Main Topics - Irish Examiner

Nature

'When the birds began nesting, it gave people the signal that life goes on'

'When the birds began nesting, it gave people the signal that life goes on'

BirdWatch Ireland usually has 450 events a year, but Covid affected these, though many still went online. But the group's website has been busier than ever, with people checking for what's in their garden

Mon, 18 Jan, 2021

wildflowers

Covid disruption has helped us reconnect with nature

Confined to our houses and localities because of lockdowns, we have learned to observe and appreciate beauty in our gardens

Fri, 08 Jan, 2021

Watch: 'Absolutely breathtaking' footage of fin whales and dolphin pod off Waterford coast

Watch: 'Absolutely breathtaking' footage of fin whales and dolphin pod off Waterford coast

Amazing footage of fin whales and a pod of dolphins swimming next to a boat off the Waterford coast is garnering a lot of clicks online today.

Fri, 06 Nov, 2020

Donal Hickey: Praying for rain — in Ireland

Being 'bee-friendly' is quite the buzz

Upside of pandemic is we have more time to notice nature

Mon, 24 Aug, 2020

Richard Collins: Altruism of the long-tailed tits or not

Richards Collins: Bottlenose dolphins are social climbers

Research shows dolphins form 'old boy networks' like humans

Mon, 24 Aug, 2020

'Feels like once in a lifetime': Photographer captures stunning bioluminescence at Cork beach

'Feels like once in a lifetime': Photographer captures stunning bioluminescence at Cork beach

Stunning photographs of the natural phenomenon known as bioluminescence captured by a Cork photographer have been shared around the world.

Tue, 18 Aug, 2020

Seahorses, snakes, and wildcat teeth seized by customs

Seahorses, snakes, and wildcat teeth seized by customs

More than two dozen dead seahorses, two desiccated snakes and a pair of alligator heads were among the bizarre items that people unsuccessfully tried to smuggle into the country through airports and mail centres last year.

Mon, 06 Jul, 2020

Letters to the Editor: Our disregard for nature has yet to run its course

Letters to the Editor: Our disregard for nature has yet to run its course

It is sickening to read that Ireland has been referred to the European Court of Justice for its failure to safeguard 423 sensitive wildlife habitats. Apart from the hefty fines that may be imposed (as if we didn’t have enough debt with the C19 crisis and resultant economic woes), this development shames our nation.

Mon, 06 Jul, 2020

Coronavirus - Wed Apr 15, 2020

Colm O'Regan: Lockdown fancy, taken by the weeds

We all have our little tricks, to make ourselves feel better when times are glum. I like eating leftovers, testing loose batteries to see once and for all if the fecking things are working or not, and hiding chocolate in the hope I’ll forget I have it.

Sun, 05 Jul, 2020

Damien Enright: Fruit trees are laden with their bounty as we prepare to leave

Damien Enright: Fruit trees are laden with their bounty as we prepare to leave

On June 26, we sat outside the first bar to open here since lockdown began on March 15. There are only two bars in the valley. Cafes serve drinks, but these are bar-bars, the kind that stay open after midnight.

Sun, 05 Jul, 2020

Richard Collins: Human crisis will offer chance for wild animal research

Richard Collins: Human crisis will offer chance for wild animal research

In October 1986, 52 mute swans, living peacefully on the Tolka in Dublin, were drenched in diesel oil accidentally released into the river. Swan-catchers went into action; only one bird died before they reached it.

Sun, 05 Jul, 2020

Donal Hickey: Gougane Barra has peace and wildness

Donal Hickey: Gougane Barra has peace and wildness

It's a typically Irish summer’s day of sunshine and occasional showers. Travel restrictions have been eased again and we venture forth to one of nature’s gems, Gougane Barra, deep in the mountains of West Cork.

Sun, 05 Jul, 2020

Niall Smith takes a look at the July skies - it's a month for night owls

Niall Smith takes a look at the July skies - it's a month for night owls

July is a month for late night owls. This year, patience and a cup or two of strong coffee can be rewarded by the sight of Jupiter and Saturn close to each other towards the south after midnight. They are not hard to find, especially given the brightness of Jupiter.

Sun, 28 Jun, 2020

Noble False Widow spider shares traits with Black Widow

Noble False Widow spider shares traits with Black Widow

The Noble False Widow spider – the most venomous spider in Ireland, is not so false after all because its venom is remarkably similar to the “true” Black Widow.

Thu, 18 Jun, 2020

Richard Collins: Childhood may be as valuable as having a big brain

Richard Collins: Childhood may be as valuable as having a big brain

Do creatures with big brains fare better in the trials of life than those with small ones? Developing a large brain requires an extended childhood, facilitating education.

Sun, 14 Jun, 2020

Donal Hickey: Aren’t the trees just terrific?

Donal Hickey: Aren’t the trees just terrific?

MAYBE it’s just because there’s more time to stand back and observe during the coronavirus crisis, but am I the only person who thinks our trees never looked better than they do this year?

