nature’sweb newsletter 2006.pdftion and the close connection between children’s local...

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Nature’s Calendar forNature’s Calendar forNature’s Calendar forNature’s Calendar for

Spring 2006Spring 2006Spring 2006Spring 2006

Issue No.1 Spring 2006

Nature’sWeb

ALL THINGS NEW!ALL THINGS NEW!ALL THINGS NEW!ALL THINGS NEW!Spring is the season to watch MotherNature at her best. There is new lifeeverywhere, buds on the trees, flowersappearing out of the ground and birdsfrantically building nests and laying eggs.Everywhere you look nature is blossoming.On farms lambs and calves are happilydancing through the fields, in ponds frogsare busy laying frog spawn, in trees squirrelsare stretching their legs after their sleepywinter, in hedgerows hedgehogs arecarefully searching for insects, in caves batsare waking up to the sound of spring andflocks of birds can be seen on the horizonafter their ‘holiday in the sun’. So, wrap upand get out there exploring!

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SSSS pring is a busy time for birds. Those that migrated in the Autumn, including theCuckoo Cuckoo Cuckoo Cuckoo (above), are now returning to join those that stayed for the long Winter.All birds will be busy building and preparing their nests for the eggs that will be laid

over the coming months. Birds will lay anything from 1 to 15 eggs - each bird is different.Either one, or both of the parents will incubate the eggs (keep them warm) by sitting onthem. Once they hatch the parents will then search for worms and other tasty goodies tofeed the young.

Why not take part in the Spring Alive Project... Details on page 3Why not take part in the Spring Alive Project... Details on page 3Why not take part in the Spring Alive Project... Details on page 3Why not take part in the Spring Alive Project... Details on page 3

Spring Alive!

Willow in budWillow in budWillow in budWillow in bud

www.naturesweb.ie© 2006 Sherkin Island Marine Station & its licensors. All rights reserved.

Spring 2006

2

SSSSEAFOOD EAFOOD EAFOOD EAFOOD RRRRECIPEECIPEECIPEECIPESmoked Salmon and PastaSmoked Salmon and PastaSmoked Salmon and PastaSmoked Salmon and Pasta

What to do:Under the supervision of an adult, heat oil, lightly fryonion until transparent. Add mushrooms and cook for 3minutes. Add cream, simmer gently for 2-3 minutes toreduce, season. Meanwhile, cook pasta for 8-10minutes, drain well. Add smoked salmon and torn basilleaves to sauce, combine pasta and sauce. Serve withsalad and garlic bread.

Brought to you by BIM. www.bim.ie.

Editor’s Page

Dear Reader,

Sherkin IslandMarine Stationis delighted towelcome you to the Springissue of our newsletterNature’s Web. We hope tobring you this excitingnewsletter every season tokeep you up to date withnews and trivia from theenvironment! There will betopics from around theworld and articles on howwe can make a difference.This spring we haveincluded what to look for atthis time of year, what youcan do to protect theenvironment and manyinteresting articles on life inthe natural world. Wewould love to hear yourviews and comments andsuggestions for futurearticles. Have a good read!

Signed: Audrey Murphy

Email:Email:Email:Email:[email protected]: www.naturesweb.ie

Editor: Editor: Editor: Editor: Audrey MurphyLayout and Design:Layout and Design:Layout and Design:Layout and Design:Audrey Murphy& Susan Murphy WickensPhotographs & Clipart:Photographs & Clipart:Photographs & Clipart:Photographs & Clipart:Copyright © 2006 SherkinIsland Marine Station andits licensors. All rightsreserved.

Foreign Correspondent:Foreign Correspondent:Foreign Correspondent:Foreign Correspondent:Michael Ludwig

© Sherkin Island Marine Station2006

Welcome to theSpring Edition ofNature’s Web!

Why not start aWhy not start aWhy not start aWhy not start abook club?book club?book club?book club?

Why not start a book clubWhy not start a book clubWhy not start a book clubWhy not start a book clubwith your friends by swappingwith your friends by swappingwith your friends by swappingwith your friends by swappingyour favourite nature booksyour favourite nature booksyour favourite nature booksyour favourite nature books

and thenand thenand thenand thencomparingcomparingcomparingcomparing

interesting factsinteresting factsinteresting factsinteresting factsyou have learnt.you have learnt.you have learnt.you have learnt.

Each evening over the winterand autumn I’ve been having alittle visitor to my house. ‘Rua’as I have nicknamed her (notsure if it is a boy or a girl but Ithink maybe a girl!) is a cutelittle fox that appears when noonce else is around! The Irishname for fox is Madra Rua,(which translate as Red Dog).She wanders around the houseand on one occasion climbedin the bathroom window touse the toilet! Yes, it’s true!Even though I don’t feed her,she still comes around for anose! She doesn’t get too closebut is happy to have her phototaken!

Strange Sightings Over Cape Clear

A wonderful thing about livingnear the sea is that you alwayshave amazing sunsets. Here isa picture of a large cloudformation over Cape Clear,one of Sherkin Island’s neigh-bouring islands, that I tookone evening. It was a spectac-ular sight!

This cloud is a typicalCumulonimbus cloud with an“anvil” shape and is the typeof cloud that brings rain andthunderstorms. Cumulusmeans “heaped cloud” andnimbus means “rain”, socumulonimbus is a “heapedrain cloud”. This cloud formswhen a cumulus cloud meetsa continuous column of risingwarm air. The icy "anvil" sec-tion on top indicates that thecloud has stopped growingvertically because the air hasbecome stable above the anviltop. When a cumulonimbushas reached this stage, thebase is usually dark, with rain,hail or snow falling.

Special VisitorSpecial VisitorSpecial VisitorSpecial Visitor

What you need:200g pack of smokedsalmon - cut into ribbons200g fresh linguine1 small onion - chopped

250g of mushrooms – sliced170 ml creamFresh basilA little oilSalt and freshly milledblack pepper

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Bird life

SSSS pring Alive is anexciting new project

organised by BirdLifeInternational and itsnational partners all aroundEurope, including BirdWatchIreland. The main messageof the project is that birdsare migrating across thewhole of Europe, crossingmany borders, and thateveryone can be a part ofthis fascinating event.

