Ecofact

River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) transformers from the River Slaney last week. These juveniles have spent several years burrowed in silt beds and are now metamorphosing into young adults. Once fully transformed, they will migrate downstream to the estuary, where they will spend up to two years before returning to freshwater to spawn. River Lampreys are listed under Annex II and V of the EU Habitats Directive and are a Qualifying Interest of the Slaney River Valley SAC.

Sanderling (Calidris alba) resting at a site on the Shannon Estuary last week. They are winter visitors to Ireland, coming from as far away as Siberia. Others stop here on their long migration south from the Arctic to as far away as South Africa.

Curlew (Numenius arquata) foraging on the Shannon estuary, Co. Limerick, last week.

Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) at Mas de Bunyol supplementary feeding station, near Valderrobres, Spain, July 2024.

Watch the 4K video here: https://youtu.be/mXYnfDTYewc?si=wU48rjvdfT76paF-

Mixed electrofishing survey catch: Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus), Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), and Roach (Rutilus rutilus) from the River Barrow.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) on the Castletown River in Dundalk, Co Louth. This is Ireland's national bird, but it is now red-listed as a breeding species here.

Juvenile Thick-lipped Grey Mullet (Chelon labrosus), Fifteen-spined stickleback (Spinachia spinachia), Corkwing Wrasse (Symphodus melops), and Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella) from one of our transitional water surveys in Co. Cork last week.

Wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) hind at a site in Co. Kerry last week.

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) at Mas de Bunyol near Valderrobres, Spain, July 2024. There is a supplementary feeding station at this location. This species is listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae), Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra), Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata), and European Roller (Coracias garrulus) in the Lleida Steppes, Catalonia, June 2024. All of these species are listed under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.

Little Owl (Athene noctua) in the 'Secans de Mas de Melons-Alfés' Special Protection Area, Spain, June 2024.

Ecologist vacancies: We're seeking both junior and senior ecologists to join our Limerick team! If you're passionate about ecology and , send your CV and cover letter to [email protected].

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) hunting near Valderrobres, Spain, July 2024.

Selected photos of Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) at sites along the Lower River Ebro, Spain, July 2024. This species is listed under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.

European Roller (Coracias garrulus) on the Lleida plains in eastern Catalonia, Spain, June 2024. This species is listed under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Ordesa National Park, Spain, June 2024. Like all vulture species, it was heavily persecuted in the past. However, its numbers have recovered due to conservation efforts, and it is now the most common vulture species in Europe.

Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in the Spanish Pyrenees, June 2024. This is the smallest of the four vulture species that occur in Europe. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and is included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.

Elvers running this week at Ennistymon Falls on the Inagh River, Co Clare. We need to do more to help the critically endangered European in Ireland. Very few elvers pass these modified falls developed for hydroelectricity.