Learn about marine life during National Biodiversity Week 2018

Published by admin on April 20, 2018April 20, 2018

April 20th, 2018

Come out during National Biodiversity Week 2018 (19-27 May) to experience 50 free events taking place all over Ireland!

If you want to learn more about marine life and about the marine mammals that can be found in Ireland, then check out some of these exciting events taking place near you.

Take a dive into Irish waters with these four events:

Kelp Photo: Bennilover

Rocky Shore Walk with the Sea Gardener: Edible seaweeds and the Living Coastline, Garrarus Strand, Co Waterford; Saturday, 19t^h May at 2.30pm

This event from the Irish Wildlife Trust will highlight the biodiversity of the Copper Coast of Waterford and includes a walk of the beach at Garrarus Strand to discover the plant and animal life on the rocky shore.

You will learn how to identify the edibles seaweeds found here as well as learning about the rock pool animals and the interconnectedness of all life on the shore.

This event is open to all ages. It involves walking off path on the beach and participants should wear suitable footwear for walking on the rocks and dress for coastal weather.

Bear in mind that conditions on the shore may be different to inland.

Bottlenose Dolphin Photo: NASA

Whales and Dolphins off the Northwest – The Pier Hotel, Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo; Thursday, 24^th May at 7:30pm

Come and find out about whales and dolphins with Brendan Quinn of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). This free, informative talk will cover the range of species found off the north-west coast and the best places you can go to see whales and dolphins.

All are welcome.

Humpback whale off the Beara Peninsula. Photo credit: West Cork Photo

Whale Watch – Cloghna Head, Co. Cork; Saturday, 26^th May at 6pm

This free, guided land-based Whale Watch, will be led by IWDG’s Sightings Officer, Padraig Whooley, and is open to anyone with an interest in our marine megafauna. IWDG personnel and local wildlife enthusiasts will be on hand to help you observe, identify and record whales, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, seabirds and a host of marine wildlife. During the watch, there will be plenty of opportunities to chat with like-minded folk about whales, whale watching and cetacean research and conservation in Ireland over the past 25 years. There will be plenty of whale artifacts on display.

As always, these outdoor events are weather dependent and you should dress for the weather and bring optics.

No bookings necessary. All are welcome.

Whale Watch – Loophead Lighthouse, Loophead, Co. Clare; Sunday, 27^th May at 3pm

Find out about Irish whales and dolphins on a free, land-based whale watch guided by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Learn about the field-craft behind whale watching and how best to identify the different species that can be seen off Clare. There will also be a range of whale artifacts and discussion on whale and dolphin biology, ecology and IWDG’s ongoing research on Irish whales and dolphins.

Limited optics will be provided on the day. Please wear suitable walking shoes and bring a light rain jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen and water.

The event is free and all are welcome.

These events are just a few of 50 free events planned for National Biodiversity Week. For a full list of events, click here!

ou can find out about all the events taking place during National Biodiversity Week 2018 here: http://biodiversityweek.ie/events

By Nina Cerda

Nina is a volunteer at the Irish Environmental Network involved in organising National Biodiversity Week. She is a final year student in Animal Science, Pre-Veterinarian Medicine & Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She is passionate about traveling, films, conservation issues & education.