Search Results ... (1034)
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Hedgehog
Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are a common, mainly nocturnal mammal of Ireland. They are considered the "Gardener's Friend" as their diet consists mainly of slugs, snails, insects, insect larvae, beetles, earthworms and fallen fruit. They will also attack mice, rats, lizards, frogs and snakes. Hedgehogs can be found in hedgerows, fields, open woods and gardens.
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Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
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Earthworm
Earthworm
Worms feed on organic material, break it down and then expel it as worm castings. The castings are in the form of tiny pellets which are coated with a gel. This crumb-like structure helps improve soil drainage and aeration. Worms are constantly tunnelling which also helps ventilate compost and soil and enables water, nutrients and oxygen to filter down. The organic matter also undergoes chemical changes in the process. This makes the nutrients more readily accessible to plant roots.
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A flood in County Clare
A flood in County Clare
Increased climate change means more flash floods could be seen in Ireland. During August 2008 there were numerous high profile floods all over the country.
Copyright the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
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Butterfly
Butterfly
Butterfly-pollinated flowers tend to be large and showy, pink or lavender in colour, frequently have a landing area, and are usually scented. Since butterflies do not digest pollen (with one exception), more nectar is offered than pollen. The flowers have simple nectar guides with the nectarines usually hidden in narrow tubes or spurs, reached by the long tongue of the butterflies.
Courtesy of Wexford County Library
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River
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
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Robin on a rock in the Iveagh Gardens Dublin
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
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Hedgerow
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
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Common frog
Common frog
The Common Frog is the most widespread of Ireland
Courtesy of Lorcan Scott Duchas
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Lichen - Sea Ivory
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