Explore Your Shore! Bivalves of Ireland Poster - Biodiversity Ireland
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Online edition: ew 2009-0900
Print edition: ISSN 2009-8464
ISSUE 19 | AUTUMN/WINTER 2019
Explore
Your Shore!
Take part in our survey of coastal biodiversity
Bivalves of Ireland Poster
Get to know your Piddock from your Pod
Razor Shell
Biodiversity Tales
News from recording schemes for
butterflies, birds, and bryophytes
Biodiversity Ireland Issue 19 Autumn/Winter 2019’
Contents
Biodiversity Ireland is published by the National
NEWS.......................................................................................................................................................3
Biodiversity Data Centre. Enquiries should be sent to
the editor, Juanita Browne, editor@biodiversityireland.ie Alert System for Invasive Alien Species..............................................................................6
The National Biodiversity Data Centre,
Colette O’Flynn introduces the Data Centre’s alert system
Beechfield House, WIT West Campus,
Carriganore, Waterford. GALLERY: Recorder Workshops 2019..................................................................................8
Tel: +353 (0)51 306240
Email: info@biodiversityireland.ie
A selection of images from our workshop programme
Web: www.biodiversityireland.ie
Explore Your Shore!..................................................................................................................... 10
Management Board
Dave Wall introduces this exciting citizen science project
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is overseen by
a Management Board, established by the Heritage BIODIVERSITY TALES ............................................................................................................16
Council. The Management Board is responsible for
setting the strategic direction of the work of the
Updates on birds, whales, plants and more
National Biodiversity Data Centre and for ensuring
proper corporate governance.
The composition of the Management Board:
Rachel Kenny Chair of Board & Director of
Planning, An Board Pleanála
Staff of the National Biodiversity Data Centre
Bernadette Guest Heritage Officer, Waterford City
and County Council
Dr Matthew Jebb Director, National Botanic Gardens Juanita Browne, other organisations. He is an active recorder and helps
Pollinator Plan Community and with the delivery of the Data Centre’s work programme
Rachel Kenny Director of Planning,
An Bord Pleanála
Engagement Officer (part-time), on butterflies, birds and mammals. He also serves as
is responsible for engaging with Head of Delegation for Ireland to the Global Biodiversity
Dr. Micheál Lehane Director,
Environmental Protection Agency
partner organisations to assist Information Facility (GBIF).
implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and
Dr Peter McLoughlin Head of School of Science Ben Malone,
to promote the conservation of Ireland’s pollinators. She
and Computing Administrative & Engagement
Department, Waterford also contributes to communications activities of the
Institute of Technology Officer, is responsible for day-
Data Centre.
to-day office management at the
Nigel Monaghan Keeper, National Museum of
Ireland – Natural History Division
Dr. Úna Fitzpatrick, Centre. He also has developed and
Senior Ecologist, is responsible for is coordinating the Centre’s engagement and outreach
Jack Nolan Head of Nitrates, Biodiversity and
Engineering Division, Department
the development of, and oversees programme, including organising the capacity-building
of Agriculture, Food and the Marine delivery of, the All-Ireland Pollinator recorder workshops.
Plan 2015-2020, and is responsible
Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe Director, National Parks
for the plant and vegetation work programmes of the Colette O’Flynn,
and Wildlife Service
Data Centre. This includes management of the National Invasive Species Officer, is
Declan Quigley Senior Port Office, Sea Fisheries
Vegetation Database and contributing to development responsible for the Invasive
Protection Authority
of the Irish Vegetation Classification System. Species work programmes of
Virginia Teehan Chief Executive, the Data Centre. She manages
The Heritage Council
Gemma Hughes, the National Invasive Species Database, provides
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is an initiative of Pollinator Plan Agri-business coordination of invasive species data and information,
the Heritage Council and is operated under a service
level agreement by Compass Informatics. The Centre O f f i ce r ( p a r t-t i m e), is and contributes advice and policy support at the
is funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and responsible for engaging with national and European level.
the Gaeltacht.
the agri-business sector to assist Barry O’Neill,
implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and Data and IC T Manager ,
Cover: Hermit Crab and Anemones to promote the conservation of Ireland’s pollinators. is responsible for the IT
©Mark William Kirkland (Shutterstock)
Dr Saorla Kavanagh, infrastructure and database
Farmland Pollinator Officer is the management activities of the
Project Manager of the Protecting Data Centre. He developed the Citizen Science Data
Farmland Pollinators project Portal and other online data capture systems that are
which seeks to test evidence- provided as shared services to partner organisations.
based actions to make farmland more pollinator- Dave Wall
friendly. This is a five-year project funded under the Citizen Science Officer is
European Innovative Partnership programme. responsible for the Explore Your
Dr Liam Lysaght, Shore! and Dragonfly Ireland
Centre Director, is responsible 2019-2024 citizen science
for setting the strategic direction projects. He also takes the lead on developing the
of the Data Centre, overall Data Centre’s work programme on citizen science and
management of the operations all marine biodiversity activities.
and work programme, and building of partnerships with
Director’s Comment
This autumn 2019 issue the staff complement this year. Dave Wall joined the
of Biodiversit y Irela nd staff at the start of the year as Citizen Science Officer,
showcases some of the bringing valuable expertise on marine biodiversity.
exciting recording activity The strong marine theme of this issue of the newsletter
a nd sur vey work t hat demonstrates the increased capacity in this area. Colette
is currently ongoing in O’Flynn, Invasive Species Officer, has been assigned
Ireland, both by the Data additional responsibilities supporting the work of NPWS
Centre and many of its to report under the EU Invasive Species Regulations
partner organisations. The and to provide national coordination of species alerts.
‘Biodiversity Tales’ section provides a good overview And Saorla Kavanagh has joined the team to spearhead
of some of the main findings and expansion in knowledge the Protecting Farmland Pollinators EIP project, which
on different taxonomic groups since the start of the will test practical, evidence-based solutions for making
year, reported by national experts and conservation farmland more pollinator friendly.
NGOs. Most of this has resulted from targeted surveys
or fieldwork undertaken by highly skilled and highly
‘We feel it is important to showcase this work as
motivated volunteers and professionals. We feel it these are the building blocks of evidence used to
is important to showcase this work as these are the better understand Ireland’s biodiversity and how
building blocks of evidence used to better understand it is changing.’
Ireland’s biodiversity and how it is changing.
This need for evidence has taken on a new emphasis On the flip side, after six years, we are losing Dr.
in 2019. In May, Dáil Éireann declared a Climate and Tomás Murray. Everyone will know the tremendous
Biodiversity Emergency, making Ireland only the second work that Tomás did in building the insect monitoring
country in the world to make such a declaration. This programmes and developing the analytical capacity of
was a significant development, not because it will the Data Centre over that time. His skill set will be sorely
necessarily lead to the transformative changes that the missed at the Data Centre; I wish him the very best in
Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem his new career path.
