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    #902
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Jayzesake wrote: »
    How so?

    Competition. Pheasants will use the same cover as corncrake. Especially when cover is low at this time of years the pheasants will compete with corncrake for nettle/iris/umbellifer patches. Pheasants will also eat the same food material. Tory island is rank with pheasants and crex numbers have decreased in recent years. Hopefully they can be removed also.


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    #903
    Jayzesake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 392 ✭✭Jayzesake


    Capercaillie wrote: »
    Competition. Pheasants will use the same cover as corncrake. Especially when cover is low at this time of years the pheasants will compete with corncrake for nettle/iris/umbellifer patches. Pheasants will also eat the same food material. Tory island is rank with pheasants and crex numbers have decreased in recent years. Hopefully they can be removed also.

    Where we are (southwest) it's 'rank' with Pheasants too. Probably a lot of the country is, seeing that they are widely bred and released for shooting. Which I presume doesn't auger well for the future of the Corncrake, other than on a few islands and specially protected areas?


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    #904
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Jayzesake wrote: »
    Where we are (southwest) it's 'rank' with Pheasants too. Probably a lot of the country is, seeing that they are widely bred and released for shooting. Which I presume doesn't auger well for the future of the Corncrake, other than on a few islands and specially protected areas?

    Corncrake return to within 1-2km of where they are hatched. They imprint on the position of the stars above them when they hatch. If they ever do spread (beyond the Islands/narrow coastal strips in West Connaught/Donegal) it will take decades for them to spread even short distances. There is however a chance if the habitat is good they might set up breeding territories. On Raithlin Island they have set up nettle beds in the hope Corncrake migrating to Western Isles off Scotland might set up residence.

    Intensive agriculture is the main threat to crexs (early cut silage). Anywhere it is present crexs are quickly exterminated. Pheasants would be only a minor threat.

    I remember that around 10 years ago around 5 crexs had set up territories on the Dingle peninsula. The farmers were offered grants for delayed mowing I believe. They refused and cut silage per normal killing all corncrake.


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    #905
    Jayzesake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 392 ✭✭Jayzesake


    Capercaillie wrote: »
    Pheasants would be only a minor threat.

    On another note related to that, does anyone have any opinions as to how Pheasant fit in ecologically with native ecosystems in a more general sense?

    For example, are they damaging in ways other than those mentioned above, and on the other hand I presume in some instances they can be positive, for example by acting as prey to native carnivores, etc?

    On the whole, do folks see them as a problematic, or as a relatively benign, introduced exotic species?


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    #906
    Jayzesake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 392 ✭✭Jayzesake


    Jayzesake wrote: »
    On another note related to that, does anyone have any opinions as to how Pheasant fit in ecologically with native ecosystems in a more general sense?

    For example, are they damaging in ways other than those mentioned above, and on the other hand I presume in some instances they can be positive, for example by acting as prey to native carnivores, etc?

    On the whole, do folks see them as a problematic, or as a relatively benign, introduced exotic species?

    Nobody any thoughts on this?


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    #907
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Jayzesake wrote: »
    On another note related to that, does anyone have any opinions as to how Pheasant fit in ecologically with native ecosystems in a more general sense?

    For example, are they damaging in ways other than those mentioned above, and on the other hand I presume in some instances they can be positive, for example by acting as prey to native carnivores, etc?

    On the whole, do folks see them as a problematic, or as a relatively benign, introduced exotic species?

    Pheasants mostly managed for shooting reasons. Shooting people can create/maintain habitats for pheasants like woodlands, hedges and gamecrops. this can be helpful to a wide range of species.
    Can have a problem when huge numbers of pheasants are released into an environment. They can eat huge amounts of insects which can probably have a negative effect on species like insectivorous birds.


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    #908
    Bsal
    Registered Users Posts: 1,767 ✭✭✭Bsal


    Had my first fledglings of the year in the garden today, 2 Blackbirds, 2 house sparrows and 2 starlings. The female sparrowhawk is also hanging around the area.


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    #909
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    14+ Adult frogs around the garden ponds this evening. Saw 2 newts in the small pond. A few frog tadpoles seen, I thought they had all been eaten by newts.


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    #910
    Jayzesake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 392 ✭✭Jayzesake


    Capercaillie wrote: »
    Shooting people can create/maintain habitats for pheasants...

    That's dangerous territory you're getting into there, Capercaillie!


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    #911
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Jayzesake wrote: »
    That's dangerous territory you're getting into there, Capercaillie!

    Why so?


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    #912
    Jayzesake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 392 ✭✭Jayzesake


    Capercaillie wrote: »
    Why so?

    Just me pulling your leg. Taken out of context, it looks like you're looking at the potential ecological benefits of culling people!


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    #913
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    https://twitter.com/BradRobson1
    Dejected as 3 "birders" walked through fields with calling Corncrakes Tory Is to take pictures thought such disgraceful behaviour long gone
    Hen corncrake on nests at the moment:mad::mad::mad:


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    #914
    Half-cocked
    Registered Users Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Half-cocked


    Anyone know what this might be? About 1" long, swimming around shrimp-like in a pond, then emerged onto dry land. Doubled-up and flicked itself back into the water when I tried to touch it.

    Maybe a Water Beetle larvae?

