Discover Our Wetlands

Anax imperator | Emperor Dragonfly | Impire Gorm

The Emperor dragonfly is a type of hawker dragonfly, all hawker dragonfly are very large, this makes them easily recognisable. The Emperor dragonfly is a beautiful metallic electric blue colour (very flashy and hard to miss).

The life cycle of a dragonfly is as unique and beautiful as itself. The female dragonfly lays her eggs on leaves that hang over the pond edge. Eggs may hatch within a few weeks or if necessary, they can over-winter and then hatch in the following spring. Once hatched they drop into the water. Here they begin life as a larvae called Nymph. Dragonfly Nymph live in the water and as all insects use a process of molting and shedding to grow. This stage can last one to two years again depend on external conditions, example the weather just to give the species the best possible chance. While in the water these Nymphs are predatory feeding off other insects and bigger animals such as small fish and tadpoles. Once Nymphs are fully grown, they climb out of the ponds using their very strong legs and undergo a final molt. The wings and body harden as they dry off. They live relatively short period of time in their adult stage typically just a few weeks in which they reproduce and this beginning the life cycle once more. During their adult stage they are incredible fliers and marvellous hunters this is due to their flight muscles which attract directly to each of the Four wings allowing for independent control for each wing. Enabling them to perform complex manoeuvres and achieve remarkable aerial agility. Allowing the dragonfly to catch other insects out of the air mid-flight.

As we can see the dragonfly relies on the ponds for every stage of its life cycle. Ponds and other examples of wetland habitats are at a critical decline due to many reasons including clearing for building/agriculture and climate change.

Wish to learn more about ponds and the creatures that this inhabits, why not join one of our pond dipping sessions in the Nature Reserve with our ecologists. Pond dipping is an easy way to entertain yourself, your kids and friends. An introduction to this vital biodiversity and the simple joy of getting up close to animals and watching them swim around your tray. Pond dipping at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Ecology Park is a delightful way to connect with nature and discover the hidden wonders of aquatic life. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned naturalist, the park offers a rich and rewarding experience for all. So grab your net from our wetlands team and dive into the enchanting world of pond dipping.

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Please note all creatures capatured are returned back into the water ponds after demonstration and viewing.

Ponds are a hotspot for Biodiversity and can be either permanent or seasonal. It is not just the pond that is important for wildlife, the surrounding vegetation is an essential element of this habitat.

Ponds, vital wetland ecosystems, have faced significant drainage in recent years, overlooking their crucial role in supporting wildlife. Among the beneficiaries, frogs stand out, laying thousands of eggs that serve as a vital food source for various predators, including ducks, foxes, badgers, birds, fish, and larvae of species like dragonflies and diving beetles.

Is it very easy to create a pond as it is essentially a hole in the ground filled with water. If you intend to create your own Pond, we encourage you to add liner at the bottom of it as this will help keep water in it throughout the year. When adding plants check your local area for native’s species that are slow to spread and allow it to fill with rain water as tap water contains chemicals that will harm bacteria that are essential for a pond’s habitat.

Ireland has 3 species of Amphibians, the Common Frog (Rana temporaria), the Smooth Newt (Triturus vulgaris) and the Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita). Amphibians are animals that require a body of water to spawn in as their eggs do not have a hard shell which would keep moisture in. The lungs of young amphibians do not develop for several weeks after hatching so they must rely on their gills to absorb oxygen.

As they grow, they develop lungs and start to make their way out of the water. The vegetation beside spawning areas is just as vital for them as the pond they started life in. for newts and frogs’ tall grasses and flowers provide cover from predators, blocks the sun and keeps the ground cool and provide insects for them to eat. The Natterjack however prefers short grasses around its pond. The Frog is the most recognised Amphibian in Ireland, many people have kept frogs to watch them to develop. Frogs can lay up to couple of thousand eggs easy every Spring. Most frogs spawn do not make it to full maturity being a food source for a variety of animals such Ducks, Foxes, Badgers, Herons, Birds, Fish and Insects such as Dragonflies and Diving Beetles.

A Newt is a very shy animal and hard to spot. They are often confused as Lizards however they do not have scales. Not as well known or popular as frogs as they do not lay huge clumps of spawns. Newts prefer to lay on a leaf of an aquatic plant and then wrap the leaf around providing cover from predators.

The Natterjack Toad is the rarest of our three amphibian species and is our only toad species. Unfortunately, the range of these toads has shrank from being present all over Kerry to just a few sites. In Ireland, they are mainly in Co. Kerry and Co. Wexford. The most famous is at Castlegregory, where they make their home on the golf course. More than 500 Natterjack Toads have been released into Kerry sand dunes with 1,000 natterjack toads were bred in captivity in Dingle Oceanworld last year. During spring they can be heard croaking to find a mate. These toads are picky in what ponds they use to spawn preferring ponds that dry out during the summer as this prevents a build-up of predators. They also prefer low vegetation to hunt in.

