Habitat Maintenance: Marlinstown Section 2

Townland: Marlinstown
Location: west of Baltrasna Bridge on the high bank path north of the canal from where the path drops down to open ground as far as the ruined house
Species: Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Wood White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood

Tasks:

1. Cut back and trample bracken, brambles and dog rose.
2. Prune elder trees severely to encourage rejuvenation (flowering and fruiting).
3. Cut hedgerow along the path. The County Council will do this.

Details:
Clear path of bracken, brambles and dog rose with shears or sickle.
Prune branches from elder trees on either side of path.


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

Habitat Maintenance: Marlinstown Section 1

Townland: Marlinstown
Location: west of Baltrasna Bridge on the high bank north of the canal from the car park to where the path drops down to open ground
Species: Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Wood White, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Orange-tip, Ringlet, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood

Tasks:
1. Open up the south side of path to let in sunshine that will allow flowers to grow. We can do this.
2. Bring path back to treeline on the north side of the path by cutting brambles and thorns. We can do this.
3. Cut hedgerow along the path. The County Council will do this.


Details:
Clear bramble, ivy and small trees from around the Guelder Rose plants along the path. Clear competing tree growth from Guelder Rose plants on the bank between the path and the canal.
Cut branches on the south side of the path to let light in to the areas of light woodland along the path.
Cut down young ash and willow on the south side of path to improve grass habitat for small butterflies along the path.

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

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.