Askeaton Ballysteen Natural Heritage

17/06/2026

View of Radharc an chaisleáin parklet in Askeaton. Photograph taken from Askeaton Castle. Thanks to Askeaton Contemporary Arts for organising the castle visit.

Askeaton Tidy Towns Askeaton/Ballysteen Community Council Askeaton Contemporary Arts

12/06/2026

Another beauty photographed by ABNH member Liam Dillon - Six-spot Burnet Moth.

Askeaton Tidy Towns Ballysteen Tidy Village Association Askeaton/Ballysteen Community Council Limerick.ie Environment Awareness & Education Limerick City & County Council

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

May was another great month for recording with 21,033 records submitted through Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal, across 2,597 taxa from 2,018 recorders across all 32 counties.

While Hedgehog took the top spot, one of the most notable things from last month was the number of Painted Lady butterflies recorded with 274 sightings.

11/06/2026

Only a week to go before our next webinar, which will explore the actions everyone can take to protect their garden or outdoor space from invasive species.

Wednesday 17th June
12:00 – 1:00pm

Register for free on Ticket Tailor or our linktr: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/nationalbiodiversitydatacentre/2201447

Invasive Species Week will take place from 22nd to 28th June. To find out more check out: https://invasives.ie/invasive-species-week/

10/06/2026

The Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count is off to a wonderful start, but we need your help! 🦔 Please share our poster far and wide so we can get even more Irish hedgehogs mapped.

09/06/2026

Swifts are summer visitors arriving from Sub-Saharan Africa. They are are incredible birds spending most of their lives in flight feeding on airborne insects such as spiders, flies and other tiny invertebrates while on the wing.

These red-listed birds mostly nest in urban buildings, especially older ones. They're very vulnerable to habitat loss. Protecting their nest sites in conservation works on heritage buildings is vital as they return to same nest sites year after year.

09/06/2026

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is delighted to officially launch Invasive Species Week 2026 on 22nd June with the Maigue Rivers Trust at a special workshop facilitated by StreamScapes.

Join us for a free, hands-on workshop focused on tackling invasive species and safeguarding our rivers and biodiversity.

📍 Adare Heritage Centre, Co. Limerick, V94 DWV7
📅 22 June
⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm

Invasive species are a major threat to our native wildlife, water quality, and river habitats but you can help make a difference. This workshop will give you the knowledge and practical skills to take action locally.

👉 Learn how to identify invasive species
👉 Discover how they spread through everyday activities
👉 Take part in practical biosecurity actions
👉 Enjoy a guided outdoor session by the river

Whether you’re a local resident, angler, landowner, or just interested in protecting our environment, this event is free and open to all.

🔗 Visit the link to learn more: https://shorturl.at/DEDMk

Species

06/06/2026

Invasive Species Spotlight: Rhododendron ponticum

Rhododendron ponticum, originally introduced as an ornamental plant to gardens, is one of Ireland’s most damaging invasive species and is now widespread and well-established across Ireland.

🔍 How to recognise it?

Rhododendron ponticum is a large, dense evergreen shrub that can grow several metres tall. It has thick, leathery dark green leaves that stay on the plant all year round, creating deep shade beneath it. It produces clusters of bright purple or pink flowers that are visually striking.

Check out the “Guide to Ireland’s Regulated Invasive Alien Plant Species” for help with identification👉 https://tinyurl.com/mvjpm25x


📍Where to spot it?

The shrub can be found in woodlands, bogs, heathlands, and gardens, thriving in acidic, peaty soils and disturbed habitats. It is especially dense in the west and south of Ireland.

💥What impact does it have?

It forms dense thickets that crowd out native plants, reducing biodiversity and limiting access to light and resources. It also alters soil chemistry, preventing native species from re-establishing, and hosts Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death.

𓇢𓆸 How does it spread?

It spreads aggressively by seed and layering. One plant can produce over a million seeds per year!

⚠️ Legal Status

Rhododendron ponticum (including R.x superponticum) is listed on Ireland’s First Schedule list of Invasive Alien Species of National Concern: It is therefore illegal to import, sell, grow or release this species.


🙋What can you do to help?

Remember to to stop the spread of Rhododendron ponticum. Learn more about Be Plant Wise 👉 https://tinyurl.com/2xu2dajr

Consider joining a local group to map or remove Rhododendron ponticum and restore habitats.


📸 Seen it? Report it!

Help us track this invasive species. Submit your sightings (with a photo if possible) at https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/record/invasives


🪪 Species Profile: https://shorturl.at/YauFn

ℹ Learn more about invasives species at Invasives.ie