Summer Snowflake on the mossy banks of the Suir.

Image ack. to Paddy Dwan

A recent inquisitive Otter in the Suir near Mt. Congreve - named Mossy!

Ack. to Paddy Dwan

Incoming migrant birds recorded so far include Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler (shown here by Paddy Dwan.)

Ack. to Waterford Birds

Just published in the latest edition (Bulletin No. 33) of the journal of the Irish Biogeographical Society, up- to- date information on Waterford's Midges, False-scorpions, Weevils and Spiders.

The National Bioodiversity Data Centre has just published maps of the distribution of Waterford's butterflies to the end of 2009. It can be accessed at .............

http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Datasets/DatasetsList.aspx

The cold snap has brought many coutryside birds into urban areas in search of food, like this Redwing at the Peoples' Park in Waterford City.

Image ack. to Paddy Dwan

A talk entitled " The Knockmealdown as an Ecosystem" will be given by Dr. Douglas Butler at the Community Hall, Ardfinan at 8pm on the 18th November. Admission is free and all are Welcome.

.01 06 2006....Although it is stated in the County Waterford Heritage Plan (page 16) published on the 31st May 2006, that Waterford County Council will "continue to operate the Waterford Wildlife website" in partnership with the owner, please take note that Waterford County Council never had any act nor part with the creation or operation of this site, it has NO association with it and that no such partnership exists. Waterford County Council has been asked to publicly correct this claim. .......................................................................................

In a reply received on the 26th June 2006, Waterford County Coucil stated that it would send an erratum to those who attended the launch. To the date shown at the top of Recent News page, no notification has been received from the Council that this has yet been done and I am advised that several who did attend the launch did not receive one.

Just published in Vol. 30 of the Irish Naturalists' Journal, Waterford information on Grey Squirrels, new Hymenoptera, migrant Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera), Whales and Dolphins, Plants and in a special supplement, details of over 60 occurrences of marine Turtles in Waterford waters.

Grey Seal release at Tramore on the 23rd.

Ack. to Paddy Tubbritt

A Christmas Mute Swan at Tramore.

Ack. to Paddy Dwan

Ballybricken in Waterford City.....

I'm 234 dreaming of a white 234 black bird 341 .......

Ack. to Sean Corcoran

Greylag Goose by Paddy Dwan.

An Exhibition of local wildlife photographs by Paddy Dwan will take place at the Granary in Waterford City on the 14th December.

A recent immature Stonechat near Tramore Back Strand.

Ack. to Paddy Tubbritt

A very late Red Admiral was seen in a Waterford City garden today.

A Garden Cross spider preparing a Caddis Fly for a later snack in Waterford City.

Ack. to Paddy Tubbritt

A very rare Red Bandfish Cupola rubiscens L. 1746, was found by Alice Bennett on Annestown beach on the 25th August. This appears to be the 5th Irish record for this native fish. It grows to about 300mm long.

Record ack. to Jim Hurley. Image ack. to R.. Patzner.

The seventh Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor Science at WIT will take place between the 14th and 22nd May with diverse activities for all family members. Advance booking is essential by contacting Nan O'Brien at 051 845625 (nbrien@wit.ie) or Mary Ryan at 051 302482 (mryan@wit.ie). See www.livingearth.ie for the full programme and for further information.

A rare Comma Butterfly was recently seen in Waterford City - a new butterfly species for the County List.

Ack. to Tadhg O'Carroll

A Speckled Wood and a Painted Lady at Ram Head yesterday.

Ack. to Tom Kennedy

A mutant pale cream juvenile Starling seen at Ballybeg in Waterford City yesterday.

Ack. to Pat Connolly

Sunday 22nd August is Irish Whale Watch Day. For a different family day out, visit Ardmore Head and participate in the watching. For further information, see www.iwdg.ie.

