Thursday, May 29, 2014

Slugs and snails and puppy dogs tails!!

This year I'm trying not to use any chemicals. May that be fertilizers, plant food, weed killers or pest control. So far my biggest problem has been slugs and snails. So here's what I'm trying.

Coffee grounds ( used ones) - these seem to work but need replacing after rain.

Sand - apparently they do t like a gritty surface.

Beer traps - jam jars buried with beer at the bottom. They are attracted by the beer smell and drown happy and drunk.

Removal - today I went put after the rain and collected a couple of dozen. They are in the picture below!! Most were hidden under plants but I got them!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Fingal Howth BioBlitz 2014

Please find attached the details of the next An Taisce Green Communities event, which is being held as part of Ireland’s annual Bioblitz event. Organised at 4 sites around Ireland this year, including the Hill of Howth, where Wildlife recording activity will be run from the Deer Park Hotel. I have attached a map with this email locating the venue. An Taisce Green Communities Programme will be participating in the Howth Head Bioblitz event, which is being coordinated by Fingal County Council and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Ireland’s BioBlitz brings together scientists and recorders in a race against time to see how many species can be recorded in a 24-hour biological survey of four of Ireland’s heritage sites. The public is invited to observe the activities, to interact with the recorders and to participate in the range of other activities arranged by the host venues.

During Friday the 23rd of May the Bioblitz event will run at the Deer Park Hotel on the Hill of Howth:
The event in its entirety will run from 5pm on Friday the 23rd of May until 5pm on Saturday the 24th of May.
The draft programme for Friday the 23rd is as follows:

5:00 pm Butterfly Walk and talk by Robert Moss – Green Communities Programme. Meet at Deer Park Hotel.
7:00 pm Biodiversity talk by Mary Tubridy. Deer Park Hotel.
9:30 pm Moths Ireland Talk by Cian Merne – Moths Ireland. Deer Park Hotel
9:30 pm Moth trap demonstration and ongoing recording of species by Cian Merne – Moths Ireland. Meet at Deer Park Hotel.
10:30 pm Bat Walk – Bat Conservation Ireland. Meet at Deer Park Hotel.

As part of the recording activities we will be completing NBDC recording sheets during the Butterfly and Bat Walks. All Wildlife records are valid including birds and wild flowers. Therefore bringing binoculars and Bird/Flower/Tree/Butterfly/Moth field guides will be a good idea. Outdoor clothing essential,  bring a rain coat just in case! A picnic will be provided at some point. Bring a snack with you if you can.

For further information and to reserve a place please contact Robert Moss at: rmoss@eeu.antaisce.org


Saturday, May 17, 2014

Rhubarb

The  rhubarb is looking great this year. Don't forget to harvest some soon as it can't be used after June. This is to allow the plant to recover and get big for next year. So get picking and make some rhubarb and custard yum!!!!