Services (IPBES) said needed to happen if biodiversity For the core contract staff of the Data Centre, 2019
loss is to be tackled, but because it is proof that the has presented personal and professional challenges
evidence around biodiversity decline is finally being because of the uncertainty around the future of the
heard. This attention was probably due to international National Biodiversity Data Centre. The Heritage Council
media coverage of the first global synthesis of insect is currently undertaking a review of the governance,
declines published in April and the IPBES global operational and funding structure most appropriate for
biodiversity assessment published in May. Both these the running of the Data Centre. Everyone associated
reports presented alarming evidence of biodiversity loss with the Data Centre hopes that this will result in
right across the world. And because of the increasing decisive action to place the Data Centre on a more secure
amount of surveying and monitoring happening in footing to better enable it to support the efforts by the
Ireland, we now have the evidence that we are also Government of Ireland to address the Biodiversity Crisis
experiencing a biodiversity crisis in Ireland. we currently face.
It has been a year of mixed fortunes for the Data
Centre. Thanks to external funding, we have grown
0 records
0 0
0,
Recording goes from strength to strength
10
A very significant milestone was reached in August when the number of records
submitted to Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal in 2019 passed the 100,000th mark. The
100,000th records was of Heather (Calluna vulgaris) from Valentia Island [grid ref.
V387774] on August 22nd , 2019, submitted by Margaret Cahill. It was appropriate
that this milestone was reached during Heritage Week 2019, as biodiversity is such
an important and increasingly threatened aspect of our natural heritage.
2019 has seen a phenomenal rate of recording of Ireland’s biodiversity, with on
average almost 3,000 records submitted each week since the start of the year.
This includes 31,498 records of plants, 27,084 birds, 12,255 butterflies and 5,618
records of mammals.
3
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) from Valentia Island [grid ref.
V387774] on August 22nd , 2019, submitted by Margaret Cahill
To celebrate World Bee Day May 20th 2019,
President Higgins invited founders of the
All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Dr Una FitzPatrick,
National Biodiversity Data Centre; and Prof Jane
Stout, Trinity College Dublin, to visit Áras an
Uachtaráin to highlight the success of the All-
Ireland Pollinator Plan.
National Biodiversity
Indicators – 2018 Status
and Trends
The Data Centre published the National
Biodiversity Indicators - 2018 Status
and Trends report in June. 52 indicators
underpin the latest assessment representing
News
a range of both direct and indirect metrics.
The 2018 report finds that overall, clear
progress is being made in only 31% of the
indicators, with progress in 65% being either static or
poor and another 4% are of uncertain status.
Rare Plant Monitoring Scheme The report finds that the greatest gains over the five
The Data Centre received funding from NPWS to years or so have been in awareness and knowledge of
expand its Rare Plant Monitoring programme in 2019. Irish biodiversity. As an example, in the latest European
This involved hosting a series of workshops led by Paul surveys on attitudes to wildlife protection, now over 90%
Green, who trained volunteers in monitoring known of Irish people agree that looking after nature is essential
populations of Ireland’s threatened species. This in tackling climate change, and at 4.2 million, there are
relatively straightforward scheme is now monitoring now three times the number of biological records in the
more than 60 populations of rare plants, providing Data Centre as we had 10 years ago.
valuable information on tracking how they are faring. In contrast, certain measures that directly relate to
This should provide early warning signs of problems governmental actions that safeguard Irish biodiversity
and hopefully help to protect rare plant populations are far from positive. Based on data from the Central
into the future. Statistics Office, the level of national expenditure on
biodiversity in 2016, the latest year available, was €143
Submission to Heritage Ireland million: 27% below the preceding five-year average and
47% below the 10-year average. If this trend continues,
2030 key national policies such as the National Biodiversity
The National Biodiversity Data Centre made a detailed Action Plan 2017-2021 will not be fully implemented due
submission to the Heritage Ireland 2030 consultation. to lack of resources.
In its submission, the Data Centre clearly highlighted The full report can be downloaded at https://indicators.
the strategic value of how its work contributes to biodiversityireland.ie/files/nbdc-2018-indicator-report-
the three identified themes of National Leadership, final.pdf
Heritage Partnerships and Community and Heritage.
The submission also identified new services and roles
that the Data Centre is ideally placed to deliver through
strategic partnerships with other public bodies, if
additional resources were provided. The submission
can be downloaded at http://www.biodiversityireland.
ie/wordpress/wp -content/uploads/Submission _
Heritage_2030_National_Biodiversity_Data_Centre.pdf
4
How can you help record Ireland’s biodiversity?
The Data Centre is always looking for details of species National surveys and atlases
sightings as it helps us to build up a detailed picture of what The Data Centre is currently seeking observations for three
species occur where, across Ireland. The more sightings we taxonomic group to contribute to Atlases:
receive, the more useful this information.
Go to Ireland's Citizen's Science Portal at https:// records. Butterfly Atlas 2021
biodiversityireland.ie and tell us what you find, by providing: The Butterfly Atlas 21 project is encouraging submission of
your name; your email address; the location where you saw butterfly sightings to be included in the Atlas of Butterflies in
the species; data or your observation; and the grid coordinates Ireland 2021 project, which runs to the end of 2021.
for the location.
2nd European Mammal Atlas
Backyard Biodiversity Survey Working in conjunctions with NPWS, we are looking for
As a beginner, we are encouraging recorders to look for 20 records of any terrestrial mammals seen to contribute to the
relatively common species you might find in your back garden 2nd European Mammals Atlas. This project runs until 2023,
in different seasons. Check out the Backyard Biodiversity web and any mammal sightings submitted will contribute to this
page http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/record-biodiversity/ huge regional atlas.
backyard-biodiversity/ to see which species you can find, and
submit details to the Data Centre. Atlas of Ladybirds in Ireland 2025
The Ladybird Atlas 2025 is seeking observations of Ireland’s
Monitoring schemes ladybirds in order to produce the first comprehensive
Tracking change in detail requires systematic monitoring; distribution atlas for this insect group across the island of
repeating a survey periodically to a standard methodology. The Ireland.
Data Centre manages three insect monitoring programmes: the
Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, the Bumblebee Monitoring Invasive Alien Species
Scheme and the Marsh Fritillary Monitoring Scheme. It also Records of invasive alien species are needed to better
manages the Rare Plant Monitoring Scheme, a programme understand their current distribution and to support public
that monitors populations of Ireland’s rare and threatened bodies to take action to mitigate their negative impacts. Sending
plant species. details of any species listed for action under the EU Regulations
will trigger an Alert, and rapid response as appropriate.
Providing support to partners for
Dragonfly Ireland 2019-2024
national surveys This EPA-funded project is seeking records of Dragonflies and
The Data Centre provides support to some of its partner Damselflies to help increase our knowledge of their current
organisations to host survey pages and provide online record distribution and explore their value as indicators of water
submission forms. During 2019, surveys supported by the Data quality and climate change.
Centre included:
Explore Your Shore!
• All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten survey Explore Your Shore! is another EPA-funded project seeking
• National Hare Survey records of all coastal and intertidal marine species to help
• BirdWatch Ireland’s Lapwing Survey improve our knowledge of their distribution and habitats.
• BirdWatch Ireland’s River Bird Survey
• Swift Conservation Ireland
• Wild Honeybee Survey
5
The Yabby (Cherax
destructor)
Invader ALERT!
Invasive Species Officer with the
National Biodiversity Data Centre,
Colette O'Flynn explains the
Automated Record Alert System
for Invasive Alien Species
The National Biodiversity Data Centre operates an Invasive
Alien Species Automated Record Alert System. Species
tagged for alert are those that are not yet present in Ireland
or have a rare occurrence, but could become high-impacting
invasive species if they established here. If an occurrence
of these species is detected in Ireland, then where possible,
a rapid response to contain and remove them should be
Invasive Species Record Alert System
initiated. Otherwise it may be too late to eradicate or contain
established populations.
A Sighting B Alert C Verification D Response
Sent to the
Mobile app Invasive Invasive
Species Invasive
Submission Species Officer Species Officer
Officer
Field Automated Made available
Recorders Alert Email for external
data users
Online records Within an hour EU Alert Response Verified record
Species actions
Submission of submission Expert System to authorities
documented
1 Sighting is recorded. 3 An automated e-mail alert is 4 The Invasive 5 Verified (or highly likely to be credible) records 8 Verified records
sent to the Invasive Species Officer Species Officer are sent to the relevant authorities. are made available
2 Sighting record is submitted within an hour of submission with reviews the for external data
through Biodiversity Data Capture the full record details. record and works 6 The Authorities trigger on-site verification or Authorities users. Where
App or the online recording form. to have it rapid response where necessary. trigger response relevant, the
where necessary
validated and Invasive Species
verified. This may 7 Response actions are documented. Officer submits the
involve liaison detection and rapid
with the recorder response actions to
and a species the European Alien
expert. Species Notification
System.
In 2018, 70 automated invasive alien species record alerts encounters with animals, but submission of the sighting
were received (Table 1). Of the 70 records submitted: 33 record is still encouraged.
were verified as the species recorded; 32 of the records Additional sightings were submitted directly by email
were not verified due to a lack of supporting evidence; and, (figures not included in Table 1) but use of the online
for 5 of the records submitted, the species were identified recording form or the Biodiversity Data Capture App for
as something else. submitting sighting details will ensure the automated alert is
Submission of a photograph or video with the record will triggered and the National Biodiversity Data Centre receives
aid in confirming the species identification. It is not always and responds to the submitted alert records.
possible to have such evidence, especially for unexpected
6
Table 1. Invasive Species Automated Record Alerts for 2018
No. of alert No. of each No. of records No. of records No. records verified
General Taxon Group
records submitted species reported verified unable to verify as a different species
Freshwater 2 non-native crayfish
Invertebrate/ 5 2 Crayfish Plague 2 0 3
pathogen 1 Asian clam
6 Trachemys scripta
Freshwater
9 species 5 3 1
Vertebrate
3 Rainbow trout
3 New Zealand
pigmyweed
3 Nuttall's
Freshwater Plants 11 9 2 0
waterweed
3 Parrots feather
2 Curly waterweed
Terrestrial
3 3 Asian hornet 0 3 0
Invertebrate
14 Raccoon
6 Coypu
Terrestial Vertebrate 29 6 Muntjac deer 7 22 0
2 Black rat
1 Siberian chipmunk
Terrestrial Plants 10 10 American skunk-cabbage 9 1 0
2 Didemnum vexillum
Marine 3 1 1 1
1 Wakame
Total no. of alert
70 33 32 5
records
So far in 2019, 34 automated alert records were submitted: 14 first non-native crayfish record in our freshwaters. While
verified, 9 unverified and 7 identified as other species (Table Yabby wasn’t a tagged alert species there was immediate
2). Interestingly, one of the alert records submitted in 2019 concern and a rapid response was triggered to immediately
was for Rusty crayfish. The species wasn’t a Rusty crayfish sample the site to confirm its presence and determine the
but turned out to be the Yabby (Cherax destructor) and the status of its establishment.
Table 2. Invasive Species Automated Record Alerts for 2019
No. of alert No. of each No. of records No. of records No. records verified
General Taxon Group
records submitted species reported verified unable to verify as a different species
Freshwater
Invertebrate/ 1 1 Rusy crayfish (was a Yabby). 0 0 1
pathogen
Freshwater
0 0 0 0 0
Vertebrate
3 New Zealand pigmyweed
Freshwater Plants 5 1 Nuttall's waterweed 5 0 0
1 Parrots feather
Terrestrial 3 Asian hornet
4 0 4 0
Invertebrate 1 Gypsy moth
9 Coypu
5 Muntjac
Terrestial Vertebrate 21 4 Raccoon 2 17 2
2 Rose ring-necked parakeet
1 Feral pig
Terrestrial Plants 9 9 American skunk-cabbage 8 0 1
Marine 0 0 0 0
Total no. of alert
40 15 21 4
records
7
Recorder
Training
on Ireland’s
Biodiversity
T
hrough its annual training programmes,
the National Biodiversity Data Centre offers
numerous opportunities for the public to
learn about different facets of biological recording.
Participants visit a variety of wild spaces and interesting
habitats, upskill in species identification, learn about
conservation issues, and benefit from the knowledge
and skills offered by our national experts in the field
of ecology.
The Annual Recorders event was an
enjoyable weekend spent searching
for the Shrill Carder Bee on the
Burren, August 2019.
Identification of acquatic
macrophytes, River Nore,
Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny.
Poplar Hawkmoth - Recording Ireland's Moths, IPCC, Lullymore.
Identifying waders and wildfowl, River Boyne, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
8
An introduction to Ireland's trees and shrubs, IT Sligo.
Anatomy and ecology of Ireland's lichens,
Glengarriff Nature Reserve, Co. Cork.
Getting to grips with grassland habitats, Birr Castle, Co. Offaly.
A Farmland Walk for Burren in Bloom, which had a special focus on Pollinators this year.
Anyone can get involved
Just head to our Events page at www.biodiversityireland.ie
to find out what workshops are planned. Book online at:
www.biodiversityireland.ie/events or contact Explore Your Shore! - seaweeds and seashells, with Dave Wall and
Marie Power Garrarus Beach, Waterford.
info@biodiversityireland.ie for further information.
