Whitehill Environmental
Noreen McLoughlin, MSc Environmental Consultant Whitehill Edgeworthstown Co. Longford (087) 4127248 / (043) 6672775 [email protected]
A BIODIVERSITY REPORT OF THE RIVER GAINE CORRIDOR,
MULTYFARNHAM, CO. WESTMEATH
Prepared by Whitehill Environmental on Behalf of:
Multyfarnham Tidy Towns Association
June 2018
All Maps and Aerial Photography used in this report are reproducedi under OSI Licence No. EN 0079018 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I O D I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
TA BLE O F C ON TE N TS
1 INTRODUCTION ______3 Background ...... 3 Biodiversity ...... 3 Multyfarnham ...... 4
2 METHODOLOGY ______7
3 RESULTS ______8 The River Gaine - Overview ...... 8 The River Gaine – Water Quality ...... 8 The River Gaine - Habitats ...... 8 Notable Species ...... 14 Macro-Invertebrates ...... 15 Designated Areas ...... 16
4 RECOMMENDATIONS ______17
ii M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
1 I N TROD UCTION
B ACKGROUND In June 2018, Multyfarnham Tidy Towns commissioned Whitehill Environmental to undertake a biodiversity assessment of the River Gaine corridor in Multyfarnham. The purposes of this survey were to:
Identify and describe the habitats along the River Gaine corridor;
Assess the value of these habitats for biodiversity and wildlife;
Provide advice on the future management of these habitats;
Make an assessment of the water quality within the River Gainw and to make recommendations as to the protection and improvement of water quality in this river;
Propose potential future protects that could be undertaken to further enhance biodiversity in the town.
The scope of the area studied as part of this assessment included the River Gaine corridor from the east of the village at the forestry plantation to the western section of the friary.
B IODIV ERSITY The term ‘biodiversity’ is short for biological diversity and it encompasses all life on earth. Apart from species of plant and animal, it includes diversity at a larger scale e.g. habitats and at a smaller scale i.e. genetic diversity. The importance of biodiversity has been formally recognised since 1992, when the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro and the Convention on Biological Diversity was agreed. Ireland ratified the convention in 1996. Ireland’s first National Biodiversity Plan was published in 2002 and this highlighted the need for local biodiversity plans. Biodiversity has now become an integral part of the Tidy Towns Competition and a special Notice Nature award sponsored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, goes to the towns which have shown initiative to protect biodiversity and their local environment.
3 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
M ULTYFARNHAM Multyfarnham is a small village nestled amongst the rolling hills and lakes of north Westmeath. It is famous for its Franciscan monastery, which was founded in 1268. The current friary was built in 1839 and as well as being a place for devotion, it is used as an educational and seminar centre.
Multyfarnham is located at the intersection of the L1820 and L1618 local roads. It is 12km north-west of Mullingar town and 8km south-west of Castlepollard. It has been designated as a Rural Centre in the County Westmeath Settlement Strategy, as set out in the Westmeath County Development Plan 2014 – 2020. The landscape surrounding Multyfarnham is characterised by high quality agricultural farmland, forestry and lakes. Location maps depicting Multyfarnham are shown in Figures 1 and 2, whilst an aerial photograph of the village is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 1 – Location Map (Discovery Series)
4 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
Figure 2 – OSI Map
The fabric of the village is dominated by a wide main street that is characterised by early nineteenth century buildings. In recognition of its attractive buildings, the village core has been designated as an Architectural Conservation Area. There is a Motte to the south of the village and this appears to be the earliest surviving evidence of settlement in the area (Westmeath County Development Plan, 2014).
The Multyfarnham Rural Centre Plan 2014 – 2020 outlines a number of Policies and Objectives of Westmeath County Council in relation to the heritage elements of Multyfarnham, e.g., Policy P-MF18 is “to promote and enhance existing archaeological, built and natural heritage elements associated with Multyfarnham and to ensure their protection”.
5 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
Figure 3 – OSI Map
6 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
2 ME THOD OLOGY This survey involved both desk and field study elements. The desk study was carried out using modern Ordinance Survey Mapping, as well as the historical 6 inch and 12 inch maps. Aerial photographs (Google, Bing and OSI) were also consulted. In addition, information on any habitats, species and landscape were obtained from the websites of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
The field survey element of this study was carried out on June 13th 2018. The River Gaine corridor from the forest to the western end of the Friary was walked. Habitats were identified and classified according to Fossit (2000).
Any species of birds or mammals observed were recorded and noted. In addition, the macro-invertebrates of the River Gaine were assessed during a bank side survey. Macro- invertebrates were collected from the river using a hand held sweep net. They were collected from the bridge (upstream of the Friary) and from within the grounds of the Friary itself. They were identified to either family or species level. From this bankside investigation, an initial assessment of the biological water quality in the River Gaine was made. As some species of invertebrates are more tolerant to organic pollution than others, an estimation of water quality was made based upon the relative abundances of the indictor taxa in the sample.
