Surveying for Wildlife in your Area

Tidy Towns Seminar

Surveying for wildlife in your town

1. Investigate local protected areas

• Special Areas Of Conservation (SACs)- for special habitats and species, 9 in Waterford

• Special Protection Areas (SPAs)- for protection of birds, 6 in Waterford

• Proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs)- important areas for biodiversity- 28 in Waterford

• Nature Reserves- areas of importance for wildlife, 1 in Waterford

2. Do your own research

• Most of our native habitats, animals and plants live in unprotected areas, and are vulnerable to disturbance or destruction due to human activity- it is important to document what we have while we still have it

A) Habitats

• Where different types of animals and plants live, e.g. hedgerows, broadleaf woods, conifer woods, grassland, reed beds, salt marsh, old buildings/stone walls, etc

• Draw a map of your town showing which habitats are present and wildlife of each area

B) Species

• Carry out surveys and make species lists for plants, insects, mammals, birds and other wildlife- invite groups like BirdWatch Ireland, Irish Wildlife Trust, MISE Project, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group to help you

• Could make a good project for schools, scouts or a group of interested volunteers

• Compile your data and submit it to National Biodiversity Data Centre- any information gathered is very useful for future conservation efforts (see www.biodiversityireland.ie)

• Try to monitor species you have found- this too is very useful information

3. Raise awareness!

• It is important to let people know where our protected sites are and why they are important

• Maybe run or attend guided walks or talks by people who are knowledgeable about different types of wildlife, and encourage others to attend them

• Compile and distribute information about protected areas and local habitats to schools/libraries etc and possibly insert information boards or signage where appropriate

4. Habitat Management

Designated wildlife areas

• Try to identify key areas for wildlife in your town, designate them as such and tell people about the value of these places

• In designated wildlife areas, remove rubbish, clear invasive species (e.g. Japanese Knotweed) and try to keep at least part of the site free of any human disturbance

• Relatively little management should be needed, depending on the site- let nature take its course!

• Try to draw up a biodiversity action plan for your town

General wildlife management

• A little “untidiness” is a good thing! Small patches of “weeds”, “waste ground” or scrub can be excellent habitat for wildlife

• Wherever possible, use native plants- avoid exotic species, especially invasives. Native plants provide better habitat for birds, insects, etc.

• Try also to retain “wildlife corridors” (e.g. hedgerows) to keep separate habitats connected

Habitat creation & improvement

• Consider creating areas of new habitat for wildlife- insert bird or bat boxes, plant trees or a small woodland, create ponds or wetlands, or let an area “go wild”

• “Less is more”- provide the basic template and try to let wildlife colonise an area naturally

• Seek advice on how to do this, especially if you are close to a protected area, e.g. from NPWS county conservation ranger

Useful websites

• www.biodiversityireland.ie – National Biodiversity Data Centre

• www.npws.ie/protectedsites/ - National Parks and Wildlife

• www.birdwatchireland.ie

• www.batconservationireland.org

• www.miseproject.ie

• www.iwdg.ie – Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

• floraofcountywaterford.biodiversityireland.ie

• www.butterflyconservation.ie

• www.invasivespeciesireland.com