9
Project Officer Dave Wall
introduces this exciting new citizen
To put this in some context, many of you will be familiar
science project that will have with the beadlet anemone, which is one of the most
you combing your local beaches widespread and abundant species on our coastline. I
recording biodiversity doubt there are many rocky shores in Ireland where they
do not occur, however, at the end of 2018 we had only 400
H
ave you been to visit the coast lately? Did you records of beadlet anemone in our database. In contrast
spend any time exploring our coastal marine we had 11,000 records of red fox which, although easy to
wildlife? Were you able to identify any of the recognise, is largely nocturnal and not very easy to spot.
species you saw, and did you record your sightings via So why are we failing to record our intertidal and
the National Biodiversity Data Centre? coastal species with the same fervour we record
Ireland has 3,171 km of coastline and probably in excess terrestrial species? Part of it may be because most
of 1000 coastal marine species, and yet in 2018, only 3.7% intertidal species are small, and many of them look
of 100,390 records submitted to the National Biodiversity alike. There are also a vast number of them, for example
Data Centre were of coastal marine species. there are at least 500 seaweed species growing along our
Trips to the coast are a popular activity, with people shores. However, there are 2,328 vascular plant species
engaged in walking, angling, surfing, diving, rockpooling, in Ireland and that doesn’t appear to discourage people
paddle boarding, coasteering and a whole range of recording those. As I glance at our Citizen Science Portal,
other activities. Despite this, we receive relatively few I can see that over 18,000 plant records were submitted
intertidal species records at the National Biodiversity between May and July 2019 alone!
Data Centre.
10Hermit crab
A major factor in low recording effort is a lack of submit a marine species record via our smartphone-
familiarity with marine species. In my previous role, friendly online form. The form allows you to submit
working in coastal community engagement, I was multiple species records from the same location which
constantly surprised at how few intertidal species is perfect for rockpooling! Just record your details, your
people could identify. The same point has been raised location and the species and include a photo of each
to me by several people working with community and species to help us validate your record.
school groups around Ireland. I suppose very few marine
species (apart from whales, dolphins and sharks) make Big Beach Biodiversity Survey
it into school books about nature, which tend to be full The Big Beach Biodiversity Survey asks volunteers to
of furry foxes and pretty plants. Squishy sponges and conduct a timed survey, recording bivalve shells, and
slimy seaweeds rarely make the grade! other flotsam cast up on the tide. We are asking you
Explore Your Shore! is a new Citizen Science initiative, to record both live and dead animals and plants found
funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, focused on the beach. The dead animals will have originated
on increasing our knowledge of the distribution of our from the adjacent sea and can provide a really useful
intertidal species, exploring their potential as bio- indication of the diversity of life living beneath the waves
indicators of water quality and climate change, and just off the shore. Any sandy or cobble beach will do,
highlighting actions we can all take to tackle water and you can upload your data and photographs via our
pollution and global warming. To encourage maximum smartphone-friendly form. Getting involved is easy and
participation in coastal marine species recording, four a Big Beach Biodiversity Survey can be completed in as
surveys will be available: little as 30 minutes.
Our Seashore Spotter and Big Beach Biodiversity
Seashore Spotter surveys are up and running and available right now via
The Seashore Spotter survey is our entry level survey, the ExploreYourShore.ie website. We have two more
designed to allow you to submit casual species records. marine biodiversity surveys planned which will be
No matter what you are doing at the coast, you can always available online in the next few months.
11Seashore
Snapshots
Sea shore Snapshots
will ask volunteers to
head down to the shore
and take some digital
survey pictures (using
a printable quadrat) of
sessile intertidal species
such as limpets, barnacles
and seagrass. The images
you submit will then
be analysed by trained
researchers to identify the
species and calculate the
density of animals present.
This information will be
used to explore the use of
sessile intertidal species as
bio-indicators for climate change and water quality. the water’s edge, with surveys conducted at low tide.
Images will be uploaded via an online form, along with Volunteers will be free to record any species they
details of when and where they were taken. identify; however, we will also be asking surveyors to
search for and record a list of key species. These species
Rocky Shore Safari will be selected for their use as bio-indicators of climate
Finally, our Rocky Shore Safari will focus on recording change, water quality and habitat assessment. All records
species on intertidal rocky shores. This will involve and photographs will be uploaded via a smartphone-
a timed walk-over survey from the upper shore to friendly online form.
Explore Your Shore! is also working in Coastwatch Europe runs an annual
partnership with a number of existing survey each September/October
designed to give an overview of the
projects collecting marine species data state of the coast. Volunteers from all walks of life check
in Ireland: a 500m stretch of coast (survey unit) once around low
tide, and record observations on marine litter, water
Seasearch Ireland who use quality and biodiversity.
volunteer recreational divers
and snorkellers to record marine The Irish Basking Shark Project
species and habitat data from around the Irish coast. works collaboratively with the
They also survey a network of monitoring sites on a National Biodiversity Data Centre
monthly basis during the summer months. and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group to ensure that
basking shark sightings are recorded and stored in a
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group single national database.
operate a sightings and strandings
recording scheme for Ireland. The Big Jellyfish Hunt is a citizen
The IWDG also operates a number of other cetacean science project run by the UCC
surveys using citizen scientists, including a Constant School of Biological, Earth &
Effort Recording Scheme and line transect surveys for Environmental Sciences, working in partnership with
cetaceans on board commercial car ferries across the the National Biodiversity Data Centre. It asks members
Irish Sea. of the public to submit records of jellyfish sighted or
stranded.
Purse Search Ireland is a citizen
science project, which asks the public KelpRes is a citizen science project
to record Mermaids’ Purses, the run by the NUI Galway School of
eggcases of sharks, skates and rays. These eggcases can Natural Sciences, which asks
provide valuable information on the location of nursery volunteers to submit records of kelp forest or of non-
areas for these species. native species such as Golden Kelp.
12Taking a Species
Record Photograph
To take a good species record shot, get as close as
you can to your subject, make sure your photo is in
focus and well lit, and please take a photo of enough Flat periwinkles Serrated Wrack
of the animal or plant to enable us to identify it! For
most species, this will be a photo of the entire animal,
however for seaweeds, a close-up of a section of the
algae, showing details of the frond is preferable. Some
example species record shots are shown here.
Barnacles Beadlet Anemone
Know Your Ireland has at least 500 seaweed species. The thought of learning how to
Seaweeds identify seaweeds may at first seem daunting, however we can start by
learning a few of our more easily recognised and common species.
Bladder Wrack Channelled Wrack Egg Wrack
Found on the mid-shore and Found on the upper-shore, often Found on the mid-shore, with
easily recognised by its paired dried out and brittle. A distinct rows of single bladders located
air bladders either side of a channel in the frond helps centrally on long, strap-like
prominent midrib retain moisture. fronds.
Serrated Wrack Spiralled Wrack Thongweed
Found on the lower-shore and Found on the upper-shore Found on the extreme lower-
easily recognised by its saw- and lacks bladders or a shore. Has long, narrow, strap-
toothed or serrated edged frond. serrated frond. Frond often like fronds sparingly branched.
has twisted appearance. Grows to 2m in length and up to
10mm in width.
