Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2022 Cover Images: Main image – Dundrum Bay @ Tourism NI Red squirrel @ DAERA Red kite @ Ben Hall Contents Page Image: Marsh fritillary butterfly @ Stephen Craig 2 Foreword 5 Introduction 6 Threats to Biodiversity 7 Biodiversity: It’s Our Duty 8 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan 9 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area 10 Priority Habitats and Species in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area 11 Habitats Across Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area 12 Local Action for Species 36 Do Your Bit for Biodiversity 41 Finding Out More About Biodiversity 44 Where to Report Wildlife Crime and Pollution 44 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 - 2022 45 Partner Abbreviations and Glossary 47 3 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Irish hare @ Ronald Surgenor 4 Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2022 Réamhrá / Foreword Mar Chathaoirleach Chomhairle Ceantair an Iúir, As Chairman Mhúrn agus an Dúin, is mór an pléisiúr domh of Newry, Plean Gníomhaíochta Chomhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mourne and Mhúrn agus an Dúin um Bithéagsúlacht Áitiúil a Down District chur faoi bhur mbráid (PGBA). Tógfaidh an Plean Council, I have seo ar an bhunobair a bhí curtha le chéile i great pleasure in bPleananna Gníomhaíochta Áitiúla an dá introducing the Chomhairlí a bhí ann roimhe. Tabharfaidh an Newry, Mourne and Plean seo treoir do chaomhnú agus Down Local d’fheabhsúchán na bithéagsúlachta fud fad an Biodiversity Action Plan Cheantair. (LBAP). This plan will build on the foundations laid down in Is réigiún ardscéimhe i dtuaisceart na hÉireann é, the Local Biodiversity Action Plans developed in Ceantar an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin, a bhfuil clú former years by the legacy Councils and will guide agus cáil air as a shléibhte maorga, a thránna the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity gainmheacha, a pháirceanna foraoise, agus a across the district. lochanna farraige a bhfuil tábhacht eiceolaíoch ag baint leo, a leithéid de, Loch Cairlinn agus Loch Newry, Mourne and Down district is a beautiful, Cuan. Is áiteanna tábhachtacha iad ó thaobh scenic region of Northern Ireland, well known for its turasóireachta de cé go bhfuil an chuid is mó den stunning mountains, sandy beaches, forest parks talamh ina dtailte feirme, atá ríthábhachtach and the ecologically important sea loughs of chun slite beatha áitiúla a chothú. Tá an dúiche Carlingford and Strangford. These areas are seo fíorthábhachtach ó thaobh bithéagsúlachta. important for tourism and, with a large proportion Gach uile bhliain feictear radharcanna áille dena of the land being farmland, are vitally important for cadhain bolgfhionn ar féarach, ar chladaigh na sustaining local livelihoods. Our district is also lochanna. Chomh maith leis sin bíonn fiadhúlra extremely important in terms of its biodiversity. eile le feiceáil, ina measc, cúir rua ag Every year we are treated to the wonderful sight of faoileaoireacht go hard os ár gcionn, bumbóga i internationally important populations of light- mbun phailniú na mbláthanna, agus na h-ioraí rua bellied Brent geese grazing on the shores of our ag crúbadach sna crainn ar an Tulaigh Mhór agus loughs. Other wildlife highlights include red kites ar Shliabh gCuillinn gan ach roinnt bheag a lua. soaring overhead, bumblebees busily pollinating plants, and red squirrels clambering up trees at Tá Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin Tollymore and Slieve Gullion Forest Parks, to name tiomanta don timpeallacht nádúrtha a chosaint a few. agus an fiadhúlra atá ag brath uirthi. Le bheith rathúil áfach, tá muid ag brath ar thacaíocht Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is leanúnach an phobail áitiúil sa dóigh is go mbeidh committed to protecting our natural environment orainn comhoibriú le chéile chun ár n-oidhreacht and the wildlife that depends on it. To be saibhir, nádúrtha a chaomhnú do na glúnta atá le successful, however, we need the continual support teacht. Mar sin de, iarraim ort, a dhaoine uaisle of local people so that we can work together to Cheantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin tacú leis an conserve our rich natural heritage for future Phlean Gníomhaíochta um Bíthéagsúlacht Áitiúil generations. Therefore, I ask you, the people of an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin agus a bheith Newry, Mourne and Down district, to support your páirteach gníomhach i gcosaint na Local Biodiversity Action Plan and become actively bithéagsúlachta iontach atá ar leac an dorais involved in protecting the amazing biodiversity that s'againne. we are so fortunate to have. An Comhairleoir Marcas Ó Murnáin Councillor Mark Murnin Cathaoirleach Chairman Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin Newry, Mourne and Down District Council 5 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Introduction What is Biodiversity? Why is it Important? The biodiversity we Biodiversity is the