Comments for Wicklow Workbook http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook An Adventure in the Garden of Ireland Wed, 16 May 2012 11:39:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The Great Spring Flowering by Samuel Connolly http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=660#comment-164 Samuel Connolly Wed, 16 May 2012 11:39:15 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=660#comment-164 Hi Simon, If you take the road from Wicklow to Rathnew, and then turn down the coast road (on the right just past the service station in Rathnew as you head north) and follow the road for a half-mile you'll find loads of it on the roadside between there and Hunter's Hotel. If you're looking for a lot of it you'll find it in any woodlands at the moment, but there is a huge amount on the road to the main car park in the Devil's Glen. You can't miss it. Let me know if you've any trouble. Regards, Sam Hi Simon,

If you take the road from Wicklow to Rathnew, and then turn down the coast road (on the right just past the service station in Rathnew as you head north) and follow the road for a half-mile you’ll find loads of it on the roadside between there and Hunter’s Hotel. If you’re looking for a lot of it you’ll find it in any woodlands at the moment, but there is a huge amount on the road to the main car park in the Devil’s Glen. You can’t miss it.

Let me know if you’ve any trouble.
Regards,
Sam

]]> Comment on The Great Spring Flowering by Simon http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=660#comment-163 Simon Wed, 16 May 2012 11:32:23 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=660#comment-163 Hi Samuel, I've been searching for wild garlic around Wicklow Town without any luck. Any chance you could tell me where you took these photos? I know I only have a few weeks left and I really want to try cooking with it. Hi Samuel, I’ve been searching for wild garlic around Wicklow Town without any luck. Any chance you could tell me where you took these photos? I know I only have a few weeks left and I really want to try cooking with it.

]]> Comment on A good treatment for False Widow venom by Samuel Connolly http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-157 Samuel Connolly Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:47:38 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-157 False Widows can live for a number of years, but nobody seems to have studied them to the extent that they can definitely say how long they will live. I've noticed females in the same place for about two to four years on a row, and then dead. They seem to mate in the second year. That's S. nobilis, but I don't know for sure about S. grossa. One thing I do know for sure is that they are not bothered by frost, snow or even extremely cold temperatures, contrary to the accepted wisdom. It was assumed temperature was the limiting factor in their spread, but I've found very large females outdoors in each of the last winters, and the population doesn't seem to have been affected. As for the other spider you describe, you might want to keep those around: they're the Long-bodied Cellar Spider aka Rafter Spider (Pholcus phalangioides) and the eat other spiders, of all sizes. The kill False Widows and the really big brown House Spiders, and I've watched them do it. They are harmless to man and can be handled easily. They kill by biting the leg of the prey species, usually catching it before it has time to fall to the ground, paralysed. I have to add that to the wildlife section. It's normally found on the eastern side of Ireland, and why the spread is limited is something I don't know. But I'll publish it if I ever find out. I'll put up some information about the Rafter Spider too. Just to add some confusion, Steatoda grossa is also sometimes referred to as the "Cellar Spider". I've managed to get photos of them stalking larger prey, including False Widows. By the way, a third species of False Widow, known as the Rabbit Hutch Spider (Steatoda bipunctata) has recently been found and identified in Killiney, but it's much smaller than S. grossa or S. nobilis, and not known to be venomous to humans in any way. I hope that helps you out. You can use the Rafter Spiders to control False Widows, if you like, just encourage them in your shed. False Widows can live for a number of years, but nobody seems to have studied them to the extent that they can definitely say how long they will live. I’ve noticed females in the same place for about two to four years on a row, and then dead. They seem to mate in the second year. That’s S. nobilis, but I don’t know for sure about S. grossa. One thing I do know for sure is that they are not bothered by frost, snow or even extremely cold temperatures, contrary to the accepted wisdom. It was assumed temperature was the limiting factor in their spread, but I’ve found very large females outdoors in each of the last winters, and the population doesn’t seem to have been affected.

As for the other spider you describe, you might want to keep those around: they’re the Long-bodied Cellar Spider aka Rafter Spider (Pholcus phalangioides) and the eat other spiders, of all sizes. The kill False Widows and the really big brown House Spiders, and I’ve watched them do it. They are harmless to man and can be handled easily. They kill by biting the leg of the prey species, usually catching it before it has time to fall to the ground, paralysed. I have to add that to the wildlife section. It’s normally found on the eastern side of Ireland, and why the spread is limited is something I don’t know. But I’ll publish it if I ever find out. I’ll put up some information about the Rafter Spider too. Just to add some confusion, Steatoda grossa is also sometimes referred to as the “Cellar Spider”. I’ve managed to get photos of them stalking larger prey, including False Widows.

By the way, a third species of False Widow, known as the Rabbit Hutch Spider (Steatoda bipunctata) has recently been found and identified in Killiney, but it’s much smaller than S. grossa or S. nobilis, and not known to be venomous to humans in any way. I hope that helps you out. You can use the Rafter Spiders to control False Widows, if you like, just encourage them in your shed.

