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BioBlitz 2010 21-22nd May

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  • 15-03-2010 3:55pm
    #1
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭


    Five of Ireland’s magnificent state-owned properties are pitted against one another to see which property can find most species.
    This is a unique event where scientists, students and the general public can come together and learn how scientists and recorders use their skills to study the wildlife of an area. It will also introduce the non-specialist to the fabulous wealth of biodiversity that occurs all around us.


    Further info on National Biodiversity Data Centre website


    I'm planning on running moth traps in Wicklow Mountains National Park
    Tagged:


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    #2
    mr socco
    Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭mr socco


    Sounds pretty interesting Mothman.

    Do you have any idea how to make a DIY moth trap? Or some kind of simple system to attract moths without trapping them either would do grand.


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    #3
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    mr socco wrote: »
    Sounds pretty interesting Mothman.

    Do you have any idea how to make a DIY moth trap? Or some kind of simple system to attract moths without trapping them either would do grand.
    Mods, feel free to move to new thread.

    Moths are attracted (or dazzled) by UV light such as in fly zappers. So running a UV light inside a window will bring moths to the window. Leave window open, and you'll have them inside. Ask at electrical supply for UV light. There are CFL UV lights available.
    A trap is a UV light and some sort of container (box) below to hold them.The light is often set in a funnel and so few escape once they enter. There are usually egg trays in the box and most moths settle down quite quickly in amongst the egg trays. In morning go through the trap and release the contents in vegetation.

    There are various guides here
    The guide to moth trapping has a guide for DIY trap.

    Also note sugaring or wine roping to attract moths.


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    #4
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,444 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Mothman wrote: »
    I'm planning on running moth traps in Wicklow Mountains National Park
    Sounds interesting ... where are you planning on putting them? More wooded / forested areas or open heathland?


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    #5
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    Alun wrote: »
    Sounds interesting ... where are you planning on putting them? More wooded / forested areas or open heathland?
    Will target both Alun is try get most diversity. May is often a month of low numbers of moths. There is a Spring peak coinciding with bud burst and then it can be really quiet in May followed by the Summer species getting going in June. After this winter flight seasons may be shifted somewhat. Time will tell.

    I don't have specific sites in mind and will be relying on park staff to find sheltered diverse sites for traps


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    #6
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    More info
    Wicklow Mountains National Park
    About 3rd way down

    Natioanl Biodiversity Data Centre

    The following are some other locations involved, but may not have details of Bioblitz on website
    Connemara National Park
    Glenveagh National Park
    Coole Park Gort Co. Galway
    Newbridge Demesne Regional Park


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    #7
    Sid_Justice
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,720 ✭✭✭Sid_Justice


    anyone going ot this in dublin?


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    #8
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    I've just found out that Fota Wildlife Park are participating
    http://www.fotawildlife.ie/events/view/bio-blitz-weekend-saturday-22nd-sunday-23rd


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    #9
    Sid_Justice
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,720 ✭✭✭Sid_Justice


    Ok I'm going to Newbridge House on Saturday! Hopefully see someone of you there.


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    #10
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    There will be moth traps run at Newbridge Fri night. I assume there will opportunity to view some of the contents during Saturday. Conditions will be very good for moth recording and there will be a good catch.

    Of course Bioblitz is much more than a few moths, but its where my main interest lie.


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    #11
    Sid_Justice
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,720 ✭✭✭Sid_Justice


    can anyone recommend any diagnostic sheets/ identification keys that are freely available to print online? You know, if it has 6 legs it's an insect, a single pair of wings it's a fly, ...


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    #12
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    Fantastic night/day in Glendalough area. I'd say weather was great countrywide.
    No midges!!

    More than 80 species of moths and I think its fair to say that those who saw some of the moths were awe struck.

    A week earlier in cool weather would have probably resulted in less than 20 species.

    Full details of event
    www.nbdc.ie
    I can't access site at moment.


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    #13
    Birdnuts
    Registered Users Posts: 9,693 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Mothman wrote: »
    Fantastic night/day in Glendalough area. I'd say weather was great countrywide.
    No midges!!

    More than 80 species of moths and I think its fair to say that those who saw some of the moths were awe struck.

    A week earlier in cool weather would have probably resulted in less than 20 species.

    Full details of event
    www.nbdc.ie
    I can't access site at moment.

    Sounds like a great night was had - wish I'd been there:(


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    #14
    Kess73
    Registered Users Posts: 25,560 ✭✭✭✭Kess73


    There was a lot of info about this in Fota wildlife park yesterday.


    On the subject of Fota, was there early in the day yesterday and left just after the first bird display at 13:00


    One bird, think it was a Harris hawk, took off during the free flying display and despite 20 mins of whistling and calling, did not return.


    Got a phonecall when I was back in Limerick that another bird took off during the 15:00 display and did not return.


    Am hoping they returned at some point during the evening yesterday.


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