DUBLIN BIRD RACE
It was 7:45 am on a cold, wet Saturday morning in mid-January. The meeting point, a train station car park in South County Dublin, was dimly lit by streetlights. Sunrise was still a while away. A group of darkly clad characters congregated in small groups, murmuring friendly greetings to new arrivals.
The Dublin Bird Race has been running annually since 1990 and is hosted by the Tolka Branch of Birdwatch Ireland. The goal is simple: the team that spots the most bird species in County Dublin before the time cutoff wins.
Our team, Team Oystercatcher, was enthusiastic about birdwatching as an activity, but perhaps lacked some vital experience actually birdwatching. It was going to be an interesting day.
At 8am sharp, the other teams moved with military precision in all directions. We were located by Booterstown Marsh, a salt marsh managed by An Taisce volunteers and the only Bird Sanctuary in South Dublin Bay.
Within 30 minutes, we spiritedly surveyed both the coastal strand and marsh. We spotted Light-Bellied Brent Geese, Oystercatchers, Black-Headed Gulls, Hooded Crows and Curlews on the shore. Turning our attention to the marsh, there were Grey Herons, Common Teals, Black-Tailed Godwits, Greenshanks, and Redshanks.
With over 20 bird species ticked off our list, we jumped into the car and were off to the next location. Our journey took us from south to north; eyes peeled and binoculars at the ready.
COASTAL WETLANDS AND BIODIVERSITY
It was during this wetland wandering along Dublin's coast that my affinity for our coastal wetlands was once again reaffirmed. Estimates show that 64% of the world's wetlands have disappeared since 1900 due to human influence. In Ireland, our saltmarsh habitats have an overall habitat health listed as "bad".
There is, however, always hope. We can support our wetlands. Just this month, RTÉ spotlighted two groups of volunteers working tirelessly to protect their local saltmarshes. The determination to effect change demonstrated by these community groups is an inspiration to us all.
WORLD WETLANDS DAY
It's World Wetlands Day on the 2nd February — a time to celebrate and visit your local wetland. They are special spots. While you are there, maybe have a think about what we can do to protect them. Every bit helps.
In the end, our team spotted 43 species. Did we also come last? Yes (the top team spotted a whopping 104 species), but that is beside the point. Our first-ever Bird Race was a huge success.
Article by: Liane Costello, Clean Coasts Biodiversity Officer.