132 species identified in Mountmellick biodiversity survey

‘BIODIVERSITY is the wide variety of all living things on Earth, including every plant, animal, fungus and micro-organism’ ‒ Greenpeace.

This is certainly true in Mountmellick, where a site that some people may simply see as an overgrown field is proving to be an important haven for wildlife. Known locally as Smithsfield, an ecological survey was carried out there this summer in an area also covering Cullenbeg and Kirwan Parks. The resulting Community Biodiversity Action Plan, developed by ecologist Dr Catherine O'Connell, in collaboration with Mountmellick Women's Shed and Mountmellick Tidy Towns, was launched in Mountmellick library on Tuesday 29 September.

Mountmellick Women’s Shed chairperson Anne outlined the findings of the survey to those attending.

More than 132 species, including plants, birds and other wildlife, were identified during the survey. Anne also highlighted a particularly memorable moment during the fieldwork.

“While surveying the site with Catherine, we observed the mass emergence of the Six-spot Burnet Moths. These moths favour meadow-type grassland,” Anne explained.

The adult Burnet Moths rely heavily on purple grassland flowers, including common knapweed, greater knapweed and thistles, for energy. All of these plants are present in the grasslands at Smithsfield.

Lisa Doyle, biodiversity officer with Laois Co Council, spoke about the importance of biodiversity in this special area of conservation along the Owenass river and congratulated everyone involved for their support and interest in protecting and promoting biodiversity in Mountmellick. Lisa also pointed out that the survey had only been undertaken during daylight hours and that a night-time survey would likely record many additional species living in the area. Plans are now underway for the next phase of the project, which will see native trees planted and educational information signs erected to help raise awareness of the wildlife, flora and fauna found throughout the area.

Alongside townspeople, present at the launch were Bill Dempsey and Anne Lennon of Laois Co Council, Fran Baker of the Mountmellick Town Team, Cllr Paddy Bracken, Tom Christle of Mountmellick United FC, Valerie Ryan of Mountmellick CE Scheme and Karen Bambrick of Connect Laois.

During the question-and-answer session that followed the presentations, Mountmellick United FC chairperson Tom Christle stated that the club fully supports the work being carried out by the groups involved in the biodiversity plan. He outlined the club's plans for its facilities and explained that the proposed location of the astroturf pitch has now been changed, with it set to be located on club grounds at Conor Davis Park.

Tom explained that Conor Davis Park is the club's main home ground, but Smithsfield remains an essential facility, particularly during the coming winter months because of its floodlights. Twenty-two teams from the club access the Smithsfield facility over the winter as Conor Davis Park does not have floodlighting.

For anyone who was unable to attend and would like to learn more about the Mountmellick Community Biodiversity Action Plan and its plans for the future, copies are available to view at Mountmellick library.

The project has been made possible through funding from Community Foundation Ireland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.