Rock the rockpools this summer. Ulster Wildlife s Membership Magazine. Skates: the giants of our seas. Get your garden buzzing for bees

Transcription

1 Issue Summer 2017 Ulster Wildlife s Membership Magazine ISSN X Rock the rockpools this summer Get your garden buzzing for bees Skates: the giants of our seas

2 News in Brief Simon King: guest speaker at AGM Simon has been involved in filming, presenting and producing natural history films for over three decades. In recent years, he has become a familiar face on our TV screens, featuring on programmes such as Big Cat Diaries and BBC SpringWatch. He is also President Emeritus of the Wildlife Trusts. Simon s diverse professional life has taken him from the raging oceans of the South Atlantic, to the deep freeze of Antarctica, from the great plains of East Africa to the deserts of Australia. His extensive knowledge of the natural world and tales to tell from his incredible experiences with nature is sure to provide an entertaining and insightful evening. Simon King simonkingwildlife.com We are delighted to announce that Simon King is our guest speaker at this year s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 22 November, at 7pm, in Belfast Harbour Office. The AGM will precede Simon s talk and offers members the opportunity to meet staff, find out about our work over the year and help shape our future direction. A full agenda, together with the annual report and accounts will be available at ulsterwildlife.org/agm2017 from September please use password AGM2017 when prompted. Details of members who have been nominated to join the Board of Directors of Ulster Wildlife will also be provided on the website, along with proxy voting forms for anyone unable to attend. To book a place please contact Julie Parkinson on or julie.parkinson@ulsterwildlife.org before Monday 1 November. Peatlands targeted for restoration Over the next five years, we will be working as part of a unique team of leading researchers, scientists, local authorities, charities and community groups from Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland to address the decline in our precious peatlands and wetlands. These particular habitats and species have been prioritised by Europe because of their international importance and the threats they face. Ulster Wildlife is a partner in The Collaborative Action for the Natura Network project, which has received 8.1m of EU Interreg funding for this vital conservation work, which is being delivered by a consortium led by Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. Actions will include removal and control of invasive species; enhanced grazing management in upland areas; testing results based agri-environment payments for farmers; fencing; drain blocking; controlled burning and wildfire management; and nest protection for threatened species such as the hen harrier. We will be working to protect and restore blanket and raised bogs, such as Cuilcagh Mountain in Fermanagh, Garry Bog in Antrim, Peatlands Park in Armagh, and Moneygal in Tyrone, and assisting local landowners to manage these unique landscapes into the future for the vulnerable species that rely upon them, such as golden plover, red grouse and curlew. Cuilcagh Mountain, Fermanagh M Dean Around the Reserves... Slievenacloy A red kite was spotted at Slievenacloy this spring - our first ever record for the reserve. Red kites were reintroduced into Co. Down in 2008 and are now breeding here. Look out for their characteristic forked tail, rusty red colouring and impressive wingspan, and report any sightings to redkiteni@rspb.org.uk Red kite J Hawkins Umbra Join our Nature Reserves Manager, Andy Crory, on Sunday 30 July, for a guided walk around this fascinating sand dune system, home to an impressive array of flowering plants and rare insects, and hear how we re helping to protect it. Common spotted orchid at Umbra Bog Meadows The nature reserve has had a significant facelift recently part of a larger project to help engage the wider community in education and wildlife conservation. Lots of free family events are lined-up this summer - see Get Involved for details. Now is the time to visit to listen out for sedge warblers in the reedbed. 2 Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer 2017

