2012 off to a good start

The Waterford Branch of the IWT had a most enjoyable outing to Ballyshunnock Lake and then Portlaw Woods on Sunday January 8th .  The events drew a large crowd,  many of whom were experiencing the wild life of Ballyshunnock and Portlaw Woods for the first time.  The birdwatching event was led by Denis Cullen from a most delightful spot on the lake.  The main event was the dusk and night walk led by Sean O’Connor.  The theme was ‘Finding your way by Natures Signposts’ and proved to be informative, interesting and  a very different walking experience  thoroughly enjoyed by the  more than 50 people who participated.  Thanks to all who made the events a success. (Ray)

Check out this site from the Ordnance Survey UK.

If you have an android phone, download the app Google sky map.

New wildlife pond

Over the last two Mondays, a new wildlife pond has been created by IWT local volunteers in conjunction with St. Saviours School, Ballybeg. Leighton Roche, John Hoban and Marie Power worked with Senan and the 4th class pupils of Mr Gough's class to create a wildlife pond in the school grounds. The pond is planted with bogbean, iris and oxygenating hairgrass, and it is hoped will support frogs and newts in time. Water and web of nature classes were carried out with the class to help explain the ecological context for the pond.

Some new planting, as well as biodiversity classes were carried out in St. Ursulas School. The pond created there a few years ago, was populated with goldfish , so these are now removed to another location and native plants - iris and water forget-me-not - were introduced to increase the biodiversity of the pond.

A protective grid is now being sought to prevent accidents. If you know anyone who has one to spare, or who can make one, we would like to hear from you.

Special thanks are due to Leighton and John who did the hard work of digging the pond!

Biodiversity maps

The latest release of Biodiversity Maps now includes a function to report on what species have been recorded in an area of land. Register as a user of Biodiversity Maps and this allows you to generate a report on designated sites (SPAs, SACs, NHAs, and Nature Reserves), squares of the national grid (10km, 2km and 1km resolution) and for any townland in the country.

December Family treat

Waterford Irish Wildlife Trust held a Christmas outing especially for families and the children of members and friends on Sunday December 18^th.  The outing consisted of a one mile walk to the Harrington deer herd just outside Dunhill, a visit to the deer herd,   a tasting of Chough farm products and  festive refreshments.   We then returned to Dunhill for a social gathering over some mince pies.  

Ray introducing IWT

Short walk along the road

The fast section into the pool, a fish delight

Mary with river Anne in background

New constructed wetland for private house

Ray holding forth

Bamboo, another invasive or an ornamental?

The deer we all wanted to see,Sika, an invasive?

December walk

The Irish Wildlife Trust in conjunction with MISE (Mammals in a sustainable environment) are hosting a training day and walk to spot otters on Sunday December 11^th.  The meeting point is at the carpark at the Waterford Island Castle Ferry at Ballynakill which is about 2 miles from the city centre.  Follow the Dunmore Road past the Hospital.  The third main turnoff on the left, past the hospital is signposted for Waterford Castle.  Follow this sign. The meeting time is 11 a.m.  Members of the general public who would like to know more about otters and otter surveying are very welcome on this walk which will last about 2 hours.  Reservations are necessary.  Please call Ray at 051-382629 before Saturday December 10^th.  Please bring your wellingtons and waterproofs. 

Pix from Inistioge

Thanks to Denis for giving us a flavour of the walk in Inistioge.

The branch outing on Sunday November 21st was to Inistioge. Denis Cullen led a walk along the start of the South Leinster way, then through Woodstock Woods and garden. Over 30 walkers enjoyed views of the Nore in spate, trees still with beautiful autumn colour and very attractive notice boards erected by Insitioge Tidy Towns group, illustrating the wildlife and plants of the area. These include otters, kingfisher and autumn crocus - a protected species.

Next outing is the otter survey in Waterford City on December 8th. Watch this space for details.
The NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service) are one of the bodies involved in surveying mammals  along with the National Biodiversity Data Centre based in Carrickanore. You can also click here for details on initiatives from the Heritage Council.
The new project that focuses on otters is part of the Mammals in a Sustainable Environment project. They have a Facebook page.

Badger the Minister

Press Release

7th November, 2011

‘BADGER THE MINISTER’ - The Irish Wildlife Trust calls for an end to badger culling in Ireland

In these difficult times did you know that your taxes are being used to pay 75 government staff to snare and kill badgers in Ireland?

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is opposed to badger culling and the use of snares as a badger control. Not only is it barbaric and unethical, recent findings have shown it to be ineffective in the war on bovine TB. Badgers can die over extended periods struggling in these hideous devices while their young starve underground. Nobody has ever counted badgers accurately in this country.  While it has always been assumed that they are common animals, this can no longer be taken for granted.

·      115,000 badgers have been killed by the Irish Government since 1984₁

·      6,000 snares are set in Ireland every night₂

·      €70 million of citizens money has been allocated to disease eradication programme this year alone₃

·      Badgers are protected by Irish and European law

The IWT wants this practice to stop immediately. It is cruel, wasteful and damages Ireland’s reputation for its ‘green island economy’. The IWT recognise that bovine TB is a major problem for Irish farmers but it also must be recognised that culling does not work. Resources should be focused on a national vaccination programme. Faulty science and politically driven motives should not be used as excuses for slaughtering our wildlife.

Help the Irish Wildlife Trust ‘Badger’ Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney to stop this dreadful practice by signing this online petition at: http://www.change.org/petitions/the-irish-wildlife-trust-iwtie

You can learn more about badgers in Ireland and the impact of culling on www.iwt.ie. You can also donate to our campaign and be in with a chance to win a specially commissioned oil portrait of a badger family by Ireland’s top wildlife artist Morgan Gibbs.

If you’d like more information about this topic, please call Conn Flynn at (01)8602839 / 0878142343 or email  Conn at conservation.iwt.ie

_1. http://www.agriculture.gov.ie

_2. Coughlan, M., Written Answers. Debates of the Houses of the Oireachtas, 2007. 632(4).

_3.http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrols/tuberculosistbandbrucellosis/diseaseeradicationpolicy/2011TBProgramme130111.pdf