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You are here: Home / Our Work / Active Conservation / Ongoing Projects / Species Monitoring

Species Monitoring

The Burren has the more butterflies and other pollinators than anywhere else in Ireland, by identifying what exists helps how it can be conserved into the future.

There can be nothing lovelier than a walk in the summer sunshine watching the butterflies pass from flower to flower, but did you know that butterflies are far more important than you may have realised? Not only are do they play a vital role in pollinating our flowers and are an essential part of the food chain, the study of them can also provide data used to monitor climate change.

34 different species of butterfly were found in Ireland (resident and migratory), and these are increasingly under threat from environmental change from our ever increasing population and changes to land use, and changes in our climate. Of these 34 species in Ireland, one is now extinct, six are threatened with extinction and another five species are now of ‘Near Threatened’ status. In addition to this, other data has shown that since 1990 we have lost 30% of our grassland butterfly populations.

So can you do?  Why not join us recording and monitoring

All of us can help to add to the data being collected about Irish butterflies. The small number of species of butterflies found in Ireland make identification relatively simple. ID guides can be found online or hard copies can be purchased and it can add an extra element of fun to any walk attempting to identify any butterflies spotted along the way. A butterfly net can make identification easier (especially with the white butterflies) and can give you plenty of exercise trying to catch them – some species can be a challenge to net! Casual butterfly sightings can be easily website katerecorded using smart phone/iphone apps (look for Identify Irish Butterflies in the play store).  If, however, you wish to get more involved with butterfly monitoring you can set up your own butterfly transect (study) in an area of your choice, walk it once a week from April to September and submit your data to the National Biodiversity Data Centre (http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/) where it is added to the national records.  You can make it even more fun by sharing your transect with friends and family and see who can find the highest number/most interesting species!

Our Burrenbeo Conservation Volunteers have been working for several years now with butterfly expert Jesmond Harding (Butterfly Conservation Ireland) at an crucial butterfly breeding site in the heart of the Burren.  All our hard work has helped to maintain the habitat at this site in as favourable a condition as possible for many rare and endangered species of butterfly.

Why not join us

So, are you interested to be part of maintaining the Burren’s history, culture and precious ecosystems? If so, why not join the fun and enthusiastic team of conservation volunteers, share your passion for the Burren with others and make a huge difference to the biodiversity and maintenance of this unique landscape. Becoming a volunteer offers you an opportunity to build skills, knowledge about place and indeed, lasting friendships.

This is an active group of conservation volunteers that have been working in areas of archaeology conservation, rare species monitoring, managing scrub encroachment and much more since 2010.  We have 1-2 events a month.

  • Get outdoors, enjoy some healthy exercise and give something back in the region
  • Learn new skills in conservation and heritage management
  • Be part of a friendly, inclusive and active conservation community

Join us today and make that difference!  To register for the events email [email protected]

What are the upcoming events for the volunteers

What other ongoing projects are the volunteers involved in:

drystone walling  archaeological surveys   scrub management

  landscape management   invasive species

What have the volunteers achieved?

View below all the activities that the Burrenbeo Conservation volunteers have achieved since 2010:

WhenGeneral AreaWhatWhereLeaderFrom
2021BiodiversityPine Project Site Guardian TrainingTubber areaBernard Carey and Brendan Dundord
2021ConservationCoastal Clean UpFanoreK. LavenderBCV
2020ArchaeologyMonument site maintenanceCappaghS. ParrBurren Programme
2020BiodiversityHabitat MaintenanceCarron AreaBCV committeeBCV
2020BiodiversityHabitat MaintenanceCarron areaJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2020ArchaeologyMonument site managementNoughevalM&C LynchLocal archaeologists
2019BiodiversityBat site managementDromoreR. HollingsworthBCV
2019ConservationDrystone wallingPoulacarronJ. Marrinan/M. ScanlonLocal farmer/BCV
2019ConservationCoastal Clean UpFanore Caravan Park coastlineK. LavenderBCV
2019ConservationCoastal Clean UpFanoreE. O'ConnorBCV
2019ConservationMonument site managementNoughavalMichael and Clodagh Lynch
2019TrainingFirst aid training CarronBarry RedmondFirst Response
2018BiodiversityBat site managementDromoreR. HollingsworthBCV
2018ConservationCoastal Clean upFanoreW. Smith/P. McHaleBCV
2018ConservationOpen DayBallyvaughanVariousBCV committee
2018BiodiversityHabitat restorationNorth BurrenA. MullenBurren Programme
2018BiodiversityBat monitoring trainingKinvaraR. HanniffyVincent Wildlife Trust
2018ConservationCoastal Clean UpFanoreE. O'Connor/K. LavenderBCV
2018BiodiversityBat site managementDromoreR. HollingsworthBCV
2018ConservationCoastal Clean upMurrough, BlackheadK. LavenderBurrenbeo Trust
2018ArchaeologyMonument site MaintenanceBaurM&C Lynch
2018TrainingREC 2 first aid courseTuroughB. RedmondFirst Response
2017ArchaeologyMonument site managementBallycasheenRos O'MaolduinPrehistoric Field School of Archaeology
2017BiodiversityButterfly site managementFahee, CarronAnn MullenBurren Life
2017ConservationConservation Volunteering Open DayCarronBCV committee
R. O'Maolduin
J. Harding
BCV
Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
Butterfly Conservation Ireland
2017BiodiversityBat site maintenance DromoreR. Hollingsworth and S. BigganeBCV and Clare Co Co
2017BiodiversityConstructing a bat night roostFiddaunR. Hanniffy and K. McAneyVincent Wildlife Trust
2017ConservationTrail managementNewtown, BallyvaughanR. MorrisonIn conjunction with the Burren College or Art
2017ConservationDrystone wall repairCoolortaR. JonesBCV
2017ConservationCoastal clean upFanoreE. O'ConnorBCV
2017ConservationCoastal clean upFanoreVarious expertsBCV, Burren Shores
2017ArchaeologySite ManagementRoughan HillRos O'MaolduinNUI Galway
2016ArchaeologySite managementRoughan HillRos O'MaolduinNUI Galway
2016Invasive Alien SpeciesMapping IASCarronP. MurphyEireco
2016Special MonitoringBat breeding site maintenanceFiddaunDr Kate McAneyVincent Wildlife Trust
2016Landscape managementCoastal clean up rocky shore FanoreFanore
2016Landscape managementFanore beach cleanFanore
2016ArchaeologyPost excavation work (Mar,Apr,May,Jun)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2016Monument managementScrub clearing at Cappagh Tower HouseCarronDr Sharon ParrBurren Life
2016Monument managementScrub clearing from monuments on Roughan Hill CorofinDr Ros O MaolduinNUI Galway
2016WallingRepairing and rebuilding walls at CoolortaBurren National Park
2016Special MonitoringBat breeding site maintenanceRuanDr Kate McAneyVincent Wildlife Trust
2016General TrainingButterfly transect trainingCarronPaula McHale
2015Landscape managementCoastal clean up rocky shore FanoreBlackhead
2015Landscape managementCoastal clean up rocky shore FanoreBlackhead
2015Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2015Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2015ArchaeologyPost excavation work KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2015ArchaeologyPost excavation workKilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2015ArchaeologySurveying at Fanore KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2015ArchaeologyPrehistoric hut site mapping KilcorneyDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2015ArchaeologyDoolin dig (4 weeks)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2015ArchaeologyKilcorney excavation (1 week)KilcorneyDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2015Archaeology TrainingArtefact handling courseCaherconnellDr Michelle ComberNUI Galway
2015Monument managementScrub clearing at Cappagh Tower HouseCarronDr Sharon ParrBurren Life
2015Monument managementScrub clearing at Cappagh Tower HouseCarronDr Sharon ParrBurren Life
2015Special MonitoringBat breeding site maintenanceRuanDr Kate McAneyVincent Wildlife Trust
2015Special MonitoringBat site maintenance and emergence countRuanDr Kate McAneyVincent Wildlife Trust
2015Assisting with local community eventsAssisting with Walk with a DifferenceCarron
2015General TrainingButterfly transect trainingPaula McHale
2015General TrainingInvasive alien species ID workshop Dr Sharon Parr, Paul Murphy & Kate Lavender
2015General TrainingTwo day first aid courseRay Murphy
2014Landscape managementCoastal clean up Blackhead
2014Landscape managementCoastal clean up Blackhead
2014Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2014Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2014ArchaeologySurveying and mappingKilcorneyDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2014ArchaeologyPost excavation work KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2014ArchaeologyPost excavation work (2 days)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2014ArchaeologyPost excavation workKilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2014ArchaeologySurveying at DoolinDoolinMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2014ArchaeologySecond Fanore excavation (3 weeks)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2014Monument managementScrub clearing at Cappagh Tower HouseCarronDr Sharon ParrBurren Life
