Paddy Sheridan - Tony Keane

The National Biodiversity Data Centre Distinguished Recorder Award 2021 has been awarded to the late Paddy Sheridan, a prolific recorder and champion of Ireland’s wildlife. Paddy Sheridan passed away in December 2020, and is remembered fondly by thousands of people who became enthralled by his love and knowledge of nature. Paddy was one of the most active recorders submitting data to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. In total, personally he contributed more than 17,000 records since 2012 and this number increased significantly in 2018, with the establishment of Wild Kildare. In addition, Paddy walked a weekly butterfly transect for the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and he monitored a remarkable 22 sites in Co. Kildare for the Five-visit Monitoring Scheme.

A resident of the Enfield area, Paddy had a boundless passion for wildlife, and was hugely knowledgeable about the natural world. In an interview with the Leinster Leader in May 2020, Paddy said he relished the fact that the COVID-19 lockdown, coupled with the summer-like weather, had awoken everybody’s interest in the wonderfully diverse nature around us. Paddy was grateful that people had the time and space to explore local areas: “This less hectic activity has afforded us more time to look around us and notice nature. It seems to seasoned nature lovers that the nation has suddenly awakened to the joy of a bird singing or a butterfly fluttering past. Somehow, looking and listening to the natural world has brought some peace to the public in these uncertain times.” Described by one friend as ‘the David Attenborough of Kildare’, Paddy was a natural teacher and had endless enthusiasm for his subject to pass on to those who were fortunate enough to be in his company. He said “ Reducedcutting of grass verges in both urban and rural settings has allowed wildflowers to bloom, providing much needed food for our pollinators (bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, etc), many of which are in serious decline and on the brink of extinction. This in turn provides food for other species further up the food chain, such as birds. If we are to learn anything from this experience, it is that mankind needs to work in tandem with nature for us to survive on this planet.” The following is a statement from the ‘Wild Kildare’ Committee: To say that he is a huge loss to us all is an understatement, he is also a huge loss to Wild Kildare and the nature and biodiversity that he loved and lived for. His passion, enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication can never be replaced, and he will beforever missed. One of his longest allies in Wild Kildare, Jimmy O’Byrne summed up everyone’s thoughts: ‘My friendship with Paddy goes back over 10 years. I quickly realised he was far more than just a ‘twitcher’ but had a great passion and understanding for all wildlife in the county and its conservation.” His ambitions for conservation led him to set up Wild Kildare with a group of passionate locals. In a short space of time, his enthusiasm and charisma, matched with hard work and deep knowledge, achieved an immense body of work via projects such as the Swift and Dipper Nest Box scheme, Moth/Butterfly monitoring, Biodiversity Week events, habitat work with Tidy Towns and so much else.