Flora and Fauna at Purecamping
On this page we catalog some of the species that share our farm with us. We add species as we get a chance, but at least it’s a taste of what is here.
Bats
During our Summer bat walks we generally get to pick up some bat calls. We have a couple of monitors. We generally pick up calls in the 45-55kHz range, so we think that we’re listening to either the Common Pipistrelle or the Soprano Pipistrelle. I’m told that the two species were only differentiated as late as 1999! For info check out their details at Bat Conservation Ireland.
Wild Flowers
Where to start? We’ve lots on the land and over the years we’ve come to know a little about some of them. Here’s a very inexhaustive list and some associated links from Zoë Devlin’s record of Irish wildflowers. It’s a great site that gives both a formal botanical and an informal folklore-based description for each flower. Don’t forget to record your own sightings to this Wildflower Survey:
- Fleabane – I love the thought any plant that promises to keep fleas at bay.
- Meadow Sweet – Great aroma when crushed. Have been told that they were used on the earthen floors of cabins as an antiseptic.
- Ragged Robin – We get these guys on our entrance road and they are always a welcome pick me up.
- Cleavers – Trea reckons these have great medicinal properties and has been known to make ointments and tinctures from them. I just remember playing with them as child when we called them ‘sticky backs’. Although, Zoë Devlin calls them ‘sticklebacks’, which is what we kids called a type of freshwater fish (if memory doesn’t fail me).
- Plantain – This is the one that we used to play ‘soldiers’ with when we were kids. Similar rules to ‘conkers’ :-). Apparently good for sprains and bruises.
- Great Willowherb – I just really like these ‘weeds’. I’ve seen their dried seed heads used as tinder for Leave No Trace fires.
- Common sorrel – I love picking the leaves when going through the fields. I’m told that I shouldn’t eat too many, but that tangy sour taste is a real winner for me.
- Marsh Orchid – These are real treats and it’s great to see them flourishing on the farm, albeit in the damper areas.
Birds
Again, with birds, there is lots to chat about. We have most of the expected garden birds visiting our feeding stations. Notable exceptions are siskins and blackcaps :-(. We do have a blue tit that roosts during the winter in one of our bird boxes, luckily the one with the camera in it. No nest in this one over the last couple of years, but I’m loathe to move it as it does serve as a roost. I must try to record a clip of the bird arriving in the cold evenings, it is interesting to watch its ritual as it puffs up for the night.
I give links to Birdwatch Ireland’s entries for each species listed. By the way, Birdwatch Ireland is a great organisation, you should consider joining. Our local Clare branch is very active and constantly updates their site with the latest ‘twitchings’.
- Grasshopper Warbler – First started hearing this Summer visitor a couple of years after we planted the 4 hectares of woodland. It was a real mystery to me for a while until I did a bit of research and spotted the eventide noise maker in the bushes.
- Skylark – Aren’t these birds just the best? Talk about making our hearts soar!
- Meadow pipit – Favoured host for our cuckoos.
- Kestrel – Again, one of those infrequent but majestic sights over our meadows. I’m sure that I enjoy the hover of the kestrel more than its potential victims… although they are probably not aware of the danger until it is too late…
- Curlew – Great to see these heading over each evening! Not too mention their calls, many of the campers mention them and wonder what they are hearing. On still nights, the air is thick with the sounds of the our neighbouring waders as they forage on Querrin shore.
- Long-eared Owl – We’ve had some great experiences with owl sightings at our farm. One evening while sitting in the garden we were buzzed by an owl that had been perched in a tree just 6 metres from us. He/she only decided to glide past us on being disturbed by one of our curious cats.
Purecamping on Instagram #nature
How sweet. Thank you ❣️🦋🌿🦋
Purecamping in Querrin was to be our first ever camping holiday as a family. Two adults, a child and a toddly woddly (toddler). We all enjoyed it tremendously. Both Kevin and Trea couldn't have been more welcoming / helpful / sound. The space itself is the perfect adventure ground for all ages. My daughter enjoyed making mini bouquets and granting wishes to anyone and everyone. My son slid merrily down a mini mound, taking breaks regularly to admire the hens / kittens and 'borrow' other kids footballs. The bell tent was more spacious than we expected, more comfortable too. The evenings were an excellent opportunity to get chatting to all of the many lovely fellow campers. Top times were had. Sometimes with marshmallows, sometimes with beers. Will be back? I'd say almost certainly......
