The foundation is laid for the second viewing hide, the Scrape Hide, 27th September 2018.

The construction of the Scrape Hide underway, 17th June 20217.

By the end of June 2019 the skeleton of the hide is in place, built by Glounthaune Men's Shed.

Checking out the views from the Scrape hide during construction, 24th June 2019.

Gary Tomlins, HIW Steering Group and Glounthaune Men's Shed member working on the Scrape Hide, 12th October 2019.

The Scrape Hide taking shape, 26th July 2019.

Members of Glounthaune Men's Shed working hard on the construction of the Scrape Hide, 24th October 2019.

Heather Humphreys, TD, Minister of Justice, Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands with the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley officially launching a new hide and newly upgraded 2km Nature Trail through Harper’s Island Wetlands June 2021.

The Scrape Hide complete, returning Wigeon settle in for the winter, 15th December 2019.

Discussing and marking out the route for the nature trail, 18th March 2019.

Conor O'Brien from Glounthaune Tidy Towns helping to stake out the route of the nature trail, 18th March 2019.

Creation of a screening bund to allow the construction of the nature trail from the Borrow Dyke Hide around to the southern end of the reserve, 2017.

The completed section of the nature trail looking towards the Borrow Dyke Hide, 2021.

Continuation of the creation of the screening bund along the west side of the wetland looking south towards the farmhouse, December 2018.

The completed nature trail alone the west side of the wetland looking south towards the farmhouse 2019.

The nature trail, vegetation cleared from the trail, 13th July 2019.

Newly laid nature trail and excavated wetland area, 26th July 2019

One of a number of seats made and installed along the nature trail by Glounthaune Men's Shed, August 2019.

Glounthaune Men's Shed and BirdWatch Ireland Cork Branch members with one of the stock gates on the Nature Trail made by Glounthaune Men's Shed, 24th October 2019.

Placing the logs for the seating in the outdoor classroom, 16th August 2019.

Our outdoor classroom taking shape along the Nature Trail, 20th August 2019.

We used timber from fallen trees to make the seats for the outdoor classroom, 20th August 2019.

The outdoor classroom being put to good use during Heritage Week, May 14th 2022.

Saplings planted in the woodland area in the southeast corner of the reserve, 13th January 2019.

Recently planted saplings in the newly created woodland area at the southeast corner of the reserve, 18th March 2019.

Looking west at the southern end of the reserve. Groundwork done for a reedbed on the right and the new nature trail on the left, September 2019.

Gathering Phragmites reed for Harper's Island Wetlands at BWI Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve, 23rd November 2019.

The phragmites reed rhizomes from BWI Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve being unloaded, 23rd November 2019.

The phragmites reed rhizomes arriving form Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve, 23rd November 2019.

Volunteers spreading out the phragmites reed rhizomes, 23rd November 2019.

The phragmites reed rhizomes in place, 23rd November 2019.

A view of the reed bed wetland with phragmites reed rhizomes in place, November 2019.

A view of the reed bed wetland with phragmites reed bed developing, less than two years after they were planted, August 2022.

A side by side comparison of the Phragmites reed bed when it was created in 2019 and in full growth in 2022.

We created south sloping pollinator mounds along the southern end of the nature trail, 20th August 2019. We hope to encourage the growth of pollinator friendly flowers on these mounds.

A Bug Home was created along the nature trail, 22nd December 2019.

Installing wildlife information posts along the Nature Trail, summer 2022.

One of a series of wildlife information posts along the nature trail, summer 2022.

Erecting one of the three ecosystem information boards along the Nature Trail, 20th July 2022.

One of three ecosystem display boards on the nature trail. A great cooperative effort by Glounthaune Men's Shed and BirdWatch Ireland (Cork Branch), 20th July 2022.

One of three ecosystem information boards to be seen along the nature trail.

People enjoying the nature trail, July 2020.

A composite drone image showing the recently completed southern section of the nature trail, 1st June 2021.

The site for the Sand Martin Nesting Bank 12th June 2021.

The materials for the Sand Martin nesting bank, 12th June 2021.

Unloading the materials for the Sand Martin nesting bank, 12th June 2021.

Putting the piping for the foundation posts in place, 12th June 2021.

The concrete filled foundation posts in place with bolts set in the concrete for attaching the frame of the nesting bank, 12th June 2021.

Erecting two of the frames of the nesting bank, 12th June 2021.

Construction the frame for the nesting bank, 16th June 2021.

Nesting bank frame taking shape, 16th June 2021.

Adding the plywood panels to the frame and checking the length of the plastic nest burrows, 19th June 2021.

Cutting out the holes in the front of the nesting bank for the plastic nest burrows, 19th June 2021.

Preparing the plastic nest burrows for the nesting bank, 19th June 2021.

Ensuring the plastic nesting burrows are correctly positioned, 19th June 2021.

Front view of the Sand Martin nest bank showing the plastic tunnels being put in place, 19th June 2021.

Attaching the recycled plastic boards to the top of the nesting bank, 26th June 2021.

Fixing the wire mesh to the outside of the nesting bank before plastering, 26th June 2021.

Photo by Jim Wilson, 26-June-2021

The master and the student applying rough plaster to the front and sides of the nesting bank, 19th August 2021.

The Sand Martin nesting bank ready for tenants, 19th August 2021. The initials are those of the volunteers who built it 🙂

The Sand Martin nesting bank ready for tenants, February 2021. The initials are those of the volunteers who built it 🙂

Sand Martins at Harper's Nesting Bank, July 2022, less than one year after it was built.

Sand Martins at the entrance to the nesting burrows soon after their arrival from Africa, 19th May 2022.

Our Sand Martin Bank Construction Manual

Harper's Volunteers Work Morning, 20 Aug 2016.

Harper's work morning 4th November 2017. Discussing the position of the entrance to the Borrow Dyke Hide.

Volunteers from Glounthaune Community and BirdWatch Ireland and local councillor and steering group member Anthony Barry attending the installation of a sluice gate on the newly created wetland area, September 2017.

Harper's Work Morning 20th November 2021. Volunteers giving the Borrow Dyke Hide a new coat of waterproofing.

Glounthaune Men's Shed members just finishing the making of an access gate to the wetlands, 26th October 2019.

Harper's outdoor classroom overhaul, 3rd Sept 2022.

Volunteers putting the finishing touches on the newly created outdoor classroom, 12th October 2019.

Outdoor classroom overhaul, 3rd Sept 2022.

Students from Scoil Chlochair Mhuire NS Carrigtwohill planted a mix of native trees for our woodland habitat. The event was organised by Bird Watch Ireland and Easy Trees.ie RTÉ's Today Show were on-hand to capture the action. (February 2019).

Pupils from Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork Tree planting Feb 2019.

Students from Scoil Chlochair Mhuire NS Carrigtwohill pictured planting a mix of native trees for our woodland habitat. Supported by Cork County Council through Local Agenda 21 funding, the event was organised by Bird Watch Ireland and Easy Trees.ie RTÉ's Today Show were on-hand to capture the action. (February 2019).

Getting a good workout planting trees and shrubs along the approach to the bridge at Harper's Island. Work morning 20th November 2021.

Volunteers from local industries have done some great work on the reserve. Here employees from Stryker get ready to do some work (August 2017).

Engaging with local industries is very important and here are a group from Apple preparing the ground for tree planting at the southern end of the reserve, February 2019.

Clean Coast clean up on the reserve, 6th August 2019.

BirdWatch Ireland volunteers doing some nature trail maintenance, Harper's work morning 27th December 2020.

Spreading limestone to create a lime-loving flower pollinator mound. 3rd September 2022.

Nature Reserve expert Pete Potts visiting the reserve to discuss the plans for the wetland habitat, 28th March 2018.

Volunteers erected this access gate to the wetlands in preparation for the arrival of horse to manage the vegetation there.

With help from Cork County Council we created a drinking pond for the horses, 17th June 2020.

Plenty of work to be done out on the wetland.

Steering group member and local farmer Paul Moore mowing the wet meadow, 9th July 2018.

Clearing vegetation from the electric fence surrounding the enclosure for the horses on the wetland, 19th February 2020.

Thanks to many volunteers we have been able to have horses graze on the wetland, keeping the vegetation in perfect condition for the wintering birds (21st July 2020).

Volunteers leading outings at Harper's for school and community groups.

