BioBlitz 20 - 21 May, 2011

Mothman

BioBlitz is a scientific race against time. The aim of this fun event is to find as many species as possible within a park over a 24 hour period. During last year’s event, the champions, Connemara National Park recorded a massive 542 species over a 24 hour period.

Again this year, five of Ireland's magnificent state-owned properties will be vying for the title of BioBlitz 2011 Champions, with each site pitted against one another to see which property can find most species. From soaring eagles to the smallest bugs in the undergrowth, teams of scientists and volunteers will comb the parks recording what they find.

Participating this year will be:

Ballycroy National Park, Co Mayo
Dromore Woods, Co Clare
Killarney National Park, Co Kerry
Raven National Nature Reserve/ Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, Co Wexford
Waterstone Park, Dublin 7

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.

The event will commence at 17.00 hrs on 20 May and finish at 17.00 hrs on 21 May.
If you are interested in finding out more about Ireland’s natural heritage or would like to join one of the participating teams, please contact the National Biodiversity Data Centre for further details.

Mothman

Last year's thread

I plan on being at Waterstone Park myself.
Hopefully will get moth recorders at the other locations

littlebug

I had intended taking the kids to Connemara last year but something got in the way. I'll keep in mind for this year (Ballycroy probably).

Rinker

Hi. Just noticed a mistake in the press release. It should read Waterstown Park rather than Waterstone Park. For those who don't know it- its the land beneath the infamous M50 bridge over the Liffey. You get to it through Palmerstown Village.
I'm involved with organising the Bioblitz at this location and will post details of the event and how to get involved very soon. Would love to get lots of boardies involved over the weekend.:)

Mothman

Well that makes sense, no wonder I couldn't find it. I have trapped in grounds of KH which must be adjacent to park. Certainly nice habitat there.

Rinker

Its on the other side of the bridge from KH. The area (c.60 hectares) includes the first publicly accessible section of the Liffey outside the city boundary. The study area contains some amenity land, fields, hedgerows, scrub, the Liffey banks, a millrace and a wooded slope. It lies within the area covered by the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order. The land between the millrace and river is covered by a proposed Natural Heritage Area designation.
The most important habitats are:
• Wetlands including the river, millrace and wet grasslands.
• Species rich dry grasslands particularly
• Woodlands

Over the years there have been various studies on the ecology in the park but I don't know of any study done on moths so your input will be particularly interesting Mothman.

Mothman

Thanks Rinker.
For a reasonably complete study, one needs to sample at least once a month from March through to Oct. And with main equipment of recording being light traps, this is a challenge in urban areas either with personal safety or not having equipment stolen.

Mothman

Details now on National Biodiversity Data Centre website

Mothman

Bioblitz website has been launched

magicbastarder

Rinker wrote: »

It lies within the area covered by the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order.

did anything ever come of the push a few years ago to have the liffey valley granted greater protection?

Cardynal

Taking part in the Ravenswood Blitz myself , looking forward to it.

Mothman

This Fri/Sat.
See website link 3 posts back.

Weather is looking mixed for Fri/Sat, a continuation of what we've been having for past couple weeks. Hopefully it'll be better than I expect.

littlebug

Looks like the west will be quite wet. We'll bring wellies and raincoats to Ballycroy:D

Mothman

Here are the odds

Rinker

I've attached the events line up in Waterstown Park. Included are free refting trips on the Liffey. Come along to basecamp to sign up and bring some footwear you don't mind getting wet. Hope as many of you as possible can make it. Should be fun.

BIOBLITZ EVENTS AT WATERSTOWN PARK, LIFFEY VALLEY
20 & 21 May

Friday 20 May

17.00hrs to 18.00hrs: quick plant dash - recording 30 common species to get the tally started (Rosaleen Dwyer)

19.30hrs to 21.00hrs: mammal tracking (Daniel Buckley/Paul Scott/Serena Dool)

21.00hrs to 22.00hrs: bat walks (Bat Conservation Ireland)

22.00hrs – 22.30hrs: setting up moth traps (Angus Tyner)


Saturday 21 May

05.00hrs to 07.00hrs: dawn chorus (Sth Dublin branch of BirdWatch Ireland)

09.30hrs to 10.30hrs: opening of moth traps (Angus Tyner)

10.00hrs: guided raft trip along the Liffey (Kilian Kelly/Rafting.ie)

10.30hrs to 11:30hrs: pond dipping (Pascal Sweeney)

12.00hrs: guided raft trip along the Liffey (Kilian Kelly/Rafting.ie)

12.00hrs to 13:00hrs: butterfly/bumblebee walk (Aoife O’Rourke/Dara Stanley)

14.00hrs: guided raft trip along the Liffey (Kilian Kelly/Rafting.ie)

14.00hrs to 15.00hrs: General park walk (park staff and Rosaleen Dwyer)

15.00hrs to 16.00hrs: bryophyte walk (Noleen Smyth & Christina Campbell)

15.00hrs to 16.00hrs: pond dipping (Mary Kelly-Quinn)

16.00hrs: guided raft trip along the Liffey (Kilian Kelly/Rafting.ie)

Important: Sign up at basecamp for raft trips, bring a change of footwear and be prepared for a 1km walk back to the park from the drop off point.

sineadgalway

I'll be at the Dromore event....hopefully the weather holds up ok...here's the linky for events in Clare

http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/dromore-woods/

littlebug

Bioblitz on Twitter

I'm still hoping to get to Ballycroy tomorrow at some point though I don't think the weather will be kind!

Mothman

Somewhat predictable....drunken youths at Waterstown meant I had to pack up some moth traps early. At least my equipment is mainly intact, but as a result, very few moths recorded.

It was a clear cool night.

sineadgalway

Haven't seen moth species list for Dromore but heard they had a good catch, rain non stop from 9am...

Mothman

Overall tally
1088 species recorded at Killarney

Managed 40 moths species, more than half during day.
87 moth species at The Raven,
10 moth species in washed out Ballycroy.

Haven't heard from other 2 locations.

Cardynal

Excellent 24 hrs at the Raven ( despite the rain) , an impressive 102 bird species recorded , great crack.
Well done to everyone involved.