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| Pied Flycatcher by Paul Walsh |
One of the foremost attributes of nature is its effortless
accessibility. Nature is all around us and easily experienced. However the
experience and enjoyment can be simply enhanced and remember, nature is free to
all.
OPTICS
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| Fin Whale by Andrew Malcolm |
As most animals are wary and tend to keep their distance, a
pair of binoculars is almost essential in the field to fully appreciate
observations. Binoculars vary in quality, optical choice and price so some
research is essential prior to acquisition. For more distant observations, such
as whale watching or assessing distant seabirds or waders, a telescope is
essential. Again, the choice of telescopes is wide but good quality scopes,
although expensive, deliver fantastic results. Astronomical telescopes are not
usually suitable for nature watching. A note of warning, given our climate, it
is essential that all optical equipment is fully waterproof. The pros and cons
of optics can be easily researched on the Internet.
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| Smooth or Common Newt by Liam Cahill |
FIELD GUIDES
For the beginner, the variety of animals likely to be
encountered in the field can be bewildering so a good field guide is essential.
Field guides have improved dramatically in recent times and are a fantastic
resource to help identify various species and to understand their habitats,
ecology and distribution.
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| Yellowhammer by Daniel Weldon |
Recommended field guides to birds include ‘The Complete
Field Guide To Ireland’s Birds’ by Eric Dempsey and Michael O’Clery. For a more
European perspective ‘Collins Bird Guide’ by Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney
and Dan Zetterstrom is superb. ‘Exploring Irish Mammals’ by Tom Hayden, Rory
Harrington and Billy Clarke is an excellent introduction to Ireland’s mammals.
Dealing exclusively with Ireland’s cetaceans ‘A Guide To The Identification Of
The Whales And Dolphins Of Ireland’ by Jim Wilson with Simon Berrow is
first-rate. ‘The Natural History Of Ireland’s Dragonflies’ by Brian Nelson and
Robert Thompson is essential for anybody interested in Irish dragonflies. For
those with an interest in Irish butterflies the recently published ‘Ireland’s
Butterflies A Review’ by David Nash, Trevor Boyd and Deirdre Hardiman is the
definitive publication. ‘A Guide To The Butterflies Of Ireland’ available from
The Dublin Naturalist’s Field Club, 35 Nutley Park, Dublin 4 is an excellent
field guide to Ireland’s butterflies, illustrating all regularly occurring
species.
INTERNET
The ultimate nature research vehicle available at present is
undoubtedly the Internet. The information therein is limitless. By merely
typing the name of a species into a search engine, instant access is available
to every known species, covering identification, vocalisations, habitats,
ecology, range and much more. Below are some websites of local and national
interest:
www.waterfordbirds.com
www.iwdg.ie (Irish whale and dolphin group)
www.butterflyireland.com
www.mammals-in-ireland.ie
Beware however, the Internet can be addictive, do not become
a virtual nature observer.
APPS
For those with suitable phones, the app store is well worth
a visit. Essentially all the information available in field guides (including
vocalisations) can be downloaded onto your phone for reference and use in the
field – which beats carrying all those books around. Although relatively new,
apps look like the way forward.
MISCELLANEOUS
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| Beautiful Jewelwing Demoiselle by John Joe Cahill |
Photography certainly enhances the enjoyment of nature.
However, this is a specialised interest, which we will visit at a later date.
Finally, if possible, link up with an experienced observer
for your first few field trips. They should be of immense help to the
inexperienced person given their acquired knowledge and field craft.
RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS
A spotted sandpiper (American wader) was identified and
photographed at Ballinclamper on 05/08 by local birder Pat Veale. Sadly it
moved on the same day. Yet another American wader, a white-rumped sandpiper,
was located on the Cunnigar by visiting birder Michael O’Keeffe on 04/08 where
it lingered for a day or two. A large passage of over 200 Cory’s shearwaters
was noted at Helvick and Ram Head by several local birders on 02/08. A
leatherback turtle (a trans Atlantic vagrant) was observed swimming past
Bunmahon by Daniel Weldon on 16/08. Leatherbacks are the largest turtle on
Earth and can reach 2 metres (7 feet) in length and weigh up to 900 kilograms
(2000 lbs).
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| Pygmy Shrew by Liam Cahill |
Finally, Andrew Malcolm took the attached photograph of a fin whale
off the Waterford coast. This is the same species as the unfortunate whale that
died off Baltimore Co. Cork last week. Fin whales can reach a length of 27
metres (89 feet) and a weight of 109 tons and are the second largest animal
that has ever existed exceeded only by the blue whale. Fin whales are regularly
seen off the Waterford coast.
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