Summer Bat Surveying with the Vincent Wildlife Trust

Bee Orchid
Originally uploaded by Mike Maunsell

The VWT is planning two radio tracking studies of the lesser horseshoe bat at two of its reserves this summer, one based near Cahernacon, Co. Mayo, from June 2nd to 12th, and one based near Gort, Co. Galway, from August 18th to 27th. We are seeking assistance from anyone living in these areas who can spare two or more nights to help with this work. We are in a position to pay volunteers mileage, and training in all aspects of the catching, handling, tagging and tracking of the bats will be provided. All we would ask volunteers to supply is their own mobile phone and head torch.
Background:
The aim of the radio tracking study is to determine how the bats make their way to their foraging areas and what foraging areas they use, so that this information can input into broader landscape conservation measures. We intend to catch the bats as they fly away from the roosts, allowing two nights for this, as the lesser horseshoe bat is notoriously hard to catch. We will be using mist nets set up along their flight paths. When we catch the bats we shall attach small radio transmitters to the eight heaviest females, we have already obtained the necessary licences to do this. Then, for the following eight nights, we shall work in two teams of two, each team following four bats, probably by car but possibly on foot, depending on what the bats choose to do. Essentially we be aiming to gather as much data on their movements as possible; it may be that three bats spend the whole night in one location all night, while others move between areas frequently during the night, so how we work on a particular night will need to be flexible.
We are carrying out similar studies in the UK, where some consultancies have offered to allow staff to assist, in return for the training aspect of the work.
Dr Kate Mc Aney,
Mammal Development Manager (Ireland),
The Vincent Wildlife Trust,
Donaghpatrick,
Headford,
County Galway,
Republic of Ireland.
Tel: 00 353 93 35304 Mobile: 00 353 86 8308849
www.vwt.org.uk

The Centre for Biodiversity at Tipperary - filling the information gap

Marsh Fritillary 3
Originally uploaded by Mike Maunsell

The Centre for Biodiversity at Tipperary Institute is carrying out important research work on biodiversity and climate change. 13 researchers are working on Biodiversity monitoring across Tipperary, gathering important information on our environment through the study of “biodiversity indicators”, these are species which tell us a lot about the quality of our environment and climate change. If an indicator species is present in a location it can signal the health of that environment. There are significant information gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity in Ireland and how wildlife may respond to climate change and land-use change. A powerful information tool is the use of biodiversity indicators.
This summer’s focus is on our Butterfly population. Not only are butterflies a food source for birds and other animals, they are also important as pollinators and vital to all food production, without pollinators we have no food. Because of their short lifecycle and sensitivity to climate and environmental change, butterflies lend themselves as ideal biodiversity indicators. So far this summer the Centre for Biodiversity research team have identified the mass migration from butterfly’s form Africa to Ireland, researchers identified and tracked thousands of Painted Lady butterflies as the migrated from the Atlas Mountains to Ireland. We have discovered one of Europe’s most endangered species of Butterfly, Marsh Fritillary Euphydras aurinia, in Tipperary. The Marsh Fritillary is the only Irish butterfly species protected under EU law. It is now considered one of the most endangered species in Europe, it has undergone severe declines in most countries and is now extinct in northern Belgium, so the Irish population found in County Tipperary is of international importance.
We are gathering climate information from our weather station across Tipperary, this along with the biodiversity information goes into a special computerised database which provides up-to-date evidence to assist with many of the key planning decisions we now face, including: agriculture, urban development, tourism and infrastructure and renewable energy. Not all of our current research team are students studying on our B.Sc. Honours programme in Environmental & Natural Resource Management, but we have involvement form a growing number of farmers, who recognise the benefits and importance of biodiversity research. As we plan for our future green economy we face a huge obstacle in our lack of information on biodiversity, the Centre for Biodiversity at Tipperary Institute is working to provide quality information to help get our economy growing again. Wildlife related activities in Wales is estimated to be worth £9billion to its economy, while in Scotland it is estimated that wildlife watching alone is worth £57million.
The future is bright-the fiture is green.

Young Biodiversity Scientist of the future.

Rhiannan
Originally uploaded by Mike Maunsell

During the recent mass migration of Painted Lady Butterfly's from Africa to Ireland, Rhiannon and Alannah were at the Centre for Biodiversity at Tipperary Institute where they helped monitor this once in a lifetime event. Thanks to them both for their hard work on the day.
After hatching in February or March in Africa, the Painted Lady butterfly migrates north every year, normally arriving in Ireland in May or early June, spreading out across the country, others going on into Scandinavia. Historically recorded 'swarm' years include, 1272, 1889, 1903, 1928, 1980 and more recently 1996, 2003 and 2006. 2009 might be added to this list. The highest count so far from our research staff is 52 per minute passing overhead.

Taoiseach Visits Centre for Biodiversity

Taoiseach Visits Centre for Biodiversity
Originally uploaded by Mike Maunsell

We recently had a visit from Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) Brian Cowen, During the Taoiseach’s visit our Biodiversity Data recording software was on display and its capabilities were being demonstrated. And what a day it was. Just prior to the Taoiseach’s arrival at the Centre for Biodiversity, we noticed increasing numbers of butterfly’s flying in a North West direction over the grounds and gardens surrounding the Centre. We estimated there were 200 per hour passing by, all the same species, Painted Lady Vanessa cardui. We knew this was an unusual event. As the Taoiseach arrived accompanied by Dr. Martin Mansergh, Minister of State, and his PA Siobhan Ambrose (Photo below) we demonstrated the Biodiversity Data Recording capabilities. As we did, we began to get live reports of large numbers of Painted Lady Vanessa cardui butterflies, crossing the country. We have a Butterfly monitoring programme in operation this summer and our fieldworkers began to send in reports of sightings of between 160 and 1000 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui butterflies, per hour passing survey points. This was a mass migration of this species from Africa to Ireland. After hatching in February or March in Africa, the Painted Lady butterfly migrates north every year, normally arriving in Ireland in May or early June, spreading out across the country, others going on into Scandinavia. Historically recorded 'swarm' years include, 1272, 1889, 1903, 1928, 1980 and more recently 1996, 2003 and 2006. 2009 might be added to this list.
Demonstrating our Biodiversity work isn’t always easy, but in this case events conspired to impress all present. We were able to show how live data, has the capability to be captured in real time, the results enhanced with geographical and environmental variables, can be used for evidence based decision making.

If you wish to get invlolved in our Butterfly monitoring please get in touch.