Red squirrels pushed west as greys dominate the east

The latest survey of Irish squirrels, published October 2007, shows that grey squirrels now dominate the east of the country, with the threatened red squirrels pushed to the west, south-west and north-west regions.

Grey squirrels were introduced to Ireland in 1911 and are rapidly colonising the country. They damage broadleaf trees, outcompete red-squirrels for food, and are carriers of a squirrel pox virus that does more damage to red squirrel populations than to greys.

• Download Coford's Irish Squirrel Survey 2007 (52 pages, 4121 KB, PDF)

Protecting and enhancing Dublin City's natural environment

The role of the Dublin City Heritage Office is to "protect and enhance the status and perception of Dublin City’s natural and man made heritage". This is being done through the implementation of the Dublin City Heritage Plan 2002-2006 (PDF, 28 pages, 4 MB).

As the natural environment is included in the Heritage Office's remit they have produced some associated leaflets:

• Conserving Bats Leaflet (PDF, 4 pages, 412 KB)
  Outlines the importance of bats, the threats that they face and methods of conservation
• Hedgerows Leaflet (PDF, 4 pages, 1.6 MB)
  Outlines the value of hedgerows, the threats that they face and how they can be properly maintained
• Natural Heritage Surveys (PDF, 64 pages, 3 MB)
  A register of all known studies of the natural environment in the city area, both published and unpublished.

Save our squirrels

In many parts of Ireland, red squirrels are being outcompeted by non-native grey squirrels. However, a pilot project that is taking place throughout 2007, aims to preserve healthy populations of red squirrels in the West of Ireland. Here, the Shannon forms a natural barrier, inhibiting the spread of greys from East to West.

The project involves identifying suitable woodland habitat, and relocating red squirrels from other areas where they are at risk. In February, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) managed the relocation of 15 red squirrels from Portumna National Park in Co Galway to Derryclare Wood in Connemara. Squirrels are also due to be relocated to Belleek Wood in Co Mayo. The relocation approach conforms to strict International Union for the Conservation of Nature guidelines.

Conserving Ireland's 50,000 red squirrels

The IUCN's Red List categorises the Eurasian Red Squirrel as Near Threatened. The species is widespread, but suffering from habitat fragmentation and competition from introduced grey squirrels. It is estimated that for every 1 red squirrel in Ireland there are 5 greys (around 50,000 reds to 250,000 greys). However, a pilot relocation project West of the River Shannon (where there is less pressure from the greys) aims to restablish healthy populations in new habitats.

In Co. Galway, 15 red squirrels have recently been trapped and relocated from Portumna National Park to Derryclare Wood in Connemara. A second translocation of squirrels to the Coillte owned Belleek Wood in Co. Mayo has been approved by the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche. It is thought that Beleek Wood could support a population of 65 red squirrels but before any are introduced the Belleek Wood Enhancement Group and Coillte are improving the wood as squirrel habitat.

The Department of the Environment's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is overseeing the work within guidelines from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

• Read the Proceedings of the Irish Red Squirrel Conservation Symposium, 2005 (PDF, 19 pages, 106KB)

How many species, and how many are threatened?

According to an Irish Times article on the threat to Ireland's wildlife, published 16 January 2007, Ireland's wildlife is thought to comprise:

• 31 species of mammal (OnlyOneIreland reckons there's 34 mammal species)
• 27 species of fish
• 12,000 species of flowering plants and trees
• 3,500 species of fungi
• 12,000 species of insects.

It is estimated that up to 200 of these species are threatened with extinction or have undergone serious decline in recent years.

• A total of 18 native bird species are on the red list of animals that have shown a 50 per cent decline in breeding numbers in the last 25 years. These include the corncrake, barn owl, black-necked grebe, hen harrier and grey partridge. Further still, around 20 bird species in Ireland are of conservation concern.
• A further 77 species of native Irish birds have undergone a decline of between 25 per cent and 50 per cent throughout Europe.
• Mammals on the endangered species list include the red squirrel, otter, mountain hare and all 10 bat species found in Ireland.
• The natterjack toad, native only to a small part of Co Kerry, is also on Ireland's endangered list.

Ireland, along with the rest of the EU, is commited under international biodiversity agreements to halt the loss of its biodiversity by 2010. The Notice Nature campaign, launched in January 2007, contributes to Ireland's commitment.

• Read more about Ireland's mammals
• Read more about Ireland's birds
• Read more about Ireland's fish
• Read about the Notice Nature campaign

Unique urban Irish goat, with the longest horns in the world

Bilberry Rock, a quarry-like commonage in Waterford City, is home to a what the British Feral Goat Research Group thinks may be a rare and uniquely Irish goat breed. However, with a population of only 28, eight of which are female, their survival is at risk. Slightly larger than domestic goats, they have long, fine, wavy coats, and elegant horns, possibly the longest of any goat.

Now cared for by local families, they may originally have been introduced by the Huguenots, who would have used their fine cashmere wool for weaving. The Irish Wildlife Trust and UCD are carrying out DNA analysis on the goats to help identify their exact origins. Meanwhile, the Bilberry Goat Herd Protection Trust is trying to protect their low-density-housing zoned habitat from development.

Goats are considered part of Ireland’s wild fauna but lack any protection under the Wildlife Act. Their official conservation is limited to some national parks.

• Check out Waterford's Bilberry Goat Blog
• Waterford’s Bilberry Goat herd - photo and article
• Listen to a radio programme on the Bilberry Goat Herd (see Programme 10, 11 August 2006)
• Contact the Bilberry Goat Herd Protection Trust at bilberrygoats@eircom.net

Ireland's 10 species of bat

The 1100 species of bat make up a quarter of all mammalian species on Earth. So it is perhaps to be expected that a similar proportion of Ireland's mammalian species, 10 to be precise, would be bats (see post on Irish mammals for a list). All bats residing in Ireland belong to the bat Sub-order Microchiroptera, and all except one (the Lesser Horseshoe bat of the family Rhinolophidae) belong to the Vespertilionidae family.

All of the Irish bat species feed on invertebrates and therefore frequent places rich in flies, beetles, moths and other insects. Woodlands, scrub, wetlands, river corridors and flower rich grasslands are all suitable foraging habitats.

Some of our bat species have only been recognised in Ireland recently:

• In 1997, the Nathusius’ pipistrelle was discovered breeding in Northern Ireland and has since also been recorded in the Republic.
  
  
• Also in the late 1990s, scientists discovered that the Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus
  pipistrellus) actually comprised two different species, the Common and Soprano Pipistrelle. Both are found in Ireland, so another bat was added to the roll call.
  
  
• In 2003, a Brandt's bat was discovered in County Wicklow, and has since been confirmed breeding in County Clare and County Tipperary.
  
  
• Bat species can be tricky to identify, but reports suggest that Noctule (Nyctalus noctula) and Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus) species may have undiscovered populations here. Exciting times.

All Irish bats are protected and are listed in the Red Data Book of Irish Vertebrates. It is an offence under the Wildlife Act (1976 & 2000) to intentionally disturb, kill or injure a bat or its resting place.

Find out what bat species live in your area using the interactive bat distribution maps compiled by Bat Conservation Ireland.

The largest badger population in Europe

Ireland may now have one of the largest badger populations of any European country. Estimates place between 210,000 - 250,000 badgers in the island of Ireland. Dr. Chris Small's 'The Badger and Habitat Survey of Ireland', published in 1995, 'estimated' the population at 200,000 in the Republic with a further 50,000 in Nothern Ireland.

• Badgerwatch Ireland

34-ish mammals in Ireland

Some sources claim that 35 species of land mammal live on Ireland's land and around our coast (an example of a coastal land mammal is a seal). Others (me) say 34 species, still others (ahem... wikipedia) claim only 31. Well there's only one thing for it, a list. You'll find that below.

Some 50% of our current mammals didn't get here themselves, but were accidentally or deliberately introduced by people. I've grouped these together. Ireland's native mammals are those that were present during the last Ice Age and thrived afterwards. These are also grouped together.

