Wildflower case study: The photographs associated with this page have been removed to our photo section: Eskers 

Ballynasrah, NHA

This project started on an Irish Roadside but was then repeated for non roadside eskers in:

Natural Heritage Area (River Little Brosna Callows NHA 000564) Order 2003 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS. S.I. No. 573 of 2003

S.I. No. 573/2003 — Natural Heritage Area (River Little Brosna Callows Nha 000564) Order 2003

The NPWS and consultants came together to remake a damaged Esker on a site of Natural Heritage, where the Minister was under EU obligation to keep the site pristine. Design By Nature was contracted to harvest the local native flora and supply for re-sow, and give advice on same.

Dr Andrew Bleasdale and Jim Moore
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government,
3rd Floor, The Plaza Offices,
Headford Road, Galway.
Republic of Ireland.

Consultant: Michael Martyn 087-2595401

As activities listed below had taken place and damaged aspects of the wild flora and Esker materials ,  local species of Esker plants and the damaged Esker surface had to be replaced.

As we were contacted very early on in the project by NPWS  - we were able to collect a number of species over a few years, and the project was delayed by one year to allow for some works which gave us a chance to work with local farmer Padraig Moran, to collect seed from his land adjacent to the /futher down esker.

Damaged aspects of the wild flora and Esker materials

Ballynasrah (Garrycastle By) Esker 

Restricted Works specified for the purposes of section 19 (1) of the Act.
1. Peat extraction
2. Drainage works or water abstraction affecting the hydrology of the site
3. Alteration of the banks, channel, bed or flow of a lake, pond, canal or watercourse
4. Burning areas of vegetation
5. Reclamation, infilling, ploughing or other cultivation
6. Reseeding, planting of trees or any other species
7. Cutting trees, scrub, reeds; removal of timber or other vegetation
8. Grazing of livestock on uncut raised bog
9. Changing of traditional use from hay meadow (to either grazing or silage making), or from grazing to silage cutting
10. Dumping, burning or storing any materials
11. Introduction (or re-introduction) into the wild of plants or animals of species not currently found in the area
12. Use of any pesticide or herbicide, including sheep dip
13. Adding lime or fertiliser to previously untreated areas
14. Any activity that may cause pollution or eutrophication
15. Recreational use of mechanically propelled vehicles
16. Operation of commercial recreation activities
17. Stocking with fish
18. Deliberate scaring or disturbance of wildfowl
19. Developing leisure facilities including golf courses, sports pitches, caravan or camping facilities
20. Removal of rock, soil, mud, gravel, sand or minerals
21. Construction of roads, new tracks or paths, car-parks or other infra-structural development
22. Construction of fences, buildings or embankments

Although the NHA Order restricts non native species being re-sown without the minister consent, EU law specifies the supply of grasses and the grass industry and as such there is a black hole re the use of non native species

grasses 

Brown bent (Agrostis canina)             
Common Bent (Agrostis Capillaris)                
Creeping bent grass (Agrostis stolonifera)        
Crested Dogs Tail (Cynosurus cristatus)                 
Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata)                  
Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra spp)              

species collected on site:

Mouse eared stichwort
field scabious 
quaking grass 
yellow agrimony 
mullian 
grasses, spp 
bartsia 
cowslip 
carline thistle 
birdsfoot trefoil 
yarrow 
lesser knapweed 
wild carrot 
hawksbit spp 
white clover 
devils bit 
weld 
black meddick 
eyebright 
red clover 
burnet saxifrage 
wild carrot

Species collect locally

Yellow Rattle.
Mayweed daisies spp
ox-eye daisy
salisfy

Damaged aspects of the wild flora and Esker materials

Ballynasrah (Garrycastle By) Esker 

Restricted Works specified for the purposes of section 19 (1) of the Act.
1. Peat extraction
2. Drainage works or water abstraction affecting the hydrology of the site
3. Alteration of the banks, channel, bed or flow of a lake, pond, canal or watercourse
4. Burning areas of vegetation
5. Reclamation, infilling, ploughing or other cultivation
6. Reseeding, planting of trees or any other species
7. Cutting trees, scrub, reeds; removal of timber or other vegetation
8. Grazing of livestock on uncut raised bog
9. Changing of traditional use from hay meadow (to either grazing or silage making), or from grazing to silage cutting
10. Dumping, burning or storing any materials
11. Introduction (or re-introduction) into the wild of plants or animals of species not currently found in the area
12. Use of any pesticide or herbicide, including sheep dip
13. Adding lime or fertiliser to previously untreated areas
14. Any activity that may cause pollution or eutrophication
15. Recreational use of mechanically propelled vehicles
16. Operation of commercial recreation activities
17. Stocking with fish
18. Deliberate scaring or disturbance of wildfowl
19. Developing leisure facilities including golf courses, sports pitches, caravan or camping facilities
20. Removal of rock, soil, mud, gravel, sand or minerals
21. Construction of roads, new tracks or paths, car-parks or other infra-structural development
22. Construction of fences, buildings or embankments