Efforts are being made in North Kerry to save a species of shore bird.
It’s estimated over 1,200 pairs of ringed plovers nationally; it’s under amber conservation status in Ireland.
Members of the community in Ballybunion have set up a group to help protect the species.
The call of the ringed plover.
Among the challenges the species face include habitat loss, predation, and climate change.
A voluntary group in Ballybunion had been set up in an effort to protect the bird.
Dr Barry O’Donoghue of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, who’s involved in the programme, says at least 30 volunteers are involved in the group which has been set up in Ballybunion.
It aims to help safeguard some pairs of the ringed plover that are currently active with eggs and chicks.
He is urging members of the public in the area to help by keeping their dogs on lead, so as not to interrupt the nests.
Seán Culhane, who is a volunteer in the group explains his connection to the ringer plover:
