We are delighted to report that Kilteevan Tidy Towns Heritage Week Event went ahead today despite major challenges with the weather. Our sincere thanks to Aoife Kirk, Community Engagement Officer, Community Wetlands Forum for supporting the event. Thanks also to Chris Peppiatt and Laura Connolly Conservation Rangers with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for their contributions and support yesterday and today.

We managed to gather our moths and get a few photos on Cloonlarge Bog before the heaven's opened!!!  We had to take unannounced shelter in Community Centre to examine and the moths and observe the identification process.  Chris identified 18 different species of moths from the traps we set last night. Laura provided a superb a display of taxidermy animals and birds common on our bogs.

WE have so much still to learn about our natural heritage and biodiversity!

"In all things of nature there is something of there  marvellous" Aristotle“

What is that in a garden in Kilteevan?

Is it a bird? Is it a butterfly? Is it a moth? This creature made us do a double take yesterday evening. Citizen Science is so exciting, interesting and rewarding!

Well, after some searching we have discovered it is a Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum).

This  was not easy to photograph as it hovered all the time like a hummingbird.

It has a long tongue-like proboscis that rolls out of its coiled tube to reach the nectar deep inside flowers. This tongue is about double the length of its body.

We have learned that they migrate from Southern Europe in variable numbers each year and that there have been sightings in Ireland in recent years.  Amazing! What a great school day for the not so young!!!

We have submitted this record to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Lots more to learn about our moths on our forth coming Heritage Day event August 20^th. Don’t forget to register in time. It’s all happening in Kilteevan