April 2009 Wexford Natural History Diary

Common Tern

NATIONAL DAWN CHORUS DAY: This year's National Dawn Chorus Day is on the first day of the National Biodiversity Week and is being held on Sunday 17th May. Locally the day is being celebrated at 4.30am at the Raven Nature Reserve with Don Conroy (RTE), Alan McGuire and Chris Wilson - all are very welcome to join us. Please meet at the Raven Nature Reserve entrance, Culleton's Gap for our Annual Dawn Chorus Walk now in its 15th year of celebration in County Wexford. We have also organised the now 'Annual Breakfast' at Hotel Curracloe in Curracloe Village (attendance at the event is free, however there will be a small cost for the breakfast - well worth it though after our early rise).

Dipper with food for the chick

COUNTRYSIDE BIRD SURVEY: For those of you completing breeding bird survey squares, do remember that your first visit to the site should be completed by the 15th May. A period of at least four weeks should be left prior to completing the second visit of the season. Do also remember that all records of breeding birds should be noted for the current Breeding Bird Atlas - so any records of breeding birds, please forward to the WNFC Records Officer, c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob, Wexford, who can forward them on to BirdWatch Ireland the National co-ordinator for the Atlas.

Orange Tip butterfly

CHILDRENS ART COMPETITION: The results are in - the Prize Giving is taking place at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve on International Biodiversity Day - Friday 22nd May - (part of the celebrations of International Biodiversity Week) Don Conroy (RTE) will be presenting the prizes to worthy winners. Our thanks again to The Environment Section, Wexford County Council, for sponsoring this, now annual event. For more details please contact Wexford Wildfowl Reserve on 053-9123129

Peacock butterfly

INVASIVE SPECIES EXHIBITION: Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is holding an 'Invasive Species Exhibition' during International Biodiversity Week this year. The Exhibition runs from Sunday 17th to Sunday 24th May. Why not come out to the Reserve and find out more about ‘Invasive Species’ and what an ‘Invasive Species’ really is? If you look at 'Wikipedia' on the Internet, there are several definitions that are discussed - they say the phrase is often used in terms of non-indigenous species, such as plants or animals that adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally or ecologically - this is often used by government organisations as well as conservation groups. Then there is a definition that broadens the boundaries to include both native and non-native species that heavily colonise a particular habitat. Their third definition defines an invasive species as a widespread non-indigenous species that is having an adverse effect on a particular habitat. However not all non-indigenous species necessarily have an adverse effect on their adopted environments. Our National Biodiversity Data Centre (based in Waterford - www.biodiversityireland.ie) has to date, established a National Invasive Species Database of the current distribution of priority species in Ireland; established a special National Invasive Species Database website and is promoting taxonomic and training workshops. This is extremely important in the fight to preserve our own National Biodiversity - just think of the problems that they are having in Lough Corrib with the Canadian Waterweed - or the amount of Japanese Knotweed one sees in all parts of the Country - or even the Indian Balsam along the sides of the River Suir. Sadly there are plenty more Invasive species in the Country - some not so visible as they are spreading in our waterways - think of Chub or Dace and also the Zebra Mussel - these species so often take over and drive out our local native species. Is the Grey Squirrel an Invasive Species? Why not pop out to the Wildfowl Reserve in Biodiversity week and find out....

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Biodiversity Week, mentioned above (Sunday 17th May to Sunday 24th May) is being celebrated at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob with the following events:

Wednesday 20th May: A Bat Walk. Meet at the Reserve at 9.30pm
Friday 22nd May: WNFC Children's Art Competition Prize Giving. Commences at the Reserve at 2pm
Saturday 23rd May: Coastal walk. Meet at Ardcavan Beach at 2pm
Sunday 24th May: Wildlife Walk. Meet at Reserve at 2pm
Sunday 17th May to Sunday 24th May: As mentioned above, an Invasive Species Exhibition at Reserve - 9am to 5pm

All events are free and all are very welcome. For further details please call the Reserve on 053-9123129

WEXFORD WILDFOWL RESERVE: Has gone live....... why not look at the Reserve's new web page..... www.wexfordwildfowlreserve.ie

COUNTY WEXFORD'S LEPIDOPTERA GUIDE: Has now gone to the Printers - the culmination of three years data gathering and the collating of records is eagerly anticipated. The Launch will be taking place in Wexford Library - date to be announced - watch this space for more details.

WILDLIFE RECORDS: Do please continue to submit those wildlife sightings of interest - This months wildlife summary are your records. They have either been communicated to Wexford Wildfowl Reserve on 053-9123129 or received 'On Line' on the club's website. Again, many thanks to all of you who have passed on those sightings. Records can also be sent to the Records Officer: Simon Collins, WNFC Records Officer, c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob, Wexford. Simon is currently developing a County Wexford Database for those records - don't let someone else send them in - make sure you contribute - did you see Frog Spawn this year – when – where - have you seen a Newt - where was the last place you saw a Lizard - this year - last year? They are all important records of our county wildlife.... So please keep them coming.

