There is a great variety of wildlife to be seen in and around Clane. Wild About Clane is all about sharing some insight into the plants and animals that can be seen in this part of North Kildare, and helping to preserve and protect this flora and fauna for future generations.
Wild About Clane is organised by Clane Tidy Towns. In terms of raising awareness we have published articles and posters, lead walks and give presentations on the wildlife of Clane. On the more practical side, check out the project pages for information on Clane Liffeyside Nature Park, our Nest Box scheme, and other initiatives.
When you do spot some interesting wildlife locally, why not make your sighting count! Please consider recording the information on the following websites and help researchers trying to understand and conserve our wildlife for future generations.
- All plants and animal, including road casualties: http://www.biology.ie/
- Birdwatch Ireland Garden Bird Survey
- Birdwatch Ireland/BTO Bird Atlas: http://www.bto.org/birdatlas
- Bats: https://www.batconservationireland.org/what-we-do/monitoring-distribution-projects
- Whales and Dolphin sightings and strandings: http://www.iwdg.ie
For comprehensive information on Irish wildlife you may find the following resources helpful:
- National Parks and Wildlife Service: http://www.npws.ie/
- Irish Biodiversity: http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/
- Irish Birds
- Birdwatch Ireland: http://www.birdwatchireland.ie
- Birdwatch Ireland Kildare Branch: http://www.birdwatchkildare.com
- Bird Identifier wizard (RSPB): http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdidentifier (includes some birds not found in Ireland)
- Species information (RSPB): http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/a (includes birds not found in Ireland)
- Bats: www.batconservationireland.org
- Wildflowers: http://www.wildflowersofireland.net
- Moths: http://www.moths.ie and http://www.mothsireland.com
- Whales and dolphins: http://www.iwdg.ie/
Finally, for the latest updates relating to Wild About Clane check out the articles below:
- Community Biodiversity Workshops for ClaneClane Tidy Towns invites you to a set of three practical workshops on encouraging Biodiversity in Clane, and has some exciting ideas about showcasing the steps the community takes…
- Celebrate Biodiversity Week in Kildare…Kildare Biodiversity Week launches May 20th with lots of interesting events around the County. These include a “Wild About Clane” nature walk by the Liffey on Saturday May 27th. Read on for all the details…
- Scoil Phadráig’s Biodiversity Green Flag InitiativeScoil Phádraig is working hard towards securing their next Green Flag. Clane Tidy Towns was delighted to visit the school recently – and did not leave empty handed!
- Celebrating Heritage Week in ClaneThe heritage of Clane is rich and varied and this Heritage Week there are several special events arranged in and around the village to help everyone discover and celebrate it…
- Rescued from a Wine-bottle…When Clane Tidy Towns were cleaning up a local stream they found something unexpected inside a wine bottle…see for yourself on youtube…and please don’t litter.
- Clane Tidy Towns announces Community Tree-Planting SchemeClane Tidy Towns is inviting Residents’ Associations and community groups that own publically accessible land to apply for trees via their new Community Tree-Planting scheme. Read on for all the details, and the application form…
- Celebrate Heritage Week … in ClaneThe week starting August 18th is National Heritage Week and this year we are delighted to announce it can be celebrated in Clane. On Sunday August 19th a Nature Walk by the Liffey is planned, whilst on Tuesday 21st August a talk on Main Street Clane: Its Buildings and People is being presented. Why not ...
- Clane Nest Box Scheme 2012 – the results!!In early 2012 Clane Tidy Towns launched a Nest Box Scheme in association with the Kildare Branch of Birdwatch Ireland. Now that the season is over (for these nest boxes at least) we are delighted to share the results. These include some video highlights starring Annabelle, Apollo, and their nest-full of chicks…
- If you go down to the stream today…… you may be in for a big surprise! Clane Tidy Towns volunteers managed to capture on video not just some fine Brown Trout in Clane, but also a White-Clawed Freshwater Crayfish that was struggling to hold onto their lunch – a Brook Lamprey. Read on to find out who won the battle!
- Saving Clane Swifts…Swifts may grace the skies of Clane for many years to come if recent efforts to create a new breeding site for them are successful. Clane Community Council and Clane Tidy Towns have installed 5 nestboxes in the tower of the Abbey specifically for these birds. Fingers are crossed that the swifts will discover them ...
- Have you seen our missing nest box?One of the nest boxes donated to our recent nest box scheme has been removed by somebody in the last few weeks. It was carefully handmade by a local retired gentleman. Can you help us find ‘CTT’ Nest box 1?
- Clane goes a little bit BattyHot on the heels of a successful Nestbox Scheme for our feathered friends, Clane Tidy Towns is not forgetting our other aerial, ahem, acro-bats. Working closely with Kildare Bat Group and Bat Conservation Ireland, two specialised bat boxes have recently been installed…
- Available To Let – 17 new Nest boxes!Clane Tidy Towns and Kildare Branch of Birdwatch Ireland were delighted with the reponse to the Nest Box Scheme for Clane, 2012: a grand total of 17 boxes were donated to the cause and are now installed in and around the town and available to let. Read on to find out more…
- Wild About Clane – Nest Box Scheme!Have you some spare wood and a jar of screws at the back of the shed? Clane Tidy Towns have hatched a plan for a nestbox scheme in Clane, and would be delighted if you would participate!
- Liffeyside Nature Park – a wonderful new amenity for ClaneClane Community Council and its Tidy Towns Sub-Committee marked International Biodiversity Day, Sunday 22nd May, in style with the official opening of its Liffeyside Nature Park and the unveiling of its two new “Wild About Clane” information panels…
- Celebrating Biodiversity Day in style at Clane Liffeyside ParkSunday May 22nd is International Biodiversity Day and this year Clane will be celebrating it in style. Come along to Clane Liffeyside Park from 6:30 pm for the grand opening of the park, guided nature walks, unveiling of our brand new wildlife signs and a bat walk! Read on to find out more…
- Calling all … nesting birds?Have you noticed any bird nests this year? It is the last year of the enormous Bird Atlas project and there are still some gaps in the data for around Clane. Read on to see the species that are not yet confirmed breeding here – including Magpies! – maybe you can help fill some of ...
- Close encounters – with a lobster?During the National Spring Clean on April 2nd some volunteers were cleaning up along the banks of the Liffey. When pulling out some rubbish they came across perhaps one of the most unusal animals living in Clane…
- Local Forests – and Lakes…You have probably heard of Donadea Forest Park, but did you know there is a lovely quiet lake nearby too? Ballynafagh lake is just north of Prosperous. Find out more under “Place to Explore” – and why not visit them some day soon?
- Are you going batty this Halloween?The K Club in Straffan is hosting a Halloween bat talk and walk this Friday October 29th for young and old alike to find out more about these mysterious nocturnal animals.
- Finches…Some of the most colourful birds that can be seen around Clane are the finches, and many of them are attracted to garden bird feeders in the winter…
- Wild About Clane Photo CompetitionIn 2009 Clane Tidy Towns ran a “Wild About Clane” photo competition. The independent judges have met and after considerable deliberations the results are in…Clane Tidy Towns are delighted to announce that the winners of the recent photo competition are Aine O’Neill, Rua Rogan and Jessica Doran for the younger entries and ...
- Birds of Prey…You don’t have to go very far to see amazing birds of prey in Ireland: there are three species of raptors that can regularly be seen in and around our town…
- Thrushes…Did you know several species of thrush fly into Clane to enjoy our wonderfully mild…winters?
- Swallow-like birds…There are four swallow-like birds that migrate to Ireland for the summer, and all four can be seen in and around Clane…