Join in a beach safari this weekend
By Richie Mccarthy
As we live in a city, it is sometimes easy to forget about the wildlife all around us. From forests and marshes, to beaches and lakes, Galway city probably has the greatest number of wildlife habitats of any city in Ireland.
This weekend, Galway City Council and Galway Atlantaquaria are teaming up to offer the second Beach Safari of 2009. Everyone will have a chance to explore one of the city’s most important and exciting habitats, the beach. Applied ecologist Dr Noirin Burke will lead a beach safari on Ballyloughane beach, Renmore on Sunday August 9 from 1.00 p.m.
Dr Burke, who has carried out numerous fieldtrips and visits to the shore, feels "Ballyloughane is one of Galway's most exciting beaches for observing seashore life". At low tide large amounts of the shore are exposed and can be explored safely. Visitors can identify animals that live in sandy, rocky and tidal areas all on one stretch of shoreline. It is an important nursery area for juvenile flat fish such as plaice and flounder, as well as providing a home for brown shrimp (otherwise known as crangons), sandhoppers, seaweeds and crabs.
If you would like to explore the beach and meet the creatures that call Ballyloughane home, or if you just fancy a nice beach walk on a Sunday afternoon, everyone is welcome.
For more information, contact the Atlantaquaria on 091 585100, atlantaquaria@eircom.net or the Environment Education Officer, Galway City Council on 091 536564 enveducation@galwaycity.ie
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