Taking part in Spring Aliveis very easy: Children, theirfamilies and school classesaround the continent areasked to go for a springtimewalk around their neigh-bourhoods and look for theirfirst Cuckoo, Swift, Swallowor White Stork* - four com-mon European bird species -that have been chosen asthe Spring Messengers.These observations shouldthen be entered on thespecially-provided form onthe project’s web-site –www.springalive.net. Thewhole process requiresmere seconds: a name, ane-mail address and a coupleof mouse clicks are all ittakes.

To show the progress ofspring, the computer sys-tem creates maps based onthe submitted data, show-ing the rate at which thefour Spring Messengers arereturning from their win-tering sites. These mapsare also available on theweb-site and will be up-dated daily. Participantscan check the maps, assoon as the following day,to see if their observationshave pushed the march ofspring forward in Europe. Acountry-by-country break-down of the figures is alsoprovided, and it is evenpossible to watch thespread of each species inIreland on an individualcounty or provincial basis.

To help you get to know asmuch as you can about thefour species covered by theproject, key informationabout them is available atwww.springalive.net, in-cluding photos, soundrecordings, video clips, andinteractive games. Thescheme makes an ideal pro-ject for schools, and is per-fect for kids (and adults) ofall ages.

Every single observation isimportant for us - thanksto your input we will beable to check the arrival

dates every year and seehow different factors influ-ence the arrival of birds.With time, the data wegather should reveal some

interesting annual patternsand may become very use-ful for the monitoring ofother important environ-mental issues, like climatechange or habitat loss.Please remember that ev-ery observation is valuable!

We are particularly hopefulfor a large Irish participa-tion in Spring Alive thisyear, so please do have a goyourself and send in yourrecords. After all, if youhave seen some of theSpring Messengers, wouldn’tit be nice to share this newswith the rest of the world?

An easy and fun way for you to help us keep track of our springAn easy and fun way for you to help us keep track of our springAn easy and fun way for you to help us keep track of our springAn easy and fun way for you to help us keep track of our springmigrants as they come to Irelandmigrants as they come to Irelandmigrants as they come to Irelandmigrants as they come to Ireland

www.springalive.netwww.springalive.netwww.springalive.netwww.springalive.net

*White Stork is also included, but it isunlikely to occur in Ireland.

For TeachersFor TeachersFor TeachersFor TeachersThe project is expected to be an exciting experiencefor children, but as such it can become an exceptionaleducational opportunity for the teachers. Spring Aliveis based on the internet, making it particularly easy totake part in and even more attractive for youngparticipants. The project can be a useful way tointroduce children to bird migration, wildlife and citi-zen science activities. It can also be a great way todemonstrate the importance of cross-border conserva-tion and the close connection between children’s localenvironment and the European natural heritage.

To meet the needs of teachers that are interested inparticipating with their classes, there is an additionalweb-site with special teaching materials(www.springaliveresources.net). These materials in-clude information sheets on the four Spring Alivespecies, educational games and lesson scripts. All theactivities included in the materials are dedicated togeneral knowledge about observations, bird migrationand habitats, in context of the Spring Alive species.

Above: Swallow; Left: Swift(Front Page: Cuckoo)

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Aquatic Life

During the winter salmon gather in pairs on a gravel bedwhere the water is clear. The female makes a nest or‘redd’ in the gravel and lays up to 5,000 eggs calledspawn. The male fertilises them and the female coversthem up with gravel. These eggs begin to develop andabout two months later in the spring the young salmon oralevins emerge and begin life in a stream.

The young salmon, or fry as they are now called (salmonup to 1 year old), feed on small insects and over the nexttwo years the parr (salmon aged 1-2 years) move down-stream looking for more food and more space to survive.In the spring of the third year the smolts (salmon aged 2-3 years) are ready to go to the sea and remain there for ayear. The smolts feed on as many small fish as possibleand grow very quickly. After a year the salmon are fullygrown and are known as grilse (salmon aged 3 years andolder). At this age they begin their return journey to theriver and back into the stream where they were born. Onentering the river the salmon are very strong, healthy andfat but on their journey up the river they do not eat, so bythe time they reach the spawning site they are weak andtired. After mating and spawning many salmon die fromexhaustion or are caught by predators. Only the verystrong return to sea and repeat the journey.

TTTTHEHE HE HE SSSSALMONALMONALMONALMONThere are many things thatcan prevent the salmonfrom reaching the spawningground and also the youngsalmon from reaching thesea.

PollutionPollutionPollutionPollution - it can kill thefish or kill the organismsthey eat.PredatorsPredatorsPredatorsPredators - salmon areeaten by birds, larger fishand mammals.OverfishingOverfishingOverfishingOverfishing - if too manyfish are caught, not enoughwill make it back to spawn.CompetitionCompetitionCompetitionCompetition – Salmon willcompete with others forfood and space.DamsDamsDamsDams - these can preventsalmon from reaching theirspawning ground.ErosionErosionErosionErosion - mud eroding inthe streams can cover thegravel making it unsuitablefor young salmon.

ProblemsProblemsProblemsProblems

A salmon lays 5,000 eggs in its ‘redd’.

• 500 of these were not fertilised and therefore died.• 60 were washed out of the gravel when a tractor crossed the stream.• Mud from a new building site washed into the stream and suffocated 1,000.• 300 alevins died because they were weak.• Once the alevins developed into fry, 500 were eaten by other fish in the stream.• 41 were eaten by birds.• Near the ocean, 260 smolts died after they were caught in a pool that was hot and polluted.• In the ocean, 1,550 were eaten by bigger fish.• Seals ate 95.• Fishermen caught 596.• On returning to their spawning ground 80 were eaten by otters and other land mammals.• 10 salmon died from exhaustion before they reached their destination.• 3 were crushed against rocks trying to jump a waterfall.• The remaining salmon spawned, how many were there? Answer on page 13.Answer on page 13.Answer on page 13.Answer on page 13.H

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Many things can happen to the eggs and young salmon during their journey.Many things can happen to the eggs and young salmon during their journey.Many things can happen to the eggs and young salmon during their journey.Many things can happen to the eggs and young salmon during their journey.Can you work out how many survive until the end in order to spawn?Can you work out how many survive until the end in order to spawn?Can you work out how many survive until the end in order to spawn?Can you work out how many survive until the end in order to spawn?

