Heritage Week
Report – Bats and Biodiversity on the Monaghan Greenway.
Date16th August 2023 8pm
This year we applied for a Heritage Grant for a structural and ecological survey of the lock-keepers house on the Ulster Can Greenway. We organised a Heritage Week event "Bats and Biodiversity on the Greenway" for Heritage Week.
Report - We were fortunate with a warm dry evening and upon arrival of our bat expert Sean Meehan (Irish Wildlife Trust) and introductions made, we began with a look at biodiversity along the Ulster Canal Greenway from Old Cross Square heading northwards. Starting at 8pm meant that there was plenty of light to discover and discuss biodiversity along the route while we made our way to our destination of the old lock-keepers cottage and the nearby outdoor classroom.
First up was a 30 metre section of fence had been previously underplanted with wildflower some years ago and this had developed into a wide range of native plants although there was strong grass growth as well suggesting the need for some yellow rattle. It was suggested that the variety of seeds and berries would be fantastic for birds and that leaving the area uncut for as long as possible would be advised.
Entering the northern section of the Greenway, the subject turned to trees (there were a number of apple trees planted there some years previously by Monaghan Tidy Towns) and there were poppies in flower where the ground had been disturbed by works earlier in the year. The Shambles River, a tributary of the River Blackwater runs parallel to this section of the Greenway and the canal runs along the opposite side from the lockhouse to the Greenways end at Coolshannagh, both allowing for discussion of aquatic habitats and creatures.
By the time we reached the Lockhouse it was almost dark and Sean provided a number of bat detectors to the group. Very soon the local bats were out and about providing plenty of opportunity to both see them in flight across the night sky and hear them with the aid of the bat detectors. The new outdoor classroom provided a perfect viewing and listening platform.
Check out our posts of the event on our Facebook page (Monaghan Tidy Towns on Facebook)
Date16th August 2023 8pm
This year we applied for a Heritage Grant for a structural and ecological survey of the lock-keepers house on the Ulster Can Greenway. We organised a Heritage Week event "Bats and Biodiversity on the Greenway" for Heritage Week.
Report - We were fortunate with a warm dry evening and upon arrival of our bat expert Sean Meehan (Irish Wildlife Trust) and introductions made, we began with a look at biodiversity along the Ulster Canal Greenway from Old Cross Square heading northwards. Starting at 8pm meant that there was plenty of light to discover and discuss biodiversity along the route while we made our way to our destination of the old lock-keepers cottage and the nearby outdoor classroom.
First up was a 30 metre section of fence had been previously underplanted with wildflower some years ago and this had developed into a wide range of native plants although there was strong grass growth as well suggesting the need for some yellow rattle. It was suggested that the variety of seeds and berries would be fantastic for birds and that leaving the area uncut for as long as possible would be advised.
Entering the northern section of the Greenway, the subject turned to trees (there were a number of apple trees planted there some years previously by Monaghan Tidy Towns) and there were poppies in flower where the ground had been disturbed by works earlier in the year. The Shambles River, a tributary of the River Blackwater runs parallel to this section of the Greenway and the canal runs along the opposite side from the lockhouse to the Greenways end at Coolshannagh, both allowing for discussion of aquatic habitats and creatures.
By the time we reached the Lockhouse it was almost dark and Sean provided a number of bat detectors to the group. Very soon the local bats were out and about providing plenty of opportunity to both see them in flight across the night sky and hear them with the aid of the bat detectors. The new outdoor classroom provided a perfect viewing and listening platform.
Check out our posts of the event on our Facebook page (Monaghan Tidy Towns on Facebook)
