Proposed bridge development needs to take account of impact on wildlife

SIR, At the public meeting about Milltown Bridge, Dingle (The Kerryman, May 17, ‘Clash of views on proposed walkway’) concerns raised about the potentially damaging impact on wildlife were countered by Mrs Sheehy’s reported comments, “There’s plenty of wildlife”. This requires an informed response. Many residents and visitors are not aware of what we have already lost.

Bird species commonly breeding in Milltown up until 40 years ago or less and which are now extinct in Kerry include Yellowhammer, Corncrake and Quail. Gone.

Twite is also now extinct in Kerry and has not been seen as a winter visitor in Dingle harbour since 2005. Gone.

The Curlew we see in Milltown are very unlikely to be Irish breeding birds as the Irish breeding population has suffered a decline of 98 per cent in 40 years and in 2015/2016 only 12 breeding pairs were found in Kerry, none on the Dingle Peninsula. On the brink of extinction.

Red list species are those identified as having experienced a decline in breeding or range of over 50 per cent in 25 years. As such they are of high conservation concern. Feeding around Milltown Bridge are red listed species such as Redshank, Dunlin, Meadow Pipit, Black-headed Gull and Herring Gull.

Barn Owl, red listed, is breeding in the Milltown valley. Altogether, 14 Irish counties have no recorded breeding Barn Owl. Their stronghold is Kerry, Limerick, Cork and Galway. The local branch of BirdWatch Ireland may have helped secure the future of Barn Owl on the Dingle peninsula with a very successful nest box scheme. (References: The Dingle Peninsula Bird Report 2008-10 and 2011-13 by Michael O’Clery. 2015/16 National Breeding Survey of Curlew, Dr Anita Donaghy, Senior Conservation Officer, BirdWatch Ireland.)

If decisions are to be made about Milltown bridge then accurate and readily available data about the vulnerability of Irish wildlife must be understood. The Milltown Bridge area is an important, valuable wildlife habitat and should be enhanced as such for all of us to enjoy and learn from.

Sincerely, Jill Crosher (volunteer with BirdWatch Ireland),

Ballyferriter.