Category Archives: butterflies

Wild Life Treasure Hunt for Children

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Speckled Wood Butterfly

Speckled Wood Butterfly

This Sunday in conjunction with the National Country Fair in Borris, Co. Carlow we are going to have some wild fun. There is going to be a great treasure hunt for children with real buried treasure..

Children aged between 8-12 can come to the Step House Hotel at 12 noon for the first clue to be given out. All the clues are based on wild life, simple , easy and fun.

 

You don’t have to know big latin names for things; you don’t have to be very good at wild life but you do have to be good at fun and lots of it.

So parents bring your little ones to the Step House Hotel, 12 Noon on the dot where we will begin our  Treasure Hunt in a safe environment. At this moment I am the only one, in the whole wide world who knows where we are going and where the treasure lies.

SWALLOW

Swallow

The cost? €5 for fun, wildness and buried treasure or should that be berried treasure?Am I giving something away here.

See you at 12 on Sunday in the Step House…. where the fun starts and we go wild with Blackstairs Ecotrails.

Fun in the Wild

Posted on by Mary White
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This summer besides walking with my ecotrailers three days a week I am working with the Lyrath Hotel and Spa in Kilkenny. They have a superb programme for their guests and for their little guests in particular.

I am helping out with the Nature Trails around the estate. I show the children and their parents if they want to come , the magic of Lyrath. This is a wonderfully wooded estate with two lakes. One man-made the other a large natural lake surrounded by lush vegetation, hosting a myriad of wild life. With the children, we  forage for safe wild food to eat. We drink Elderflower Cordial on our way and I point out to them the big ,flat white flowers that make the juice they are drinking.

We search for Willow Warblers (illustrated here), Dabchicks, Herons and big noisy Rooks.

 

Dark Green Fritillary

Dark Green Fritillary

We have shrimp nets where we catch ( and release) bumblebees and butterflies and we make a list of all we see.

Speckled Woods, Common Blues, Ringlets, Tortoiseshells and this lovely Dark Green Fritillary With the bumblebees I tell them  that we have twenty and then we go hunting for them. It’s fun, it’s outdoors and with children their uninhabited question really  make us so-called adults think.

Here’s one from last Tuesday

“Why did you let the world gt messed up?” ” Why are there hungry peope in the world? ” I thought trees were just called trees. So we talk about Elm, Beech, Oak, Holly and  and all the creatures that live in their branches ,in the bark and  under the roots.Everything in nature has a name.

Purple Loosestrife

Working with children as Rachel Carson once said is tapping into that “sense of wonder which unfortunately for some is lost before they reach adulthood”.

Let’s keep that sense wonder going. Show children the magic and beauty of the world and yes nettles do sting, but there’s a reason and yes worms are yucky, but they have a purpose.

If children learn about their environment, their neighbourhood, local plants, birds and animals they will have a respect for them ,all their lives. If they don’t all trees will just be trees and all wild flowers will just be weeds.

So going wild in Lyrath is good, it’s fun, it’s outdoors and there is a “Lyrath” near you ,wherever you live. 

It’s the  great ,wide, wonderful outdoor world that is all around us.  Take a look.

Blackstairs Ecotrails is One Year Old!

Posted on by Mary White
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It’s our birthday next week and to celebrate we are offering for the entire week of June 4th to Saturday June 9th a very special Ecotrail price. All walks will be €25 instead of €35.

Over the last year we have walked through lovely water meadows, followed sparkling mountain streams and stood and listened for warblers in  ancient oak woods. We have  watched for damselflies and stood entranced as  kingfishers fed their young.

We have walked through the foothills of Mount Leinster along cool mountain lanes once used as drovers paths. We have examined in detail the fantastic flora of the   the  River Barrow Valley. We have thrown ourselves beside the Barrow and listened to the plop of fish rising and with the  call of the cuckoo and the grunt of the badger we have been transported back to the  wonders of this natural world.

Beautiful Carlow Beech

Beautiful Carlow Beech

As we celebrate the 50th year of publication of Rachel Carson’s wonderful book Silent Spring ( the book that changed the course of my life) our world is always under pressure; climate change, development, man-made disasters but for  the duration of our ecotrails we concentrate on the beauties of nature.

Carson once said

“a child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood”

On our Ecotrails we stop, look, listen, wonder, taste and smell all that is around us; all that  is still “fresh and new and beautiful”.

Here in this magical part of South Carlow, we are holding onto what Carson calls the “wonder and excitement ” of the natural world..

Come celebrate with us and share the beauty of this summer with us at Blackstairs Ecotrails.

Let’s go Walking!

The poet

We lave no trace, only our footprints and the soft sound of our voices as we walk through these timeless magical places.

