News from Biodiversity Ireland
July 2025

This monthly newsletter provides an update on some of the work of the National Biodiversity Data Centre and highlights upcoming events. 

Launch of New Social Wasp Online Course

This Month is Be Pet Wise

Invasive pets can pose serious threats to the environment and native wildlife. While most pet owners are responsible, the increasing availability of exotic pets raises the risk of species being released or escaping into the wild. Some exotic pets are classified as Species of Union Concern and are illegal to own, sell, or trade in Ireland due to their potential to harm native ecosystems. These pets can prey on native animals, compete for resources, and spread diseases. Even common pets like cats, rabbits, and goldfish can negatively impact biodiversity. Species that grow large, reproduce quickly, or need specialised care are especially likely to become invasive if not properly managed.

Being responsible with pets can help prevent them from becoming invasive species and protect our wildlife. This month we are highlighting actions you can take to stop the spread of exotic pets.

Be Pet Wise by following these tips:

· Thoroughly research any pet before acquiring it, especially exotic pets. 

· Ensure pets cannot escape their enclosures and are kept safely. 

· Never release pets into the wild, as this can harm native ecosystems. 

· If you can no longer care for a pet, rehome it responsibly. 

Pond sliders are often released into the wild when they can no longer be cared for by their owners. We’re working with the Herpetological Society of Ireland and local authorities to develop effective guidance and control protocols for invasive freshwater turtles of EU concern. This initiative is supported by funding from the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.

Farmer Moth Monitoring Scheme Update

The Farmer Moth Monitoring Scheme has proved very popular with all involved.  Around 60 participating farmers across Ireland have been undertaking surveys of moths on their farm for one night every two weeks since mid-April. So far, we have recorded around 10,000 individual moths of almost 300 different species. This data set will, in time, provide a very valuable insight into the health of moth populations on farmland. In the short term, the farmers involved are delighted to be finding out more about the unseen nocturnal local biodiversity and to be getting to know moths such as Setaceous Hebrew Character, White Ermine and Dusky Brocade. All the moths are released unharmed in the morning after they have been photographed, with the photographs being used for identification and counting.

Image: Swallow Kitten (Top Left), Peach Blossom (Top Right), Common Emerald (Bottom Left), Mottled Beauty (Bottom Left) 

Wild Bee Festival 2025

We had an amazing weekend in Abbeyleix for the Wild Bee Festival on the 21st and 22nd June. It was a joy to explore this beautiful town and learn about the many actions being taken to help pollinators, from the thriving community garden, to orchards and hedgerows.

But meadows were the stars of the show, with several examples of short and long-flowering meadows buzzing with life and home to precious native wildflowers like orchids. We even saw examples of grass cutting equipment for meadows of different sizes, from traditional scythes to large scale machinery.

A huge thank you to Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, particularly Fiona and Mark, for hosting this year's festival and showing us around the town and the wonderful habitats of Abbeyleix Bog. And to all our speakers, including Lisa Doyle, Laois County Council Biodiversity Officer, and Paula Kearney, Galway City Council Biodiversity Officer. 

Help Them Fly July!

As summer goes on, a new crop of wildflowers starts to emerge in our meadows. Hold off mowing and keep an eye out for plants like Self-heal and Birds-foot Trefoil, which provide a vital source of nectar and pollen at this time of year. If the grass gets too tall for you to manage at any stage and you are forced to cut, mow with the blades raised high to spare the flowers beneath.

Share your #HelpThemFlyJuly meadow with us on social media!

Can you help by carrying out a Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count)

FIT Counts are an important way that you can help us monitor pollinators. Download the free FIT Count App, watch a 50x50cm patch of flowers for 10 minutes and count how many insects visit. You can carry out a FIT Count anywhere, and on any flower, but where you can, please use one of our 15 target flowers. In July, its especially useful to carry out FIT Counts on Bramble, Hogweed or Ragwort.

In 2024, 784 validated FIT Counts were submitted by 135 different volunteers. The average number of insects per FIT Count was 7. The most common insect group recorded were hoverflies followed by other flies then bumblebees. The most common habitat FIT Counts were carried out in was grassland with wildflowers. Why not try one where you are to see how your site compares. Visit the https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/fit-counts/ to download the 2024 newsletter and see the full results of the scheme last year.

For those interested, the National Biodiversity Data Centre also runs a Garden Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. You can help by counting the number of butterflies visiting your garden.