The beauty of nature: Large attendance at biodiversity walk in popular Offaly park

RECENTLY, over 45 people from all around the county, country, and the world, attended a walking tour of the Tullamore Lloyd Town Park entitled “A look beyond the trees (to small features of biodiversity)”.

Richard Jack, passionate about nature, led the participants on a ramble through the park. His sense of wonder at nature made for an engaging talk and a friendly atmosphere. Much knowledge was shared among all the participants, and all the questions were warmly welcomed. The beautiful sunshine in the fresh spring air made the walk even more enjoyable.

Our busy lives may leave little time to spend in nature. Richard encouraged us to take time to stop and enjoy nature: the way the course of the sun across the sky changes with the seasons, the buds getting ready on the trees, the violets and the snowdrops coming out in spring.

He pointed out to a rookery in the high trees alongside Cormac Street, where rooks are busy building nests in springtime. Rooks are members of the crow family, as are jackdaws and ravens. Another sign that spring is coming is the song of the chiffchaff, a small olive-brown bird. The young and the young at heart greatly enjoyed learning that the woodpigeon has a very distinctive song that sounds like “your tea is made, Betty”.

He showed us lichens that grow on trees in the park; a lichen is an algae and a fungus living together. Their presence shows that the air is clean. In the walls surrounding the Kilcruttin cemetery, he showed us a very small purple flower that grows in the crevices of the walls: the ivy-leaved toadflax flower.

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Going down into the park towards the Tullamore river, he explained that otters, and small birds called grey wagtails as well the flowers of the yellow iris can be seen there. There are also kingfishers, beautifully striking blue and orange birds, in the wetlands. Biodiversity is about understanding connections between us, animals and plants. Deadwood in a forest is one of the most important places for biodiversity.

A participant mentioned that Irish trees produce beautiful instruments, one of the reasons that trees are so important to us.

Richard concluded his talk by quoting a Nature prescription calendar:

"Get out in the weather

Seek out a Spring flower

Listen for the dawn chorus

Pick three good things in nature every day"

Inspiring words for us, as we are learning how Nature is so important to our wellbeing: research shows that it helps to reduce stress, and it improves our mood, sleep quality, and physical health. When we regularly spend time in nature, we are less lonely and our confidence and self-esteem grow.

See a Nature prescription calendar here: https://www.thinkhealththinknature.scot.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Nature-Prescription-Calendar.pdf

The committee of the Offaly Climate and Biodiversity Action Group would like to warmly thank Richard Jack, the Tullamore Tidy Towns Association, and all the participants who made this event possible.

Join us at our next event in Tullamore: a Climate Café held in the Tullamore Library on Thursday 26th March from 6 to 7.30 pm. At this informal event, you can connect with others in the community who are interested in nature and sustainability. Refreshments will be provided. Tickets are free; you can register ahead of time on Eventbrite. Contact our group at offalyclimateandbio@outlook.com with any enquiries.

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