DNFC Outings & Events
EVENTS PROGRAMME AUGUST 2011 - OCTOBER 2011
SATURDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2011 St Anne’s Park, Clontarf
At Snail’s Pace – A Beginners’
Guide to identifying Land Snails.
This event will include a presentation giving a broad and entertaining introduction to Land Snails in Ireland, along with information on what features to note for identification. We will then go snail-hunting in St. Anne's Park, and weather and time permitting, we may venture out onto nearby North Bull Island.
Leader: Maria Long
Directions: turn left from Clontarf Road onto Mount Prospect Avenue (this is the left turn when you just start to hit the park, on the way out of the city centre along the coast road) and take the first right into the car park (may be signposted “Red Stables Market”).
Bring: Warm clothes, lunch (though lunch may be available in the Stables Cafe) tubs/containers/tubes to store your collected snails in. Hand lens/magnifying glasses.
SATURDAY
12th NOVEMBER 2011
Howth
Leaders: Bob Aldwell and Frank Smyth
Bring: Hand lens, suitable clothing, lunch and identification books or charts
Transport: Dart to Howth
SATURDAY
19th NOVEMBER 2011
National
Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
Annual
Members’ Day
SATURDAY
3rd DECEMBER 2011
Birds at Rogerstown
The South (‘old’) Bird Hide at Rogerstown is one of a very few relatively weather-proof venues regularly used by DNFC. At this time of year it is particularly attractive because of this, but also because of the variety of birds usually to be seen roosting and feeding at the narrow end of the estuary, which is overlooked by the hide, and in the nearby woods and fields.
Many species of wader including the now-ubiquitous Little Egret can be expected, as can predator species like Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon and Merlin. In recent years Buzzard have nested nearby and are usually about, while woodland and rough pasture in the surrounding area, some of which is managed for bird life, encourage mixed flocks of finches including Brambling. Less predictable but likely to be showing are many Duck species, and the ‘usual suspect’ Gulls which on a lucky day might contain a rarity or two!
A programme introducing young Red Kites caught in Wales includes plans to release about 40 birds in Fingal during 2011, including about 20 in Newbridge Estate, which borders the Rogerstown Estuary. Releases began during July. Whatever one thinks about re-introductions, it will be interesting to see how the birds get on, and whether we get to see any today!
Leaders: Pat Kearney, Brendan Black and Gerry Sharkey.
Bring: (Tele)scope and Bin(ocular)s and whatever identification books you like to use.
The ‘Collins Bird Guide’, (black cover) is currently favoured by many birders. There will be no formal break for lunch, but bring a sandwich / drink if you feel like it!
Don’t be afraid to turn up because you don’t know your birds, we will try to help anyone who is interested, and we promise not to shout at learners nor talk in latin!
Unfortunately, as with most trail heads / parking areas in the country, there have been thefts from cars in this area, so lock up, keep your scope, bins and cameras to hand, and leave anything else you care about at home, even the locked boot is not safe
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DECEMBER
25th CHRISTMAS DAY 2011
President Katharine Duff and your Board of Directors wish all a happy and peaceful Holiday.
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MONDAY
26th DECEMBER 2011
Saint Stephen’s Day Ramble
Hoping we don't have a repeat of the 2010 *Arctic conditions, we will head across
Irishtown Nature Park in the direction of the South Wall
Leader: Katy Duff
Bring: Hand Warmers and Good Cheer!!
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January 1st
2012
Happy New Year!!
Do consider cheering up Fridolin by sending her your 2012 membership fee, which becomes due now! Do it now before you forget or discover how much you spent on Christmas!
Officially, our 125th year ends on January 11th but we will continue with some celebratory events during the first part of 2012.
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SATURDAY
14th JANUARY 2012
River
Shannon Callows
Following on from our lovely visit to the Shannon Callows in June 2011 we will revisit it under winter conditions. The level of flood is unpredictable but as the peak of winter bird activity is in January we are hopeful of seeing Ducks, Geese, Waders and Swans. We hope to visit Ashton's Callow, which is a walk of about a mile. It has a Bird Hide. We also hope to revisit Bullock Island.
