Small Moves, Big Impact
Ecology Trail
One of Sandymount’s most defining characteristics is its 2-kilometer-long frontage to the UNESCO biosphere. The Sandymount promenade is a public Greenbelt and amenity with the direction connection to the biosphere.
The Sandymount bay area is home to some diverse and unique habitats with rich ecology of flora and fauna. The intertidal mud flats are significant for bird species that reside there. The Irishtown Nature Reserve is an essential element within this ecosystem.
Having a biosphere directly on its doorstep is an invaluable asset to Dublin as the capital city but also to Sandymount as one of its coastal villages. Communicating the richness of this asset to residents and visitors would be hugely worthwhile exercise for both the biosphere but also for enhancing the atmosphere and richness of the village.
In addition to developing a trail that would take people on a journey around the bay, there could be an opportunity to include shelters for bird watching and looking out across the biosphere in all weather conditions.
Brent Geese (Source: rte.ie) From autumn through winter and into early spring large numbers of wildfowl and waders are found. These include Brent Goose, Shelduck, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel (in spring and autumn), and Redshank. In autumn small numbers of Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers sometimes occur around the Merrion Gates end while large flocks of gulls use Sandymount as a roosting site in winter. This is one of the best sites for seeing Mediterranean Gulls in winter. In late summer the strand is also a roosting site for terns. (Source: https://dublinbirding.ie/)