Green Limerick: Biodiversity as seen through binoculars

Members of BirdWatch Ireland's Limerick branch on one of their monthly outings and (below) a Black Guillemot which can be found in coastal areas

placeholder image — Members of BirdWatch Ireland's Limerick branch on one of their monthly outings and (below) a Black Guillemot which can be found in coastal areas

FROM the Wagtails along the River Shannon and the Guillemot around Loop Head, to the monitoring of our migratory species, the Limerick branch of BirdWatch Ireland have seen it all.

The branch is a voluntary group that has been established for many years. They organise monthly outings that are generally open to the public that look into the different habitats in Limerick city and county and the different bird species in those areas.

The next outing for the BirdWatch Ireland Limerick branch sees the group teaming up with the Clare branch for a trip to Loop Head in County Clare where they hope to find some native birds along the Atlantic coast such as the Nesting Shag, Herring Gull, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and Chough.

“We often link in with the Clare branch due to our close proximity and because they would have a sea coastline. It’s good for our people to mix with that kind of a habitat,” a spokesperson for the Limerick branch mentioned.

BirdWatch Ireland is the largest independent conservation organisation in Ireland.

The primary objective of BirdWatch Ireland is the protection of wild birds and their habitats in Ireland.

Most of the work carried out by BirdWatch Ireland involves the carrying out of extensive scientific research and survey work into Ireland’s birds, operating applied conservation projects and managing a network of reserves nationwide and promoting the importance of wild birds and biodiversity through field education, dedicated media and the national media.

Last week marked Ireland’s National Biodiversity Week and some of the biodiversity work that the Limerick branch of BirdWatch Ireland undertake is the constant monitoring of migratory species in Limerick.

A spokesperson for the Limerick branch said they are currently involved in the Swift Project.

“It’s an ongoing project, we have nests around the city. We have people keeping an eye on them. It’s to check on the numbers of migrant species coming in,” the spokesperson said.

Most of the Limerick branch outings are open to the public and people may arrive along to the events if they wish.

“Good footwear and good warm clothing would be needed on most of the outings,” the spokesperson added.

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