Picture 4 - Green Schools Ireland
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©Michael John O’Mahony ©Michael John O’Mahony
Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4
©Philip McErlean via Flickr.com © The Vincent Wildlife Trust 2014 Can you name these Irish Plants and Animals? Try our
interactive quiz on these species here.
• Picture 1
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Picture 5 Picture 6 • Picture 6
3C1
Cleavers Description
The is a small “annual” plant i.e. a plant that
Habitat found
This plant is widespread throughout
completes its life cycle, from germination to the Ireland. It is usually found in hedgerows,
Common Name: Cleavers production of seeds, within one year, and then dies. wasteland, crop fields and gardens. The
Irish Name: Garbhlus It flowers from May to September producing tiny
white star flowers. Its fruits are small spheres,
name comes from the fact that it can
‘cleave’ or stick to anything it comes in
Scientific Name: Galium aparine covered with tiny bristles. Its angular stems also contact with. This helps to spread the
have bristles and can grow up to 1m long. The plant far and wide, for example its sticky
Other Common Names: leaves of this plant are; long and narrow; are found seeds can attach themselves to animal
Robin-run-the Hedge , Goosegrass and in clusters along the stem; and they have bristles on
their underside.
fur, bird feathers and even our own
clothing.
Stickleback
The plant continues to In late Spring to early
grow and produce Summer the plant
vegetation through out begins to flower with
the Winter. It can small white star-
grow to over 1m long. shaped flowers.
Life
Cleavers start their
lifecycle in Autumn.
Cycle During the Summer as
the temperature
It can take 8 weeks begins to rise, the
for a seed to plant growth rate
germinate. accelerates.
Fun Facts!
o The bristles found all over the plant enable it to
From mid-summer flowers
turn to fruit, which are
attach itself to other plants and to the ground,
little sticky balls. This fruit which helps support it as it grows.
Flower: May – September o Cleavers comes from the same family as the coffee
sticks to animal fur; this
Fruit: July– November helps take the seeds (which plant; some people roast the seeds and use them as
are within the fruit) to new a caffeine-free alternative to coffee!
locations to grow.
3C1
Draw Cleavers fruits getting stuck Cleavers Draw Cleavers leaves and flowers:
to an animal:
By Winter, the seeds
have fallen onto the
ground and germinated; In Spring Cleavers
new Cleaver plants start continues to grow close
to grow. to the ground.
Life
Cycle
By Autumn the pollinated
flowers, will turn into In early Summer the
round, furry, green fruit plant begins to produce
(with seeds inside). Many small white star-shaped
of these will get stuck flowers. These flowers
onto passing animals’ fur attract small insect
and feathers and get visitors (pollinators) to
carried away. drink the nectar.
Some more images from the Internet...
© www.ediblewildfood.com/Cleavers.aspx
© www.commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flowers_February_2008-4.
© www.ediblewildfood.com/Cleavers.aspx
3C1
Daisy Description Habitat found
3C4
A small plant, that flowers from March to October This lovely little plant is found on all
each year. Its flower has a bright yellow circular types of grasslands, including garden
Common Name: Daisy centre, with many narrow white petals attached. lawns, golf courses, parks, grazing
These petals often have pink/reddish tips. The flower fields and meadows. The Daisy can be
Irish Name: Nóinín head can reach up to 3cm in diameter. Its stem is long found on all continents except
Scientific Name: Bellis perennis
and narrow and can reach up to 10cm. The plant’s Antarctica. The flowers open up in the
leaves are all at the base; they are green, hairy and morning and attract all types of insects
spoon shaped. Daisies are a Perennial plant, meaning before closing up in the evening when
they can live for several years. it gets dark.
In Winter, if the
weather is cold, the In Spring, when the
Daisy plant will hardly days get longer,
grow at all. But if the brighter and milder,
weather is mild, you Daisy seeds will
might see a few flowers germinate.
growing!
