Ballynacally Biodiversity Plan 2019 – 2023

Biodiversity Plan Team : Phillip Hayward, Ann McMahon, Margaret Galvin,

Yvonne Harrison and Marian Kelly

Ballynacally Biodiversity Plan 2019-2023

Table of Contents

Title Page

Introduction 3

Relevant Biodiversity Principles and Approaches 4

Biodiversity Plan 5 - 8

Ballynacally Built Heritage / Natural Heritage Habitats 9

Drawing of shore area 10 - 12 And Aerial Photos

Research Documents on Shore Wildlife 13 - 16

Maps 17 - 20

Research from Waterways Ireland on Ballynacally 21 - 24

Plastic Reduction 25 - 26

Invasive Species 27

Ballynacally Biodiversity Plan 2019-2023

Introduction

This plan was documented by Ballynacally Tidy Towns Group post group attendance of the CLDC and Burren-Beo Biodiversity course held at the CLDC Centre in Ennis 2019. The Plan aims to guide the actions of the group and raise awareness of the cultural, historical, wildlife and natural amenities of the area. The Tidy Towns Group sought to develop a practical plan with education and awareness raising at its core. The main aims being :

 Identify practical measures to enhance biodiversity in the area  Provide detailed evidence based recommendations for habitat and biodiversity management  Recommend tools for raising awareness and education including the use of signage and materials, projects and opportunities for volunteering

Biodiversity in Ballynacally, Co. Clare

Ballynacally village is situated close to the River Fergus and consequently has a variety of wildlife habitats to include Estuarine, Wetlands, Arable Farmland and Mudflat habitats providing extensive and varied habitats for example (Igrets, Herons, Swallows, Curlews, Corncrakes, Pheasants, Hares, Rabbitts, Otters, Eels and Bats). Its geological make up is mainly shale.

The shore/estuary area is an amazing habitat for migrating birds.

The area has a lot of natural hedgerows which include whitethorn, blackthorn, wild honeysuckle, wild roses, harts tongue, ferns, ilex holly, blackberry, crabapple, elderberry together with numerous beech and chestnut trees.

The village is noted for its beautiful historical stone walls running through the main thoroughfare with its multitude of mosses and lichens.

There is a substantial amount of built heritage in the area also which supports roosting and nesting birds and bats. Dangan Castle, Old Church ruins in Kilchreest Graveyard with its ivy clad walls and Paradise House and grounds are examples of these.

Paradise House and grounds are also home to untouched areas of mixed woodlands with a large variety of naturalised Rhododendrons which provide a spectacular sight in Spring.It is also home to a variety of pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

The purpose of this Biodiversity plan is to bring awareness and to preserve and promote existing wildlife for the local community, the younger generation and the numerous visitors travelling on the Shannon Estuary Way. We have encouraged the local schools to get involved.

Ballynacally Biodiversity Plan 2019-2023

Relevant Biodiversity Principles and Approaches

 Biodiversity means the total number and variety of living organisms in the world combined with all the interactions between them.

 We need biodiversity, it is essential to human existence. The complex interactions between living things provide the plants and animals we use as food, oxygen to breathe, water, fertile soil, natural disease control, climate control, and the huge recreational, spiritual and aesthetic value of the countryside . Our dependence on biodiversity is commonly called nature’s ecosystem services.

 We are facing a massive loss of biodiversity across the world, there are three main biodiversity loss reasons :- 1) Climate Change : most species are adapted to fairly specific climates but everywhere the climate is changing and species which can are moving north. For example it may soon become too warm in Ireland for beech trees to flourish 2) Loss of natural habitat due to fragmentation, land degradation, pollution, population growth and over consumption 3) Invasive species which outcompete native vegetation and prevent other species from becoming established. They also change the physical environment making it less suitable for native species. Some IAS cause disease.

 The best tools for biodiversity management planning are careful observation and taking a least interference approach in which we encourage natures way but do not try to control it.

 Always use native species where possible obtained from local genetic stock

 Prioritise the management of hedgerows, stone walls and grasslands

 Adopt a chemical free policy and using herbicides and pesticides only when absolutely necessary.

Ballynacally Biodiversity Plan 2019-2023

No Action Implemention Group Timeframe Resources & Support Partners

1 Develop Shoreline

 Erect Directional Clare Co Co 2019 Signpost Local Engineer From Main Road & Tidy Towns Group

Erect Flora, Fauna  National Biodiversity and and Wildlife Environmental Grant Mapping Website Public Information Funding & Tidy 2019/2020 www.biodiversity.ie Display Board Towns At Pier area Group

 Develop Seated Area at Shore Tidy Towns Group 2020

 Install Birdwatch www.birdwatchireland.ie Hide at Pier area Tidy Towns Group 2021 Watersafety Ireland  Install new lifebuoys at Shore And Ballycorrick Tidy Towns Group Bridge for health 2019 And Safety

2 Plants

 Wildflower Tidy Towns Group 2019 www.butterflyconservaiton.ie Meadow at Picnic & www.seedbombs.ie Area Seedbomb Ireland All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2019  New Woodland National Tree Week area Tidy Towns Group  More Perennials 2019/2023 to replace bedding flowers Tidy Towns Group

 Plant a variety of climbing ivys and plants on wall at 2021 GAA pitch Tidy Towns Group

3 Wildlife

 Install wildlife All by signage Tidy Towns Group 2020 www.rivershannonandfergus

estuaries  Swift box installed at side of 2019 swift conservation Ireland community centre

 Nest Boxes 2019 mens shed

 More Bird Feeders 2020/21

 Install Bat Boxes 2020 Bat Conservation Ireland

 Rejuvinate insect hotel 2020

 Let more grass grow long for 2020 wildlife

 Speak to local bee 2020/21 Beekeepers Association keeper for ideas

4 Invasive Species Invasive Alien Species of  3 year plan for LA 21 Grant Union Concern Regulation EU 1143/2014 treatment of Japanese Specialist Treatment 2019/2021 Knotweed by Knotweed Ireland Sustainable use of Pesticides

including mapping Consultant Directives

areas

Sow natural 

hedgerow and pollinator plants Tidy Towns Group 2020/21 to replace Future Forest Hedging

knotweed when

eradicated after

year 3

Tidy Towns Group

 Information night 2019 2021 and talk given by Dr. Frances Giaquinto for the local landowners and community

5 School

 Repeat Bat Walks Tidy Towns Group 2020 Geoschols.com

 Nature Day at the school –

repeat 2018 Biodiversity day given by Irish 2020 Seedsavers Scariff Seedsavers

 Spring clean which Local Primary creates awareness of new Schools 2019/2023 An Taisce growth while out and

about

 Organise Dawn Chorus 2021 Bird Watch Ireland

 Recycle Plastic talk and video given by Tidy Tidy Towns Towns Member at Youth Officer 2019 Green Schools primary school Voice Ireland  Sunflower and other EPA biodiversity competitions 2019 to encourage the involvement of children

6 Trees and Hedgerows

 Replace trees knocked by All by Tidy storm Towns Group 2019 National Tree Week

Trees sown in  conjunction with National 2019/2023 Tree Week

 300 ft of native natural 2019/2023 Future Forest hedgerow sown and intend to do more (whitethorn, holly, dog rose, blackthorn and rowan)

7 Composting

 Develop new composting Tidy Towns Group 2019/2020 Waste.ie area Green Clare Composter

 Create awareness of composting through social media

 Look at the option of having a wormery

8 Old Buildings/Walls

 Paradise House

www.heritage.ie Old Stone Walls  Heritage Council of throughout the village Ireland

 Graveyard National Monument

Service  Dangan Castle

www.archeology.ie

 Old Lime Kiln

Clare Library  Forge

9 Information/Education

 Seasonal walks twice yearly Spring and Autumn through Paradise grounds – All by Tidy Clare Library this area has an abundance Towns Group 2020/2023 of biodiversity – which Local Historians includes a stately house

Heritage.ie  Display of old photos

www.duchas.ie  Look in to creating a local 2020 museum telling the story of times past

 Collect history of the 2021 Kilchreest Graveyard graveyard Committee

 Engage with local 2020/21 landowners to pinpoint the

kilns, ringforts, etc and

areas of interest and areas

of biodiversity on their

lands

Ballynacally Built Heritage Habitats

Christ the king church, Ballycorick Kilchreest Graveyard Church Dangan Castle

Ballynacally Community Centre Paradise house Ballynacally Stone walls on entrance to the village

Ballynacally Natural Heritage Habitats

Ballycorick Bridge 5 arches Rosscliff Shore Paradise house Ballynacally

Rose lovers area by the river Wild flower meadow St. Martins blessed well

Plants identified at Shore / Pier Area : Ragworth, Buttercup, Dandelions, Thistles, Wild Daisies (Aster Sea), Blackberries, Docks, Chicken Weed, Ferns, Silverweed, Clover, Seaweed, Strong grasses, Rushes, Nettles.

Research on Special Protection Areas and Shore Area

 River Shannon and Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area Site Code 4077 - (a comprehensive document – some relevant information): SUMMARY - This document presents conservation objectives for the Special Conservation Interests of the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area, designated under Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds (Birds Directive). Part One presents an introduction to the Special Protection Area designation process and to the site designated as the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area. The subject of conservation objectives and their formulation is also introduced. Part Two provides site designation information for the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area and Part Three presents the conservation objectives for this site. Part Four reviews the conservation condition of the site Special Conservation Interest (SCI) species including analysis of wintering (non-breeding) population trends, assignment of site conservation condition, and examination of site trends in light of all-Ireland and international status and trends. Importantly, this section states the current conservation condition, where available, of each of the site Special Conservation Interest species. Part Five provides supporting information that is intended to assist the interpretation of the sitespecific conservation objectives. This section includes a review of the ecological characteristics of the SCI species of the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA, and examines waterbird distribution recorded during the 2010/11 Waterbird Survey Programme, drawing also on data from NPWS monitoring programmes (e.g. benthic surveys) and the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I- WeBS). Part Five concludes with information on activities and events that occur in and around the site which may interact with waterbirds during the non-breeding season and includes an assessment of those activities that were recorded to cause disturbance to non-breeding waterbirds at the site during the 2010/11 Waterbird Survey Programme.

Both the Fergus and inner Shannon estuaries feature vast expanses of intertidal mudflats. The smaller sub- estuaries also feature mudflats, but have their own unique characteristics, e.g. Poulnasherry Bay, which is stony and unusually rich in species and biotopes (NPWS, 2006). In the innermost parts of estuaries, and typically observed in the Fergus Estuary, are tidal channels or creeks fringed with Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Clubrushes (Scirpus maritimus, S. tabernaemontani and S. triquetrus). Saltmarsh vegetation frequently fringes the mudflats. Over twenty areas of estuarine saltmarsh have been identified within the site, the most important including saltmarsh within the Fergus Estuary and at Ringmoylan Quay (NPWS, 2006). The 3 mouth of the Fergus Estuary has numerous islands across it including Inishmore or Deer Island, Coney Island and Inishcorker.

The River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA is selected as a Special Protection Area because it regularly supports over 20,000 waterbirds during the non-breeding season making this a site of international importance. The Selection Species and Additional Special Conservation Interests4 for the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA are listed below and summarised in Table 2.1. This table also shows the importance of this SPA for SCI species relative to the importance of other wetland sites within Ireland, within the mid- western region, and within Counties Limerick, Clare and Kerry. The Selection Species listed for the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA are as follows:- 1. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of the Annex I species Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 118 individuals. 2. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the biogeographical population of Light-bellied Brent

Goose (Branta bernicla hrota). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 494 individuals. 3. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 1,025 individuals. 4. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Wigeon (Anas penelope). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 3,761 individuals. 5. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Teal (Anas crecca). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 2,260 individuals. 6. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 245 individuals. 7. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all- Ireland population of Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 223 individuals. 8. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of the Annex I species Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria). The mean peak number of thisspecies within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 5,664 individuals. 9. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 558 individuals. 10. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all- Ireland population of Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 15,126 individuals. 11. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Knot (Calidris canutus). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 2,015 individuals. 12. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the biogeographic population of Dunlin (Calidris alpina). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 15,131 individuals. 13. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the biogeographical population of Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 2,035 individuals. 14. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of the Annex I species Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica). The mean peak number within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 460 individuals. 15. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Curlew (Numenius arquata). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 2,396 individuals. 16. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Greenshank (Tringa nebularia). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 61 individuals. 17. During winter the site regularly supports 1% or more of the all-Ireland population of Redshank (Tringa totanus). The mean peak number of this species within the SPA during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) was 2,645 individuals. The following species are identified as additional Special Conservation Interests (SCIs) for the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA as they were recorded in numbers of all-Ireland importance during the baseline period (1995/96 – 1999/00) (Table 2.1): Pintail (Anas acuta) Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Scaup (Aythya marila) Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) (breeding population) Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). The wetland habitats contained within the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA are identified to be of conservation importance for non- breeding (wintering) migratory waterbirds.

Extract from Article on Waterways Ireland on waterways in Ballynacally Updated December 2012 The Yeats scholar Thomas Rice Henn entitled his “sketch for an autobiography” FIVE ARCHES, after (I assume) Ballycorick Bridge, which is near his family home at Paradise.

