Reserves and species

Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:16

Umbra

Situated eight miles north-west of Coleraine, nestled between Benone complex and Downhill Beach, unique habitats of special conservation value and many distinctive species make this nature reserve a real gem.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
45.00
Short Description: 
A large undisturbed sand-dune system, Umbra consists of dune grasslands, wetter dune slacks and a small hazel copse. An impressive display of flowering plants in the meadows and sand dunes are a colourful summer attraction and support an incredible diversity of insect life.
Smartphone Description: 
A large undisturbed sand dune complex, Umbra consists of dune grasslands, wetter dune slacks and a small hazel copse. An impressive display of flowering plants in the meadows and sand dunes form a colourful summer attraction and support an incredible diversity of insect life.
Location
Address: 
Seacoast Road
Town: 
Limavady
County: 
Derry
Postcode: 
BT49 0LH
Grid ref: 
NV902960
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times but access by permission only, contact the Ulster Wildlife.
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Members Only
Access info: 
Grazing animals
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park on Seacoast Road and enter through the gates beside the house next to the level crossing
Walking information: 
No formal path network so hiking boots are required
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Reserve email address: 
naturereserves@ulsterwildlife.org
Photos
Photo: 
Umbra Nature Reserve
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:16

Isle of Muck

This impressive island nature reserve, off Islandmagee in Co. Antrim, contains the third largest colony of cliff-nesting seabirds in Northern Ireland.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
5.57
Short Description: 
A majestic island with the third largest colony of cliff-nesting seabirds in Northern Ireland
Smartphone Description: 
This wonderful island has the third largest colony of cliff-nesting seabirds in Northern Ireland. Kittiwakes, guillemots, fulmars and razorbills all breed here and peregrine falcons commonly hunt over the island. You can see puffins, otters, grey and common seal or cetaceans offshore.
Location
Address: 
Portmuck
Town: 
Islandmagee
County: 
Antrim
Postcode: 
BT40 3PG
Grid ref: 
NW607555
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times but access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife. Boat required
Toilets: 
Yes Toilets
Disabled toilet: 
Disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Members with Permit
Access info: 
ground nesting birds
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Parking available at jetty at Portmuck (Toilets are here)
Walking information: 
Boat required to get to this island, no paths, difficult cliff top terrain, steep climbs
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Reserve email address: 
naturereserves@ulsterwildlife.org
Photos
Photo: 
Isle of Muck
Best time to visit
Start: 
July
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:16

Isle Namanfin

Isle Namanfin in Lower Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh, is one of only two places in Northern Ireland where ivy broomrape is found and is notable for breeding garden warbler - a species scarce in Ireland.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
1.56
Short Description: 
A small island situated in Lower Lough Erne, noted for Ivy broomrape
Smartphone Description: 
Situated in the Lower Lough Erne, it is one of two sites in Northern Ireland where Ivy broomrape is found. It is important for bird species such as breeding garden warbler, a scarce species in Ireland, as well as spotted flycatcher, bullfinch and reed bunting.
Location
Address: 
Lower Lough Erne
Town: 
Lower Lough Erne
County: 
Fermanagh
Postcode: 
BT94 1RB
Grid ref: 
H160561
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times but access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife. Boat required
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Permit required
Access info: 
Contact Ulster Wildlife
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Contact Ulster Wildlife for details
Walking information: 
Boat is required to get to this island from jetty at Rossigh just off the B82 north of Killadeas, no path, rough woodland terrain
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Photos
Photo: 
Isle Namanfin
Best time to visit
Start: 
May
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:16

Inishcreagh

Inishcreagh is an island in Upper Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh, preserved now as a link to the primeval forest which once covered our shores.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
6.50
Short Description: 
A beautiful Lough Erne island with a mosaic of habitats
Smartphone Description: 
Inishcreagh is a beautiful island in Upper Lough Erne. It contains a mosaic of mature parkland, oak woodland and botanically rich grassland. Northern Ireland priority species present include mistle thrush and otters.
Location
Address: 
Upper Lough Erne
Town: 
Upper Lough Erne
County: 
Fermanagh
Postcode: 
BT94 5PH
Grid ref: 
H283336
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times but access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife. Boat required.
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Permit required
Access info: 
Grazing animals
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Contact Ulster Wildlife for details
Walking information: 
Boat is required to get to this island from jetty at Knockninney, no paths, grazing animals
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Reserve email address: 
naturereserves@ulsterwildlife.org
Photos
Photo: 
Inishcreagh Nature Reserve
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:16

Inishargy Bog

Situated midway down the Ards Peninsula, Inishargy Bog is one of a dwindling number of sites in Northern Ireland where the colourful marsh fritillary butterfly can be found.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
8.00
Short Description: 
A cut-over bog: one of the few sites in Northern Ireland where the marsh fritillary butterfly is still found.
Smartphone Description: 
A cut over bog, this reserve is one of a dwindling number of sites in Northern Ireland where the marsh fritillary butterfly is still found. A great variety of bird species are found here, such as the mistle thrush, song thrush and linnet. Mammals such as badgers, otters and Irish hare have all been recorded here.
Location
Address: 
Inishargy Road
Town: 
Kircubbin
County: 
Down
Postcode: 
BT22 2RG
Grid ref: 
J616643
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Contact Ulster Wildlife for details
Walking information: 
Rough, boggy terrain, no paths, grazing animals
Grazing animals: 
yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Reserve email address: 
naturereserves@ulsterwildlife.org
Photos
Photo: 
Inshargy Nature Reserve
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:16

Feystown

Feystown nature reserve is small, yet interesting, because its unimproved meadow habitat is the prime site in Ireland for wood cranesbill, a Northern Ireland priority plant species.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
0.02
Short Description: 
Our smallest nature reserve: a pleasant meadow in the Glens of Antrim that is a prime site for wood cranesbill.
Smartphone Description: 
A small yet interesting reserve, Feystown is one of three reported sites for the beautiful wood cranesbill, a Northern Ireland priority plant species. Other interesting plants include yellow rattle and a single record of greater butterfly orchid.
Location
Address: 
Feystown Road
Town: 
Glenarm
County: 
Antrim
Postcode: 
BT44 0EA
Grid ref: 
D315105
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
No
Access info: 
No entry - very small site, view from road
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
On road parking (B Road)
Walking information: 
No walking - best viewed from the roadside to avoid damage to the cranesbill
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Reserve email address: 
naturereserves@ulsterwildlife.org
Photos
Photo: 
Feystown
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:16

Cottage Farm

The woodland flora reveals a lot about the history of Cottage Farm: the profusion of bluebells and anemones suggest a long established wood that is ancient in origin, whilst specimen exotic trees and small larch plantations are evidence of human influence from the more recent past. A rough path along the river makes for a pleasant 30-minute stroll.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
43.00
Short Description: 
A peaceful and secluded wood along the banks of the River Strule to the north west of Omagh town, this nature reserve is part of a fully functioning privately owned farm.
Smartphone Description: 
A peaceful and secluded wood along the banks of the River Strule to the north west of Omagh town, this nature reserve is part of a fully operational farm in private ownership. The reserve contains a profusion of bluebells and anemones and is home to otter, badger and red squirrel.
Location
Address: 
Carrigans Road
Town: 
Omagh
County: 
Tyrone
Postcode: 
BT79 7TN
Grid ref: 
NV568428
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Open to Ulster Wildlife members only, permission required, contact Ulster Wildlife
Parking: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Reserve email address: 
naturereserves@ulsterwildlife.org
Photos
Photo: 
Cottage Farm- Ulster Wildlife
Best time to visit
Start: 
May
End: 
June
Best time to visit
Start: 
August
End: 
October
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by ulster
2011-05-03 14:15

Ballynahone Bog

Located south of Maghera, this is the largest of Ulster Wildlife's nature reserves and has an incredible range of bog flora, including nationally rare sphagnum mosses, liverworts and bog rosemary. The bog and surrounding birch woodland is very rich in birds, dragonflies and butterflies, including the biggest known colony of the large heath butterfly in Northern Ireland.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Ulster Wildlife
Trust Website: 
http://www.ulsterwildlife.org
Size: 
224.00
Short Description: 
Northern Ireland's second largest area of intact raised bog supporting a rich diversity of wildlife.
Smartphone Description: 
This reserve incorporates the second largest area of intact raised bog in Northern Ireland. It has an interesting range of bog flora, including nationally rare sphagnum mosses, liverworts and bog rosemary. The bog and surrounding birch woodland supports a variety of birds, butterflies and dragonflies.
Location
Address: 
Ballynahone Road
Town: 
Maghera
County: 
Derry
Postcode: 
BT46 5DL
Grid ref: 
NV995571
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Access by permission only, contact Ulster Wildlife.
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Contact Ulster Wildlife for permission.
Walking information: 
No paths, wet, rough terrain, frequent draining ditches and ponds. Caution required.
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ulster Wildlife
Reserve phone number: 
028 9045 4094
Photos
Photo: 
Ballynahone Bog
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by cheshire
2011-05-03 14:15

Gowy Meadows

Lying in the rumbling shadow of the Stanlow oil refinery, Gowy Meadows is one of the Trust’s newer reserves and is at the heart of our Gowy & Mersey Washlands Living Landscape.
 
Covering over 400 acres (165ha) Gowy Meadows is often where you’ll see grazing animals working hard to create ideal conditions for wading birds such as lapwing and farmland songster the skylark. Almost 140 bird species have been recorded at Gowy Meadows, including great white egret, marsh harrier, rough legged buzzard and glossy ibis.
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
165.80
Short Description: 
An extensive area of lowland grazing marsh covering a total area 165.8ha
Smartphone Description: 
An extensive area of marsh, Gowy Meadows include the eastern floodplain of the Gowy River and play an important role in flood defence. Approximately 100 species of birds have been recorded here and mammal species include water and bank vole, weasel and woodmouse.
Location
Address: 
Thornton le Moors
Town: 
Ellesmere Port
County: 
Cheshire
Postcode: 
CH2 4JH
Grid ref: 
SJ 435 740
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access info: 
There is access to the site all year round. Unfortunately it is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Parking in the lay by adjacent to Thornton-le-Moors Church off the A5117 Grid reference SJ44127 74557. Please keep to the public footpath and way marked permissive access paths.
Walking information: 
There are over 3km of footpath trails that cross the reserve and all key habitats
Grazing animals: 
Grazing animals
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01948 820748
Photos
Photo: 
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by cheshire
2011-05-03 14:15

Swettenham Meadows & The Quinta

These two sites, situated in the heart of the Swettenham Valley near Holmes Chapel, really are one of Cheshire’s hidden gems. They comprise a mosaic of habitats including ancient woodland, a network of wildlife rich ponds, scrub and series of species rich meadows intersected by numerous wet springs and flushes adding to the diversity of the area. Together these habitats support an abundance of wildlife most notably valuable populations of 14 resident species of butterfly.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
8.50
Short Description: 
Made up of several species-rich grassland, woodland & mire communities
Smartphone Description: 
A good example of an unimproved wet grassland, ponds and woodland, Swettenham Meadows and The Quinta has a diverse array of species, including plants, bees, butterflies, dragonfly & damselfly, amphibians and mammals. A large number of birds breed on this site, including but not restricted to song thrush, mistle thrush and great spotted woodpeck, with sightings of buzzards overhead. Download the self-guided trail and map at http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/swettenhamloop
Location
Address: 
Swettenham, Congleton
Town: 
Holmes Chapel
County: 
Cheshire
Postcode: 
CW12 2LF
Grid ref: 
SJ 804 675
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
Yes
Parking: 
No
Parking info: 
Park in Swettenham village
Walking information: 
Please keep to public footpath
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01948 820748
Photos
Photo: 
Swettenham Meadows
Species: 
Brimstone
Common Spotted orchid
Orange-tip
Comma
Small Copper
Speckled Wood
Ragged-Robin
Bluebell
Gatekeeper
Meadow Brown
Cuckooflower
Bird's-foot-trefoil
Banded demoiselle
Southern hawker
Azure damselfly
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve