Biodiversity Survey of the Parish

Summary of the Findings

Dún Chaoin has a range of different Habitats with more than one habitat in the different townlands and this shows the great biodiversity which exists in the parish. 

We can say that there are Upland Habitats, Grassland Habitats, Freshwater Habitats and Coastal Habitats in Dún Chaoin and that plants, mammals, birds and invertebrates depend on the state of each one of these to live and flourish.  There are some special plants and animals in the parish such as Thyme Broomrape (Orobanche alba), the Badger (Meles meles), the Otter (Lutra lutra), the Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), the Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) and the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinis).

 There are threats to the biodiversity such as:

  • Lack of management of Invasive Alien Species
  • Climate Change and the Weather
  • Poor Land Management leading to Nutrient Loading and Pollution, Habitat Loss and Overexploitation

 There are recommendations in the Report:

  • Consultation with the community of the parish to give information about Biodiversity and to provide training in how to identify, protect and develop it.
  • To start projects to assist with gardening and tree planting
  • To make a management plan to deal with invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Gunnera (Gunnera tinctoria), Fuchsia (Fuschia magellanica) and Montbretia (Crocosmia crocosmiflora).

 We invite you to read the whole Report on https://dunchaoin.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/dunquinbiodiversityreport-1-1.pdf and to take part in the development and implementation of a Biodiversity Plan for the parish. We especially welcome input from young local people, as they, above all, will be dealing with the effects of Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss. 

A Biodiversity Walk will take place in Dún Chaoin at 11.00 p.m. on Saturday, 20 November starting from Krugers Cross.  It will be led by experts who will discuss and explain the Report.  Do come along.

List of Plants https://dunchaoin.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/plandai-iomlan-1.pdf