DNFC Outings & Events
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoths, Lullymore '05.
Programme
April 2008 to July 2008
Sunday
6th April
Portrane Burrow and Cliffs
The
Habitat Ecology of the Dublin Coast
Leader:
Melinda
Lyons
The
morning session will concentrate on the flora and vegetation of sand dunes and
dune grassland on the northern end of Portrane Burrow. The Burrow is a
sand and gravel ridge running northwards from Portrane village. In
includes an interesting relatively dry saltmarsh that has formed behind some
embryonic dunes on the foreshore. At this time of year, we expect to see
colonies of Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio on some of the older
dunes. In the afternoon, we plan to visit the cliff-top maritime grassland
nearby. In addition to large colonies of Sea Wormwood Seriphidium
maritimum we also expect to see Spring Squill Scilla verna and some
early-flowering winter annuals.
Scilla verna Spring Squill
Saturday
12th April
Howth
Recording the Flora of Howth - An Introduction to Dandelions
Leader: Declan Doogue
Dandelions are at their best in March and April. The Irish flora contains many native species of natural habitats and well as a mixture of introduced weedy species associated with roadsides and waste ground. This outing will set out to provide a brief introduction to the main Irish sections within the genus Taraxacum, using the new BSBI handbook. We will compare and contrast the dandelions of natural and waste ground. We will also collect and prepare a selection of specimens for submission to the BSBI identification referee.
Taraxacum officinale
Saturday
19th April
River Dodder at Oldbawn
The right bank of the Dodder is being cut away by the river and shows bands of gravel deposits from earlier floods. The area suffers from some dumping and vandalism but the spring vegetation should be worth study.
Leader: Declan Doogue
Meet: Howth DART station at 11.00 a.m.
Monday
28th April
Trinity
College Dublin
ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
Sunday
4th May
Donabate
The Habitat Ecology of the Dublin Coast – Corballis Dunes
Leader: Declan Doogue
We will visit the shore and dunes on the back strand of Donabate at Corballis. The area consists of a sand and gravel ridge running south towards Malahide village. Some of the dunes have been heavily leached and show extensive invasion by Bracken. In some areas, gravel has been extracted in the past and interesting examples of recolonisation will be demonstrated. We will also visit the saltmarsh and other unusual features at the southern tip of the peninsula.
Saturday 10th May Kilcoole
Leader: Fridolin Kerr
Birds at the seashore
In earlier years the Bird Group was a major feature of DNFC activity. We hope to resurrect this former enthusiasm by scheduling at least one bird outing on every programme over the next year or two.
Little Tern [Copyright RSPB]
Sunday 18th May Howth
Recording the Flora of Howth
Leader: David Nash
The main purpose of the excursion is to examine and record the flora of the area of interesting maritime and heathy grassland in the S.E. corner of the Howth near The Baily.
Saturday 24th May Ashford
Moths, damselflies and other insects on a farm
We will be able to examine the contents of some moth traps that Angus will have had operating over the previous night. We will be a month earlier than our last visit, and may be too early for some of the species seen on previous visits. However we may get to see a different range of insects, and a reduced number of moths numbers might help some of us to remember them!
Leaders: Angus Tyner, Gerry Sharkey.
If weather and enthusiasm allow, we will visit another site later in the day.
Bring: packed lunch. Moth identification guides would be useful, and binoculars to watch any early dragonflies that might be on the wing. Suitable footwear and clothing will be needed, so check the weather forecast!
J.Stevens-BDS.jpg)
Emperor Dragonfly
Saturday
31st May
Dalkey
Leaders: Katharine Duff and Declan Doogue
Continuing our series of explorations of the vegetation of the Dublin coast, we will visit the interesting cliffs and shorelines of the Killiney area. The cliffs around Killiney have been invaded by a large number of foreign plant species, most notably Senecio bicolor (formerly S. cineraria) that may have ousted the rare native species Sea Wormwood, Seriphidium maritimum. We also hope to visit the soft and eroding earthen cliffs near Shankhill in the afternoon.
