data
citizen science
wildlife
This entry marks the beginning of a series documenting freshwater invertebrates as part of a broader initiative in biological recording across various sites in Northern Ireland. Beyond serving as a blog post, these journals will provide an ongoing log of species observations and their specific locations.
The project is kindly funded through Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) with a permit issued through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for specific access to sample and photograph species in ASSI’s – Areas of Special Scientific Interest.
Methodology
- Sampling: Field collection with nets, tank photography, and plankton nets.
- Analysis: Lab identification using microscopy and high resolution imaging; macro photography for larger invertebrates.
- Data: All records logged in Cedar, with expert verification, geo-tagging, supporting images and field notes
Expected Outcomes
- Increased understanding of freshwater biodiversity in local water bodies.
- Identification of indicator species for ecosystem health monitoring.
- Participation in environmental monitoring and conservation.
- Provision of data to support environmental policies, habitat protection, and restoration initiatives.
Locations
- Brackagh Moss ASSI - Peat bog, fen and wet woodlands
- River Cusher at Clare Glen
- Freshwater ponds at Oxford Island, Lough Neagh basin
Preliminary Session - 28/06/2025
An initial session was carried out at Brackagh Moss reserve on designated ponds at the below locations:
"As this was originally a raised bog, over 300 years of turf cutting, have left this area a maze of pools, drainage channels and peat ramparts. Most of the reddish acid bog peat was removed which left an older, black, base-rich fen peat underneath. This variety in soils has resulted in an extremely varied range of flora available at this site." - NIEA
Standard pond dipping techniques were used with samples measured in specialist measuring tanks, before being transported to a tank for identification photography, and then safely returned to the original pool. This will be the process for the future surveys on this project.
Photography tank setup with overhead flashgun, natural background and substrate
Species
- Odonata - Black Darter Sympetrum danae larva x2
- Hemiptera - Notonecta glauca
- Non invertebrates - Nine Spined Stickleback Pungitius pungitius x2
Black Darter larva
Black Darter Larva
Notonecta glauca with prey
Nine-spined Stickleback, ubiquitous at the site
