Research
Surveys
Research surveys play a vital role in understanding baselines and shaping the future of rewilding at Dunsany Estate, providing the scientific foundation for our work, offering credible evidence of the ecological changes taking place, and ensuring that every step forward is backed by knowledge, expertise, and a deep commitment to restoring Ireland’s natural heritage.
Research at Dunsany Estate
At Dunsany Estate, science and stewardship go hand in hand.
Our team of ecologists and research partners help us define biodiversity baselines, measure progress, and plan future improvements across woodlands, meadows, and waterways.
We sincerely thank the researchers who have devoted their time and effort to producing these valuable works. Their contributions not only help shape the direction of rewilding at Dunsany, but also add to the wider body of ecological knowledge in Ireland.
From baselines to biodiversity success - research in action
This short video shows how field science and technology guide our rewilding journey turning data into measurable outcomes for nature, people, and partners.
Explore the research surveys of Dunsany Estate
By Ciaran Byrne, Forest, Environmental Research and Services (FERS) Ltd.
PRELIMINARY HABITAT AND BAT SURVEYS OF DUNSANY NATURE RESERVE, CO. MEATH
Baseline ecological assessment of habitats, including
· Botanical/Habitat Survey
· Woodland
· Grassland
· Summer Bat Survey
· Winter Bat Survey
· Buildings & artificial surfaces habitat survey
Commissioned by Randal Plunkett, completed May’ 23, these studies by FERS Ltd. ( Forest, Environmental Research and Services Ltd) provided the most comprehensive Baseline ecological assessment of habitats at Dunsany Estate.
Conducted shortly after the decision to rewild 220 hectares of the estate, The survey mapped a diverse mosaic of grasslands, mixed woodlands, marshes, arable land, and sections of the River Skane.
Special attention was given to bat fauna, recognising their role as key ecological indicators within rewilded landscapes.
The findings created a crucial reference point for measuring ecological change as the rewilding project progressed and serves as a foundation for long-term biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning at Dunsany Estate.
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By Thomas Buckley, MSc. (Mod) Environmental Science Dissertation, Trinity College Dublin (2021)
A Baseline Study of Bird Diversity on the Rewilding Reserve of Dunsany Castle Estate, County Meath
This important study by Thomas Buckley provides the first detailed assessment of bird diversity at Dunsany following the Estate’s transition into rewilding.
Conducted in 2021, the research used transects and point count sampling to survey bird communities across both woodland and grassland habitats. Over the course of eight weeks, the study recorded nearly 700 individual birds, with results showing a clear difference in abundance and diversity between woodland and grassland areas.
The findings highlight the role of birds as key ecological indicators and provide a valuable scientific baseline from which future monitoring and management decisions at Dunsany can be guided.
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By Rudraksh Gupta, MSc Biodiversity and Conservation, Trinity College Dublin (2021)
Understanding the Semi-Natural Woodland Diversity at Dunsany Estate, County Meath and Developing a Framework for Future Studies
This master’s thesis by Rudraksh Gupta provides one of the first detailed explorations of the woodland structure and diversity at Dunsany Estate.
Through surveys of seven semi-natural woodlands and three plantation sites, the study assessed tree composition, sapling regeneration, and seedling diversity across 31 sample plots.
The results revealed that semi-natural woodlands supported higher levels of tree, seedling, and ground flora diversity compared to plantations, highlighting the long-term value of unmanaged woodlands for biodiversity.
Key findings showed strong regeneration of ash and sycamore, with evidence of elm and yew seedlings — species that are now relatively uncommon in County Meath.
The study also found links between canopy cover, herbivory, and regeneration success, offering insights into how woodland structure and species interactions shape diversity.
Recommendations included targeted management in plantations, such as thinning and creating canopy gaps, to encourage regeneration and improve understory diversity.
This work establishes a critical baseline for ongoing monitoring at Dunsany, helping to guide future woodland conservation and rewilding strategies.
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By Colin Lewis, MSc Biodiversity and Conservation, Trinity College Dublin (2021)
Distribution of Prunus laurocerasus at Dunsany, Co. Meath
This study by Colin Lewis examined the spread of Prunus laurocerasus (commonly known as cherry laurel) across the woodlands of Dunsany Estate.