All the information you need to get involved in Explore Your Shore! is available via our project website. All data
collected is validated by experts and will be available via the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Biodiversity
Maps database. For more information and survey details, please visit www.ExploreYourShore.ie
13Bivalves of Ireland This is a selection of the 250-plus Bivalve species which have been recorded in Irish waters. The Big Beach Biodiversity Survey is looking for volunteers to conduct a timed survey, recording bivalve shells and other species cast up on the tide. To take part, please visit ExploreYourShore.ie Mya truncata Cerastoderma edule Lutraria lutraria (Blunt Gaper) (Common Cockle) (Common Otter Shell) Glycymeris glycymeris Atrina fragilis Gari fervensis (Dog Cockle) (Fan Mussel) (Faroe Sunset Shell) Arctica islandica Magallana gigas Ensis siliqua (Icelandic Cyprine) (Pacific Oyster) (Pod Razor Shell) Mya arenaria Chamelea gallina Spisula solida (Sand Gaper) (Striped Venus) (Thick Trough Shell)
Polititapes rhomboides Pharus legumen Mytilus edulis
(Banded Carpet Shell) (Bean Razor Shell) (Blue Mussel)
Ostrea edulis Pholas dactylus Ensis ensis
(Common Oyster) (Common Piddock) (Common Razor Shell)
Thanks to the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History for access to photograph specimens
Limaria hians Pecten maximus Modiolus modiolus
(Flame Shell) (Great Scallop) (Horse Mussel)
Acanthocardia echinata Aequipecten opercularis Mactra stultorum
(Prickly Cockle) (Queen Scallop) (Rayed Trough Shell)
Project funded by:
Mimachlamys varia
(Variegated Scallop) www.biodiversityireland.ieLadybirds and gourds, which include
melons, cucumbers, marrows
and pumpkins. This find follows
There has been a very significant increase in recording for on from Myles Nolan recording
the Ladybirds Atlas which is due for production after 2025. Cream-streaked Ladybird at
All ladybird records received up to the end of July 2019 have Irishtown Park, Sandymount,
now been validated and added to the ‘Ladybirds of Ireland’ Dublin, in September 2017,
database. The total number of new validated records added to another species new to Ireland.
the database was 2,493, which is an overall increase of 63% on Fourteen new records of The Identification Guide to
the number prior to 2018. Kidney-spot Ladybird were Ireland's Ladybirds is available
Records were received received, confirming that there is to buy online from: www.
for 16 ladybird species a strong population of this species biodiversityireland.ie/shop/
over the period. The around Cork, but its range now
most commonly recorded extends north to Mallow and east to Cloye. Valuable additional
species was the 7-spot records of 11-spot, Cream-spot, Orange and Eyed Ladybirds
Ladybird, and it comprised were also received to help us build up a better picture of their
65% of all records received. distribution in Ireland. The invasive Harlequin Ladybird
The 14-spot and 22-spot continues to spread, with 81 records received over the period.
Ladybird were the next A small number of records of Hieroglyphic, Larch and 13-spot
The 14-spot ladybird is one of the most commonly recorded. were received, suggesting these are very localised species in
top three most frequently recorded Together, these three Ireland. One additional record of Striped Ladybird in July 2018
ladybirds in Ireland. species account for more was received from Gillian Stewart at Aughrim, Co. Wicklow.
than 80% of all records Recorders are encouraged to continue to submit any sightings
received. There is now good momentum with ladybird recording of ladybirds to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. All
in Ireland, and the database has grown to 6,255 records. There records will be published as an Atlas of Ladybirds in Ireland
is, however, a bias of recording effort toward the south-east of 2025, which we hope to produce in partnership with CEDaR,
the country. Northern Ireland.
A species new to Ireland, the Bryony Ladybird, was recorded
in Bandon, Co. Cork, by Lydia Rose on February 23rd 2019.
This is an interesting find, but the assumption is that it is a Dr Liam Lysaght
one-off, as its wild food plant is White Bryony, quite a rare DIRECTOR
plant in Ireland. It may, however, be associated with gardens National Biodiversity Data Centre
or horticultural areas as it is known to feed on cucurbits
UPDATED DATASETS National Invasive Species Database –
Caddisflies (Trichoptera) of Ireland - Dr. submitted to the Data Centre (51 records)
James O’Connor (478 records)
Butterflies of Ireland – submitted to the To view the datasets and records, visit
Data Centre (7,812 records) Biodiversity Maps at http://maps.
Bees of Ireland – submitted to the Data biodiversityireland.ie/.
The mapping system Centre (3,378 records)
Biodiversity Maps provides Mammals of Ireland 2016-2025 – submitted There was a very significant increase in the
to the Data Centre (2,799 records) number of records submitted to Ireland’s
access to data on Ireland’s I r i s h Va s c u l a r P l a n t D a t a – Citizen Science Portal in 2019, with 111,322
biodiversity. Currently, the Robert Northridge (6,174 records) submitted up to the end of September.
systems maps 4,272,580 Ladybirds of Ireland – submitted to the Data To submit records of any species, please
records of 16,156 species, Centre (2,152 records) visit Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal:
Syrphids of Ireland – submitted to the Data http://www. biodiversityireland.ie/.
16 from 147 datasets. Centre (499 records)Series No. 19
National Biodiversity Data
Online edition: ISSN 2009-6852
Print edition: ISSN 2009-6844
Protecting
rare pollinators:
Great Yellow
Bumblebee Actions
Overarching objectives:
2
POLLINATOR
ACTION
1 Maintain key populations
on current sites
3 Raise awareness of the
Great Yellow Bumblebee
2 Make our landscape friendlier
the Great Yellow Bumblebee
for
4 Increase our knowledge of the
Great Yellow Bumblebee
All-Ireland Main
tain key populations
1 on curr Make our
POLLINATOR
Pollinator Plan ACTION
www.pollinators.ie
ent sites
landscape
entre
Known GYB sites since 2010
ta C
friendlier for
Imp
ACTION
Da
lem
ity
en
Rossnowlagh, last
rs
ta
on i
ve
d
ti
co io recorded 2011
or
din a lB
ate ion
db y the Nat
the Great Yellow
A Maintain as many existing populations
as possible
Bumblebee
pollinators.ie What is required
How-to-guide 6
• Where known populations
occur, this guideline
document should be provided
to site managers
• Establishment of regular
monitoring of the
species on known sites, with
data submitted to
the National Biodiversity Data
Centre
Across the Mullet Peninsula,
last recorded 2019; Bunawillin,
2017; Kinrovar, 2014
Aillebrack, last recorded 2013
Bees
Fanore More, last recorded
2010; Termoncarragh, 2014;
Maps generated from
Poulanegh Hill, 2013
https://maps.biodiversityireland.
ie/
9 10
2019 has been a great year so far, with more records We are delighted to have collaborated with
than ever before being submitted. In good news, the BirdWatch and Mayo County Council to
Tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva) has had an excellent publish the first All-Ireland Pollinator
year. That’s the lovely spring-flying solitary bee that Plan guideline document on protecting
reappeared from extinction in 2012. It was reported safe rare pollinators, which is focused on The
and well from its existing sites in Wicklow and Kilkenny. Great Yellow Bumblebee – I only hope it will result in
We also had our first ever sighting from Dublin City more populations to report in coming years. See www.
