Search Results ... (4192)

Common frog

The Common Frog is the most widespread of Ireland

Courtesy of Lorcan Scott Duchas

Hedgerow

We can all see the removal and the cutting back of hedgerows in the Irish countryside. This makes for more efficient farming but creates problems for the birds, animals and insects who made their homes there.

Courtesy of Pete Birch

Whales in the sea

Five most endangered whales: North Atlantic right whale - fewer than 350 animals. Western Pacific grey whale - fewer than 120 animals. Bowhead - fewer than 120 animals. Narwhal - fewer than 120 animals. Cook Inlet beluga whales - fewer than 400 animals

Red Grouse

The population is declining, and the Red Grouse has made it onto the Red List. Understanding the limited movements of grouse populations is important to reasoning their limited numbers. They are more affected - than other bird species - to changes in their landscape and perhaps the pace of change has been too swift for some local populations to react. Other possible causes include; disease, fertilisers, predators, hunting and climate change -The relatively wet Irish climate might influence the breeding success of ground nesting birds such as the Red Grouse.

Native conifer - Scots Pine

This image of a large scots pine tree was taken in the Raven Natural Reserve in Wexford.

Copyright John Kennedy

River

Agriculture remains an integral part of life in Ireland, and 63 percent of the land is farmed. The EPA’s Millennium Report said the amount of artificial fertilizers used in Ireland increased significantly during the twenty years up to 1980. There is a concern that pollution levels of the inland waters will increase substantially in the next few years if the problem is not stemmed soon. Water quality surveys prove that the quality of the inland waters has decreased since they were first assessed in the 1970s. Fish begin to die because there is a lack of dissolved oxygen in the water. One of the worst cases of fish kills recently occurred in a stream that feeds into the Shannon River in County Offaly in June 2000, which had a dead fish count of 2,000.

Courtesy of Betsey Hickey

House sparrow

The sparrow is a widespread garden bird with a lively "chirrup" sounds and a more grating "churrrr".

Copyright John Kennedy

Urban

Nature on your doorstep, whether it be in an apartment block or house, needs looking after too. Watering plants during the summer, trimming and weeding can all help keep your little patch going. It may only seem like a small thing but all helps in the race to halt biodiversity decline.

Robin on a rock in the Iveagh Gardens Dublin

The Robin stays in Ireland all year round and its song is one of the most recognised of the bird world.

Copyright John Kennedy

Lichen - Sea Ivory

Costal rocks are the best place to find this type of lichen. Other types can be found growing on rocks in different areas.

Copyright John Kennedy