Sun, 14 Jun, 2020

Damien Enright: An ‘event’ observed (for a while) over coffee on terrace

Damien Enright: An ‘event’ observed (for a while) over coffee on terrace

I took a break from scribbling this morning to have a coffee with my son, who had also taken a break from his writing. His mother and I met him and his wife and sat outside a cafe — where else would one sit in June (or at any time of the year) in the climate of La Gomera?

Sun, 14 Jun, 2020

Richard Collins: Skylarks are the star singers of the park

Richard Collins: Skylarks are the star singers of the park

Each morning, blackcaps and thrushes sing in Malahide’s Robswall Park. The star performers, however, are skylarks.

Sun, 07 Jun, 2020

The Islands of Ireland: Arranmore digs deep for safety

The Islands of Ireland: Arranmore digs deep for safety

As Bere Island and Inishfarnard in Co Cork are associated with the mining industry, so too, Arranmore, or Árainn Mhór, in Co Donegal.

Sun, 07 Jun, 2020

Damien Enright: Castaway, and trying to avoid exploding whales

Damien Enright: Castaway, and trying to avoid exploding whales

Last week, I wrote about a Cuvier’s beaked whale killed off our La Gomera coast by sharks or orcas and washed onto rocks at the mouth of a secluded beach. It had to be moved before it began to smell.

Sun, 07 Jun, 2020

Dónal Hickey: Taking water for granted

Dónal Hickey: Taking water for granted

In the coming years, we’re likely to be hearing a lot more about ‘rainwater harvesting’ which is common in places such as Australia and parts of America but something we haven’t really got to grips with here yet.

Sun, 07 Jun, 2020

Stay calm and call an expert around bee swarm, warns keeper

Stay calm and call an expert around bee swarm, warns keeper

A bee-keeper with nerves of steel has urged people to call an expert if they discover a bee swarm over the coming weeks.

Thu, 04 Jun, 2020

Prepare for potential tsunami, says geography expert

Prepare for potential tsunami, says geography expert

A cost benefit analysis may be prudent for coastal flood-prone counties to combat potential damage from a powerful tsunami, an expert has said.

Mon, 25 May, 2020

Richard Collins: Wildlife taking back the streets of our cities

Richard Collins: Wildlife taking back the streets of our cities

Fifty years ago, a fox was spotted in Dublin’s St. Stephen’s Green. The unfortunate animal was chased by local ‘gurriers’. It took refuge in a tree but was promptly stoned to death.

Sun, 24 May, 2020

Donal Hickey: Demand for water to soar

Donal Hickey: Demand for water to soar

If the Donegal postman and amateur weather forecaster has it right, we could be in for water shortages in the coming months. Michael Gallagher, who predicted the scorching summer of 2018 and the 2010 freeze-up, says we’ll have a ‘lovely’ summer.

Sun, 24 May, 2020

West Cork conservation rangers on hand to keep sea eagle chick fed

West Cork conservation rangers on hand to keep sea eagle chick fed

A white-tailed sea eagle is getting help to keep her chick fed after its father went missing.

Tue, 12 May, 2020

Trust calls for 'wildlife crime unit' after mass buzzard poisoning in Cork

Trust calls for 'wildlife crime unit' after mass buzzard poisoning in Cork

Conservationists have called for tough new laws and the creation of a wildlife crime unit following the mass poisoning of 22 buzzards, a protected bird species, in West Cork.

Tue, 12 May, 2020

Lockie the lockdown foal born at Cork donkey sanctuary

Lockie the lockdown foal born at Cork donkey sanctuary

A foal born at the Donkey Sanctuary during the Covid-19 lockdown has been aptly named Lockie.

Mon, 11 May, 2020

Believe it or not, Ripley the terrapin fails to relieve lockdown stress

Believe it or not, Ripley the terrapin fails to relieve lockdown stress

Believe it or not, a Cork family bought a pet terrapin to help relieve the stress of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Fri, 08 May, 2020

Cork TD: Ireland 'long overdue' a marine national park

Cork TD: Ireland 'long overdue' a marine national park

Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats says a marine national park would recognise natural and cultural heritage in coastal areas.

Thu, 07 May, 2020

No development on Blackwater if pearl measures not reversed

No development on Blackwater if pearl measures not reversed

The new government will have to try and negotiate a deal with the European Commission to reverse conservation measures for the freshwater pearl mussel, otherwise large swathes of land along the River Blackwater in Co Cork will see little or no new development into the future.

Thu, 07 May, 2020

Cork couple battling it out for 'Web Oscars' with Great Barrier Reef tracker

Cork couple battling it out for 'Web Oscars' with Great Barrier Reef tracker

A Cork couple is battling it out with NASA and National Geographic for one of the world's most prestigious internet awards.

Tue, 05 May, 2020

Limerick kids make way for gate crashing blue tit

Limerick kids make way for gate crashing blue tit

A family of birds has set up home in a children's garden playhouse in county Limerick.