In the latest edition of the Irish Naturalists' Journal (Vol. 29 Part 2) are several papers relating to Waterford's biodiversity and include -

Mistletoe in Waterford City

Nests of Barn Swallows in west Waterford

New species of Hymenoptera

Migration of Edible Crabs

New Snails found in Waterford

Image ack. to J. Bohdal

On the wing today in Waterford City,

the Holly Blue

and Small White

butterflies.

A Green Sandpiper at Cloghernagh yesterday.

Ack. to Paddy Dwan

Seen today at Grange Heights, St. Herblain Park and St. John' Park in Waterford City, 10-15 Waxwings feeding on contoneaster berries and apples in local gardens.

Grange Heights record ack. to Martin Ryan

St. Herblain Park images ack. to Breda Brennan and Paddy Tubbrit

A February Kingfisher at Cloughernagh in east Waterford

Ack. to Paddy Dwan

CALMAST (WIT) have now oganised wildlife events for Primary, & Secondary schools, families and the general public to take place between May 16th and May 23rd. Get your brochure for these events from Eleanor Reade at WIT 051 302037, e-mail ereade@wit.ie or see www.livingearth.ie

Seen in Tramore on new year's day, a Blackbird with a touch of albinism.

Ack. to Paddy Tubbrit

The latest edition to the Fauna of Waterford Series (No. 11)

The Mayflies of Waterford

is now available as a PDF download. See Home Page for details.

Ardmore Tidy Towns Committee has organised a a slide show on the Birds of Ireland to be given by Sean Hogan, BirdWatch Ireland, at St. Declan's Hall in Ardmore at 7.30pm on Friday, 29th January, 2010.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Image ack. to Paddy Dwan

Up to 55 Choughs were about Tramore Pier yesterday.

Ack. to Paddy Tubbritt

Seen at a Waterford City feeder today, a male Blackcap

The latest edition to the Fauna of Waterford Series (No. 10)

The Snails and Slugs of Waterford

is now available as a PDF download. See Home Page for details.

Stradbally Tidy Towns Committee

Broadcaster and auther Don Conroy will give a wildlife-drawing workshop to children (6+) at the GAA Hall in Stradbally on Saturday 28 Nov. at 3-4.30pm. This will be followed by an illustrated talk on local biodiversity at 5pm and all are welcome.

The latest edition of the Irish Naturalists' Journal (29. No.1) gives new information for Waterford in a number of papers

New Hymanoptera species from Portlaw and Passage East

Details of Dolphins at Tramore and Ardmore

Details of the Carpenter Bee new to Ireland from Waterfotd City

Carpenter Bee

The latest edition to the Fauna of Waterford Series (No. 9)

The Beetles of Waterford City & County

is now available as a PDF download. See Home Page for details.

Updated with new data, 17th November 2008

It is now confirmed that a a small beetle found near Bunmahon in April 2008 is a species new to Ireland, the Spindrift Beetle, Octhebius poweri

Example of Octhobius

30 07 2008

A note for your diary - Forthcoming events ...............

'Ireland's flora - documenting , tracking and protecting'. 26th and 27th August 2008.

'Young Nature Detective' aimed at 10-15 year olds (as part of the main event)

Numbers are restricted so advance booking is essential. Further information, invitations and booking forms may be had from Maria Walsh at info@biodiversityireland.ie or by telephone on 051 306 240

Another note for your diary......................

National Whale Watch Day will take place on the 23th August at Ram Head near Ardmore, 2-5pm, for a great day-out for the whole family. For further details, ring

Andrew Malcolm on 087 795 061

Golden Eagle image ack. to www.virginmedia.com

Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles were shot and poisioned to extinction in Waterford in the late 19th century. Now, the Golden Eagle Trust has organised an online petition to show support for the reintroduction of Golden Eagles, White-tailed Eagles and Red Kites in Ireland and for efforts to stop illegal poisoning. If as many people as possible could take a minute to sign the petition and to forward it on to a couple of people who thay think might consider signing it, we could have a significant impact. Why should a nation be punished for the activities of a small few misguident farmers? The recent poisoning of such magnificent birds is impacting on Ireland's image abroad and may prevent source-countries from contributing nestlings to the reintroduction scheme.

