Conservation Works at Tyrella Beach

A formal scientific assessment of Tyrella Beach sand dunes, undertaken in 2018 by ecologists from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), determined that the dune habitat was in an unfavourable (unhealthy) condition. The assessment recommended the introduction of conservation cattle grazing and advised that, without this management, the site would further deteriorate, with the loss of the important species it supports.

The ecologist’s assessment identified two main issues:

1. Excessive vegetation height.

2. Excessive litter cover (dead plant material).

Both serve to impede the number and diversity of plant species and pose a significant fire risk in dry conditions.

The introduction of conservation cattle grazing is intended to improve the dune habitat by:

1. Reducing average vegetation height

2. Reducing average litter cover

3. Increasing herb cover

Under the DAERA Management of Sensitive Sites (MOSS) programme, works were undertaken to securely fence the dunes and install pasture pumps (for drinking) and cattle corals. Since 2008, the MOSS programme has successfully delivered similar positive environmental outcomes in other coastal dunes systems around Northern Ireland’s coast. These have been in partnership with private landowners, Councils and environmental NGOs such as National Trust and Ulster Wildlife, and have used the same approach, with low-density winter grazing.

To further guide the conservation grazing process, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) commissioned an ecologist to develop a site-specific grassland management plan tasked with setting out the most suitable cattle breed, stocking rate and grazing period. Based on this plan, NMDDC now graze the Tyrella Dunes as follows:

Cattle Types:

Rare Irish Breed cattle (e.g. Moiled, Kerry, Droimeann, Belted Galloway etc).

These breeds are lighter than commercial cattle (causing less ground poaching), are generally more docile and are resilient to the coastal environment.

Stocking Rate:

Only one dune will be grazed at any one time. Cattle are purposely being added in low-density numbers so as to be as sensitive as possible to the dune habitat.

Grazing Period:

October to February (inclusive).

Grazing will only take place across the Winter months as the common Lizard population will be in hibernation, it is outside the nesting season of ground nesting birds and wildflower species will have fully seeded.

Common Lizard (Viviparus Lizard)

A three-year ecologist-led lizard survey is currently taking place at Tyrella beach (2024 – 2026). The survey will establish current population numbers and will continue to monitor these across the first two years of conservation cattle grazing.

The Lizard survey is funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) from the proceeds of the Carrier Bag Levy.