The proliferation of data centres requires ever increasing energy sources !

This small oak seedling was planted by a jay bird in an area previously cleared of plantation spruce. I built a wire cage around it to protect it from being eaten.

Economic growth

The medium term legacy of solar panels. When they break they release toxic components. Not a good idea if that soil is ever to be used for farming again.

This young oak was planted by a jay bird. I sometimes protect the young seedlings with wire netting until they're big enough to have a better chance of survival.

This is my place. I have planted most of these trees below the house. Photo taken first week of May.

Suspected pine marten scat. T handle of spade for size comparison

Drone footage still from nature reserve which is under threat from development of massive electricity substation proposed for right next to this site, which contains pine marten, red squirrel, birds, bats, frog breeding pool, numerous insect species etc Plans include diverting water away from area.

This area would be destroyed to construct a massive proposed wind turbine. It has rocky outcrops, dry heath, with heather, bilberry, western gorse etc. It is located just above a beautiful mountain lake with clean water. Nearby are wet grassy fields full of orchids and Devils bit scabious.

Lough Naibiree showing Ardrah bog. Turbine 14 would be upper right. The road to T14 would cross this bog - varied flora including bog myrtle, devils bit scabious, bog asphodel, sphagnum moss, lousewort, butterwort, sundew, bog bean, cross leaf heath etc. 2 other turbines proposed behind this lake.

I found this small creature today while digging the garden. It was in the soil. Is it a newt or a lizard ?

This painted lady was photographed last August. Yesterday, 24 April I thought I saw a few of them in my garden, but dismissed the idea because it was too early... Apparently not. Other people have seen them too.

Planted a huge oak sapling - 13 feet tall, robust with huge roots. The biggest challenge was carrying it uphill to its place in amongst other native trees previously planted. I have tree nursery beds. Every year the big ones must go. This one should have gone last year ! Would have been easier !

Wood anemone, said to be an indicator of ancient woods. This clump here was planted 1 year ago in my young woods. Great to see they have re-emerged and are in flower.

I found this behind my house in a bucket of water. Lifted it out, thinking it was a lizard. It was alive and well. I posted a photo of my "lizard" on here and on X, Several people commented saying it was a newt. Looking at photos, it has 4 front toes, smooth moist skin, identity - smooth newt.

This Herald moth was overwintering in my firewood shed. I inadvertently disturbed it. It started shivering, to build up the energy to fly to safety.

This area was all planted with non native Sitka spruce trees 21 years ago. I've been cutting down the spruce to replace with native trees ever since.

Red squirrel in nature reserve, Maughanaclea, Kealkil, West Cork. Photo taken by wildlife camera, October 2025.

Photo from late October showing Sitka spruce plantation being replaced with native trees. Some of these areas were replaced over 15 years ago when the spruce were much smaller. Other areas are being cut down now.

Brown said "we must have economic growth"

Today I planted the first oak tree for this year. To replace these felled non native plantation spruce trees.

Spruce plantation being felled and replaced with native trees. 3 birch trees planted here this weekend.

Presumably you're referring to the Kallergi plan...

For dinner

I felled these 28 year old Sitka spruce trees 2 years ago. Now I am clearing into sections of the felled spruce to get in there to replant with native trees One birch got planted today, beside the spade.

Pine Marten still from wildlife camera in nature reserve, October, Maughanaclea, Kealkil, Co Cork.