Welcome to the first
Dublin Bay Biosphere Ezine
We're very proud of our Internationally important, UNESCO designated Dublin Bay Biosphere and we're looking forward to sharing details of our wonderful Biosphere with you.
Throughout the Ezine we'll be highlighting the work being undertaken to safeguard its future and showcasing the many wonderful activities and opportunities on offer.
Hollywood A-Lister Matt Damon, who's currently in lock-down in Dalkey, referred to Dublin as a 'fairy tale.' We're inclined to agree!
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Brent Geese Research
Fingal County Council, commissioned University of Exeter Student, Tess Handby, to conduct a survey of Brent Geese in the Dublin Bay Biosphere. Additional funding was provided by Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to help ensure the research achieved its primary goals.
Embedded in the image below is a link bringing you to a video which highlights the reasons for conducting research and the methods used to study Brent Geese.
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Brent Geese Research Video
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Protecting Our Pollinators
Council's can play a leading role in making the island of Ireland a place where pollinators can survive and thrive. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are a leading example with their 'Do Not Cut or Spray Nature Wildlife Areas.
This project aims to manage roadside verges and green spaces in a way that allows us to maintain safe and accessible roadsides but also support pollinators. DLR aim to alter mowing regimes and reduce pesticide use. These areas can be used to create and enhance the ecological networks and wildlife corridors across the county by increasing connectivity and biodiversity. Watch out for the DLR signs on road verges and in DLR parks.
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Otters of Dublin
Dublin City Council, commissioned a baseline otter survey in 2018 and 2019 to identify the presence of otters in the Dublin City Boundaries. The research covered 83.8km of streams and 44.7km of coast. The survey sought to identify the presence of otters by looking for key markers such as the presence of holts, spraints, couches and prints.
Unsurprisingly the report found that less developed areas saw increased otter activity.
This report identifies the most important areas for otters based on known lower areas of disturbance, characterised by better quality semi-natural river channel with good riparian cover and lower levels of encroachment and or associated disturbance.
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When is a Curlew not a Curlew?
Whimbrels May be the bird you’re seeing!
BirdWatch Ireland is an important supporter of the Dublin Bay Biosphere, providing essential expertise to our Conservation Steering Group. The article below is reproduced here with their kind permission.
The Irish spring is characterised by some birds leaving for their breeding grounds, having spent six months wintering here, and other birds arriving here to breed, having spent the preceding months in southern Europe, Africa and beyond. We also have some species – termed ‘passage migrants’ that both arrive into Ireland in the spring and then leave very soon after!
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For the last few weeks, we at BirdWatch Ireland have received numerous reports of flocks of birds resembling Curlew in their appearance, their sound and their behaviour from right across the country. At this time of year though, our breeding Curlew all paired-up on their breeding territories and so you won’t find a flock of them together (unless they’re non-breeders e.g. birds too young to breed yet). So what looks like a Curlew, sounds like a Curlew, acts like a Curlew but isn’t a Curlew?
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Dogs and Wildlife an Emotive Subject
This week Dublin City Council, a partner of the Dublin Bay Biosphere proposed the North Bull Island Nature Reserve Action Plan, 2020-2025. The plan details 20 aims, many of which focus on the conservation of its sensitive wildlife areas and the species contained therein.
One of the recommendations focuses on the disturbance caused by dogs off leash and a quick look at social and traditional media will tell you that for some this is a contentious issue.
Dog owners, by their nature are for the most part, animal lovers and many take the opportunity to exercise their dogs on North Bull Island. Unfortunately this activity can cause significant impacts on the internationally important wildlife that use our biosphere.
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The plan recommends restricting access to dogs in the most sensitive wildlife areas of North Bull Island. Dog walkers are also asked to keep their dogs on leash in other areas where there is likely to be an impact on wildlife. It does not suggest a ban on dog walking. In fact under the new plan, dog walkers are free to walk their dogs outside of the most sensitive zones and can even allow their dogs off-leash on parts of the island (outside of the bathing season, defined as June 1st - September 15th).
The draft plan will be presented to Councillors in the next couple of months for review. If passed, dogs and their owners will continue to have the opportunity to visit North Bull Island and enjoy the beauty our Biosphere has to offer, but they will do so knowing that their responsible actions are contributing towards the protection of our biosphere and the wonderful array of wildlife which is reliant upon it.
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What is a UNESCO Designated Biosphere?
Biospheres are places where nature and culture connect. They are internationally recognised for their biological diversity yet also actively managed to promote a balanced relationship between people and nature. A biosphere is a special designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) but managed in partnership by communities, NGOs and local and national governments. The biosphere designation brings no new regulations; its aims are achieved by people working together.
To learn more about the Dublin Bay biosphere please click on the link below.
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Irish Whale and Dolphin Seal Survey
Bull island provides an important haul-out site for grey and harbour seals. Such sites are used during breeding, moulting, resting between foraging trips in the open sea, and to engage in social activity. The waters surrounding haul-out sites are a critical habitat for feeding and/or for navigation to more offshore foraging areas. Seals often haul-out on man-made structures and tolerate considerable human activity, which may lead to chronic exposure to man-made noise. In areas with repeated exposure, mammals may become habituated with a decline in avoidance responses and thus become less sensitive to noise and disturbance.
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City Kayaking Experience
In the first ever edition of the Dublin Bay Biosphere Ezine we've partnered with City Kayaking to offer 5 lucky readers the chance to enjoy a Kayaking experience. The testimonies on Trip Advisor speak for themselves, hopefully you'll get the chance to add your own. Oh and if you are one of the lucky winners please tell us about your adventure for our next Ezine.
The river Liffey (River of Life) flows calmly through the heart of Dublin City and into the stunning Dublin bay. It has been used throughout the centuries for the transportation of goods and there is no better way to see and understand the Irish capital than paddling its gentle waters.
City Kayaking run their river trips from Dublin City Moorings, located beside the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship, through the beating heart of the capital. Offering a fantastic way to see Dublin’s most famous bridges and landmark sites from a unique angle as well as get up close to some of the diverse wildlife we see on the river.
Our competent team has over 40 years of experience in delivering water-based activities to the highest safety standards and pride ourselves on delivering accessible, unique experiences in incredible locations.
Next month we're offering another wonderful prize to you our wonderful supporters. So please tell your friends to sign up to our Ezine.
Should you wish to contact us please email info@dublinbaybiosphere.ie
Thanks for reading!
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