Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade
Environmental Impact Statement
Arup Consulting Engineers
11.3.5.2 Bats
All species of bat occurring in Ireland are protected under the Annex IV of EU Habitats
Directive. Bats are widespread in Ireland and can generally be found in areas where suitable
roost sites (trees, disused buildings, old stone walls and bridges, or caves) occur in close
proximity to areas of suitable foraging habitat (woodland, scrub, hedgerows, wetland areas
and open water). Bats commonly feed and commute along linear habitats such as hedgerows,
treelines and watercourses for cover and because of the high densities of insects that are
usually present at these locations.
The woodland habitat of the study area combined with treelines, hedgerows and farmland in
the wider area provide suitable habitat for a number of bat species such as pipistrelles,
Leisler’s bat and Myotis species, particularly as these habitats are limited in distribution in
this area of Dublin. A number of mature trees within the study area offer some potential to
bats as roosts. These are trees with cracks and crevices and with dense ivy cover which
provide shelter for bats to use as roost sites. Trees identified as potential bat roosts within the
study area have been listed in a table in the Appendices and are presented on Figure 11.1. A
more detailed survey (bat detector survey) of these trees will be carried out in accordance with
Best Practice Guidelines for the Conservation of Bats in the Planning of National Road
Schemes 17 during the spring when bats are active, to determine if they are used by bats.
A derelict building located in an area of amenity grassland and planted woodland in the northwestern
section of the study area is of limited value for hibernating bats as part of the roof is
fallen in and there is no insulation. The roof is made of old and new slate and therefore may
provide some roosting habitat during summer months for bat species such as pipistrelles,
which are commonly found under roof slates.
Two small buildings used to house a small natural gas station that are within the footprint of
the junction upgrade, are of very limited value to bats.
Farm buildings and a derelict house west of the agricultural fields have high potential as bat
roost sites. However, these buildings will not be impacted by the junction upgrade.
11.3.5.3 Birds
A wide range of common bird species, typical of the types of woodland, farmland and urban
environments was observed during field surveys. These include blackbird, robin, wren, blue
tit, song thrush, gold crest, hooded crow, rook, magpie, and wood pigeon. All of these species
are common and widespread in farmland and a greater diversity of birds typically associated
with the range of available habitats could be expected to occur in other seasons.
11.3.5.4 Other Mammals
General observations of other mammals were made during the habitat survey in November
2007. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were locally common. Grey squirrel (Sciurus
vulgaris) was observed at Newlands golf course. Fox (Vulpes vulpes) signs were common
through much of the study area examined. Other species likely to be present in the vicinity of
the route include hedgehog (Erinaceous europaeus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus),
house mouse (Mus musculus) and pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) (Hayden and Harrington,
2000). Signs and sightings of brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) were encountered frequently
during the mammal survey. Hedgehog is protected under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act.
11.3.6 Aquatic Environment and Fisheries
No watercourses are located within the study area around the N7 Newlands Cross Junction.
The study area is within the catchment of the Camac River, which is located approximately
1km north of Newlands Cross Junction. Thus, surface water and drainage ultimately make
their way into this river system. The Camac is a salmonid river with brown trout and sea trout
in its lower reaches.
December 2007 Page 166