Galway City's Wildlife
Studies based in the Zoology Department of NUI, Galway (weblink) have shown that at least twelve species of mammals occur in Terryland Forest Park including those common in urban areas, such as the fox, house mouse and those that are usually confined to rural areas, such as the Irish hare. The presence of the Irish hare in an urban setting is significant and reflects the quality and the interconnectedness of the natural areas within the city.
Other mammals that occur in the city include the otter, stoat, badger, pine marten, wood mouse, bank vole, pygmy shrew, hedgehog and at least seven species of bats (lesser horseshoe, whiskered, Daubenton’s, brown long-eared, Natterer’s, Leisler’s, and pipistrelle). A healthy small mammal population is essential for the maintenance of a dynamic food web.
County Galway contains several areas of international ornithological importance and parts of a couple of these areas lie within Galway City. There are, however, many other important sites and habitats for birds in and around the city. These include woodland, scrub, hedgerows, wetlands (including the canals), bridges, farmland and gardens. Important bird species such as the barn owl have been recorded within the city, outside the designated areas.
Wildlife habitats
- Waterways and wetlands
- Peatland
- Woodland
- Coastal zone
- Exposed limestone rock and pavement
- Urban habitats
