Newcastle West Biodiversity Survey 2020 By Geoff Hunt This survey was carried out on behalf of Newcastle West Tidy Towns. Table of Contents Foreword ....................................................................................................................................... v 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Survey Area .................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Castle Demesne .............................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Habitat abbreviations ..................................................................................................... 5 1.4 General abbreviations .................................................................................................... 5 2 Survey Results ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.1 Birds ................................................................................................................................ 6 2.2 Butterflies ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Moths ........................................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Odonata ........................................................................................................................ 11 2.5 Hoverflies ..................................................................................................................... 12 2.6 Bees .............................................................................................................................. 14 2.7 Terrestrial invertebrates .............................................................................................. 15 2.8 Aquatic species ............................................................................................................. 16 2.8.1 Fish ........................................................................................................................ 16 2.8.2 Amphibians ........................................................................................................... 17 2.8.3 Mayflies ................................................................................................................. 18 2.8.4 Other aquatic arthropods ..................................................................................... 18 2.9 Mammals ...................................................................................................................... 19 2.10 Higher plants ................................................................................................................ 20 2.11 Fungi ............................................................................................................................. 25 2.12 Galls .............................................................................................................................. 27 3 Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 28 3.1 Species results .............................................................................................................. 28 3.2 Birds .............................................................................................................................. 29 3.2.1 Previously Recorded Birds .................................................................................... 29 3.2.2 Sparrowhawk ........................................................................................................ 30 i 3.2.3 Little Egret ............................................................................................................. 31 3.2.4 Grey Heron ............................................................................................................ 32 3.2.5 Meadow Pipit ........................................................................................................ 33 3.2.6 Dipper .................................................................................................................... 34 3.3 Butterflies ..................................................................................................................... 35 3.4 Dragonflies and Damselflies ......................................................................................... 36 3.5 Hoverflies ..................................................................................................................... 37 3.6 Aquatic species ............................................................................................................. 37 3.7 Mammals ...................................................................................................................... 38 3.8 Higher Plants ................................................................................................................ 39 3.9 Fungi ............................................................................................................................. 40 3.10 Galls .............................................................................................................................. 40 4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 41 4.1 Castle Demesne ............................................................................................................ 41 4.2 Arra River ...................................................................................................................... 43 4.3 Great Southern Greenway ........................................................................................... 44 4.4 Desmond Business Park ............................................................................................... 45 4.5 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 46 Additional sources of information .............................................................................................. 47 Appendices .................................................................................................................................. 48 A: Irish bird name translations ................................................................................................ 48 B: Limerick Townlands named after animals or plants ........................................................... 50 ii Red Squirrel - Sciurus vulgaris This Edition 05-03-2021 Copyright including Text and Images remains with the Author Contact Geoff Hunt: 087-7656439, [email protected] Facebook Geoff Hunt Cover photograph - The Dually River, Castle Demesne All photographs are by Geoff Hunt except : iii Figure 1 - Barn owl Tyto alba All photographs are by Geoff Hunt except : Mark Hunt. Frog [page 17], Waxwing [Garden Bird Poster] Mike Flanagan. Long Tailed Tit [Garden Bird Poster] Maurice O Connor. Barn Owl I would like to thank Julian Reynolds for proof reading and suggestions on text and layout. I would like to thank Sylvia Reynolds for guidance on plant identification. I would like to thank David Hunt for his guidance on design and layout of Tables and Figures I would also like to thank Vicki Nash for the foreword and the Newcastle West Tidy Towns for the work they do around the town. Best of luck for the future. iv Foreword In existence for more than half a century Newcastle West Tidy Towns began its history by enhancing the town’s appearance with flower beds and baskets and by working to create a litter free environment. As the world in general became more aware of the need to protect and develop biodiversity and sustainability Tidy Towns has expanded its ethos and activities. We actively work to ensure the protection and develop more biodiverse habitats; to engage with and educate all ages on the importance of these matters; and to work with the community in the achievement of our goals. Knowledge about our natural environment and its biodiversity is essential. So we are blessed to have the expertise of Geoff Hunt, Biodiversity Consultant on our doorstep to guide us. Geoff generously shares his wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm through Biodiversity Reports and guided visits. The arrival of COVID-19 afforded Geoff more opportunities to explore the habitats in the 5km surrounds of the town and to produce his updated Newcastle West Biodiversity Study with new discoveries of flora and fauna. The Castle Demesne, the parkland just off the town Square provides a home for a wide variety of flora and fauna and is a valuable educational tool. The arrival of Red Squirrels in the Demesne in late 2020 is indicative of just how people can be enthused about biodiversity and aware of the need to protect our natural environment. Still biodiversity and sustainability are relevant to everyone’s garden and neighbourhood and studies such as this one are of assistance to all. A welcome addition to the latest study is the inclusion of biological names in both English and Irish. We are delighted to share this report as a valuable educational tool for individuals, families and community groups. Enjoy. Bain sult as an méid atá le rá ag Geoff sa tuairisc seo.