PRESS RELEASE – Issued 23 May 2013:

Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013

Four sites, 170 naturalists and over 1,000 species – all in a 24 hrs race against time!

Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 is a race against time to see which site can record the most species of wildlife over a 24 hour period.  This year’s event starts at 17:00hrs Friday 24^th May and runs until 17:00hrs on Saturday 25^th May. 170 of Ireland’s leading natural scientists are assembled at four sites to compete to see which site will be crowned Ireland’s BioBlitz champions for 2013. The four sites participating this year are Wicklow Mountains National Park, Burren National Park, Lough Key Forest Park and Colebrooke Estate.

Now in its fourth year, Ireland’s BioBlitz has grown to become the biggest event celebrating Biodiversity Week. BioBlitz will see intense surveying of the four properties by national experts using a wide variety of sampling techniques. By 17:00hrs on Saturday, the winning site will be the one that has recorded at least 1,000 different species over the 24 hour period. This is likely to include around 350 species of plants, more than 100 species of lichen, 60-80 bird species, more than 60 species of beetles, more than 20 mammals, almost 100 species of moss. Last year’s winning site, Crawfordsburn Country Park, Co. Down, even managed to record 36 different species of snails and slugs!

‘BioBlitz is held each year as part of National Biodiversity Week to highlight the important contribution that Biodiversity makes to our quality of life’, says Dr. Liam Lysaght, Director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre. ‘Biodiversity is one of Ireland’s vital natural assets contributing at least €2.6 million to the Irish economy each year, yet the contribution it makes is often overlooked’ he added. The event is run by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in association with National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Museums Northern Ireland and Coillte.

The 170 scientists participate in BioBlitz in a voluntary capacity, giving of their time and expertise freely to make this national event such a success. BioBlitz also includes an extensive programme of public events where members of the public can join with the experts to see how they survey for wildlife. Events include bat walks, dusk and dawn chorus, electro-fishing, pond dipping, insect walks, indoor wildlife displays and exhibitions.

This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Ireland’s leading film maker and conservationist Éamon de Buitléar who died earlier this year aged 83. Dr. Mary Kelly-Quinn, Chair of the National Biodiversity Data Centre stated ‘it is fitting that this year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Éamon de Buitléar who was so instrumental in instilling an appreciation of wildlife in generations of Irish people’. ‘His contribution to nature conservation will be sorely missed’ she added.

Ireland’s BioBlitz will be broadcast live on RTE 1 from 19:00 to 20:00hrs on Friday 24^th May 2013 as part of RTÉ Goes Wild series. The event can be followed live on-line at http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/

For further information contact: Dr. Liam Lysaght, Director, National Biodiversity Data Centre – 087 7592845. Photographs can be supplied on request.

NOTES TO EDITOR

1. 1.       What is BioBlitz?

Ireland’s BioBlitz brings together scientists and recorders in a race against time to see how many species can be recorded in a 24-hour biological survey of four of Ireland’s heritage sites. The public is invited to observe the activities, to interact with the recorders and to participate in the range of other activities arranged by the host venues. By pitting the four venues against each other, it will bring an added dimension to the event, allowing comparisons to be made between the sites, and to gain further insights into the relative biological richness of the different habitats.

Ireland’s BioBlitz is designed to increase public awareness of the variety of life in Ireland and to highlight some of the ecological services that biodiversity provides to enhance our quality of life at the global and the local level. It is also hoped to demonstrate the high level of skill and expertise necessary to study many aspects of Ireland’s biological diversity.

This is the fourth year of BioBlitz. Previous winners were:

2010 – Connemara National Park, Co. Galway with 542 species

2011 – Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry with 1,088 species

2012 – Crawfordsburn Country Park, Co. Down with 984 species

1. 2.       How will BioBlitz work?

‘Base Camp’ established at each venue which will serve as the hub for the BioBlitz activities at each site. This will be managed by staff of the host site and the National Biodiversity Data Centre, working in collaboration with some key experts invited to the event. Base Camp will be equipped with species lists and other equipment that might be needed on the day to aid the identification and validation of species observed. It will also be from where recorder and volunteer effort is coordinated to optimise the recording effort and where the overall species tally will be done. A large tally board will be located at each Base Camp to keep recorders and visitors informed of progress, and unusual or exciting news will be posted on the BioBlitz notice board throughout the day.

