Exploring Wicklow's Coast - Coastwatch Survey

***NEWS FLASH*** Deadline extended now until 23rd October 2021

The annual autumn Coastwatch citizen science shore survey is currently open. Running from mid September to mid October this eco-audit of the shore is a valuable once off snap shot survey of your shore taken at low tide by volunteers between 15th Sept and 15th Oct. The results contribute greatly to our scientific knowledge and help us identify and track trends.

Coastwatch is looking for both experienced surveyors and newcomers to take part and welcome coastal farmers, schools, swimming-, paddle boarding, dive and kayak clubs  who might organise to cover a larger shore area between them.  As part of the survey, participants are encouraged to upload photos of plants, animals and oddities that they encounter along the way!

Participants should visit  www.coastwatch.org and click on the map. The coastline is marked out in 500m units and surveyors can sign up for one or more units. It is then a matter of filling in the survey questionnaire when you visit your site. Map, survey forms, wildlife posters and information  can all  be downloaded  from the website or drop an e mail to dburns@wicklowcoco.ie for hard copies. Also available on request are nitrate kits that can be used to test water quality where you have a watercourse in your survey unit.

We held an information session on 29th September in Wicklow town after which we went for a ramble along banks of  the Leitrim river near the harbour. As we soon  discovered this estuarine environment is literally full of life, a few images are shared above.

We would love to see your photos and hear how you get on with your survey – click contribute at the top of this page to share your Wicklow Coastwatch story!

 

 

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