It is very much thanks to the National Parks & Wildlife Services and local farmers that the population of these amphibians has started to recover.

We thank you for taking the time to read about Irish Amphibians and that you will do all you can for our endangered native animals.

Bird feeders are the quickest way for anyone to attract birds to their gardens this winter. They are a great supplement, but if you want to be sustainable, plant trees or let the grass grow slightly taller than usual.

Most of our lawns are void of wildlife as they are cut too short and have no time to flower. Also, many lawns have been reseeded, so naturally, they lack many of our native flowers. This is easily fixable as insects will be attracted to taller grass for cover; birds will then come in to eat the insects and leave their droppings, which may contain seeds from wildflowers. This will eventually have a cascading effect as more insects will be attracted to the different types of Wildflowers, attracting more birdlife. During winter, many insects hibernate in tall grasses, where birds root and find.

All our trees have a story told by our Irish ancestors. Holly is resistant to lightning, so it was historically planted close to homes to ward off lightning.
In Brehon law, Holly is a noble of the wood, which means that it was highly valued, and if you were caught cutting one down that didn’t belong to you, there would be a hefty fine.

Holly was brought into people’s homes to ward off evil spirits around the winter solstice.

Irish Name - Corr réisc - Name - Grey Heron - Latin - Ardea cinerea

Heron – A mysterious fisherman of the wetlands, rivers and lakes.

Have you walked along a riverbank or a lake edge and in the corner of your eye seen a slight movement? Did you imagine it or was there something there?

All of a sudden, you see a beautiful long slender bird perching elegantly amongst the reeds, almost as being as one with the reeds or the branches. You can then understand why Irish folklore states that this bird represents vigilance.

This wading bird is known as a Heron or the Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) and is Ireland’s tallest bird. Beautifully poised, it’s quite common in Ireland as an all-year-round resident. Herons can be found in different habitats ranging from wetlands, grasslands to woodlands and marine and inter tidal.

It’s one of the most recognisable birds to distinguish with its distinctive features of long slender legs & neck, yellow/orange beak, a black eye stripe and a sleek black plume on its head. Plumage of grey, white and black make it suitable for it to camouflage amongst its surroundings. It stands tall to a height of three feet. The long legs help the heron wade slowly through the water hardly stirring the surface whiles its long toes easily grapple the sand or mud beneath it.

In flight, herons have an arched wingspan of up to six feet and their neck is drawn back. When flying it gives a prehistoric feeling almost looking like silhouette of a pterodactyl. It has a harsh crawking call which can sound like “kraank” when flying.

When hunting, herons are solitary birds. Standing still for minutes at a time while it patiently waits for a fish to venture into the water at its feet. With a ninja like stealthiness it attacks its unsuspecting prey with a quick swoop with its dagger like beak. Its main food will vary from fish, amphibians and sometimes small mammals like rodents. Sometimes, they are known to indulge on goldfish from garden ponds! Generally, it will swallow its prey in one go.

Herons live in a colony called heronry located high up in treetops. Their nests are platforms made of grasses and twigs. On average, a lifespan of a heron in the wild is approximately five years, however, the oldest has been recorded at 23 years old! Their breeding season is from late February to early June with 3 to 5 eggs are laid per season. A little-known fact a collection of herons is called a “siege of herons”.

The Greeks believed the heron was a good omen and is associated with Poseidon. While in Celtic mythology, the heron was an embodiment of the goddess Rhiannon, a deity associated with lakes and water. Allegedly, if a heron flies south, it a sign of good weather however, if it flies north cold weather is on the way.

In the 16th Century, Henry VIII proclaimed them protected species only to be hunted by nobility and royalty. Nowadays, like all birds they are protected by the Wildlife Act 1976.

Come and visit our resident graceful herons here at the Tralee Bay Wetland Ecology Park.

Written by Cathy Harpur, Ecologist

During the months of May and June this year, Alan Balfe and Darragh Hennessy have spent time doing various bee surveys at Tralee Bay Wetlands Ecology Park. Pollinators play a vital role in our economy and the success of our food chain. Ireland's most important pollinators are Bumblebees. As we monitor and do surveys we can identify the species that are in trouble and we can also detect early signs of threat to the wild bees and the services they provide to the Irish Pollination. As pollinators are under threat from pesticides, loss of habitat including wildflower meadows, invasive species and climate change.

Did you know that the National Biodiversity Data Centre have a free online resource by clicking here. It should be useful for all. It not only helps you get familiar with the common bumblebees, but it also explains how you can take part in the monitoring scheme, including how to log your route online and submit your monthly data. 

If you would like to conduct your own bee surveys please click on the link here for more information.

The results recorded by Alan and Darragh are shown below in the table and will help us form a baseline for future studies.

Date recorded - 16th May 2024

Date recorded - 19th June 2024

Date recorded - 21st June 2024

Recorded by Alan Balfe and Darragh Hennessy