Nature

Sign in

Nature

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

A Pacific green sea turtle swims through the water (Alie Skowronski/AP)

world

Nations ratify the world’s first treaty to protect international waters

The first treaty to protect marine diversity in international waters will come into force early next year after Morocco became the 60th nation to ratify the agreement.

<p>A Hoverfly on a pink Achillea. Hoverflies are a family of flies that are especially associated with flowers and are thus crucial pollinators in almost every type of habitat.</p>

outdoors

Anja Murray: We have flies to thank for a lot of things — including chocolate

<p>Managing director of Britvic Ireland Kevin Donnelly, Dr Keith Browne, and Ballygowan beekeeper Cathy Cooper sampling some honey as Ballygowan’s Newcastle West facility becomes an official area of conservation for the native black honey bee. Picture: Brendan Gleeson</p>

munster

Limerick facility becomes area of conservation for native Irish honey bee

National Ploughing Championships

news

Nature minister: ‘We can’t restore nature without active farmers’

Hawksbill Sea Turtle flowing in Indian ocean

news

One-in-five migratory species facing extinction

Small Red Breasted Robin Perched On A Branch In Bush.

outdoors

Anja Murray: Nature-based resolutions for a happy 2024

Nature restoration to benefit from new fund of more than €3bn

Nature restoration to benefit from new fund of more than €3bn

Development is hailed as a 'landmark moment' and a 'huge opportunity'

Tue, 10 Oct, 2023

Proteins in modern-day feathers also found in dinosaur feathers, new research reveals

Proteins in modern-day feathers also found in dinosaur feathers, new research reveals

New method reveals similarities between dinosaurs and birds

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

Online safety reforms

Irish Examiner view: Democracy under threat on social media

These media giants cannot merely shrug off content creators who deliberately use their sites to spread disinformation

Tue, 29 Aug, 2023

Young hedgehog in natural habitat

Wildlife rescuer helps after hedgehog with broken pelvis gives birth to five hoglets

While there are no official numbers of hedgehogs, it is estimated there are around 5,000 in Ireland

Wed, 26 Jul, 2023

Reward offered for information on 'disgraceful' poisoning of two white-tailed eagles in Antrim

Reward offered for information on 'disgraceful' poisoning of two white-tailed eagles in Antrim

The two birds were re-introduced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) white-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme in August 2022

Fri, 07 Jul, 2023

Buck supermoon to dominate Irish skies tonight

Buck supermoon to dominate Irish skies tonight

The supermoon will rise at around 11:30pm in the east of the country and around 30 minutes later in the west

Tue, 04 Jul, 2023

TV review: Our Planet II — I don't think we'll ever tire of shows that are made this well

TV review: Our Planet II — I don't think we'll ever tire of shows that are made this well

See an albatross chick eat the only meal he ever got from his parents... they bring back one meal and then he has to fend for himself. And you thought upper-class British people hated their kids

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Watch: Basking sharks swim under kayak in ‘surreal’ experience off Cork coast

Watch: Basking sharks swim under kayak in ‘surreal’ experience off Cork coast

#We had heard about recent basking shark sightings along the coast and we were hoping to catch a glimpse of a fin. I wasn’t expecting to come nose-to-nose with one.'

Wed, 24 May, 2023

Irish Examiner view: Soaring eagles

Irish Examiner view: Soaring eagles

Bird populations

Sat, 13 May, 2023

Robin (Erithacus rubecula).Wild bird in a natural habitat.

Irish Examiner view: 'Dawn Chorus' an opportunity to savour

if there was a single birdsong that will delight us more than all of the above, it would be the song of the corncrake

Tue, 09 May, 2023

Eoghan Daltun: We need rewilding on a massive scale in Ireland

Eoghan Daltun: We need rewilding on a massive scale in Ireland

Killarney’s rich forest is dying, and despite knowing this for more than half a century, authorities have done nothing effective to turn the situation around

Wed, 12 Apr, 2023

Watch: Snakes really can do cartwheels

Watch: Snakes really can do cartwheels

The nimble dwarf reed snake can wheel away to around six times its body length in just five seconds

Sat, 08 Apr, 2023

Traders hope stalled Cork flood relief scheme could be catalyst for 25km greenway

Traders hope stalled Cork flood relief scheme could be catalyst for 25km greenway

The traders said they have been working for some time to find a solution to both problems — the flooding and the lack of green infrastructure

Sat, 01 Apr, 2023

417979,Wild Isles

Attenborough series captures footage of slugs hanging off branches to mate

The second episode of David Attenborough’s new BBC series, Wild Isles, has captured footage of slugs mating while hanging off branches.