    619BD77E984F472F9361F86D1390623A-0000318105-0003764269-00800L-61A1D248813548CE819374BC8CBF15BA.jpg


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    #915
    Zoo4m8
    Registered Users Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭Zoo4m8


    On Monday, sitting in the car having a sandwich and coffee at the entrance to Emo Court I was pleasantly surprised to to see a Red Squirrel (probably one of those made famous by a poster in the photos thread!) appear and start to forage in the leaf litter on the woodland floor. It spent about twenty mins being very busy before making his way out of my sight between the trees.
    Quite a treat for me as our Reds are long gone since the Greys came to town..
    Then yesterday while at a tree nursery near Aughrim ( Wicklow ) I saw two Red Kites circling in a thermal, when I pointed them out to the owner he said " yes, lovely birds aren't they? We see them all the time but they are still a real novelty.." It's been a nice week, starting to feel like summer as well.. :)


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    #916
    Cork boy 55
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,324 ✭✭✭Cork boy 55


    Half-cocked wrote: »
    Anyone know what this might be? About 1" long, swimming around shrimp-like in a pond, then emerged onto dry land. Doubled-up and flicked itself back into the water when I tried to touch it.

    Maybe a Water Beetle larvae?

    Might be an Alderfly larva (i guess) its about right size and they emerge from water may to june. they have that tapered abdomen
    very common
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkwAvLLD_NE


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    #917
    Half-cocked
    Registered Users Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Half-cocked


    Got sent this photo the other day, Naas area. Sent details on to Biodiversity Ireland. Confirmed as Hazel Dormouse and looks like there is now an established population in that area.

    83E00525A7364D73BC1778A99FD7FD50-0000318105-0003766865-00500L-D1723FB9F8F14C3F9C183B122A668F00.jpg


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    #918
    tricky D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,700 ✭✭✭tricky D


    Fire on Ireland's Eye started some time in the wee hours. DFB are putting it out as I type and it hasn't spread too far so hopefully the Puffins shouldn't be badly affected. DFB fella said there were birdwatchers on the island last night which isn't the most comforting thought.

    The whole island went up in flames in the 70s and tens of thousands of rats swam to the beach at Burrow and Claremont Roads with hundred running across gardens.


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    #919
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    tricky D wrote: »
    Fire on Ireland's Eye started some time in the wee hours. DFB are putting it out as I type and it hasn't spread too far so hopefully the Puffins shouldn't be badly affected. DFB fella said there were birdwatchers on the island last night which isn't the most comforting thought.

    The whole island went up in flames in the 70s and tens of thousands of rats swam to the beach at Burrow and Claremont Roads with hundred running across gardens.

    They probably started it. The messing that goes on Ireland's eye is disgraceful.


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    #920
    tricky D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,700 ✭✭✭tricky D


    Some photos in this post: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95929994&postcount=1040


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    #921
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,068 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    The birdwatchers reported it, they didn't start it.


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    #922
    tricky D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,700 ✭✭✭tricky D


    ^^^ Good. I was careful not to apportion blame and it now looks like 2 young gurriers from last nights pub chat. That said, the local rumour mill isn't always reliably accurate, quite the opposite some times.


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    #923
    Desmo
    Registered Users Posts: 586 ✭✭✭Desmo


    Mod Edit: The below convo has been moved from another thread.

    BWI went through a very bad patch and have had big distractions with contentious AGMs etc. I hope they can pull out of it and do as you say. There are big practical issues to address like what you describe.


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    #924
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Desmo wrote: »
    BWI went through a very bad patch and have had big distractions with contentious AGMs etc. I hope they can pull out of it and do as you say. There are big practical issues to address like what you describe.

    Some great people in BWI and some not so good. I would not be hopeful about the reserves out West. Were you at this years AGM?


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    #925
    Desmo
    Registered Users Posts: 586 ✭✭✭Desmo


    Yes; was that you in the back corner? I was in front row but said nothing.


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    #926
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Desmo wrote: »
    Yes; was that you in the back corner? I was in front row but said nothing.
    Yes. They won't do anything though. I voiced my concerns before, not in public though.


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    #927
    Desmo
    Registered Users Posts: 586 ✭✭✭Desmo


    What you said had to be said. Sadly the whole day was taken up with the "motions". It all ended up on a positive note but it took until 4.45. Normally teh AGM is very quiet.


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    #928
    Jayzesake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 392 ✭✭Jayzesake


    Desmo wrote: »
    What you said had to be said.

    What was it that had to be said? (If you'd prefer not to go into it, that's o.k.)


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    #929
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Desmo wrote: »
    What you said had to be said. Sadly the whole day was taken up with the "motions". It all ended up on a positive note but it took until 4.45. Normally teh AGM is very quiet.

    I made sandwiches in the middle, I knew it was going to be a long day.


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    #930
    Capercaillie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Capercaillie


    Jayzesake wrote: »
    What was it that had to be said? (If you'd prefer not to go into it, that's o.k.)
    At the AGM in 2014 one of the motions was lack of management at ECNR. The reserve had fallen into disrepair. Another reserve in Mayo is in a bad state through improper management.


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    #931
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    The garden turned into a creche today with 17 newly fledged House Sparrows, 6 new Blue Tits, 4 young Greenfinches, at least 9 chaffinch, 3 fledgling Robins, 2 Blackbirds and a young Bullfinch on the lawn at one time. And over 30 juv Starlings in the trees.

    A late start perhaps but they have made up for it.


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