N.B. Check for any change or cancellation on www.dnfc.net (members’ note, first page) in case weather or road conditions between Dublin and Banagher prove too difficult for safe travel.
Leader: Brian Caffrey
Please park in Crank House car park- take first left 150 yards past Supervalu and the car park is on your right.
Bring: Wellies, Binoculars, Warm clothes and Lunch.
In Banagher there is a Supermarket near the car park, toilets will be available in Crank House. There is also a cafe in Crank House.
SATURDAY 21st JANUARY 2012
National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
Bryophyte Identification Workshop
A repeat of the 2011 bryophyte
workshop, as requested by members
This workshop is open to members who
would like to find out more about how to identify mosses and liverworts. We have
run a number of successful bryophyte field outings over recent t years but
identification in the field is not always easy and the number of species
encountered can be overwhelming for those of us who are new to the subject. This
workshop will provide an opportunity to look at the general structure of mosses
and liverworts in more detail and to learn about the characteristics that are
useful for identification.
Leader: Jo Denyer
Bring: Microscopes (compound and dissecting), slides, cover slips, forceps , blades, socket boards etc. identification books, mosses and liverworts to identify.
You are also welcome to come along without any of the above
EVENTS PROGRAMME AUGUST 2011 - OCTOBER 2011
SATURDAY
AUGUST 6
POND DIPPING IN AIRFIELD
Leaders:
Niamh
Lennon and Jennifer Ball.
Luas: Balally Station and walk up Overend Way to Airfield.
Bring: wellies and old clothes, nets or sieves and plastic containers.
Note:
There
is an admission charge of €6 for adults, no charge for children.
No
Dogs Please
SUNDAY
AUGUST 7
NEWBRIDGE HOUSE and TURVEY, DONABATE
Leaders:
Declan
Doogue and Denis Lynch
By
Car:
exit
M1 motorway at Junction 4 for Newbridge House / Donabate
Bring: Sweepnet, collecting jars, lenses, umbrellas (for use as collecting trays) and lunch.
SATURDAY
AUGUST 13
UPPER DODDER GORGE, GLENASMOLE
The
areas we intend to visit include some interesting flushes and a steep gorge with
rich Bryophyte communities and Dublin's only site for Hymenophyllum wilsonii,
Wilson's Filmy Fern. Most of the terrain will be rough, so strong footwear with
good ankle support will be essential, and members are requested to follow any
safety instructions issued by the leader.
Descent into the gorge is 'tricky' and the less athletic and sure-of-foot might
prefer to stay at a higher level, where natural flushes contain scarce vascular
plants like Pinguicula lusitanica, Pale Butterwort.
Leader:
Con
Breen
Bus:
15c,
16,16a
Bring:
Lunch
Wear:
Strong
ankle-supporting walking boots for rough ground
Note:
DNFC's traditional 'no dogs' rule will be strictly enforced at this meeting.
This
DNFC event also forms part of the National Heritage Week Programme and will be
listed as Butterfly Identification and Recording for the National Database
(Butterfly Ireland)
Activity
of butterflies is especially weather and season dependent
Meet:
11:00
a.m. at the Interpretive Centre on North Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin 3.
We
may visit other nearby locations such as St. Anne’s Park
Bring:
Hand
lens, identification books, suitable clothing, netsand lunch/snack
Meadow Brown © Deirdre Hardiman
A
number of sites in County Kildare will be visited
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 10
ROCKPOOLS AT BALSCADDEN, HOWTH
Leaders:
Niamh
Lennon and Jennifer Ball
Bring: nets or sieves, containers, any identification books you might have, wellies or old runners that won't be slippy on wet rocks, change of clothes.
No
Dogs
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24 NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY WOODS
The district has many woods, public (Coillte) and private. At this time of year, fungi might be expected in the leaf litter, and mosses grow thickly on trees and old walls.