2014Monument managementScrub clearing at Cappagh Tower HouseCarronDr Sharon ParrBurren Life
2014WallingRepairing and rebuilding walls at CoolortaBurren National Park
2014WallingRepairing and rebuilding walls at CoolortaBurren National Park
2014Other eventsDismantling mini-dolmens FanoreMary HowardVolunteer
2014Special MonitoringBat breeding site maintenanceRuanDr Kate McAneyVincent Wildlife Trust
2014Other eventsDismantling mini-dolmens FanoreMary HowardVolunteer
2014Assisting with local community eventsAssisting with Walk with a DifferenceFlaggy Shore
2014Assisting with local community eventsAssisting with Winterage weekendBellharbour
2013Assisting with local community eventsAssisting with Bells across the Burren Ballyvaughan
2013Landscape managementCoastal clean up rocky shore Fanore
2013Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2013Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2013ArchaeologyPost excavation work (2 days)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2013ArchaeologyPost excavation work (2 days)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2013ArchaeologyPost excavation work (2 days)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2013ArchaeologyAtlas mapping dayKilcorneyDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2013ArchaeologyPost excavation work (2 days)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2013Monument managementScrub clearing from around Doolin Court TombDoolinDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2013WallingRepairing and rebuilding walls at CoolortaBurren National Park
2013Other eventsNewtown music trail clearing BallyvaughanDr Stephen WardVolunteer
2013Other eventsNewtown music trail clearing BallyvaughanDr Stephen WardVolunteer
2013Other eventsDismantling mini-dolmens FanoreMary HowardVolunteer
2013Assisting with local community eventsAssisting with Walk with a DifferenceFlaggy Shore
2013General TrainingButterfly transect trainingCarronPaula McHale
2013General TrainingTwo day first aid courseRay Murphy
2013General TrainingWildflower identification workshop Drs Sharon Parr and Stephen Ward
2012Landscape managementCoastal clean up Blackhead
2012Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2012Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2012Archaeology5 week excavation at Fanore Shell Midden FanoreMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2012ArchaeologyFilling in Fanore dig (2 days)FanoreMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2012ArchaeologyPost excavation work (2 days)KilnaboyMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2012Archaeology TrainingAtlas trainingCarronDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2012Archaeology TrainingAtlas trainingCarronDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2012Monument managementScrub clearing at Cappagh Tower HouseCarronDr Sharon ParrBurren Life
2012WallingRepairing walls at Blackhead FanoreShane CaseyBiodiversity Officer
2012Walling TrainingWorkshopRory O'ShaughnessyStone Mason
2012Other eventsDismantling mini-dolmens FanoreMary HowardVolunteer
2012Assisting with local community eventsAssisting with Walk with a DifferenceBurren National Park
2012General TrainingButterfly transect trainingCarronDr Bryony Williams
2012General TrainingMapping SkillsCarronPat Cronin
2012General TrainingWeekend Heritage CourseCarron
2011Landscape managementLough Bunny Spring Clean
2011Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2011Habitat managementScrub clearing to control invasive cotoneasterAbbey Hill Shane CaseyBiodiversity Officer
2011ArchaeologyPreparing site for excavation at Caherconnell CaherconnellDr Michelle ComberNUI Galway
2011ArchaeologyKilcorney excavation (5 days)KilcorneyDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2011ArchaeologySurveying at Fanore FanoreMichael & Clodagh LynchField Monument Advisor
2011Monument managementScrub clearing from around Doolin Court TombDoolinDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2011Assisting with local community eventsStewarding for Burren triathlonBallyvaughan
2011General TrainingWeekend Heritage CourseCarron
2010Landscape managementFanore beach clean
2010Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2010Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2010Habitat managementScrub clearing at butterfly breeding siteFahee northJesmond HardingButterfly Conservation Ireland
2010ArchaeologySettlement surveyingKilcorneyDr Christine GrantNational Monument Service
2010WallingRepairing walls at Blackhead FanoreShane CaseyBiodiversity Officer
2010Walling TrainingWorkshopRory O'ShaughnessyStone Mason
2010Assisting with local community eventsAnnual Biodiversity dayKinvara

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The BurrenBeo Trust is an Irish charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20061494.
Glebe House, Glebe Road, Kinvara, County Galway, H91 C3X2, Ireland. Email [email protected]. Telephone 091 638 096

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