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Spring 2006

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Animal Life

Deer in IrelandDeer in IrelandDeer in IrelandDeer in Ireland

The Red deer – The Red deer – The Red deer – The Red deer – Cervus elaphus – Cervus elaphus – Cervus elaphus – Cervus elaphus – Fia ruaFia ruaFia ruaFia ruaRed deer have been in Ireland for about 26,000 years. The males are knownas stags, females as hinds and the young as calves. The stag is about 1.5metres in height to the shoulder and the hind grows to about one metre. Inthe summer the deer’s coat is a deep chestnut colour with cream underbellywhich changes to brown in winter. It has a short tail and a beige or creamycoloured rump. The male has antlers, which are U-shaped when seen fromthe front. These are shed in the spring and a new set begins to grow straightaway. During mating the male red deer gives out a huge roar, which can beheard from far away. Calves are born in early summer with a spotty coat.Red deer have been known to live for 15 years.

The Sika Deer – The Sika Deer – The Sika Deer – The Sika Deer – Cervus nippon nipponCervus nippon nipponCervus nippon nipponCervus nippon nippon – Fia Seapánach– Fia Seapánach– Fia Seapánach– Fia SeapánachThe Sika deer is the smallest deer in Ireland and was brought here in 1860from Japan. The males are called stags, females are hinds and the young arecalled calves. During the summer the deer is reddish-brown with pale spotsalong its flank and has a beige belly. In the winter the coat changes to a darkgrey brown colour without spots and has a grey belly. A black line can beseen all year round extending from the head down to the tail. All sika deerhave a white heart-shaped rump. The male is about 80cm high to theshoulder and the female has a height of 70cm. The stags V-shaped antlersfall off in April but a new pair begins to grow straight away. During themating season (rutting) he can be heard calling out in loud whistles andsqueaks. A single deep chestnut coloured calf is born covered in white spots.Sika deers can live for 18 years.

The European Fallow deer – The European Fallow deer – The European Fallow deer – The European Fallow deer – Dama dama damaDama dama damaDama dama damaDama dama dama – Fia bui – Fia bui – Fia bui – Fia buiThe Fallow deer originally came from England in 1244. The males are calledbucks, the female does and the young are fawns. The height of the male tothe shoulder is about one metre and the female is about 85 cm. Fallow deercan vary from black, chestnut brown to ginger brown and sometimes havewhite spots. The rump is white with a black edge and has a long tail. Themale has a set of broad flattened antlers, which he loses in the spring.Fallow bucks give out a barking grunt during the rut (mating time). In Junethe does give birth to a single fawn that has a spotty coat. Fallow deer canlive for up to 18 years.

For more information visit the ENFO website: www.enfo.ie

As soon as thewarm weatherof spring arrives

the Peacock butterfly wakes upfrom its hibernation. It is one ofthe few butterflies that hibernatefor the winter, one of the first tobe seen in Spring and one of the few butterflies thatlive for almost a year. It is easy to identify by the four‘peacock eyes’ on the upperside of its wings. These‘eyes’ are used to frighten off predators. It can alsogive off a hissing sound if it is disturbed.

From February onwardslook out for frog spawnnear the surface ofponds and slow moving streams. Theclumps of jelly each contain a black spot,which is the egg. This hatches into atadpole with a long tail and feeds on the

jelly and other things in the pond. For about the first monthit lives at the bottom of the pond and breathes like a fishusing its gills. First its hind legs begin to grow, followed bythe front legs. Once its lungs form the frog gradually makesits way to the surface and the tail slowly disappears.

Spring Highlights!

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Sika hinds (females)

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Red Deer with Stag, Hindsand Calves waiting for hay.

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A buck (male) fallow in velvet.

Rise and Shine!Rise and Shine!Rise and Shine!Rise and Shine!


Spring 2006

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Plant Life

The study of plants is called Botany.

RootsThe water and raw materials that theplant needs for making food areabsorbed through the roots. Roots, aswell as storing food, also anchor theplant in the ground.

StemsThe stems bring the water and rawmaterials from the root to the leaves, aswell as bringing the food made in theleaves to other parts of the plant. Notall stems stand up straight; some runalong the ground while others climb.

LeavesLeaves are often used to identify plants.They are an important part of the plantas they gather energy from the sun.Through their leaves plants purify theair. They take in carbon dioxide, whichthey build into sugars and other foods,and send out pure oxygen. This processis called photosynthesis. Leaves have anetwork of veins. Down the centre ofthe leaf is the mid-rib; veins branchfrom this mid-rib and lesser veinsbranch off again from these. This

network of veins brings raw materialsfrom the roots, through the stem, anddistributes them throughout the leaveswhere they are combined into food.The veins then distribute this foodthroughout the plant. Some plantsstore their food in special leavespackaged together in fleshy bulbs (inthe case of Bluebells) or root-likerhizomes (in the case of Yellow Flag).

FlowersFlowers are the brightly coloured partsof a plant, but looking beautiful is nottheir main purpose. A flower producesthe seeds from which new plantsdevelop. In some cases the "flowers"are actually coloured leaves, with onlyvery small flowers producing the seed.Brightly coloured, the flowers attractinsects and other animals to help withpollination. Nectar may also beproduced to help attract animals, suchas bees. Some flowers are male andsome are female, while others are bothmale and female.

The Structure of a Flower andHow it ReproducesA typical flower is made up of fourdifferent parts arranged in circles, oneinside the other. The outer circle, thecalyx, is made up of leaf-like sepals.These sepals are usually green and,while in bud, they envelope the flower,protecting it. When they fold back theyreveal the petals and inside these arethe male stamens, which can vary innumber from two to several hundred.Each stamen consists of a stalk (calleda filament) and a sac (called ananther) that contains pollen. In thecentre of the flower are the carpels,which are made up of the stigma, styleand ovary. The style is a stalk which istopped by the stigma. These togetherare the female pistil. When thestigma is ripe it has a sticky surfacewhich catches pollen grains. Pollinationtakes place when the cells from thepollen fuse with the ovule cells in theovary at the lower end of the style. Itis then that the ovules develop into theseeds from which new plants grow.When a plant grows, flowers, seeds anddies all in one year it is called anannual. When the plant takes two yearsto complete its life cycle, producingseeds in the second year, then it’s a

biennial. When the plant lives on formany years, each year producing seeds,then it’s a perennial.