7 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
3 R E S ULTS
T H E R I V ER G A IN E - O VERVIEW Multyfarnham lies within the Upper Shannon Hydrometric Area and Catchment and the Inny Sub-Catchment and Sub-Basin. The River Gaine rises in the townland of Brittas, approximately 9.7km south-east (approximately 11km upstream) of Multyfarnham. It flows from its source in Brittas in a north-westerly direction, though the village of Multyfarnham until its confluence with the most south-westerly section of Lough Derravaragh, at a point 2.5km downstream of Multyfarnham village.
For much it its course, the River Gaine flows through areas of improved agricultural grassland. Other habitats within its catchment include mixed forestry plantations, a quarry, wet grassland and raised bog habitats. It is joined by numerous tributaries along its journey.
T H E R I V ER G A IN E – W A TE R Q UALITY The EPA have classified the ecological status of the River Gaine from its source to downstream of the Friary as poor. Just downstream of the Friary, status improves slightly to moderate. Under the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, this is unsatisfactory and this status must be improved. It is likely that the land-use and practices upstream of Multyfarnham are contributing to this poor status. Lough Derravaragh itself has been classed as good status whilst the River Inny where it flows out of Lough Derravaragh has been classed as moderate status.
T H E R I V ER G A IN E - H A B I T A TS For the purposes of this report, the course of the River Gaine through Multyfarnham has been divided into five sections, beginning at the forestry plantation in the south-east of the village and finishing at the boundary of the Friary to the north-west of the village. For each section, the river is described in terms of its physical characteristics, as well as its bank side and in-stream habitats. An aerial photograph outlining the relevant sections of the river is shown in Figure 4, whilst photographs taken of each section are also included.
8 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
Figure 4 – River Gaine and Sections
SECTION ONE Within the study area defined as Section One, the River Gaine flows close to a forestry plantation dominated by conifers (Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis) and surrounded by a belt of alder trees Alnus glutinosa. This area is recognised as a local wildlife area by the Tidy Towns Group. Upstream of this section, the river flows through an extensive area of improved agricultural grassland. Between the forestry plantation and the river, there is an area of grassland that is regularly mowed to allow for ease of public access along the river. The river corridor is fenced off and the bankside vegetation consists of a grassy verge habitat. Species recorded from this section included grasses such as Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and meadow grass Poa, along with a variety of broadleaved species including greater willowherb Epilobium hirsutum, bittersweet Solanum dulcamara, tufted vetch Vicia cracca and cleavers Galium aparine. There are no bankside trees or shrubs to provide shading to the river corridor in this area, with the exception of two hawthorns Crataegus monogyna.
The river here is approximately 4m wide and flow is slow and sluggish. Flow is restricted due to an abundance of in-stream vegetation including bur-reed Sparganium erectum, watercress Nasturtium officinale, amphibious bistort Persicaria amphibian, water crowfoot Ranunculus
9 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
sp. and duck weed Lemna sp. It is likely that there is an extensive build-up of silt in the river along this section.
River Gaine in Section One – Note Grassy Verge Habitats
The River Gaine – Section One. Forestry Habitat (RHS), Cut Grassland (Middle) and Grassy Verge (LHS)
10 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
SECTION TWO In Section Two, the River Gaine flows along the football pitch, which is classed as an amenity grassland habitat. The river corridor is fenced off here also. The northern bank consists of a treeline that is dominated by popular trees Populus sp. Other species recorded from here include brambles Rubus fruticosus, dog rose Rosa canina, elder Sambucus nigra, horsetail Equisetum arvense and hawthorn.
The physical characteristics of the River Gaine as it flows through this section are similar to Section One, i.e., flow is sluggish and there is an abundance of in-stream vegetation.
Watercress Nasturtium officinale. One of the Dominant Plants that Grows in the River Gaine
SECTION THREE In this section, the River Gaine flows through Gaine Park, an area of amenity grassland with scattered trees, landscaped areas and a playground. As in the previous two sections, the river is fenced off and signage erected by the Tidy Towns indicates that it is an area preserved for wildlife. The bankside habitat is dominated by a grassy verge and Yorkshire fog, meadow grass, nettles Urtica dioica and bindweed Calystegia sepium are the dominant species. A number of sessile oaks Quercus petraea have been planted by the community at intervals along the bank, and there is also an occasional hawthorn and elder Sambucus nigra
11 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
growing along the bank. As the river approaches the bridge, the bankside vegetation consists of overhanging willows Salix sp, as well as Leyland cypress Cupressus × leylandii, alder Alnus glutinosa and garden privet Ligustrum ovalifolium.
The river flow through this section is also slow and there is an abundance of in-stream vegetation including bur-reed, watercress, duckweed and bistort.