Sun, 19 Mar, 2023

Loneley Camper under Milky Way at Matterhorn

The wonder of it all: Why awe is critical for our health and happiness

A leading US psychologist believes our capacity to experience awe in everyday life is critical to our health and happiness

Fri, 27 Jan, 2023

Wildlife service investigating fatal poisoning of protected white-tailed eagle in Midlands

Wildlife service investigating fatal poisoning of protected white-tailed eagle in Midlands

The NPWS says it does not know exactly how the white-tailed eagle ingested the toxic substance

Mon, 23 Jan, 2023

Hedgehog sleeping in leaves in garden

How gardeners can help wildlife and threatened species

Going peat-free, making your own compost and switching your fence to a green screen or a green wall can play a part

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

Opposition asks Government to put a halt on Coillte deal

Opposition asks Government to put a halt on Coillte deal

Many are in uproar as thousands of acres of rural Ireland are expected to be sold to a British investment fund as part of an afforestation deal with Coillte

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

A Russel Wallace

Fires, shipwreck and malaria endured by naturalist who preceded Darwin's discoveries

Along with a parrot, Alfred Russel Wallace survived for 10 days in an open boat without food or water. The 200th anniversary of his birth is coming up on January 8

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

Woodland Saplings

UN report urges countries to treble nature funding by 2030

Need to restore and protect ecosystems while addressing effects of climate change, health, water, and food security

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

THAILAND Vulture 1

The far-reaching consequences of humans meddling with nature

Seven ways in which our destruction of the natural world has led to deadly outcomes

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Chris O'Dowd on rediscovering a love for nature as actor launches Robin Redbreast Day 2022

Chris O'Dowd on rediscovering a love for nature as actor launches Robin Redbreast Day 2022

The 43-year-old spoke about his new-found love for the outdoors, particularly during the Covid-19 lockdown

Thu, 17 Nov, 2022

Birdwatch Ireland probe: €500k earmarked for specific projects wasn't used for them

Birdwatch Ireland probe: €500k earmarked for specific projects wasn't used for them

More than half a million euros that was earmarked for specific projects in Birdwatch Ireland was not used for those projects according to an investigation by the Charities Regulator.

Wed, 09 Nov, 2022

SWITZERLAND-CLIMATE-GLACIER-MOUNTAINS-TOURISM-NATURE

Major glaciers, including Kilimanjaro and Yosemite, to disappear by 2050 — UN report

Carvalho said that the single most important protective measure to prevent major glacier retreat worldwide would be to drastically reduce carbon emissions

Thu, 03 Nov, 2022

Éanna Ní Lamhna on growing awareness of Ireland’s trees and woodland heritage

Éanna Ní Lamhna on growing awareness of Ireland’s trees and woodland heritage

On National Tree Day, more than 2,000 primary schools will plant native holly saplings

Thu, 06 Oct, 2022

Did you know that ‘hairy molly’ comes from the Irish word for eyebrows?

Did you know that ‘hairy molly’ comes from the Irish word for eyebrows?

Get a nature fix even if you can't get outdoors with BirdWatch podcast

Tue, 04 Oct, 2022

Juanita Browne: Going wild at school — and other valuable lessons

Juanita Browne: Going wild at school — and other valuable lessons

As well as the nature table there are so many interactive resources available to help teach children about our native animals, plants and birds. Check these ones out...

Tue, 20 Sep, 2022

Anja Murray: Some easy ways to help ensure we see more butterflies flutter by

Anja Murray: Some easy ways to help ensure we see more butterflies flutter by

Butterflies are stunning creatures. We love to see them flitting about in our gardens, sunning themselves on a leaf of a dappled light of a woodland, and fluttering about over flower-filled habitats.

