Killarney National Park’s 60th birthday: A time for deep reflection and radical reform
‘Our parks must have nature at the forefront of their concerns’
National Biodiversity Data Centre
Decline of Irish insects reflects inconsistent approach to protecting endangered species
While pollinators have captured the public imagination, other groups such as ants, aquatic flies and beetles are overlooked
Rare plant that does not depend on light rediscovered in Killarney for first time since 1896
Yellow Bird’s-nest lives in leaf litter habitat and depends on fungi for its food
Insects are essential for life but they need to be protected
Thinking in a Climate Emergency: For purely self-interested reasons, we should care about insects; they are intimately involved in all our food chains
Milder and shorter winters due to climate warming are forcing some bat species to change their ways
Although bats will roost in all kinds of spaces – from rocks, scree slopes and exposed limestone to holes in old oaks – they tend to favour buildings
How to find a ladybird: Try out the art of ‘beating’
There is a lack of historical data on ladybirds in Ireland, but enthusiasts are making up for lost time
The ‘Daddy Long-Legs’ may appear meek and mild, but it can devour larger spiders
Ella McSweeney: A new course from the National Biodiversity Data Centre is a calming antidote to exaggerated and inaccurate media reporting about spiders
Unusually large numbers of jellyfish being washed up on Irish shores
Barrel jellyfish, resembling ‘cauliflowers’ and normally seen in southeastern waters, are being recorded almost halfway around the Irish coastline
Eye on Nature: Can you settle an argument between me and my neighbour about bluebells?
Eanna Ní Lamhna answers questions about hairy-footed flower bees, bluebells and dead man’s fingers
Bluebells: native flower under threat from larger, invasive species
Hybrid or Spanish varieties can quickly displace the native species
Eye on Nature: CCTV reveals who’s been pulling down the bird feeder
Your notes and queries for Eanna Ní Lamhna
Butterfly numbers continuing to recover
Research suggests warm summers helping several species but some still in decline
Another Life: A classic dogfight between butterflies
Michael Viney: In tight spiralling flight they whirred past my nose, then vanished among distant bushes
First discovery in Ireland of invasive hornet species that threatens pollinators
Single Asian hornet found ‘alive but dying’ in private dwelling on the northside of Dublin
Another Life: Spring sees launch of new all-Ireland ‘pollinator plan’
Michael Viney: With 186 biodiversity proposals, the plan seeks more land for pollinators on farms and council properties
The Irish Times view on the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan: restoration roadmap
Many of our pollinating species, especially bumblebees and solitary bees, are declining rapidly due to habitat loss and other factors
Super grass: the arching, architectural forms of wild meadows
Michael Viney: Wild grasses have loved the mood swings of our climate this year
The foreign invaders decimating North’s worm population
Antipodean flatworms pose risk to indigenous variety which could have severe knock-on effects
What’s on for National Biodiversity Week?
Workshops and homeschooling activities will explore biodiversity in the garden
Golden kelp: how did the alien seaweed end up in Irish waters?
Golden kelp is notably bare of other sea life, so there are concerns over its possible impact
What causes hoar frost? Readers’ nature queries and observations
Ethna Viney on parakeets in Fairview, an otter eating a lamprey and racoon oysters
Ireland’s bee and butterfly populations declining, report finds
Biodiversity study says status of Irish wildlife ‘remains precarious’
The native Irish honeybee is not extinct after all
Enough native honeybees in Ireland to help repopulate northern Europe, study finds
Mobile app developed to fight back against invasive plant species
Limerick local authority will feed valuable data into national biodiversity database
Aliens are coming – not all of them in peace
Unlike Florida, we don’t have to worry about a huge Nile crocodile turning up in our waters, but we are facing a threat from a range of non-native species
‘Bee friendly’ approach urged to help save species from extinction
Pollinators essential for growth of human food crops but one third of Irish bees at risk
Another Life: A landscape fit for our native honey bees
A plan backed by 68 organisations shows the plight of pollinators is moving up the agenda
Plight of the bumblebee: climate change puts insect at risk
Researchers say bees dying out as they fail to migrate north to escape rising temperatures
Access Science: The taming of the greater white-toothed shrew is essential
The invader is out-competing the indigenous pygmy shrew, and there could be serious repercussions for our ecosystem
The butterfly effect: summer is a spotter’s paradise
When volunteers send in their data, they are not only contributing to the national picture of biodiversity, they are also influencing national conservation policy
Invasive species which can smother marine life spreading in south Galway Bay
Japanese sea squirt almost impossible to eradicate
Another Life: Citizen science puts dots on Ireland’s wildlife map
Have all the house mice fled Connemara? Or the harbour seals Co Louth? The All-Ireland Mammal Atlas is charting nature’s progress
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices