Newcastle West Biodiversity Survey 2020 By Geoff Hunt This survey was carried out on behalf of Newcastle West Tidy Towns. Red Squirrel - Sciurus vulgaris Published by Geoff Hunt, Carlingford House, Bother bui, Newcastle West Co. Limerick. This Edition 24-03-2021. Printed by Fitzsimons Printers, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick. This report is available as a free download on this link. https://www.limerick.ie/.../newcastle-west-biodiversity... © 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. ii Table of Contents Foreword ...................................................................................................................................... vi 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Survey Area .................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Castle Demesne - Diméin an Chaisleáin ......................................................................... 3 1.3 Habitat abbreviations ..................................................................................................... 5 1.4 General abbreviations .................................................................................................... 5 2 Survey Results ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.1 Birds- Éin ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Butterflies - Féileacáin .................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Moths - Leamháin ........................................................................................................ 10 2.4 Dragonflies and Damselflies - Snáthaid mhór agus Béchuil ......................................... 11 2.5 Hoverflies - Beach ghabair ........................................................................................... 12 2.6 Bees - Beacha ............................................................................................................... 14 2.7 Terrestrial invertebrates - Inveirteabrach talún .......................................................... 15 2.8 Aquatic species ............................................................................................................. 16 2.8.1 Fish - Éisc ............................................................................................................... 16 2.8.2 Amphibians - Amfaibiaigh ..................................................................................... 17 2.8.3 Mayflies - Cuil Bhealtaine ..................................................................................... 18 2.8.4 Other aquatic arthropods ..................................................................................... 18 2.9 Mammals - Mamaigh ................................................................................................... 19 2.10 Higher plants - Bláthanna ............................................................................................. 20 2.11 Fungi - Muisiriún........................................................................................................... 25 2.12 Galls - Gál ...................................................................................................................... 27 3 Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 28 3.1 Species results .............................................................................................................. 28 3.2 Birds - Éin ...................................................................................................................... 29 3.2.1 Previously Recorded Birds .................................................................................... 29 3.2.2 Sparrowhawk - Spioróg ........................................................................................ 30 iii 3.2.3 Little Egret - Éigrit bheag....................................................................................... 31 3.2.4 Grey Heron - Corr riasc ......................................................................................... 32 3.2.5 Meadow Pipit - Riabhóg mhóna ........................................................................... 33 3.2.6 Dipper - Gabha dubh ............................................................................................. 34 3.3 Butterflies - Féileacáin .................................................................................................. 35 3.4 Dragonflies and Damselflies - Snáthaid mhór agus Béchuil ......................................... 36 3.5 Hoverflies - - Beach ghabair ......................................................................................... 37 3.6 Aquatic species ............................................................................................................. 37 3.7 Mammals - Mamaigh .................................................................................................. 38 3.8 Higher Plants - - Bláthanna .......................................................................................... 39 3.9 Fungi - Muisiriún .......................................................................................................... 40 3.10 Galls - Gál ...................................................................................................................... 40 4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 41 4.1 Castle Demesne - Diméin an Chaisleáin ....................................................................... 41 4.2 Arra River - Abhainn Ara............................................................................................... 43 4.3 Great Southern Greenway Limerick - Glasbhealach Mhórchonair an Deiscirt Luimneach ............................................................................................................................... 44 4.4 Newcastle West Business Park - Gnó - Pháirc Caisleán Nua ....................................... 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 iv Figure 1 - Barn owl Tyto alba All photographs are by Geoff Hunt except: Mike Flanagan. Long Tailed Tit [Garden Bird Poster]. Maurice O Connor. Barn Owl [Figure 1]. Mark Hunt. Frog [Figure 17], Waxwing [Garden Bird Poster]. 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. Tom Harrington for his text on Fungi. John Breen for his help with some of the Irish words. I would like to thank David Hunt for his guidance on the 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. v Foreword In existence for more than half a century Newcastle West Tidy Towns began its history by enhancing the town’s appearance with flowerbeds 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 of existing habitats; to 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 of 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 5 km surrounds of the town and to produce this updated Newcastle West Biodiversity Study with new discoveries of flora and fauna. A welcome addition to the latest study is the inclusion of biological names in both English and Irish. 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 reaction to 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. Yet biodiversity and sustainability are equally relevant to private gardens and neighborhoods so studies such as this one are of assistance to everyone. We