Leader:
Mary
Carson
By
Car: N11 from
Dublin watch out for signs to Newtownmountkennedy. Allow 40 minutes approx. from
city centre. As you enter the village, take the sharp turn right after
Fishers shop/cafe and continue up the hill past the church of Ireland for a few
hundred metres. As the road swings left, you will see a faded map of
the woods and room for cars to park there.
Bring: Lunch, rubber boots and baskets for collecting fungi
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25 DONABATE
Coastal Ecology of North Dublin
We
will visit a number of sites on the Dublin coast, concentrating on the
Rogerstown Estuary and examine salt marsh, shingle and sandy areas at the tip of
the Portrane peninsula.
Leader:
Declan
Doogue
Bring:
Lunch
Speaker:
Jeanette
Fryer
Jeanette
has studied Cotoneasters for many years and holds the national collection.
Venue:
8:00
p.m. sharp! National Botanic Gardens Visitor and Education Centre
Various
botanical recorders have become very aware that several species of Cotoneaster
have become established in the wild. Some of these have now become seriously
invasive especially on rocky ground in areas of high conservation importance.
The identification workshop is intended to help members to identify the various
species that are increasingly encountered in the wild
Members are invited to bring material from the wild, pressed or freshly-collected, to the workshop session. Ideally both flowering and fruiting material from the same bush should be submitted on the day. Close-up digital images may also be helpful. There is an excellent guide to the species titled Cotoneasters - A comprehensive Guide to Shrubs for Flowers, Fruit and Foliage, written by Jeanette in conjunction with Bertil Hylmo. If you are interested in contributing to the event, please contact Declan Doogue.
From
Dalkey Dart station we will head towards Dalkey quarry, Killiney Hill and down
along Vico Road. We will
examine and identify any plants and insects of interest at this time in the
woodland, coastal and rocky habitats
Leaders:
Bob
Aldwell and Katharine Duff
Bring:
Suitable
clothing and hand lens
Meet:
Do Donadea Forest car park. Directions
(from Coillte website): Donadea
Forest Park is located 8 km south of Kilcock on the R407 to Naas and is also
accessible via the R407 about 13 km north of Naas on the Kilcock road. It can be
found on discovery map number 49, grid reference N-838 332.
There is a charge of €4 for the car park.
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 5
National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin
Ireland’s
Wildflower Stamps – The Plants and the Art.
Venue: Auditorium
Contributions
from: Susan Sex – the Artist who painted flowers for the stamps and John
Lennon from the Irish Philatelic Society who will talk about the stamps.
Speakers will also include Declan Doogue and Pat Lenihan from the DNFC. They
will discuss the featured Plants and their ecology
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19 National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin
DNFC
125th ANNIVERARY MEMBERS’DAY
125th anniversary of The DNFC
1886 - 2011
After discussions during late 1885, the first meeting of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club took place on January 11th 1886.
So 2011 will be a very
special year, being our 125th anniversary.
We plan to mark the year with many celebratory events throughout, starting January 11th 2011
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NOTE
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SUNDAY
15th MAY 2011
SANDYCOVE ROCKPOOLS
As
usual, all children must be accompanied by an adult, and no dogs are allowed.
Leaders:
Niamh Lennon and Jennifer Ball
Meet: at James Joyce Tower in Sandycove, close to the "40 foot" bathing place.
Dart:
to Sandycove/Glasthule station. Cross the road when you come out of the
station. Turn right and then left down Islington Avenue to the sea coast
and go right until you get to James Joyce Tower.
Wear:
wellies or old runners that won't slip on wet rocks, warm waterproof clothing.
Bring:
a white plastic box, fishing net or a sieve, identification book.
SUNDAY
22nd MAY 2011
BIODIVERSITY DAY
All
over Dublin and the rest of Ireland, local authorities, parks, schools etc. will
be holding events designed to encourage interest in the natural environment.