PollinationIn plants that self-pollinate the pollenfrom the stamen often just falls on thestigma of the same flower and staysthere. However in plants that don’tself-pollinate the pollen needs to becarried from the stamens of one plantto the stigma of another. This isnormally done by the wind or by insectsor other animals. Plants that wind-pollinate, including grasses and grains,have flowers that are neither brightly-coloured nor sweetly scented. This isbecause these qualities serve nopurpose. The flowers that need thehelp of insects and other animals topollinate have more developed petalsand scents and some produce nectar toattract such insects as bees. Whilecollecting the nectar, bees are brushedwith pollen, some of which in turn rubsoff on to the stigma of the next plant itvisits. This transfer of pollen from oneflower to another is called cross-

Spring is a wonderfultime as this is whengardens and hedgerowsspring back to life!Daisies, which arepresent nearly all yearround, are joined bysnowdrops in winter and

early spring. Wild daffodils, violets, bluebellsand primroses hang around for most of thespring followed by Sea pink along the coast inlate spring. Trees also have a flash of colour atthis time of year with catkins appearing on thebirch, poplar and willow trees and spikes ofwhite flowers on the horse chestnut in April.

SpringHighlights!

BluebellsBluebellsBluebellsBluebells& primroses& primroses& primroses& primroses

StudyingStudyingStudyingStudyingPlantsPlantsPlantsPlants

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A Day in the Life ofA Day in the Life ofA Day in the Life ofA Day in the Life ofMaria ColemanMaria ColemanMaria ColemanMaria Coleman

What made you decide you wanted to be a sailor?What made you decide you wanted to be a sailor?What made you decide you wanted to be a sailor?What made you decide you wanted to be a sailor?I loved being on the water and it was great fun learning thesport.

How did you first findHow did you first findHow did you first findHow did you first findout about being aout about being aout about being aout about being asailor? sailor? sailor? sailor? Growing up in

Baltimore, my fatherbought some boatsand we sailed themin the harbour.

Did you have toDid you have toDid you have toDid you have tostudy to becomestudy to becomestudy to becomestudy to becomea sailor?a sailor?a sailor?a sailor?No, it helps tostudy so yourconcentration

on the water is better andyour knowledge of technical problems is

better but you can be a good sailor without this help.

What is the best thing about your job?What is the best thing about your job?What is the best thing about your job?What is the best thing about your job?When I was sailing, the best thing was being able to dosomething I loved and being challenged to the highestlevel.

What's the worst thing about your job?What's the worst thing about your job?What's the worst thing about your job?What's the worst thing about your job?Being away from home and my friends for long periods.

What was the most exciting race you ever sailed in?What was the most exciting race you ever sailed in?What was the most exciting race you ever sailed in?What was the most exciting race you ever sailed in?The last race of the Athens Olympics.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to be aWhat advice would you give to anyone wanting to be aWhat advice would you give to anyone wanting to be aWhat advice would you give to anyone wanting to be asailor? sailor? sailor? sailor? Keep practising on the sea and you will only getbetter. You will learn something new every time.

What is the first task you must carry out at the start ofWhat is the first task you must carry out at the start ofWhat is the first task you must carry out at the start ofWhat is the first task you must carry out at the start ofever day/race? ever day/race? ever day/race? ever day/race? Check how the sky and sea look to see whatkind of day it will be.

What safety issues mustWhat safety issues mustWhat safety issues mustWhat safety issues mustyou consider whenyou consider whenyou consider whenyou consider whenworking? working? working? working? Always wear abuoyancy aid and letsomeone know you are onthe water.

What dangers areWhat dangers areWhat dangers areWhat dangers areinvolved in your job?involved in your job?involved in your job?involved in your job?Getting too cold, driftingout to sea and drowning.

What is a typical day forWhat is a typical day forWhat is a typical day forWhat is a typical day foryou?you?you?you?When I was training it would involve 2 hours working onboats and sails, 3 hours sailing and up to 2 hours in thegym or training another way.

Do you travel with your job?Do you travel with your job?Do you travel with your job?Do you travel with your job?Yes, all over the world.

Do you work alone or as a team?Do you work alone or as a team?Do you work alone or as a team?Do you work alone or as a team?It depends on the boat. Sometimes I sailed with others,sometimes by myself. Even when I was by myself there wasa team of people around me helping so I never thought ofit as working alone.

What would you do if you weren't a sailor?What would you do if you weren't a sailor?What would you do if you weren't a sailor?What would you do if you weren't a sailor? I’d be a surferor kite surfer or windsurfer!

Maria Coleman: Maria Coleman: Maria Coleman: Maria Coleman: IIIIRISHRISH RISH RISH OOOOLYMPICLYMPIC LYMPIC LYMPIC SSSSAILORAILORAILORAILOR

All in a Day’s Work

PROFILEPROFILEPROFILEPROFILEMaria Coleman is one of the world’stop female sailors and was once ranked2nd in the world. She began sailing inBaltimore in Co. Cork when she was achild and continued when she went toUniversity. She has a degree in Biologyand a Masters in Oceanography butsailing is her passion. She has travelledthe world sailing in regattas in Europe,Australia and America and has won theEuropean and World Championships. In 2000 she sailedin the Sydney Olympics and in 2004 she was the onlyfemale on Ireland’s Olympic Sailing Team in Athens. Sheis also the first female to receive the Irish Sailor of theYear award in 2001. Sailing is a tough and expensive sportbut Maria loves a challenge. She often had to tow herown boat, sleep in her van and, in order to learneverything there was to know about boats, she evenworked as a boat builder! Here she tells us what life as asailor is like!

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Dear Editor, Please can you tell me how many fish are in the ocean?From Ellen, age 9.There are more than 20,000 identified species of fish, but howmany fish there are altogether is anyone’s guess!

School TalkSherkin Island Marine Station

Sherkin IslandSkibbereen

Co CorkIreland

Hi everyone,This is the page where we would like youto have your say. Tell us about environ-mental work you carry out in your schoolor what you would like to hear about inthe next issue of Nature’s Web. Send usyour letters, emails or stories and if we canwe will print them in our next issue. Tell usabout an issue in your environment thatbothers you, one that you would like oth-ers to hear! Here are some letters I receivedfrom Union Hall N.S in Co. Cork askingquestions about nature. I’d love to hearfrom more of you so write to me at theabove address or email me at [email protected] and I’ll do my best toanswer some of your questions!

Best WishesAudrey. The Editor.

Dear Editor, How long is the longestshark?From Aidan, age 8

Whale sharks are fish and are thelargest sharks in the world, reach-ing maximum lengths of 12 to 20metres. Don’t worry though, these‘gentle giants’ don’t eat people oreven fish, they eat plankton thatthey sieve out of the water!

