NEWSLETTER: 'Biodiversity'

e Sky, Happy Frogs and aquatic invasives...

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	Newsletter: Biodiversity To foster and promote sustainable development    in County Cork

June 2010   Welcome to the second CEF Newsletter.  We enjoyed a really positive reaction to our first issue in January on the subject of Water, and are delighted to be bringing you a celebration of Biodiversity in this edition.   As you may know, the United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity as a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity to our lives. Through the Spring and early Summer here in Cork, CEF has been organising a series of nature-related events to celebrate - for kids, for adults, for butterfly lovers, tree lovers, bug hunters... and have had a phenomenal response.  There are loads of pictures on our website, so if you want to join in the fun, start by looking at www.cef.ie. A big thank you to our members and associates who have contributed their expertise, observations and joy to this issue.  The full articles are hosted on our blog and are open to comments, so please feel free to contribute your thoughts.  (Some of you may have difficulty accessing our blog in the workplace, so PDF versions are provided for you to read in your lunch hour ;-) ) Patrick Treacy, Development Coordinator 10th June 2010   In This Issue -- Masters of the Sky -- The Frog Army -- Book review -- Aquatic Invasives   CEF Management Committee 2009-10 Michael Hobbs (Chair) Kieran McDonogh (Vice-chair) Bernie Connolly (Treasurer) William DeTuncq (Asst. Treasurer) Anna Aherne Barry Hurley Mary Barrett Richard Delahunty Tony Cain Patrick Treacy (Development Coordinator Masters of the Sky A quiet valley, late afternoon – the wind began to pick up. As it did, two giant birds of prey, sitting on rocks, flapped their wings and launched themselves into the air. After a few minutes, they were sailing in the wind showing their eight foot wingspan, slowly circling with their broad wings outstretched fully. Barely moving their wings, these masters of the sky circled and circled, and circled yet again, steadily gaining height. This could have been the highlands of east Africa. It could have been the mountains in Asturias in Spain, or in the Basque Country, with Griffon Vultures scouring the land for food. But no, this was Kerry in May 2009 in a valley near Kenmare. Read More (having trouble accessing our blog? Download the PDF instead.)   The Frog Army I always promised myself that when I bought a piece of land I would build a wildlife pond on it. It was only at the end of the second year that I saw the first signs of life coming into it. In the spring of the third year I had my first clump of frog spawn - and that summer the pond finally came to life with dragonflies and pond skaters, diving beetles etc, all moving in. The following spring I counted 15 frogs making spawn in the pond from my kitchen window. The next spring it was 23, then 34, then 45, then 64 and this spring I counted 83 frogs in the pond… I reckon next year I will make the ton! This all makes for a lot of croaking and splashing, in breeding season I can tell you… but I don't mind a bit. And I will tell you why. Read More (having trouble accessing our blog? Download the PDF instead.)   The Future of Life - Edward O. Wilson (2002) The first in a series of themed book reviews.  This issue features 'The Future of Life' by the double Pulitzer prize winning biologist and author Edward O. Wilson. Got any recommendations? We'd love to share them with our readers, so get your book reviews into us.   Read More (having trouble accessing our blog? Download the PDF instead.)     Aquatic Invasive Species In our last issue, David Lee contributed a fantastic piece on the Varroa Mite infestation of bee colonies.  Now he's back with an equally important article on the devastation being caused in Irish waters by aquatic invasive species.   Read More (having trouble accessing our blog? Download the PDF instead.)     CEF Members You will be receiving this newsletter as a result of being on our mailing list.  Did you know you can also join CEF as a member?  This brings all kinds of opportunities for getting involved in exciting work and meeting like-minded people.  Our members come from across the different pillars of society and all have a common interest at heart, which is to foster sustainable development in Cork.   Become a member of Cork Environmental Forum today! Subscribe from only €5 per calendar year. -- Join a working group -- Receive bi-monthly members mailings -- Meet like-minded people -- Take advantage of occasional discount offers -- Pay online