These events will be mainly taking place on Sunday 22 but events are planned for
Friday and Saturday as well. Look out for local events, and try to encourage
your friends and neighbours to participate.
SATURDAY 28th MAY 2011 ST. CATHARINE’S WOODS / LIFFEY VALLEY
This
meeting will be held in conjunction with The Liffey Valley Park Alliance
We
will start in St Catherine’s Woods and after lunch visit another site in the
Liffey Valley
St.
Catherine’s Woods is the site of many old records of rare woodland plants, and
many of them can still be found there. If the weather is kind we will also
expect to see lots of Ladybirds, Butterflies, and other invertebrates.
Declan
will demonstrate a variety of insect-catching techniques, including
sweep-netting.
Leader:
Declan
Doogue
Meet: at the Fire Station in Leixlip.
Directions:
cross
the bridge over the Liffey in Leixlip and turn right.
Bring: insect–catching or sweeping nets if you them, and wellies and lunch
SUNDAY
29 MAY 2011
GREYSTONES
TO BRAY
While we in DNFC are quite proud to be celebrating our 125th anniversary it is sobering to think that the Botany Department in Trinity College Dublin is celebrating their 300th! We are very happy to have continuing close contact with Botany (and other departments) in Trinity, where some of our members make their living, numbering other DNFC members among their students. Long may this relationship continue!
In their first year, the intrepid DNFC members held a meeting on Bray Head, so it is particularly fitting that Trinity College Botanical Society and DNFC should hold a joint meeting during which we intend to walk from Greystones Dart Station over the Head to Bray, from where drivers can dart back to their cars. Better still leave the cars at home as we will join our Trinity colleagues in ‘joint celebratory libation’ after the meeting.
Leaders: Joint DNFC / TBS
Meet: at the Pier in Greystones Harbour
Bring: suitable footware and clothing, (check the weather forecast)
SATURDAY
11th JUNE 2011
RIVER SHANNON CALLOWS
Starting
from Banagher we will go to Shannon Harbour and
walk along the Grand Canal until we reach
lock 36, the last lock gate before the canal meets the mighty Shannon.
From here will cross on to Bullock Island, part of which forms the BirdWatch
Ireland Shannon Callows Reserve. One of the most beautiful callows along the
river, Bullock Island is best known as an important area for breeding
Corncrakes, however with a final count of just 2 Corncrakes in the midlands in
2010 the Corncrake population is on a knifeedge here. Other key bird species
include breeding Whinchat, Curlew, Skylark, Snipe and occasionally Spotted Crake
and Quail. The callows are
renowned for their flora and a walk through Bullock Island will reveal a rich diversity of plant life, including some rare orchids. A sunny day will ensure that Bullock Island is buzzing with butterflies and dragonflies, among the highlights we would hope to see Brown Hawker,
Banded Demoiselle and Common Blue butterfly
Leader: Brian Caffrey
Meet:
at
the Crank House, Banagher Co. Offaly.
Please
park in the Crank House car park - take your first left 150 yards past Supervalu
supermarket and the car park is on your right.
Bring: wellies, binoculars & lunch
In Banagher there is a supermarket near the carpark, toilets will be available in the Crank House. There is also a café in the Crank House.
(If bringing your American visitors, reassure them that it is spelled CRANK, with an N)
TUESDAY 14th JUNE 2011 NORTH BULL ISLAND
Habitat ecology of the Dublin Coast: The vegetation and environment of North Bull Island
On Saint Patrick’s Day we visited one of the temporary ‘lakes’ that have appeared in winter in places on North Bull. We promised at the time to come back to see what changes occur in summer, hence this evening meeting
Leaders: Declan Doogue and Gerry Sharkey
Meet: in the car park on the Island end of Bull Wall (not the causeway), beyond the entrance to Royal Dublin Golf Club.
SATURDAY 25th JUNE 2011 IRELAND’S EYE
Weather permitting, a shuttle boat service operates from Howth to the island throughout the day. There is a charge of €15 per adult, €10 per child. Family reductions apply.