(Churchtown) and it was recorded for the first time in pollinators.ie/greatyellowbumblebee
County Kildare (Athy). It’s great to add two new counties Each autumn, I ask people to keep an eye out for the
to its range in 2019. We’ve also had new populations of the Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae). It has never been spotted in
most recent solitary bee to arrive in Ireland. The Wool Ireland, but it is now common in Britain and seems likely
Carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) was recorded for the to arrive on our shores very soon. It’s a solitary bee with
first time in Ireland from Wexford in 2015. Records this a very late flight period, to match the flowering of its
year show it is now very well established in the south- favourite plant - Ivy. In Britain it can be found from early
east. September until early November. As bees go, it should
Of most interest this year is that the Tree Bumblebee be fairly easy to recognise as it’s quite large and has very
(Bombus hypnorum) has been reported from Belfast. It’s distinctive bands of white on the abdomen. To make
been spotted in at least two separate locations in the city. it a little easier, most of our solitary bees have already
It was first recorded in Ireland from St. Stephen’s Green completed their life cycles for this year, but there will
in September 2017. It’s hypothesised that there are two still be hoverflies and honeybees on the wing. If you think
main insect migration routes into the island of Ireland. you've spotted this bee, please try to take a photograph
From Wales into the south east and from Scotland into and email it to us for validation www.pollinators.ie/
the north east. It looks like the Tree Bumblebee is no record-pollinators/watch-for-new-arrivals
different. The Tree Bumblebee is a robust bumblebee On a personal note, I want to express my best wishes to
and an excellent pollinator. It will be interesting to see Tomás Murray who is leaving us. Tomás and I learned to
the range expansion in both cases over the coming years. identify bees together when we both worked on another
Unlike most bumblebee species which make their nests project, long before becoming colleagues in the National
at ground level, in long grass or in old abandoned rodent Biodiversity Data Centre. I’ve become used to having his
nests, Tree Bumblebees nest in holes in trees or other expertise, support and friendship in the office next door
similar structures and are commonly found in empty and it’ll be sorely missed.
bird boxes. The National Biodiversity Data Centre is
encouraging everyone to look out for Tree Bumblebees to
help map their progress in Ireland. The Tree Bumblebee Dr Úna FitzPatrick
has a black head, a fuzzy ginger-brown thorax, a black S E N I O R E CO LO G I S T,
abdomen and a white tail. National Biodiversity Data Centre
Two of our rarest bumblebee species (Shrill Carder Bee
and the Great Yellow Bumblebee) have been recorded www.pollinators.ie
this year, with the Shrill carder bee seeming to remain
in healthy numbers in the Burren.
17Painted Lady Grace Meehan, Tory Island,
Donegal 31/07/2019 (over 150 seen)
Although still widespread and very
common in some localities, this is the
fourth year in a row the national population of
this species [Small Tortoiseshell] has declined.
Butterflies
Our fantastic network of recorders continues to expand estimates from two-thirds of our sites
and excel. For the second year in a row, they’ve beaten show that although the start of the season was delayed
all previous records: 810 recorders have now submitted due to the snow and poor weather in April, we had an
over 16,400 records to the Data Centre this year alone, above-average May, with populations up by 38%, followed
a 15% increase in recorders and 35% in butterfly records by a second boost from the heatwave, with counts across
compared to 2017! In addition, there are now 32 recorders late June and July up 15%. Overall, across the year the
who have successfully surveyed 52 Five-Visit Monitoring dips and peaks have evened out, resulting in 2018 being
squares for the Butterfly Atlas too, so for anyone wishing an average year in term of the size of our butterfly
to take a step beyond casual recording and explore a populations. The peculiar combination of weather this
new area with a Five-Visit walk, please take a look at year did benefit some species more than others, with
the Butterfly Atlas 2021 website to see where and how Essex Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Grayling, Marsh Fritillary
you can get involved. and (as mentioned above) Small Blue counts double or
It’s humbling to see the level of support that the triple that recorded in previous years! Even up until the
Butterfly Atlas 2021 has received and the increase end of September, butterfly monitors were still recording
in recording activity across our partners, Butterfly Common Blue and Small Copper, both of which had poor
Conservation Ireland and Butterfly Conservation 1st generations but excellent 2nd ones.
Northern Ireland too. With this many eyes on the In parallel with populations in the UK, the Small
ground, it’s unsurprising that our rarer resident and Tortoiseshell seems to be one of the few species to have
migrant species are being detected with greater declined by ca. 20% this year. Although still widespread
frequency. Normally only recorded every 5-10 years, and very common in some localities, this is the fourth
the rare migrant Camberwell Beauty was sighted again year in a row the national population of this species has
this year in Smithfield on July 17th by Damien Walshe. declined. The drivers of the decline are still a mystery
Clearly benefitting from the heatwave, between 200- as its foodplant, the ubiquitous nettle, thrives in our
500 individuals of one of our rarest resident species, agricultural landscapes and urban areas. It may well be
the Small Blue, were recorded by both Janet Whelehan that we’ll have to look toward a mystery disease, parasite
in Wexford and John Lovatt in Dublin in early June. In or even climate change for an answer.
addition, counts of one of our more easily overlooked
species, the Green Hairstreak, increased two-fold this
year, and what would normally be considered Dr Tomás Murray
a north, midlands and west-coast species has SENIOR ECOLOGIST
been recorded in good numbers in eastern National Biodiversity Data Centre
counties, too.
