The Irish white-tailed eagle reintroduction project has received a much-needed boost with news that five pairs, spanning four Irish counties, now have chicks in the nest. According to a press release issued by the Golden Eagle Trust, of the eight pairs that attempted to breed this year, eagle chicks have now hatched at sites in Glengarriff, West Cork; two sites in Co. Kerry; … [Read more...] about Irish white-tailed eagles hatch chicks in four counties
Irish Wildlife News
Resident killer whales could die out due to pollution
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has expressed concern that Ireland's only resident group of killer whales (Orcinus orca) could be dying out due to the long term effects of marine pollution.Known as the Scottish west coast community group, the killer whale pod is the only known resident pod of this apex marine predator around Britain and Ireland. The group is … [Read more...] about Resident killer whales could die out due to pollution
White-tailed eagle found poisoned at Connemara nest site
A female white-tailed eagle was found dead at a nest site in Connemara earlier this month by National Parks and Wildlife Service Conservation Ranger Dermot Breen.Mr Breen found the six-year-old female dead on the nest on 01 April, and a post-mortem later confirmed poisoning as the cause of death -- the 13th confirmed poisoning fatality since the white-tailed … [Read more...] about White-tailed eagle found poisoned at Connemara nest site
Hoopoe invasion of Ireland’s south coast
Headlands and coastlines in Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Wexford have been invaded by a rather colourful continental interloper this spring.The striking hoopoe (Upupa epops) is a rare visitor to these shores, with very small numbers (less than 10 birds in total most years) reported in Ireland during spring and autumn as migrating birds stray off course and end up making … [Read more...] about Hoopoe invasion of Ireland’s south coast
Guerilla conservation group realeases bears in Co. Kerry
<APRIL FOOL>02/04/2015: Just in case anyone out there is taking this seriously, check the publication date -- to our knowledge there are no bears currently being released in Ireland</APRILFOOL> A group of extreme conservationists is secretly releasing brown bears into Killarney National Park in Co. Kerry an anonymous source revealed this week.On the back of … [Read more...] about Guerilla conservation group realeases bears in Co. Kerry
Ireland’s first basking sharks of 2015 spotted off West Cork
The first reported Irish basking shark sighting of 2015 was logged on Monday 09 March. The sharks, one large and one smaller animal, were spotted from shore by observer Bridget Healy, just off the coast near Ardfield in West Cork.Basking sharks, the second largest fish in the sea after the whale shark, are annual spring / summer visitors to Irish coastal waters. The first … [Read more...] about Ireland’s first basking sharks of 2015 spotted off West Cork
White-tailed eagle found dead in Co. Fermanagh
The body of a white-tailed eagle was recovered by PSNI officers from the Newbridge Road area of Lisnaskea in Co. Fermanagh on Saturday 07 February.Commenting on the PSNI Fermanagh post on Facebook, Dr Alan Mee, coordinator of the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project for the Golden Eagle Trust said: "Sad end to a beautiful bird. This white-tailed eagle was almost 4 … [Read more...] about White-tailed eagle found dead in Co. Fermanagh
Hen Harrier blog-star “Heather” shot dead in Co. Kerry
A young hen harrier has been found shot dead near Waterville in Co. Kerry.The satellite tagged bird-of-prey, a young female dubbed "Heather" by local schoolchildren, was part of a joint project by regional development organisation IRD Duhallow and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Heather became an online star via the Hen Harrier Ireland Blog, with thousands … [Read more...] about Hen Harrier blog-star “Heather” shot dead in Co. Kerry
Female killer whale washed up in Co. Waterford
The unusual stranding of a 5 metre female killer whale on the beach at Saleen, near Tramore in Co. Waterford on Friday (30/01/2015) has been in the news this weekend.The whale, which was dead when it washed up, was said to be in "very fresh condition", according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). The whale's teeth were very badly worn, leading some … [Read more...] about Female killer whale washed up in Co. Waterford
Farming organisations and conservationists on collision course over hedge-cutting
A review by The Dapartment of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht of legislation under the Wildlife Act that governs the period when hedgerows can be cut has put landowners and environmental groups on a collision course.As it currently stands the legislation prohibits hedge cutting (with certain exceptions) between the 01 March and the 31 August to protect nesting birds and … [Read more...] about Farming organisations and conservationists on collision course over hedge-cutting
Corncrake numbers rise for second consecutive year
Conservation efforts to save the corncrake from extinction in Ireland appear to be paying dividends. Authorities reported a significant increase in the number of calling male birds during their 2014 corncrake population census, up to 230 from 185 birds recorded last year.The largest concentration of corncrakes was in Donegal, where 156 calling males were recorded, 108 of … [Read more...] about Corncrake numbers rise for second consecutive year
Record year for Irish little tern colony
Ireland's largest little tern colony at Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, has enjoyed a record year in 2014 according to conservationists monitoring the site.Wardens recorded 120 breeding pairs nesting at Kilcoole this season, smashing the previous record of 106 pairs from 2006. According to figures reported on the Kilcoole Little Tern Conservation blog an estimated 219 chicks … [Read more...] about Record year for Irish little tern colony
Black arches moth recorded for the first time in 100 years