Tue, 05 May, 2020

Threat from down under as Australian worm hurts soil

Threat from down under as Australian worm hurts soil

Gardeners have been advised to be alert for an invasive Australian flatworm which environmentalists say poses a serious risk to Ireland's biodiversity and economy.

Mon, 04 May, 2020

Sky Matters: Meteors in the May atmosphere

Sky Matters: Meteors in the May atmosphere

April was unusually good for viewing the heavens. Not only did we have about 20 clear, or nearly-clear nights, we also had a more stable atmosphere than is often the case.

Sun, 03 May, 2020

Damien Enright: Children’s joy back on the street as island lockdown lifted

Damien Enright: Children’s joy back on the street as island lockdown lifted

On April 25th, this Canary island of La Gomera was declared coronavirus-free. There were no deaths. Remoteness was an important factor.

Sun, 03 May, 2020

Richard Collins: German blue tits die from mystery illness

Richard Collins: German blue tits die from mystery illness

In 1929, a blue tit in Southampton pecked open a bottle-top to get at the cream underneath. Others copied it and, soon, tits all over Britain and Ireland were doing the same. Tackling today’s milk cartons won’t be so easy but a far greater challenge is facing blue tits in Germany; they are dying of a mysterious illness.

Sun, 03 May, 2020

Donal Hickey: Wonder all around to see

Donal Hickey: Wonder all around to see

People often say the wonders are all around us. If we only opened our eyes. And what better time than the May public holiday. Stroll at your ease along a country road, or even suburbia, and you’ll see nature blooming; birds, bees and butterflies all busy.

Sun, 03 May, 2020

ISPCA tweets to the public for assistance with goldfinch Jonesy

ISPCA tweets to the public for assistance with goldfinch Jonesy

A chatty goldfinch by the name of Jonesy is currently in the care of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), after a member of the public spotted the bird sporting a ring around its leg, calling the ISPCA for help after it stayed in their garden for a number of days.

Wed, 29 Apr, 2020

Damien Enright: ‘The Sausage’ finds himself between rock and a hard place

Damien Enright: ‘The Sausage’ finds himself between rock and a hard place

Lots of news to be reported from this remote island, despite the fact that we’re still banged up and only allowed to leave our flat for essentials.

Sun, 19 Apr, 2020

Donal Hickey: Birdsong and sound of silence

Donal Hickey: Birdsong and sound of silence

It’s the silence. The huge drop in noise from motor traffic, and fewer people out and about enables us to hear sounds that are usually muffled by the bustle of normal everyday life.

Sun, 19 Apr, 2020

Richard Collins: Shared habitats may result in disease spillover

Richard Collins: Shared habitats may result in disease spillover

The year 1347 saw the beginning of one of history’s most notorious ‘spillovers’.

Sun, 19 Apr, 2020

Fire chief warns against gorse-burning in Killarney

Fire chief warns against gorse-burning in Killarney

"You are breaking the law. You are putting my life and the lives of your family, your neighbours and your friends at risk" — the stark warning from a senior fire officer about illegal and unnecessary gorse fires.

Sat, 04 Apr, 2020

Letter to the Editor: Nature gets a chance to breathe

Letter to the Editor: Nature gets a chance to breathe

In the midst of so much anxiety and fear during the last few weeks, there are also a few positives to thousands of people suddenly having so much time on their hands.

Thu, 02 Apr, 2020

UCC study shows climate change impacting native trout

UCC study shows climate change impacting native trout

A study by the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork shows that climate change is impacting the lives of native trout species.

Mon, 30 Mar, 2020

Donal Hickey: Stick to lowland walkways

Donal Hickey: Stick to lowland walkways

As one of the tens of thousands of people who took full advantage of recent fine weather to walk in the outdoors, it was clear to be seen that the vast majority of people were observing the physical distance advice.

Sun, 29 Mar, 2020

Parents for the Planet: Let’s all stop moaning and do something positive

Parents for the Planet: Let’s all stop moaning and do something positive

Diarmuid McAree In Conversation with Rita de Brún

Wed, 18 Mar, 2020

Paying tribute to our trees

Paying tribute to our trees

As National Tree Week approaches, plant experts share fact and folklore with Rita de Brún.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2020

Donal Hickey: Turning over a new leaf

Donal Hickey: Turning over a new leaf

Ireland is near the bottom of the league of EU countries when it comes to forestry, but could we be on the brink of an all-out, tree-planting blitz? If so, we’ll go for native species, hopefully. Given the effects of global warming and how useful trees are for storing carbon, there’s every reason to get more saplings into the earth.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2020

Richard Collins: Dogs’ behaviour inherited from wolves

Richard Collins: Dogs’ behaviour inherited from wolves

DOGS love to chase a ball. Were they taught to do this by our ancestors? An animal able to retrieve carcasses would provide a valuable service during hunts, as wildfowlers’ dogs still do today. Pups responding well to human commands could have been selected and trained. Now, however, a discovery made at Stockholm University is challenging this idea. Retrieving, researchers there claim, is not an

Mon, 02 Mar, 2020