At the time of writing, the Irish Butterfly www.biodiversityireland.ie/record-biodiversity/
Monitoring season has surveys/butterflyatlas/
just ended and records www.biodiversityireland.ie/record-biodiversity/
are still winging their way surveys/butterfly-monitoring-scheme/
in from our wonderful network
of butterfly monitors. Initial
18
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is showing
c. 20% decline in Ireland this year.n
an Nelso Gorse Shieldbug,
p han o us © Bri
dop terus dia Piezodorus lituratus
Blephari
Bugs
It is 12 months since the last report, and it’s interesting bit of a walk back to a host plant?
to compare the past two years with regard to bugs and Apart from the year-to-year
their life cycles. This is based largely on impressions and change in location, Gorse Shieldbugs
random wanderings, there is no standardised monitoring seemed as common in 2019 as in 2018. Numbers of
methodology for bugs. However, I have spent enough Hairy Shieldbug, Dolycoris baccarum, however, certainly
time in both years at one of my regular sites to notice increased at the lakes and in other areas and it is almost
what I think were some genuine differences. The site is becoming a guaranteed find. I also found nymphs in
Craigavon Lakes in north Co Armagh, a park around two several very ordinary road verges and weedy fields
artificial lakes, created in the 1960s, that now contains indicating successful breeding and firm establishment.
quite a diverse range of habitats, including short, sparse A puzzling feature of this spring has been the relative
vegetated brownfield, amenity grassland, scrub and absence of Hawthorn, Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale, and
broad-leaved woodland (mostly planted, but with some Birch, Elasmostethus interstincus, Shieldbugs. These must
old oaks which are remnants of the old hedgerows). Eight be around as both species overwinter as adults and in
species of shieldbug are present, which is all the local 2018 they were common in my area. But I did find them
species apart from Blue Shieldbug, Zicrona caerrulea. hard or impossible to locate, unlike others who seemed
Late winter is when the first active bugs can be seen, to see them easily. This year, like the previous, there is
and it is usually Gorse Shieldbug, Piezodorus lituratus, an abundance of berries on Rowan, Hawthorn and also
appearing not unexpectedly on Gorse (it will also use Whitebeam, so these are full of developing nymphs of
Broom). Which stands of Gorse contain clusters varies. Hawthorn Shieldbug. I have also seen nymphs on Alder
Stands that were packed with Gorse Shieldbugs a few trees enough times to suggest they may even be breeding
years ago are now poor as they have become more shaded on them. The literature only mentions plants in the rose
or have been burnt and simply do not exist anymore. Of family as host species.
course they may also have got more leggy and taller so are The two birch-feeding shieldbugs have had contrasting
less easily examined. There also seems to be an element seasons. Birch Shieldbug has had a good year, and
of randomness, two seemingly similar patches can have seems similarly abundant to last year. Nymphs were
different densities of shieldbugs. This may simply be that easy to find on birch catkins. In 2018, Parent Shieldbug,
the first few settled on one patch and others joined them; Elasmucha grisea, was quite hard to find. I think the
Gorse Shieldbugs are rarely found alone. drought conditions in the early summer, which caused
Gorse Shieldbugs seem to spend most of their time many Birch to drop their leaves, impacted numbers. But
sitting in the sun doing very little. I presume they feed on this year, it has bounced back, though it is, as always,
the seeds of Gorse, but why they seem to spend so little less numerous than Birch Shieldbug in my experience.
time feeding is a bit of a puzzle. Most other insects don’t Another species which is having a better year in 2019 is
have such a laid back attitude. The barrel-shaped eggs the Bronze Shieldbug, Troilus luridus. Alder is the tree
are laid on the seedpods, typically in two lines, and the I find it on most easily.
nymphs are often seen sitting on the outside of the pod. The species that has shown the biggest change in the
I do wonder what happens to these nymphs when the two years has been Forest Shieldbug, Pentatoma rufipes.
pods open explosively to scatter the seeds. Are they flung Unlike most Irish species, it overwinters as a nymph
through the air never to re-find their home plant? Or is and these mature into the new adult generation in early
it just an exciting interlude in their life but involving a summer. Forest Shieldbug was common at Craigavon
19The National Biodiversity Data Centre has just produced a new
poster on Irish Shieldbugs.
I do wonder what happens to
these nymphs when the pods open
explosively to scatter the seeds. Are they
flung through the air never to re-find their
home plant? Or is it just an exciting interlude
in their life but involving a bit of a walk back
to a host plant?
around north Armagh, as large imposing trees with a
weeping habit, which makes them easy to sample despite
their height. It is a planted, non-native, tree. I have never
found anything on them apart from a few generalist
bugs so have generally ignored them. Hearing about
Lakes in 2018, with nymphs very numerous in late B. diaphanus being found in Scotland for the first time,
summer on the oaks. This year, so far, I have seen no prompted me to look at the Craigavon trees in early
nymphs and the adults were much harder to find than August, which produced many adults and nymphs.
in 2019. Why this has been so is unknown to me. Another check of a White Willow that grows just 100m
Turning to other bugs, there have been several more from my house also produced many specimens of the bug,
additions to the Irish list of Heteroptera in 2019, so far suggesting it may have been here for a few years and is
at least four species. The first to mention is Megacoelum clearly doing very well.
infusum, a very striking orange and red bug with a very Just to end with a suggestion for two species to
splendid pair of antennae as long as its body. Nymphs are look out for. The first is the Western Conifer Seedbug,
similarly coloured, but also have long antennae so are Leptoglossus occidentalis. It is much bigger than any
instantly recognisable. Unfortunately, the adults of the terrestrial bug present in Ireland. The species breeds
two west European species cannot be told in the field. It on North American conifers, especially Douglas Fir. At
used to be thought that infusum was found on oak and this time of year, adults disperse from their breeding
other broad-leaved trees and the second species beckeri sites to overwintering sites and may turn up indoors or
on pine, but this is not a safe way to identify them. The in moth traps, attracted to the lights. Records of this
Irish list includes beckeri, though that is inferred as the species, especially any nymphs would be very welcome
specimens were seen on pine and were not checked. In to track its likely establishment and spread in Ireland.
recent years, Megacoelum nymphs have been seen by The second is a ‘traditional’ shieldbug, the Southern
Ciaran Byrne in Carlow: Larry Doherty in Tipperary; and Green Shieldbug, Nezara viridula. This has been seen a
myself in Co Armagh; indicating a wide distribution, but small number of times in Ireland, but it is not known if
without adults to confirm the species. This year, finally, it is established. Adults may have been imported, with
Larry Doherty has found an adult and that has allowed vegetables for example, and the nymphs seen in Dublin
the species to be determined as M. infusum. in 2017 may have been brought in on plants. The species
A second addition is another species of Deraeocoris, the is spreading in Britain, and again any sightings in Ireland
third new Irish species from this genus since 2016. This would be very welcome. The adults are larger than the
new species is lutescens found first by Brian Power in Co. resident Green Shieldbug and typically a paler green
Carlow and then, a few days later, by Ciaran Byrne from colour. Nymphs are very distinctive with large white and
at least two sites including near Dublin, suggesting that it pink spots on a black or green background.
has clearly been overlooked. Deraeocoris flavilinea, which Accounts of the new species found in 2019 will be
was added in 2017 at Craigavon has now been found in written up in more detail but I wish to thank Larry
both Co Dublin and Co Tipperary. The third species, D. Doherty, Brian Power and Ciaran Byrne for sharing
ruber, is found around Cork City. their discoveries. Lastly, a thank you to everyone who
The other two additions are both from Craigavon has submitted shieldbug and other bug records over the
Lakes, Co Armagh. One is the tiny (c.2mm) anthocorid, last 12 months.
Buchananiella continua. Two specimens have been beaten
from willows in the last few weeks. The species is found
globally and is sometimes considered invasive. It feeds Dr Brian Nelson
in compost heaps and amongst leaf litter. I N V E R T E B R AT E E C O L O G I S T
The last addition reported here is Blepharidopterus National Parks and Wildlife Service
diaphanous, a delicate pale green bug found on White
Willow, Salix alba. White Willow is relatively common
20A lot of people seemed to
be worried about the lack of
Swift © Richard T. Mills
Hirundines around their properties."
Birds
What were the avian talking points of the summer just in my garden double-brooded, but Greenfinches
passed? still seem scarce. A full report on trends in our
A lot of people seemed to be worried about the lack common breeding species over the last three years
of Hirundines around their properties – referring to (2017-2019) will be available in early 2020, maybe in
our Swallows that nest in folks’ outhouses/stables/farm time for the next issue of Biodiversity Ireland.
sheds, and House Martins nesting under the eaves. I If you do not feed garden birds year-round, dig your
agree, they have been in short supply in my patch, but feeders out now, clean them and load them up before
before I declare a national emergency I will get Dick Monday December 2nd – the start of the Garden Bird
Coombes to look at the first 200 returns from the 2019 Survey season. Download forms and instructions at www.
iteration of the Countryside Bird Survey and report birdwatchireland.ie Enjoy birdwatching, while collecting
back to you later. Swifts, as another species of aerial meaningful data, from the comfort of your kitchen!
insectivore, often lumped with the Hirundines, are a There is growing concern over the fate of our breeding
focus of a multi-year survey by BirdWatch Ireland – waders; once common farmland species like Lapwing
this summer, county-wide surveys have been completed are very patchily distributed these days, and seeing
in Wicklow, Meath and West Cork. There are lots of displaying adults is an increasingly rare spectacle.
things you can do to help Swifts and earlier this year BirdWatch Ireland made a call for information in the
we published a document ‘Saving Swifts’. This can spring and hopefully a few lucky people were able to
be downloaded here: https://birdwatchireland.ie/ report sightings. The plight of the Curlew is well known,
publications/saving-swifts-guide/ with probably no more than 100 pairs left in the country
Other common species of resident garden/countryside (RoI), and their last haunts are being intensively managed
birds seemed to have a productive year, especially to maximise their productivity; in the Lough Corrib
Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Between April and area there were 8-10 pairs this summer, seven of these
June, I cannot recall ever seeing so many hatched young and birds were known to have fledged
parent thrushes collecting from five of these pairs.
loads of worms and
molluscs from well Garden Bird
Survey 201
8/2019
Gard
Week
3
starti
ng:
en Bir
d Sur
Your name
Sparr
owha Dec 10
17 vey R
ec
mown verges a nd
Feral wk Dec
ordin
24
and addres Pigeo
n
Dec 31
Please use
BLOCK CAPI
TALS s Wood
pigeo
Dec
Dec 7
14 g For
Name Your garden Colla
red Do
n Jan
Jan 21
Jan 28 m
Magp ve 4
Address ie Jan
lawns. Young Great,
Is your gard Feb 11
Jaen...
ckda (tick ‘yes’ Feb 18
Urban (in
a town w or ‘no’) Feb 25
Roorokcity centre)? yes Feb
Suburban (on
Ho no
odrts
outski
edofCra town or
Rural (in or Go
besideldc
ow city)?
yes no
Blue and Coal Tits
Eircode openrescountr
t y or farmland)?
Blue yes
E-mail addres
s What size Tit no
(optional) Griseayour
Half the size t Tit garden?
Tips on coun Co of a tennis
al Tit court or smalle
ting your gard r yes
• en birds
Approximate
Lo ng no
appear plentiful at the
Each week, ly tennis
take note -tailecourt-sized yes
each specie of the highes Larger than Bla d Tit no
five is the
s that you t
see in your number of birds of ckca court
a tennis
highes garden. For p yes
the form overle t number of Blue example, if An acre orTreec no
af. If you don’t Tits you see, largerree
space blank. enter ‘5’ on pe
yesr
see any that Wren
• If you see some
birds almost
week, leave
the Food St avail
no
moment, so my feeling
only want every arling
able for birds
• Count as accura
your highes
t count for day, remember that we
tely as possib
a species in
a given week.
Are berry
Blabushes
ckbir present? yes
in your gard
en
signs as we
do not know le. Please d no
or as many whether that do not use plus Do you Fieldf
areide food
prov
• Birds of prey
as 500!
be counted seen hunting in or over
means at least
one Song
Thrus
? yes
no
• h
is that they did fairly
(for examp your garden Do Reyou
Feral pigeon le, a hoveri
ng Kestrel). should dw prov
ing ide any of the
• If you see
it to the end
s and racing
a bird that
is not
pigeons should
be counted.
Mi
Peanut sstlefeeder
in
Thruss yes no
following?
of the form. on the list overleaf, Roinbin h
• Count birds
feed on the
that come
into
please add Seeds
Dunn
feeders
yes no
food you put your garden even seedock yes
•
Nyjer
well, too. The pair of
out for them. if they do not
Please don’t Ho no
Scrapsuse Sp
count birds
such as flocks that
overhead. of swans on you see outside the
nearby fields, garden Pied yes arrowno
Fat, suetWa
• If you can,
birds can approa
hang your
feeders on
or birds flying ,
Chaff or other
inch
gtail
bird cake
yes
Fruit
yes no
• Make sure
ch safely and or near a tree or bush
retreat quickly so
Bullfi
Have nc
no
Goldfinches that nest
the
feeders topped birds have a regular into cover. h complete
you
supply Gr
Dideeyou
d this surve
up and also
provide water. of food. Keep the nfinc
send y in the past.
Linne h us a survey form ..
Please dona
before?
t yes no
Redp
te to help the Goldf
oll
Garden Bir
I enclose a
BirdWatch
cheque or
postal order inch
Siskin
d Survey
Ireland made payable
to
Please accept othIerwould like to donate
Or....
(please tick)
my gift of spec by MasterCard/V
€250* othernumber:
Card ies isa/Deb it Card
€100
€50 spec
Other
I would like
€25
€10 other ies
to donate spec
€ Expiry date: ies
Security code:
Garden
* BirdWatch
Ireland can
Cardholder’sBird
individuals claim back signatu
Surre:
vey
who
be worth up are taxed on PAYE. tax paid on donation , BirdW
to an extra That means s
a donation of €250 or more by atch Please ret
72% to us. of €250 or (Please give Ireland urn
name and com
more could address of , Unit 20, pleted
For office cardholderBlo
use only ck D, tform
if differen
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Bul lfordonor)
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https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/surveys-research/research-surveys/irish-garden-bird-survey/
21You can also read