The pollinated flowers
Life
Cycle
Also in Spring,
produce seeds. The mature Daisy plants
seeds fall to the ground will produce buds
later in Summer and which grow into
Autumn. The seeds will flowers.
germinate when the
weather is mild. ©www.powo.science.kew.org
In Summer daisy flowers are Fun Facts!
visited by insects including
Flower: March – October flies and bees. While feeding o The name Daisy comes from the old name 'Day's
on nectar, the insects Eye' as the flowers open at first light and closes in
Fruit: May - November the evening.
accidentally drop pollen from
other daisy flowers, and thus
pollination occurs.
3C4
Draw a Daisy plant with leaves and flowers:
Daisy
In Spring, Daisy
In cold Winter seeds germinate,
weather the Daisy while mature Daisy
plant will hardly plants start to
grow at all. produce buds and
flowers
Life
Cycle
The pollinated
flowers produce In Summer daisy
seeds in Summer flowers are visited
and Autumn. Seeds by insects that
will germinate if pollinate the
the weather is flowers.
mild.
3C4
Some more images from the Internet...
Image © RHS 2002
Wren Description Habitat found
3C3
One of Ireland's smallest birds, the wren has a small rounded body One of Ireland’s most
and distinctive cocked tail. It can be a bit secretive, and you often widespread birds; it is
Common Name: Wren
hear it before seeing it. The upper body-parts are reddish-brown; found in almost all
the under-parts are paler. There are faint dark bars on most habitats including
feathers. There is a white stripe over the eye. The beak is thin and farmland, woodland,
Irish Name: Dreolín pointy. This bird has a remarkably loud song compared to its size. scrub, mountain and
The song is quite melodic, but contains abrupt clicks or ‘checks’ even on cliffs and
Scientific Name: Troglodytes troglodytes within it. offshore islands.
©Michael John O’Mahony
Wrens will usually be seen
In Spring, birds find a
alone, but during Autumn and
suitable mate and a good
Winter they can roost in large
nest site and will start to
numbers; up to 50 birds! This
build their nest.
way they can huddle together
to stay warm even when the
weather is freezing.
Parents will look after
their young for just a
Life The nest is usually like a
ball of moss with a small
entrance to one side.
Image by Hornbeam Arts
Cycle
via Flickr.com
few weeks after leaving Nests are hidden away in
the nest. And then they dense cover such as ivy.
will go on to have a Image by NottsExMiner via Flickr.com
second family before the
end of the summer.
Fun Facts!
In Summer, at the o This is one of Ireland’s smallest birds at just
start of May the
Chicks are fed mainly on 10cm long from bill tip to tail tip.
insects, and they grow female lays 5-6 eggs.
o Most wrens weigh about 10g ...that’s the same
©Michael John O’Mahony
quickly. They are ready to Chicks will hatch after
Seen in Ireland: All year round. leave the nest after about being incubated for weight as having a 50c coin plus a 1c coin in
2.5 weeks. about 2.5 weeks.
Common throughout Ireland. your hand!
3C3
Can you draw a wren’s nest (it is usually a
Draw wrens roosting together on
a cold night in Winter: Wren ball of moss, with a small hole in the side):
In Winter, wrens feed on
their own, but will often In Spring wrens find a
meet up with others when
partner. They build a
it’s time for sleep, so they nest and lay their first
can huddle in a group
clutch of eggs. The
overnight, and keep each chicks hatch and
other warm.
parents look after them
Life for a few weeks.
By Autumn the
chicks grow strong,
Cycle
and they leave their In Summer, the
parents. Most wrens adult wrens lay
will spend the another clutch of
Autumn feeding eggs. The chicks
alone. hatch and parents
look after this
second family for a
few weeks.
Some more images from the Internet...
3C3
©Michael John O’Mahony3C6
Sparrowhawk Description
It is a small bird-of-prey, with broad wings and a long tail; these
Habitat found
Sparrowhawks can be seen
Common Name: Sparrowhawk features are useful for fast flight and for changing direction,
respectively. Its beak is small and hooked; great for tearing
in woodlands and in
gardens, especially ones
meat. Overall they have a grey-brown appearance. The tail, with a bit of tree cover,
Irish Name: Spioróg under-wings and belly all have barring or bands of dark feathers. where they hunt small birds.
