Photos and report are courtesy of Rebecca Jeffares, An Taisce Dún Laoghaire Local Association

A great selection of events to celebrate Biodiversity Week took place in two of An Taisce's properties-in-trust — Booterstown Marsh Nature Reserve and The Grove (Morehampton Road) Wildlife Sanctuary in Dublin on Saturday 23rd of May.

Exploring botany and birds of Booterstown Marsh Nature Reserve

The participants were fortunate to have a lovely day, warm and sunny. A large crowd turned out at the lake in Blackrock Park, where the group met Catriona Brady. She led a fascinating botanical walk along a 2-kilometre route to the Booterstown Marsh Nature Reserve. 

Catriona identified many native species, included those growing in the crevices of Emmet Place. These form a tiny remnant piece of saltmarsh that has survived in the Park. She fielded many queries and questions.

As the group arrived at the Marsh viewing area, they joined up with more participants waiting to take part in the Bird walk and talk event. This segment was led by Shane Kerr Of BirdWatch Ireland. Although the marsh is a Special Protection Area, this is primarily for the overwintering birds. Nevertheless the group spotted beautiful white egrets, herons, ducks and many other sea and land birds.

Nature walk and Cyanotype workshop in The Grove

At 2pm, Dún Laoghaire Local Association welcomed visitors to The Grove Wildlife Sanctuary in Morehampton Road Donnybrook. Catriona Brady led a botanical walkabout highlighting the plant species in the Grove. Those participants who were booked into the later cyanotype workshop were also able to collect some specimens for their artworks.

Then at 3.15pm, visual artist Sarah Louise Lordan led the cyanotype workshop group. Photographic cyanotypes were first used in the early 19^th century by botanist Anna Atkins  She published the first book with photographic illustrations of algae. 

Workshop attendees were able to get the opportunity to use photograms. This technique of creating photographic prints without using a camera is as old as photography itself. The workshop documented the significance of this urban green space, the plant species present and paid homage to our benefactor Kathleen Goodfellow and her artist friend Estella Solomons.

It was a wonderful day that provided a brilliant opportunity for many visitors to experience two of Dublin's important green spaces for nature. Huge thanks for the support from the Irish Environmental Network and the phenomenal An Taisce volunteers who make these events possible.