Ballynacally Biodiversity Plan 2019 – 2023 Biodiversity Plan Team : Phillip Hayward, Ann McMahon, Margaret Galvin, Yvonne Harrison and Marian Kelly 1 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 2 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. 3 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. 4 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 5 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 Union Concern Regulation EU 3 year plan for LA 21 Grant treatment of 1143/2014 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 6 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 7 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 of biodiversity – which 2020/2023 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 8 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 9 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. 10 11 12 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