Beneath the surface of the River Blackwater and its tributaries swim fish that have no scales, no bones and no jaws. This curious group of species, known as lamprey, are not very well known to the Irish people, yet they have existed in Irish freshwaters for millions of years; well before man ever colonised the landscape.
14 January 2019
13 August 2018
A lot of fun learning about nature was had at this year's IRD Duhallow's Nature Camp. Children are receptive to environmental education if it is interesting and entertaining.
10 January 2018
Winter is a great time for wildlife spotting. Less greenery and the need to constantly forage for limited food means birds and mammals are easier to see at this time of year. The RaptorLIFE team are also busy out and about!
Satellite tagged hen harrier
24 August 2017
RaptorLIFE visited Ballydangan Bog Project to view first hand the excellent work being carried out on their project. Ballydangan is a 240 ha of restored high bog in County Roscommon, with three other bogs being managed too. The project aims to reverse the decline of red grouse in This is achieved through a range of best-practice red grouse conservation strategies including heather management, predator control, monitoring, disturbance control, public awareness and education.
15 June 2017
The long days of summer are finally here, and the countryside is alive with colourful flowers and animals busily tending to their young. The RaptorLIFE team have also been busy! The following provides a short update on what we have been up to..
Prey monitoring
26 April 2017
Come join us for a free talk by Gill Weymen. Held at IRD Duhallow from 7pm and refreshments will be provided. WE will follow the talk by a hunt for native ladybirds in the grounds of of the James O'Keeffe Institute and will record our findings as part of the 2017 All Ireland Ladybird Survey.
22 March 2017
Come join us for a free talk by Tom Ankettell from the Duhallow Angling Centre of Excellence. Held at IRD Duhallow from 7pm and refreshments will be provided. An evening to learn all about an area of outstanding angling and freshwater species!
22 March 2017
Spring is finally here, birds including robins, song thrushes and mistle thrushes are already singing, the buds of birch, oak and hazel are bursting, and flowers are blooming. The RaptorLIFE team are also rearing to go! The following provides a short update on what we are up to.
Creation of wildlife corridor
17 February 2017
Come join us for a free talk by BirdWatch Ireland's John Lusby! Held at IRD Duhallow from 7pm and refreshments will be provided. An evening to learn all about our native owls and merlin!
13 February 2017
Winter is here, our native deciduous trees have lost their leaves, winter migrating bird species, such as redwings and Brent geese have arrived, and mammals are slowing down their activity. However, there is no rest for the RaptorLIFE team! The following provides a short update on what we have been up to.
Fencing of river banks