Dalkey Quarry
Tuesday
3rd June
Dublin Zoological Gardens
Dublin
Zoo After Hours
Leaders: Shane Lombard and Zoo Staff
Saturday 7th June and Sunday 8th June DNFC Weekend Meeting
Our weekend meeting will be held in County Donegal
Marsh
Fritillary
Saturday
14th June
Phoenix Park
Damp
Grassland Habitats of the Phoenix Park
Leader: Con Breen
We will examine areas of wet grassland within the Phoenix Park. This is an ideal opportunity for members to refresh their skills in the identification of grasses, sedges and rushes of wet grassland
Saturday
21st June
Howth
Recording
the Flora of Howth
We will visit a number of wetland areas on the Howth peninsula and will concentrate on the identification of sedges and rushes.
Saturday
28th June
Children’s Outing, Airfield House, Dundrum
Leaders: Niamh Lennon and Melinda Lyons
A walk on some of the lesser known trails on Killiney Hill, through woodland, grassland and garden habitats to see birds, plants and insects
Leader: Peter Craven
Saturday
5th July
Howth
Meet: Howth DART station at 11.00 a.m.
David Allen is an acknowledged expert on the Rubi (brambles) of Britain and Ireland and has agreed to lead an excursion to various parts of Howth. The morning session will consist of an introduction to the study of brambles. T Instruction will be given in how to collect specimens and in how to note the significant features necessary for identification.
Bramble leaf
The Habitat Ecology of the Dublin Coast
Shenick (Shenick’s) Island (jointly with Birdwatch Ireland) and the Skerries Coast
We will walk across to Shenick Island and should have about an hour there. Last year we visited the island in September and had a most interesting trip. This time we hope to make a list of the earlier-flowering plant species and may still encounter some nesting birds.
Wednesday 9th July National Botanic Gardens
Afternoon Lecture
Speaker: Dr. David Allen.
Subject: The Victorian Fern Craze
Killarney Fern
Meet: The Lecture Theatre, National Botanic gardens. The lecture begins 3.00 p.m.
Check our website, www.dnfc.net for more details, nearer to the date
Queen Victoria
Saturday
12th July
Deputy’s Pass
Leaders:
Gerry
Sharkey, Jason Monaghan
Wexford Naturalists' Field Club
Saturday
26th July
Glenasmole / Bohernabreena
Leader: Mary Carson
A visit to the Reservoir and its environs.
R Dodder at Bohernabreena
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
Programme
November 2007 to March 2008
SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2007
CORKAGH PARK
Winter Walk in Trees and Grassland:
Leaders: Mary Carson and Shane Lombard
Corkagh Park contains mature exotic and native trees, and we will have a
chance to see their distinctive structure and appearance in winter. There are
also attenuation lakes, artificial constructions to defend the area downstream
against flooding. The water level in these fluctuates considerably, and we will
search for any influence this might have on their vegetation. Bus numbers 69,
51X and 51B stop closeby.
Red Admiral
SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2007
HOWTH
Insects in Winter
Leaders: Bob Aldwell , David Nash , Frank
Smyth
Recent winters are becoming increasingly confusing for both entomologists
and the creatures they study. For several years now the sight of
butterflies on the wing in mid-winter is not as startling as it once was.
The venues chosen in Howth to a large extent will be determined by the direction
of sun and wind. While the success of the day will in some part depend on
the weather, we can be assured that our leaders will put on a brave show
irrespective of the temperature.
Bring lunch.
SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER 2007
ROGERSTOWN
ESTUARY
Birding in Fingal
Leaders: Brendan Black and Gerry Sharkey
Bring Binoculars, ‘scopes and bird identification guides.
A wide selection of wading birds feed and roost on the mud in Rogerstown,
and with a rising tide forecast for the first couple of hours of our visit, we
should see most of them. On recent visits we have also seen Buzzard and
other birds of prey including Peregrine, Merlin and Kestrel. There is also
usually at least one Little Egret about.
Finding the Rogerstown Hide: The track to the old hide on the south
of Rogerstown Estuary is signposted on the road through Turvey to Donabate past
the back of Newbridge House. From the M1 take the first turn to the left for
Skerries and Donabate. On the roundabout take the second exit, signed for
Donabate. The first left after Jones’ Garden Centre will bring you along the
side of the grounds of Newbridge House and past the side exit. Drive on to a T
junction and turn left. A short distance (100 m or so) further on the hide is
signposted through a gate on your right, follow the track to the right past the
allotments and to the left towards the shore.