Dear Editor,Please can you tell mehow long giraffes necksare. From Katie, age 9

An adult giraffes neck isabout six feet or 1.8metres long. It is verymuscular and is used to

reach high into treesto eat the leaves.There are specialvalves in the bloodvessels that helpthe blood get allthe way up to the

head! Long necks arealso useful as theyhelp the giraffe seelong distances so itcan see predatorscoming!

Dear Editor, Can you tell me, how high trees can grow?From Michael, age 9

It is believed the tallest tree ever measured was an AustralianEucalyptus regnans in, Victoria, Australia, reported in 1872 byforester William Ferguson. It was 132.6 m (435 ft) tall and almostcertainly measured over 150 m (500 ft) originally. In 1991, a coastredwood called The Dyerville Giant was thought to be 1,600 yearsold when it fell. It was 113.4 m (372 ft) high, not counting the 1.5m (5 ft) of buried base. It grew in California, USAand was the tallest tree of modern times.

Dear Editor, How do birds get across the ocean?From Csaba, age 9.

Birds’ bodies are especially light (they havehollow bones) so they add on extra fat stores togive them energy for the long flight duringmigration. During the trip some feed during theday and fly all night. Some appear to have a

little sleep while they fly (only for a minuteor so) while others can send one half of theirbrain to sleep as the other half staysawake!It is thought that birds use the posi-tion of the sun and the stars as a compass to

find their way but unfortunately strong windsover the sea during migration sometimes pushbirds off course causing them to get lost. Hopethat answers your question. For more informa-tion on migration have a look at the “BirdPage” in the Trial Issue of Nature’s Web.

Dear Editor, How many leaves are on a horse chestnuttree? From Cathy, age 9

There is no specific number of leaves on a tree. Itcan depend on species, location, and many otherfactors.To work out roughly how many leaves on a treefirst count the leaves on say...10 branches. Thenwork out the average number of leaves per branchby dividing the number of leaves by 10. Count orestimate the total number ofbranches on the tree. Multiplythe number of branchesby the average number ofleaves per branch to findout roughly how manyleaves on the tree. Letme know how you get on!Best of luck!

Dear Editor, Howmany spikes has ahedgehog? Conor, age 9Hedgehogs are covered onthe back and sides with up to500 smooth spines. The face,legs, tail and belly are cov-ered with fur.

Dear Editor, Please can you tell me howlong tortoises live?From Sarah, age 9

Large tortoises have beenknown to live over 300 years butusually live anything from 50-100years. Generally water turtleslive for about 30-40 years.

Dear Editor, Please can you tell me how many horses there are in the wild. Thank you.From Kate, age 9

There are two types of horse that live in the wild. ‘Wild’ and‘feral’ horses. Wild horses are really and truly wild, theirancestors were never domestic (used by humans) where as feralhorses were once domestic animals but then ended up in the wild.There are many feral horses to be found in the U.S.A. and Canada(Mustangs), Australia (Brumbies) and New Zealand (Kaimanawa horses).The only truly wild horse left today is Przewalski’s Horse which can befound in Mongolia in Asia. Hope that helps!

Dear Editor, How fast are cheetahs?From Paudie, age 9.

The cheetah is the fastest terrestrial mammal with aspeed of up to 71 mph, which it can only keep up forroughly 275 metres. The cheetah moves forward roughly sevento eight metres in a single stride and can complete four strides in asecond. Their paws are less rounded and harder than most cats whichhelps the cheetah make quick turns.

Dear Editor, Can you tell me howmany teeth a Sperm whale has?From Joshua, age 9.

There are 18-28 functional teeth(teeth that it uses) on each sideof the lower jaws, but the upperteeth are few, weak and are notused by the whale. The lowerteeth fit into sockets in the upperjaw. The gullet of the Spermwhale is the largest amongcetaceans and is the only gulletlarge enough to swallow a human!


Spring 2006

9

Experiment With Nature

Here are some activities you can try at home orHere are some activities you can try at home orHere are some activities you can try at home orHere are some activities you can try at home orat school. Please ask for permission from aat school. Please ask for permission from aat school. Please ask for permission from aat school. Please ask for permission from a

grown-up before you begin.grown-up before you begin.grown-up before you begin.grown-up before you begin.

To examine the movementTo examine the movementTo examine the movementTo examine the movementof water up a plantof water up a plantof water up a plantof water up a plant

What you need:A Jar of waterA Celery stalk with leavesFood colouring

What to do:1. Add a few drops of foodcolouring to the water and thenadd the celery stalk.2. Leave for about an hour in awarm sunny room.3. Examine the leaves and the outside of the stalkand then cut through it and look at the inside.

What happens and why?Water is transported through plants in veins in theleaves and the stalk. By adding food colouring tothe water you can see where the water hastravelled. The veins in the leaves and stalk shouldnow be red.

Experiment to show that waterExperiment to show that waterExperiment to show that waterExperiment to show that wateris heavier than iceis heavier than iceis heavier than iceis heavier than ice

What you need:An empty glassWaterCooking oilFood colouringAn ice cube trayA freezer

What to do:1. Fill the ice cube tray with water and add a fewdrops of food colouring. Put into freezer until frozen.2. Pour the oil into the glass until it is half full.3. Gently put an ice cube into the oil and record whathappens next.

What Happens and why?The ice cube floats on the surface of the oil butbecause water is heavier than ice, melting drops ofwater gradually sink to the bottom of the glass.(Food colouring makes this easy to see.) Now youcan understand why icebergs float on the sea!

Watch a BeanWatch a BeanWatch a BeanWatch a BeanGrowGrowGrowGrow

What you need:An empty jam jarCotton WoolA bean (a runner bean from yourlocal garden centre)Water

What to do:1. Fill your jar with cotton wool.2. Gently push the bean down the side.3. Using the water, wet the cotton wool until it is allcompletely wet.4. Place near a window with the seed facing the sunand watch what happens.

What happens?After a while the bean will sprout a root and a shoot.The shoot goes up so as to get closer to the sun andthe root goes down to find more water. It uses boththe sun and water to make food grow.

Homemade DyeHomemade DyeHomemade DyeHomemade Dye

What you need:White woolA white t-shirtA few daffodil flowersAn old saucepanSieve

What to do:1. Boil the daffodil flowers in some water (be sureto have an adult with you) until the water turnsyellow.2. Using a sieve strain the water to remove theflowers.3. Add the wool or t-shirt until it changes colour.4. You can experiment with other brightly colouredflowers to see if it will work with them.


