Community awareness for the critical biodiversity implementation of the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park in the Lanesboro, Killashee and Keenagh boglands.
Conservation Groups
Lough Carra Catchment Association (Mayo)
To restore, protect and conserve the ecological integrity of Lough Carra and its lakeshore habitats and to ensure the quality of drinking water from the lough
River Vartry Protection Society (Wicklow)
River conservation group. Website has a lot of useful information in relation to planning hearings (Oral Hearing for An Bord Pleanála) on water abstraction.
Green Sod Land Trust
To date Green Sod Ireland has been gifted in excess of 100 acres by visionary individuals and communities, in Counties Galway, Cork, Carlow, Donegal, Mayo and Cavan. Gifted land is first and foremost appraised by our ecologists who complete an initial ecology report with findings and recommendations. The diversity of land across Ireland means that individual management plans are created to address the specific needs of each. The local community participate in the protection of land and are invited to engage in our ecological education initiatives. They are an integral part of holding this land in trust together
Number of participants in annual citizen science-driven monitoring schemes
The number of volunteers participating in biodiversity-related monitoring schemes is one way of assessing the level of public engagement with biodiversity. Volunteers are making an increasingly valued contribution in collecting data that can be used to monitor the status of species and support the management of threatened habitats.
Monitoring biodiversity is an essential way of evaluating the integrity of ecosystems and the species within them, their response to disturbances such as habitat loss, pollution and climate change, and the success of actions taken to conserve or recover biodiversity. If monitoring biodiversity was restricted to professional ecologists then data would be limited by their distribution and scarcity, and the availability of funding to employ them. Alternatively, engaging with non-professionals (i.e, volunteers) can contribute to the success of long-term and large-scale monitoring through their commitment, enthusiasm, and geographic spread. As well as this, some of Ireland’s species reporting obligations to the European Commission are aided by citizen scientist involvement. Indeed, considering volunteers in participatory monitoring is an example of ‘citizen science’ which is increasingly being recognized as a credible tool for scientific research and monitoring.
The monitoring schemes included in this indicator are those which are completed on a regular basis and where participants follow a structured protocol while collecting data. The data is then compiled in a central database and used to make inferences about the species. The monitoring schemes included are:
Butterflies
Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme: A fixed route is walked once a week from April to September and the number and species of butterflies are recorded. This scheme provides information both on butterfly population change and phenological (timing of life cycle events) change.
Five Visit Monitoring Scheme: This is identical to the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme but requires less time. The aim is to walk twice between the April and June, and three times between July and August.
Garden Butterfly Monitoring Scheme: The Garden Butterfly Monitoring Scheme is done in your garden and only takes 15 minutes. If you can record in the same location over multiple times it will make your data more valuable as this allows us to see changes over time.
All butterfly schemes are coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and more information can be found here: https://www.biodiversityireland.ie/projects/monitoring-scheme-initiatives/butterfly-monitoring-scheme/
Bees
All Ireland Bumblebee monitoring scheme: A fixed route (1-2km) is walked once a month between March and October. The number and species of bees are recorded and the data feeds into the national population trends of bumblebees.
The All Ireland Bumblebee monitoring scheme is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and more information can be found here: https://www.biodiversityireland.ie/projects/monitoring-scheme-initiatives/bumblebee-monitoring-scheme/
Plants
Rare plant monitoring: Recorders who had submitted recent casual records of rare plants to the National Biodiversity Data Centre were asked if they would be willing to visit their rare plant population once a year during its flowering period and to count the total number of individuals present. Data on the rare plant location, the count and additional information about the site is submitted online to the Data Centre.
Rare plant monitoring is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and more information can be found here: https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/rare-plant-monitoring/
Marine
Explore Your Shore! Site Surveys: Explore Your Shore is a Citizen Science project coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency focused on increasing our knowledge of the distribution of our intertidal species, exploring their potential as bio-indicators of water quality and climate change, and highlighting actions we can all take to tackle water pollution and climate change. There are a few different ways to get involved:
- Seashore Spotter – designed to collect casual species records from anyone who is out and about on our coastline.
- The Big Beach Biodiversity Survey – volunteers conduct a timed survey, recording bivalve shells and other flotsam cast up on the tide.
- Seashore Snapshots Survey – volunteers take digital photographs of barnacle and limpet species on our rocky shores.
- Rocky Shore Safari – spend 1 hour searching the rocky shore for our Big 30 tick list of rocky shore species
- An Ebbing Tide – research or recount the past biodiversity of local coastline and submit stories, research and photographs to us so that we can build up a picture of local marine biodiversity in times past.
More information can be found here: https://exploreyourshore.ie/
Dragonflies
Dragonfly Ireland 2019 – 2024: This is an all-Ireland survey run jointly by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording in Northern Ireland and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. There are a few different ways to get involved:
- Dragonfly Spotter – submission of casual sightings of any dragonfly or damselfly species.
- Dragonfly Recorder – two timed surveys of a freshwater site, recording all dragonfly and damselfly species that are present, and assess their habitat in May/June and the between July and September.
- Dragonfly Monitor – four surveys at a local site, repeated annually.
More information can be found here: https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/dragonfly-ireland/
Bats
Daubenton’s Waterways Survey: The aim of this survey is to assess levels of activity of Daubenton’s bat. Using a bat detector and a torch, bat activity is measured on a 1km stretch of a designated waterway route. This monitoring survey is coordinated by Bat Conservation Ireland and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
More information can be found here: https://www.batconservationireland.org/what-we-do/monitoring-distribution-projects/ireland-daubentons-bat-waterways-survey
Car-base Bat Monitoring Programme: For this scheme volunteers drive known routes in 28 locations across the Ireland and record all bat sounds along the roadside using time-expansion bat detectors. The survey takes place in July and August. Bat sounds are analysed by BCIreland after the survey has been completed. The species monitored using this scheme are the Common pipistrelle, Soprano pipistrelle and Leisler’s bat. Some information on Nathusius’ pipistrelle is also collected from the survey. This scheme is coordinated by Bat Conservation Ireland.
Birds
Irish Garden Bird Survey: Coordinated by Bird Watch Ireland, the Irish Garden Bird Survey runs between December and February each year and members of the public are asked to keep note of the highest number of each bird species visiting their garden every week. Information on the size of the garden being surveyed, the kinds of food, if any, being offered to the birds etc. is also collected.
More information an be found here: https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/surveys-research/research-surveys/irish-garden-bird-survey/
Countryside Bird Survey: The Countryside Bird Survey (CBS) is coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. During the breeding season, CBS counters record all birds seen and heard during two early morning walks in pre-assigned 1km grid squares. Two visits are made to the site – one in early summer and the second about 4 weeks later. As many birds are detected first by sound it is helpful to be able to identify birds by song and call as well as sight.
More information can be found here:https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/surveys-research/research-surveys/countryside-bird-survey/
IWEBS: The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland. I-WeBS counters record waterbirds at wetland sites across the country during the winter ‘non-breeding’ season (September to March). The type of wetlands surveyed range from wet grasslands to large complex estuaries that hold thousands of birds, and everything in between.
More information can be found here: https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/surveys-research/research-surveys/irish-wetland-bird-survey/
River Vartry (Wicklow) – The Wild Trout Trust Study
The Vartry Angling and Conservation Club has been instrumental in getting experts from the UK, The Wild Trout Trust, to travel over and survey our River.
Thanks to Luke Drea for setting this up> It is the most comprehensive study of the Vartry River to date
Meath Westmeath Peatland Heritage Group
The group is located in Ballivor, Co. Meath with a specific interest in promoting the environmental and historical aspects of the local Coolronan bog.The project is intended to be a long term community project.
The group can be contacted at mwm.bog@gmail.com
CABB Peatland Project
Co-operation Across Borders for Biodiversity (CABB)
Supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), CABB is a €4.9m five-year partnership project. It is led by RSPB NI and also involves RSPB Scotland, Birdwatch Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Moors for the Future and Northern Ireland Water.
Project will produce Conservation Action Plans (CAPs) for eight SACs/SPAs in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
The sites where CAPs will be prepared are as follows:
The CABB team will also conduct habitat management work at key sites, including blocking drains to re-wet blanket bogs, introducing predator fences and new grazing regimes on blanket bog and machair, managing rush on lowland wet grassland, and consolidating the sea wall at Loch Gruinart, Islay, to protect the habitat beyond for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl.
CABB is a three-country, six-partner conservation project that will improve habitats for birds, butterflies and plants across Northern Ireland, Ireland and the west coast of Scotland.
Four peatland SACs in Co Donegal selected for Conservation Plans, drawn up in consultation and with participation of landowners, farmers and other stake-holders such as foresters, local and state authorities, turbary owners and turf-cutters, water utilities, tourism operators and so on.
The CABB sites contain some of the best remaining expanses of lowland and upland active blanket bog, where notable, distinctive features are the mossy hummocks interspaced with wet hollows or Atlantic Bog Pools, Fens and flushes, Transition Mires and Quaking Bog, each hosting specialist flora and fauna that collectively makes up a treasure trove of Ireland’s ecology and biodiversity.
These plans will propose a package of steps, measures and actions aimed at accomplishing effective conservation and restoration of the EU Priority Habitat, Blanket Bog, as well as associated habitats and birds, especially Annex 1 or red-listed species including breeding Golden Plover, Dunlin, Red Grouse, and wintering Greenland-White-fronted Goose.
Objectives
- Improve habitats for breeding wading birds such as curlews, lapwings, redshanks and snipe as well as hen harriers and marsh fritillary butterflies.
- Work towards the restoration of 2,228 hectares (ha) of blanket bog across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Ireland.
- Work closely with landowners and farmers to map habitats and prepare eight Conservation Action Plans (CAPs) for EU-designated sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas).
- Raise awareness in local communities of the environmental, cultural and historic importance of blanket bogs and key wetland habitats.
- Share experiences, best practice and data.
Progress
- Habitat improvement works at key wetland sites, including:
• CABB funded fencing at Montiaghs Moss in Co Antrim, Airds Moss in Scotland and Pettigo National Nature Reserve in Co Donegal is facilitating much needed conservation grazing.
• Rush cutting, maintenance work to predator fencing and scrub clearance work have enhanced conditions for breeding waders at Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh.
• New machinery has been purchased in Co Fermanagh to aid in our conservation grazing efforts and management of wetland sites. A new Cot was purchased to transport livestock to the Lough Erne Islands of Fermanagh for conservation grazing and a new tractor with custom Soucy tracks has been delivered to delicately undertake rush cutting on the bog sites.
• Removal of scrub and rank vegetation on Inisheher Island, Co Leitrim is supporting breeding curlew. - Butterfly Conservation are leading a dedicated programme to help the marsh fritillary butterfly by:
• Identifying existing and potential breeding sites.
• Working closely with landowners to sensitively manage habitat.
• Training volunteers to assist with habitat and larval web surveys. In Autumn 2018, 34 new volunteers took part in training to record and identify breeding sites. - Large scale peatland restoration works successfully carried out at three sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland:
• Over 1000 peat, wooden and stone dams have been installed to block drains at the Garron Plateau Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Co Antrim.
• In East Ayrshire, the Shiel Farm ‘Plantation to Bog Restoration’ project has been completed, and the former bog is now wholly rewetted.
• 800 hectares of valuable peatland is now in recovering condition following restoration works at Tardoes Farm, also in East Ayrshire. - Contractors have delivered detailed habitat and LiDAR mapping of CABB sites in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland. Mapping enhances our understanding of the varying habitats within each site and informs the specific actions that need to be taken to improve the condition of the land and enhance opportunities for wildlife.
- The Conservation Action Plan (CAP) for the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA) has been signed off by Scottish Natural Heritage. This is the first of eight CAPs which will be delivered by CABB.
- CABB surveys for all sites have provided valuable, up to date records on vegetation distribution and species:
• Three annual breeding wader surveys were carried out by BirdWatch Ireland across twenty key coastal and machair sites in counties Donegal and Sligo.
• 177 new species records for Pettigoe Plateau, Co Fermanagh have been submitted to the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) in Northern Ireland. - CABB project officers have continued to learn from each other, share-best practice and participate in collaborative initiatives with other projects, including:
• Information sharing events with our sister project ‘Collaborative Action for the Natura Network’ (CANN).
• Attendance at the 2018 (Loch Lomond) & 2019 (Belfast) IUCN Peatlands conference and networking events. - Public engagement activities to raise awareness and involve the wider community in CABB conservation efforts include:
• Information events for landowners and local residents.
• Production of CABB project newsletters, a special educational leaflet on the Marsh Fritillary and a short film of the Garron Plateau.
• High profile coverage on radio and television, including the popular TV series ‘Chronicles of Erne’ (BBC NI) and ‘Lough Neagh’ (UTV). - Engaging volunteers in all aspects of CABB, from surveys, scrub removal and fence repairs in the field, to assisting with finance, media and administration in the office.
Planned Work
By the end of 2021 we aim to have:
- Published eight Conservation Action Plans for key EU designated SACs and SPAs.
- Blocked drains on the Garron Plateau with a view to restoring 444ha of blanket bog.
- Blocked drains on the Muirkirk Uplands to allow 435ha of blanket bog to start recovering.
- Improved the condition of 900ha of blanket bog on the Dunragh Loughs/Pettigo Plateau SAC by erecting fencing and improving grazing.
- Blocked drains at Finandarry in the Ox Mountains with a view to restoring 449ha of blanket bog.
- Improved 151ha of habitat at the Montiaghs SAC through water level management, scrub clearance, grazing and the installation of fencing.
- Improved public access to the Montiaghs SAC through provision of a boardwalk and signage.
- Improved 252ha of wet grassland in Co Fermanagh for breeding waders.
- Consolidated the sea wall at Loch Gruinart, Islay, to protect key areas for breeding and wintering birds.
- Uploaded habitat and species data to the main data management sites in each of the three countries.
- Delivered practical conservation action for the endangered Marsh Fritillary butterfly to help manage the habitats it needs through conservation grazing.
For more information about:
- CABB in general, please contact Caroline Marshall, CABB Programme Manager on 028 9069 9090 or caroline.marshall@rspb.org.uk
- CABB in Ireland, please contact Anita Donaghy at adonaghy@birdwatchireland.ie or 00 353 7491 29905.
- Butterfly Conservation’s role within CABB, contact Rose Cremin, Senior Conservation Officer at rcremin@butterfly-conservation.org or 07881 583 932.
- Northern Ireland Water’s role within CABB, contact Roy Taylor at Roy.Taylor@niwater.com or 028 9035 4813 Ext 47310.
Maps
Garron Plateau
Montiaghs Moss SAC
Pettigoe Plateau SAC
Dunragh/ Pettigo Plateau SAC
Meentygrannagh SAC
Croaghonagh Bog
Lough Nillan Bog SPA/Lough Nillan Bog (Carricktlieve) SAC
Red Grouse
In April 2021 the European Union updated its list of ‘priority birds’ to include Lagopus lagopus hibernica.
Red Grouse Species Action Plan
2013: National Red Grouse Steering Commitee
Click to access 2013_RedGrouse_SAP.pdf
The status of Red Grouse in Ireland and the effects of land use, habitat and habitat quality on their distribution: Results of the national Red Grouse Survey 2006-2008
This is the most recent survey:
Tenders sought for national survey on Red Grouse bird
Birdwatch Ireland
https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/red-grouse/
Europe’s Huntable Birds: A Review of Status and Conservation Priorities (FACE)
2010 Irish Red Grouse survey indicated that the population in the Republic of Ireland was just over 4.200 birds suggesting a 50% decline in range in the last 40 years (Cummins et al., 2010).
Now, with the last Article 12 assessment, Irish populations has been estimated at 1.708-2.116 breeding pairs. Its population trends are declining, and its status is ‘threatened’.
A Red Grouse Species Action Plan was developed in 2013, with a variety of stakeholders, is still ongoing until 2023 (National Red Grouse Steering Committee, 2013). It demonstrates that although the species is declining, some 36 conservation projects have been established by hunters to address local declines.
Specific actions include habitat management, predator control, disturbance control, provision of grit, improving public awareness and monitoring.
Map of Red Grouse Conservation Projects in Ireland
Development of Best-Practice Guidelines for Red Grouse on Irish SAC Raised Bogs
Click to access Report_on_Red_Grouse_on_SAC_Raised_Bogs.pdf
Survey of Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) in the Owenduff/Nephin Complex Special Protection Area, County Mayo
Red Grouse population performance on western Irish blanket bog
https://www.jstor.org/stable/24394300
Grouse Conservation Project: Ballinacor, Wicklow
Citizen science in freshwater rivers
To develop a consensus on the most suitable approach for citizen science in Ireland, LAWPRO supported by the EPA, have engaged with the practitioners, agencies, trainers and community groups interested in citizen science.
A series of workshops and training days to develop a strategy was organised. This led to the development of a brand new scheme – a Citizen Science Stream Index (CSSI) suitable for beginners and the adoption of the Small Stream Impact Score (SSIS) used by scientists for the more advanced practitioners.
- The schemes are being trialled with the support of locally led catchment projects (e.g., Norevision, Maigue RT, Inishownen RT, Farming for the Blue Dot EIP)
- Currently being rolled out across LEADER areas via bespoke Water Training developed by LAWPRO and the Rural Development Companies (inc. IRD Duhallow)
- The National Biodiversity Data Centre are currently developing the online repository.
- Animation for the 3rd RBMP cycle is currently undergoing planning
This initiative is supported through LAWPRO and the EPA, with support from UCD (Dr. Mary Kelly Quinn), UCC (Dr. Simon Harrison) and numerous other collaborators.
If you would like to get involved please contact info@lawaters.ie
https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=2852063e59454969913e36c32a914695
Anglers in border region scale up lake monitoring