Aliens swamping bog: An insect-eating invader from the New World is threatening native flora and fauna in the Bog of Allen in Co Kildare, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council has discovered.
An invasive plant called Sarracenia purpurea or the Pitcher Plant is swamping native plants on Moud's Bog (a Special Area of Conservation) because it has no competitors or pathogens to hold it in check. "This remnant bog is already under threat from desiccation due to turf-cutting, and to think that the spread of Sarracenia purpurea might accelerate its decline even further is frightening," says the IPCC. Currently the patch of Sarracenia purpureaon Moud's Bog is about 100m² but the alien plant spreads quickly - in 20 years, it covered 32 hectares of Derrycashel bog in Co Roscommon.
Watching whales
Some 24 species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) have been recorded in Irish waters and tomorrow is Whalewatch 2004 - when you can learn how to spot dolphins and other wildlife with experts from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. During Whalewatch 2003, more than 1,200 people saw 31 cetaceans, including harbour porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. Whalewatch 2004 takes place from 2 p.m to 5 p.m. at: Killiney, Co Dublin (meet at Vico Road, 01-2311193); Galley Head, Co Cork (meet at lighthouse, 023-31911); Brandon Point, Co Kerry (meet at car park, 087-6328106); Loop Head, Co Clare (meet at lighthouse car park, 086-8545450); Mullaghmore Head, Co Sligo (meet at Mullaghmore lay-by, 087-6171377); Hook Head, Co Wexford (meet at lighthouse, 087-6377328); Ramore Head, Co Antrim (meet at Portrush Countryside Centre, 028-70344083); Whitehead, Co Antrim (meet at sea-front car park, 028-93372724). Don't forget your rain gear. More details: www.iwdg.ie.
Building from nature
Natural building is becoming something of a 21st-century phenomenon and hands-on courses teaching people how to build with cob, hemp or wood are cropping up all over the country. At Kerry Alternative Technology (KAT) - where families are living off the grid using wind, water and solar power - you can learn how to make a building from forest poles, lay a turf roof and build log and cob panels (on August 14th and 15th). KAT's other courses include organic growing, blacksmithing and living off the grid.
Visitors are welcome to tour the farm, which is open every day until October. Tel: 064-45563. Website: www.kerryat.com
Weave a willow basket
One eco-friendly way to carry your shopping is in a basket woven from renewable willow; learn how to make one next Saturday at Irish Seedsavers Association in Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare. Other courses include choosing and planting fruit trees (August 21st), rush-weaving (August 28th) and organic growing (October 9th). The centre's open day - with stalls, talks, garden walks and trees for sale - is on September 12th (when visitors should park in Feakle and take a special bus to Seedsavers). Tel: 061-921866. Website: www.irishseedsavers.ie