Spring 2006

10

Learn MoreA Beginner’s Guide toIreland’s Seashore is apocket-sized guide, suitablefor beginners of all ages.This book will help you toexplore the wonders ofmarine life found on theshores around Ireland.

Only €6.97includingpostage

A collection of photographsof Ireland’s bird life,featuring over 200 colourphotographs taken by one ofEurope’s finest wildlifephotographers, Richard Mills.

€16.00includingpostage

Fishing – Fish are an important partof our diet. There are many differenttypes and many ways in which tocatch them.

Aquaculture – This is the farming offish, shellfish and seaweeds.

Biology – This is the study of livingthings such as animal and plant life.

Chemistry – Chemists are needed inindustry to change raw materials intouseful materials i.e. food, drugs etc.

Physics – Physicists study thescience of matter and energy and theinteractions between the two.

Veterinary Science – Be a doctor forzoo animals, farm animals and pets.

Teaching – Teach subjects such asBiology, Chemistry and Physics inschools, colleges or other centres.

Zookeeping – Zoos need helpers tocare for and look after the animals inthe zoo.

Museum Work – This can involvelooking after the museum, thedisplays and giving tours of thescience exhibits that are on display.

Agriculture – A chance to breed andlook after animals and to grow andharvest crops.

Landscape Gardener – Design anddevelop gardens.

Environmental Control – This caninvolve studying and preventingpollution.

Wildlife Photographer – The chanceto photograph animals and plants fornature books, newspapers andmagazines.

Radio and Television – This caninvolve planning, gatheringinformation and presenting natureprogrammes.

Publishing – Many publicationsneed writers, artists and designers tocreate them.

Research – You could work in a labto study how and why thingshappen in science.

Park Warden/Ranger - Lookafter parksand naturereserves.

Ever thought about workingEver thought about workingEver thought about workingEver thought about workingin science? Here are somein science? Here are somein science? Here are somein science? Here are someareas in science that mayareas in science that mayareas in science that mayareas in science that may

interest you!interest you!interest you!interest you!

NEW DVD!!NEW DVD!!NEW DVD!!NEW DVD!!““““On the Water’s Edge”On the Water’s Edge”On the Water’s Edge”On the Water’s Edge”

Sherkin Island Marine Station haslaunched a new dvd called ‘On theWater’s Edge’. It is made up of a shortfilm on life beside the sea and ispresented by Audrey Murphy. Itincludes interactive material forchildren of all ages. Available from:Sherkin Island Marine Station, SherkinIsland, Co. Cork. €16.94 post free.

To order books, send your name andaddress along with a cheque or postalorder made payable to Sherkin IslandMarine Station to:

Matt Murphy,Sherkin Island Marine Station,Sherkin Island,Skibbereen, Co.Cork. Ireland.

Sherkin Island Marine Station has published a range of colouringbooks, guides and activity books for children. Each thirty twopage Colouring & Guide Book gives you the chance to colour,identify and learn about the wildlife around Ireland. My NatureDiary and Safety Sam activity book will keep you busy for hours.

Only €1.50each includ-ing postageor €8.50 forall seven!

Careers in ScienceCareers in ScienceCareers in ScienceCareers in Science


Spring 2006

11

Invading AsianInvading AsianInvading AsianInvading AsianCarp Pose AnCarp Pose AnCarp Pose AnCarp Pose AnUnusual ThreatUnusual ThreatUnusual ThreatUnusual ThreatFour species of imported Asian carp have been escapingfrom fish farms in the southern US. The escapees are amajor ecological problem, but it is the fish’s reaction tonoise that is making news. Unlike common carp, thegrass, silver, bighead and black carp are not bottom-feeders, they feed near the surface. And, they can growvery large, regularly reaching a weight of more than 25kilos. The problem; the carp are easily startled, can leap2 or more metres out of the water in reaction to noiseand do not check to see where they’re going. Forboaters, the flying carp pose a serious airborne threat.When was the last time you were hit with a flying fish?However, the fish do taste good!

The World Around Us

“ForeignCorrespondent”

Michael Ludwig reportson the some strange

goings on in thenatural world.

Odyssey of the RubberOdyssey of the RubberOdyssey of the RubberOdyssey of the RubberDuckiesDuckiesDuckiesDuckies

In 1992 a container of bathtub toys headed for the USA spilled off a cargovessel during a storm. Since then the yellow duckies, beavers, turtles and frogs haveprovided a view of the global circulation of the ocean. The escape occurred near the 45thparallel and the ducks floated northward along the Alaskan coast, reaching the BeringStrait in 1995. The gallant little seafarers circled the North Pacific in three years, visitingAlaska, Russia, South Korea, Japan and then returned to North America. A breakawaygroup visited the Hawaiian Islands. The main flock was trapped in slow moving ice forseveral years - it took them until 2000 to reach the Atlantic Ocean. But, in 2001, theywere sighted in the area of the north Atlantic where the Titanic sank.

During their recent travels, some of the ducks broke away from the flock and headed forEurope. Their global journey is almost over and thousands of other duckies are expectedto wash up on the coast of New England, USA in the near future. No information isavailable on the fate of the beavers, frogs and other escapees. If you find one of the duckson your beach, it may be part of our flock!

Whale Tusk InvestigationsWhale Tusk InvestigationsWhale Tusk InvestigationsWhale Tusk InvestigationsScientists in San Diego in America have proved that the tusk of the narwhal is in fact a sense organ. The 9 footlong tusk is soft on the outside and hard on the inside and has millions of nerves running from the outside ofits tusk up to its brain. Scientists carried out investigations on samples ofnarwhal tusk and on a captured narwhal. It is believed that the whale uses thetusk to detect changes in temperature and pressure in the water around theArctic where it lives.

Exploding ToadsExploding ToadsExploding ToadsExploding ToadsLast spring, in Germany, veterinarians were baffled when eyewitnesses had reported toads that had apparently ‘blown up’ in agarden pond. Many suggestions were given as to why the toadshad been found dead like this. Some thought it was poison andothers thought it may be a disease. It is however, believed to bean attack carried out by crows while the toads were ‘puffed up’.When frightened they fill their bodies up with air so as to makethemselves look larger and thereby frighten off any predators.To find out for sure if this is indeed the cause,vets will have to go back to the same pondthis spring to see for themselves if ithappens again!

