Interactive map showcases Shannon Estuary's wildlife and how to best protect it

The Shannon Estuary has been internationally recognised for its wildlife, as it sees many waterbirds travel thousands of kilometres from Greenland and Iceland to winter there

(Left to right) Barry O’Loughlin, biodiversity officer at Clare County Council, Sinead McDonnell, biodiversity officer at Limerick City and County Council and Eleanor Turner, biodiversity officer with Kerry County Council. Picture: Alan Place

A new interactive map showcasing the Shannon Estuary as a haven for wintering birds and wetlands has been launched.

Developed jointly by the local authorities in Clare, Limerick and Kerry, the story map is designed to support education, awareness and community engagement.

The Shannon Estuary has been internationally recognised for its wildlife, being particularly important for wintering waterbirds, many of which travel thousands of kilometres from northern regions such as Greenland and Iceland to feed and rest on the estuary’s mudflats and saltmarshes.

The map features the profiles of 21 wetland bird species designated as part of the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area (SPA).

It also includes viewing points where the public can observe wetland birds, providing resources to encourage the public to respect their natural habitats. The initiative is aimed at local schools and communities living along the estuary, but also at anyone interested in nature and the environment.

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The platform promotes citizen science initiatives such as Birdwatch Ireland’s Irish Wetland Bird Survey and provides resources encouraging responsible behaviour to minimise disturbance, along with information on preventing the spread of invasive species.

Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Barry O’Loughlin, said: “We hope that the story map can be used as a platform where the public can engage with wildlife in their local area. 

"The number of Community Biodiversity Action Plans continues to grow in Clare and there is now a real opportunity to link the story map to local community action and education.” 

Funded through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund and local authorities, the project has been developed through the work of the biodiversity officers in Limerick, Clare and Kerry.