The National Biodiversity Data Centre announced on its Facebook Fan Page yesterday that it has received a record of a Black Arches moth (Lymantria monacha) from Camolin Woods in Co. Wexford. This is the first record of this species occurring in Ireland for 100 years. It was last recorded from a site in Glengarriff, Co. Cork in 1914.See the Facebook post below for more … [Read more...] about Black arches moth recorded for the first time in 100 years
Endangered natterjack toad makes an Irish comeback
The natterjack toad, the most threatened of only three native amphibian species to occur in Ireland, is making a comeback in its traditional strongholds on the Kerry coast according to a recent report by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).An ongoing habitat creation scheme established by the NPWS back in 2008 seems to be paying dividends, with staff describing … [Read more...] about Endangered natterjack toad makes an Irish comeback
New humpback whale off Irish south coast
A new humpback whale for Irish waters has been added to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's (IWDG) photo-id catalogue for the species.West Cork whale watching operator Colin Barnes of Cork Whale Watch found the lone humpback during an afternoon whale watching trip out of Reen Pier near Union Hall. According to the company's Facebook fan page whale watch vessel "The Holly … [Read more...] about New humpback whale off Irish south coast
IWDG calls for clarity following Donegal live stranding
In the wake of the unfortunate live stranding of 13 long-finned pilot whales in Co. Donegal last week, The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) -- a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to whale and dolphin research and conservation -- has called for clarity from state agencies in terms of which authority has responsibility for managing live-stranding events around the Irish … [Read more...] about IWDG calls for clarity following Donegal live stranding
Pilot whales strand on Donegal beach
Four of thirteen pilot whales that stranded overnight on a beach in Co. Donegal have died. The other nine have been successfully re-floated by a local rescue effort that involved up to 100 people at its peak according to reports.The whales were spotted on Ballyness beach at Falcarragh, Co Donegal at 8am this morning."It's not something you want to see everyday," local … [Read more...] about Pilot whales strand on Donegal beach
Lost bumblebee rediscovered in Dublin after 88 years
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
Ireland’s first white-tailed eagle fledgling shot dead in Tipparary
One of the first two white-tailed eagles to hatch in Ireland in more than a century has been found shot dead in Co. Tipperary.The male bird was one of two chicks reared successfully by a pair of re-introduced eagles at a nest site on Lough Derg near Mountshannon in Co. Clare last summer. It was discovered on land near Ballinderry, North Tipperary by a National Parks and … [Read more...] about Ireland’s first white-tailed eagle fledgling shot dead in Tipparary
16,000 trees to be felled at Gougane Barra, Co. Cork
Coillte, the state-owned forestry organisation, has closed Gougane Barra Forest Park in County Cork, and plans to fell around 16,000 trees in the forest -- mainly Japanese Larch -- to prevent the spread of disease.The disease, known as "Sudden Oak Death" in the USA, is caused by a fungus-like plant pathogen called Phytophthora ramorum, which belongs to a group of organisms … [Read more...] about 16,000 trees to be felled at Gougane Barra, Co. Cork
Irish Wildlife wins prestigious national magazine award
Irish Wildlife, the membership magazine of the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT), has won the "Customer Magazine of the Year" category in the prestigious Irish Magazine Awards 2013.Irish wildlife is a quarterly magazine that showcases wildlife, nature and conservation issues, feature articles and news from all over Ireland. Its unique blend of high quality editorial, contemporary … [Read more...] about Irish Wildlife wins prestigious national magazine award
New responsible tourism initiative for The Burren
The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark has teamed up with Leave No Trace Ireland to promote responsible outdoor recreation at the iconic tourist hot spots on Ireland's west coast.A graffiti incident at the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare earlier this year is a stark example of the kind of environmental vandalism that the team is trying to combat with the … [Read more...] about New responsible tourism initiative for The Burren
Ireland’s Wildlife’s new Official Bird Food Partner
Ireland's wildlife is delighted to announce a brand new partnership with Europe's leading wild bird food supplier.CJ Wildlife is now our Official Bird Food Partner, and will supply food, feeders and other products to help us attract even more of our feathered friends and other wildlife into the Ireland's Wildlife garden. Naturally we'll be sharing our experiences with the … [Read more...] about Ireland’s Wildlife’s new Official Bird Food Partner
Pine marten populations on the rise says new research
A new study by researchers at NUI Galway and Waterford Institute of Technology shows that populations of the pine marten, one of Ireland's most elusive mammals, have recovered to healthy levels in areas of the Irish midlands.The research, which will be published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, used DNA analysis to asses pine marten populations in the midlands and … [Read more...] about Pine marten populations on the rise says new research
Irish wildlife documentary wins 3 international awards
"On a River in Ireland" -- the international title of the series aired locally as "The Secret Life of the Shannon" -- has won three awards at the prestigious Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, including the "Grand Teton Best of Festival" award.Popularly dubbed the "wildlife film-making Oscars", the Jackson Hole festival is considered the pinnacle of wildlife and nature … [Read more...] about Irish wildlife documentary wins 3 international awards
