Working with wildlife A DAY IN THE LIFE

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1 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 1 7 Theme Student Sheet. This is the story of a scientist and their work on a day to day basis. Objectives To give students an insight into the work of scientists and perhaps challenge misconceptions that may exist. Curricular Strands SESE, Science Science and environment, recognise the contribution of scientists to society English Reading, reading for pleasure and information Skills Reading for information, questioning Time minutes Working with wildlife A DAY IN THE LIFE The Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project My name is Lorcan O Toole. I am the manager of the Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project, which aims to re-introduce golden eagles to Ireland. These birds of prey once lived here but became extinct. The project moves golden eagles from Scotland to the north-west of Ireland in the hope that they will stay and have chicks. Ireland only has six species of breeding birds of prey, which is the lowest number in Europe. During the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Ireland lost the white-tailed eagle, the osprey, the golden eagle, the red kite, the marsh harrier and the goshawk. This happened because the birds were being harmed and their habitat was being destroyed. The idea for the project came about in 1989, and a lot of planning and other environmental improvements have taken place since then. Research shows that there is enough food in the area for the eagles. The project had to meet 53 re-introduction guidelines or rules to get a licence to move some wild eagles from Scotland to Ireland.

2 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 2 7 Two eaglets in a nest in Scotland Birds of prey try to breed close to the nest where they were born. Re-introduced birds tend to build nests and lay eggs near where they are released. Starting in June 2001 we moved 25 wild golden eagle chicks from nests in Scotland to Donegal. At this stage the eaglets, which were 5 6 weeks old, could feed themselves and maintain their own body temperature. They were quickly transported and placed in specially designed cages. The cages contain artificial nest platforms and perches. We try to make the conditions as natural as possible. An eagle before release We feed the birds dead rabbits and crows through a hatch, disguising our hands and arms with a special sleeve. It is very important that the young golden eagles have no contact with humans, just like in the wild. When the birds are released, meat (carrion) is left out for them for the first few months. Each bird is marked with a plastic wing tag on each wing to aid individual identification, and a small radio transmitter is fitted to each bird. This gives out a signal so we can track wandering birds.

3 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 3 7 A tagged eagle before it is released in Donegal During the first winter and spring some of the young birds die, just like in the wild. Golden eagles start to breed, or have chicks, at about 4 5 years old. To make sure we have enough adult birds to establish a new population, we need to take into account the number of golden eagles that will die before they reach breeding age. County Donegal could hold 7 10 pairs of golden eagles, the north-west of Ireland (Galway to Donegal) could hold pairs and Ireland may eventually have pairs. We talk to local farmers, tourists and local people to let them know about the project. Lorcan tracking the released eagles. You can follow the progress of our eagles at where there is an information centre that offers educational materials for schools. We hope that this project will raise awareness of conservation in Ireland. We believe the reintroduction of golden eagles will not only restore a magnificent species but will also help promote the conservation of all Irish birds of prey and our upland environments.

4 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 4 7 North Bull Island Nature Reserve My name is Pat Corrigan. I work for Dublin City Council as the manager of the North Bull Island Nature Reserve, a sandy island in the northern part of Dublin Bay. When the North Bull Wall was built about 200 years ago in Dublin harbour, the sand brought in by the sea and the wind started to grow into a sand bar, which then became an island. The island is now about 5km long and 1km wide. There are different habitats on the island, including sand dunes, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, mudflats and beach. Each habitat provides a home and food for different animals and plants. Over 40,000 ducks, geese and wading birds come from colder countries to spend winter on the island. The brent goose, which travels here from its breeding ground in Arctic Canada and Greenland, stays from November to May. The island is a nature reserve because it has a huge population of birds. These birds need a safe place to feed and live, so the island is a protected area. This means that people are not allowed to disturb or harm the animals and plants or their environment. My job is to make sure the island environment is protected and a safe and suitable place for all visitors, even human ones!

5 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 5 7 Conservation work is carried out to protect the environment. For example, marram grass is planted to stop the sand dunes from being worn down by the wind and by people walking on them. The grass roots act like a net to keep the sand in place. I built this nesting box with the help of a visiting school group to provide a nesting site for the kestrel, a bird of prey that hunts on the island. I also build bat boxes and put them up around the island to provide roosting sites for bats. There are lots of interesting things on the island, including this bone from a dolphin that was washed up on the beach.

6 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 6 7 Sometimes seals that have been rescued and nursed back to health at the Irish Seal Sanctuary are released back into the sea here on the island. By fitting a seal with a tracking device we can learn about where the seals go. They can travel as far away as Scotland in a day! Two species of seal, grey seals and common seals, come up on to the beach at high tide. Because of overfishing there are fewer fish for the seals, so they end up living close together in areas where they can find food. If you don t see the seals you can tell where they ve been by the marks in the sand where they haul out or come ashore. Other scientists come here to study the island. Fiona Devaney is studying the water in the alder marsh to see if it is saltwater or freshwater. The plants that grow here are disappearing, so Fiona is investigating why this is happening.

7 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 7 7 I spend part of my day in the interpretive centre with school groups who come to learn about the island. There are seawater tanks and information displays here for visitors. I give talks and slide shows for schools and other interested groups. Some of the groups that visit do great projects on the island. The picture below shows one group s project. The island is a great place. It is very important as a habitat or home for the birds and plants that live here, and it s a great place to learn about nature and the environment. Maybe you ll visit sometime!