Protect our Upland Habitats

Trekkers Nature Watch - Spring / Summer By Geraldine Boland, Trekkers Club Environmental Officer

Look out for ground-nesting birds this Spring/ Summer. They are rearing chicks up to the end of August. The two that you are most likely to see and hear are the Skylark and the Meadow Pipit. In our Uplands, they nest on the ground protected only by grass, scrub and/or heather. “That’s one of the reasons that we ask hikers to stick to tracks and paths, when possible” says Helen Lawless, Access and Environment Manager at Mountaineering Ireland. “That reduces disturbance and gives these birds a better chance of successfully rearing their chicks. It also reduces the risk of a nest being trampled.”

Skylark (Fuiseog) (16-18cm)

The male skylark defends his territory by rising up from the ground and then hovering overhead (50 - 100m) while chirruping continuously

Meadow Pipit (Riabhog) (14-15cm)

The “seep seep” call of this small bird is distinctive and it flies lower over heathland, with a fluttering “parachute” display flight. This is the most common bird on Ireland’s mountains. If you are lucky, you might also see Red Grouse or Snipe, also ground nesting birds 

Further information:

To Watch: Mountaineering Ireland- Happy Hiking Video Series-No. 9: Ground Nesting Birds https://youtu.be/QR5kHGR38Ew?si=mbzRvMFc2jlW_tol

To Download: Walking with Wildlife Leaflet: 

www.mountaineering.ie/_files/WalkingWithWildlife-North2021.pdf

To Follow on Instagram:

Interested in hearing the skylark’s call? Follow Sean Ronayne on Instagram: @irishwildlifesounds www.instagram.com/reel/DVtpTRiFoy/?igsh=MWx4cmxzdTk5Ymw2NA==

Reporting illegal dumping - this is how to report an illegal dumping site in Wicklow or the Dublin Uplands to the PURE office.

Source: www.pureproject.ie

If you come across an illegal dumping site on a hike, you should report it. Leaving the litter where it has been dumped will encourage more fly-tippers. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Take a photo of the contents of the dump site
2. Use Google Maps to save a pin drop of the exact location
3. Email Alana Sweeney, PURE Office Administrator at info@pureproject.ie as soon as possible
4. Include the date, photo and location pin drop (or grid reference) and short description in your email.

Remember, the PURE Project only covers Wicklow and the Dublin Uplands. www.pureproject.ie

For illegal dumping in the Uplands in other counties, call the National Complaints Line on 1800 365 123

Carpooling

The Committee is discussing a car pooling policy at present and will include future updates on this webpage. In the meantime, please continue to carpool when you can. 

PURE Mile litter picks.

Trekkers are role models in the “Leave No Trace” movement in Ireland. Our club’s commitment to PURE Mile litter picks in the Dublin Uplands is respected and admired. It’s one of the many ways to protect the mountains that we so much enjoy for future generations. We have four litter pick mornings this year along the roadsides in the Featherbeds area, above Glenasmole Valley. If you wish to volunteer, you can do so through the Trekkers app. The five co-leaders of litter picks are: Rita Tuohy, Dara Robinson, Noel Kelly, Fran Behan and Geraldine Boland. Rita promises to bring her freshly baked scones to the refreshments after every litter pick!

Upcoming dates are:

On some of our litter picks this year, we will be joined by eight international protection applicants who are PURE volunteers coordinated by the South County Dublin Volunteer Centre Integration Officer- Sandra Mpotu. https://volunteersouthdublin.ie/who-we-are/

Access

Public enjoyment of the vast majority of Ireland’s mountains and crags is due to the goodwill and tolerance of the landowners, rather than access being based on any formal arrangement. Land ownership in Ireland is a complex jigsaw of individually-owned land, commonage areas (where a number of people share grazing or other rights to the land) and State-owned lands (e.g. Coillte, national parks, Forest Service and Northern Ireland Water properties).

As land ownership and other circumstances can change, access should not be taken for granted, even on routes that have been used for decades.

Maintaining the goodwill that access depends upon is a shared responsibility. Taking the time to say hello or check about parking can make a big difference.

The purpose of this section is to alert Trekker leaders to current access issues: e.g. diversions or closures of certain trails by Coillte, Wicklow NPWS, Dublin Mountains Partnership, Wicklow Uplands Council. 

Report an Access Issue

If you experience difficulty in gaining access for hillwalking, please email helen@mountaineering.ie providing details of the location, a description of the difficulty you encountered, and your contact number. ALSO - PLEASE COPY THE TREKKERS ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER (Geraldine Boland) ON YOUR EMAIL gmboland@gmail.com

Temporary Trail Closures or Diversions (Last updated-22/05/2026)  

Where?	When does the closure end?	Map
Glenmalure: near Drumgoff Crossroads. Temporary Diversion on the Wicklow Way due to forest harvesting.	In place for 6 to 8 weeks, until mid to end of June 2026.