The River Gaine – Section Three. Note Grassy Verge Habitat and In-Stream Vegetation
SECTION FOUR Downstream of the bridge in the village, the River Gaine enters the grounds of the Friary. In its upper section, the river flows naturally through an area surrounded by the landscaped habitats of the Friary and its avenue. These habitat include amenity grasslands, scattered trees and flower beds and borders. The banks of river here are quite overgrown and shaded by tree species such as elder, alder, willow, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and ash Fraxinus excelsior and herbaceous species including rosebay willowherb Epilobium angustifolium, cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris and butterbur Petasites hybridus. In the latter part of this section, the river flows through a small section of woodland and species such as pine, ash, sessile oak and rhododendron are common.
12 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
The flow in the river in this section is faster than upstream of the bridge. The river substrate consists of gravel and cobbles and the siltation levels seem relatively low. There is also less in-stream vegetation than the upper section.
River Section Running Through the Friary
SECTION FIVE In this section, the River Gaine is channelised for the remainder of its course through the Friary. The surrounding habitats in this section consist of amenity grassland and gardens. The channel walls consist of concrete and in some locations these walls have been colonised by plants such as herb Robert Geranium robertianum, hartstongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium, maidenhair spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria and ivy Hedera helix.
The river flow here is moderate and the in-stream vegetation level is also moderate. The dominant species include bur-reed and watercress. The substrate of the river consists of small moss covered boulders and cobbles and the clarity of the water is high.
13 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
The River Gaine – Channelised Section through the Friary
N O T A B L E S PECIES No mammal species were observed during the course of this survey, however it is likely that species such as the fox Vulpes vulpes would occur around the village. Foxes are becoming increasing common in urban areas. There are no official bat records for the town area, but this does not mean bats are absent. Rather it is a reflection of the lack of recording in the area. It is likely that bat species are present in the area and the most probable species would be the common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus and Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii. The buildings of the friary would provide ideal habitats for roosting bat species.
Bird species observed and heard during the survey included those typical of gardens and woodland and included:
Blue tit Parus caeruleus
Great tit Parus major
Robin Erithacus rubecula
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
14 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
Magpie Pica pica
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Sparrow Passer domesticus
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Swallow Hirundo rustica
Blackbird Turdus merula
Wood pigeon Columba palumbus
All of the bird species observed during the survey are protected under Irish law (Wildlife Acts, 1976, 2000). Of these, the swallow, is on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern (Birdwatch Ireland, 2008), being of medium conservation concern.
Further information on protected species in the area was gathered by examining the records held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC). Using the mapping application of the NBDC, a custom polygon was generated for the village of Multyfarnham and the lands immediately surrounding the village core. Records for protected species in the area included the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes and the badger Meles meles. Both of these species are protected under the Irish Wildlife Acts. In addition, the crayfish is listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive which means it has the full protection of this Directive.
M ACRO -INVERTEBRATES Both river samples were dominated by species and taxa that are tolerant of organic pollution. This affirms the finding of the EPA in their Water Framework Directive reporting, i.e., the River Gaine is of poor status. The dominant species observed in the samples included:
Water shrimp Gammarus duebeni
Water louse Asellus aquaticus
Leeches – Hirudinea
Mayflies , including Baetis rhodani and Heptageniidae
Worms – Oligochaetes
15 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
Black fly larvae – Simuliidae.
D E S I G N A T ED A REAS There are no areas within or adjacent to Multyfarnham village that have been designated as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) under the Irish Wildlife Acts, as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive or as Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive. The closest designated areas (within 5km) to the town include:
Lough Derravaragh SPA, which is 1.9km of Multyfarnham and downstream of the River Gaine;
Lough Owel SAC and SPA – 3.4km south-west
Garriskil Bog SAC and SPA – 4.1km north-west
16 M U L TY F AR N H AM TI D Y TO WN S – TH E B I OD I VE R S I TY O F TH E R I VE R G AI N E
4 R E COMME N D A TION S In order to increase the value of habitats for biodiversity along the River Gaine in Multyfarnham, it is important that they are managed correctly. The long-term goal should be to achieve a greater diversity of plants in the area and this in turn will encourage a greater diversity of bees, butterflies, moths, other insects and birds. In addition, measures to improve the fisheries potential and water quality in the River Gaine should also be considered.
Water quality in the River Gaine is poor and upstream agricultural and land-use practices are likely to be impacting upon its ecological status. The local community should engage with Westmeath County Council and the local Water and Communities Office in an effort to become active stakeholders in the protection of the River Gaine. More information can be found at: http://watersandcommunities.ie and there is a dedicated award for Tidy Towns groups that actively get involved in the management of their local waterbodies.
The local community should engage with Inland Fisheries Ireland on possible ways in which to enhance the fisheries potential of the River Gaine. This river is an important feeder stream for Lough Derravaragh and its poor ecological status is likely to be having an impact upon the fisheries of this lake. Crayfish are also vulnerable to the affects of organic pollution.
A bat survey of the Friary is recommended.
17