Kilteevan Tidy Towns is delighted to announce that we are now in a position to host the two free events which we had to postpone in August due touenexpected circumstances.

Join us on September 10th and 24th  

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

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We are so excited for Heritage Week this year! We've partnered with Connecting Communities with Peatlands and NPWS to host a bog walk and moth identification event on Cloonlarge Bog Saturday 20th August.

This will be a fun day on the bog as we explore and learn about Cloonlarge Bog, wander down Lilliput Way, and discover the moths that live there!

To register, please email [email protected]

Our own ever vigilant Tidy Towns Citizen Scientist – is thrilled to report that the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly was recorded on the Cloonlarge Loop today(7 June 2022) The record was submitted to National Biodiversity Data Centre.

This butterfly is legally protected under Annex II of the European Union Habitats and Species Directive.  According to the Red List of Irish Butterflies  published by National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2010, the Marsh Fritillary is categorised as ‘Vulnerable’, which means  it is considered at risk of extinction.

It is vitally important that we continue our good work protecting this habitat.

Kilteevan Tidy Towns celebrated National Biodiversity Week today by hosting an event for the community -Walk and Talk with Michael Bell of Nature Learn. Michael’s daughter Molly accompanied us and kindly shared her knowledge also.

Michael set two Moth Attractors on the Loop last night. As we walked the Loop, birds, butterflies, bee’s wildflowers and trees were noted. When the Moth traps were opened we got the opportunity to see and touch some amazing creatures that co-exist with us.

WOW! What a surprise.  There were flying beetles in there too. As most of our moths are hiding away during the day so we rarely get to see them.  Moths are important pollinators too.

All records are submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and all moths were released. We have shared  just a few photos  and have labelled three photos for you.

What lovely relaxing morning in the Great Outdoors! Thank you Nature Learn for a wonderful experience. We look forward to further learning later this Summer when we can develop our own expertise further in identifying and recording species.

Kilteevan Tidy Towns would like to acknowledge the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in hosting this event.