]]> Comment on A good treatment for False Widow venom by rflynn http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-156 rflynn Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:29:30 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-156 thx for the info, do you know how long they can live for, it was the fact it survived 2 winters especially with all the snow we had last year that had me wondering what species it was. Are yiou familiar with all local spiders, there was a lot of another species living in the rafters of my shed this summer which i hadnt noticed before i dont have a picture to hand but maybe you could tell by a description. their body was not round like most spiders it appeared tubular and was only a few millimeters long, their legs however were very long, adults maybe a couple of inches legspan , their legs were incredibly fine though, they would be hard to spot unless you went looking because they were so fine, colour a very light brown, they spun very light cobwebs, i saw them on more than one occasion walking about on a web occupied by a different species without beigng noticed because they were so light footed, i think its just because their webs met and not something they seek to do but it was a funny sight thx for the info, do you know how long they can live for, it was the fact it survived 2 winters especially with all the snow we had last year that had me wondering what species it was. Are yiou familiar with all local spiders, there was a lot of another species living in the rafters of my shed this summer which i hadnt noticed before i dont have a picture to hand but maybe you could tell by a description. their body was not round like most spiders it appeared tubular and was only a few millimeters long, their legs however were very long, adults maybe a couple of inches legspan , their legs were incredibly fine though, they would be hard to spot unless you went looking because they were so fine, colour a very light brown, they spun very light cobwebs, i saw them on more than one occasion walking about on a web occupied by a different species without beigng noticed because they were so light footed, i think its just because their webs met and not something they seek to do but it was a funny sight

]]> Comment on A good treatment for False Widow venom by Samuel Connolly http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-155 Samuel Connolly Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:06:23 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-155 Thanks for your question! Your spider is almost certainly a female Steatoda nobilis. They are very common here now, and they generally stay put once they've found a good spot. As your spider has been there for 2 years then she will stay for the duration of her life. If you do intend moving her make sure to use a glass jar. These spiders are not aggressive, and I often handle them albeit carefully, with no bad results (I've never been bitten) but they are venomous so better safe than sorry. If you dry clothes on a washing line or anything, do make sure to shake it out before you bring them in. If you've any more concerns feel free to ask. Thanks for your question! Your spider is almost certainly a female Steatoda nobilis. They are very common here now, and they generally stay put once they’ve found a good spot. As your spider has been there for 2 years then she will stay for the duration of her life. If you do intend moving her make sure to use a glass jar. These spiders are not aggressive, and I often handle them albeit carefully, with no bad results (I’ve never been bitten) but they are venomous so better safe than sorry. If you dry clothes on a washing line or anything, do make sure to shake it out before you bring them in.

If you’ve any more concerns feel free to ask.

]]> Comment on A good treatment for False Widow venom by R Flynn http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-154 R Flynn Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:02:27 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=536#comment-154 interesting article, this spider has been living in my shed in Dublin for the last 2 years, is it a steatoda and if so can you tell if its grossa or nobilis http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii521/bananayoghurt/1327156138556.jpg, many thanks interesting article, this spider has been living in my shed in Dublin for the last 2 years, is it a steatoda and if so can you tell if its grossa or nobilis
http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii521/bananayoghurt/1327156138556.jpg, many thanks

]]> Comment on The Greatest Show in town… by Pat Kavanagh http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=388#comment-119 Pat Kavanagh Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:29:55 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=388#comment-119 Have to tell you, this was no accidental occurance. A local organisation called Friends of the Murrough consulted with award winning landscape architect Tim Austen to produce a seed mix which was as close as possible to the native wildflower mix that can be found on the Murrough. This was agreed by the landscapers for the area and the seeds were sown. The area was buzzing all summer - with admirers of both the legged and the winged species! It goes to show that with a little human thought and consideration, our biodiversity can be enhanced. Win:win for mankind and nature. Have to tell you, this was no accidental occurance. A local organisation called Friends of the Murrough consulted with award winning landscape architect Tim Austen to produce a seed mix which was as close as possible to the native wildflower mix that can be found on the Murrough. This was agreed by the landscapers for the area and the seeds were sown. The area was buzzing all summer – with admirers of both the legged and the winged species! It goes to show that with a little human thought and consideration, our biodiversity can be enhanced. Win:win for mankind and nature.

]]> Comment on Archaeology 101 continued… by Ciara http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=435#comment-118 Ciara Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:48:11 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=435#comment-118 This is fascinating! I have heard from fishermen that there are trees in the sea here in Kilcoole, is it possible they are some of these prehistoric trees? Do you know the name of this documentary? Thanks for this! And delighted to finally be able to comment! :-) Ciara This is fascinating! I have heard from fishermen that there are trees in the sea here in Kilcoole, is it possible they are some of these prehistoric trees? Do you know the name of this documentary?

Thanks for this! And delighted to finally be able to comment! :-)

Ciara

]]> Comment on May Changes by momochii http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=157#comment-74 momochii Sun, 22 May 2011 06:33:30 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=157#comment-74 nice post. thanks. nice post. thanks.

]]> Comment on Tearmann Community Garden by Samuel Connolly http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=97#comment-70 Samuel Connolly Wed, 18 May 2011 20:42:35 +0000 http://www.gardenofireland.com/workbook/?p=97#comment-70 Thank you again! I will hopefully get to check that place out in the not too distant future. Baltinglas seems to have a lot of worthy projects. Thank you again! I will hopefully get to check that place out in the not too distant future. Baltinglas seems to have a lot of worthy projects.

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