Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club, c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, … · 2013-04-10 · WNFC, c/o...

WNFC, c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob, Wexford. Website: www.wexfordnaturalists.com; Email: [email protected]

Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club, c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob, Wexford, Ireland.

WNFC Newsletter Issue number 29 March 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS

April. Thursday 4th: 8pm at Gorey Library, Gorey Civic Square, The Avenue, Gorey “The Wonderful World of Snails” by Dr. Maria Long, TCD. Saturday 13th: Field trip to look at snails and other wildlife with Dr. Maria Long. Meet at 12pm in the car park in Camolin Park Wood. Directions to Camolin Park Wood N11 from South Wexford: In Camolin village turn left immediately after St. Catherine’s church (on left side of road). Continue for approx. 4km to wood. Car parks on left and right. N11 from North Wexford: In Camolin village turn right before St. Catherine’s church (2nd church on right). Continue as above. May. Thursday 2nd: "Foraging Eurasian Badgers (Meles meles) and the presence of cattle in pasture. Do badgers avoid cattle?" by Enda Mullen, NPWS District Conservation Officer. Saturday 11th: Dragonfly Identification Workshop with Dr. Eugenie Regan and Chris Wilson. 10am – 4pm at The Pumphouse, Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. Cost €5, incl. lunch. Booking essential. Contact Marion Brady at (086)8290163 or [email protected] Wednesday 22nd: International Day for Biological Diversity. Join Dave Daly, Zoë Devlin, Alan McGuire and Chris Wilson for a walk to explore the natural history of Wexford Town. Meet at 7pm in Rowe St. Church car park June. Thursday 6th: “Chasing the Painted Lady” by Dr.Eugenie Regan. 8pm at Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig. Saturday 8th: Bumblebee Identification Workshop with Dr. Úna Fitzpatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre 10am–4pm at Jamestown Nature Reserve, Oylegate (S983 312). Cost €5, incl. lunch. Booking essential. Contact Marion Brady at (086)8290163 or [email protected] Saturday 22nd: June Day Trip. Coach trip to Co. Kildare. Guided tour of Pollardstown Fen, an alkaline marsh situated on the northern margin of the Curragh. It contains a number of rare vegetation types and invertebrates, along with an uninterrupted pollen record of the changes in the composition of its vegetation going back to the last ice age. Lunch in Kildare followed by visit to Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, for guided tour. The grassland habitat at Lullymore West bog is a breeding area for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly and if conditions are right we may be lucky enough to see adults on the wing. Depart Wexford 8.30am. Cost €25 for bus fare and entrance to Nature Centre (incl.tea/coffee). Booking essential. For further details contact Mary Foley at (053)9146573 or [email protected] Please note that under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult at all club events. Field trips are for members and their guests only. Suitable clothing and footwear are recommended for outdoor events

If you wish to receive emails with reminders of upcoming club events, and details of other events which may be of interest, please ensure that Nicholas Egan, Membership Secretary, has an up to date email address for you. Since events may change due to unforeseen circumstances please check for last minute updates on our website, www.wexfordnaturalists.com or phone Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, (076) 1002660. Please note new phone number. Where available bring field guides, lenses, binoculars etc. to field events. Don’t forget a notebook and pen/pencil to record all you see and hear! There are a number of guide books in the Club Library. Check these out on www.wexfordnaturalists.com/library or find out more details from Will Warham, Club Librarian AN TAISCE WEXFORD BRANCH NATIONAL SPRING CLEAN CAMPAIGN

WNFC/Wexford An Taisce Branch annual Spring Clean will take place at Jamestown Nature Reserve, Oylegate, at 2pm on Sunday 14th April. Please contact Will Warham (087)2052266 if you wish to take part. DAWN CHORUS

This year join us at Tintern Abbey on Sunday 19th May at 4.30am - and in conjunction with Birds Australia, South Australia Branch, who are also holding a Dawn Chorus same date - we are linking up for each event with various media coverage

BIRDWATCH IRELAND EVENTS

Sunday April 21st – Spring Migrants at Carne. A walk along the rocky shores of Carne and through the sheltered lanes of Churchtown with help on identifying spring migrants. Meet at Carne Harbour car park (T 129 063) at 8am.

Sunday May 19th – Heathland Birds on Forth Mountain. An evening trip to Forth Mountain with help on identifying heathland birds, continuing until after sunset in the hope of seeing roding woodcock. Meet at Forth Mountain (S 970 181) at 8pm. Bring a torch.

Sunday June 23rd – Woodland Birdsong in Edenvale. A visit to Edenvale with help on identifying woodland birds and birdsong. Meet at Edenvale (T 044 271) at 8am. Further details contact [email protected] or 0876324097

WELCOME

Special welcome to the following new members: Patrick and Luke Lambert, Forth Mountain; James Nolan, Wexford; Eoin, Megan and Helen Deenen, Murrintown; Oisín Newport, Forth Mountain; Kevin Dooney, Dublin.