Wed, 17 Aug, 2022

Melanie Murphy: lockdown walks and nature's healing power

Melanie Murphy: lockdown walks and nature's healing power

In her latest novel, social media sensation-turned-author Melanie Murphy writes about nature - a theme that is close to her heart. Here, she writes about the long lockdown walks that helped her cope throughout the Covid crisis

Sat, 07 May, 2022

Red fox smelling marigold flowers

Michael Moynihan: 'My' fox is a reminder that the environment starts at my own front door

Cork's flourishing urban wildlife reminds us that, rather than being some exotic elsewhere, biodiversity is part of all our lives

Thu, 28 Apr, 2022

Galway University spider venom research

Irish Examiner view: Mammals beware

Carnivorous spiders

Wed, 02 Mar, 2022

Richard Collins: Animal culture and the tragic tale of Free Willy star Keiko the orca

Richard Collins: Animal culture and the tragic tale of Free Willy star Keiko the orca

Orcas ‘talk’ to each other constantly but after being set free, poor Keiko never mastered the local dialect

Mon, 14 Feb, 2022

Barn Owl

Donal Hickey: Have you heard a banshee wailing? It might have been a barn owl

The Irish name for the barn owl is ‘screachog reilige’ (graveyard screecher) and that explains why its nocturnal cry might unsettle folk

Mon, 14 Feb, 2022

David Attenborough joins Hey Duggee to sing the praises of plants

David Attenborough joins Hey Duggee to sing the praises of plants

"We depend on plants for every mouthful of food we eat and every lungful of air we breathe"

Fri, 07 Jan, 2022

Romantic dolphins and coupling sharks filmed off Irish coast

Romantic dolphins and coupling sharks filmed off Irish coast

A new TG4 series will see naturalist Eoin Warner explore the rich nature around the coasts of Ireland and Wales

Wed, 05 Jan, 2022

New Caledonian crow.

Richard Collins: Crows aren't fools, some make and use tools while others judge us

In the Pacific Ocean, one group of crows makes hooks from sticks to reach and rake in food

Tue, 04 Jan, 2022

Egyptian Vulture is seen in Ireland for only the second time

Egyptian Vulture is seen in Ireland for only the second time

The bird was spotted in Roscommon on New Year's Eve

Mon, 03 Jan, 2022

wild deer at sunset

Parks and wildlife services 'neglected for decades', scathing report finds

Underinvestment and long-term political apathy have left the sector struggling

Thu, 30 Dec, 2021

Portrait Of Woman Wearing Gloves Hugging Tree Trunk On Winter Walk In Countryside

Why a winter walk is the best way to boost your mood and energy

It's tempting to stay curled up at home in front of the TV when it's cold outside. But scientists say a walk in nature is one of the quickest ways to boost your energy and mood.

Thu, 16 Dec, 2021

farmer mixing pesticide

Cork City Council to cut use of chemical weedkiller in public areas

Trials on the use of organic herbicides, mechanical weed control and mulching have been carried out in public areas since the start of this year

Mon, 20 Sep, 2021

Birds and bees ‘secret weapons’ to raising happiness levels

Birds and bees ‘secret weapons’ to raising happiness levels

Birds and bees are the secret weapons needed to raise happiness levels after Covid, a new Irish company has claimed.

Sun, 19 Sep, 2021

Killer whale social structures study

Killer whales have complex social structures that include close friendships

Led by the University of Exeter and the Centre for Whale Research (CWR), the study also found that the whales appear to grow apart as they get older.

Wed, 16 Jun, 2021

Ireland must protect its endangered basking sharks, urge global experts

Ireland must protect its endangered basking sharks, urge global experts

The scientists explain that Irish coastal waters are “one of the few places” where basking sharks “regularly and predictably occur on the surface close to shore”

Tue, 08 Jun, 2021

Rare plant, animal and insect species return to Irish waters

Rare plant, animal and insect species return to Irish waters

Diverse species such as the long-tailed tit, otter, pine marten, and the bee orchid have returned to several Irish waterways in recent times.

Fri, 04 Jun, 2021