WILDLIFE OF BLUE FLAG BEACHES

FLORA & FAUNA

Around the Irish coast there are many areas of sand and shingle including sand dunes, shingle and sandy beaches. Beaches are very unstable coastal features, however, they have their own special Wildflowers, Butterflies, Insects, Animals and Marine life. Many species are very colourful and have adapted to life in this unstable environment.

A. BIRD'S FOOT TREFOIL

(Lotus Cornivulatus) flowers from June to September. It grows on sandhills, pastures and roadsides and has 5-10 yellow flowers in each umbel.

B. THE SEA PINK OR THRIFT

(Armeria Maritima) is a common wildflower of coastal cliffs, rocks and salt marshes all over Ireland. The pink flowers appear from May to July and often form large dense tufts.

C. THE SEA BINDWEED

Creeps over sand-dunes around the Irish coast. Up to 5cm across, its funnel shaped pink flowers appear from June to September. Its stems are often half buried in the sand and its long white runners help to bind the sand.

D. SEA HOLLY

(Eryngium Maritimum) has blue-green "Holly" like leaves and blue flowers that appear from May to July. The plant grows only by the sea and is found all around the Irish coast.

E. THE PAINTED LADY

(Vanessa Carduii) is a migratory butterfly and a close relative of the red admiral. It migrates from the continent to the south Irish coast each summer and appears from May to October. In the autumn it returns to the continent.

F. THE RED ADMIRAL

(Vanessa Atalanta) is a large butterfly occurring throughout Ireland. The butterfly migrates from the continent and appears in Ireland from March to November. In autumn, they return to the continent.

Blue Flag Beaches