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Brook Lampreys (Lampetra planeri) getting ready to spawn at a site on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, yesterday evening. This river forms part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and this species is a Qualifying Interest of the Natura 2000 site.

Dead shell of a Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in the River Mulkear this evening. This species was once thought to be absent from this Natura 2000 river. However, I found a few live individuals downstream of Annacotty Weir in April 2022 - the first

Brook Lampreys (Lampetra planeri) spawning in the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Brook Lamprey is a Qualifying Interest of this Natura 2000 site. Lampreys are primitive vertebrates from an ancient lineage dating back over 350 million years. While they

Male River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick yesterday evening. Males usually reach the spawning grounds first and build nests. They are then joined by females and other males, and usually spawn in groups. Some of these lampreys will have been in

River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) getting ready to spawn on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, this evening.

River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) spawning downstream of Annacotty weir on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, yesterday evening. This species is listed under both Annex II and V of the EU Habitats Directive. The River Mulkear forms part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area

River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) spawning in the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) yesterday evening. This species is a Qualifying Interest of this Natura 2000 site.

This is what the River Mulkear at Annacotty looks like - and it's only early April. This is eutrophication, caused by nutrient inputs into the river from agriculture and sewage. This site is currently rated as 'Q4 - unpolluted' by the EPA, but it clearly is not. Our rivers are

River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) spawning in the River Mulkear downstream of Annacotty Weir, Co. Limerick, this week. The lampreys are spawning in unsuitable substrates, including rubble from historical construction activities. The sharp edges of the rocks cause injuries to

Female River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick yesterday evening. This is now the peak of their spawning season. River Lamprey is listed under Annexes II and V of the EU Habitats Directive. The River Mulkear forms part of the Lower River Shannon

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) preying on River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, this morning. River Lamprey is a Qualifying Interest of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which includes this stretch of the River

Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, yesterday morning. The prey item is a small salmonid. Dippers mainly eat aquatic macroinvertebrates but will opportunistically take small fish.

Selected photos of River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) spawning in the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) last week. This species is a Qualifying Interest of this Natura 2000 site.

Three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from one of our recent aquatic ecology surveys. This is a native species in Ireland and can live in either fresh, brackish, or salt water. Some populations are migratory between these environments (anadromous).

Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, this morning.

Adult River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) dropped by a predator at Annacotty Weir, Co. Limerick, last night. Lampreys were migrating again last night in response to the recent rain and rise in water levels. Migration is blocked by this weir, and the lampreys repeatedly attempt

River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) on the sidewalk in Annacotty, Co. Limerick, this morning. It was likely dropped by a predator. Lamprey migration is blocked by the upstream weir.

Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, yesterday morning.

This #EarthDay, we champion rivers running free. 🌿🚣 Damming rivers for hydropower stops that flow. 🛑 Hydropower is not green energy. Let rivers flow. Let Earth live. Join the movement to protect the world's waterways. #EarthDay #FreeFlowingRivers #OurPowerOurPlanet

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) at Parque de María Luisa, in the centre of Seville, yesterday morning.