's nature and biodiversity brought to you by the Ireland's Wildlife team.
World Migratory Bird Day — ESRI Mapping Migration
Around 450 different bird species have been recorded on the island of Ireland, and although a lot of them are migratory and rare, now is the best chance to catch a glimpse of them as they return north to build nests and prepare for the breeding season.Esri Ireland, a market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has created a digital map highlighting the flight … [Read more...] about World Migratory Bird Day — ESRI Mapping Migration
Avian Influenza hits Irish seabird colonies
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) has hit Irish seabird colonies this breeding season after running rampant through similar colonies in the UK earlier this year. The disease, which can infect a wide range of bird species, appears to have hit breeding Gannet colonies particularly hard.Gannets, our larges seabird, nest in dense colonies on uninhabited … [Read more...] about Avian Influenza hits Irish seabird colonies
Wally the Walrus stops off in West Cork
On the most recent leg of his remarkable journey, Wally the wandering walrus who was first spotted off Valentia Island in Co. Kerry back in March 2021, was seen lounging aboard a moored motorboat in a small cove near Clonakilty on the West Cork coast.Wally, a young male walrus, has travelled extensively on his journey south. After that first sighting in Kerry he's spent … [Read more...] about Wally the Walrus stops off in West Cork
Rare Marsh Harrier breeds successfully in Ireland again
For the first time in more than a century, not one, but two pairs of Marsh Harrier have bred successfully in the Republic of Ireland.The Irish Raptor Study Group (IRSG) confirmed in December that the rare birds of prey successfully reared young at sites in counties Galway and Westmeath during the 2020 breeding season. The last recorded breeding of the species in Ireland was … [Read more...] about Rare Marsh Harrier breeds successfully in Ireland again
Humpback Whale Catalogue breaches 100 animal milestone
The Irish Whale And Dolphin Group's (IWDG) Humpback Whale Catalogue has broken the 100 individual milestone.On the 20 July IWDG researcher Nick Masset photographed two new Humpback Whales off the coast of West Kerry, and HBIRL#100 and HBIRL#101 took their respective places in the photo ID catalogue that documents every individually recognisable Humpback Whale recorded in … [Read more...] about Humpback Whale Catalogue breaches 100 animal milestone
Irish eagle numbers boosted
Ten new White-tailed Eagle chicks arrived in Ireland from Norway last week to bolster population numbers as Phase II of the ongoing White-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme got underway.The ambitious reintroduction programme, a joint initiative between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Golden Eagle Trust, began with the release of 100 Norwegian … [Read more...] about Irish eagle numbers boosted
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
David Lindo (AKA The Urban Birder) to open Cape Clear Wildlife Festival
Birdwatch Ireland's Cape Clear Bird Observatory celebrates its 60th birthday this year, and to mark the occasion the island is hosting a nearly two-week-long wildlife festival from Monday 02 September to Saturday 14 September.Well known British "celebrity birder" David Lindo, The Urban Birder, swaps his familiar cityscapes for the wide-open vistas of Ireland's most … [Read more...] about David Lindo (AKA The Urban Birder) to open Cape Clear Wildlife Festival
Minister halts plans to allow hedge-cutting in August
Minister for Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD has announced that she will not exercise her discretionary powers under the new Heritage Act to allow hedge-cutting to proceed in August this year.“Hedgerows are a very important wildlife habitat, providing food, shelter, corridors of movement, nest and hibernation sites for many of our native flora and … [Read more...] about Minister halts plans to allow hedge-cutting in August
Smart technology reveals new gull behaviour
Attaching sensors to animals in order to study their movements and record aspects of their behaviour has become commonplace over recent years. However, because they need to be lightweight, these automated bio-loggers typically have limited battery capacity.That's a challenge, particularly when you want to use power-hungry data collection methods like video.Now, by … [Read more...] about Smart technology reveals new gull behaviour
Irish Humpback Whale linked to Cape Verde breeding grounds
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced a positive match between a Humpback Whale photographed at feeding grounds off the Irish south coast in 2015, and an animal photographed at breeding grounds in the Cape Verde Islands off West Africa in April of this year.This is the first ever match between one of the 92 whales (at the time of writing) in the Irish … [Read more...] about Irish Humpback Whale linked to Cape Verde breeding grounds
Get closer to the wild side of Ireland on a Discover Wildlife Weekend
Our Discover Wildlife Weekends are all about getting you closer to the wild side of Ireland. We encountered some incredible wildlife on our 2018 weekend wildlife breaks on the stunning West Cork coast, and we're looking forward to seeing what 2019 has in store. The video below, featuring some of our 2018 highlights will give you some idea of the kind of things you can expect … [Read more...] about Get closer to the wild side of Ireland on a Discover Wildlife Weekend
New book celebrates Ireland’s wildlife
The Irish Wildlife Collection: Volume Two is the latest in a series of books featuring work by West Cork based nature writer Calvin Jones, founder of Ireland’s Wildlife (www.irelandswildlife.com).Like it’s predecessor, “The Irish Wildlife Collection: Volume Two” features articles, species profiles and features that put the spotlight firmly on Irish wildlife and the … [Read more...] about New book celebrates Ireland’s wildlife
Video captures essence of Ireland’s wildlife at National Biodiversity Conference
Ireland is home to some truly phenomenal wildlife.Our position on the western periphery of Europe, perched on the edge of the wild North Atlantic, makes this a truly special place. The essence of Ireland's natural heritage is encapsulated in this short video, compiled by Crossing The Line Films. It was screened during "New Horizon's For Nature", Ireland's first National … [Read more...] about Video captures essence of Ireland’s wildlife at National Biodiversity Conference
Be “Nature Nice” this Tree Day!