Declan has been comparing flora listings for Ireland’s Eye from various sources, and will have prepared a list of species that have not been seen recently, and we will search for these
If visiting the island proves difficult an alternative land-based outing on Howth will take place.
Leader: Declan Doogue
Meet: at East Pier, Howth near the King Sitric Restaurant.
Bring: suitable clothing for boat ride, strong walking boots and lunch
SATURDAY 9th JULY 2011 COASTAL FLORA, NEWCASTLE, CO. WICKLOW
A walk along the shingle beach to look at sea shore plants. We hope to see Crambe maritima as well as two species that have not been seen regularly on our littoral outings in North County Dublin: Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) and the Horned Poppy (Glaucium flavum).
Leader: Pat Lenihan
Meet: on the beach at Newcastle. The outing will end in early afternoon
Bring: lunch
By
car:
from Dublin, exit the N11 left at the new Kilcoole/Greystones turning (a little further
south of the R762 exit to Delgany at the Glen of the Downs). Follow the signs to
Kilcoole and continue through the village to Newcastle. In Newcastle, just past
the Castle Inn, take the first turn left (Sea Road) after crossing the bridge.
Continue down this road to the coast. Parking is available in front of the level
crossing.
By
bus:
Newcastle can also be reached by the No. 84 bus which departs from
Belfield. The journey takes about 75 minutes.
SUNDAY 24th JULY 2011 TIMAHOE NORTH BOG
Timahoe Bog lies to the north of Allenwood and east of Carbury. It was developed by Bord na Móna in the 1940s for the mechanised production of sod turf. We previously visited the southern end of the bog, which was also used for producing milled peat. Recolonisation of this southern area was strongly influenced by minerotrophic conditions, owing to the shallow residual depths of peat.
This time we will visit the northern end of the bog, which was not milled, and where recolonisation has taken place on a more acidic medium. Areas we will be examining include: degraded raised bog remnants, revegetated wet and dry spreadgrounds, and the former railway bed made with imported calcareous materials.
Leader: Charles Shier
By
Car: from
Dublin take the N4/M4, exit the motorway at Enfield and take the R402 to Carbury
and then the R403 to Derrinturn;
OR
Take the N7, exit at Naas and take the R407 to Sallins and Clane, and
then the R403 through Prosperous and Allenwood to Derrinturn.
Bring: outdoor clothing, hiking or rubber boots, packed lunch, floras.
SATURDAY 6th AUGUST 2011 POND DIPPING IN AIRFIELD
This annual event is a great favourite of Junior Members of the DNFC, but everyone is welcome to come along. The small Pond is usually teeming with life at this time of the year. Airfield have built another Pond in recent years. It is much bigger and has a Boardwalk going over it. We'llvisit it also.
Leaders: Niamh Lennon and Jennifer Ball.
Meet: at Airfield ticket Kiosk. The outing will last for 2 hours.
Bus:
48A
(from Parnell Sq.),44 or 44C (from Townsend St).Get off the bus opposite the
Catholic church on Main Street, Dundrum. Walks up Kilmacud Rd. for approx 1 mile
and Airfield House, Farm and Gardens is on tdughe right.
Luas:
to
Balally Station and walk up Overend Way to Airfield.
Bring: wellies and old clothes, Nets or sieves and Plastic Containers.
Note: there is an admission charge of €6 for adults, no charge for children.
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
NO DOGS PLEASE
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EVENTS PROGRAMME JANUARY 2011 - MAY 2011
SUNDAY
15th MAY 2011
SANDYCOVE ROCKPOOLS
This meeting is specially for our younger members. We will visit rockpools in
Sandycove. This stretch of coast provides both sheltered and more exposed
habitats teeming with life.
As usual, all children must be accompanied by an adult, and no dogs are allowed.
Leaders: Niamh Lennon and Jennifer Ball
Contact: 087 263 0020
Meet: 2:30 p.m. at James
Joyce Tower in Sandycove, close to the "40 foot" bathing place.
The outing will finish at 4:30pm.
Dart: to
Sandycove/Glasthule station. Cross the road when you come out of the
station. Turn right and then left down Islington Avenue to the sea
coast and go right
until you get to James Joyce Tower.
Wear: wellies or old runners that won't slip on wet rocks, warm waterproof clothing
Bring: a white plastic box, fishing net or a sieve, identification book.
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THURSDAY
27th JANUARY
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS GLASNEVIN
Lecture:
“Ireland’s
vegetation on the move: from the Ice Age to now and beyond“
Speaker:
Professor Fraser
Mitchell, Botany Department, TCD
Time:
8:00 p.m.
Venue:
Visitor and
education Centre, National Botanic Gardens
This
event is organised by our friends, the Irish Garden Plant Society.
SATURDAY
29th JANUARY 2011
GIRLEY BOG, COUNTY MEATH
Bring:
Lunch, wellies,
suitable clothing
Directions:
Starting from the centre of Kells Town, take the N52 following the signs
for Mullingar. On the outskirts of the town turn right – following the N52 for
Mullingar. Continue to follow the N52 for approximately 7 km. Turn left onto a
forestry roadway and follow for approximately 100 m to reach the trailhead.
The trailhead is signposted from Kells (small brown roadsigns).
(directions
copied from Meath.ie website)
SUNDAY
6th FEBRUARY 2011
LADYBIRDS IN THE FAIRVIEW AREA
If you have found any dead ladybirds that did not make it through the long cold spell, bring them along and we will try to identify them for you.
Leader: Declan Doogue
Bring:
Lunch,
Hand Lens, small clear plastic bag (for holding specimens without damaging them
during examination) small artists’ paint-brushes.
A
wide selection of wading birds and duck feed and roost on the mud and shallow
waters of Rogerstown. On recent visits we have seen Buzzard and other birds of
prey including Peregrine, Merlin and Kestrel. There are also usually Little
Egret about.
Large
mixed flocks of finches including Brambling were to be seen in the surrounding
fields thanks to the planting of seed crops to provide suitable food for them,
but these have been scarcer since planting stopped. But keep a lookout along the
lanes on the way to the hide.
We hope to see lots of Sea Life creatures on our tour today, such as Crabs, Starfish. Anemones, Coral Reef, Sea Horses and lots more, you will also get to touch some if you wish.
A member of staff
in Sea Life Centre will bring us around and talk to us about some of the tanks.
Meet:
at the reception in Centre.
Our tour will last 1 hour (approx). Adults need not come on the tour itself, but
we will expect them to be there to collect their children when the tour has
ended if they have chosen not to.
Transport:
Dart Train and Bus go to Bray Railway Station. The Sea Life Centre is a
15 min minute walk from there.
SATURDAY
26TH FEBRUARY 2011
LULLYMORE WETLANDS
Joint meeting with BBS Dublin regional
group
Bring:
Lunch, wellies and suitable clothing. (If there has been recent
rain then the site could be very wet and wellies will be essential.)
SUNDAY
6th MARCH 2011
MOLLUSCS in BUSHY PARK
In
1904 AW Stelfox (DNFC Vice-president 1924 - 1926) published a paper in the Irish
Naturalist containing the results of his survey of the molluscan fauna of Bushy
Park in Dublin. With the help of our guests from the Conchological Society of
Great Britain and Ireland whom we have invited to take part in this meeting as
part of our 125th Anniversary celebrations, we will compare
Stelfox’s list with later workers’ listings and with what we can find in
2011.
Meet:
at 11:00 a.m. near the bridge over the Dodder forming the entrance to the
Park from the parking lay-by on Springfield Avenue. Rathfarnham Shopping Centre
is nearby where you may be able to park if the lay-by is full.
Bring:
any Field Guide to Slugs and Snails you have. Containers like margarine
tubs are useful and plastic gloves for handling molluscs if you are squeamish.