3 Appeal for barn owl sightings Have you seen a barn owl? We need your help to track down this elusive and endangered bird, so we can target our conservation efforts. Throughout the summer, our team of volunteer fieldworkers will be surveying the countryside for signs of barn owls and potential nest sites, so your sightings will be invaluable in helping to build a bigger picture. Watch out for a white, moth-like bird hunting at night along field edges and hedgerows. If driving, it can look almost ghostly with its pure white under parts. Listen out for the screech of the adult and in summer, the distinctive snoring or rasping sound of the chicks as they beg for food, which could indicate that a nest is nearby. For more information and to report a barn sighting, visit ulsterwildlife.org/barnowl We are delighted to have received preliminary funding from Heritage Lottery Fund to develop and expand upon our successful Nature Skills training programme. The investment will enable us to offer an additional 21 young people, struggling to get their foot on the conservation ladder, with paid training and high quality work experience with experts over the next three years. The new programme is set to commence in March 2018 and will prioritise under-24s, those from a minority ethnic background and people with disabilities. To find our more visit ulsterwildlife.org/nature-skills News in Brief Barn owl J Hawkins Funding boost for heritage skills training Trainees surveying wildlife with help from Ulster Wildlife staff Welcome Against the odds, these are exciting times for the environment in Northern Ireland. We are delighted to have secured funding in the last few months for a number of projects, from EU Interreg programmes focused on our internationally important peatlands and wetlands, to investment in people in our Nature Skills programme supported by HLF. Projects come and go, and are only possible with your continued support which provides funding for nature, so thank you for making a difference to local wildlife and wild places. One of the many things that motivates us is the knowledge working for the natural world not only helps all our habitats and species, but ultimately helps us too. One of our objectives is to promote health and well-being through enjoyment of the natural environment. More and more research is showing how we benefit. A report commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts, based on the work of 400 scientists around the world, shows that wildliferich environments don t just keep you physically healthy, they also reduce stress, improve mood, and reduce social isolation. We are giving everyone a chance to connect with their natural environment this summer with a fantastic range of activities from snorkel safaris and rockpool rambles, to bushcraft and bird ringing. Whether you are taking part in our events or just providing a pick-me-up for a tired bumblebee, know that you are playing your part in something much bigger. As always this magazine highlights some of the great work going on from the contribution of members (great haircut Elvin - see p11) and farmers to local businesses. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to seeing you at events or at our AGM in November when film-maker Simon King will speak about his amazing career. Chief Executive Contact us Ulster Wildlife is a local charity that champions native wildlife. We work with local people to secure space for nature in our countryside, towns, coastlines and seas. Address: Ulster Wildlife, McClelland House, 10 Heron Road, Belfast, BT3 9LE. Isle of Muck Early summer is the time for the first of our seabird surveys at the Isle of Muck. This important seabird colony off Islandmagee is home to a wide variety of species. As well as gulls, fulmars and auks, the island has two species of breeding ducks common eider and shelduck. Guillemots at Isle of Muck Moyola Waterfoot We recently teamed up with Kelda Water to successfully remove Himalayan balsam from this important riverside nature reserve, where the River Moyola meets Lough Neagh. This invasive species grows very rapidly and outcompetes native wildlife. T: E: info@ulsterwildlife.org W: f ulsterwildlife Ulster Wildlife is the operating name of Ulster Wildlife Trust, a charity recognised in Northern Ireland NIC A company incorporated in Northern Ireland limited by guarantee NI Cover Images: Rockpool A Davidson; Bee P Frith; Flapper skate Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network. Printed on paper made from 100% post consumer waste. Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer

4 Species Spotlight Flapper skate Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network Flapper Skate Rebecca Hunter Living Seas Manager Better known as the Common Skate, this is the largest skate species in Europe and a true giant of our oceans. Unfortunately, it is now one of the most endangered animals in our seas. Skates are part of the group known as elasmobranchs which also includes all kinds of sharks and rays. These animals are separate from typical bony fish as they have a skeleton made of cartilage, the same material found in our ears. Sharks and skates play an important role as the top predators in regulating marine ecosystems. They help to keep marine food webs in balance, both through direct predation and by altering the behaviour of prey species. This fear effect helps to reduce overgrazing of important marine habitats