MORE BALLOON RELEASE PROBLEMS: remember the article concerning Balloon releases that was written in The Gaggle in November 2008? (see www.wexfordnaturalists.com ) It was titled - THE SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MASS BALLOON RELEASES. Well there are yet more problems, this time in the Shetland Islands:  Shetland Amenity Trust estimates that up to 10,000 balloons are polluting the islands' coastline at any one time. The trust's environment project officer Mick Clifton, who organises the country's largest annual community clean up, said balloons were potential death traps. "Statistically, there are in the region of seven balloons per kilometre of coastline cleaned by Da Voar Redd Up volunteers. "That is an estimated 10,000 spent balloons around the coastline of Shetland and does not take into account balloons drifting in the sea. Each one is a potential death trap to marine and land based wildlife." Karen Hall, of the Lerwick SNH office, added: "Marine wildlife and seabirds are most at risk as pieces of balloon can be easily mistaken for food. "During our recent grey seal pupping survey we noticed numerous discarded balloons on beaches around Shetland. In one case, several semi-inflated balloons were tangled in the kelp less than a metre away from a young grey seal pup." Balloons are either made of foil or latex. Described as 'bio-degradable', latex balloons can sometimes take longer than six months to break down whilst foil will take years, if at all. Ms Hall added: "If you value Shetland's natural environment, don't let go of your balloons." Have a look at: http://www.shetlandmarine.com/2009/07%20Environment/environmental_cost_of_balloon_releases.htm  

This also applies to our Wexford coastline - we don't want their problems....

APRIL WILDLIFE NEWS

BIRDS: 3 Manx Shearwaters were noted at Carnsore Point on 5th with 25 counted off the Point on 8th. There were 3 Slavonian Grebes at Curracloe on 3rd with 4 present on 5th reducing to just 1 noted on 10th. Maximum count of 36 Great Northern Divers, 10 Red-throated Divers and 5 Black-throated Divers were at Ballyteige Bay on 12th. There were 5 Great Northern Divers at Tacumshin on 20th. 15 Little Egrets noted at Tacumshin Lake on 19th. 8 Greenland White-fronted Geese were noted at Tacumshin on 5th. There were 40 Greenland White fronted Geese still present on the North Slob in the 3rd week. The 2 Canada Geese on the North Slob were still present in the third week. The 5 Pink-footed Geese were still at Our Lady's Island Lake on 1st. A Pink-footed Goose was at Cahore on 3rd.There were 70 Brent Geese feeding on shore at Bannow on 12th.There were 83 Gadwall counted at Tacumshin Lake on 5th. 3 Pintail at Tacumshin Lake on 5th and there were 4 Shoveler still at Our Lady's Island Lake up to the end of the month. A Gargany was at Tacumshin Lake from 5th with 3 present from 18th and 4 present on 30th. The Smew present on the North Slob Channel was present to at least the end of the first week. A Scaup was at Our Lady's Island Lake on 5th. There were 2 Long-tailed Ducks at Our Lady's Island Lake from the beginning of the month to at least the 10th. A Peregrine was noted at Tacumshin Lake on 5th. There was a Peregrine around Our Lady's Island Lake throughout the month. There were single Merlins noted at Tacumshin Lake and at Rostoonstown on 5th. 2 Marsh Harriers at Ring Marsh on 26th to the end of the month. A Hen Harrier was at Tacumshin Lake on 19th. There were 3 Buzzards at Slievecoiltia on 17th with 2 noted at Fethard-on-Sea on 19th and 1 at New Ross also on 19th. There were 2 Short-eared Owls at Great Saltee Island on 4th with singles recorded at Tacumshin Lake on 5th, 10th, 19th and 24th and a Short-eared Owl was on the North Slob from at least 12th to the end of the month. There were 2 Glaucous Gulls at Great Saltee Island on 4th. An Iceland Gull was at Carne Beach on 1st. Up to 14 Mediterranean Gulls were counted at our Lady's Island Lake from 5th. A Little Gull was at Tacumshin Lake on 17th with 2 present on 18th. A Bonaparte's Gull was at Tacumshin Lake on 18th. A Sandwich Tern was noted at Kilmichael Point on 4th with 4 at Carnsore Point on 8th. A Forster's Tern was at Tacumshin Lake from 22nd to the end of the month. 1 Little Tern was at Tacumshin on 19th. The first 3 Roseate terns were seen arriving at Our Lady's Island Lake on 22nd. A Whimbrel was calling at Great Saltee Island on 4th and there were 5 at Carnsore Point on 19th and 5 also at Tacumshin Lake on 19th and another 20 noted at Bannow Bay on 26th. A count of 100 Black-tailed Godwit was made at Bannow Bay on 26th. 30 Ringed Plover were at Tacumshin Lake on 30th. Single Spotted Redshanks were noted at Bannow Bay, Our Lady's Island Lake and Tacumshin Lake on 26th. A Spotted Redshank was at The Cull on 20th. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Tacumshin Lake on 19th, 22nd, 26th and 30th. There was a Purple Sandpiper at Tacumshin Lake on 22nd and 24th. There was 4 Ruff at Tacumshin Lake on 19th with 1 on 20th and 2 present on 26th and 1 on 30th. A Swift was seen in Wexford Town on 24th. There were 75 Sand Martins on the North Slob on 5th with at least 20 over the river at Scarawalsh on 6th. 66 were counted over the North Slob Channel on 7th. Swallows were noted arriving in small numbers through the first week. 2 House Martins at Ballymoney on 3rd. A Ring Ouzel was on Great Saltee Island on 4th. A Redstart was on Great Saltee Island on 18th and there was also a Black Redstart at the same location on the same date. There were 5 Wheatears at Great Saltee Island on 19th. 2 Willow Warblers were singing at Ballymoney on 2nd and there were 20 Willow Warblers on Great Saltee Island on 4th with 2 noted at Our Lady's Island Lake on 5th. Singles noted at Scarawalsh Bridge on 6th and at Coolcotts from 7th. There was a Subalpine Warbler at Carnsore Point on 12th with another recorded on Great Saltee Island on 18th.  A Grasshopper Warbler was at The Cull on 12th, there were 2 at Carnsore Point on 19th, 3 on Great Saltee Island on 19th with 2 on Great Saltee Island on 20th, 1 on North Slob on 20th and another was noted at Carnsore Point on 26th. There were Sedge Warblers singing in various locations around the County on 28th. There were 3 Reed Warblers at Tacumshin Lake on 19th and 20th. A Whitethroat was at Great Saltee Island on 19th. There were 3 Blackcaps at Raven Nature Reserve on 12th with 3 also recorded on Great Saltee Island on 19th. A male Blackcap was still visiting a peanut feeder in Coolcotts up to the end of the month (very late record). A good count of 15 Tree Sparrows were noted at Rostoonstown on 5th and 5 were seen flying over Woodgraigue on 10th. Redpoll were active in Coolcotts on 4th, even visiting peanut feeders on 7th and present on 14th, 18th and up to the end of the month. At least 2 Siskins [male and female] were feeding from peanut feeders every day in Coolcotts, with 3 [2 males and 1 female] on 16th. 