Bees and other early Insects
For
several years now rumours of bumblebee hives staying active and even producing
young during winter have been the subject of comment on radio programmes and in
newspaper articles. In some cases these represent the normal occasional sorties
by ‘hibernating’ queens, but workers of Bombus terrestris, the
Buff-tailed bumblebee, have been confirmed in December and January from many
places over the past three years or so, and as workers generally live no more
than a few weeks, workers seen in January are likely to have started life during
December. One place where B .terrestris can be seen actively foraging
during winter on winter-flowering Mahonia and other species is in the Botanic
Gardens, and we will probably see some to-day, together with other Bumblers and
Solitary Bees that don’t live in formal communities, as well as other insects.
THURSDAY
17th MARCH 2011 ST PATRICK’S DAY
NORTH BULL ISLAND
Temporary
‘lakes’ have appeared regularly in winter in places on North Bull. We will
have a close look at one of these near the old Bull Wall (the wooden bridge)
which in the past couple of years is large and deep enough to attract Swans!
SATURDAY
19th and SUNDAY 20th MARCH 2011 CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
SUNDAY
27th MARCH 2011
KNOCKMAROON GATE, PHOENIX PARK
SATURDAY
2nd APRIL 2011
VALE of CLARA, COUNTY WICKLOW
Leaders:
Colm Ronayne and Gerry Sharkey
Parts
of the woodland of Clara Vale have been cleared, leaving Scots Pine, old Oaks
and some other native species. We will look out for Bees and other early
insects.
SUNDAY
10th APRIL
SAINT COLUMBA’S COLLEGE
Leader:
Richard
McMullen
Directions:
From
Dublin, drive past Rathfarnham village. At the Yellow House pub turn right, then
left at the Tuning Fork pub, and follow the winding road to Whitechurch (Grange
Golf Club on your left). Take the first exit off the roundabout, past
Whitechurch National School, then straight on under the fly-over for the
Southern Cross motorway and left at the little roundabout. The College is on the
left about 50 metres up Kilmashogue Lane. Follow the main drive to the car park
just past the Hockey pavilion on the left hand side.
SATURDAY
16th APRIL 2011
BALLYBETAGH WOOD COUNTY WICKLOW
Club Member Hillary Knott, husband Howard and their neighbours have kindly invited DNFC to explore their land including part of Ballybetagh Wood.
Meet: at
11:00 a.m. at ‘The Cottage’.
You
will go round several roundabouts and then up a long straight road, Glenamuck
Road At T junction, opposite a Yellow pub called Palmers Golden Ball, take
the left turn. Take 1st major turn right, opposite Topaz garage,
signposted “Glencullen” we are 1.5 kilometres from this junction. Stay on
this road keeping left, go round 2 severe left hand bends, the road begins to
climb , you come to a fork signed Glencullen, take the left fork, we are then
the first gate on the left.
Bring:
suitable footwear and clothing for a walk in the open, check weather
forecast.
The Knotts have also kindly offered to provide us with tea / coffee, but it would be quite unfair to expect them to feed us, so bring along whatever you wish to eat.
MONDAY
18th APRIL 2011
BOTANY LECTURE THEATRE, TRINITY COLLEGE
Full
details will be posted to members during March in accordance with our legal
responsibilities.
MONDAY
2nd MAY 2011
SUTTON
SATURDAY
7th and SUNDAY 8th May 2011 DNFC ANNUAL WEEKEND MEETING
SUNDAY
15th MAY 2011
SANDYCOVE ROCKPOOLS
This meeting is specially for our younger members. We will visit rockpools in
Sandycove. This stretch of coast provides both sheltered and more exposed
habitats teeming with life.
As usual, all children must be accompanied by an adult, and no dogs are allowed.
Leaders: Niamh Lennon and Jennifer Ball
Contact: 087 263 0020
Meet: 2:30 p.m. at James
Joyce Tower in Sandycove, close to the "40 foot" bathing place.