Activities throughout the event from all sites will be streamed through the Ireland’s BioBlitz website which is co-ordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford. Observations received at Base Camp will be logged onto a specially developed Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 online record submission form, http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/bioblitz_2013.php which will show, in real time, what species have been recorded at each site, and which site is winning. In addition to showing the progress with record collation, the Ireland’s BioBlitz website will provide news updates and present photographs of activities.

Species tallies across all sites will be presented on the website at 11.00hrs, 13.00hrs and 15.00hrs. The winning site will be the site that has submitted the most species on-line by 17.00hrs.

1. 3.       Ireland’s Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a term used to describe the variety of life found in an area. It relates to genetic, species and ecosystem diversity and also the interactions between humans and the natural environment. Between 30,000 and 40,000 species occur in Ireland. This comprised about 12,000 species of insect, 8,000 species of other invertebrates, 5,500 species of fungi, 2,300 species of vascular plants, 1,200 species of lichens, 1,100 species of algae and 800 species of mosses. Birds and mammals together account for less than 2% of all species found in Ireland  http://biodiversity.biodiversityireland.ie/

1. 4.       National Biodiversity Data Centre

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is a national organisation for the collection, collation, management, analysis and dissemination of data on Ireland’s biological diversity. Biodiversity data are a key requirement for understanding our natural surroundings, for tracking change in our environment and for gaining a greater insight on how we benefit from, and impact upon, the ecosystem goods and services provided by biological diversity; a national asset which contributes at least €2.8 billion to the Irish economy each year.

The Data Centre was established by the Heritage Council in 2007 and is funded by the Heritage Council and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

4. Éamon de Buitléar (1930 – 2013)

Éamon de Buitléar died on 28 January 2013 at the age of 83. He was Ireland’s best know independent wildlife film-maker since the 1960s, producing Amuigh Faoin Spéir, the first Irish wildlife film series. He was author of several books on Ireland’s natural history and a recent memoir, A Life in the Wild. He had a passion for the natural heritage and was an ardent conservationist. In recognition of his work on conservation he was appointed to Seanad Eireann in 1987 and to the National Heritage Council.

He was also strongly associated with promotion of traditional music and the Irish language.

ENDS./

Four sites, 170 experts and at least 1,000 species -

All is ready for this year’s Ireland’s BioBlitz!! The event will be held at four sites, one in each province – Wicklow Moutains National Park, Burren National Park, Lough Key Forest Park and Colebrook Estate. The event is organised in partnership with National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Museums of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Coillte.   Two significant developments this year – RTE 1 will broadcast a live BioBlitz show on Friday 24th May at 19.00hrs. The National Biodiversity Data Centre has also developed an application which will allow people to follow on-line, in real time, progress with recordingof species at each site, and to see which site is winning. So follow events as they happen here  http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/

           Éamon de Buitléar              (1930-    2013)

Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 is dedicated to the memory of  Éamon de Buitléar who died earlier this year. He was an inspirational advocate for wildlife and nature conservation, and a household name for generations of Irish people.

The dedication will be marked by a special event in Wicklow Mountains National Park at 16:00hrs on Friday 24th May.

This annual meeting remains a firm favourite in the diary for Irish freshwater biologists and is an opportunity to catch up with colleagues, find out about the latest research, and progress knowledge and future research on Ireland’s freshwater biodiversity.

At the end of this year’s meeting, we had an open discussion with the following outcomes:

• The next meeting will be held in UCD in March 2014 and the suggested theme is ‘The importance of small water bodies’
• The meeting will have more time for discussion and breaks.
• There will be 2 types of talks: 5 minute talks consisting of 3 slides communicating the essence and relevance of the work and 15 minute talks outlining the results and relevance of larger, completed projects.
• A website will be created hosted by the Data Centre which will be a hub for information on Ireland’s freshwater biodiversity (this will be progressed by Mary Kelly-Quinn, Eugenie Regan and Brian Nelson but we’d welcome any help/input).
• Finally, if you have any data on Ireland’s freshwater biodiversity that you’d like to display through Biodiversity Maps http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/#, please get in contact with the Data Centre.