Native Irish mammal species

1. Bat - Common pipistrelle (our smallest and commonest bat)
2. Bat - Soprano pipistrelle
3. Bat - Nathusius' pipistrelle
4. Bat - Brandt's bat
5. Bat - Daubenton's
6. Bat - Brown long-eared
7. Bat - Leisler's
8. Bat - Natterer's
9. Bat - Lesser horseshoe
10. Bat - Whiskered
11. Red Deer
12. Irish Hare
13. Red Fox
14. Pine Marten
15. Otter
16. Irish Stoat
17. Badger
18. Mouse - Field Mouse (also known as Wood Mouse)
19. Mouse - House Mouse
20. Pygmy Shrew (our smallest land mammal)
21. Hedgehog
22. Red Squirrel
23. Grey Seal
24. Common Seal

And the following were introduced:

1. Bank Vole
2. Grey squirrel
3. Rabbit
4. American Mink
5. Feral Goat
6. Japanese Sika Deer
7. Fallow Deer
8. Brown Rat
9. Black Rat
10. Brown Hare

While these went extinct:

1. Wolf
2. Giant Deer / Irish elk
3. Brown Bear
4. Muskrat
5. Red Squirrel (was extinct, reintroduced, currently threatened)
6. Reindeer
7. Roe Deer
8. Wild Boar
9. Wild Cat
10. Wild Pig (Greyhound Pig)

Over 20 Cetacean species (whales, dolphins, porpoises) frequent Irish waters

These include:

1. Bottlenose dolphin
2. Orca (killer whale)
3. Northern minke whale
4. Common dolphin
5. Euphrosyne (striped) dolphin
6. Risso's dolphin
7. White-beaked dolphin
8. Atlantic white-sided dolphin
9. Harbour porpoise
10. Cuvier's beaked whale
11. Pilot whale
12. Sperm whale

Hmmm. And humans too I guess.

• Read the Mooney Goes Wild factsheet on Irish Mammals

Book - Ireland's Mammals

Ireland’s Mammals by Juanita Browne ISBN 0-9550594-0-2.
Available from Easons or order online from http://www.irishwildlife.ie

Suitable for all ages this book profiles the life of each Irish mammal over 192 pages and 120 photographs. Find out where each common land mammal lives, what it eats, when it breeds and its particular lifestyle adaptations. A species profile, including common, Irish and scientific names, average weight and body measurements is provided for each land mammal species, and a sample of whale and dolphin species.

"With its lively and informative text along with stunning photographs and illustrations Ireland’s Mammals is a book the whole family can enjoy." Don Conroy.

“At last, a book that brings us to meet Ireland’s mammals in their secret hideaways. Juanita Browne brings their story up to date in a clear and thorough text, wonderfully suited to school use but absorbing to readers of any age." Michael Viney, Irish Times.

"This is a book with a difference... wonderfully illustrated with photographs of the highest calibre... delivered in easy-to-follow text." Éanna Ní Lamhna

Once upon a time in Ireland - wolves

By 1786, wolves were exterminated in Ireland. Secreted in Irish woodlands, they had survived for 40 years longer than in Britain. But wolf bounties, introduced by Oliver Cromwell, prompted the arrival in Ireland of profit-seeking hunters from Britain and Europe. Coupled with deforestation and habitat destruction this hunting precipitated their demise. Once plentiful, Irish wolves receive a mention in Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' and are depicted in the 800AD Book of Kells. Irish wolfhounds and deerhounds are descendents of wolf-dog crosses.

Wolves are now a protected species in most European countries, even where they are absent in the wild, as is the case in Ireland. This means that if someone can sneak them into the country and establish a population, it would be illegal for anyone to kill them. Interested?

More about wolves in Ireland in the 1600s and how they went extinct:

• A geographical perspective on the decline and extermination of the Irish wolf canis lupus (PDF) - an assessment by Kieran R. Hickey, Department of Geography, National University of Ireland, Galway.
• History and extinction of the Irish wolf

Once upon a time in Ireland - the Irish Elk

The Irish Elk (Megaloceros giganteus or Megaceros), now extinct, is the largest species of deer ever to have lived. Despite its name, it was not exclusively Irish, and during its reign it occupied open woodland and forest edges throughout Eurasia, from Ireland to China. The last one lived around 9500 years ago. Over 2 meters at the shoulders, it had the largest antlers of any deer, an impressive 3.5 meters from tip to tip - over twice the length of a bath! Their closest living relative is the Fallow Deer. In fact, Irish Elk are not closely related to either of the species we currently call elk.

Lots of Irish Elk fossils have been found in the peat bogs of Ireland. One can be seen in Ireland National Museum of Natural History.

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

Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry

103 sq km of mountain, moorland, woodland, waterways, parks and gardens. Home of Ireland's only remaining wild herd of native red deer, the largest area of old-growth oakwoods left in the country and one of only three pure yew woods left in Europe.