Habitat Maintenance: Baltrasna Section 7

Townland: Baltrasna
Location: east of Baltrasna Bridge from the the first bug hotel to the small bridge at Clongawny
Species: Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Orange-tip, Ringlet

Tasks:
1. Clear canal bank of tree growth. This will be done by Waterways Ireland.
2. Clear grassland of tree growth and shrubs. Willow is particularly fast growing and blocks out light for flowers. We can do this.

 


 Details:
Cut bramble, ivy, willow and ash growing between the canal and the stream. Be aware that there are young trees that we have planted in recent years (if in doubt, don't cut). Please also look out for bird boxes that we have placed in trees along the path.

Equipment: Long-handled shears, pruning saw, work gloves, goggles

Habitat Maintenance: Baltrasna Section 6

Townland: Baltrasna
Location: east of Baltrasna Bridge from the bridge to the end of the line of trees immediately before the first bug hotel.
Species: Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Orange-tip, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood

Tasks:
1. Clear canal bank of tree growth. This will be done by Waterways Ireland.
2. Clear woodside bank of tree growth, shrubs and bracken. We can do this.

 

Details:
Cut bramble, dog rose, ivy and any small trees growing between the path and the wood verge.
Snap back bracken stems; trample areas of bracken.

Equipment: Long-handled shears, pruning saw, work gloves

Habitat Maintenance: Baltrasna Section 5

Townland: Baltrasna
Location: west of Baltrasna Bridge from the point at the bend where the bridge is no longer visible to the point opposite the audible spring that flows into the canal on the other side

Species: Common Blue, Green-veined White Small White, Large White, Wood White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell

Tasks:
1. Clear canal bank of tree growth. This will be done by Waterways Ireland.
2. Clear woodside bank of tree growth, shrubs and bracken. We can do this.
3. Clear sloped path that leads from the towpath towards the railway line.

Details:
Cut bramble, dog rose, ivy and any small trees growing between the path and the wood verge.
Snap back bracken stems; trample areas of bracken.

Equipment:
Long-handled shears, pruning saw, work gloves

Habitat Maintenance: Baltrasna Section 4

Townland: Baltrasna
Location: west of Baltrasna Bridge to the point at the bend where the bridge is no longer visible

Species: Green-veined White Small White, Large White, Wood White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell

Tasks:
1. Clear canal bank of tree growth. This will be done by Waterways Ireland.
2. Clear woodside bank of tree growth, shrubs and bracken. We can do this.

Details:
Cut bramble, dog rose, ivy and any small trees growing  between the path and the wood verge.
Snap back bracken stems; trample areas of bracken.

Equipment:
Long-handled shears, pruning saw, work gloves

Habitat Maintenance Calendar 2019-2020

Between November and May, we’ll be working each fortnight on a different section of the butterfly walks that we monitor weekly each summer. The objective is to make the habitat more suitable for butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Baltrasna 4                                      3 November-16 November

Baltrasna 5                                     17 November-30 November

Baltrasna 6                                      1 December-14 December

Baltrasna 7                                     14 December-28 December

Marlinstown 1                                29 December-11 January

Marlinstown 2                                12 January-25 January

Marlinstown 3                                26 January-8 February

Marlinstown 4                                 9 February-22 February

Boardstown 1                                 23 February-7 March

Boardstown 2                                  8 March-21 March

Boardstown 3                                  22 March-4 April              

Boardstown 4                                  5 April-25 April

Boardstown 5                                 26 April-9 May

For each section, we’ll give updates on the tasks involved and the progress made.

Tree Guide: Dogwood

Dogwood Cornus sanguinea

Deciduous

4 metres tall

Leaves to 6cm long; 
opposite; oval, smooth sides, curving veins

Flower clusters of four creamy white petals

Small black berries in autumn

Little Emerald

Jodis lactearia

Forewing length 11-13mm

Adults May-June

Overwinter as a pupa

Mottled Pug

Eupithecia exiguata exiguata

Forewing length 11-12mm

Adults May-June

Overwinter as a pupa

Fruitlet Mining Tortrix

Pammene rhediella

Forewing length 4-5½mm

Adults April-June

Overwinter as a larva