Community Biodiversity Action Plan

This action can be undertaken from this year as initially all that is involved is to delay hay mowing operations until as late in the season as possible. In subsequent years, sourcing local provenance seed and sowing will further enhance the botanical diversity. The introduction of Yellow Rattle and other semi-parasitic plants should be considered without delay, perhaps as early as Autumn 2024. Supplementing with additional native wildflower seed can be carried out in subsequent years. A target of a minimum of 10% of all green spaces to transitioned to permanent meadows should be scheduled to be achieved over a 5 year period.

Planting can commence from winter 2024-2025. A schedule should be developed which will set out the areas to be targeted for planting each year for the next 5 years with a defined end goal of planting a minimum of 10% of all green spaces.

Of particular use in Johntown is the number of large public building that could be utilised for the erection of swift boxes and House Martin artificial nest cups. These could include any two-story building for House Martins and 3 storey buildings or greater for Swift boxes. Details of requirement can be found in Appendix I.

The extent of and range of invasive species and the difficulty with eradicating many of them, would probably render most of the application needed to deal with these beyond the capabilities of well-meaning community groups. This is particularly the case with Japanese knotweed or Winter heliotrope which require herbicide treatment. There are however some that could be tackled. These include Himalayan Balsam, Snowberry and Few flowered Garlic. This is best achieved by organising specific community event where people can be provided with the tools required and the know-how from a qualified ecologist on site with knowledge of dealing with the eradication of a range of invasives. This will likely be an ongoing project and will require repeat checking to ensuring regeneration is not occurring. Consult all of the following before taking any actions: 

• www.invasives.ie/ 

• www.fisheriesireland.ie/invasivespecies 

• www.caisie.ie 

Over time habitats change and the species that exist in them will change too. To be able to track the positive or potentially negative changes, it is important to carry out repeat surveys. Botanic surveys are the most important as they are often indicative of the overall health of a habitat. However, consideration should also be given to conducting periodic bird, bat and invertebrate surveys. Surveys should be carried out at a minimum of once every 5 years for each species type. This could be achieved in rotation rather than all having to be carried out in a single year.

This action is important for the education of the community on the ecological actions that are taking place, on the biodiversity that the Johnstown can support, and on why it is important. Where each new action is undertaken, it is important to highlight with signage. E.g., creation of each new wildflower meadow or pocket woodlands, etc. Information signage on the range of plants, birds and insects that have been recorded is also valuable. This will be an ongoing action. Template can be downloaded from https://pollinators.ie/resources/ . Persistent replacement of damaged or vandalised signage is essential to promote a full and permanent understanding of biodiversity and its importance.

Although there is likely good roosting habitat available for bats in the mature and over-mature trees in Athlumney Wood, it would be beneficial to have artificial roost boxes also. Should any of the existing mature or over-mature trees collapse, it would be advantageous to affix boxes to healthy trees to provide alternative roost sites. These should be positioned in trees along the woodland edges, a minimum of 4m high and facing outward. Mature trees present in the IDA Business Park and on the buildings themselves, could also be selected as bat box locations with similar siting criteria. Resources on bat boxes can be found in Appendix II.