TUESDAY 25 DECEMBER 2007
The President , Vice President and Board of Directors wish all our
members a Happy and Peaceful Christmas, and nothing but good news and health in
2008
WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER 2007
ST. STEPHEN’S DAY WALK
Bird Life at Dun Laoghaire Pier
Leader: Peter Craven.
No lunch break is envisaged, but determined al fresco enthusiasts could
congregate beforehand to exchange views, recipes and seasonal greetings.
The Habitat Ecology Of The Dublin Coast*
Starting on January 5 a series of events will run throughout 2008, usually on the first Saturday of each month. The purpose of these outings is to introduce members to the relationships that exist between species, community and environment. It follows that there will be a certain emphasis on the identification of ecologically significant species, coupled with some simple attempts at classifying the vegetation and habitat-types of the coast. We will however cover a wide variety of organisms, depending on the time of year, weather on the day etc. Members may be pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the coast of Fingal (Sand dunes, coastal cliffs, salt marshes) and by the number of rare species that have been re-found there as the result of recent surveys. Most events will be structured around separate morning and afternoon sessions with a break for lunch. Declan will anchor most of these events but other members will also help with leading.
SATURDAY 5 JANUARY 2008 MALAHIDE ESTUARY AND PORTMARNOCK
The Habitat Ecology of the Dublin Coast*
We will visit the rock outcrops to the south of Malahide in the morning
comparing the heavily managed fragments of dune grassland near the car parks to
the much more natural coastal features nearby.
Bring Lunch. Warm Clothing.
SATURDAY 19 JANUARY 2008 KNOCKSINK
Knocksink Wood Scavenger Hunt
Morning Session. The morning event is particularly suitable for our younger members. However all are invited to join in and even help.
Soldier Beetles (Family Cantharidae)
Leaders: Niamh Lennon, Melinda Lyons
This is a fun outing to explore Knocksink Wood in winter. Everyone will be given a list of things to look for or collect in the wood. It is particularly aimed at younger members but everyone is welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring wellingtons, warm waterproof clothes, pencils and if possible a clip board.
A second session is planned mainly for adults (though young members are also welcome) in the same venue for the afternoon.
Puccinellia fasciculata
SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2008 SACwatch WORKSHOP
Some years ago the Irish Wildlife Trust initiated the SACwatch project. The purpose of this venture was to set up a team of volunteer field workers who were prepared to monitor the condition of the various Special Areas of Conservation in Ireland . On-site ecological training was provided in species recognition and basic ecology as well as aspects of planning and notification. This year the members of the DNFC are invited to join with phase 2 of the project.
This event will appeal particularly to those members who are concerned about habitat loss and deterioration at many of our best wildlife sites.
Puccinellia fasciculata (centre) &
Salicornia (Glasswort)
Programme
Morning Session Visitors’ Centre. Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.
http://www.botanicgardens.ie
A series of workshop sessions with presentations from IWT and DNFC Members.
The topics will revolve around and legal and administrative aspects of SACs and
the ecological basis for site selection and designation.
Afternoon Session: North Bull Island
The purpose of the trip is to assess the floristic and ecological impact of drainage and embanking works that have been put in place at the south end of the Bull Island UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2008
DONABATE and PORTRANE
The Habitat Ecology of the Dublin Coast*
Leader: Declan Doogue
A good deal of the Donabate and Portrane area is scheduled for housing
development and it seems likely that some of the local natural habitats will be
lost shortly.
In the afternoon we will visit wetlands and woodlands near St. Ita’s
Hospital, Assemble in Portrane village at 2.00 p.m.
SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2008
GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, TCD
A visit to the Geological Museum
Leader: Patrick Wyse Jackson
Venue: Museum Building , TCD
This is a chance for everyone from 4 to 104 years old to see the exhibition 'The Story of the Earth' where precious and not-so precious rocks, minerals and fossils, as well as two Giant Irish Deer and some Irish meteorites, are on display.