The five arches of Ballycorick Bridge Here is the Google satellite view, centred on the bridge.

The Google map view makes the course of Ballycorick Creek much clearer, but unfortunately it doesn’t show the main line, the part that goes under the bridge. So the best view is on the OSI maps. Zooming in, on the Historic 25″ you can see a wharf marked on the south bank of the creek, downstream (east) of the bridge. [See below for more about the wharf.] That map names the river (above the bridge) as the Owenslieve River; Hugh Weir, in his introduction to John Bickerdyke’s Wild Sports in Ireland (original preface dated 1897; republished by Hugh Weir’s Ballinakella Press, Whitegate, Co Clare, in 2007), calls it the Ballycorick River. The Parliamentary Gazetteer of 1846 said that the area of the Owenslieve’s tideway was 2 acres, 2 roods, 16 perches.

Looking down the creek from the bridge

Note the embankments. Bickerdyke (real name Theodore Cook) wrote this about the trout in the river:

In the three miles of river below the waterfall above mentioned the brown trout run very small, but after every flood fat, well- fed silver-sided fish come up from the Shannon, and (except when on spawning intent) stay in the fresh water a few days, only so long, probably, as the extra food brought down by the flood remains unexhausted. When nothing but the scant supply common to rocky streams is left, these fish of the estuary, wise in their generation, return to their slob (mud) banks, and there continue to grow and wax fat.

To the naturalist, who commonly styles him Sammo estuarius, this fish is a most interesting variety. To the local angler, who speaks of him as a “slob trout,” he is almost as sport-giving as his first cousin of the sea.

Mud and brown water from Ballycorick Bridge In his Topographical Dictionary of 1837, Samuel Lewis: CLONDAGAD, or CLONDEGAD, a parish, in the barony of ISLANDS, county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER, 7¼ miles (S. S. W.) from Ennis; containing 4650 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the west bank of the river Fergus, and contains 16,436 statute acres, of which 4711 are good arable and pasture land, and 11,725 are improvable bog and mountain. The arable land is good, and produces excellent crops of grain, which, with butter, pork, &c, are sent to Limerick from a small rudely constructed quay at Ballycorig.

The wharf at Ballycorick Bridge Two people (including the owner of the land) told me that, up to the 1950s, boats from Limerick came up the creek with the tide, carrying flour and meal (probably from Ranks, formerly Bannatynes). Farmers, alerted in advance, would attend with their horses and carts; they would help to get the boat unloaded quickly, so that it could get back down to the Fergus and then the Shannon; they would also carry the flour and meal to the local shop, whence it was sold.

The wharf, bridge and building That photo shows the wharf in relation to the bridge (with its yellow and black parapet). Behind it is a building that may have been a store and also, at one time, a pub. Recent spring tides have overtopped the wharf and almost reached the road.

I am indebted to Kevin Murphy (see Comments below) for the information that this wharf was built late in the nineteenth century by his great-grandfather; he points out that Samuel Lewis’s rudely constructed quay was probably further downstream, a quay that is shown on the Historic 6″ OSI map as well as on the later Historic 25″. Here is an extract from the black and white version of the 6″ map.

Ballycorick on the Historic 6″ map, annotated

I have circled what looks like a short cut that would shorten the journey along the creek but I have no evidence that the “cut” is artificial or that it was used for navigation; I mark it solely to ask for information about it. I would also welcome more information about both the 19th century water-borne exports from the quay and the 20th century water-borne imports to the wharf.

Invasive Japanese Knotweed can be very difficult and expensive to eradicate particulary if it has been established in a habitat for several years or if it has been disturbed or dispersed.

The golden rules we abide by are :  Do not disturb it! Leave it alone and erect signage to warn the public and land owners to stay away. Often the erection of a temporary barrier is helpful to isolate the plant. If soil containing rhizomes of knotweed is disturbed it may become fragmented and every tiny fragment 2 cm or larger is capable of regenerating into a new plant. This means that a single plant can rapidly become a major infestation if disturbed.  Confirm its identification. The biodiversity Ireland website is an excellent resource.  Plan a control or eradication programme but speak to the experts first. A poorly executed attempt can lead to more problems  Follow instructions exactly if using chemical control. Many chemicals are toxic and should be used by a suitably qualified professional.

Treatment of Invasive Japanese Knotweed in Ballynacally

Before Treatment After