As dawn is about to break on a late November morning in frostbitten Ennis, George and Sarah embark on their routine stroll back to their shelter in the nearby woods. They leave behind them the sparse remains of a midnight feast. Two empty bowls lay idle on the footpath until a lady appears and collects them. She washes both bowls out by hand in her bathroom sink and sets them aside for later that evening.
The lady in question is a resident of Pairc na Coille retirement village who wishes to remain nameless. George and Sarah are Badgers, both part of the same clan that resides in the woodland across the road. Plans to bulldoze the woodland and turn it into a housing development have been keeping the lady in question up at night. On those sleepless nights, she peeks out the window and watches George and his plump twin sister gorge on cat food, plums, pears and some left-over potato provided by the friendly Polish lady. He shares her sentiments towards this proposed development. She like herself is a nature lover and empathizes with her concerns.
Mrs. B, for convenience’s sake, is alarmed by the thought of the wooded area next to her home being destroyed forever. She spends a portion of her day birdwatching the skies above the trees from her window and wakes up on summer mornings to birdsong and the smell of
Pelargoniums growing wild nearby. The view from her room consists of flowering hedgerows and native trees in summer and the frantic activity of feeding birds in winter. The view and the animals keep her company when the family are unable to travel. The pandemic has increased this need for company.
George and Sarah are nocturnal creatures and part of the wider European badger family. These animals are protected under the Wildlife Act, 1976 and Wildlife Amendment Act, 2000 as well as under Appendix III of the Berne Convention. The last comprehensive habitat survey took place in 1995 but through the extrapolation of data from four counties since then, it has been determined that the population has been in decline in recent years. Today, the Irish population is estimated to be somewhere in the region of 86,000.
We cannot underestimate the importance of sites such as the one at Pairc na Coille. By allowing for its unnecessary destruction, we will be setting an extremely dangerous precedent. Sites that support the ecology of an area otherwise made up of roads and buildings are in urgent need of preservation. They are windows into the natural world, invaluable amenities to residents and home to creatures like George and Sarah. The routine feeding of these two animals, allowing for some extra winter calories before they return to their sett in the woods is a beautiful picture. But, we are in danger of losing focus as our towns lose more green spaces and wild areas.
The residents at Pairc na Coille urge the council and the board to take into account how special this area is for the community and the wildlife therein. It is imperative that this planning application is rejected and an alternative site is found for housing. The health and well-being of the residents and wildlife are at stake and the survival of countless species for the town depends on its existence.
Has this local authority got any idea what they are doing? Reading through the blogs on your website so far. It is clear no thought was put into the zoning of this land. if it all goes pear-shaped and this area is destroyed. Ennis will end up in the news for all the wrong reasons. And that will do no good for the town.
Jim
Ennis
What a lovely story this is. It shows how kind people are to wildlife. Must be a heartbreaking thought to think a development would wipe out these creatures. Arent badgers supposed to be a protected species. The powers that be obviously don’t care. But they shouldn’t be let get away with this. Hayley.
These beautiful gentle creatures are entitled to their home too.
Climate change, Governing bodies should be leading by example. A disgrace to be even considering this
Badgers are a protected species, or does that not matter when its a local authority.
So close to the town more houses growing town. This 10.5 acres of habitat with protected species living within. To remove would be reckless in the extreme for the town. There are sightings of Barn owls I believe in the woods behind Cahercalla drive area. This has not been confirmed or denied by the local authority.
Areas like this are part of the character of the town with all its wildlife. Remove it’s gone forever. This 10.5 acres is prominent in the town. If all is destroyed protected bats and barn owls and badgers and all the other creatures that give joy to us all. This is one for the green party to sort out. If they don’t want to lose votes in Ennis
Well said Mark. This indeed is one for the green party to sort out. Do they care about bats being protected, as they should by law. ?. They are more interested now in stopping the farmers cutting turf and suggesting to use candles for warmth. Cut down on water when having a shower. What next.
Towns and cities throughout the world where governing authorities were forward-thinking to preserve green areas like this close to centers, Reap more rewards for residents as time goes by and populations increase.
I do believe that Clare county council will also be one of those authorities and not do the unthinkable and destroy this area. That if left green will grow in its importance for the town and its residents.
We have got to stop killing nature. It’s not necessary to destroy this habitat area. When their are many alternatives.
Well said, David, Ennis needs green habitat areas to be preserved. Is there any overall green area and habitat plan for the town? As far as I know, there is little habitat area left if this is destroyed