Abstracts from this year’s meeting as well as some presentations are available as downloads from http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/downloads/annual-meeting-of-irish-freshwater-biologists-2013/.

Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013

Ireland’s BioBlitz  will take place  on 24 & 25 May 2013 at four locations; Wicklow Mountains National Park, Co. Wicklow, Burren National Park, Co. Clare, Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Roscommon and Colebrooke Estate, Co. Fermanagh.

In addition to the national event the Centre is pleased to announce that six sites have been finalised for the 2013 Local BioBlitz Challenge on 8 June 2013.

The sites taking part are:

Abbeyleix Bog,  Abbeyleix, Co Laois

Abbeyfeale Park, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick

Bull Island & St Anne’s Park, Dublin

Cabragh Wetlands, Thurles, Co Tipperary

McGillycuddy Reeks, Co Kerry

Visit http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/local-bioblitz-challenge/ for information on the sites and event co-ordinator details.

There will be activities at each site running in conjunction with the main event for anyone interested in wildlife. Come along and support the park nearest you!

On 24th February 2013, a single male Greater Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum was found roosting in Co. Wexford, Ireland. This is the first record of this species occurring naturally in Ireland. Paul Scott, a professional bat worker and member of Bat Conservation Ireland recorded the bat hanging from the ceiling in a disused cellar. Its identity has been confirmed by the Centre for Irish Bat Research, University College Dublin by analysing a sample of DNA from the bat.

This is a remarkable discovery in Ireland. Greater horseshoe bats are found in a small number of locations in Wales and southwest England as well as across Southern Europe. It is therefore possible that this bat has flown across from roosts in southwest Wales, over 100km away. The Lesser Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros, a close relative, is found in western Counties in Ireland with main populations found in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo.

Both species are protected under the EC Habitats Directive as they are vulnerable to loss of roosts in buildings and caves and loss of suitable habitat. The Greater Horseshoe bat has undergone a decline of 99% in the UK in the last century but lately both the Lesser and Greater Horseshoe bat populations have stabilised, thanks to the efforts of bat conservationists.

It is one of the largest bats in the Britain and Ireland, with the wingspan stretching over 30cm. Horseshoe bats are so-called due to a curious-looking horseshoe-shaped flap of skin on their face that actually helps in their navigation by echolocation in the dark.

This important new discovery was made during an inspection of farm buildings in County Wexford under the REPS4 Traditional Farm Buildings grant scheme administered by the Heritage Council. In summer both Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bat species uses old stone buildings as breeding roosts.

“The Heritage Council is thrilled to hear of this discovery of a new bat species in Ireland as a result of the REPS4 traditional farm buildings grant scheme. It demonstrates just how vital expert input can be in uncovering more about our cultural and natural heritage. This exciting discovery underlines how this unique scheme offers a rare and positive opportunity to safeguard our natural and built heritage and the Council is privileged to be at the centre of a find of such significance.” (Heritage Council, 21^st March 2013).                       

At this time of year, most bats are sleeping through periods of cold weather and occasionally awake to feed on milder nights. Horseshoe bats are the only type of bat in Ireland that need to continuously suspend themselves upside down when resting and wrap their wings around their bodies. The Greater Horseshoe bat is the size of a pear when seen in this state, whereas the Lesser Horseshoe bat is less than half this size – around the size of a plum.

Further survey work will be undertaken by Bat Conservation Ireland volunteers in 2013 to see if this is a vagrant bat that has entered the country by accident, or if this is a pioneer bat looking to extend its natural range.

Ends

25^th March 2013

For further information contact Paul Scott 086 3849967 pscott60@gmail.com

NOTES TO EDITOR

1. Bats and their bat roosts are protected by Irish (Wildlife Act 1976 and 2000 Amendment) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 which make it an offence to wilfully interfere with or destroy the breeding or resting place of these species. All species of bats are listed in Schedule 5 of the 1976 Act and therefore are subject to the provisions of Section 23. The Wildlife Amendment Act 2000 improves the conservation of both species and their habitats and gives statutory protection to Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs).

