Interested in the conservation of coastal dunes and machair? The LIFE on Machair ecology team would love to show you some of the unique features of these habitats on the west coast in March 2023.
By March this habitat will have started to emerge from its winter slumber, readying for summer visitors including pollinators and breeding waders. The focus of the project is the restoration and enhancement of this habitat in Galway, Mayo and Donegal.
The field trip which will last 2-3 hours will explore the Irish archaeology and biodiversity of the Valley on Achill, led by LIFE on Machair staff.
The Valley Sandybanks is an important site for breeding waders and once supported the rare breeding Dunlin a species now limited to only a few machair sites in Ireland. The site is both a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area (See https://www.NPWS.ie). On March 2nd we will celebrate the coastal wetland habitats of machair and dune at the Valley, Achill. We will spend the day walking, talking and exploring the site with local experts, binoculars and telescopes. We will visit the site with students from the Mayo College of Further Education who are studying coastal guiding and are based in Corráin, Achill. A great day to share knowledge and learn about an amazing coastal wetland site!
If you are struggling to find your way on the day, please contact Jackie Hunt (087 2739757)
Meet at The Valley Loop Walk/Achill Rovers Pitch (54.01119, -9.814237)