A critically endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) using its 'muscular foot' to try to reach a more suitable habitat in a eutrophic river in Donegal this week. However, there is nowhere better to go for this elderly mussel. There were once millions of mussels here, but they haven't reproduced in decades. They will all be gone soon, and the salmon will follow them. It's all about water quality!
I wrote a bit about Ireland’s internationally important marine reserve, Lough Hyne in Cork, and the couple who dedicated 40 years to studying the life inside it.
They say what is happening to the lake is “disastrous”.
https://t.co/TJL9bJs4yb
How to make Lough Neagh the largest cesspit in the United Kingdom?
Easy. Ask NI agriculture minister Edwin Poots, the man who changed the rules so that famers who repeatedly and negligently break pollution laws can have their fines capped at 15% of previous levels.🤬🤬🤬
Such sad news today aft 30 years of research at #loughhyne - similar to the news about #loughneagh earlier in the week. But glad to see swimming etc is not being blamed for issues with marine life dying off at the lake. Full story in today's @SouthernStarIRL - in shops and online
The first of five eggs has hatched at the Barn Owl cottage nest!! Check out the livestream anytime of day or night to see how this family of Barn Owls is getting on. You might even spot another egg hatching live on camera!
We are live!! We are very excited to launch the live stream on a Barn Owl nest in an abandoned cottage. Get to know these beautiful birds with intimate views of the nest as they embark on a long breeding season. Be warned, it is addictive viewing! https://t.co/ptkLmXrn6t
Most people have no idea that many products they buy contain Palm Oil that is leading to mass deforestation and wiping out the majestic #Orangutan
If they did they would change their behavior
Media have utterly failed to inform people
I need your help to spread the message
@bluedamseldisc@BioDataCentre@dan_pathfinder We have short-tailed field voles recently acquired from Monaghan, and it would be interesting to see if there are others out there! This looks like it could be one, so if you get more, it would be great to have a specimen for the Museum to lodge as a voucher for confirmation.
Delighted to have my 2nd PhD paper published in @_BTO Bird Study. We analysed 1,117 #henharrier pellets and found variation in winter diet across habitats and over time. Our findings can be used to inform targeted conservation strategies for wintering HH. https://t.co/mkdyCEoiBk
There are many unsung hero's in Barn Owl conservation, working quietly in the background but integral to the Barn Owl recovery - Donncha O'Teangana built & installed 40 nest boxes in east Cork & recently discovered to his (and our) delight Barn Owls breeding in 4 of his boxes
#Birdflu has recently been confirmed in a wild bird in Ireland🦅
We urge poultry owners to be vigilant and ensure their premises are biosecure
Do not pick up or touch sick or dead wild birds, and keep pets away from them
➡️See all avian influenza updates https://t.co/RobvVr5yDI
@AHRDesigns@TheBarnOwlProj1@BirdWatchIE@AHRDesigns raised important questions you haven't answered: What experience/training do you have with owls + why are you disturbing owls in the sensitive pre-laying period? This is reckless + could cause desertion. Please give details of the NPWS guidelines you claim to follow.
Which country is the worst in all of Europe, with the least ecological integrity ?
Is it mighty industrial Germany?
Densely populated Netherlands ?
Or the sparsely populated island on the west of Europe with no heavy industry and no excuse ?
A site in the upper River Boyne catchment today. We see scenes like this every day we are out surveying. Intensive agriculture is the key reason why rivers like the Boyne have unsatisfactory water quality. This is happening at hundreds of sites in the Boyne catchment alone.