Blanket Bog Restoration Project

The Blanket Bog Restoration Project project aims to restore some of active blanket bog in Ireland - including bogs at:

• the MacGillycuddys' Reeks, Co. Kerry
• Slieve Aughty, Co. Clare
• Nephin Beg, Crossmolina, Glenamoy and Bangor-Erris in Co. Mayo
• Barnesmore Gap and Lough Golagh in Co. Donegal
• the Ox Mountains in Co. Sligo, and
• the Slieve Blooms in Co. Laois.

The website provides information about the project, its bogs, and restoration techniques. Clickable maps of Ireland enable you to locate and find out more about the 20 project sites. The bog restoration project is managed by Coillte, and funded under the under the EU LIFE- Nature Programme.

Icelandic whooper swans winter in Ireland

Three species of swan occur in Ireland the Whooper, Mute and Bewick. Of the five breeding populations of whooper swan (found from the Mediterranean to Asia) those that choose to overwinter in Ireland hail from Icelandic stock.

Starting early November, they make landfall in such places as Loughs Swilly and Foyle in Counties Donegal and Derry. From these northern regions, they disperse south along the coast, and to inland freshwater lakes, marshes and farmland.

In January 1995, Ireland's seasonal population of whooper swans was estimated at 16000 birds. It is said that 5 per cent of the world's whooper swan overwinter in Upper Lough Earne in County Fermanagh and 6 per cent at Lough Neagh, in County Tyrone. Open fields, meadows and bogs near Newgrange in County Meath also provide wintering grounds for a flock of between 30 and 230 swans. In spring they turn tail again, leaving Ireland for Iceland.

• Listen to the Mooney Goes Wild radio programme 'The Whooper Swan - from Iceland to Ireland' (listed on the page as programme 4)
  
  


• What birds to see where and when - Birdwatching in Northern Ireland

Donegal's Biodiversity Project

The Donegal Biodiversity Project is gathering together records of all the wildlife found in Donegal. Almost 50,000 records of birds, plants, mammals and insects in the county have been computerised, with many more to be added.

Donegal moths
One group that it is focusing on in particular, is the larger (or macro) moths. Of 572 moth species in Ireland, the Donegal Biodiversity Project has recorded 378 in the county, but believes the true total is very close to 400. Each species is being photographed, its distribution is mapped, the habitat requirements of threatened species are being revealed, and important areas for moth conservation identified.

• Find out more about the Donegal Biodiversity Project
• Get a copy of the 'Mapping the Moths of Donegal' leaflet from Ralph Sheppard at 074-9147129
• View maps and photos of the Donegal macro-moths at www.skylark.ie/donegalmoths

Glenveagh National Park, Co. Donegal

This 170 sq km granite-bedded wilderness of lakes, ice-carved cliffs, gentle hills, deep peat bogs and the swampy Owencarrow river valley cradles Ireland's golden eagle reintroduction project. Natural woodlands of oak and birch are inhabited by badgers, foxes and stoats. Bird life includes siskins, treecreepers, redstarts and wood warblers. Pyramidal Errigal, Donegal highest peak overlooks the park, its uplands punctuated by ravens, peregrines, stonechat and grouse, and prettied with the yellow flowers of tormentil and bog asphodel. Glenveagh (meaning Glen of the Birches) contains a herd of red deer (not of native Irish stock).

Find out more at:

• http://homepage.eircom.net/~knp/glenveagh/index.htm
• http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/travel/attractions/gardens/glenv.shtm

National Parks in Ireland

There are six national parks in Ireland, covering a combined area of 596 sq km, or only 0.86% of Ireland's total land area (68890 sq km). The criteria and standards for national parks are laid down by the World Conservation Union (also known as IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Much of the land is also designated as a SAC (Special Area of Conservation (PDF format)) under the EU Habitats Directive.

Travelling clockwise around Ireland from Dublin the national parks:

1. Wicklow Mountains National Park, Co. Wicklow (159 sq km)
2. Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry (103 sq km)
3. The Burren National Park, Co. Clare (17 sq km)
4. Connemara National Park, Co. Galway (30 sq km)
5. Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo (118 sq km)
6. Glenveagh National Park, Co. Donegal (170 sq km)

There be golden eagles in them hills

In the cradle of the Glenveagh National Park in Co Donegal, at the edge of northwest Ireland, the Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project has been reintroducing these raptors to Ireland since 2001. Donegal was chosen for its suitable habitat, the locals’ love of wildlife and the rapport between the farming community and conservationists. Tourism groups also have an interest as the Eagles may attract tourists. The majority of their potential ranges here are Natura 2000 sites, protected habitats for flora and fauna of European importance. Research indicates that County Donegal could hold 7-10 pairs of Golden Eagles and Ireland may eventually have 50 – 100 pairs.

Ireland currently has 6 breeding birds of prey species, the lowest number in the European Union. Habitat loss, egg collection and persecution (shooting, hunting, poisoning) caused the extinction of White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and Goshawk since the 1700s. Golden Eagles became extinct in Ireland in 1910.

These raptors have a 2m wing span, can live for over 20 years and hunt rabbits, hares and other prey over a broad (up to 260 square km) territory. The Irish Farmers Association was consulted on and supported the introduction despite some farmers fearing that the Eagles would predate lambs. Compensation was promised should any such predation be proven.
The project is funded by by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Heritage Council. Dúchas (Ireland’s authority for nature conservation) is also involved.

The reintroduction project meets 53 reintroduction guidelines laid down by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Four to five week old Eaglets are sourced from the Scottish wilds under licence. Sourcing Eaglets has recently become more difficult as recent years have been poor for Golden Eagle breeding in Scotland.

Individual released birds are tracked with radio transmitters and can be identified by a tag on each wing. 46 birds have been released, and at least 26 were known to be alive during 2005. Others may be dead or carry failed radio transmitters. Five territories are now occupied. Out of four pairs two produced clutches of eggs, but none successfully hatched – in some cases because the birds are still young and inexperienced breeders. Enough eagles will be released to ensure a sufficient number survive to form a viable breeding population. This project aims to release enough have a dozen breeding pairs at Glenveagh by 2011.

Keep an eye on the www.goldeneagle.ie website for updates. The latest update is for the spring/summer season 2006.