The male birds are blue-grey above with orange-brown bars They are not easy to spot,
Scientific Name: Accipiter nisus under the body. The females are grey above, with grey-brown as they are usually well
barring underneath. Young birds have dark brown on the camouflaged sitting high up
upperparts with a more irregular barring pattern than adults. in the trees.
In early Spring, male
Female During Autumn
Sparrowhawks declare
and Winter
their ownership of
Male
Sparrowhawks
territories by doing big
tend to hunt and
tumbling ‘display flights’ to
roost alone.
attract a female.
When the chicks
leave the nest at
first, their parents
Life Once the males have
attracted a partner,
the pair will build a
Cycle
will continue to help nest; this is usually in
them get food for up a tree in a woodland.
to about a month.
©Michael John O’Mahony
Once the chicks hatch, By May (Summer),
they then spend a further the female will lay
4-5 eggs in the
Fun Facts!
month in the nest, getting
strong and growing nest. -Average wingspan = 33cm; and average
feathers. The male will length = 62cm
©Michael John O’Mahony
collect most of the food
for the whole family.
Eggs are incubated by the - Females are up to 25% larger than males
female for about 33 days.
The male goes hunting for
-Some Sparrowhawks have been known to
Seen in Ireland: Year round catch and eat bats!
food for her, so she never
has to leave the nest.3C6
Draw a scene at a Sparrowhawk’s nest:
Sparrowhawk
In Spring a pair of
During Autumn and
Sparrowhawks will
Winter Sparrowhawks
build a nest, usually
tend to hunt and roost
in a tree in a
alone.
woodland.
Life
Cycle
When the chicks leave By May (Summer), the
the nest at first, their female will lay eggs, and
parents will continue to incubate them. The Male
help them get food for will collect food for her.
up to about a month.
The chicks hatch. The female
stays with the young chicks. The
male collects food for the whole
family. After a month the chicks
are strong and develop feathers,
and they learn to fly.Some more images from the Internet...
© Dave Curtis via www.Flickr.com 3C6Description Habitat found
The 7-Spot Ladybird A ladybird is a beetle with hard forewings
(elytra) which cover much of the body,
Some ladybirds, like the 7-Spot Ladybird are
generalists and can be found in a wide range of
and the soft hind-wings, which are used in habitats andhedgerows, trees and grasslands.
Common Name: The 7-Spot Ladybird flight. Ladybirds have biting mouth- They can also be found along waterways in reed
parts. Around 20 species of ladybird have beds and wetlands. Other species are more
Irish Name: Bóín Dé been found in Ireland. They all have bright specialist, eating very specific food. In gardens,
colours e.g. yellow, orange, red and black fields, lawns, hedges and parklands most 7-Spot
Scientific Name: Coccinella 7-punctata patterned elytra. The 7-Spot Ladybird has Ladybirds eat aphids (plant lice).
7 black spots on shiny red wings.
Adult ladybirds hibernate Ladybirds come out of
©Bruce Ruston via Flickr.com
for the Winter. They hibernation and get
often hibernate in really active looking for food
large groups. in Spring.
Life
The mature larvae pupate In late Spring adult
(this is equivalent to a ladybirds mate and
caterpillar entering a the females lay
Cycle
cocoon). They will emerge as their eggs.
an adult ladybird in early ©Philip McErlean via Flickr.com
Seen in Ireland: Autumn.
Seen mostly Spring to Autumn. Fun Facts !
But you may see some hibernating in ❖ “Bóín Dé” means Little Cow of God!
In early Summer, ❖ Ladybirds eat pest insects, such as aphids (plant lice).
Winter too, in a shed, or under wood. The larvae reach once the weather is Gardeners and farmers love them, as they are a natural pest
Overall they are widespread and common. maturity within a warm, the eggs will control for their fruit, vegetable and other crops.
month, during hatch within just a ❖ If attacked a ladybird will release a yellowy poison from its
* ‘moulting’ means they shed their tight which time, they few days. The larvae ‘knees’ (leg joints). Not only does this taste bad to birds and
old skin, and grow a new bigger, looser will have moulted* then feed on aphids. other animals, it also makes them feel very sick.
