about Binevenagh The newsletter for the Binevenagh AONB Chairman’s VIEW BIRDS OF BINEVENAGH A busy summer has turned into a busy autumn for Binevenagh AONB. The Binevenagh AONB is a dramatic In July, The National Association of AONBs held its landscape of contrast and diversity annual conference in Northern Ireland for the first time at which provides a haven of different Coleraine. This provided an opportunity to showcase the landscape to colleagues from throughout the UK, Ireland habitats within the area for an and further afield. Whilst our approach to managing protected landscapes is relatively new it is clear from the abundant wild bird population. conference and field trips that things are heading in the The area is also sparsely populated with people right direction. and is on the outer fringes of the province and The Heritage Trust continues to raise awareness of the it is this fortunate coincidence that means it is special nature of Binevenagh AONB through practical favoured by some of the most abundant and at means. A very successful Picture This! Competition times rare displays of birdlife in the country. engaged six local schools and has resulted in a fantastic library of images which the Trust can use to promote the This guide is a non exhaustive list of the birds that AONB. A key element of this competition is that it was the may appear throughout the Binevenagh AONB. children who took the photographs of things that were important to them. This will hopefully lay a foundation for It is not an attempt to name every possible sighting, The birds are listed per habitat, but it is useful to a sense of pride and ownership in the landscape in which but a representative sample from the wide variety bear in mind that they are mobile creatures and will they live. of species you may commonly come across along often be found passing through various habitats or even occupying more than one of the habitats On behalf of the Binevenagh AONB management forum with some special rare but equally, important species I would like to extend a word of thanks to all those that may hold particular significance to the regional listed. There may also be variations in the male and involved particularly the pupils, teachers, staff & Art heritage or the habitat in which they are found. female of the species and Ward for his professional guidance. often the young will have Not only does Binevenagh AONB have a diverse dissimilarities usually in landscape but there is also a rich biodiversity within that the colour of their down landscape. Birds of Binevenagh is the latest in a series before they grow a fully of guides produce by the Heritage Trust that raises fledged feather coat, like awareness of the rich natural heritage that exists. This the adult bird. However, practical guide is a non exhaustive list that will hopefully for ease of use, the most allow anyone who enjoys the AONB to explore its rich common representation of variety of visiting and resident bird life. the bird species has been Following extensive stakeholder and public consultation presented in each case. the Management Plan process continues to roll on with a draft plan now available for comment. This document considers the long term protection and enhancement of the landscape quality of the area for the benefit of both HAPPY BIRD SPOTTING! those who live there and for those visitors who come to enjoy it, over the next ten years. Please take the time to Joanne Pollock CCGHT, feed into this important consultation. Student Placement The Ulster Way was recently relaunched with new The Birds of Binevenagh branding and signage, some of the best bits of which has guide is available at been installed throughout the AONB. The trail provides a great opportunity to enjoy some the best bits of our local Tourist Information landscape. Centres and libraries or alternatively contact As always we’re looking for new ways to promote and CCGHT to receive your get people talking about the AONB, so coming soon the Binevenagh AONB Facebook page. If you’re on Facebook free copy. add us as a friend. Richard Gillen Countryside Recreation Officer Culture Arts Tourism Limavady Borough Council Chairman, Binevenagh AONB Management Forum ISSUE 4 AUTUMN 2009 ABOUT BINEVENAGH BINEVENAGH MY BINEVENAGH! MANAGEMENT FORUM In 2006 the scenic area around Binevenagh was we would like to know if you feel that issues or Who’s WHO? designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural opportunities and objectives or actions are missing Beauty (AONB) by the Department of Environment or if you feel that some are not represented. You Cllr William King (NI) in recognition of its special and unique do not need to comment on the entire document Coleraine BC character. Following the designation a Management but you can concentrate on what you feel is more Forum for the AONB was set up with the important relevant to you. Cllr William King has been role of looking at the long term protection and a member of Coleraine The Plan, along with other relevant documents, Highly Commended. Leah Gilfillan, Bellarena PS enhancement of the landscape quality of the area Trust Director’s Favourite. Adam Dallas, Hezlett PS Borough Council since will be available on the Causeway Coast & Glens for the benefit of those who live there and for 2001. He is involved Heritage Trust website. Comments can be sent by with various committees those visitors who come to enjoy it, through the post or email to Maxime Sizaret, and is interested in sport preparation of a 10 year Management Plan. [email protected] alternatively you can contact and agriculture. He is a The Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust, on Maxime by phone. retired farmer and lives behalf of the Binevenagh AONB Management Forum, in Macosquin which lies on the edge of the Rachel Bain has been appointed as the Causeway has been preparing this Plan over the last few Binevenagh AONB. William received an MBE Coast & Glens Heritage Trust AONB Officer. for services to agriculture in 2002. months. This has included public and stakeholder [email protected] consultations and analysis of existing information. We would like to receive your comments by the At this stage we are looking for your views on the Cllr Cathal 18th December, after this date comments will be Plan, its content, the issues and opportunities O hOisín compiled and analysed to produce the final version highlighted, objectives and actions. The information Limavady BC of the Binevenagh AONB Management Plan. Highly Commended. Liam McIlhinney, St Aidan’s PS within this document is not exhaustive, however Cathal, present Mayor of Runner-Up. Ryan McCracken, Bellarena PS Limavady is currently a freelance producer and facilitator with Independent Television Company. He was In spring 2009 the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust elected to Limavady Borough Council in 2005 and represents the Council on Causeway Coast PICTURE hosted a primary schools photography project in the Binevenagh and Glens Heritage Trust, Binevenagh AONB Management Forum, the Causeway Coast and AONB aimed at raising awareness of the natural, cultural and built Glens Ltd, the Sperrins Tourism Ltd and the heritage of this unique and beautiful landscape. Western Health & Social Services Board Early THIS! Years Committee. Cathal has a keen interest in the promotion of the Irish language, hill walking Runner-Up, Ciara McCormack, St Anthony’s PS and environmental issues. The theme of the project was ‘Valuing the Environment’. Up to one hundred pupils from Runner-Up. Ross Canning, Ballyhackett PS Ann McNickle six primary schools were selected from across Coleraine Rural the boroughs of Coleraine and Limavady to take & Urban Network part in the project which involved an in school Ann McNickle has been workshop with Arthur Ward, photographer and project Manager with CCGHT staff. The workshop introduced the Coleraine Rural & Urban pupils to the history of photography and the Network for nearly 10 basic techniques of digital photography. The years. She lives in the children were also given the opportunity to Limavady council area learn about protected area designations and and is very keen to highlight the natural beauty the reasons why it is important to preserve Highly Commended. Conor O’Kane, Ballyhackett PS within the area and to underline any issues of and manage these landscapes. Following concern that the local community should be made aware of. the workshops the pupils were given the In total more than seven thousand photographs opportunity to visit various sites within the were taken during the site visits. CCGHT staff AONB to experience and capture images of Bellarena PS Pupils in Binevenagh Forest sifted through the images which were of an Maxime Sizaret the environment. Binevenagh AONB hosts a outstanding quality, categorising and shortlisting Heritage Manager Winner. Aidan Gilfillan Bellarena PS Highly Commended. Caleb Ewart, Hezlett PS wealth of biodiversity and this is evident in the them for the judging panel, Patrick Lennon from CCGHT assortment of images. Some pupils chose Tourism Ireland, Richard Gillen from Limavady to capture the panoramic scenery from the Borough Council and Chairman of the Binevenagh Maxime who started work with the Causeway Coast heights of Binevenagh whilst others were AONB Management Forum and Joe McFadden & Glens Heritage Trust keen to encapsulate the flora and fauna on the Chairman of the Antrim Coast & Glens AONB mudflats and in the forests. in March 2004 as the Management Group. The judges had the very Natural Heritage Officer is The schools involved were: difficult task of selecting the prize winners as originally from Le Mans in there were so many images worthy of winning. St Anthony’s PS Aghanloo France where he worked The judges also pointed out that a number as an environment Bellarena PS of pupils exhibited a creativity and talent for consultant.