WEEK’S WORK
Monday, Adrian and Tommy started their day by removing the remainder of the bind weed from Flynn’s Road.
They also cut back some overhanging branches and briars beside the footpath on Innishmore Lawn. Four one-ton bags of cuttings and briars were removed. Meanwhile Sunday removed the suckers from two trees at Wyndham Downs.
On Tuesday, the lads – Adrian, Tommy, Sunday, Jimmy and Aidan O’Driscoll edged and cleared grass from the footpath and cycle-path on Old Fort Road. In addition, briars, weeds and long grass were removed from the builder’s boundary fence on Community Drive.
Adrian and Tom started their work cutting a small patch of grass on Old Fort Road then they cut the strip of grass on the Link Road in front of the Cloisters. Afterwards they cut back briars near the Old Fire Station. Finally, they cut the grass at the base of the fruit trees in Cleburne Mews.
10 plastic bags of weeds and grass along with 2.5 one-ton bags of briars, weeds and long grass were collected.
After clearing the weeds last week from outside a vacant house in Coolroe and replacing the weed barrier, this week in order to freshen it up the lads put some new stones down. Hopefully this will keep the weeds at bay.
TUESDAY WORKNIGHT
On Tuesday we had 10 Volunteers out for the work night. We concentrated on the Eastgate and the removal of weeds. Two of the group were dead heading the Planters at Eastgate and then they cleaned the cycle lane.
ONGOING WORK
Early on Sunday morning Denis was busy clearing the weeds from around the traffic island at Limeworth. This is the third time so far this year the weeds have been removed from here. Doing this is certainly better than using herbicides to kill off the weeds.
Denis removed Graffiti close to the allotment.
Denis continues to wash the various signs around Ballincollig. The work is ongoing with great results.
WATERING
The reservoirs of the thirty-one Eastgate Planters were filled with 700 litres of water and feed early Sunday morning by one of our Volunteers. It is still that this watering is done despite all the rain as the vast majority merely bounces off the leaves not getting down to the roots.
On Monday the Waterboys were out in the rain filling the reservoirs in all the Window Boxes, the Wooden Planters, the Planters on the Poles, the Tiered Towers and the Parklet. It took them 2 hours and 700 litres of water were used.
LITTER PICK
Twenty-three Volunteers were out for the weekly litter pick on Sunday morning. Two more Volunteers, Jarlath and Tony, cleaned the kerbs around the traffic islands at Muskerry Estate filling 3 bags of weeds and silt.
Pat collected 13 bags of Litter, 1 bag of Glass and 1 bag of Cans which included the bags gathered from our Volunteers’ daily litter picks.
Afterwards we found our way to The Plaza for a cuppa, treats and chat.
BIRTHDAY GIRL
On Sunday, Jacqueline Cullinane, celebrated her 89th birthday. BTT Volunteers and staff from The Plaza sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to this remarkable lady.
Jacqueline is a very active member of our Tidy Towns group she even has her own area where she regularly litter picks. Her invaluable gardening knowledge is regularly called upon particularly regarding the large flower bed at Westcliffe.
Wherever there is work to be done Jacqueline will be there with her gentle nature and willing smile. Everyone in Ballincollig Tidy Towns is so proud to work beside this lovely lady.
RESTORING MYROSS WOODS
Monthly work party with local Volunteers restoring Myross Woods. Tea/Coffee/Cake provided. All welcome.
Come to Myross Woods! Be part of a dedicated group of local volunteers working tirelessly to restore the beauty of Myross Woods.
The mission is to preserve and protect this precious woodland, and your help is needed to do so.! Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to the cause, everyone will be welcomed with open arms. Together, a real difference in the preservation of this natural gem can be made.
Spread the word, bring your friends, and help create a thriving community dedicated to preserving Myross Woods for generations to come.
See you there!
https://cecas.ie/…/volunteer-with-friends-of-myross-wood/
KILCROHANE CARNIVAL
A few changes have been made to the Kilcrohane Carnival programme. The karaoke is now on Tuesday 18th at Eileen’s Bar. This change is to accommodate the Fit-Up Theatre’s performance of ‘King’ by Pat Kinevane in the hall on Wednesday 19th at 8:00 pm. No changes to the table quiz at the Bay View on Thursday 20th at 9:00 pm.
ADOPT A ROCKPOOL
Find your favorite rockpool and record what is in it 4 times per year. Identify changes in marine species in your rockpool by season and over time. Monitor changes in the occurrence of marine species linked to season, climate change and water quality.
Anyone who has an interest in monitoring their local shore, improving their marine species identification skills and contributing to the knowledge of Ireland’s coastal biodiversity.
Survey your rockpool once in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Take photos of as many different marine plants or animals from your favourite Rockpool and submit them by clicking HERE. Photos of species you can’t identify can be submitted. Select the ‘species unidentified’ box when you submit your photo and the identifying will be done for you! Don’t forget to check under rocks, beneath seaweed and in cracks and crevices for marine species.
Please include a photo of your rockpool each time – showing the whole of your rockpool from above – so they can see how great it is! The ideal time to do an Adopt-a-Rockpool survey is once your rockpool is exposed by the falling tide but aim to be leaving the shore before the tide turns.
Multiple species from the same location can be submitted using our submission form. Revisit the same shore again and again, and at different times of year, to see if additional species can be added to the list.
Photo hints: – Get as close as you can. Make sure your photo is in focus and well lit. Take a photo of enough of the animal or plant to enable us identify it. Make sure it is clean of debris and sand.
Purchase the marine species swatches from the online shop, use one of the suggested seashore identifications guides on the resources page, keep an eye on events and workshops pages for a training course near you, or complete the FREE online marine citizen science course.
Benefits: – Learn how to recognise and record Irish coastal and intertidal species.
Join a growing team of Citizen Science recorders helping to monitor Ireland’s coastal biodiversity. Use the Facebook Page to seek help with identifications and keep in touch with Explore Your Shore! Contribute to the knowledge of Ireland’s marine biodiversity.
What Happens to Your Records? All records submitted are checked by an expert to see that the species has been correctly identified and that the position information is correct. Then it is uploaded to the Explore Your Shore! Data Set on Biodiversity Maps as Open Access data which anyone can download.
Validated records are also shared on the European Ocean Biodiversity Information System and on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Data contributed to Explore Your Shore! also forms part of UNESCO monitoring of Essential Ocean Variables.
Data Access: Access project data at https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Dataset/305
All Explore Your Shore! data is contributed thanks to the time and effort of the network of volunteer Citizen Scientists.
Safety on the Shore – Before doing an Adopt-a-Rockpool survey check the weather forecast and the tides. Be aware of the dangers of an incoming tide and becoming trapped or cut off by the tide. Aim to start your survey 1 – 2 hours before low water and be off the shore before the tide changes. Tell somebody where you are going and what time you expect to be back. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for the ground you will be walking. Stay clear of the base of cliffs or steep dunes as there is a danger of falling rocks or being buried by sand or cliff material. Bring a fully charged mobile phone with you in case you need to call for help. If you do need to call for help, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
https://exploreyourshore.ie/adopt-a-rockpool/
IRELAND’S LADYBIRDS – Identifying and recording
Saturday 26 August 2023 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
National Biodiversity Data Centre, WIT West Campus, Carriganore, Co. Waterford, EIRE, Ireland.
This workshop provides an introduction to Ireland’s ladybirds. During this workshop we will look at Ireland’s ladybird species, their identification and ecology along with our Ladybird Atlas 2025 project. This will be followed by an outdoor session to search for ladybird species and identify them in the field. This workshop is aimed at beginners and those wishing to refresh their identification skills.
SOLAR ENERGY on the island of Ireland
Both governments across the island of Ireland have committed to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It is expected that these targets will be achieved mainly through renewable energy expansion. Consequently, over the coming years renewable energy developments are predicted to increase rapidly in Ireland, in particular on solar energy. The amount of land, and land-use change that will be required to achieve these goals will have significant environmental impacts,
Environmental impacts of solar farms – Solar energy expansion is important for climate mitigation, but it can have consequences for biodiversity. Solar farms require huge areas of land which, during development, can undergo significant habitat destruction, degradation, fragmentation, and biodiversity loss. In recent years, the UK and Irish governments have become the first in the world to declare a climate and biodiversity crisis. It is important to remember that this is a dual crisis and ensure there is a balance between climate and biodiversity mitigation measures. The natural habitats are declining at an alarming rate. When choosing locations for solar farms, areas of high biodiversity value must be avoided, and the ecology and potential management of the land to protect what is already there must be assessed. In doing so, further losses can be avoided and the land for energy production and biodiversity conservation can be optimised. Studies suggest if solar farms are managed strategically, particularly on land that was previously managed intensively for agriculture, they can have positive impacts on local biodiversity. Furthermore, research has shown that managing vegetation on solar farms less intensively does not hinder the efficiency of energy production and can even increase local biodiversity.
https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AIPP-Solar-Farms-2023-WEB.pdf
