Latest news with #Linnet
Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Science
- Irish Times
Eye on Nature: If bees can't see red, why is one drawn to this red poppy?
I saw this red poppy with a bumblebee inside. I always thought that bees couldn't see red and so never visited red flowers. This bee seems very busy inside this one. J Rushe, Co Clare You are right: bees cannot see the colour red; their eyes don't see colours at that end of the spectrum. But at the other end, the ultraviolet end, they see very well. There are well-defined markings in ultraviolet in poppies and this is what attracts bees in to seek for food. Interestingly, the same species of poppy in the Middle East does not have these UV markings, and there they are pollinated by beetles. Linnet. Photograph supplied by S Woods What is this bird that I saw perched on a grass stalk in Irishtown Nature Reserve in early June? There were loads of them there. S Woods, Dublin This is a linnet, which has become quite uncommon because the intensification of our grasslands for cattle has greatly reduced the biodiversity of species found there. Linnets feed on a variety of seeds, especially thistles, and the use of herbicides and hedge removal has also contributed to their decline. Irishtown Nature Reserve is an excellent habitat for them and shows the value of such places. READ MORE Box tree caterpillar. Photograph supplied by C Birch The bush near where I live is covered in caterpillars, which are eating all the leaves. They seem to produce sheets of webs as well. This is a close-up of one caterpillar. C Birch, Dublin This is the box tree caterpillar, which can decimate any species of Buxus – the species used in box hedging, which will grow into a sizeable bush if not clipped. This species of moth was first recorded here in 2017 and has spread rapidly since, to the detriment of box hedges. The cherry ermine moth has also been busy this summer, defoliating species of flowering cherries and covering them with webs too. Whole cherry trees can be affected, as was one in Dublin's Herbert Park, among others. Bee swarms. Photograph supplied by Fred Fitzsimons There were two swarms of bees side by side hanging from a cherry tree in my garden here in Carrickmacross. They appeared at the same time. The big one is 12-15 inches long. Does this mean that two queens left the hive at the same time? They were recovered by a beekeeper. Fred Fitzsimons, Co Monaghan The old resident queen who has overwintered in the hive will leave with a swarm if the hive gets too full, leaving the about-to-hatch new queens to fight to the death for the queenship of the vacated hive. There is only ever one resident queen bee in a hive. The swarm, with the queen inside, can cluster on a convenient tree waiting for its scouts to return with information of a suitable place to take up future residence. Two swarms with two different queens from two different hives coincidentally used this halting site at the same time. The weather was really good in May and bee numbers increased enormously. Coots at UCD. Photograph supplied by M Bell Coots are breeding on the pond in UCD, the most recent one beside the law school. They have at least two young. M Bell, Co Wicklow Build it (or in this case, excavate it) and they will come. This – the most recent UCD lake – was constructed in 2013, replacing an existing car park, and is a haven for biodiversity. Coots prefer shallow water with lots of bottom vegetation for feeding, with reed beds and other waterside plants for nesting cover. The male brings the nesting material (dead water plants) and the female arranges it and lays the eggs. Please submit your nature query, observation, or photo, with a location, via or by email to weekend@
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Research sheds light on surprising connection between solar farms and bird species: 'The only sensible path'
A new study reveals a surprising connection between solar farms and biodiversity. Per a report at researchers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the University of Cambridge have established that solar farms in the United Kingdom can actually benefit bird diversity when those farms are properly managed. Published in the journal Bird Study, the research examined solar farms located in East Anglia, a mainly agricultural area. According to their findings, hectare for hectare, this area had a greater number of bird species than nearby agricultural lands. "These numbers varied dramatically with solar farm management, with areas with a greater mix of habitats, managed specifically for nature co-benefits, having the greatest diversity — nearly three times as many birds compared to adjacent arable land," wrote Paul Casciato, from the University of Cambridge, at According to their findings, the researchers believe that by providing wildlife additional spots for covering and perching, solar farms support bird populations and habitats. They also attributed the relationship between bird diversity and solar farm management "to increased floral diversity providing food via seeds and invertebrate prey." As a result, the researchers concluded that solar farms can support wildlife biodiversity in areas that are "mixed-use landscapes." "Our study shows that if you manage solar energy production in a certain way, not only are you providing clean energy but benefitting biodiversity," said Dr. Catherine Waite. Waite is a researcher at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the study. Threatened bird species in the U.K. include the Corn Bunting, Greenfinch, Linnet, and Yellowhammer. Researchers believe that solar farms could help support their survival. Increasing solar farms throughout the U.K. is part of the country's plan to reach net zero by 2050. Transitioning toward clean energy may help to reduce the nation's carbon footprint while also aiding conservation. This new research underscores yet another benefit of solar energy. When properly managed, solar farms can combat rising global temperatures and promote biodiversity in areas where species are threatened. Do you think more places of worship should embrace clean energy? Yes — it sets a positive example Only if it saves money No opinion Absolutely not Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Delivering a future that safeguards nature, tackles climate change, ensures food security and resilient farm businesses, and enables sustainable development is the only sensible path," said Beccy Speight, CEO of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. "This research shows that it is possible to balance competing needs." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
