MEMBERS’ LETTERS
v
www.facebo
ok.com/IrishW ildlifeTrust/
PHOTO OF TH E MONTH! Congratulatio ns to JACKIE TIGHE for sending us photograph of this fantastic a go ldfinch fi against the w ind and snow ghting .
A NIGHT OWL Hi IWT, I was lucky to see this barn owl perched in a tree while driving home around 7pm in Churchtown, Mallow. She was in very good shape and looked very strong. I say she, because her feathers seems to be on the dark side. I could be wrong. Regards, Paul Madigan, Co Cork
TOP TWEET
PECKIN! From @Aoibh_G
Dear Irish Wildlife Trust, Found this silvery-grey lichen with red fruiting bodies in Redbog, near Tinahely, Co. Wicklow in early May. I’m working on a project about peatlands with the local school and arts centre and would love to know the species. Such an interesting colour, alongside the various sphagnum mosses, heathers and grasses. Thanks, Sarah Rubalcava, Co. Wicklow Hi Sarah, Your photo shows a number of lichen species which collectively fall under the scientific family ‘Cladonia’ (sadly most lichens don’t have English names). In
Paul Whelan’s book Lichens of Ireland (Collins Press, 2011), he identifies 48 species of Cladonia lichens and many are difficult to tell apart by non-specialists. The ones with the red tips are commonly referred to as ‘match stick lichens’ but there are at least a dozen individual species! They sometimes appear as tiny golf tees before the red tips appear (this is known as the apothecium and is a reproductive organ). The mossy branches which dominate in your photo are different again, and these are commonly referred to as ‘reindeer moss’ (although it is a lichen), and they get this name as they are commonly grazed by reindeer in their tundra home. Paul’s book is a great place to start for anyone interested in learning more about Ireland’s diverse and colourful lichens! Irish Wildlife Trust
If you have a story, question, or an image you’d like to share with us, or, God forbid, even a complaint, send it to irishwildlife@iwt.ie
Irish Wildlife Summer ‘18
030_IWT Summer_2018_Over to You.indd 31
31
17/05/2018 16:25