Kilcullen Climate Action study reveals wide-ranging biodiversity

At the launch of the biodiversity plan were Julie O'Donoghue, Mark Reid, Cliona Kelliher and ecologist Nuala Madigan.

The level of biodiversity in Kilcullen is not reflected in the local species which are registered with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, writes Brian Byrne. This was one conclusion of a survey that preceded the production of a Study and Community Biodiversity Plan, launched on Tuesday night in Kilcullen Town Hall.

The Study was commissioned by Kilcullen Community for Climate Action, and centred around four defined areas — a wild area behind Avondale and a green space behind Kilcullen Mart, the Valley riverside walk, and Pinkeen Stream.

Funded by Community Foundation Ireland, the Study was carried out by ecologist Nuala Madigan. A desktop research was carried out on each of the selected areas, and draft habitat maps drawn up with the aid of satellite imagery. A review to establish any sites of cultural importance or areas of special conservation within the sites was also undertaken. Field work included investigating what species were present at each location during site visits carried out in 2022. The survey found, among some 120 identified, species of butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies, birds, flowering plants, ferns and trees. Details of all species found were submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, to improve their records for the Kilcullen area.

In the document launched this week as the Kilcullen Community for Climate Action Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2033, 13 of the species recorded were 'introduced' as opposed to native, and one was classed as 'migratory'. "The species list presented in this plan should be considered as a representative sample of the diversity of wildlife in the area and not considered a complete list," the ecologist noted. "Weather, time of year and even the time of the day the survey was undertaken can all have an impact of the variety of biodiversity recorded. It does however provide an increased sample of biodiversity within the area that will improve the online presence of diversity of species on the National Biodiversity Data Centre website."

Recommendations are made in the plan for each habitat area surveyed, where the community can take action to maintain and enhance biodiversity within Kilcullen, but the report cautions that any work undertaken should have no impact on existing biodiversity. "Sometimes we don’t need to do anything for biodiversity, simply enjoy the sounds and colours they share with us," the author notes.

Kilcullen Community for Climate Action say they are very pleased with the study and plan. "It is absolutely brilliant," says Mark Reid. "A huge amount of work has been done. What struck me is that there's a large amount of information that hasn't been captured about biodiversity in Kilcullen. We should be doing a lot more on that."

Ecologist Nuala Madigan, who gave a talk at the launch, said that while there is much bad news about biodiversity loss, 'a lot can be done'. "Looking after our biodiversity is all about the community taking ownership of it, getting all the community organisations to take part. It's a matter of getting invested in it." She added that the interest in biodiversity from young people offers great hopes for the future. "I was in Scoil Bhride last year talking to the pupils, and they are very much engaged in it."

Kilcullen Community for Climate Action have placed all the documentation related to the project on a public Google Drive space for anyone to access. "The overarching feeling I came away with from Nuala's presentation was that education and awareness is key," says the group's Cliona Kelliher, "which is what our group is trying to do." 

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