IWT National Newt Survey

Register now and take part in training days near you!            

The Irish Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce that our smooth newt survey will be running again in 2012 and we are calling on people to once again get out and search their local pond for newts! The smooth newt is one of our few native amphibian species and this survey aims to increase our knowledge of the distribution of the species, but also make Irish people more familiar with this little ‘water dragon’.

This year we will be focussing our efforts in counties where we currently have few or no records, including counties Carlow, Clare, Donegal, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford.  Training days will be taking place in counties Clare, Donegal, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Kildare and Wexford . If you would like to attend a training day, you must register with us. Members of the Irish Wildlife Trust can attend the workshop for free and non-members must pay a small attendance fee (€20) to participate. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. 

To register as a surveyor or for more information contact Dr Daniel Buckley at newts@iwt.ie or on 0863691982 or check out our website www.iwt.ie

This project is funded by Dublin zoo and Fota Wildlife Park.

Training day information...our nearest one

Wexford:    3^rd  March, Wexford Wildfowl Reserve  

Good news from the ponds

Marie has been working with Senan Gardiner, IWT's former Education Officer, getting 2 schools to create wildlife ponds. On Friday, they went to St Ursulas School and below is a photo with pupils from Ms Twomey's Class depositing frogspawn ( from Marie's pond) into their school pond. This group of girls have an impressive knowledge of wildlife, showed us several projects of birds  they carried out  counts in the school yard. Last year we had visited the pond and planted some natives such as bogbean and flag iris. The resident goldfish were re-homed among pupils, leaving a new home for the frogspawn.

They also went to St Saviours NS, where a newly-dug pond (by local IWT volunteers, Leighton and John) has had a few teething problems. They visited 6 classes with the frogspawn, and addressed concerns of some teachers about safety around the pond. By the time they left, both teachers and pupils want the pond, and the frogs!!

Press release

The IWT welcome the Garda investigation into the shooting of seals off the Waterford Coast last week, and encourage members of the public to report any information they may have to Tramore Gardai (051 391620).

IWT are concerned that the 4 injured seals appear to have been shot close together at sea, in a deliberate act. All stranded close to each other in the same area of a 3 mile long beach, within days of each other, and had to be euthenased as they were in a badly injured state.

Seals are a protected species under the Wildlife Act, and play an important role in the marine food chain and their reduction may lead to negative consequences for ecosystem balance.

We believe that this type of animal persecution has a very negative impact on the country's image as a visitor destination, and it's reporting on BBC news last week sends out all the wrong signals from a nation which is appreciated by Britons and other for its natural environment.

There has been speculation about the perpetrators of this wanton and cruel act and we would ask all interested organisations to declare their condemnation of it.

Some pictures provided by Marie

Investigation into Waterford seal slaughter?

The IWT deplores the wanton destruction of our wildlife following confirmed reports that two grey seals had been shot in the head near Tramore, Co. Waterford sometime on Tuesday February 21^st. These animals suffered a horrible death having swam ashore with awful head injuries. They were later euthanized under veterinary supervision. Aside from the terrible cruelty of this act our seals are protected by law under the Wildlife Act 1976 (as Amended 2000). They are also protected under Annex II and IV of the European Habitats Directive.

The IWT is now calling for a full investigation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Gardaí into this illegal act. Those responsible must be brought before the courts to demonstrate that the law will be upheld and such barbaric acts will not be tolerated.

IWT chairman Pádraic Fogarty says “too often in this country we see no regard for wildlife law. Whether it’s the poisoning of eagles or the destruction of important habitats there seems to be a reluctance by the relevant authorities to bring those responsible to justice. What does this say about our attitude to our natural heritage?”

...even made it on to BBC news here.

Coper Coast walk

The Waterford branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust will host a walk along a section of the Copper Coast at Bunmahon on February 12th. The leader will be Des Cowman who talk about local geology and wildlife. Meet at the main carpark at Bunmahon at 2 p.m. The walk will last 2 hours and will head to Tra na mBo. 

 

 
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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!