Originally planted as winter cover for game birds over a century ago, cherry laurel has since become a problematic invasive species, threatening the balance of native woodland ecosystems.
Using QField mapping software, herbivory markers, and surveys of associated tree species, the research documented the distribution, density, and growth patterns of laurel across nine woodland sites at the Estate.
The findings highlighted the scale of laurel’s presence and its potential ecological impacts, while also identifying connections between laurel growth, herbivory, and surrounding woodland composition.
This work underscores the challenges posed by invasive species in Ireland, while providing an essential dataset that will guide ongoing management and rewilding strategies at Dunsany.
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By Clare Lynn, MSc Biodiversity and Conservation, Trinity College Dublin (2019)
Grassland Vegetation at Dunsany Estate, County Meath
This study by Clare Lynn focused on the structure, composition, and conservation value of grassland habitats across six fields at Dunsany Estate.
Using 72 randomly placed quadrats and advanced vegetation analysis software, the research identified six distinct vegetation groups.
While most grasslands were found to hold relatively low conservation value in their current state, the study outlined practical methods for enhancing biodiversity and improving their role in rewilding.
The research also assessed natural succession, surveying over 100 quadrats for signs of tree encroachment and shrub growth.
Only one of the six fields showed progression towards shrubland and young woodland, dominated by willow (Salix) and birch (Betula).
A comparison was also made with an area of dense white poplar (Populus alba) growth, providing insights into different pathways of grassland succession.
This work establishes a critical baseline for understanding the Estate’s grasslands and highlights opportunities to increase their biodiversity and conservation value through rewilding.
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By Cara Shields, MSc Biodiversity and Conservation, Trinity College Dublin (2019)
An Assessment of Ground beetle (Carabidae) communities in the Re- wilding project at Dunsany Castle Estate, County Meath.
This study by Cara Shields provided the first baseline data on ground beetle (Carabidae) communities at Dunsany Estate, following its transition from agriculture to rewilding.
Carabid beetles are widely recognised as key bioindicators, making them a valuable group for assessing ecological processes and habitat recovery.
Over a six-week period, beetles were sampled using pitfall traps across a variety of grassland and woodland habitats, with results analysed to determine community structure and habitat associations.
The study revealed clear differences between grassland and woodland beetle communities, with grasslands showing a mix of agricultural and semi-natural species, while woodlands were dominated by generalists and open-habitat beetles.
These patterns provided early insights into how habitats at Dunsany are progressing through different successional stages of restoration.
By identifying distinct community groupings and potential replicate sites, this research offers a foundation for long-term monitoring of beetle populations, habitat connectivity, and biodiversity change at the Estate.
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By Polliknow (2025)
Exploring bird biodiversity using passive acoustic monitoring and machine learning-based sound recognition.
Polliknow conducted a trial at Dunsany Nature Reserve to explore bird biodiversity using passive acoustic monitoring and machine learning-based sound recognition. A Polliknow device, equipped with a standard USB microphone, was placed in a fixed location from 13th–16th May 2025.
It recorded during morning and evening peak activity periods, capturing short audio clips of around one minute each. The recordings were then analysed using BirdNET, an open-source sound analysis tool developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Chemnitz University of Technology, which identifies bird species from their calls and songs and provides a confidence score for each detection.
A total of 57 bird species were identified in this period with a total of 350 audio recordings collected.
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By Polliknow (2024)
Insect Pollinator Assessment: Dunsany Trial 2024
This trial marked the first use of the Polliknow V1.2 monitoring system at Dunsany Estate, providing baseline data on pollinator activity in the rewilded landscape.
With 56% of bee species in decline and 30% of Irish pollinators threatened, monitoring has become vital for biodiversity and food security.
Three units were deployed across the reserve, capturing over 25 hours of continuous observations. The system successfully recorded pollinator activity under real-world conditions, demonstrating its value as a tool for ecological monitoring.
This work lays the foundation for long-term tracking of pollinator trends and supports Dunsany’s wider restoration efforts
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