such as subtidal seagrass meadows and kelp forests. Although still widely described as the Common Skate, genetic studies have shown that two separate species exist: the Blue Skate (Dipturus flossada) found around the west of Ireland and the Flapper Skate (Dipturus intermedia) found around the north of Ireland, the Irish Sea and the west of Scotland. In common with many other species of sharks and skates, Flapper Skate are slow growing and late to mature with both sexes thought to reach maturity at approximately 11 years old. Females only breed every other year, mating in spring and laying up to 40 egg cases during summer which are deposited in sandy or muddy flats. Flapper Skate also show very strong site fidelity, meaning that they tend to remain within one area for most of their lives. These traits make the species highly vulnerable to exploitation as once the population has been damaged, it will take many years to recover. As its name implies, the common Flapper Skate was once widespread around European seas. The waters around Northern Ireland, particularly Strangford Lough, were hailed as some of the best recreational skate fishing areas in the UK and Ireland. Unfortunately, throughout its range, Flapper Skate populations have been severely reduced. The species is now classed as critically endangered in the global IUCN Red List of threatened species one step away from being classed as extinct in the wild. The Flapper Skate is a highly protected species in Northern Ireland and it is against the law to fish for these animals without a licence. However, given the lack of data on distribution and nursery areas, it has been very difficult to set up management measures or protected areas for this species. In Scotland, the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme has been collecting data for decades through a catch and release tagging programme with local anglers. This information recently helped to secure a Marine Protected Area for Flapper Skate in the west coast of Scotland, protecting one of the last known remaining strongholds for these animals. We hope to encourage similar activities in Northern Ireland in the near future to better understand the movements of our threatened shark and skate species - keep an eye on our website for more information! Factfile Scientific Name: Dipturus intermedia Size: Adults up to 3m length (females larger than males) / 120 kg Diet: Mainly smaller rays and fish as well as some crabs and small lobsters Lifespan: Up to 100 years Did you know? Skates are thought to communicate by electrical signals using special organs in their tails! Flapper Skate egg cases are enormous, almost the size of a laptop! If you find one washed up on the shore, please get in touch to let us know. You can record shark and skate eggcases by following the Shark Trust s Great Eggcase Hunt project - see for more information. Flapper skate egg D Barrios-O Neill 4 Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer 2017

5 Living Landscapes Irish moiled cattle at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve Living Lawnmowers at Slievenacloy Have you ever wondered why we use livestock on some of our nature reserves? The animals help us manage the habitats for wildlife we call it conservation grazing. Michael Meharg, our grazier at Slievenacloy, highlights the benefits of this traditional practice which has shaped the site for centuries. Michael Meharg Fortfarm Lying in the Belfast Hills, bounded by the Ballycolin and the Flowbog Roads, is one of Ulster Wildlife s largest and most accessible nature reserves. Slievenacloy comprises just over 300 acres and is one of the best examples of natural grassland habitat in the north-east of Ireland. This was recognised when, along with a wider area, the site was designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest in Grasslands are semi-natural habitats; they were created by a historical land management of grazing. The single most important management action to maintain biodiversity at Slievenacloy is to continue grazing the site with the correct density of cattle. Through agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) grazing numbers for each of 10 paddocks within the site are set annually. The ASSI is monitored on a seven-year cycle when stock numbers are reviewed based on habitat quality. At Fortfarm, we run a traditional suckler cattle herd and have been grazing Slievenacloy from May Calves are born from April each year to a herd of mainly pedigree Irish Moiled Cattle and feed from their mothers until around six months. This traditional breed, with its wide foraging ability, is ideally suited to grazing natural grasslands in marginal settings. It is not just the wildflowers, the range of orchids, the splendid butterflies and moths, the fantastic fungi, along with the abundant birdlife, small mammals or lizards