SPECIES FOR RECORDING IN SPRING • Large Red Damselfly • First records of Cuckoo and Swallow • All sightings of Wild Mammals

Your records as usual please to Records Officer, Harm Deenen at [email protected]. Postal records can be sent to Harm c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob, Wexford

Large Red Damselfly (photo: C.Wilson)

2013 AGM REPORT

The AGM was held on February 7th 2012 at The Pumphouse. 28 members attended. The Chairman’s Report is available on the club’s website, www.wexfordnaturalists.com (under reports) or from the club secretary. The Treasurers Report is available to members on application to the Secretary c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve or [email protected]. The committee is as follows (with additional responsibilities in brackets): Chair: Mary Foley Vice-Chair: Nicholas Egan (Membership Secretary and Newsletter Editor) Secretary: Marion Brady (Web Officer) Treasurer: Michael O’Donnell Committee members: Harm Deenen (Records Officer), John Kinsella (PRO), Kevin Mac Cormick (Records), Mark Nolan (Facebook and Twitter), Will Warham (Club Library), Janet Whelehan ( Club Archive).

Short-Eared Owl Seen at WWR. (Photo: M O’Connell)

IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOPS

Marion Brady is taking names for the Dragonfly and Bumblebee Identification Workshops to be held in May and June (see Club brochure for details). Contact Marion at [email protected] or (086)8290163 The National Biodiversity Data Centre is once again offering a workshop programme to assist in the recording of Ireland’s Biodiversity. The Club committee has agreed to set aside a sum of money to cover the workshop fee for some of these courses if a member wishes to attend. Applications will be on a first come basis and should be made to the Club Secretary c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve or [email protected]. All other expenses will be borne by the member. Places are limited and advance booking to the National Biodiversity Data Centre is essential. A copy of the programme is available from the Club Secretary, can be seen on the club notice board in the Pumphouse, or can be downloaded at www.biodiversityireland.ie

WNFC Safari on at WWR. Full report of March event on wexfordnaturalists.com (under events). (photo: C. Wilson)

WILDLIFE ON THE RADIO Half-hour programmes are being broadcast on South East Radio on 95.6 – 96.4FM, every fortnight on ‘The Saturday Show’ between 12.15pm and 12.45pm. These programmes are produced with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Programmes can be also found at www.wildside.ie DISCOUNT As WNFC is a member of Co. Wexford Community Forum, club members can avail of a discounted admission rate of €3 each instead of €8 to The National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig. The discount applies to the club member only and club membership cards must be presented. Prices are correct at time of publication of this Newsletter. THE LEPIDOPTERA OF COUNTY WEXFORD is for sale at all club events at a reduced price of €5

WEBSITE APPEAL FOR PHOTOS

Habitats and Wildlife species. Digital photos to info@wexford naturalists.com

SUGGESTION BOX

Ideas, suggestions, criticisms, etc. can be put into THE SUGGESTION BOX at all lectures


CLUB JACKETS Regatta jackets with the club logo embroidered are available to order in blue, green or black. Price €56. For more details contact Mary Foley at any club event. CLUB LOGO If anyone would like to have an item of clothing embroidered with the Club Logo, Blazing Embroidery in The Crescent (No. 3 The Quay), Wexford, have details of the Club Logo and colours. EXTRACT FROM UNPUBLISHED WORK “CANALS OF COUNTY WEXFORD” BY EITHNE SCALLAN (written in 1997) The stretch of canal at Wexford’s North Slob was neither designed nor used for transport. This fact in itself had led to an unusual situation in the attributes of the canal to-day. The canal was built in 1847 as part of the extensive network of waterways on the reclaimed land to the north of Wexford Harbour, the story of which is very important in the history of Wexford’s community and economy. The canal was in fact a skilful engineering device to save money in the ongoing operation of reclaiming some 2,500 acres of land over 165 years ago. The reclamation of the slob-lands has been well documented and it should be remembered that this plan to reclaim 2,400 statute acres was a commercial enterprise, but that it became a social exercise because of the state of agriculture and the economy at that particular time. According to the Wexford Independent (29 May, 1847) and Free Press (7 June 1847) work finally commenced on 7 June, but the work of embanking and enclosing the North Slob dragged on for years during which time we are told that the perseverance manifested by the workers and the directors of the project in conquering apparently insurmountable natural impediments was extraordinary. By 1849 the project had been completed: The North Slob had been won from the sea. The key to the undertaking was the building of the massive embankment to keep out the sea. Inside this embankment the canal was built. Although the canal is four and a half miles long, the fall is only 6 inches. This canal has, in our time, developed a new role since it has become an important part of the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. It is unsuitable for the passage of boats, because the prolific growth of irises clogs up the throughway. Probably for the very reason that it is not used by man, it is very popular with wildlife. Kingfishers fly along it, the long-eared owl flies over it, herons wade by its banks, mullet swim right up from the sea, and dragonflies hover above its waters. Pied wagtails nest under its bridges, mute swans swim majestically along its surface and swallows roost in its reeds. It is used as a “migration way” by small birds such as swallows and martins, who will not cross water if they can help it, but will fly along the route of the canal to reach the other side of the harbour area. In 1995 an unusual species was discovered here, the swan mussel or anadonta signia. This stretch of canal, which was never intended to be a navigable waterway, is of interest because its function over 165 years has remained the same, but its value to the community has completely changed. It has become an integral part of one of the great treasures of the County Wexford community, the Wildfowl Reserve on Wexford Slobs and Harbour, home to 246 species of birds, and in particular the wild and wonderful Greenland White-fronted Goose.

