Limavady Coastal Biodiversity Welcome to Limavady’s Introduction Limavady Borough has a spectacular dark green fritillary butterflies. coastline stretching from Longfield This booklet gives an introduction to Coastal Biodiversity Bank in the west along the eastern the coastal biodiversity of Limavady shore of Lough Foyle around Borough and highlights some of Magilligan Point and along Benone the sites and walks which let you Strand towards Downhill, and is a How to use this guide experience this rich biodiversity. rewarding place to visit for anyone These are only a small selection This guide will take you on a tour of Look out for the way marker post with the interested in nature. Limavady Borough’s coastline and seashell and you know you have arrived. from the many places along this highlight some of the species you The coastline is exceptionally rich in coastline where it can be seen and Symbols are used to indicate the might expect to see there. biodiversity from its extensive sand experienced. Use this booklet as a facilities you can expect to find in the dunes and its miles of pristine beaches, starting point to dip your toes into There is also a brief identification area (see Key). to Lough Foyle, which are all teaming Limavady’s coastal biodiversity. guide to some of the coastal The wildlife at with wildlife from harbour porpoise to biodiversity; birds, plants, seashells some points may and butterflies, that you will encounter be more sensitive along this fantastic coastline. to disturbance, so Coastal Biodiversity All sites mentioned are publically please follow the accessible and simple directions of how principles of Leave No Trace. Limavady Borough coastline stretches recognises landscapes of national to get to each site are given along with for 23 miles and is one of the most importance and seeks to protect them 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare the main parking areas, and Ordinance scenic and varied in Northern Ireland, for the people who live and work there Survey grid references are included. 2. Be Considerate of Others and was featured in Michael Palin’s and for visitors who come to enjoy their 3. Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife Great Railway Journeys of the World. special qualities. Binevenagh Area of Outstanding 4. Travel and Camp on Durable Ground Lough Foyle is an impressive sea Natural Beauty (AONB) takes centre 5. Leave What You Find lough that stretches between Limavady stage in this coastline and rises up from Borough and Donegal and is one of the 6. Dispose of Waste Properly the shore to Binevenagh where there largest sea loughs on the north coast 7. Minimise the Effects of Fire are spectacular views, on a good day, of Ireland. Three estuaries feed into this Key: of almost the whole of the Borough's www.leavenotraceireland.org large shallow sea lough, the Foyle, the coastline. The AONB designation Parking Faughan and the Roe.
Café
Bike
Toilets
Waymarked Trail
Dogs Welcome
Disabled Access
Binevenagh AONB Coastal Biodiversity Ballykelly Bank There are extensive areas of mudflats, sandflats, saltmarsh and brackish Located on the eastern shore of Lough Foyle, ditches which all add to the rich diversity of plants and animals that call Lough Ballykelly Bank is bounded on one side by the Lough Foyle home. The bird life is particularly spectacular in winter with over 5,000 waterfowl being recorded at peak times including, whooper swans, light-bellied shore and on the other side by freshwater ponds, brent goose and wigeon. The lough also supports a small colony of common reedbeds and reclaimed farmland. If you take a seals, and Atlantic salmon use the estuaries as migratory routes to and from their walk you will be rewarded with views of waders and spawning grounds. wildfowl such as oystercatchers, redshank, and This coastline also contains one of the largest and most important sand dunes lapwing. Keep an eye out for otter spraints and if you systems in the UK and Ireland, with 7 miles of sand dunes, extending along a are lucky you may see one. substantial portion of the north coast. These sand dunes are relatively untouched and play host to a great variety of biodiversity including the rare scarce crimson and gold moth, small eggar moth and dark green fritillary butterfly. There are also a great number of plants found within the dunes such as wild strawberry, bush vetch, lady’s bedstraw and devil’s-bit scabious, along with a variety of orchids including pyramidal orchid. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of an Irish hare in amongst the dunes.
Above Left: Otter Above Right: Reed Bunting Access and Facilities Inset: Redshank Ballykelly Bank is accessed from Station Road on the west side of Ballykelly village. The walk begins at the bridge over the Ballykelly River near Lough Top Left: Foyle shore. It is a pleasant Common Seal linear walk, starting and Top Right: finishing at the same point, a distance of Light-bellied just over 4 miles in length. Brent Goose Above Left: Parking is available at the bridge, at the Dark Green Fritillary end of Station Road from there cross Above Right: over Ballykelly River, turn left and follow Pyramidal Orchid the road to the Lough shore. Inset: River Roe flowing to Lough Foyle Start point grid reference: IC614 235 Myroe Levels Roe Estuary Myroe Levels comprises reclaimed farmland, The extensive mud flats of the Roe Estuary are exposed protected from Lough Foyle by a sea wall. A network at low tide and hiding just below the surface is a banquet of sheughs (open field drainage ditches), on the of small seashore animals such as lugworm, shrimps, farmland and the Lough shore itself provide a variety ragworm and periwinkles. There are also large beds of of habitats where you will experience spectacular mussels and extensive areas covered in eel grass. All of wintering populations of whooper and Bewick’s which are the food that attracts many thousands of migrating swan, along with great crested grebe, widgeon, waders, ducks, swans and geese that stop over on Lough shelduck and teal. Keep an eye out for Foyle every winter. common seal and otters as well. Inside the railway bridge is an area of saltmarsh, managed as a nature reserve by Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Here in the spring you can watch lapwing aerial displays, and hear the haunting calls of the curlew. The River Roe and its tributaries is one of the most important rivers in the UK for Atlantic salmon.
Access and Facilities Access from the Shore Avenue just off the Carrowclare Road. Please note that McConaghey’s Above Left: Whooper Swan level crossing (IC633 278) should be crossed with Access and Facilities Above Right: Lapwing care. Limited parking is available at IC625 281. From Inset: White-fronted Goose To get the best view of the estuary on the outer side here you can access up to 2.5 miles alongside the of the railway bridge it is recommended visitors use sea wall by heading south towards Ballymacran Myroe Level as described previously. Bank and Ballykelly or north towards Roe Estuary. To view the nature reserve turn off the Seacoast Rd Starting point grid reference: IC625 281 (B69) at Crindle, follow the Carrowclare Rd to a T junction and turn right where you come to a small car park after a short distance. Around high tide you can get good views from the car park without causing too much disturbance to the flocks. Starting point grid reference: IC645 290
Above Left: Atlantic Salmon Above Right: Wigeon Inset: Oystercatcher Ball's Point Magilligan Point Ball's Point is located to the north of the Roe Situated at the most north-western tip of the north coast, Estuary at one of the widest parts of Lough Foyle. Magilligan Point lies at the western edge of one of the It overlooks extensive intertidal mudflats and sandflats that provide most extensive sand dune systems in the UK and Ireland a rich feeding ground for the thousands of migrating waders, ducks, that runs all the way to Downhill. swans and geese including ring plover and bar tailed godwit. The valleys, known as slacks, between the dunes provide warm, Ball's point has the highest diversity of sediment and community types sheltered havens for butterflies and moths even on breezy days. in Lough Foyle and holds large populations of bivalves sand gaper and Upon the beach you will find a large variety of seashells including peppery furrow shells. pod razor, oyster, Icelandic mussels and cowrie shells. To the north of Ball's point the sandy shore leads up to Magilligan Point and The mouth of Lough Foyle plays host to a wide variety of birds from the start of the sand dune system. During the spring and summer the dunes red-throated divers and great northern divers out in the Lough to are alive with moths such as the six-spot burnet moth and flowers such as sanderlings along the shoreline. The second largest fish in the lady’s bedstraw and devil’s-bit scabious. sea, the basking shark, also frequents these waters in the summer months where it filter feeds on plankton.
Access and Facilities Ball’s Point is located at the end of the Scotchtown Road. Turn off the Seacoast Road (A2) onto the Scotchtown Road adjacent to Bellarena Primary School and follow the narrow road to an informal car park. To the south the shore is owned and managed by Lough Foyle Wildfowlers Association and there is no public access. Access and Facilities Starting point grid reference: IC645 303 To experience Magilligan, you can walk along the beach or through the sand dunes. Follow signs from Seacoast Road (A2) for Magilligan Point and Ferry, along Point Road. Parking is available at the end of the road. Please note when military firing Above Left: Lady's Bedstraw range is in operation, access will be restricted to Above Left: Small Eggar Above Centre: Bar-tailed Godwit Magilligan Point and the dune land around the Above Centre: Irish Hare Above Right: Grey Heron Martello Tower. Above Right: Arctic Cowrie Inset: Ring Plover Starting point grid reference: IC660 387 Inset: Devil's-bit Scabious Benone Strand Binevenagh & Gortmore Benone Strand is one of the north Binevenagh towers over the coastal landscape of Limavady coast’s best loved beaches. Borough giving breathtaking views of Lough Foyle, Inishowen GORTMORE Take the time to wander through the and the northern coastline. extensive dune grasslands at Benone The cliffs create a unique habitat in Northern Ireland where arctic alpine Strand to find a wealth of wildlife plant species such as purple saxifrage can be found. It is also a nesting BINEVENAGH including the delicate and striking place for a range of birds including the peregrine falcon. common blue and ringlet butterflies, six-spot burnet moth and possibly an At Gortmore you can walk along the cliff-line getting a real flavour of Irish Hare. Take a closer look at the both the coast below and the upland and forest behind, and could dunes not only is there marram grass encounter anything from peregrine and ravens to Irish Hare. but a wealth of other plants including wild strawberry, lady’s bedstraw, birds foot trefoil and wild thyme. During the summer months you will often have the pleasure of seeing harbour porpoises swimming close to the shore.
Access and Facilities Both Binevenagh and Gortmore provide the opportunity to view the coastline from on high. Both sites can be accessed off the Bishop’s Road part of the Causeway Coastal Route's Binevenagh Loop. Access and Facilities The summit of Binevenagh can be accessed To get the most out of Benone you can walk by vehicle using the forest roads signposted off along the beach or through the sand dunes. Leighrey Road and the Bineveangh Scenic Loop. Benone Tourist Complex and Strand lies north of The car park adjacent to the lake on the summit Limavady and is well signposted off the Seacoast allows visitors to explore the grassland and enjoy the Road (A2) and the Causeway Coastal Route, massive views. where there is parking and a number of facilities. Starting point grid reference: IC690 307 Starting point grid reference: IC715 360 Gortmore Viewpoint is on the Bishop’s Road. Park up and follow the path to the cliff top viewing platform or explore the two short walking trails, heading west to Hell’s Hole or Above Left : Orange-tip east to Eagle Hill along the cliff-line. Please note no dogs Above Centre: Curlew Above Left : By The Wind Sailor are permitted in the trails due to grazing livestock. Above Right: Raven Above Right: Harbour Porpoise Starting point grid reference: IC716 342 Inset: Peregrine Inset: Six-spot Burnet Moth 1 2 5 Magilligan Point PORTSTEWART
Point Rd Benone Strand 6 BENONE DOWNHILL CASTLEROCK 3 4 A2
8 Gortmore
A2
Seacoast Rd Binevenagh 5 6 7 Binevenagh AONB Boundary Ball's Point 4 Windyhill Rd
3 Roe Estuary
Myroe Levels 2 Carrowclare Rd 7
Bishops Rd COLERAINE Lomond Rd
Broad Rd B68
1 Ballykelly Bank LIMAVADY Springwell 8 Rd Seacoast Station Rd Forset
Ringsend Rd City of Derry Ballykelly Rd Airport BALLYKELLY Clooney Rd A2 DERRY/LONDONDERRY
DERRY/
LONDONDERRY Ballyquin Rd Ballyquin
Loughermore Forest Six-spot Burnet Moth Dark Green Fritillary Garden Tiger Moth Cinnabar Moth + Caterpillar Late May – Early September Mid June – Early September Mid June – August May – August
Common Blue Ringlet Small Copper Small Heath May – October Mid June – Mid August Mid April – Mid October Late April – Mid October
Small Elephant Hawk-moth Yellow Shell Moth Peacock Orange-tip May – Early August Early June – Early September March – October April – Mid July
Identification Sheets: Here is some of the biodiversity that you Moths & Butterflies might come across on your travels along the Limavady Borough coast Reed Bunting Skylark Wigeon Whooper Swan
Curlew Redshank Light-bellied Brent Goose Gannet
Lapwing Bar-tailed Godwit Cormorant Kestrel
Identification Sheets: Here is some of the biodiversity that you Birds might come across on your travels along the Limavady Borough coast Harebell Wild Thyme Pyramidal Orchid Knapweed
Lady’s Bedstraw Germander Speedwell Kidney Vetch Birds-foot-trefoil
Selfheal Devil's-bit Scabious Wild Strawberry Burnet Rose
Identification Sheets: Here is some of the biodiversity that you Plants might come across on your travels along the Limavady Borough coast Arctic Cowrie Common Cockle Edible Periwinkle Blue Mussel
Common Limpet + Barnacle Otter Razor Banded Wedge
Oyster Common Whelk Scallop Common Limpet and Beadlet Anemone
Identification Sheets: Here is some of the biodiversity that you Seashells might come across on your travels along the Limavady Borough coast Biodiversity and Conservation Much of this spectacular coastline and its biodiversity are protected. Some is owned Useful websites & contacts and / or managed by Limavady Borough Council, Northern Ireland Environment www.biodiversityni.com www.ccght.org Agency and the Ministry of Defence all of whom work together, along with other www.limavady.gov.uk www.doeni.gov.uk/niea organisations such as Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust and Butterfly Conservation, to make it a coastline both for people and biodiversity. www.limavadyguide.com www.butterfly-conservation.org This coastline is recognised nationally and internationally with a number www.roevalleyarts.com www.leavenotraceireland.org of designations including Special Area of Conservation and Area of Special Scientific Interest. One way of helping protect these areas is by recording, Out and about noting down, what you see when you are there and sending your records to the Biodiversity Officer All sites found on OS discoverer sheet 4 Image Credits: Laurie Campbell ([email protected]) or to the Centre for Bus and rail enquiries Richard Gillen Environmental and Data Recording, www.translink.co.uk (www.nmni.com/cedar) Northern Ireland's McCall Gilfillan record centre. You can use the identification Limavady Tourist Information Rachel Bain pages in this booklet to help you at the Roe Valley Arts Centre Butterfly Conservation discover what you are seeing. Floral Images T: 028 7776 0650 Ulster Wildlife Trust E: [email protected] NIEA LLENG Acknowledgements A E This publication has been produced by Limavady Borough Council in H C F conjunction with the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust and funded U through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency NGO Challenge Fund.
O 2012 N Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust provides a secretariat service to D
G the Binevenagh AONB Management Forum. N Design by 1440design.com Funded by
Administered by