The Project Background
THE BIODIVERSITY MEADOW PROJECT
In early 2023, entirely by chance, I met Brian Kingham, the owner of Baltyboys House in Blessington, and we bonded over our shared interest in nature and the environment. Brian offered me the use of the country estate to further my survey research into bees, wasps, and other invertebrates. I regularly visited the estate throughout the rest of the spring, summer and autumn. I logged some remarkable specimen finds, including Andrena praecox (Small Sallow Mining Bee) and Meloe proscarabaeus (Black Oil Beetle).
Andrena praecox has only seventy verified records in the country over the past 150 years.
Meloe proscarabaeus has only eight verified records in the country in the same period.
I have since logged dozens and dozens more species of hoverflies, bees, wasps, beetles, craneflies, butterflies, moths, and harvestmen, to name a few. It is clear that this area has immense potential from a biodiversity point of view.
In Autumn 2023, I first raised the possibility of the Biodiversity Meadow Project with Brian to gauge his interest. Having now worked out the finer details of placement, fencing and access, I am over the moon to be given the opportunity to run this project for no other reason than we both understand the essential part that insects and other invertebrates play in our lives and, more importantly, want to share and promote this with others and to delight, educate and enthuse a new cohort of Irish and International 'Bug Ambassadors'.
Brian has offered me the use of over an acre of land to tend, manage, document and survey. It is my intention, over the next three or more years, to turn this previously sheep-grazed area, which sits adjacent to an existing pond fed by a natural spring, into a vibrant native wildflower meadow full of invertebrate-friendly microhabitats.
GOALS
There are so many reasons that I want to undertake this project, but it's probably good to list some here to see which might resonate with you, especially if you are considering becoming a donor:
A reference project, which others can use to highlight the level of biodiversity that can be supported using small amounts of land.
To encourage the flourishing of insect and invertebrate life, with a view to positively affecting other fauna in turn (e.g., birds and mammals).
To document the scale of biodiversity both on the site and in the neighbouring area.
To use these records to educate about the fauna and flora in question by producing a species list of the site that can be enhanced with supporting information (e.g., ecology, identification tips).
To work with interested parties to make the project the absolute best to support the other project goals.
To produce educational collateral through field guides, posters, identification keys, photographs and video resources where suitable.
Ba mhaith liom roinnt de na físeáin, treoracha agus cáipéisí eile a chruthú ní amháin as Béarla ach as Gaeilge freisin.
To produce a website and multi-platform social media presence supporting the ongoing activities.
ACTIVITIES
Below is a list of some of the activities that have been, or will be carried out on-site to improve the invertebrate biodiversity:
Sowing of locally-sourced Yellow Rattle to decrease the grass growth; this allows native wildflowers to break through.
Scraping of earth banks to provide Mining Bee, Furrow Bee, and Digger Wasp nesting habitats.
Local wildflower seed collection and sowing.
Construction and placing nesting boxes for cavity-nesting bees and wasps using local reeds, bramble stems, bamboo, and drilled, upright branches or logs from fallen wood on the estate.
Introduction of one or more Hoverfly Lagoons.
Construction of Bumblebee 'Observation Nesting Boxes' to encourage Bumblebee nesting.
Placement of dead wood both in and out of water to encourage saproxylic invertebrates, those which rely on dead or rotting wood for some part of their lifecycle.
Fast-growing plant management (Thistle, Dock, Hogweed, Ragwort, etc.)
Luckily, I don't have to carry out all this work alone. I have already worked with ReWild Wicklow and they will continue to provide volunteers to help with some of the larger tasks. I also have a list of local individuals I can call upon who have offered their time should I need it.
I am so very happy to be able to take on this project and drive it forward with the help of so many like-minded people. I cannot wait to share the results.
Brian
November 2023