#glamping #lovenature #wild #nature #biodiversity #loveloophead
Can you figure out where this might be?
My Irish Whale and Dolphin Group colleagues and I got a nice chilly dip in, in between meetings.
Lots of nice outdoor spaces designed for people to enjoy the wildness.
#nature #swimming #coastal #walks #paths
Kevin taking his Kite out... Up to the Orchard to deter the crows.
Stay away from those apples 🍏 crows! We need them for our 'Pure stuff' cider.
#apples #cider #nature #wild
#laughteristhebestmedicine
The Burren on our doorstep.
Lough Avalla Farm Loop.
The Best of the Burren.
#mothers #daughters #nature #wild #love #loveClare #ireland
Bealtaine celebrations tonight at the Loop Head Labyrinth 🌿🦋🌿
#labyrinth #celticspirituality
#bealtaine #may
#loveloophead
#nature
#rhythm
#growth
#transformation
Curves, textures, natural materials, art, nature.
Yoga, Meditation.
Food for the soul.
🌿🦋🌿
#noticenature #nature #yoga #art #meditation #loveloophead
Found this little video that Tony Whelan of Canola Pictures made a couple of years ago. It talks of an outdoor nature retreat space and that is what Purecamping is whether you are a yogi or not. Some of the detail is slightly out of date but the look and feel is what it's all about. Our full line-up of retreats include COOK-YOGA-RELAX with Siobhán and myself (Trea) and our new Suaimhneas retreats. Take a look and see what suits: https://purecamping.ie/events/
#retreats #yoga #meditation #nature #noticenature #loveloophead #clare #wildatlanticway #ireland
Happy Bealtaine everyone. Welcome the abundance of the earth 🌿🦋🌿
#labyrinth #bealtaine #celticspirituality #nature #earth #bignature #loveloophead
🍏 Pure Stuff 🍏 came from the Purecamping orchard in the haggart by way of the few apples that the crows chose to share with us.
It's a brew that takes some effort so it doesn't happen every year. Thanks to Tony for being the catalyst in 2020. We had to have at least one good story this year!
To be enjoyed at your ease and wait for a sunny afternoon if you're able 😎
Dedicated to Sammy PM 👻
#cider #apples #noticenature #eco #camping #glamping #nature #food #loveloophead
'A cider despite ourselves'
🍏 Pure Stuff 🍏 came from the Purecamping orchard in the haggart by way of the few apples that the crows chose to share with us.
It's a brew that takes some effort so it doesn't happen every year. Thanks to Tony for being the catalyst in 2020. We had to have at least one good story this year!
To be enjoyed at your ease and wait for a sunny afternoon if you're able 😎
Dedicated to Sammy PM 👻
#cider #apples #noticenature #eco #camping #glamping #nature #food #loveloophead
Choughs photo bomb cloudscapes over the #kilkeecliffs
.
.
.
.
.
#nature #beauty #waw @thewildatlanticway #clare
Yoga with Hens. Is it a 'thing' yet?
.
Pawanmuktasana 1 is a gentle practice working on the joints throughout the body, relieving tension, energising and detoxifying.
.
.
.
#yoga #nature #retreat
High tide at Querrin.
#WhenWeTravelAgain #hope #love #nature #beauty
.
.
.
.
.
.
#Querrin #clare #wildatlanticway #retreat #yoga #glamping
A crescent moon 🌙 barely visible through a silhouetted Ash tree 🌿 with the sun ☀ setting to the west.
This direction associated with reflection as we review the day with a view to being grateful for all we have.
#hope #community #love
.
.
.
.
.
.
#yoga #meditation #retreat #nature #my2km #loveloophead
Jasper looking forward to being spoiled by campers this summer #camping #nature #dogs #hope #normality
Stunning still Equinox in the West of Ireland #nofilters required.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#loveloophead #equinox #balance #harmony #community #love #compassion #earth #labyrinth #retreat #nature
Planting a circle of trees around the Labyrinth. It will provide shelter and habitat for birds to sing sweetly in the Spring. Planting 100 trees with #treesfortheland #climateaction #future .
.
.
.
.
.
.
#Labyrinth #clare #Ireland #glamping #nature #gallery
Surrounding yourself in nature is good for the soul 💚🌿🐞🐬🐝
#loveloophead
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#glamping #woodland #coastal #camping #yoga #meditation #retreat #wildatlanticway #best #family #holiday #stay #clare #ireland #gallery #nature