A very dry May Wetlands

I haven’t seen the two ponds so low before.

SES Volunteer Day

We had a wonderful crowd from SES Shannon (https://www.ses.ie/) helping us give the Wetlands a Spring clean today under the guidance of Ruairí Ó Conchúir (the Community Water Office from LAWPRO). The weather was gorgeous. Well done everybody and a big thank-you.

Easter Sunday Wetlands Walk (Sun 17th Apr 2022)

After heavy showers last night and this morning the day brightened up enough for a walk over the Wetlands.

Things are starting to green. With foliage appearing slowly on trees. I looked for tadpoles/frogs but the ones that survived being eaten are probably wise enough to stay out of sight. Maybe tonight’s full moon will bring them out? 🙂

You can see how much the weather has improved (though very changeable from day to day) from my solar water panel temperatures 🙂

And here’s this month’s 360 4K video. Sorry it is so shakey.

March 2022 Walk through the Wetlands

Sunny but with a cool breeze today. Great to see the frogs egss now turned into tadpoles

How many tadpoles can you spot?

And here’s my usual monthly 360 film

Sun 13th Feb 2022 – Walk through the Wetlands

Very mild mid February day.

Interestingly, I saw three large joined globes of frog spawn in the main pond

Weds 2nd Feb 2022 – World Wetlands Day

We had a wonderful few hours on World Wetlands Day at the Shannon Wetlands.

Ruairí Ó Conchúir, the Community Water Officer from Local Authority Waters, gave an astounding presentation and really engaged with the students from Gaescoil Donncha Rua and St Patrick’s Comprehensive who attended.

He explained the Irtish for the bulrush was coigeal na mban sí (Banshee’s Broom!) and how the wild grasslands provide food and nesting areas for a diverse number of small birds (warbler’s etc.)

I particularly enjoyed when the intrepid Ruairí enter the pond to show the young people what pond life thrives at the bottom.

I was amazed at how many dragonfly nymphs there were. Of course all of these are rushing around in the video below to avoid being eaten or to find something to eat!

So a great day all round! Enjoyed by 20 or more young people and Wetlands Committee alike!

World Wetlands Day Tomorrow!

Join us for World Wetlands’ Day

World Wetlands Day which takes place this Wednesday, 2^nd February 2022.

To mark the day we will be hosting a low key event at the Shannon Town Community Wetlands site at lunchtime (13:00hrs) for about 1 hour.

The event will be focused on this year’s theme ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’ and will explore the biodiversity of the site and the role of the local community in developing and sustaining the site.

The event will be focused on wetland habitat type, local onsite biodiversity and the role wetlands play to support and sustain life helping us better understand why wetlands are so important for people and for the biodiversity.

All are welcome but please feel under no obligation to attend. Please bring along suitable clothing for the weather and your wellington boots if you can make.

Sunday 16th Jan 2022 – Walk through the Wetlands

Sunday 5th Dec 2021 – Monthly 360 Video

Had a frost last night but still warmer and drier than usual for the time of year. Here’s a 360 4K video of the Wetlands. Enjoy.