Younger members will find the exhibition particularly interesting. Bring your own rock! Patrick will be happy to try and identify any of your geological oddities that you wish to bring in.
SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2008 NORTH BULL ISLAND
PaleTussock Moth larva
Birdies, beasties and plants in early spring on the Bull
Leaders: Gerry Sharkey , Brendan Black and Colm Ronayne
High water will be at lunch time, hence the early start, (latecomers will find us along the causeway) We will meet after lunch and walk towards the Alder Marsh to see early signs of spring.
SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2008 MALAHIDE and the BROADMEADOW ESTUARY
The Habitat Ecology of the Dublin Coast*
Leader: Declan Doogue
The waters of the Broadmeadow River flowing into the Malahide estuary are retained by the embankment of the Dublin - Belfast Railway. A huge area of slightly brackish water is therefore enclosed and laps against the local boulder clay surrounding the estuary. As a result dune formation is slight but low earthen cliffs support some coastal vegetation. The area is famous for wintering birdlife.
After lunch will set out again from Swords by car to examine sections of the coast a little further north.
Geranium sanguineum
Rubia peregrina
MONDAY 17 MARCH 2008
DALKEY
St. Patrick’s Day Walk – Early Insects and Plants
Leader: Colm Ronayne
We intend to examine the progress of Spring 2008 in Dalkey Quarry, on Dalkey Hill and around the Vico Road . These areas have a sheltered microclimate, which enables plants and insects to be active all of the year. Members may remember a very successful meeting here at the end of March last year.
Dalkey Quarry
NOTE
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - AUGUST 2007 TO OCTOBER 2007
SATURDAY AUGUST 4
FLORA OF HOWTH PROJECT
REDROCK
AREA
The flora of the Redrock area is particularly rich in rare species.
With luck, the very wet season may have delayed the flowering of a number of
early summer specialities. We will search for the very rare coastal grass
Parapholis incurva, known in Ireland from only 2 Howth sites plus an unconfirmed
record from Cork in the 19th century.
Leaders: Leaders
of these outings is shared by members of the Flora of Howth Project Team
(David Nash, Con Breen, Catriona Brady, and Declan Doogue)
SATURDAY AUGUST 11:
IRISHTOWN NATURE PARK & BOOTERSTOWN MARSH
The Irishtown Nature reserve
produces on occasions the most wonderful displays of butterflies and other
insects as well as a great mixture of urban weeds, dockland aliens and some
uncommon native species.
Some years ago a small deposit of sand began to accumulate outside the sea wall at Booterstown. Since then it has been colonised by a number of sand dune and wetland plant species. Members might wish to photograph the site to provide a permanent record of its state of colonisation at this time.
We will also conduct an assessment of the current conservation status of the rare grass Puccinellia fasciculata (Borrer's Saltmarsh-grass). The occurrence of this species in Booterstown is of considerable interest, as it is one of the few legally-protected species known to grow in Dublin.
Leaders: Mary Carson, Bob Aldwell
SUNDAY
AUGUST 19
BALLYNAFAGH RESERVOIR
The area surrounding Ballynafagh Lake,
Prosperous, Co Kildare, exhibits interesting habitats that demonstrate the
ecological transition from fen to bog. The area is the site of many
important botanical discoveries and in the past it supported large colonies of
Marsh Fritillary butterfly. Sadly the value of the site has reduced in
recent times due to changes in land use management and hydrology. As part
of out visit we hope to conduct a preliminary assessment of the current
condition of some of the surviving habitats.
Leaders: Teresa
Buckley, Enda Kiernan, and Local Historian, Seamie Cullen
SATURDAY AUGUST 25
FLORA OF HOWTH PROJECT
NOSE of HOWTH and CASANA ROCK AREA
These areas of Howth are well worth a visit at any time of year. We
expect to see colonies of Rubia peregrina and Geranium sanguineum
both of which are of considerable phytogeographical interest, as well as a
number of late-flowering coastal grassland species.
