Northern Ireland's recovering pine marten population benefits red squirrels

DECEMBER 13, 2019

by British Ecological Society

The recovery of pine marten in Ireland and Britain is reversing native red squirrel replacement by invasive grey squirrels, according to new research presented at the British Ecological Society's annual meeting in Belfast today.

Researchers at Queens University, Belfast and National Museums Northern Ireland have found red squirrels are responding positively to the increased presence of pine martens across Northern Ireland. So, where pine martens occur, it increases the chances of red squirrels occurring, simultaneously reducing the likelihood of grey squirrels being present.

Historically, persecution of pine marten and loss of their preferred habitat led to severe declines across Ireland and Britain. In Northern Ireland, small, remnant populations were all that remained, but today, the species is recovering, and this comeback may help ensure the long-term future of the red squirrel in Ireland.

Joshua Twining, who will be presenting the research at the conference, commented "the red squirrels 'positive response' is likely due to grey squirrel disappearance rather than red squirrels and pine martens working together." Pine martens eat both red and grey squirrels, though the key difference is that red squirrels have evolved alongside pine martens over millennia, making them able to coexist.

Twining said, "The ability of the pine marten to control the grey squirrel and help red squirrel recovery in Ireland and Britain is limited by three things; its ongoing recovery, the lack of forest cover on the island and the presence of urban areas. Twining and co-authors suggest that grey squirrels will persist in the latter as results show pine marten are forest specialists and avoid urban areas.

Although the red squirrel population is increasing in Northern Ireland, the researchers warn that "unless the issue of control within populated areas is addressed, we risk creating a situation where marten-savvy grey squirrels could recolonise the wider landscape in the future".

Continued

Fishermen Haul in Monstrous Skull and Antlers of Extinct Irish Elk

By Kimberly Hickok, Reference Editor | September 7, 2018 01:14pm ET

Fishermen in Northern Ireland pulled in the catch of a lifetime on Wednesday (Sept. 5), when they caught an enormous Irish elk skull that's estimated to be more than 10,500 years old. The impressive specimen is about 6 feet (1.8 meters) across and is almost fully intact. 

Credit: Pat Grimes/Ardboe Heritage

Raymond McElroy and his assistant, Charlie Coyle, caught the massive antlers in their fishing net in the northwest region of Lough Neagh, a large freshwater lake. The men were fishing in water no more than 20 feet (6 meters) deep, about a half mile from shore, said Pat Grimes, a local historian who shared his photos of the impressive discovery.

"I was shocked to begin with when I got it over the side [of the boat] and saw the skull and antlers," McElroy told BelfastLive. [Gallery: The World's Biggest Beasts]

Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus) have been extinct for more than 10,000 years, and were one of the largest deer species to ever roam the Earth, according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology. The name Irish elk is a bit of a misnomer on both parts, in that they're technically deer, and were found well beyond Ireland — they were present throughout Europe, northern Asia and northern Africa. Still, remains of these large beasts have been found in the bogs and lakes of Ireland more often than other parts of the world.

Continued  

Red squirrels: 5,000 volunteers sought to save species – and help kill invasive greys

Wildlife Trusts’ biggest-ever recruitment drive will see volunteers monitor populations, educate children – and bludgeon grey squirrels to death

Patrick Barkham

Friday 24 February 2017 06.01 GMT 

An army of 5,000 volunteers is being sought to save the red squirrel from extinction by monitoring populations, educating children – and bludgeoning grey squirrels to death.

The Wildlife Trusts’ biggest-ever recruitment drive is focused on areas of northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland where invasive grey squirrels first introduced by the Victorians are driving the retreating red squirrel population to extinction.

More than 2.5 million grey squirrels are continuing to spread north through England and into Scotland, out-competing the 140,000 remaining red squirrels and spreading the squirrelpox virus, which does not affect greys but rapidly kills reds. 

“In most of the UK there are only a handful of refuges left for red squirrels,” said Dr Cathleen Thomas, programme manager of Red Squirrel United, a conservation partnership started in 2015. “Without help, experts predict this beautiful and treasured creature could be extinct within as little as 35 years.”

Volunteers for Red Squirrel United will be asked to monitor red squirrel strongholds in Northumberland, Merseyside, Wales and Northern Ireland, and report any grey squirrels entering these areas. Volunteers will set up camera traps to film squirrel behaviour and teach the public and school children about the way in which greys have rapidly driven the reds to extinction across southern Britain since 1945.

