Wildlife
Wildlife Content
Ireland has a rich natural heritage — from the sandbanks of the Shannon Estuary to the fens of Monaghan… from the natterjack toad to the Atlantic salmon… from the Killarney fern to the freshwater pearl mussel.
Publications
This is the Wildlife publications section. Here you can find all publications, reports and presentations for this heritage area of interest.
WILDLIFE FEATURED PUBLICATION
Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping
The final version of Heritage Council's Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping is now available to download. This publication presents current best practice guidance for survey and mapping of habitats in the Republic of Ireland, and is aimed primarily at those who conduct or commission habitat surveys. Its objective is to standardise and improve habitat survey and mapping methods in order to achieve compatability among surveys and surveyors, and to ensure the quality and consistency of the maps and data produced.
The Heritage Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the preparation of the document, the authors, the editor, the Steering Group members, and all those who responded to the consultation process and participated in the peer review.
This publication is only available as a PDF that can be downloaded from our website; hard copies are not being made available, due to resource constraints.
Please note that as of 18 October 2011, new versions of these pdfs were uploaded- the only change between these and the earlier versions is the caption on an orchid photo on Page 43. Thanks to Chris Huxley for spotting the error.
Click here to download the publication [PDF 8.2MB]
Also available to download are digital examples of a habitat mapping dataset (referred to in Section 7.2 of the publication)
Click here to download a '.zip' file/folder containing the digital examples [56K]
We have also prepared a version for easy reading and navigation onscreen: the sidebar on the right hand side is hyperlinked for easy movement throughout the document, when you want to find a specific section, as opposed to reading the document through, while the text can be easily read when each page is viewed at 100%. Click here to download [PDF 8.3MB].
WILDLIFE PUBLICATION
Guidelines for the Production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans
This document assists Local Authorities in the preparation of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan and provides background information on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Download Guidelines for the Production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans [PDF 545KB]
The Arable Weed Flora of the Rye Crop on the Aran Islands, Co. Galway
In the early 1990s, a study was undertaken of the arable weed flora of the rye crop on the Aran Islands. This report (Bleasdale, 1994) is frequently referenced in more recent works on the Aran Islands, including the Heritage Council’s own research into high nature value farming practices. As the study itself states, “clearly the Aran Islands are of interest from a cultural and historical perspective. They are also of great interest botanically and archaeobotanically in terms of the plant species they contain at present. Relictual agricultural practices are still extant on Inis Meáin in particular, with the result that the afore-mentioned arable weeds continue to grow here in association with the rye crop. These weed communities present a unique source of study when one considers that these habitats are one of the last remaining examples of traditional agriculture in north-western Europe.”
The study seeks to understand why the rye crop on the Aran Islands was heavily contaminated with rare weed species, such as darnel, bristle or black oat and spring wild oat, and why these species were often extinct on the mainland, in order to help inform their management and conservation.
Click here to download document in PDF format [PDF 90MB]
Please note that this is a very large file and may take some time to download.
County Wicklow Biodiversity Action Plan 2010-2015
Exploring Biodiversity: A guide for educators around the world
This publication provides a number of ways to engage young people with nature and to learn about biodiversity. Its illustrations highlight species not found in Ireland but it also has a section focused on distinctive local biodiversity in section 3. You may find it provides some helpful tips and ideas for educational purposes.
Click here to download the publication in PDF format [PDF 3.6MB]
Ireland's Coastline Seaweed
Seaweed is gathered as food, processed and used as fertiliser, forms an ingredient in many cosmetics and spa treatments, and is the subject of biotechnological and pharmaceutical research. This poster/publication explores the contemporary and historical uses of seaweed, the role of seaweed in biodiversity and provides references for further information.
Click here to download a PDF version of the poster/publication [PDF 3.6MB]
Kildare's Hedgerows
Kildare’s network of hedgerows is a huge asset to the county for agriculture, landscape, water quality, carbon sequestration, employment and our wild flora and fauna.
The 2006 County Kildare Hedgerow Survey was initiated by the Heritage Office of Kildare County Council as an action of the County Kildare Heritage Plan. The survey was conducted by Neil Foulkes and funded by Kildare County Council and the Heritage Council. The aim of the survey was to record the extent, species composition, structure, condition and management of the county’s hedgerows.
Click here to download publication [PDF 740K]
Bridge Usage by Bats in County Leitrim and County Sligo
The main objective of this survey was to provide further evidence of the extent to which bats rely on bridges as roost sites. The survey was conducted between late April and mid-November 1998 in north Leitrim and selected regions of Sligo. A total of 174 bridges was surveyed.
Recommendations are made regarding bridge maintenance procedures and the conservation of bat roosts in bridges.
Bat and Bird Survey Guidelines for Traditional Farm Buildings
Many traditional farm buildings may be home to bats, as well as nesting birds. As these are protected by law, buildings in receipt of a REPS 4 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant may require a bat and/or bird survey before any works commence. The Heritage Council has prepared guidance that the surveyors must follow when undertaking these surveys under this scheme. This is to ensure that the survey is undertaken in line with current best practice, and that the works are designed in such a way as not to impact upon the protected wildlife.
Bats, Birds, Buildings and You.
Click here to download a PDF version of the poster/publication [PDF 1.1 MB]
"Wild Things at School" by Eanna Ni Lamhna
Wild Things at School, by Eanna Ni Lamhna, illustrations by Christine Warner is a beautiful new resource for Primary School teachers. Published by Laois, Meath and Monaghan County Councils with support from the Heritage Council. A limited supply of the book is available from your local education centre.
Click here to download a copy in PDF fprmat [PDF 3.1MB]
PLEASE NOTE
Frogs are protected under European Legislation because they are scarce in Europe in general. So it is an offence to interfere with them or with their spawn. However, they are not endangered in Ireland and can be studied in class and frog spawn can be collected for educational purposes. Accordingly, a general Licence has been issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS] to all centres of Education in Ireland to collect and study them etc as per page 33 of Wild Things at School.
The local NPWS conservation officer must be contacted prior to any activity commencing under the terms of the licence. The spawn/tadpoles must be released in due course at the location of capture, or into a suitable waterbody as near as possible to the original capture site, if the original site has dried up.
The full licence can be viewed at www.npws.ie/en/News/
Irish Coastal Habitats: A Study of Impacts on Designated Conservation Areas
Through the publication of this report, the Heritage Council hopes to raise awareness of the issues facing nature conservation in these special areas, and hopes that in some way, this report will demonstrate the need for the introduction of effective Coastal Zone Management in Ireland.
Download Irish Coastal Habitats: A Study of Impacts on Designated Conservation Areas [PDF 1.93MB]
A Guide to Habitats in Ireland (Fossitt, 2000)
This recently reprinted Heritage Council publication sets out a standard scheme for identifying, describing and classifying wildlife habitats in Ireland.
A Guide to Habitats in Ireland covers natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats of terrestrial and freshwater environments, of inshore marine waters, and of urban and rural areas.
The classification is presented within a hierarchical framework and is designed for application at a variety of different levels in terms of scale, detail and user expertise. It is intended as a first-step approach for general habitat recording rather than a basis for detailed study and evaluation. The availability and widespread use of a standard classification scheme is important in helping to standardise data collection on habitats which, in turn, will assist in the management and conservation of Ireland's natural heritage.
Please note that the 2007 reprint contains Notes to Readers- this includes additional information on the links between a number of Irish habitats and EU Annexed habitats
Farmland Habitats
Farmland habitats are of crucial importance to our native Irish wildlife. Very important wildlife habitats may be designated as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
This book describes the types of habitats that may be found on Irish farmland, their usefulness for wildlife, and the farmer’s role in maintaining and enhancing wildlife.
Conserving Hedgerows
For information on planting and maintaining hedgerows, threats to hedgerows and the role of local authorities download Conserving Hedgerows [PDF 1.64MB]
Conserving and Enhancing Wildlife in Towns and Villages: A Guide for Local Community Groups
Towns and villages can support a surprisingly wide range of wildlife habitats and species of local, or even national, conservation interest. This guide provides advice to those who want to take action to conserve, protect and enhance wildlife in their town or village.
Download Conserving and Enhancing Wildlife in Towns and Villages [PDF 500kB]
Policy Paper on Forestry and the National Heritage
Forestry has considerable potential to enhance Ireland’s biological and landscape diversity, offering aesthetic and amenity benefits while safeguarding our existing heritage and providing real economic benefit to local communities. However, it also has the potential to cause considerable damage to Ireland’s heritage.
This paper contains recommendations on effective measures and structures that could be put in place to deal with heritage concerns.
Download The Heritage Council's Policy Paper on Forestry and The National Heritage [PDF 106K]
Forestry and the National Heritage, A Review of the Heritage Council’s Forestry Policy (2002)
This policy review comprises: A. A chronology of relevant developments in the forestry sector since 1999; B. Responses to each of the Council's recommendations in its 1999 policy paper; C. A commentary; D. Some pointers for the future
Download A Review of the Heritage Council’s Forestry Policy (2002) [PDF 105KB]
National Biodiversity Plan Submission
In January 2008, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government announced the development of Ireland’s second National Biodiversity Plan 2008-2012. The Heritage Council has been invited to prepare a submission on the new Plan.
Read the Heritage Council’s submission.
Download National Biodiversity Plan [DOC 3MB]
Policy Paper on Agriculture and the National Heritage
A review of the heritage and environmental implications of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Rural Development Plan 2000-2006. The recommendations contain positive contributions to actions contained in the first National Biodiversity Plan 2002-2006 and the National Heritage Plan.
A Review of Ireland’s CAP Rural Development Plan 2000-2006: Implications for Natural Heritage
A practical appreciation of the workings of the Rural Development Plan and its effects on natural heritage values. Focuses on pastoral farming systems, and the contribution these systems make to the maintenance of the natural heritage interest of the Irish countryside.
Download Review of Ireland’s CAP Rural Development Plan [PDF 1.2MB]
The Impact of Agriculture Schemes and Payments on Aspects of Ireland’s Heritage
Examines the impact of agriculture schemes and payments on aspects of Ireland's heritage, with the emphasis on the natural environment.
An Assessment of Farming Prescriptions under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme in the Uplands of the Burren Karstic Region, Co. Clare
An examination of farming prescriptions under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) in the Burren karstic region, with a focus on grassland management in the upland areas which are designated almost in their entirety as both proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHA) and as proposed Candidate Special Areas of Conservation (pCSAC) under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997.
Towards a National Framework for the Management of Biological Data
An assessment of the need for a biological records centre in Ireland, proposing the most appropriate framework for making biological data available to policy and decision-makers.
HERITAGE IN YOUR AREA
Select your county from the drop-down list below for more information about heritage projects in your area.
WILDLIFE NEWS
New Biodiversity Video
An initiative of the Heritage Council, the National Biodiversity Data Centre has been documenting Ireland's wildlife since 2007 and has just published an informative video with lots of interesting facts and figures on Ireland's...
Mapping biodiversity in your local area
Irish pollen site database
Ireland’s top wildlife experts celebrated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre
WILDLIFE EVENTS
Tree Walk to Celebrate National Tree Week
Author and forestry expert Michael Carey will give a walking tour of the trees in Powerscourt Gardens, Co. Wicklow.