Saturday, 7 July 2007
CORNCRAKE IN INISHOWEN
BirdWatch Ireland are doing their annual survey on corncrakes and there have been a few sightings around Inishowen. At one time, not too long ago these shrill birds were commonplace in the fields but over the years their numbers have been on the decline. One major factor is the change in how land is managed. The modern method of collecting hay and silage means that the birds are driven into the centre of the field and killed by the machinery. BirdWatch Ireland offer limited grants to farmers who will delay their cutting until the 1st of August and also cut from the inside outwards to give the corncrake adults and their young a chance to get to the outer edges and ditches of the field.
NEEDS
Corncrakes need tall vegetation such as nettles, iris patches, reed grasses and cow parsley during April and May to provide cover when they arrive in Ireland from Africa. These plants give shelter until the meadows have grown tall. In the breeding season around June and July they need hayfields to cover the nests and young, so the cutting times and grazing times of the land is important.
ATTRACTING
If you are interested in attracting corncrakes then the density of cover is important. The birds will not use early cover if they cannot move easily through the vegetation. If there is a mat of dead or woody stems on the ground the area may be unsuitable. The easiest way to thin it out is to open the land up to grazing in the autumn and early winter.
The corncrake is one of many wild birds whose numbers can be increased with wildlife friendly land management. If you would like details of grants and corncrake habits ring Sandy on 074 91 65177.
The Corncrake project is run by BirdWatch with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Duchas, the Heritage Service
Environmental.
Friday, 6 July 2007
ME AND MY MOTOR-ASH MCFADDEN
Ash McFadden is a well known face around the peninsula (and beyond!) His work and enthusiasm at the Inishowen Maritime Museum and Planetarium in Greencastle is outstanding. The museum has gone through three major upgrades since it opened, thirteen years ago. There is a new Car Safety Programme being run in the museum where visiting schoolchildren get to see first hand just how violent a collision in a car is, even at 7km per hour! A company called Autoliv brought over the special equipment from Sweden. To book for the programme, call 9381363
What car do you drive?
A 1995 Opel Astra 1.7 Turbo Diesel Estate.
How long have you had the car?
I bought it in 2001.
Any plans to change?
I might make it a bit longer and thinner!
Is it reliable?
Semi- reliable. If I were to change the car I would go for the same model though, as the inside is very practical.
Best thing about the car?
Durability, it has been through a lot.
How often do you wash it?
Now and again. There isn’t much point really because I live in a bog. I have named the car “The Bogmobile!”
Are the images on the wing real things you have hit?
Yes they are! They are actually called “Nose art” Aircraft have images on the nose to show how they fare in combat. (Ash has a pilot’s licence for commercial fixed wing aircraft and gliders so it is a fitting tribute to the casualties!) The images are self-explanatory. The rooster was dancing in the middle of the road at 2 am and jumped straight into my windshield. The telegraph pole and the second fox were done at the same time. The fox jumped out of the hedgerow and swerving I ran into the pole.
What would you change on the roads?
I would get rid of the (illegal) purchase tax on new vehicles.
Top Tip for drivers?
Drive with the lights on. The ESP (in America) did a survey, which showed there was a 40% reduction in accidents when lights were used.
What would you really like to be driving around in?
If I didn’t have to carry equipment I would go for a Mazda MX5
How long have you had the car?
I bought it in 2001.
Any plans to change?
I might make it a bit longer and thinner!
Is it reliable?
Semi- reliable. If I were to change the car I would go for the same model though, as the inside is very practical.
Best thing about the car?
Durability, it has been through a lot.
How often do you wash it?
Now and again. There isn’t much point really because I live in a bog. I have named the car “The Bogmobile!”
Are the images on the wing real things you have hit?
Yes they are! They are actually called “Nose art” Aircraft have images on the nose to show how they fare in combat. (Ash has a pilot’s licence for commercial fixed wing aircraft and gliders so it is a fitting tribute to the casualties!) The images are self-explanatory. The rooster was dancing in the middle of the road at 2 am and jumped straight into my windshield. The telegraph pole and the second fox were done at the same time. The fox jumped out of the hedgerow and swerving I ran into the pole.
What would you change on the roads?
I would get rid of the (illegal) purchase tax on new vehicles.
Top Tip for drivers?
Drive with the lights on. The ESP (in America) did a survey, which showed there was a 40% reduction in accidents when lights were used.
What would you really like to be driving around in?
If I didn’t have to carry equipment I would go for a Mazda MX5
Motoring.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
CLEAN DRIVEWAY
I have a shady asphalt driveway and moss is building up on the surface. How can I get rid of it without using chemicals?
Reply
A pressure washer could be used but you might find that it does more damage to the asphalt surface. Jeyes fluid could be used too but it’s a petrochemical product and will kill anything else in the area! The safest and most environmentally sound idea would be to mix a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and water. Spay on the affected area and a week or so later use a stiff brush to clean up.
Reply
A pressure washer could be used but you might find that it does more damage to the asphalt surface. Jeyes fluid could be used too but it’s a petrochemical product and will kill anything else in the area! The safest and most environmentally sound idea would be to mix a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and water. Spay on the affected area and a week or so later use a stiff brush to clean up.
Environmental,horticultural.
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
LIME SULPHER
Would lime sulphur be a good organic alternative to spray on my fruit trees?
Reply
Lime sulphur is believed to be the earliest synthetic chemical used as a pesticide and is used in organic gardening. It is sold as a spray for deciduous trees to control fungi bacteria and insects living or dormant on the surface of the bark. Lime sulpher burns leaves so it is not as useful for evergreen plants (It also burns skin too! So use with extreme caution with full protecive clothing). If you do use it then it needs to be applied in the dormant period.
Horticultural.
Reply
Lime sulphur is believed to be the earliest synthetic chemical used as a pesticide and is used in organic gardening. It is sold as a spray for deciduous trees to control fungi bacteria and insects living or dormant on the surface of the bark. Lime sulpher burns leaves so it is not as useful for evergreen plants (It also burns skin too! So use with extreme caution with full protecive clothing). If you do use it then it needs to be applied in the dormant period.
Horticultural.
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
LICHEN
Photo: Lichen growing on the rocks at Linsfort beachIt looks as though we should get a bumper harvest of our fruit crops this year. I have seen currant bushes, and all manner of fruit trees falling over with fruit. If you have planted fruit trees this year keep an eye on them to make sure that they are well supported and the roots have plenty of water.
I have some pear trees and they are covered with a silvery growth. What is this and will it damage my crop?
Reply
The silvery growth is lichen. Lichens covers about 8% of the earth's surface. There are about 30,000 species known in the world and between five and ten new lichens are discovered in Ireland and the UK each year. They are important to us because they are part of the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur cycles and they are also vital in the early stages of soil formation. The fact that you have them on your tree is a sure indication that we have clean air around us on the peninsula. They will do no damage to your crop.
I have some pear trees and they are covered with a silvery growth. What is this and will it damage my crop?
Reply
The silvery growth is lichen. Lichens covers about 8% of the earth's surface. There are about 30,000 species known in the world and between five and ten new lichens are discovered in Ireland and the UK each year. They are important to us because they are part of the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur cycles and they are also vital in the early stages of soil formation. The fact that you have them on your tree is a sure indication that we have clean air around us on the peninsula. They will do no damage to your crop.
Environmental.
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