A Celebration of Forests in the Causeway Coast & Glens

1 A Celebration of Forests in the Causeway Coast & Glens 2 The Causeway Coast & Glens 3 Introduction 4 The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year Of Forests. This worldwide promotion aims to raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Forest Facts The livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people depend on forests Forests are home to 80% of our terrestrial biodiversity Trade in forest products was estimated at $327 billion in 2004 Forests are home to 300 million people around the world 30% of forests are used for the production of wood and non-wood products Forests cover 31% of total land area Primary forests account for 36% of forest area. The Logo The International Year of Forests 2011 logo is designed to convey the theme of „Forests for people‟ celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of the World‟s forests. The elements within the design depict some of the multiple values of forests and the need for a more rounded perspective: forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity. The forests of the world are a source of food, medicine and clean water and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global cli- mate and environment. These combinations of elements reinforce the clear message the forests are vital to the survival and well being of people throughout the world. http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/ As part of the UN celebrations the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage has published this intro- ductory guideline to some of the forests that can be found in the Antrim Coast & Glens, Causeway Coast and Binevenagh Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Photographic credits: Daniel McAfee, Glens Red Squirrel Group Lee Simpson The information in this publication was collated from various websites and compiled by Lee Simpson employed by CCGHT as part of the USEL employment scheme. www.countrysiderecreation.com www.woodlandtrust.org.uk www.dardni.gov.uk/forestservice 5 Forests in 6 Ballypatrick Forest Ballypatrick forest is bisected by the main A2 road which has been a popular tourist route between the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coast. The Forest itself is situated close to the fascinating Vanishing Lake, Loughareema, which is located within the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB. The forest offers visitors access to a constantly changing series of woodland vistas and distinctive views. The woodland at the entrance of the forest contains the oldest trees having been planted in 1948. Activities Ballypatrick Forest offers a Forest Drive facility or alternatively the public are actively encour- aged to visit the forest on foot to take it in the breathtaking sights and sounds. There are no facilities for recreational activities; however special events such as sporting events or educa- tional visits can be arranged by contacting the Recreational Manager. The Forest Drive The Forest Drive initially winds its way upstream alongside the tributary Corratavey Burn to arrive at the distinctive Irish Ford. Continuing further uphill the open areas among the woodland begin to display characteristic vegetation pri- marily dominated by heather. Openings have been deliber- ately created in the conifer woodland alongside the drive to facilitate the planting of more broadleaves which benefit from the shelter given by the har- dier Spruce. The drive reaches its highest level of around 300m in which visitors can enjoy the stunning view towards the Causeway Coast. Descending from the highest peak the drive passes the site of a „Double Horned Cairn‟. This archaeological site is a form of an early grave dating back to 2,000 BC, which contains two burial chambers. This Cairn is unique as the common form of this structure found in Northern Ireland only contains one burial chamber. Travelling downhill the drive enters Glenmakeeran with its associated stream which eventu- ally flows to join the Carey River. This sheltered area of the forest has been developed into a number of small picnic areas with scenic views of Knocklayd Mountain. The lower woodland is predominantly made up of broadleaved trees including the eucalyptus which is a native of Australia. As the drive nears the exit it passes an extensive area of open bog land which is still utilised for cutting turf used by local people to heat their homes during the harsh winter months. 7 Ballycastle Forest Ballycastle Forest is situated on the slopes of Knocklayd Mountain within the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB and was first planted in 1931. Most of the earlier woodland has been clear felled and replanted, which has produced a more diverse range of wildlife habitats such as: Broadleaved tress: oak, ash, beech, rowan and hazel. Coniferous trees: European larch, Japanese larch, Norway spruce, Sitka spruce, a few Scots pine and Lodgepole pine. Birds: Buzzards, Bullfinch, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Coal Tit, Blue tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Wren, Chiffchaff, Rook, Raven, Jay, Magpie, Starling, Goldcrest, Sparrow Hawk and many more. Mammals: Fox, Badger, Stoat, Hare, Rabbits, Red Squirrel and Grey Squirrels recorded for the first time in August 2009. Ballycastle Forest is part of the Moyle Way which also forms part of the Ulster Way. This leads walkers into the forest following along the route of a former railway track. This sheltered path is known locally as the Glentaisie Trail. The forest path climbs up past a group of European Larch, planted in 1936. Beyond this point there are superb views over Glentaisie and Bally- castle. The Moyle Way allows visitors to reach the summit of Ballycastle For- est, although it is a very steep in- cline but it does afford panoramic views of the coast to the north and Rathlin Island. On a clear day the Scottish Islands of Islay and Jura are also visible. Ballycastle Forest is home to the Glens Red Squirrel Group which has two feeding sites within the forest. The first feeding site was set up in April 2008. This site is located within a Japanese larch planting which was planted in 1975. The site started out with two feeders which have now increased to a total of nine feeders to prevent fighting between the numbers of squirrels that use the feeding site. The second feeding site is the newest of the four public sites created by the G.R.S.G throughout the Glens area. One of the oldest plantings in Ballycastle Forest is the European larch which was planted in 1936. This site was created in January 2010 due to reports of several Grey Squirrels using the feeders. The group‟s work is ongoing to remove the Greys completely from the site. 8 Ballycastle Forest is also the home to the groups first Red Squirrel nesting box which is located near feeding site one. There are now five squirrel drays located within the planting. Nesting boxes have been put in this area because it was found that a squirrel had been trying to make a dray in the feeders, so it gave the group an opportunity to see if the squirrels would use a nesting box. If so this maybe the first time a Red Squirrel has used a nesting box in the wild in Northern Ireland although they have been known to use nesting boxes in captivity. Breen Forest The word „Breen‟ means „fairy palace‟ in Irish, which may have referred to an earth fort or rath which once stood there. Since it was considered unlucky to disturb land associated with fairies, this may explain the survival of this wood through the centuries. Breen Forest is very compact covering around 600 hectares. It is located five miles east of the village of Armoy and ten miles south of the seaside resort of Ballycastle. The forest itself lies within the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB. Breen Forest is very distinctive in its combination of a National Nature Reserve of native oak within predominantly coniferous woodland of maturing spruce, larch and pine. 9 Forest Facts Glacial melt water channels have created the series of hills and gullies on which this Oakwood nature reserve lies. Lying within a larger conifer forest, Breen Oakwood may be a remnant of the woods that once covered much of north-east Antrim. Ancient gnarled and stunted oak trees form most of the canopy, along with downy birch, hazel, and holly, but in damper areas there is alder, including one with a girth of over six me- tres. On the drier upper slopes, the ground is swathed with great wood-rush, along with bil- berry, and scattered bluebells. Near the streams there are colourful displays of lesser celan- dine and wood anemone in spring. Ferns and mosses thrive in the damp conditions of the gullies, and Breen is the only place in Northern Ireland at which a rare moss, Hylocomium um- bratum, has been recorded. The ponds and damp gullies are a haven for newts and dragon- flies, and buzzards can be seen circling above the forest canopy. Breen Forest is a small oak reserve with no clearly de- fined pathways. To the left of the forest road there is a stand- ing stone in the field. Little is known about the stone but it stands as witness to human activity and involvement in the area far back in unre- corded history. There are also two other points of archaeological interest in the vi- cinity of the forest area, including a Souterrain which is located within the fields to the rear of the farm buildings. Unfortunately it‟s not very visible on the ground. McQuillan‟s grave is also situated on the eastern boundary of the forest.

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