Education is a central tenant of Harper's Island Wetlands nature reserve. Volunteers leading outing on the reserve is one of our most important activities (25th October 2018).

Harper's Young Naturalists Outing 20th August 2022.

Harper's Young Naturalists Outing 20th August 2022.

Our volunteers lead outings to the reserve for local community groups like these Beavers from Little Island (April 2018).

Reserve volunteers host delegates form the International Wader Study Group, September 2016.

Beginning the planning for a third viewing hide on the reserve, 18th March 2019.

Members of Glounthaune Men's Shed erecting one of the wildlife information QR code posts along the nature trail (2022).

Using a tradition Scythe to cut the meadow at the southern end of the nature reserve, 19th September 2020.

Erecting a Barn Owl nest box on the reserve, 8th Aug 2020.

A Bat Roosting Box being installed near the farmhouse (2022).

Putting the finishing touches to an experimental roosting raft for the Borrow Dyke, 16th July 2021.

Ecologist, Steering Group member and volunteer Tom Gittings recording data relating to the small stands of the invasive Spartina grass which we will have to control and eradicate (17th October 2019).

BirdWatch Ireland (Cork Branch) member and volunteer Mark Shorten tackling the invasive Spartina grass on the wetland, 19th November 2019.

Moth expert Mike O'Sullivan examining his catch of moths as part of our ongoing survey of the moths of Harper's Island Wetlands nature reserve. 29th July 2020.

The work by migration researcher Barry O'Mahony on the reserve has shed a lot of light on the places where our birds come from and go to and the data is invaluable to making Harper's and beyond a better place for our wetland birds (3rd December 2012).

Emeritus Professor Robert Devoy, University College Cork looking into the history of the wetlands at Harper's Island. preliminary examination suggests the presence of a reed bed and woodland in the past 24th May 2022.

Emeritus Professor Robert Devoy, University College Cork in one of a few test pits opened on the wetlands at Harper's Island. Preliminary examination of the stratigraphy suggests the presence of a reed bed and woodland in the past, 24th May 2022.

Emeritus Professor Robert Devoy, University College Cork taking soil/mud samples in one of a few test pits opened on the wetlands at Harper's Island, 24th May 2022.

Volunteers have designed and created many of the information boards on the reserve.

2017 Tidy Towns Waters & Community Regional Award Mid West and South West to Glounthaune Tidy Towns for Harper’s Island project Phase 1. L to R Niall O’Callaghan, Supervalu, Conor and Olive O’Brien, Maeve Tomlins, Pat Breen TD, Minister of State for Trade and Employment, Garry Tomlins.

2018 Tidy Towns Waters & Community Regional Award Mid West & South West to Glounthaune Tidy Towns for Harper’s Island project Phase 2. L to R Garry Tomlins, Cllr. Mike Keneally, Conor O’Brien (Harper's Island Wetlands Steering Group), Kieran Murphy, Maeve Tomlins, Cormac McCarthy.

Wed 25th October 2017: Conor O Brien, Maeve Tomlins and Angela Reidy of Glounthaune Tidy Towns receive the best Best Small Village Award from Annette Lane, Muintir na Tire at the Muintir na Tire Pride in Our Community Awards in Oriel House Ballincollig. Input to the early development of Harper’s Island Wetlands was recognised. Also included is Deputy Mayor Mary Rose Desmond and Councillor Anthony Barry (Harper's Island Wetlands Steering Group member).

16 May 2019 Excellence in Placemaking, special commendation to Harper’s Island Wetlands, sponsored by Urban Land Institute Ireland. L to R Conor O’Brien (Harper's Island Wetlands Steering Group), Glounthaune Community Association, Mairi Henderson Urban Land Institute.

21 October 2020 Excellence in Placemaking, Category Winner Munster, Harper’s Island Wetlands.

1 April 2021: Cork County Mayor’s Overall Community Group Award to Harper’s Island Wetlands Steering Group. Mayor of County Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley announcing the overall winner of the 2021 Community Award.

27 Oct 2021: Cork County Eco Friendly Award for community involvement in the Harper’s Island Wetlands project, sponsored by Muintir na Tire Cork. L to R: Seamus Forde Chairman Cork County Muintir na Tire, Conor O’Brien Glounthaune Community Association, Sean Holland Chairman Pride in the Community