Things to do on a Misty Day in the Blackstairs

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Afternoon Tea at KIlledmond

Afternoon Tea at Killedmond

First of all I am going to make some marmalade. I have the oranges in the freezer,  when they thaw out I am going to make heaps of thick, chunky slightly bitter marmalade. Strong fan base for it in Killedmond

Then I am going to check the tunnel. Lettuce is ready to pick and broccoli is fantastic, leeks have been pricked out and sweet pea is doing well . We have a wedding coming up and  sweet pea is needed. Bit of pressure here.

Thirdly I am going to make a batch of cakes for my ecotrailers. I have a great group coming up from Waterford. They were with us last year so  the baking standards will have to be maintained. I will make heart-shaped sponge cakes, flapjack biscuits and scones and heaps of brown bread.

We are going to look at a bluebell wood, watch Mute Swans sail down the Barrow and listen  to our summer warblers, scan the skies for Swallows, Swifts and Sand Martins,  closely watch the river for that elusive flash of blue from the Kingfishers and if it is not to cold see clouds of Common Blue Butterflies, Speckled Woods and dancing Orange Tips.

Speckled Wood

Speckled Wood

 

The Hawthorn is in leaf and the Blackthorn is still a fuzz of lovely bridal white flowers. King Cups will dazzle the eye and the slow slap of water will ease  any stress away. Let’s go  walking.

Getting Ready for the Weekend!

Posted on by Mary White
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I was  out early this morning in the bog listening to Willow Warblers and Blackcaps singing in the cold morning sun. All around me blackthorn bushes , were  in flower. Their beautiful snowy blossoms completely covering the area I was in. From the tops of the bushes the warblers were singing their lovely songs. The Blackcap’s rattling flow of notes and the “sweet delicious cadence” of the Willow Warbler , crisp and clear on this  sunny but frosty April morning.

I am scouting out good places to bring our guests at the weekend for our Saturday Workshop. We will be identifying bird calls, ringing some of our migrants; watching out for our nesting Dippers and waiting for our Swallows to come back to us. No sign of them  yet though I have seen them in other parts of Carlow.I really hope that we get our Grey Wagtails back this year. Last year was the first year that they did not nest in Killedmond and I miss them. Their quaint bobbing walk and the sulphur yellow breast are one of the loveliest sights of Summer.

Found a Treecreeper’s nest yesterday tucked away in the eaves of an old shed. It’s beak was so full of moss that I could hardly see the head. Those nestlings are going to be lovely and cosy when they arrive!

We have a lone Mallard mooching about on the pond. No sign of a mate and the canoe is bursting with frogspawn. It’s pretty busy around here at the moment. Humans are well-outnumbered.

If you are free on Saturday come and join us for our Spring Workshop. Lunch and Tea will be provided… all from the garden!

Wild Life Workshop April 14th 10am-4pm

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Our April 14th  Workshop is now  fast approaching. This  will be a day full of surprises, wonder and enjoyment. We are very lucky to have Dave Daly, renowned wild life artist and Chris Wilson ,a serious naturalist, with us for the day. We will take part in bird ringing, getting to know bird calls and identification; knowing your damselflies from your dragonflies and we will forage for delicious edible greens. We will get to know our native Irish butterflies and try to distinguish our Bumble Bees – we have 20!

Bombus Terrestris

Bombus Terrestris

 

Lunch and tea will be included in the price. Most of the food is home-grown and home-made! Adults €45 pp children €25.

 

 

 

 

Flag Iris

For anyone who has an interest in wild life and who would like to get  to grips with all that wriggles, sings ,flutters  and squirms, this is the day for you. So  go wild with Dave ,Chris Robert and Mary – in the Blackstairs. We leave no trace!

 

 

Seven Spot Ladybird

Seven Spot Ladybird

SPRING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Posted on by Mary White
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Watching Our Woods Wake Up                                

Oak Tree

Oak Tree

          

 

Date March 10th

 

Cost €35 PP.

 

Time 12Noon

 

This slow, relaxing 2 hr. Ecotrail  will show you Spring waking up; sap rising, buds swelling, birds singing and early migrant arrivals.  First  delicious edible greens will be picked for salads. Delicious afternoon tea after walk.

 

 

 

Spring Bird Special                                        

Blackcap

Blackcao

 

Date March 24th

 

Cost €35 PP

 

Time12 Noon

 

A slow relaxing 2 hour ecotrail listening to the  song of our native birds and watching out for the first swallows, sand martins and cuckoos – our summer migrants. You will know your birds and their songs after this walk.

 

Delicious afternoon tea after walk.             

 

 

 

Foraging for Food                                               

Wild Garlic

Wild Garlic

 

Date March 31st

 

Cost €35 PP

 

Time12 Noon

 

2 hours foraging for food in our  hedges, woods and by river banks. Showing you marvellous , tasty food for free and learning what is safe and interesting to eat.

