Lunchtime talk: An introduction to the Birds of the Shannon Estuary Story Map
Dooradoyle Library, Friday 30th January, 12.30 – 13.30 – Free admission
With Sinead Mc Donnell, Biodiversity Officer, Limerick City and County Council
The Birds of the Shannon Estuary is an interactive digital resource that profiles 21 wetland bird species, highlights viewing points, and promotes citizen science initiatives such as BirdWatch Ireland’s Irish Wetland Bird Survey (IWeBS).
It also encourages responsible behaviour to minimise disturbance and prevent invasive species. Protecting estuaries like the Shannon means safeguarding the future of countless bird species and the ecosystems they depend on.
Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, and the Shannon Estuary is one of Ireland’s most biodiverse landscapes. Stretching from Limerick City to the Atlantic Ocean, this unique environment supports rich communities of plants and animals, making it a site of international ecological importance. For birds, estuaries are lifelines. Each winter, thousands of waterbirds migrate from northern regions such as Greenland and Iceland to feed and rest on the Shannon Estuary’s extensive mudflats and saltmarshes. These wetlands are rich in invertebrates, providing essential food for species like Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Whooper Swan, and Cormorant. Birds are not only beautiful to observe but also act as indicators of the health of these ecosystems.
The Shannon Estuary is designated under European legislation as part of the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area (SPA) and Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC). These protections safeguard habitats that provide feeding, roosting, and refuge for birds. Protecting estuaries like the Shannon means safeguarding the future of countless bird species and the ecosystems they depend on.