3 times ❖ Why aren’t ladybirds camouflaged for safety? The bright
one; just like us getting new clothes colours of many ladybirds actually keeps them safe, as it warns
when we grow too big for our old ones. 3C5 predators that they taste bad, and are poisonous.3C5 Adult Ladybirds come
ladybirds out of
hibernate for hibernation in
7-Spot Ladybird the Winter. Spring and look
for food
In Autumn the
adult Ladybirds
Life In late Spring
adult ladybirds
Cycle
mate and the
come out of the
Draw a 7-Spot Ladybird: females lay their
cocoons
eggs on plants.
The larvae grow In early Summer,
fast, moult 3 the eggs hatch
times, and then and the larvae
build themselves a feed on aphids.
cocoon.
Draw a 7-Spot Ladybird Larva:
about the Harlequin?
Draw a Ladybird Larva:Some more images from the Internet...
© www.nickmorgan-butterflypictures.blogspot.com 3C5Pine Marten Description Habitat found
3C2
Pine Martens are the same size Pine Martens are mostly found in western counties and the
as a domestic cat and can midlands. They spend most of their time in trees, in
Common Name: Pine Marten measure up to 60cm long. They deciduous and coniferous forests. They are nocturnal
are related to the Badger, Otter animals meaning they only come out at night, although
Irish Name: Cat crainn and Stoat. Their coat is brown they can sometimes be seen during the day. When
Scientific Name: Martes martes
with a pale colour over the throat breeding they find a den for protection, these are usually
and chest. In summer the coat found in old buildings, log piles, burrows, holes in trees or
becomes dark brown and in under rocks. Pine Martens are omnivorous, which means
winter it becomes brighter and they eat feed on a variety of food and include plants and
longer. They have a long bushy animals in their diet, such as: berries, fruits, small
tail, and large feet and ears. mammals, invertebrates, birds, birds’ eggs and frogs.
In Spring pregnant Pine
Most adult Pine Martens Martens give birth to
spend the Winter alone. their young. The babies
(Although as already are called “kits” and
mentioned, many mothers they are usually born as
will be accompanied by twins or triplets.
their kits, just for their
first year.)
Life
Cycle
The kits live in a den for
After this time the up to 6 weeks, while the © Maurice Flynn, via www.irishwildlife.com
juveniles move on to mother provides them with
food. (Also in early
© The Vincent Wildlife Trust 2014 find their own
territory. Summer, adult Pine Fun Facts!
Martens will breed) o Its Irish name ‘Cat Crainn’ comes from the fact
Seen in Ireland: All year round – it is the same size as a cat and lives in trees.
Nocturnal animal Kits stay with their mother o It is Ireland’s rarest native mammal species,
through Autumn. Some will with only 2,700 individuals recorded.
Present in Ireland: Year-round then leave at 6 months old, o Pine Martens breed just once a year.
mostly in the west and mid-lands but others prefer to stay o They can live up 10 years, but usually only live up
longer; some don’t leave until to 5 years in the wild.
they are 16 months old!3C2
Draw a Female Pine Marten with kits
Pine Marten OR Draw a Male Pine Marten hunting on his own
In Spring, Pine
Most adult Pine Marten kits are born
Martens spend the in a den. Usually 2 or
Winter alone (except 3 kits are born
for some mothers together in March or
with young kits) April.
Life
Cycle*
Most kits stay with
their mother
through Autumn, In the Summer, when
during which time the kits reach 6
she will help them to weeks old, they are
find food. ready to go exploring
with their mother.
*What about the Daddies?!
Male Pine Martens live alone almost all year around.
They hunt alone, and sleep alone in ‘refuges’.
Refuges are small shelters that they use; they are
usually found a few metres off the ground, in trees
in the forest. Adult males will spend only a short
time with females in the summer, in order to breed.3C2
© MauriceFlynn via www.irelandswildlife.com
Some more images from the Internet...
©
© www.mammals-in-ireland.ieYou can also read
