At the Bog of Allen Nature Centre
Biodiversity week started in spectacular style at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre this week with the first swarm of bees emerging from the long establish bee colony in the wildlife gardens of the centre.
Biodiversity simply means all the different types of plants and animals around us, it includes the earthworm in the soil to the largest oak tree in your local area and nationwide Ireland’s biodiversity is being celebrated over the next few weeks. The Bog of Allen Nature Centre has planned a number of events in Co. Kildare to celebrate Irish bogland biodiversity as part of their annual Féile an Dúlra.
On Saturday 21st May meet at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre at 9.30am for a bogland biodiversity adventure supported by the Irish Environmental Network. During a guided walk over the wet surface of Lodge Bog South West participants can expect to search for reptiles, amphibians and butterflies while a pond dipping session will explore what lies beneath the bog waters surface. There will be time to discover the special adaptations of bog plants such as insect eating sundews and the snorkeling bog cottons. Strong footwear is recommended and finish your bogland adventure back at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre where light refreshments will be served. All welcome to attend and no booking is necessary.
On Wednesday evening the 25th May the Irish Peatland Conservation Council have partnered with Waterways Ireland and Milltown Tidy Towns to discover the biodiversity of the Grand Canal supplied by water from Pollardstown Fen since 1780. This biodiversity walk will explore the changing use of the Grand Canal from a transport network to biodiversity habitat and how Pollardstown Fen continues to feed the canal with water. Meet at Milltown National School at 7.30pm and strong footwear is recommended. All welcome and no booking is necessary.
On Friday evening the 27th May join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and ecologist Dr. Mary O’Connor on Kildare County Council’s Biodiversity Bus across the plains of the Curragh entering into Pollardstown Fen. Discover why Pollardstown Fen never grew into a raised bog and how the grassland habitat of the Curragh has played a vital role in this while exploring the diversity of biodiversity found in both habitats. For this event places are limited and therefore must be booked in advance. Call: Celine O’Neill on 045 980239 or email coneill@kildarecoco.ie.
If you cannot make one of these events the Bog of Allen Nature Centre is open weekly from Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm where you can meet with a team member from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and discover top tips for attracting biodiversity to your garden. Further information email bogs@ipcc.ie or call 045-860133.
