MulkearLIFE delighted to support BioBlitz 2011

23 May 2011

MulkearLIFE and members of the Mulkear Conservation Volunteers (MCV) were delighted to support our colleagues in Inland Fisheries Ireland (Shannon River Basin District) during BioBlitz 2011 in Dromore Woods Nature Reserve this past week-end.

The 24 hour event, to mark International Biodiversity Day, will be remembered as one of sunshine on the Friday evening and unremitting rain throughout Saturday until the sun finally emerged at the close of business at 5pm on Saturday afternoon.

The rain did not dampen the spirits of the great many volunteers and recorders and fun was had by all. Inland Fisheries Ireland had erected a large marquee which proved invaluable in providing shelter on Saturday.

It also provided an excellent venue for a range of educational outreach work for children and adults.

The various freshwater invertebrates proved to be of great interest to all as did the various fish species which were put on display in two aquariums. Aside from the actual use of microscopes for recording purposes, children attending BioBlitz were provided with an opportunity to discover the amazing extent of biodiversity on show.

MulkearLIFE and the MCV worked along side colleagues in Inland Fisheries Ireland, togther with Frances Lucy (IT Sligo) and Ger Morgan (UCC), and focused efforts on bird, mammal, fish and fresh water invertebrates. The results of BioBlitz 2011 are now known. Killarney National Park was the overall winner. Over the 24 hour period the volunteers and recorders amassed an amazing total of 1088 species. This was double the number achieved by last year’s champions. The Raven (Co. Wexford) was in second place with 826 species. Ballycroy (Connemara, Co Galway) came in third place 702 species. Dromore Woods Nature Reserve (Co. Clare) just surpassed Liffey Valley Park (Co. Dublin) by one with a total of 688 species. Congratulations to all involved in Killarney National Park – they are Ireland’s new BioBlitz Champions for 2011.

MulkearLIFE looks forward to next year’s event and congratulates all involved in the success of the Dromore woods events and in particular our colleagues in Inland Fisheries Ireland (Limerick), NPWS, Clare County Council, IT Sligo, UCC, the National Biodiversity Centre and a great number of volunteers.

Find out more about the MulkearLIFE project here and at the project website www.mulkearlife.com