Biodiversity
Preserving, protecting and restoring
Developing a multi-disciplinarian approach needed to maintain the economic viability of a working farm while preserving the archaeological & enhancing the natural heritage present within the landscape
Doing our bit
Understanding what we have
In order to get a better understanding of the ecology present on the farm, an ecology baseline survey was commissioned for the Devenish Lands at Dowth in 2018. Highlighted in the survey were both Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas within the farm.
Our woodlands
With over 40 ha of woodland on the farm, there is a variety of woodland habitats including an oak-ash-hazel woodland and wet willow-alder-ash woodland. In terms of birdlife, there was 54 different birds recorded on the survey including 5 from the Birds of Conservation Concern Ireland’s (BOCCI) red list and 19 from the BOCCI’s orange endangered list. Nine different bat species were counted during the survey, nesting in woodlands and some of the older farm buildings.
Our grasslands
Our grasslands provide habitats for up to 11 different species of butterfly and seven species of bee. Also, there is a wide range of mammals present, including the Irish hare, the managed wild red deer herd and the pine marten.
What we are going to do
Most importantly, the report comprised of an ecology management plan including the removal of invasive plant and tree species, deer management, woodland management, habitat protection and maintenance, which we endeavour to deliver to maintain and enhance the biodiversity on the farm.
Red Deer
When Devenish took over the lands at Dowth Hall they inherited a large herd of wild red deer. There was very little accurate information available about the size of the herd, the lineage/origins of the herd, the overall health status of the herd nor the impact they were having on the local environment. At Dowth we are very fond of the deer, they are Irelands largest land mammal and they also form part of the heritage of the Boyne Valley, with evidence of their presence here for over 5000 years.
What we are doing
We want them to remain as a feature of the Boyne Valley and for this reason Devenish commissioned a study, led by Dr. Ruth Carden a leading red deer expert in Europe, to develop a deer management plan with the ultimate goal to have a healthy sustainable herd of red deer in balance with their surrounding environment. This study involves the use of the latest scientific methods and technology to gather the information on the deer.
For the first time ever in Ireland GPS tracking collars were fitted to 10 wild red deer. This part of the project was carried out under the direction of Professor Pieter Brama, the head of the Veterinary school in University College Dublin. The collars give us information on the deer 24hrs a day and inform us how deer use the landscape and surrounding valley to feed, to travel, to rest and to reproduce.
We are also working alongside the Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine (DAFM) who are testing blood samples from deer for any viral pathogens. This work is being carried out in the DAFM Virology laboratory in Backweston, Celbridge Co Kildare.
In addition, a Deer Management Group was formed in the local area with buy in from local land owners and farmers as well as local deer hunters. We are very pleased to have the cooperation of our friends and neighbours and will share with them the results of our study.
This work will help us achieve our goal of having a healthy sustainable herd of red deer in balance with their surrounding environment.
Bird Life
Devenish Lands at Dowth home to a plethora of bird life, all of which play a vital role in managing the ecosystem of the farm
Preserving our partridge
We are participating in the National Association of Regional Game Councils Grey Partridge Re-Introduction Programme. The Grey Partridge, one of Ireland's most iconic native game birds was on the verge of extinction in the late 1990's when its population fell to just twenty birds nationwide.
Preserving our partridge
On 17th Sept. 2020, 26 juvenile partridge arrived at the Devenish Lands at Dowth where they have been housed in two release pens adjacent to the multispecies swards just off the carriage drive. These juvenile birds were released in stages over the following weeks.
In spring 2021 we will be receiving adult breeding pairs of native stock – we hope they have a successful breeding season and that we will be able to release the breeding pairs along with their young during the summer months.
We will also be releasing more juvenile birds again in September 2021.
Ultimately, the aim is to build up a wild stock and have resident breeding grey partridge at Dowth.