1. Bat Conservation Ireland officially came into existence in 2004 and now acts as the national umbrella group for all county bat groups. Bat Conservation Ireland manages the All Ireland Bat Monitoring Programme under the funding and assistance of NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Heritage, Arts and Gaeltacht) and NIEA (Northern Ireland Environment Agency). We provide information on the conservation of bats to all public enquires and will assist the general public in their needs in relation to bats. The group is also involved in providing training in the use of bat detectors through organising bat detector workshops. The erection of bat boxes, field surveys and the collection of data on bat distribution in the country are on-going group projects. Bat Conservation Ireland is also a member of Batlife Europe – international NGO built from a partnership of national bat conservation organisations

1. Bats have adapted to living in our buildings and, for some species, this means that their survival is dependent on such roosting sites being available from year to year and after renovation of buildings. Typical buildings vary greatly from churches to Georgian mansions, agricultural stone buildings, courtyards, modern buildings and flat roof extensions. Like swallows, bats are usually seasonal visitors and are typically present for 4-5 months of the year. Female bats generally form maternity colonies in May, give birth to a single baby in June and start to leave the colony in August when the young bat is adult size and able to fly. This seasonal pattern does vary somewhat for each species of bat but this generally applies. Bats have adapted to roosting in our buildings to take advantage of a warm, secure location to give birth and raise their young. Potential roosting sites in buildings include walls, eaves and roof spaces. To maximise warmth, which is essential for the maternity colony, roosts are often located on the south and west of the house or around other heat sources such as chimneys and boilers. Most species prefer to roost in small spaces so are not necessarily visible and householders may not realise that they are present. They tend not to be found in open draughty areas.

1. Ireland’s bat fauna is comprised of nine resident species, forming one third of Ireland’s land mammals. Eight species are “vesper bats” and all vespertilionid bats have a tragus (cartilaginous structure found inside the pinna of the ear). Vesper bats are distributed throughout the country.

Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus

Nathusius’ pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii

Leisler’s bat Nyctalus leisleri

Brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus

Natterer’s bat Myotis nattereri

Whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus

Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii

The lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros, belongs to the Rhinolophidea and has a complex nose leaf structure. This species’ current distribution is confined to the western counties of: Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Cork. Bats are widely distributed throughout a range of habitats in the Irish landscape. Due to their reliance on insect populations, specialist feeding behaviour and habitat requirements, they are considered to be valuable environmental indicators of the state and condition of the wider countryside. The Brandt’s bat Myotis brandtii is a potential tenth species but has only been recorded once in Ireland.

1. The world’s smallest bat, indeed smallest mammal, is the Philippine Bamboo bat weighing 1.5 grams while the largest known bat is the rare Golden-Crowned Flying Fox with a wing-span of 1.5 meters and weighs 1.2 kg. In Europe alone, there are 53 species of bat, 11 of which have now been recorded in Ireland (valid as of 21/3/13).

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is pleased to announce an exciting new opportunity for a highly motivated person to contribute to the work of the Centre in 2013. The post provides a suitable candidate with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in working in a leading biodiversity Data Centre, learning about all aspects of biological recording, data management and biodiversity training, while contributing in a real way to increasing our knowledge base on Ireland’s biodiversity. Candidates must be registered with the JobBridge National Internship Scheme http://www.jobbridge.ie/.

Data Centre Internship
The JobBridge Internship will be structured to enable the successful candidate gain experience of different aspects of work of the Data Centre. Working with the Centre’s ecologists, the Intern will have the opportunity of contributing to the following work programmes of the Centre:

• Data management to assist development of the National Plant Database and other biodiversity datasets,
• Managing website content for the Irish Freshwater Life Initiative,
• Sourcing and compiling information for development of Invasive Species identification guides,
• Liaising with partners on Invasive Species Recording initiatives,
• Compiling profiles for Ireland’s protected and threatened species.

The position is offered as part of the National Internship Scheme, JobBridge.  The successful candidate will be provided with, specifically:

• a deep insight into all aspects of the management of biodiversity data,
• experience of project management in a dynamic work environment,
• high quality training in specific biological recording software programmes (Turboveg and Recorder 6) and WordPress website content management system,
• training in monitoring programmes run by the Centre,
• opportunity to attend the extensive programme of training workshops for 2013,
• participation in the many field outings and other events organised by the Data Centre.

