A week in the country

Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist

Look out for hazelnuts in the countryside.

Later, empty hazelnut shells may be covered with pretty orange discs on short stems. This is one of many fungi associated with hazel, as is the scarlet elf cup found in leaf litter beneath hazel.

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi living in soil and feeding on organic matter and plant roots, while fungi help plants absorb water and nutrients.

This is a key fundamental symbiotic relationship in nature between fungi and plants. Other fungi associated with hazel include fiery milkcap, summer truffle and hazel bolete. Having mushrooms in a hedge increases its biodiversity value. Hazel nó coll i nGaeilge is part of our native Irish biodiversity.

Autumn Time By Martin Tyrrell

The season’s leaves in their various

colours are everywhere to be seen, quite a change from our familiar emerald green.

The swallow, cuckoo and corncrake have left for sunnier clime; our native birds are busy in preparing for wintertime.

The yellow beaked blackbird and the speckled thrush and pigeon have booked their spot, near the white thorn bush.

The robin and the wren have also found a spot in the wall hedge near summer pots.

All livestock are housed with the best of barley and hay, several rows of bright black bales can be seen nearby.

From the frozen north familiar geese can be heard cackling in the sky; they will find a place with good pickings and a nice spot to relax.

The grey colour scheme is fading throughout the land, Mother Nature in command.

The bare hazel trees shelter for rabbits and hares – they will house the pheasant and other feathered friends.

Light from the Harvest moon will shine to bring a pleasant touch to the country scene, the holly bush is the only survivor with its red berries and bright green leaves.

The wild fox while on its prowl can snatch an unsuspecting fowl.

The countryside is still – rows of black shiny bales of fodder reflect the light from the harvest moon.

As darkness comes early and the emerald isle will pose for a much different style.

I’m very pleased to note the increased financial support to our forestry which has been neglected for many years.

This great natural resource will help to lessen our soaring costs of imported timber.

The huge murmuration of starlings in the evening sky is a great spectacle, as they turn and twist to find a spot for the night.

Mother Nature is in complete control of planet and global scene.

However the dreadful experience of climate change will destroy the planet unless urgent action is taken by the human race.

It is up to us to change our ways and avoid catastrophe caused by human neglect over several years.

It is summertime in the Australian Bush in scorching heat I saw livestock roaming between gum trees in order to find a place to eat or drink.

Equestrian author Elaine Heney is set to delight young readers with her new book, The Galway Connemara.

Inspired by the timeless classic Black Beauty, this heartfelt book follows the life of Lir, an Irish Connemara pony. This story is a must-read for readers aged 12 and above and all horse owners and riders.

“The Galway Connemara is a very special book inspired by the Black Beauty. I hope that it inspires young readers and equestrians to listen to their horses, and to always treat horses with respect, patience and understanding,” explained writer Elaine Heney.

If you are reading this piece on Thursday 19 September, Elaine has a pop-up bookshop in the Local Enterprise Village at the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois. Otherwise to find out more, or to purchase a book, go to elaineheneybooks.com

"Mental health is the same as dental health, we all have it and we all have to stay on top of it. You brush your teeth every day, so you need to give the same time and care to your mind." - Sarah Carey, social prescriber.

New findings from AONTAS, the national adult learning organisation of Ireland, show that 41% of people participating in adult education are struggling to pay for household bills and meals.

Climate change is leaving farmers on the brink of survival in South Sudan. Christian Aid spoke to, and recently, assisted mother-of-seven Anok Angok Kon (45) who explained that changes to the weather has made it more difficult for farmers like her to grow food to eat.

Her native area, which is prone to flooding, has availed of help from the charity’s partners to build dykes as flood defences.