Continued 

Badger cull to begin in NI to combat bovine TB

By Conor MacauleyBBC NI Environment Correspondent

3 July 2015 

From the sectionNorthern Ireland

Media captionThe badger cull in Northern Ireland is different to what is happening across the UK and Ireland

Northern Ireland is to start a limited cull of badgers as part of a research project to combat a disease in cattle that costs the taxpayer £30m a year.

Despite a long-standing eradication programme, bovine TB still affects about 6% of cattle herds in Northern Ireland and it is on the rise.

When cattle get the disease, none of the herd can be moved off the farm unless it is to the abattoir.

Cattle that test positive are removed, culled and farmers are compensated.

There has been a long debate about the extent to which the disease in cattle is linked to badgers, which share a similar strain.

There is no definitive evidence of whether badgers infect cattle, or the other way round.

For the last year, Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture has been trapping and testing badgers in a 100sq km area between Banbridge and Rathfriland in County Down.

Continued ...

The curious case of Ozzie the Sydney cat, who turned up in Northern Ireland

Australians have a reputation for being a well-travelled bunch. But the curious case of Ozzie the mystery moggy has taken this jet-setting trend to an entirely new level.

In Northern Ireland, they're calling Ozzie a purrrfect mystery.

Photo: Cats Protection, Armagh Branch

The stray ginger cat was discovered hanging around a backyard in County Armagh in Northern Ireland earlier this week.

When a Cats Protection volunteer picked him up and took him to a vet to scan his microchip, she was astonished to discover that he was registered in Sydney, Australia.

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Just as baffling as his 17,000-kilometre journey half way around the world was the date on his microchip: it suggested he was born in 1989, which would make him 25 years old.

The Cats Protection volunteers have nicknamed the cat Ozzie, and have embarked on an international search to reunite him with his owner.

"If only he could tell us of his travels," the organisation wrote on its Facebook page, alongside a photograph of Ozzie enjoying a cuddle with a volunteer. 

Ozzie, described as "very thin but incredibly handsome" and "a gentle affectionate cat", appeared to have been well looked after in the past, Armagh Cats Protection co-ordinator Gillian McMullen said.

Continued ...

Two new areas of marine protection along NI coastline

Two new areas of marine protection off the coastline of Northern Ireland have been announced.

The Special Areas of Conservation include the sea and seabed surrounding the Maidens Islands off Larne and those adjacent to the Portrush Skerries and Giant's Causeway.

The move also provides protection for the harbour porpoise.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said the sites were important for their "marine habitats and biodiversity".

He added: "They demonstrate my department's ongoing commitment to protecting our seas and the wildlife and ecosystems that they support."

The Special Areas of Conservation at the Maidens include sandbanks, reefs and grey seals, while the areas protected at the Skerries and Causeway includes sea caves, sandbanks and reefs.

Mr Attwood said the waters off the north coast were important for harbour porpoises.

"This designation confirms that their numbers in this area are significant th roughout the year. I hope this encourages people to visit the area to get a glimpse of these beautiful animals."

In the Autumn, the assembly is due to debate the Marine Bill, which aims to protect the coastal areas.

Previously designated marine areas of protection include Strangford Lough, Rathlin Island, Red Bay and Murlough Bay.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19005743

Wildlife wars: the uphill struggle to stop butchery in our countryside

The growing threat to Northern Ireland’s wildlife from ruthless gangs, criminals and saboteurs has been revealed.

Police are being tasked to investigate dozens of crimes including badger baiting, illegal hunting and the deliberate poisoning of rare birds every month.

Incidents are being reported at a rate of more than one a day — and this may be the tip of the iceberg. In some cases rare and endangered animals are being deliberately targeted by reckless criminal gangs for profit.

This covers not only the killing of badgers, seals and rare birds of prey, but also bird trapping, egg thefts, deer poaching and habitat destruction.