Leaders: Members of the Flora of Howth Project Team
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER
1
EXPLORING THE COAST of FINGAL
(with the Fingal Branch of Birdwatch)
SHENICK’S ISLAND AND THE COAST AT SKERRIES
Shenick’s Island is one of a group of
three small islands off the coast of Skerries. Every year at certain tides
it becomes possible to walk out to the island. On this occasion it should
be possible to spend about two hours there. We hope to make a quick survey
of the flora and vegetation of the island. On our return to the mainland
we will examine the flora of the small peninsula at Red Island.
In the afternoon Colm
will bring us to some of his favourite sites in the Skerries area concentrating
mainly on insects.
Leaders:Sean
Pierce (Birdwatch), Colm Ronayne and Declan Doogue
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 8
FLORA of HOWTH PROJECT
THE COAST AT SUTTON
At this time of year the strandline flora should we well advanced.
There are also numerous alien and casual species whose occurrence is difficult
to predict on a year to year basis. We will search particularly for the
rare and declining shoreline species Polygonum oxyspermum subsp. raii
which was discovered some years ago in a small cove at Bottle Quay by one of our
members.
Leaders: Members of the Flora of Howth Project Team
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER
15
North County Dublin
Wetlands
Pond Life, particularly Water Beetles
Some of our members recently attended a Water Beetle study weekend in
Waterford under the auspices of the newly-formed National Biodiversity Data
Centre. Arising out of this we have given an undertaking to assist in the
compilation of a projected atlas of distribution of Irish water beetles. A
great deal of work has already taken place in recording these species as part of
a project led and managed by Prof. Garth Foster. However a number of
10km squares in the Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow areas do not appear to
have ever been surveyed for water beetles. This autumn we hope to rectify this
situation, concentrating initially on wetland sites in the Co. Dublin area. One
of the tutors on the course was our member Stephen McCormack who has kindly
agreed to lead this event. Last year Stephen led an outing to Ballynafagh
and also conducted a water beetle identification seminar in Airfield.
We hope to survey a
cross-section of ponds and streams in the North County Dublin area, many of
which have never been visited by the club. The good news is that, even if
it rains, water beetles will still be found.
Leader: Stephen McCormack
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER
22 (No.1)
FLORA of HOWTH PROJECT
HOWTH DEMENSE
We will search for a number of species including Luzula pilosa that
were recorded in the past from Howth demesne.
Leaders: Members of the Flora of Howth Project Team
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER
22 (No.2)
LIFE IN ROCKPOOLS
BALSCADDAN
BAY, HOWTH
This is a special outing intended particularly for our younger members. All
members are, however, more than welcome to attend and possibly help out.
Leaders:
Niamh Lennon and Melinda Lyons
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER
29
GLENDALOUGH
Morning and Afternoon: Ecology of Woodlands, Scree, Lakes.
Evening: Bats
Glendalough has always been known as an important wilderness containing many
areas of natural and semi-natural woodland. A number of important and successful
nature conservation measures have been initiated recently by the staff of the
Wicklow National Park. The abundance, diversity and luxuriance of the
moss, liverwort and fern flora is particularly impressive, especially adjacent
to the shaded rock exposures.
We expect to see a
number of rare ferns including Thelypteris limbosperma and Dryopteris aemula and
hope to visit a wide spectrum of woodland and open ground habitats. In
order to make the trip particularly worthwhile we have arranged three separate
events in the Glendalough area. On this occasion we will be led by the
conservation ranger, Ann Fitzpatrick and the District Conservation officer Enda
Mullen as well as our own Hon. Sec. Enda is well known as an expert on
bats and hopefully there will be a good show of different species on the night.
Leaders: Ann
Fitzpatrick, Enda Mullen (National Parks & Wildlife Service), Gerry Sharkey
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7
ST. ANNE’S PARK, RAHENY
FUNGUS FORAY
Leader: Teresa
Buckley
SATURDAY OCTOBER
13
HEDGEROWS in BALLYBOGHIL
(with Ballyboghil Hedgerow Group)
This outing will demonstrate the differences in the flora of modern hedgerows
(i.e. those originating from the beginning of the 18th Century) and
the more ancient townland boundaries.
Leaders:
Anne Lynch, Declan Doogue