BUTTERFLIES: A Red Admiral was noted at Raven Nature Reserve on 28th. A Small Copper was at Raven Nature Reserve on 18th with 1 also seen at Ballyteige on 19th and 1 at Coolcotts on 30th.  An Orange Tip was noted at Oylgate on 10th. There was an Orange Tip at Coolcotts on 16th. There were 4 Orange Tips at Raven Nature Reserve on 18th, 5 on 19th and 6 Orange Tips were seen at Tacumshin Lake also on 19th. 20 were noted at Coolcotts on 20th with 8 noted at Coolcotts on 28th.A Green-veined White was at Raven Nature Reserve on 2nd. 6 Green-veined Whites were noted at Raven Nature Reserve on 18th. There was 1 in Coolcotts on 18th and 1 at Caim on 19th. There were 30 Green-veined Whites at Ballyteige on 19th. A single Green-veined White was noted at Great Saltee on the same date. A single Green-veined White was in Coolcotts on 20th with 1 on 21st and 13 present on 28th. There were 35 Green-veined Whites on the wing at Raven Nature Reserve on 28th. A Small White was at Ballyteige on 2nd. 1 was seen in Coolcotts on 8th with 2 noted same location on 11th. There were 6 Small Whites counted at Raven Nature Reserve on 18th. Also on that date there was a single in Coolcotts. There were 10 Small Whites at Ballyteige on 19th and a single at Coolcotts on 29th.A Small Tortoiseshell was at Eden-vale on 2nd. There were 3 Small Tortoiseshells at Raven Nature Reserve on 18th. 1 was noted in Coolcotts also on 18th, 2 on 20th and 1 on 28th. A Small Tortoiseshell was noted at Ballyteige on 19th with 2 more at Tacumshin on the same date. There were 2 Peacocks at Raven Nature Reserve on 2nd. A Peacock was at Ballyteige on 2nd and 1 was in Coolcotts on 11th. There were 2 Peacocks at Raven Nature reserve on 18th. A Holly Blue was seen at Raven Nature Reserve on 2nd, 18th and 19th, 2 Speckled  Woods were at Raven Nature Reserve on 19th. There was 1 present at Coolcotts on 20th, 1 on 21st, 4 on 28th and 2 on the 30th.

MOTHS: An Angle Shades was noted in Coolcotts on 28th.

MAMMALS: 15 Bottlenose Dolphins were noted at Rosslare on 22nd with 15 also recorded at Kilmore Quay on 24th. 3 Common Dolphin noted on the Cetacean Survey out from Rosslare on 25th. There was a Harbour Porpoise noted at Great Saltee Island on 19th and there was 1 also noted on the Cetacean Survey out of Rosslare on 25th. A Pipistrelle was noted in Coolcotts on 20th.

DRAGONFLIES:  1 Large Red Damselfly was noted at Raven Nature Reserve on 19th and 1 also seen on the same date on the North Slob.

PLANTS: A number of people have commented on the excellent display of Lady’s' Smock - Cuckoo Flower this year - good food supply for the Orange Tip Butterflies....