Click on Golden Eagle Trust above for the petition

Many Thanks!

Recently photographed on the Waterford coast - a roosting female Kestrel.

Ack. to Thomas Gee, Waterford Camera Club

Now flying in small numbers, first brood

Common Blue butterflies

Seen off Ram Head this morning, 9 Harbour Porpoises, 40+ Dolphins, 1 Minke Whale and 9 Basking Sharks.

Record ack. to Andrew Malcolm. Basking Shark image ack. to Jamie Malone.

Seen on Easter Monday, many Swifts about Kilcohan in Waterford City - first of the year. Also. two Red Grouse in the Knockmealdowns.

Ack. to Brian Simpson

Swift Image ack. to Meteor 2017

Seen in strong sunshine yesterday, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly at Boatstrand and in Waterford City.

Image ack. to Paddy Tubbrit

An amazing 35 Basking Sharks were recorded off Ram Head on the 31st May

Record ack. to Andrew Malcolm. Image ack. to Jamie Malone

A note for your diary..........

Sunday, 20th May: National Dawn Chorus Day. A joint event by the local chapters of Birdwatch Ireland and the Irish Wildlife Trust will take place with a woodland walk in the Ballyscanlan Hills near Tramore and then to Fenor Bog. Meeting place is the entrance to the waterworks on the upper Ballyscanlan/Carrickavantry road from 0430am onwards. All are welcome. Further details from Paul Walsh on 086 170 1599 or by e-mail - info@waterfordbirds.com

28 April 2007. Sitting on eggs

29 April 2007. 5 eggs

30 April-14 May. The waiting game!

Recenly reported from Ram Head near Ardmore, an early Basking Shark

Basking Shark image. Ack. to Jamie Malone

Flying in a Waterford City Garden today, the

Large Red Damselfly

.. 7-Spot Ladybird .............. 10-Spot ladybird

Small White .................................Large White Ack. to N. Van Dokkum .......... Speckled Wood

Now on the wing in Waterford City,

the Holly Blue butterfly.

The Waterford Branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust invite you to join them for a walk at Tramore Back Strand on Sunday 21st January to observe the wintering birds. Meet outside the TBaySurf Centre at 1.30pm. All are welcome.

A typical wading bird of Tramore Back Strand, the Common Redshank

Now on the wing in the Clashmore area, the

Silver-washed Fritillary

Image ack. to Andrew Malcolm

Recently seen in the Collin's Avenue area of Waterford City, the

Gatekeeper

butterfly.

On the wing in the Commeragh Mountains on the Bank Holiday. from L to R, the Large White, Red Admiral and the Peacock butterflies

Images ack to Neil van Dokkum.

CloudedYellows continue to fly between the showers in the areas of Ardmore and Clashmore.

One also seen in Waterford City on the 11th.

Image ack. to Andrew Makcolm

This extremely late Humming-bird Hawk Moth was photographed today near the Ursuline Convent in Waterford City.

Image ack. to Noel Browne.

Thousands of By the Wind Sailors Velella velella, have been reported washed ashore all along the Waterford coast from Whiting Bay (shown here) to Tramore over the past week.

Image ack. to Andrew Malcolm.

Just published,

A Miscellany of Waterford Wildlife

An e-book in CD-ROM format offering 135 diverse articles with pictures and illustrations on local wildlife in the City, County, in your garden, in your house and even in your bed!

The production of this was sponsored by the Heritage Council and Waterford Today. Copies may be had by contacting Waterford Wildlife c/o Waterford Today, Mayor's Walk Waterford (A4 SAE/P&P € 1- more if you can!) It can also be obtained at the Waterford Today office.

Complimentory copies have been distributed to all education providers in Waterford. This distribution is supported by the Waterford Combined Credit Unions.