Natural Heritage

A copy of Conserving our Natural Heritage, the County Waterford Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2008-2013 can be downloaded from the Waterford County Council website.

Thanks to Mary H for this picture taken on the Mount Juliet walk in September

Some pix from Curraghmore taken during Heritage week

well worth a visit when the open their gates to the public officially.

Saving our Wetlands

The Irish Wildlife Trust and Waterford County Council co-sponsor  two events this week.  On Wednesday September 26   at 8.15 pm,  the co-chairs of the  of the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee, Olivia Crowe and Tadhg O’Mahony,  will facilitate presentations by members of the Committee.  The  event is entitled Saving our Wetlands  – The Role of the  Irish  Ramsar Wetlands Committee.   This talk will take place at the Edmund  Rice Centre, Barrack St Waterford and starts at 8.15 pm.  Admission free and all are welcome. 

 The following day, Thursday September 27,  there will be a conference entitled The Value Of Wetlands.  The opening address wil be given by Eamon de Buitleir.  Venue for this is the Education Centre Dunhill   (Dunhill Enterprise Park near the GAA field).  Registration takes place at 8.45 am and the conference begins at 9 am.  Fee is €35/€25 concessions and lunch is included.  Field trips to Fenor Bog and the Dunhill Wetlands included.  All welcome to these major events in the story of Irish Wetlands.

Investigation into Waterford seal slaughter?

The IWT deplores the wanton destruction of our wildlife following confirmed reports that two grey seals had been shot in the head near Tramore, Co. Waterford sometime on Tuesday February 21^st. These animals suffered a horrible death having swam ashore with awful head injuries. They were later euthanized under veterinary supervision. Aside from the terrible cruelty of this act our seals are protected by law under the Wildlife Act 1976 (as Amended 2000). They are also protected under Annex II and IV of the European Habitats Directive.

The IWT is now calling for a full investigation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Gardaí into this illegal act. Those responsible must be brought before the courts to demonstrate that the law will be upheld and such barbaric acts will not be tolerated.

IWT chairman Pádraic Fogarty says “too often in this country we see no regard for wildlife law. Whether it’s the poisoning of eagles or the destruction of important habitats there seems to be a reluctance by the relevant authorities to bring those responsible to justice. What does this say about our attitude to our natural heritage?”

...even made it on to BBC news here.

Going Batty

Did you know it was the year of the Bat...check out this link.

Bat Walk at dusk. Bring a torch and outdoor shoes and dress warmly. 28th of August, 19:00 – 22:00

Join the Irish Wildlife Trust Bat Specialist, Conor Kelleher, on a Bat Wild Watch Walk and discover a wilder Ireland on your doorstep. To coincide with Heritage Week between the 20th and 28th of August, the IWT is celebrating our national biodiversity with our third annual series of Wild Watch Walks.

  

Venue: Meet at Tullahought Community Hall at 7 pm then on to Slate Quarries, Kilmoganny, Co. Kilkenny.

Directions: Tullahought can be reached from Tipperary and West Waterford via Carrick-on-Suir by taking the R697 north from the town  (10 - 15 mins from Carrick) and from Waterford City  via Piltown and Owning (30 mins from City).

Admission: Free but booking is essential to secure your place please email or call the contacts below:

Email: mariepower26@gmail.com

Telephone: 0868124275

The IWT would like to thank the Heritage Council for supporting these events under the Heritage Education, Community & Outreach Scheme 2011.

The Farm villages , Fishing Traditions and Landscape of the lower Suir valley in South County Kilkenny.

IWT Outing -- Sunday March 20th

The Farm villages , Fishing Traditions

and Landscape of the lower Suir valley in South County Kilkenny.

The March outing took us to Co. Kilkenny, where we walked around the farm villages with local historian, Joe Sullivan, stopping to hear more about the history, seeing the banks people walked on, heard about traditional fishing on the Suir, the geography of the area and river. This area has the highest concentration of thatched houses in Leinster and retained many traditions into the last century.

Heritage week walk

Celebrate Heritage Week with the Waterford Branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust on Sunday August 29th at Tramore Backstrand and Sand-dunes.

There will be a walk to the dunes observing and identifying bird and plant life as you go with walk leader, Denis Cullen.The walk starts at 2 pm from carpark beyond public toilets and lasts approx 1.5 hours., As this is part of IWT's nationwide Wildwatch Walks, you will receive an identification sheet, which you can complete on the walk and which will be entered into a draw for a prize (for most species identified). This adds to interest, especially for children. There is no need to book, just wear appropriate clothing and if you can, car pool, or travel by bicycle on foot, or by public transport. Binoculars would be helpful, and a pen for completing the Wildwatch form.

Contact Marie for more information: 0868124275

Other events coming up.......If you are interested in the heritage of the Comeragh Mountains; Waterford County Council are running an 8 week course in Rathgormack, starting on Sept 15th, covering flora, fauna, geology, archaeology, genealogy and discussion on developing tourism potential of the Comeraghs.

Contact Bernadette Guest for more more details. 058 22000.

All About Biodiversity

Bernadette Guest, Heritage Officer with County Waterford outlined the County Local Biodiversity Action Plan, Conserving our Natural Heritage 2008-13. You can download a copy from the Council website.

First she outlined the relevant legislation including such exciting documents as the Birds Directive, the Habitats Directive and the 2000 National Biodiversity Plan.
Two new publications could interest viewers:

• The Economic and Social Aspects of Biodiversity: benefits and costs of Biodiversity in Ireland. (for more information check this weblink)
• The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland (download here)

What is of special biodiversity in County Waterford? Mammals such as the red squirrel, pine martin; the Killarney fern and the freshwater Pearl mussel. She outlined briefly threats as poor water quality, invasive species; drainage and infilling of wetlands.

Which parts of Waterford are designated for protection? An overview of Protected sites can be found on the NPWS website.

A full list of SAC’s, SPA’s and pNHA’s can be found on the NPWS website under Maps and Data. Search under Waterford in the Map Viewer. You can also look under Detailed results for Site Synopsis.

Bernie outlined the 3 Aims of the Action Plan:

• Raising Awareness…Outdoor science week, Biodiversity Webpage, Biodiversity Day, Heritage week events
• Addressing Information gaps…surveys and research, links with National Biodiversity Data Centre, WIT links.
• Maintaining and enhancing Biodiversity….roadside planting schemes, creation of wetlands, retention of hedgerows in new developments.

Specific Actions under the plan have included:

• Training for County Council staff and elected members to inform best practice for biodiversity e.g. hedgerow spraying, Bats and Bridges.
• Compliance with Cathcment Plans for freshwater mussel.
• Invasive Species seminar on November 22^nd (as part of awareness programme)…see full details and download application form here. She outlined some of the main culprits such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and the Grey Squirrel. Dr Peter Turner is looking for volunteers to take part in this survey.

• Publish Wetlands Survey (remember sitting in the same room years ago discussing this issue of lesser known, poorly protected wetlands)
• Install information signage for habitats such as Tramore at public access points
• Introduce measures to protect and enhance coastal biodiversity

Future plans include: Habitat mapping, TPO review and selected study of Biodiveristy sites with regard to best practice and enhancement.

If you would like to contact Bernadette Guest, ring 058 20839 or email to bguest@waterfordcoco.ie

Another interesting report that you might find interesting:

The identification of local Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in County Waterford 2008 by Paul Green (Recorder) and Una Fitzpatrick (National Biodiversity Data Centre). Download here.