and frogs that are important biodiversity features at Slievenacloy, the herd of Irish Moiled Cattle is also a significant biodiversity asset. The protection of biodiversity is often thought to be confined to priority habitats and species - and Slievenacloy boasts many of these - but it is also about the protection of rare or endangered genetics. Orchards at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve About 50 years ago there were very few Irish Moiled cattle left as heavier European breeds were favoured for beef production. A group of interested farmers maintained small herds of Moilies. At one time only six animals were left. Now, with support from DAERA, who recognise the importance of the genetics in Irish Moiled Cattle, breeders have advanced the herd to the point where the Rare Breeds Survival Trust has elevated its status from Critical to Minority. This is a fantastic success story. Keeping the genetics of the herd pure requires having a bull around, so don t be surprised to see a moiled bull, or two, if you visit Slievenacloy - the fields that contain bulls are always marked. Cattle were always vital to Irish society and have been integral to forming the Irish landscape since the Neolithic Age. DNA from the ancestors of Irish Moiled breed was isolated from bones excavated at Navan Fort proving that this is truly an ancient Irish cattle breed. Recent archaeological excavations at Slievenacloy suggest a significant stock enclosure within the nature reserve from a time when cattle were the major trading currency. So, if you visit the nature reserve between May and December, the cattle will be there distinguished by their red flanks and broad white stripe along their backs, grazing contentedly and helping to manage the nature reserve and allowing wildlife to flourish - a scene that has been repeated year after year, for thousands of years. To find out more about Fortfarm Meat - Irish Moiled meat from grass-fed cattle, contact fortfarmmeats@gmail.com Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer

6 Living Seas Rock the rockpools this summer With the summer holidays upon us, rockpooling is the perfect pastime for all ages. It s fun, entertaining, and most importantly free! Dave Wall shares his top tips on how to rock the rockpools safely and reveals some of the hidden treasures that await. Dave Wall Living Seas Officer Summer is a great time to get out to the coast to take full advantage of our closeness to the sea. The seas around Northern Ireland are home to landscapes every bit as varied and beautiful as those we see on land, with undersea cliffs, caves, chasms, mountains, dunes and plains. But it is not until the waves have retreated and the tide is low that we get a glimpse of this mysterious world and the weird and wonderful wildlife that inhabits it. You can go rockpooling on any rocky shores, even those without proper rockpools. A boulder shore will also contain many of the species found in rockpools - you just have to look beneath the seaweed and the rocks. Who s Who in the Rockpool Beadlet anenome This blood red coloured jelly-like animal looks like a plant. It feeds using venom-filled stinging tentacles and will catch and eat small fish and shrimp, or anything else it can cram into its mouth. Beadlet anenome Shore crab This green coloured crab is incredibly common on our rocky shores. It will generally try and run away, but may try to nip you with its claws if you pick it up! Like all crabs, it must shed its shell in order to grow. Shore crab Common starfish This starfish has five arms and moves using tube feet. It is a carnivore and feeds on shellfish and carrion. It can grow back its arms if injured or attacked. Common starfi 6 Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer 2017

7 Living Seas Kids rockpooling M Roberts The Seashore Code While rockpooling is great fun, some simple precautions should be followed to ensure the safety of those involved and to minimise the impact of rockpooling on the rocky shore environment. When on the shore, always follow the seashore code. Safety National Marine Week: What s On To celebrate National Marine Week (29 July 13 August) we re hosting a series of events around the Northern Ireland coastline to celebrate our fascinating marine life. 29 July Marine mammal watch at Magilligan 01 August Snorkel Safari at Cranfield Beach 03 August Coastal Foraging at Groomsport 04 August Cave and rockpool exploring at Cushendun Caves 05 August Interactive Living Seas Stand at Donaghadee RNLI Day 08 August Snorkel safari at the Blue Pool in Portrush 10 August Marine mammal survey training course at CEDAR, Holywood Visit ulsterwildlife.org/whats-on for further details. Before going to the sea shore check the weather forecast ( and tides (tides.willyweather.co.uk). The best time to go rockpooling is two hours before low water, and aim to be off the shore before the tide turns. While rockpooling can be done in wet weather, it is inadvisable to go rockpooling in windy conditions due to the risk from waves and swell. Tell somebody where you are going and what time you expect to be back. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Stay away from the edge and base of cliffs, as ground can give way and rocks can fall. Rockpooling M Roberts Take Only Photos... Leave Only Footprints Tread carefully, rocky shores can be very slippy... look before you step and try to avoid stepping on marine creatures or in rockpools. Don t poke or prod soft bodied marine creatures (e.g. anemones) as it can kill them. If you collect shells, please make sure there s nobody still at home first! If you disturb a rock or seaweed, please return it carefully to the way you found it. Exposed marine life quickly dries out and dies. Try to observe marine life without touching. If you must take a closer look, gently collect the animal in a container of clean seawater. Return it to the exact spot you found it afterwards. Litter kills marine life! Take all of your litter home with you. If you see litter on the shore, try to collect it and dispose of it in a bin if it is safe to do so. Litter on beach BBC sh Lorem ipsum Limpet dolor sit amet, consectetuer elit, sed diam nonummy This nibh sea tincidunt snail uses ut its laoreet large, dolore magna erat volutpat. muscular foot to cling to Ut wisi enim the rocks ad minim when veniam, the tide quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper out to suscipit protect lobortis itself from nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. predators Duis autem and from vel eum drying iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse out. molestie When consequat. the tide comes Vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at in, vero it wanders eros et about accumsan the rock et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent feeding luptatum on zzril algae delenit (seaweed) augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Nam but always liber tempor returns cum to its soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihilimperdiet home doming scar before id quod the mazim tide placerat facer possim assum. goes out again. Limpet A Guthrie Lorem Butterfish ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer elit, sed diam nonummy This nibh eel-like tincidunt fish is ut laoreet dolore magna erat volutpat. commonly found in Ut wisi rockpools enim ad minim and beneath veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper rocks suscipit and seaweed lobortis on nisl the ut aliquip ex ea commodo velit esse molestie rocky shore. consequat, It is incredibly vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros slippery et accumsan and hard et to iusto catch odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum in zzril the hand. delenit It augue has nine duis to dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Nam liber tempor fifteen cum black soluta spots nobis running eleifend option congue nihilimperdiet doming down id quod its mazim back. placerat facer possim assum. Butterfish D Wall Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer

8 Living Landscapes A secret railway cutting reclaimed by nature Lying south-west of the City of Armagh, Milford Cutting is a secluded and special place, rich in history and home to an impressive variety of orchids and rare trees. The nature reserve was part of the old Castleblayney, Keady and Armagh Railway (CK&A) which once linked Co Monaghan and Co Armagh. The railway line was closed in 1957 and over the years, the site has been reclaimed by nature. I make no apologies for my love of birds and moths, but I still can t help but be over-awed by the range of orchids found amongst the grassland banks at Milford at their peak such a wide variety of orchids in one small site. Marsh helleborine stands out as the rarest, but you might get Wildlife to look out for... distracted by the profusion of common spotted orchids. Personally, I think if you hit it at just the right time, usually at the end of June, a nose-full of the scent from a fragrant orchid is a tonic to most ills! On the other hand, some people are drawn to the subtlety and simplicity of the twayblade orchid although, finding a green thing in amongst a mass of other green things can take a bit of practice (or luck!). Another species to mention is the Irish Whitebeam, a rare native tree - there are eleven specimens within the woodland section of the nature reserve. Andy Crory Nature Reserves Manager Six-spot burnet moth M Hartwell Chinese character You could be forgiven for thinking that this was a picture of a bird poo. It doesn t look very tasty, which is exactly the reasoning behind this marvellous moth camouflage - one of the many reasons moths are brilliant. Chinese character moth K Dover Pipistrelle bats Watch out moths! Milford Cutting is a great place for bats to hunt for moths (and many other flying insects). Bats are at the top of the food chain: if there are plenty of bats, we have a healthy ecosystem. Three species of pipistrelle bats can be found in Northern Ireland. Pipistrelle bats T Marshall Bee orchid One to watch out for: bee orchids are notorious for being erratic. One year they re there, the next they re not. Small but flamboyant, the bee orchid is one of nature s great mimics: each flower looks and smells like a female bee and is even hairy to touch! 8 Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer 2017

9 Living Landscapes Orchid banks at Milford Cutting R Arribas Where there are a wide variety of flowering plants, it follows that you ll find a fair representation of insect life. Bluetailed, azure, variable and common blue damselflies (as well as several species of dragonfly) mixed with cryptic wood white, orange-tip, holly and common blue butterflies. The list of moths on the site is also quite large; day-flying species that you might come across include six-spot burnet and latticed heath. Others, such as silver-ground carpet and brown silverlines, are commonly disturbed from the undergrowth during daytime. Of course, with all these tasty morsels flying around it makes sense that those further up the food chain also benefit. The linear composition of the nature reserve, as well as it being sheltered, makes it the perfect place for swallows, sandmartins and housemartins to forage during the day and fulfills the same function for bats from the evening onwards. Other birds worth looking out or listening for include treecreeper, sparrowhawk and buzzard. Along the nearby Callan River, iconic species of birds such as dipper, kingfisher and grey wagtail all breed. The woodland hosts typical summer visitors such as blackcap and chiff-chaff, as well as birds that can be found all year round such as chaffinch, blackbird and blue tit. Kingfisher L Hodges Like other nature reserves, Milford Cutting is not without problems. Himalayan balsam is an invasive plant found throughout Northern Ireland; this non-native plant can catapult seeds over quite large distances, quickly outcompeting native plants. I don t want to distract people from the nature reserve itself, but the village of Milford is not only a beautiful place but is officially where the football penalty kick was invented! I m not a football fan myself, but even I have to hold my hands up and recognise that, in a very real sense, the little village of Milford has had a significant input into modern human culture. Milford Cutting may be small but it s a microcosm of wildlife, conservation and history and well worth more than one visit throughout the year. Reserve Information Milford Co Armagh BT60 3NY Map reference H Size 4.2 hectares Opening Times Open at all times Walking information Mixture of boardwalk through the cutting and informal walks through the woodland Parking Park in Milford and walk to the reserve Dogs Dogs must be on lead Further Information: Andy Crory Nature Reserves Manager T: E: naturereserves@ulsterwildlife.org W: Fragrant orchid P Precey Bee orchid G Knight Lorem ipsum dolor Goldfinch sit amet, consectetuer elit, sed diam nonummy nibh tincidunt Not just ut a feature laoreet of dolore Milford magna erat volutpat. Cutting; goldfinches seem to Ut wisi enim ad minim be everywhere veniam, quis these nostrud days. exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit Whatever lobortis nisl the ut reason aliquip behind ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem it, it s vel good eum news iriure that dolor at in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat. least some Vel bird illum species dolore are eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros doing et accumsan well. In et late iusto summer odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril goldfinches delenit augue can often duis be dolore seen te feugait nulla facilisi. Nam liber tempor feasting cum on soluta the seed-heads nobis eleifend of option congue nihilimperdiet doming flowers. id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Goldfinch D Glasgow Lorem ipsum Irish dolor stoat sit amet, consectetuer elit, sed diam nonummy An nibh endemic tincidunt species ut laoreet (as in, dolore magna erat volutpat. you ll only find this species Ut wisi enim in ad Ireland), minim the veniam, Irish stoat quis nostrud is exerci tation ullamcorper widespread suscipit lobortis and common nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo velit esse molestie but consequat, rarely seen vel and illum quite dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et secretive. accumsan Despite et iusto their odio small dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril stature delenit they augue are duis capable dolore of te feugait nulla facilisi. Nam liber tempor predating cum soluta on nobis animals eleifend much option congue nihilimperdiet doming id quod bigger mazim than placerat themselves facer possim assum. small and slight, yet vicious and deadly. Irish stoat M Holland Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer

10 Wildlife Gardening Red tailed bumblebee P Frith Bee identification Buff-tailed bumblebee J Hawkins Welcome wild bees into your garden Common carder bee P Frith This year, our Wild About Gardens campaign with RHS is all about bees and encouraging everyone to get creative for these fantastic pollinators. White-tailed bumblebee P Frith Here are some ideas to get your garden buzzing! Plant nectar and pollen rich flowers Early spring to late autumn is the busiest feeding time for bees. Now, think late summer plants such as dahlia, lavender, sedum, ivy and Michaelmas daisy. Avoid plants with double or multi-petalled flowers as they may lack nectar and pollen, and can also be hard for bees to access. For a full list of recommended plants, look at the RHS Perfect for Pollinators list: rhs.org. uk/perfectforpollinators Create and protect potential nesting sites Different species choose a variety of places to set up home. Unlike solitary bees, bumblebees do not generally make use of artificial nest boxes. They create their own nests, varying in size, often in an old mouse hole underground or in loft space, compost heaps or bird boxes. Nests are non-damaging and will only be active for one season. Solitary bees like hollow plant stems, and holes to nest in. Try the activity sheet included in the online pack, to make your own solitary beehome. Provide both long and short grass Both serve as potential nesting sites for different species of bee. Also long grass with wildflowers, such as daisies and dandelions, provide an easy source of nectar. Encourage natural predators Try to avoid chemicals like pesticides or fungicides in your garden and never use on plants when they are in flower. Instead, try to encourage natural predators. Log piles are great for beetles, as are compost bins, which also take care of your food waste. Provide a water source bees need a drink too! Can you create a wildlife pond? Or alternatively how about a pond sunk into the ground or a bird bath containing a few submerged rocks to enable bees to reach the water? Help out a tired bumblebee If you see a bumblebee on the ground, it s likely to be tired and in need of food. You can help by mixing sugar with water, placing on a teaspoon and leaving it in front of the bee. Once it has eaten its fill, it will be on its way. Download you free action pack for bees at wildaboutgardens.org.uk Mining bee C Lawrence Red-tailed bumblebee E Marshall Leafcutter bee G Day 10 Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer 2017

11 Get Involved Elvin makes the cut for nature Well done to Elvin Higgins, from Lisbellaw, who raised for local wildlife by cutting off two years of hair growth. Huge thanks also to Elvin s friends and family for kindly sponsoring him to undertake this impressive fundraising challenge, which will make a huge difference to nature locally. Speaking about why he chose to do this, Elvin said: Living in Fermanagh, there is so much opportunity to see and enjoy wildlife we are very privileged. Family membership magazines Our Family Members will have noticed that the Wildlife Watch magazine for your children has been included with the Irish Hare and Natural World mailing this summer. We will be combining these mailings from this edition onwards, which will substantially reduce our postage costs, thus ensuring that more of your donation to Ulster Wildlife is committed to nature conservation and not administration. If you would like to provide feedback about this cost-saving measure, please contact Vickie on vickie.chambers@ulsterwildlife.org Spending time in nature also helps us deal with the day-to-day pressures of modern life and is good for our body and soul, so it s important we do all that we can to help protect it. As a local charity, we are very grateful for wild and wonderful fundraising ideas, however big or small, so if you d like to give nature a helping hand, get in touch. Before After Do we have your address? Summer of Wildlife at Bog Meadows Families in west Belfast are invited to get close to their extraordinary wild neighbours this summer, with a whole host of FREE activities at Bog Meadows Nature Reserve. We currently have addresses for only a third of our members. If you have an address and are happy for us to contact you about events, news, fundraising and other campaigns, we would love to hear from you. is the most cost effective way for us to contact you and keep you up-to-date with the work we are doing to protect local wildlife in Northern Ireland. Please contact Anna at membership@ulsterwildlife.org From bat walks and bushcraft to bird ringing, our special Summer of Wildlife runs until the end of August, with events taking place throughout the school holidays. A jam-packed Wild Summer Fun Day on 26 August brings the programme to a close and is guaranteed to be a fantastic day out for all the family. Children can meet farm animals, birds of prey and sea creatures, plus there will be face painting, entertainment, and much more! To find out more and to book, visit ulsterwildlife.org/ whats-on Will you? You can protect the wildlife you love for the future by leaving a gift in your Will to Ulster Wildlife. To find out more, please contact Vickie Chambers at vickie.chambers@ulsterwildlife.org or call Barn owl M Holland Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer

12 Partners & Supporters Students from Larne Grammar School join Ian Luney, President of AES UK & Ireland and Monika Wojcieszek from Ulster Wildlife at launch of biodiversity action plan Finlay s Food gives nature a boost Family-owned food manufacturer Finlay s Food, near Moira, is giving nature a helping hand by joining us a Standard Level Corporate Member. We welcome support from companies, like Finlay s Food, that share our passion for Northern Ireland s wildlife and want to encourage and inspire local people about the natural world. AES reveals new plan to protect wildlife AES UK & Ireland has set out a new plan to protect and enhance the wildlife surrounding its power stations at Ballylumford and Kilroot, in partnership with Ulster Wildlife. Following the discovery of rare bee orchid more than twelve years ago, AES boasts over 350 different plants and animals at its two sites in Co Antrim, including over 70 protected or priority species such as cowslips, small heath butterfly, black guillemot, Irish hares, and badgers. Alongside wildflower meadows, woodlands, and coastal habitats, the industrial land itself has become an unlikely haven for wildlife, with over 150 sand martin pairs making their homes in the coal ash lagoon on site, which replicates the birds traditional cliff nesting sites. AES has been working closely with Ulster Wildlife to audit, plan and embed action for the important species and habitats on its sites and within its staff team, and to encourage wider community involvement through education and volunteering programmes. Corporate Members Platinum AES UK & Ireland Gold Silver Bronze Ian Luney, President of AES UK & Ireland, said, This plan represents a new level of ambition and commitment to biodiversity on these sites. Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Ulster Wildlife, we have grown a company-wide programme which motivates our people, deepens our engagement with local schools and community groups, and ensures our wildlife-rich land remains an asset now and in the future. We look forward to working together to set a new standard for corporate engagement with biodiversity in Northern Ireland. Over the next five years, AES will continue to undertake a range of positive actions to protect and enhance biodiversity on their land, including managing and creating species-rich grasslands, providing homes for wildlife, planting trees and hedges, undertaking beach cleans, controlling invasive species, surveying and monitoring wildlife, and engaging their employees and wider community in conservation and awareness activities. To find out how your business can play its part to secure space for nature in Northern Ireland, visit ulsterwildlife.org/ corporatesupport share your harewith SOMEONE ELSE ONCE YOU HAVE READ IT Bombardier AllState Northern Ireland, Belfast International Airport Ltd, CES Quarry Products Ltd, CTS Projects Ltd, NIE Networks Belfast Harbour, Denman International Ltd, Henry Brothers (Magherafelt) Ltd, Hutchinson Group Holdings (NI) Ltd, Lafarge Cement Standard Firstsource Solutions UK Ltd, Henderson Group Ltd, Finlay Foods, Peninsula Print & Design Ltd If you have connections to a local business, why not suggest Corporate Membership of Ulster Wildlife, as an excellent way of demonstrating corporate social responsibility. Vickie Chambers, Ulster Wildlife with James Finlay, Finlay s Food Translink raises funds for wildlife Congratulations to the staff at Translink who raised much-needed funds for wildlife by selling our 2017 Wildlife Calendar and organising a non-uniform day. A big thank-you also to Translink for matching staff efforts, bringing their total donation to We are very grateful to Helen McKinney for suggesting Ulster Wildlife as a beneficiary for the team s fundraising efforts. Could you fundraise for Ulster Wildlife at your place of work? Get in touch with Vickie, our Supporter Relationship Manager, to have a chat about how your business could get involved. vickie.chambers@ulsterwildlife.org 12 Ulster Wildlife - The Irish Hare Summer 2017