TYMON PARK Forest Habitat Disruption

It is with dismay and alarm that we note the many trees that have been felled, and much of the forest area cleared in the wood adjacent to the basketball arena in Tymon Park, and we trust plans are in place to replant more ecologically compatible and sturdy native trees to ensure long-term sustainability.

We are also concerned at the hacking back of much of the bramble bushes and scrub along the M50 railing at this location, which has destroyed much of the habitat for smaller mammals and the loss of essential winter cover and feeding for birds, such as the winter vulnerable wren. 

A cross-country running/cycle track is being developed where the trees have been cleared along the length of this woodland. This will have a devastating effect on habitat.

We express our complete opposition to this development on a number of points:

1.    The seclusion of this forest has allowed a variety of wildlife habitats exist, including badger setts, fox dens, hedgehogs, and buzzard. This is also a favoured hunting ground for sparrowhawks.

In addition, many of our more secretive bird species have been observed here, such as goldcrest, wren, siskin, black cap, redwing, chiffchaff, other warblers and other species.

2.    The destruction of this avenue of trees and shrubbery has removed an invaluable wildlife corridor. The trees also act as a filter against noise pollution from the M50 motorway, not only for the wildlife, but for all park users on the Tymon North side.

Indeed, such works, with no apparent consultation with park users and groups such as ours, could damage our prospects of attaining the much-coveted Green Flag for Biodiversity award in 2022 - a reversal of collaborative efforts between Council staff and users’ groups in previous years.