Well, it is only Friday afternoon but the recording activity across the islands is cranking up a gear! Cape Clear and Bere Islands are slogging it out in the lead, no doubt spurred on by an element of local Cork rivalry! Inis Mór and Tory Island are moving ahead at the same pace, whereas Clare Island … Continued
Read MoreAlthough the main recording will be happening over the weekend, any records submitted during the week will count in the final tally. And Cape Clear are quick off the block! Already survey work on the island, mainly by Howard Fox and Maria Cullen, has totted up 139 specie so far. But, this is a marathon … Continued
Read MoreHaving looked at the biodiversity of the participating islands and a review of the relative strengths of the survey teams, it looks like Island BioBlitz will involve ferocious competition between the teams. So, based on our knowledge of the form, the odds for two of the awards are as follows: Most Species Award 2/1 Inis … Continued
Read MoreA review of the data already contained in the National Biodiversity Database, and available to view on Biodiversity Maps, gives a good insight into the current state of knowledge on the biodiversity of the five islands. Hardly surprisingly given the two Clare Island Surveys, the most species has been recorded on Clare Island, where data is … Continued
Read MoreFor the Island BioBlitz event, there will be six category of award to reflect the varied nature of island wildlife and biological recording. The different awards are: The Most Species Award This is the main category and will be awarded to the island that records the most species of wildlife. The Species Richness Award This will be … Continued
Read MoreThe survey teams for each of the five island have now been assembled, and what an impressive list of people we have. So far, more than 150 recorders have signed up to help with the recording activity, ensuring that many specialised aspects of biodiversity will be surveyed as part of the event. This includes members … Continued
Read MoreClare Island lies 5 km off the west coast of Mayo at the entrance to majestic Clew Bay. It is 7 km long and, at its broadest, 5 km wide, and rises to a height of 462 metres at Knockmore. The island is a mix of semi-natural and improved grassland, maritime sward and heath and precipitous … Continued
Read MoreCape Clear (Oileán Chléire) lies 12 km off the southwest coast of Ireland, in the mouth of Roaringwater Bay. Irish is spoken on Chléire, and it is the most southerly Gaeltacht area. Indeed, Cape Clear is the most southerly inhabited part of Ireland.
Read MoreOileán Thoraí (or Tory Island) lies 14.5 km off the northwest coast of Donegal. It is a special island, with unique character and heritage. About 170 people live on the island, and Irish is the native tongue. In recent years the island has become home to a flourishing artistic community.
Read MoreBere Island lies at the entrance to the magnificent Bantry Bay in Co. Cork and guards Berehaven Harbour, one of the deepest harbours in Europe. The island lies 2 km offshore from the town of Castletownbere. Just over 200 people live on the island.
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