A view of the Canal on the North Slob (photo: C. Wilson) DLR RED SQUIRREL CONSERVATION PROJECT

In 2012 a licence was issued by NPWS to trap, collar and move up to fifteen red squirrels from the Raven National Nature Reserve to be released in Killiney in south Dublin k as part of a conservation project. This licence was issued on the basis of a long term conservation species plan drawn up by a small group facilitated by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown CoCo (DLR), under their Biodiversity Action Plan. Much effort was given to the conservation of Killiney’s red squirrels through habitat management, control of invasive greys and monitoring of the remnant red population. Twenty-two grey squirrels were removed from the hill in 2007 and they were continuously trapped and removed whenever they were spotted in the general area.

Initially it was hoped that the population may be supplemented by connections with the resident population in the greater Dublin Mountains, however with the confirmation of the infectious squirrel pox in Wicklow it was decided that taking specimens / connecting to this group may be too much of a risk and work was directed at a supplementary introduction from the next nearest clean population, which focused on the Raven NNR.

Will Carr of Sciurus Ecological Solutions is assisting with the project, he has worked on both estimation of the Raven population and overseen the trapping programme, ensuring no pregnant females or dependant young were targeted. In the end fourteen healthy red squirrels were taken.

The reds taken from Raven Nature Reserve were placed in enclosures on the hill to acclimatise them to their new home before they were released. Upon release, this influx of a new gene pool, it is hoped that they will supplement the small local population which has dwindled in recent years.

The red squirrel, although native, has undergone a steady decline across the country largely due to competition from the introduced grey squirrel, which came to Ireland from North America over 100 years ago. Since then it has spread rapidly and is found in 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. There are thought to be at least 250,000 greys, while there are an estimated 40,000 reds in the whole of Ireland. The larger size of the grey, combined with its less specialised habitat and ability to consume unripe acorns that are toxic to the red, means it has a competitive advantage. It is also a carrier of the squirrel pox, which is deadly to reds.

Only two urban populations of red squirrels remain in Dublin at Killiney and Howth Head. Four greys a year have been removed in the last few years. Their numbers have also been controlled in surrounding public areas that support them as part of an All-Ireland Species Action Plan. The council also hopes private


landowners in the area might co-operate in the removal of greys on their land.

The project have estimated that the hill could support upwards of 25 red squirrels, and in a habitat as far as Ballybrack, another 25 could be supported if greys are kept under control. HEDGEROW WILDLIFE SURVEY The Club has launched a survey of the wildlife that uses Wexford's hedgerows. We know hedgerows are important for wildlife but we don't really know to what extent. We are looking for people from all parts of the county to take part to get as much information as possible from all around the county. The survey is very simple. We are asking that you walk along a rural road for 1km, once a month every month, and count all the birds, butterflies, bumblebees and anything else you see during your walk or you can count just birds or butterflies, etc. We hope that this will give us information, not just on what species are using our hedgerows, but how the range of species varies throughout the year and it will also allow us to monitor how things change from year to year. If you would like to take part, please contact Michael O'Donnell at [email protected] for full instructions and recording sheets. With Summer apparently just around the corner, we want to get lots of Hedgerow walks under way as soon as possible so why not give it a go? Remember that New Year’s resolution to get more exercise? This is your opportunity to do just that and help the Club at the same time to gather information about the wildlife of our native hedgerows. ARTICLES FOR NEWSLETTER

The next newsletter will be published Mid June. This is your newsletter and natural history articles are always welcome. Items for inclusion may be passed on to me, Nicholas Egan, at [email protected]; or 086 0757976. If you would like to save paper and help reduce the club’s carbon footprint, please contact Nicholas at above to receive your newsletter by email.

DRAGONFLY RECORDING

The Co. Wexford ‘Odonata Survey’ continues this year with, hopefully, some kind intervention from the Climate Gods who should have been rather embarrassed with their influences on last year’s dismal weather records. Having said that the contribution of sightings received in 2012 did add greatly to our knowledge of dragonfly and damselfly species in our County’s 10km squares distribution. Records in 2012 were received from Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club, The National Biodiversity Centre, and a further twenty-nine people who all kindly submitted records and helped to add 27 new 10km square records as well as in excess of 100 further confirmations of presence in various squares. Shown on this web page are the current, up to date, known records for all 10km Squares in Co. Wexford. Do please refer to this map and distribution summary with a view to adding some new records to our 10km squares.

Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club, c/o Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, … · 2013-04-10 · WNFC, c/o...

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