COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

This Committee requests that a Bat and Owl survey of Waterstown Park be conducted at the earliest. Also that Barn Owl Boxes be installed at suitable locations in the Park and that a wide ranging survey of wild life in the Park, the last one was very well supported in 2011.

REPORT:

The most appropriate time to carry out an Owl survey is during the breeding season which is around this time of the year.  It would not be possible to organise a survey at short notice due to the availability of qualified surveyors.  A survey will be organised for 2025 which will be extended to include an overall bird survey.   The installation of Owl boxes will only be considered after the survey if Owls are found to be present.

A swift survey was carried out in the park a number of years ago and on foot of this, Swift boxes were erected on the gable end of Watertown House.  Swifts are migratory birds and arrive in Ireland in May and stay until September.

The period for carrying out bat surveys is between April and September.  There is a limited pool of surveyors who carry out this work.  While every effort will be made to engage a surveyor in the current year, if this is not feasible it will be prioritised for 2025.