COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

QUESTION NO.2

QUESTION: Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh

To ask the manager to provide a report on previously agreed Item No. 76308 - 'Waterstown Park - Bird Nesting Meadow'. Indications from Nov 2022 LPNC ACM management response and discussion pointed toward a progression of this project in early 2023 (included in Budget 2022 appendix doc)?

REPLY:

The area identified under Item No 76308 directly in front of the slopes from the carpark was examined in conjunction with a representative from Birdwatch Ireland.  It was deemed that the location would have too much visual disturbance for ground nesting birds and was not considered a viable location.  This area will therefore continue to be maintained as a wildflower meadow and cut annually.  The 2023 cut of this area will take place during the week commencing 24th April.  A walkover survey was carried out on this site last week and there was no evidence of ground nesting birds or bird nests present.

Having regard to the above, it is proposed to leave an area directly north of the of the tree/shrubbery belt beside Riverview estate uncut in 2023 to evaluate if ground nesting birds establish there.  This area is perhaps more suitable as it is further away from the busy area of the car park and playground and has patches of uncut taller vegetation which would provide additional cover for any ground-nesting birds.