The Tree Council of Ireland, supported by Tetra Pak, is inviting primary school children across the country to get involved in Tetra Pak Tree Day on Thursday 4th October 2018. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Be nature nice! or Bí dóighiúil don dúlra!” Tetra Pak Tree Day gives children, teachers and parents the opportunity to put down the school books, get outdoors and … [Read more...] about Be “Nature Nice” this Tree Day!
Young White-tailed Eagle found dead in Co. Kerry
Eddie, the White-tailed Eagle chick who made headlines in 2016 when he became the first wild-fledged eagle to take to the skies of County Cork in more than 100 years, was found dead on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry in June.According to reports from The Golden Eagle Trust/National Parks and Wildlife Service Eddies remains were discovered by a forestry worker … [Read more...] about Young White-tailed Eagle found dead in Co. Kerry
Incredible wildlife, incredible offer: Ireland’s Wild South Coast
The south coast of Ireland is a magical place for wildlife enthusiasts. Breathtaking locations, some of the best marine and coastal wildlife Europe has to offer and that legendary hospitality for which the Irish are world-renowned. Put it all together and you have the perfect destination for a wildlife holiday to remember. Our signature Ireland's Wild South Coast 5 night/6 day … [Read more...] about Incredible wildlife, incredible offer: Ireland’s Wild South Coast
RTÉ puts Irish wildlife centre stage this spring
State broadcaster Radio Telefis Éireann (RTÉ) has announced an impressive array of wildlife and nature programming as part of its spring schedule. Hosted by passionate Irish naturalists and film-makers, the programmes capture and share the wonder of Irish wildlife.https://youtu.be/_2N8e9efhP4 Ireland's Wild Atlantic The season kicks off on the 22 April with the … [Read more...] about RTÉ puts Irish wildlife centre stage this spring
New Biodiversity Maps system a “game changer” for conservation
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
First basking sharks and humpback whales of the year off Ireland’s south coast
Ireland's wild south coast scored a "double whammy" in the marine megafauna stakes over the last week, with records of the first basking sharks and humpback whales of the 2018 season off the coasts of Kerry and West Cork respectively.According to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, which coordinates sightings of whales, dolphins and basking sharks around the Irish coast, the … [Read more...] about First basking sharks and humpback whales of the year off Ireland’s south coast
Ireland’s Wild South Coast: book now and save
The West Cork stretch of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way is a coastline replete with stunning scenery and offers some of the best marine and coastal wildlife and bird watching in Europe. Now, with our new range of wildlife holidays and short breaks, you can join some of the region's best wildlife guides exploring this wildlife-lovers' paradise.To celebrate the launch of … [Read more...] about Ireland’s Wild South Coast: book now and save
Huge spike in common dolphin deaths around Ireland
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has expressed concern over a worrying increase in reports of dead common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) around the Irish coast during the first two months of 2018.According to the figures on the group's website 2017 was a record year for cetacean strandings in Ireland, with 263 validated stranding records (of all species) documented over the … [Read more...] about Huge spike in common dolphin deaths around Ireland
Ireland: Europe’s undiscovered wildlife frontier
Perched on the northwestern edge of Europe, Ireland is world renowned for its stunning vistas, dramatic Atlantic headlands and breathtaking coastal scenery. But when it comes to wildlife tourism, Ireland simply isn’t on most people’s radar.Wildlife enthusiasts Calvin Jones and Colin Barton are looking to change that with the launch of Ireland’s Wildlife Tours, a … [Read more...] about Ireland: Europe’s undiscovered wildlife frontier
Panasonic announces Lumix G9: the “Ultimate Outdoor and Wildlife Camera”
Panasonic, a leader in the compact system / mirrorless DSLR camera space, has announced a new flagship model to its Lumix range of micro-four-thirds format digital camera bodies.The Panasonic Lumix G9 supercedes the Lumix GH5 (which we recently tested for Ireland's Wildlife -- full review coming soon) at the top of the Lumix system camera range. Hailed by Panasonic as "The … [Read more...] about Panasonic announces Lumix G9: the “Ultimate Outdoor and Wildlife Camera”
