Malahide Estuary
Malahide Estuary is that of the River Broadmeadow. A long sand spit, known as ‘the island’, cuts off most of the estuary from the sea. At low tide this area is completely drained, exposing the mudflats.
Eelgrass, green algae and Tassel Weed are common plants along the estuary.
Flora
Sand dunes surrounding the estuary are an important habitat for many sea-side plants. Yellow Wort, Field Gentian, Pyramidal Orchid, and Burnet Rose thrive on the dunes alongside the dominant Marram Grass. A large area of salt-marshes supports maritime plants such as Sea Purslane, Sea Asrer, Thrift and Common Saltmarsh-grass.
Birds
The extensive salt-marshes and mud-flats attract a huge population of waterfowl making it one of the most important ornithological sites in the Dublin area. The estuary is home to an internationally important population of Brent Geese as well as many populations of nationally important species.
Grest Crested Grebes, Mute Swans, Shelducks, Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Teals, Greenshanks and Dunlins are just a few examples of species that occupy the Malahide Estuary on a regular basis. Some migrant bird species are also attracted to the estuary such as Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Little Stint.
Gallery
Pyramidal Orchid 1
English Name: Pyramidal orchid Botanical Name (Latin): Anacamptis pyramidalis Irish Name: Magairlín na stuaice Order: MONOCOTYLEDONES Family: ORCHIDACEAE Brief Description: Perennial herb, to 0.5m tall; distinctive in flower ? young inflorescence distinctly conical with rich pink buds; open flowers paler, and inflorescences becoming more cylindrical; very rarely pure white.
Carsten KriegerPyramidal Orchid 1 - Carsten Krieger
Sea aster
©Jenny Seawright
Sea aster - ©Jenny Seawright
Thrift
Copyright John Kennedy
Thrift - Copyright John Kennedy
Mute Swan with Cygnets
Photograph of adult Mute Swan with cygnets in a nest surrounded by water. The adult is standing guard over the young cygnets. Four cygnets are visable in the nest.
Mute Swan with Cygnets -
Teal
,
Courtesy of BirdWatch IrelandTeal - Courtesy of BirdWatch Ireland
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