The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is Ireland rarest raptor but also its most spectacular. Known as Cromán na gCearc in Irish, these birds are protected in Ireland. Ireland is home to the most westerly population of these raptors with over 60% of the population being within the counties of Munster. Females are larger than males. […]

The wonderfully patterned Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae) is a fairly common but shy animal in Ireland that can be found on plants of the family Scrophulariaceae. The larvae may also be seen here, covered with a shiny, sticky substance. This is a diffuse peritrophic membrane that acts as a deterrent to any potential predators. Production of this […]

The palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) is an amphibian belonging to the family Salamandridae, which includes both newts and true salamanders. There are over 60 known species of newts around the world [3]. Three species are native to the UK, the palmate newt included [1]. Up until recently, the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) was the only […]

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. With an estimated 5.5 million species, they play essential roles in the functioning of ecosystems. From recycling nutrients to ensuring crop pollination and biological pest control1, these invertebrates also constitute vital food sources for numerous vertebrates and are crucial to the survival of most […]

Acknowledgements This survey was funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Biodiversity RecordersGrant. Nature Network Ireland would like to thank the National Parks and Wildlife Service for theopportunity to run this survey. Thank you also to John Deasey, Emily Mangan, Sean Bourke,Karl Woods and Melanie Mangan for their support and assisting with the surveys. […]

On a warm and dry day, the rhythmic ‘chirps’ of grasshoppers can be a familiar sound from Irish grasslands, meadows or roadsides. The ‘songs’ that these insects produce are a fundamental aspect of the Irish summer and an essential part of the ecosystem functioning. As an example, the Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) is one […]

Bats are the only mammals with true, powered flight. Unlike the gliding flight of flying squirrels and lemurs, bats use their wings for active flight. Like other mammals, bats are warm blooded (endothermic), covered in fur and feed their newborn offspring with milk. Ecology There is a huge diversity of bat species worldwide, with up to 1,400 […]

Bats are one of the most diverse groups of mammals on the planet. There are over 1,400 species currently known and found all over the world, except for the Arctic, Antarctic and a few Oceanic islands. Bats are an extremely diverse group with a wide range of feeding habits, including species which specialise in eating […]

The Iberian Lynx is one of the most elusive wild cats in the world. Unfortunately, it is also the most endangered. However, ongoing conservation work has resulted in the species being downgraded from a ‘Critically Endangered’ status to ‘Endangered’ in 2015 (2). The population of the Iberian Lynx worldwide based on the latest estimates as […]