Darwin’s Tortoise!Darwin’s Tortoise!Darwin’s Tortoise!Darwin’s Tortoise!A zoo in Australia, owned by the crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, is home toone of the oldest known animals in the world. Harriet the tortoise, whowill turn 176 this year was believed to have been brought to Australia by thefamous scientist Charles Darwin in 1835 an incredible 171 years ago! Harriet is aGiant Galapagos Land Tortoise named after the Islands off South Americawhere Darwin found her. She is said to be fit and healthy and it is hoped she will live formany more years.


Spring 2006

12

Up Close

StarfishStarfishStarfishStarfishStarfish and sea urchins belong to a group of animals known as echinoderms - thespiny-skinned animals. As their name suggests, they all have spiny skins, althoughin some the spines are quite soft and not very obvious.As well as spines, echinoderms also share another feature; they have bodies whichare divided into equal sections, radiating out from a central point - a little like thespokes of a bicycle wheel. This is more obvious in starfish than in sea urchins.However, if you look at the empty shell of a sea urchin, you can see that it isdivided into segments, rather like an orange.

Asterias rubens Crosóg mhara choiteannThis five-armed starfish has a very rough upper surface, with blunt spines that areembedded in its skin. The skin itself can vary in colour from orange to pale brown tomauve. Like many starfish, it has hundreds of tiny tube-feet underneath its arms,each ending in a sucker. These are used for movement and feeding. The tips of thearms are light sensitive and also help find food. Large starfish are uncommon on theshore, but small ones can be found under stones and in rockpools.

Common StarfishCommon StarfishCommon StarfishCommon Starfish

Asterina gibbosa Crosóg fhaoilinneLooking like a small star-shaped pin-cushion, the Cushion Star is easily identified byits short stubby arms. It is one of the most common echinoderms to be found onthe lower shore, often on or under rocks and seaweed. However, its small size andgreen to pale-brown colouring make it difficult to find. Even though it rarelygrows bigger than 3cm across, like larger starfish the Cushion Star feeds on worms,brittlestars and other small encrusting animals.

Cushion Star/StarletCushion Star/StarletCushion Star/StarletCushion Star/Starlet

Marthasterias glacialis Crosóg choilgneachThis is one of the largest starfish to be found on the seashore. It has five arms andmany tube-feet. Its upper surface bears distinct spines which are surrounded by tinypincer-like organs. These pincers are used to clear debris from the skin surface,which is usually a blueish-grey colour. The tips of its arms are often tinged withpurple, and may be light sensitive. Spiny Starfish eat shellfish such as scallops andmussels, prising the shells open with their tube-feet.

Spiny StarfishSpiny StarfishSpiny StarfishSpiny Starfish

Henricia oculata Crosóg AnraíThis starfish has bright blood-red or purple colouring, giving rise to its nickname of“bloody Henry”. It has a rigid body and smooth, chalky skin that sometimes feelsslimy because of a mucus coating. Its tube-feet can be pulled into grooves whichrun the length of the undersides of its five arms. These feet are small and have nosuckers. As well as feeding on small invertebrates such as sponges and hydroids, thisstarfish also feeds on tiny food particles that stick to the mucus covering its arms.

Scarlet/Henry’s StarfishScarlet/Henry’s StarfishScarlet/Henry’s StarfishScarlet/Henry’s Starfish

Photos & Text: “A Beginner’s Guide to Ireland’s Seashore” ISBN: 1-87-049296-X © 1999


Spring 2006

13

What amWhat amWhat amWhat amI saying....?I saying....?I saying....?I saying....?

Fun Page

How much did you learn?How much did you learn?How much did you learn?How much did you learn?The answers to all these questions can be found in theThe answers to all these questions can be found in theThe answers to all these questions can be found in theThe answers to all these questions can be found in the

newsletter...see if you can remember!newsletter...see if you can remember!newsletter...see if you can remember!newsletter...see if you can remember!

1. Name the four bird species chosen as the Spring Messengers in

the Spring Alive Project.__________________________________

2. What name is given to 2-3 years old salmon?________

3. Which is the smallest deer in Ireland?_____________________

4. Name a butterfly that hibernates during the winter. __________

5. Name three wild flowers that appear in the Spring.___________

6. What must you always wear when out on the sea? ___________

7. Name the science that involves farming shellfish, fish and

seaweed. __________________

8. How old will Harriet the Tortoise turn this year? _____________

9. Name the whale that has a tusk on its head. _________________

10. To what group do sea urchins & starfish belong?____________

11. Can you put meat into a compost bin?_______________

12. What is the electrical spark that can be seen in clouds?________

13. Is it safe to stand near a tree during a lightning storm?________

14. What is the Irish name for a fox? ___________________

15. What does the word “nimbus” mean?__________________

16. Name the fastest land mammal._____________________

17. What is the largest shark in the world?____________________

Have fun with yourfriends making up a title

for this picture!

Answers: (1) Swift, Swallow, Cuckoo & White Stork; (2) Smolt; (3) Sika Deer;(4) Peacock Butterfly; (5) Daffodils, Violets, Bluebells; (6) Buoyancy Aid; (7)Aquaculture; (8) 176; (9) Narwhal; (10) Echinoderms; (11) No; (12) Lightning;(13) No; (14) Madra Rua; (15) Rain; (16) Cheetah; (17) Whale Shark.

Spot the five differences!Spot the five differences!Spot the five differences!Spot the five differences!

Why do birds fly south forWhy do birds fly south forWhy do birds fly south forWhy do birds fly south forthe winter?the winter?the winter?the winter?

Because it is too far to walk.

What is a sharksWhat is a sharksWhat is a sharksWhat is a sharksfavourite game?favourite game?favourite game?favourite game?

Swallow the leader

Do fish ever have holidays?Do fish ever have holidays?Do fish ever have holidays?Do fish ever have holidays?No, they’re always in schools.

Which side of a bird has theWhich side of a bird has theWhich side of a bird has theWhich side of a bird has themost feathers?most feathers?most feathers?most feathers?The outside!

What fish likes toWhat fish likes toWhat fish likes toWhat fish likes tocome out at night?come out at night?come out at night?come out at night?

Starfish

How do you talkHow do you talkHow do you talkHow do you talkto a fish?to a fish?to a fish?to a fish?

Drop it a line!

Why are fish so easy to weigh?Why are fish so easy to weigh?Why are fish so easy to weigh?Why are fish so easy to weigh?They come with their own scales

Pho

to: ©

Aud

rey

Mur

phy

Answer to Answer to Answer to Answer to“How Many Survive?” on page 4: “How Many Survive?” on page 4: “How Many Survive?” on page 4: “How Many Survive?” on page 4:

The answer is FIVE.


Spring 2006

14

Conservation

OOOO ne of the mostimportant things thatcan be done in any

household is to make compost.This is where items such asteabags, egg shells, fruit andvegetable peelings, paper,cardboard, grass cuttings,leaves and dead flowers areplaced in a large bin or heap inthe garden and left to rot. Theyeventually turn into a richmixture, so this, not onlymeans you get rid of wastefrom your house in anenvironmentally friendlyway, but you also producea fertiliser for your soil.

Any house with a gardencould make compost.Although not everyone has a garden or space to makecompost, you may have a friend or neighbour thatwould love to have your household waste for his or hercompost. A compost bin is ideal for small gardens andshould have holes underneath. If you have a largegarden and lots of household and garden waste then a

compost heap would bemore suitable as a binwould be too small andfill quickly. Yourcompost heap should beplaced out of directsunlight and heavy rain,as decomposition maynot occur if the waste istoo dry or too wet.

When you add waste it isbest to make layers of

about 7-8 inches andcover each one withsoil so as to keep awayflies. It is also a goodidea to add some limeto each layer and waterwhen it gets dry. Somemanure can help speed

up the process, as can turning it with a garden forkevery few days and covering it in soil. It may then takeonly a few weeks to turn into perfect compost. When itgives off an earthy smell and crumbles like earth it isready to use. It can be put around vegetables, trees andeven in potting plants.

Composting

kitchen scraps (uncooked items)

fruits & vegetablesbanana skinsold potting soil/mixpaper/cardboardtwigsleavestea bagsfeathersvacuum bag wastesgrass cuttingsseaweedgrains & riceflour & oatmealstale breadnewsprint (b&w)

manuresegg shellswood chips

fish scraps (buried)

straw and haypine needleshair (human, animal)

wood shavingsnatural fibres (cotton, linen, wool)

coffee grounds (with paper filter)

crop wasteflowersbone mealseashells (crushed)

peanut shellsyard wastemelon rindpotato peelssawdust (not treated)corncobsground bonesweeds (most, but not all)

Good Composting ItemsGood Composting ItemsGood Composting ItemsGood Composting Items Bad Composting ItemsBad Composting ItemsBad Composting ItemsBad Composting Items

meatgrease, fat or oildairy productsunground bonesused kitty littertreated woodpoultrynon-organics (e.g. plastics)

coloured newsprinttreated sawdustheavily coloured paperpressure treated woodplywoodparticle boardchunks of wood & branchesperennial or treated weedsmetals


Spring 2006

15

AAAA thundercloud is formedwhen warm, wet air movesupwards in the sky and coolsvery quickly. Some of therain drops inside theseclouds freeze and turn intoice. The ice and the rest ofthe rain drops start bumpinginto each other as the cloudmoves around, causing a lotof electricity. An electricspark shoots out to removesome of the build up ofelectricity in the cloud. Thiselectric spark is calledlightning. Lightning maytravel from one part of acloud to another, from onecloud to another, from acloud to earth or from earthto a cloud.

There are two main types oflightning, sheet and forkedlightning. Sheet lightninglights up the whole sky butflashes inside a storm cloudand does not come down toearth. Forked lightningbegins when a flash oflightning zigzags to theground; once it reaches theground another flash shootsback immediately up intothe sky. The flash we see istherefore a fork of lightningjumping between the groundand a cloud and looks likezigzag lines.

Lightning is so hot it is fivetimes hotter than thesurface of the sun. Itreaches temperatures of30,000 °C. Since thingsexpand when heated theair around the lightningexpands and expands. Itdoes this so quickly that itexplodes causing a bigbang, called thunder. Ifthere is a storm near you,you will be able to hear thethunder at the same timeas you see the lightning,but if the storm is away inthe distance you will seethe lightning first becauselight travels much fasterthan sound. To work outroughly how many milesaway a storm is from you,count the seconds between

the flashes of lightning andthe bang of thunder andthen divide by five (for

kilometres divide by three).

Sometimes you can hearthunder rumbling in thedistance. This is sound wavesfrom the thunder bouncingfrom cloud to cloud andreflecting back to you.

If you ever find yourselfoutside during a thunder andlightning storm never standunderneath a tree, tallbuilding or out on openground. Lightning takes theshortest path to the groundso it will usually pick a tallobject such as a tall tree,house, a tower, or a personstanding alone in a flat fieldto go through to get to theground. Lightning may alsohit the same place or thesame person several times.A safe place to be is insideyou house or in your car.

Special Feature

An electric spark shoots out to remove some of the build upof electricity in a thundercloud. This electric spark is calledlightning.

“In a thunderlighteningstorm neverstand under-neath a tree,tall buildingor on openground”


Spring 2006

16

Sherkin Island Marine Station would like to thank Pharmachemical Ireland for their support inmaking this newsletter possible. We would like to thank those who have contributed to thisnewsletter especially Maria Coleman, Bob Cooke, Michael Ludwig and Robbie Murphy.

Visit the Sherkin Island Marine Station website www.sherkinmarine.ie www.sherkinmarine.ie www.sherkinmarine.ie www.sherkinmarine.ie

Keep aneye out for

migrating birds, returning

to Ireland. Take part

in

the Spring Alive Project

www.springalive.com

Remember to keepreducing, reusingand recycling waste.

Make a list of all the

things I can compost

and put the list on

my fridge.

Watch out forbirds nesting –

remember not todisturb them.

Spring cle

anthe gar

den!

Time to

plant flo

wer

and veg

etable

seeds

this month.

Still time to plant

a tree! Every treehelps remove

carbon dioxidefrom the air. Must remember

the first day I heardthe cuckoo. Whatday was it lastyear...?

The butterflies are

beginning to wake from

winter hibernation and

insects are becoming more

active. Try to learn more

about them this spring.

Spring 2006

Nature’s Noticeboard!


Spring 2006

nature’sweb newsletter 2006.pdftion and the close connection between children’s local...

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