The position is suited to candidates with training in the natural sciences and knowledge of biodiversity data.  The internship would be for 9 months duration and based at the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford. Candidates should have an interest in biodiversity, good attention to detail, good computer skills, and be able to work as part of a team. The internship will work closely with the Centre’s ecologists to provide guidance and support in the delivery of the work programme.

To apply, please send a covering letter outlining why you are interested in applying for the internship, together with a Curriculum Vitae to National Biodiversity Data Centre, Carriganore, WIT West Campus, Waterford or email info@biodiversityireland.ie. Please mark your applications Biodiversity Internship 2013. The closing date for applications is Friday 15^th March 2013.

If you wish to obtain more details about the internships contact Dr. Liam Lysaght, Director, National Biodiversity Data Centre.   Telephone:  051 306240

JobBridge Internship 2013

When: Friday, 8^th of March 2013

Where: University College Cork

Freshwater Biologists Meeting 2013 Programme

GBIF Young Researcher’s Award 2013 – Call for proposals

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) has established the Young Researchers Award to foster innovative research and discovery in biodiversity informatics by graduate students who are deploying GBIF-enabled data in master’s and doctoral programmes at universities in GBIF Voting countries, which includes Ireland.

Graduate students in a masters or doctoral programme at a university in a GBIF Voting Participant or Associate Participant Country are eligible to submit a proposal to the GBIF Young Researcher Award program.  This year, the programme intends to make two awards of 4000 Euros each, one to a master’s student and one to a doctoral student.

The closing date for applications is 1^st March 2013.

For more information download GBIF Young Researchers Award 2013 -Call for proposals

Helophilus pendulus

In collaboration with Dr Martin Speight the National Biodiversity Data Centre is delighted to announce that the Irish Pollinator Initiative has been expanded and now includes information on Irelands hoverflies. ‘We are delighted to have been able to work with Martin Speight, one of the top syrphid experts in Europe, to make such valuable information on Irish hoverflies freely available’ said Dr Úna FitzPatrick of the Data Centre.

There are approximately 900 species of hoverfly known from Europe, with 180 of them occurring in Ireland.  The new website contains a wealth of information including:

-     General information on hoverflies in Ireland and how to recognise them

-     Detailed species accounts for all 180 Irish hoverflies, including distribution maps and photographs of the species

-     Information and resources on Syrph the Net, an innovative species predictive tool used across Europe and developed by Martin Speight, that employs hoverfly assemblages  in assessing the biodiversity maintenance potential of sites, and in identifying site management priorities.

-     Keys for the identification of adult European Syrphidae that can be freely downloaded

The launch of the website coincides with the creation of a national hoverfly database by Dr Martin Speight and Dr Tom Gittings that is available to view through Biodiversity Maps.   Martin Speight is running two workshops on hoverfly identification as part of the Data Centre’s biodiversity workshop programme in 2013.

Dr Martin Speight has said “hoverflies are fascinating insects with complex life histories,  and can be found in a wide range of habitats within Ireland. Not only do they carry out an important role in ecosystem services through pollination, but the assemblage of syrphids found on a site can be used to  evaluate how well that site is functioning from a biodiversity perspective. Hoverflies are increasingly being used as tools in this way. A surprising amount is now known about Ireland’s hoverflies. But there’s still plenty to find out!”

There has never been a better time to learn about these fascinating insects. Visit the website here: http://pollinators.biodiversityireland.ie

Workshop programme 2013

Identifying and Recording Ireland’s Biodiversity – workshop programme 2013

The Centre has been providing identification workshops since 2009 with the aim of improving identification and field skills of biological groups and raising standards of data collection and management.

The extensive programme for 2013 will focus on areas identified through a recent public survey as well as key knowledge gap areas identified through the  ‘State of Knowledge on Ireland’s Biodiversity’ reports. 2013 will see skills taken to an advanced level for some groups whilst still providing a wide range of courses for beginners and refreshers.

To streamline bookings and payments an online PayPal system has been introduced at http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/home-page/event-registration/. Places are limited so early booking is advised.

The brochure can be downloaded at 2013 workshop programme.