 

 

 

All Day Spring Workshop                                                 

Lichens

Lichens

 

Date April 14th

 

Cost €45 PP

 

Time10am

 

 This outdoor workshop will demonstrate bird ringing; butterfly identification, the  world of Dragonflies and Damselflies and how to know your ferns and lichens.

 

Lunch and Refreshments included.

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL SPRING WALKS FOR YOUR DIARY

Posted on by Mary White
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We are gearing up for the new season with some great walks for you  to put in your diary.

Willow Catkins

Willow Catkins

Event Number 1 will be on March 10th starting at 12 noon in Killedmond. This ecotrail called Watching our Woods Wake Up after Winter. We hope to see Willow and Alder in flower; Kingcups and Coltsfoot as well as looking out for nesting Song Thrushes and Dippers. Chestnuts will be in bud and as we keep our eyes open we can munch on Hairy Bitter Cress and young Dandelion leaves.

And much, much more………

As well as this special Spring walk, we walk every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

SPRING INTO ACTION ON MARCH  24TH FOR OUR  SPRING BIRD SPECIAL

On this walk we will look out for  the early arrival of some of our best loved summer visitors. In the woods we will watch and listen for Chiffchaffs, Wilow Warblers and Blackcaps. On the river we will  look out for Sand Martins  and Swallows as well as our resident Kingfishers and much, much more……

Sand Martin

Sand Martin

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APRIL 14 th A VERY ,VERY SPECIAL  ALL DAY SPRING WORKSHOP
 
On this Saturday we will be joined by Dave Daly and  Chris Wilson who will share their expertise with us, with talks  and showing us how to  identify and ring birds. They will   identify Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies . Both our guests are  well-known experts . Places are limited for this very special event. 
                                                                                                                                              

Blackbird

Blackbird

Common Blue

Common Blue

A Long Winter's Nap

Posted on by Mary White
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We have had a terrific frost here in Killedmond. The sun is just coming up over the Blackstairs and  the colour of the Beech, Oaks and Walnut are magnificent. But some of our more fragile creatures are not interested in scuffing leaves along a path or saying to themselves how lovely the colours are. They are much more interested in security and a safe place to spend the winter. Some of our more fragile creatures like butterflies have a very snug way out. In particular the Small Tortoiseshell. Tortoiseshells survive the winter as adults and seek out a nice warm, dry shed or even a room in a house to await the arrival of spring.

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Heritage Week Walk on the Barrow

Posted on by Mary White
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Thanks to everyone who came out in the mist and drizzle for our Heritage Week Walk in conjunction  with the Irish Wild Life Trust.

The Barrow was  fresh and beautiful after the early morning rain and looked really well with the water looking  good. By 2015 we have to  have all our water up to what the European Union calls ,”good status”. Well done to  all who are working to make the Barrow pass this hurdle. We are all well on our way thanks to good vigilance from Carlow Co. Council,  farmers and industry, and responsible citizens respecting our water way. Carlow has no lakes and no foreshore but we have the Barrow  and the Slane and we want to keep our rivers  as pristine as possible.

This is a quiet time for bird life as the hectic period of mating and rearing young is over. Our migrants are begining to make their way South and today we saw some Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs feeding on insects on Willow. Soon they will make the long journey South to avoid our winters.

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet

We also saw some Moorhens in the reeds and on the river bank. No sign of the screaming swifts, Swallows or Sand Martins. We saw where the Swifts breed in the parapet of the bridge and the  sand banks where the Sand Martins nested.

We saw some Ladybirds some with  six dots, some with seven. We saw Grasshopppers, lots of ants and Water Boatmen.

Berries are ripening on the track; Guelder Rose, Sloes,  Haws and  Hips all  ripening and in the coming weeks will provide feeding for our Winter Migrants, Fieldfares, Redwings and maybe even Waxwings if the winter is harsh enough.

Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife

Along the way  we saw lots of Purple Loosestrife, Rose Bay Willow Herb, Wild Thyme, Herb Robert, Himalayan Balsam which is so invasive on our river banks. Lots of vetches, Woundwort, Meadowsweet, from which we made lots of cordial, some late flowering Elderflower and plenty of Convolvulus or Bindweed. We saw Bittersweet and Marjoram and Comfrey

As we were returning we heard some pigeons cooing in the wood and the harsh  sound of a Moorhen in the reeds.

There were plenty of Hover Flies, fat brown slugs and a fat black Caterpillar -An Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar feeding on Willow Herb. Definitely the star attraction!

Thanks to everyone who came and to all the children who were so quick to find the bees, bugs and ants.

Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam