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ACTION

2025 UPDATE

1

Implement Masterplan for Rogerstown Inner Estuary and prepare & implement masterplan for Rogerstown Outer Estuary

Tree planting, Bat boxes installation and sowing of sacrificial crops in Turvey Nature Park completed

2

Continue to support Little Tern and Ringed Plover conservation project at tip of Portrane

Annual project undertaken by Fingal Branch Birdwatch volunteers and supported by FCC. 14 birds successfully fledged this year.

5

Prepare and implement masterplan for Malahide Estuary SAC & SPA, including Cave's Marsh

Masterplan not progressed due to lack of funding,

6

Develop artificial nesting platforms Malahide estuary

Research into design options ongoing

7

Restore Wintering bird roosting site at Cave’s Marsh in Malahide

Not progressed due to lack of funding

8

Organise clean-up of mudflats in Malahide Estuary once a year

Not progressed due to lack of funding

9

Maintain the verge along the Coast Road between Portmarnock & Malahide as a wildflower meadow

Completed in early September

10

Prepare and implement masterplan for Baldoyle bay SAC & SPA

Primary focus is on the development of the Racecourse Park

12

Develop and implement detailed management plan for the Howth Head SAC & SPA

Management plan at 2^nd draft stage. To be completed in 2026

13

Develop and implement Operational Plans for Howth Head SAAO and Liffey Valley SAAO

Invasive species control, pathway repairs, heathland restoration and goat grazing project on Howth implemented. Wardening and visitor management scheme implemented on Irelands Eye. First meeting organised with South Dublin County Council to discuss Liffey Valley SAAO. 

14

Support implementation of Dublin Bay Biosphere Nature Conservation Strategy, Education & Awareness strategy

New MOU signed between biosphere partners for period 2025-2030

15

Develop management plans for key winter bird sites identified in satellite tagging programs

Not progressed yet. Current focus is on identifying all relevant sites for migratory birds in Fingal and elsewhere in Dublin.

17

Prepare and implement masterplan for Ward River Valley Park

Development of masterplan ongoing.

20

Seek to establish an ecological corridor to link the Royal Canal, the Tolka River and the Liffey Valley

Awaiting final design Royal Greenway

25

Manage linear calcareous grassland strip along the Canal at Clonsilla

Lands at School house site subject to masterplan by Planning Dept.

26

Control invasive species in Fingal

Control works carried out on Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, Veldtgrass, Snowberry, Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron. Japanese knotweed control programme halted due to lack of funding.

27

Prepare biodiversity plans for golf courses in conjunction with golf course owners to enhance their grounds for Biodiversity

No progress made due to lack of staff time.

29

Prepare planning & design guidance for incorporating nesting facilities in building facades

Guidance document at 2^nd draft stage

30

Prepare guidance document and training on quality rating and management prescription of hedgerows in open space for FCC Operations and developers

Guidance document at 2^nd draft stage

31

Prepare promotional guidance on how to incorporate biodiversity in development and infrastructure projects

Guidance document at 1^st draft stage.

35

Pilot a biodiversity inclusive design for a social housing estate with green roofs, green walls, wetland & pond SUDS, green carparking, nest boxes in facades, wildflower meadows and wildlife friendly shrubs and trees in open space.

Demonstration pilot project on biodiversity inclusive housing in Malahide cancelled. Dept of Housing is not prepared to fund the biodiversity enhancement measures.

36

All Council housing, parks and infrastructure projects to include biodiversity enhancement proposals 

Not progressed

37

Develop pesticide use policy for Fingal County Council

Not progressed due to lack of funding

38

Support and promote All Ireland Pollinator Plan Actions for Councils and monitor resulting changes

Monitoring report submitted for 2025 to NBRC

39

Develop a grass maintenance policy for open spaces including options for grass disposal from wildflower meadows

Open Space mapping will be completed.

40

Implement Tidy Towns Biodiversity Action Plans

2025 Actions for Tidy Towns groups identified and actioned where possible

41

Organise and monitor the effects of a biodiversity make-over of 3 housing estates in Fingal in conjunction with local residents and FCC Operations Department

5 housing estates have been selected: Castleway in Malahide, Seatown in Swords, St Catherines estate in Rush, Portersgate in Clonsilla and the open space at Ongar, Dublin 15.

45

Develop SUDS demonstration sites in the Tolka Valley, Ward River Valley, Balbriggan Town Park and Rogerstown estuary

Not progressed due to lack of staff time.

46

Prepare and implement woodland management plans in Fingal Demesnes and parks

Felling licence received for Newbridge Demesne. Control of Cherry Laurel, Snowberry and Bamboo continued in St. Catherines Park. Cherry Laurel control continued in Newbridge Demesne. Preparation of Woodland management plans for Malahide and Ardgillan Demesnes commenced.

48

Identify and acquire where possible, climate buffer sites where flood defence features can be removed or relocated to increase flood capacity of rivers and estuaries

Sites identified.  Not progressed due to lack of funding

51

Acquire and/or lease lands at Rogerstown, Broadmeadow and Baldoyle estuaries

No authorization received to acquire lands that were for sale.

52

Support reintroduction of Osprey in Fingal and install artificial nest platforms near estuaries

Suitable locations for Osprey nest platforms have been identified.

56

Carry out feasibility studies of developing a Marine Protection Area along the Fingal Coast and on the restoration of Oyster beds, Shellfish beds, Seagrass beds and Kelp stands

Not progressed due to absence of Marine Biodiversity Officer

57

Restore marine ecosystem along Fingal coast by supporting restoration projects of Oyster beds, Shellfish beds, Seagrass beds and Kelp stands

TCD Oyster restoration trial started at Malahide Marina. Awaiting MARA approval for larger scale Oyster bed restoration trials in Malahide Estuary, Rogerstown Estuary and Irelands Eye.

58

Develop Newbridge Farm as a national hub for the promotion of Irish rare farm breeds

Support funding provided to Bó Riabhach Cattle Society for DNA analysis of Bó Riabhach cattle.

59

Use native Irish farm breeds for conservation grazing schemes

Ongoing 

62

Develop Bird of Prey Conservation project with local farmers including raising awareness of the impacts of Rodenticide use and its proper application

Not progressed due to lack of funding

63

Develop demonstration farm(s) for biodiversity conservation e.g. hedgerow management, field margins, river management, soil improvement, Integrated pest management, nest boxes etc.

Not progressed due to lack of funding

65

Fund satellite tracking studies of winter birds listed as qualifying features in SPA's

Awaiting final PhD report on 4 bird species. Brent Geese study completed.

68

Carry out Otter survey all of rivers in Fingal

Otter survey of Fingal rivers and coasts completed.

69

Carry out urban bird and bat survey

Urban Swift survey completed in all towns and villages in Fingal

70

Undertake study to identify the habitats and species at risk of climate change

Not progressed due to lack of funding

71

Explore funding models for carbon offsetting to fund wetland and woodland development

Specification developed for tender.

84

Undertake surveys of obstacles to fish passage for freshwater migratory fish species and identify mitigation options on all rivers

Fish pass at Ushers Lake completed.  Study on fish migration barriers structures upstream from Ushers Lake completed.

Consultants appointed to come up with options for 6 weirs on the Broadmeadow River. IFI Funding application successful for options assessment of fish migration barriers (7 historical weirs) on the Liffey between Dublin Bay and Leixlip. IFI Funding application successful to remove 3 barriers on the Matt River in Balbriggan.

87

Carry out breeding bird, flora and invertebrate studies in Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate

Butterfly survey and aquatic invertebrates studies completed at Turvey Nature Park

93

Re-develop Fingal Biodiversity website and social media channels

Website text under preparation

94

Organise a monthly program of events e.g. walks, talks and practical conservation outings

Only program of biodiversity events in Howth funded through SAAO. No funding available for county wide program of events.

95

Develop a Nature Education Centre for Dublin in Turvey Nature Park

Preparation of tender specification has started

97

Run a nature education program for primary and secondary schools

Nature education programme in place for 3 primary schools in Howth funded through Howth SAAO and two in Balbriggan funded through the Our Balbriggan programme. No funding available for county wide nature education programme.

99

Organise training days for County Council staff and politicians regarding biodiversity

Training day on Green Roof Design organised for FCC staff

100

Develop operational procedures with respect to Council work that may impact on SAC’s and SPA’s and protected species

Operational procedures completed for Water Services Dept re cleaning of surface water outfalls.