However, campaigners believe the true figure is much higher with many crimes going unreported. Among the most shocking examples uncovered by this newspaper are:

• Thugs who poured acid over magpies after catching them in a trap;

• An armed gang who were discovered shooting at some peregrine falcons;

• Criminals who were stealing rare eggs from Cockle Island;

• Seals which were killed and mutilated, including one which was decapitated;

• Water bailiffs who were attacked by a masked gang of poachers as they tried to lift illegal nets;

• A swan which had its beak broken by a thug;

• And rabbits who suffered horrific deaths at the hands of blood sport enthusiasts.

A Belfast Telegraph investigation has revealed police dealt with 1,088 reports of wildlife crime between April 2007 and August 2011, with a steady rise in incidents. The details were disclosed by the PSNI after a Freedom of Information request. However, experts believe many incidents still go unreported.

According to USPCA chief executive Stephen Philpott, the true extent of wildlife crime is higher.

“The USPCA believes most wildlife crime still goes unreported and the increase suggested in the PSNI statistics is a result of better collation of information, but still significantly understates the real scale of the problem,” he said.

Reported incidents of wildlife crime have more than doubled, from 151 incidents during 2007/08 to 377 incidents in 2010/11.

Conor McKinney from the Ulster Wildlife Trust said the rise reflected a growing intolerance to the issue — but warned many criminals still escape justice due to a lack of evidence.

“Wildlife crime is a significant and wide-ranging problem in Northern Ireland and although the figures suggest it is on the increase, it is more likely that greater public awareness is resulting in more reports,” he said.

“But many cases of wildlife crime still go unreported. Those that are seldom face prosecution, due to insufficient evidence.”

One of the most common crimes was badger baiting, with 98 incidents reported in the period. The barbaric crime, which involves badgers being dug out of their setts and pitted against dogs in fights, was reported in Dungannon, Castlewellan, Portrush and Fermanagh.

Earlier this year a major operation involving the USPCA and PSNI saw five men charged with badger baiting.

A second common crime involved the killing of deer. The animals are a prized target for poachers because of the lucrative black market trade in venison.

Birds were also targeted, including red kites, which were only reintroduced to Northern Ireland four years ago.

Criminals were also caught trying to steal rare birds’ eggs. Loughs Agency staff also reported that a concrete block had been dropped from an overhead bridge in an escalating campaign of intimidation.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/wildlife-wars-the-uphill-struggle-to-stop-butchery-in-our-countryside-16180413.html#ixzz1zgZjBfdj

Zebra mussels invade more Northern Ireland lakes

Invasive zebra mussels have been found in another seven lakes in Northern Ireland.

The discovery brings the number of lakes or waterways in Northern Ireland known to have been invaded by the damaging alien species to 12.

The latest sites are all satellite lakes around the Erne waterway.

Lough Erne was one of the first to be infected by the mussels and it was inevitable that nearby lakes would eventually succumb.

Zebra mussels can cause the ecology of lakes to change substantially or even collapse.

The mussels out-compete the local swan and duck mussels leading to their extinction.

They also filter the water very effectively, making it so clear that plant growth increases dramatically choking the waterway.

The clear water also encourages toxic algal blooms and whole fish populations can change or even disappear because the mussels have altered the food chain.

The blocking of waterways and the loss of fish can also have a serious effect on tourism.

Another problem is caused by the sheer mass of the zebra mussels.

They can block the pipes of water intakes on boats and shore structures causing machinery failure. The cost of their removal can be considerable and is usually very difficult.

John Early of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said: "Zebra mussels, which are native to the lakes of south east Russia, can attach themselves to any hard surface such as boats, buoys and water intake pipes, where they can form very dense clusters".

"Zebra mussels have spread to a number of unconnected lakes since their first arrival in the Erne system in the mid 1990s.

"Recent monitoring has confirmed that they are continuing to expand their range I would strongly urge boat owners to clean their boats and equipment to try and prevent further spread."

The NIEA is currently sampling a selection of other satellite lakes of the Erne to find out if they have spread any further. Once the mussels establish themselves in a lake, its almost impossible to remove them.

Lakes invaded by zebra mussels

• Abacon Lough 

• Derrymacrow Lough 

• Kilturk Lough 

• Castle Lough 

• Derrykerrib Lough
• Derrysteaton Lough
• 
Lough Keenaghan 

• Lough Erne 

• Carron Lough (Derrygonnelly) 

• Lough Neagh 

• Lough Bresk 

• Lower Lough MacNean

By Mike McKimm BBC NI environment correspondent
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15403541