The outing will finish at 4:30pm.
Dart: to
Sandycove/Glasthule station. Cross the road when you come out of the
station. Turn right and then left down Islington Avenue to the sea
coast and go right
until you get to James Joyce Tower.
Wear: wellies or old runners that won't slip on wet rocks, warm waterproof clothing
Bring: a white plastic box, fishing net or
a sieve, identification book.
****
NOTE
************************************
SUNDAY
26th DECEMBER
2010
IRISHTOWN NATURE PARK
Leader:
David Nash
************************************
~ Happy New Year to all and watch out for special events on your programmes for 2011 ~
125th anniversary of The DNFC
1886 - 2011
After discussions during late 1885, the first meeting of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club took place on January 11th 1886.
So 2011 will be a very
special year, being our 125th anniversary.
We plan to mark the year with many celebratory events throughout, starting January 11th 2011
and
including a weekend trip to Inis Meáin in early May with Con Breen
************************************
SUNDAY
9th JANUARY 2011
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Leader:
Jo
Denyer
Please bring along the following if you have them: microscopes (compound and dissecting, slides, coverslips, forceps, blades, socket boards etc.), identification books, mosses and liverworts to identify. You are welcome to come along without any of the above.
************************************
TUESDAY
11th JANUARY 2011
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Talk:1 pm-1.45 pm
Venue: the Ceramics Room, National Museum of Ireland, Kildare St. Dublin
125th ANNIVERSARY OF INAUGURAL DNFC MEETING
This first event marking the formation of DNFC 125 years ago to-day will consist of a couple of talks and a brief tour of the Natural History Museum.
'The Formation of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, the Founders and the Times'
************************************
SATURDAY
29th JANUARY 2011
GIRLEY BOG, CO. MEATH
‘Girley’ is perhaps less attractive than it sounds, being an anglicised version of an old gaelic word for a swampy place, so be warned!
Leader:
Maurice
Eakin
Bring:
Lunch, wellies, suitable clothing
Directions:
Starting from the centre of Kells Town, take the N52 following the signs
for Mullingar. On the outskirts of the town turn right – following the N52 for
Mullingar. Continue to follow the N52 for approximately 7km. Turn left onto a
forestry roadway and follow for approximately 100m to reach the trailhead.
The trailhead is signposted from Kells (small brown roadsigns)
(Directions copied from Meath.ie website)
NOTE
Meetings of The Dublin Naturalists' Field Club are open to Members
and their
Guests.
If you wish to join applications
should be made to the Membership Secretary or by completion of the Membership
Application Form
and sending to the
Membership Secretary
Fridolin Kerr
31 Cherrywood Park
Clondalkin
Dublin 22
*******************************************************************************************************
Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris
************************************
Lough Tay
BIRDS
Equisetum telmateia
Sutton
Angle
Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)
Sea Spleenwort
(Asplenium marinum)
Ballast
Pit
Kidney Vetch
(Anthyllis vulneraria)
Western Clover
(Trifolium
occidentale)
Fissidens species
Rober
Lloyd Praeger
Pollardstown
Fen
Puffin © BirdWatch
Corkagh Demesne
Corkagh Demesne
Dandelion
Frogspawn
& developing tadpoles
Atlas Moth (largest moth in the world) with wingspan of 30cm (above)
Luna Moth (Actias luna), wingspan approx. 11cm
Brent Goose: RSPB
Powerscourt Waterfall
Dalkey Quarry
Coolattin
Italian Dolomites
Lough Bray
War Memorial Park
Bryophyte
********************************************
Orchis (Anacamptis) morio
Green-winged orchid
Taraxacum officinale
Dandelion
Cerastium
diffusum
Sea Mouse-ear
Donabate
Little Tern [Copyright RSPB]
Ornithopus
perpusillus
Bird's-foot
Howth
Dalkey Quarry
Marsh
Fritillary
Trichomanes
speciosum Killarney Fern
Co Tipperary
NOTE