short term Biodiversity is a key measure of see today is the result used for 'biological diversity', the health of our planet and which is 'the total variety of all therefore vital for our survival. of millions of years of living plants and animals, and It provides us with the evolution, shaped by the habitats in which they live'. essential ingredients without natural processes which we could not live, such The biodiversity we see today is as the oxygen we breathe, and, increasingly, by the result of millions of years water we drink, and food that the influence of of evolution, shaped by natural we eat, as well as adding processes and, increasingly, by beauty and variety to our humans. the influence of humans. It is surroundings. found all around us, in our fields, gardens, lakes, mountains, parks, rivers and woodlands. Biodiversity adds character and distinctiveness to an area. The Newry, Mourne and Down area has a rich and distinctive variety of habitats from the Mountains of Mourne and Murlough Beach, to the fens of Lecale and the Ring of Gullion. Indeed, this natural beauty has helped to shape our culture and inspire our artists, writers and composers. 6 Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2022 Threats to Biodiversity Many habitats and species across Northern Ireland are in decline. Some of these declines can be attributed to global causes while others have more local origins. Legislation and policy guidance is attempting to close the gap on these but of course implementation, monitoring and enforcement are key. Habitat Loss and Non-native Invasive Pollution Fragmentation Species, Pests and Pollution is the introduction of Habitat loss is the greatest Diseases contaminants into the natural threat to biodiversity worldwide environment that cause Non-native invasive species are adverse change. It can take the either from damage, drainage, the second biggest threat to development, inappropriate form of chemicals biodiversity after habitat loss. contaminating our water, litter, management or fragmentation. Human activity is the main For example, over 90% of or sewage into our seas. cause of the introduction and Pollution still remains a serious species rich grasslands or spread of invasive species meadows were lost over a 50 problem for our environment through accidental and and for biodiversity as it can kill year period in the United deliberate releases, stowaways Kingdom as farming intensified species (fish kills in rivers and in imported goods or escapees lakes, wildflowers and hedges post war and hay production from gardens and large estates. changed to silage. This has sprayed with weed killer) and destroy habitat over time. resulted in the decline of many As invasive species tend to be species dependant on highly adaptable and strong meadows, such as the Irish competitors, they can out- Climate Change hare, native butterflies and compete native species for food Climate change is having moths and the complete loss of and space. Key invasive species significant impacts on both the the corncrake from many areas. already affecting our area distribution of species and include Japanese knotweed, habitats in our area and their Himalayan balsam, giant ability to function as hogweed and grey squirrel, with ecosystems. For example, potentially many more on the species that exist only within horizon. certain ranges or temperatures could be pushed northwards and to higher altitudes, restricting their natural range and compromising their future. It is important to protect and maintain healthy ecosystems as we rely on efficient water regulating by bog lands and woodlands in our river catchments to reduce flooding. Great spotted woodpecker @ Nigel Snell Ecosystem services @ www.greatecology.com Grey squirrel @Breffni Martin 7 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Biodiversity: It’s Our Duty In 2011, the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (WANE)1 came into force, replacing the Wildlife Order (Northern Ireland) 1985. This legislation is the primary tool for the conservation and protection of Northern Ireland’s threatened or endangered wildlife. While the WANE Act has introduced new species to protected lists, tightened controls on invasive species and increased penalties for wildlife crime, a significant change for councils was the introduction of a new Biodiversity Duty for all public bodies. Why is the Duty What is Involved? “It is the duty of Required? In essence, the aim of the Duty every public body, in To halt the loss of biodiversity; is to raise the profile and exercising any European, national and regional visibility of biodiversity and to targets have been set. The make it an integral part of functions, to further European Union (EU) vision is policy and decision making. the conservation of for better protection of When undertaking their biodiversity by 2050. The target functions, public bodies have to biodiversity so far as set by Northern Ireland, in the take into account the following is consistent with the Northern Ireland Biodiversity five areas: proper exercise of Strategy, is to significantly • Enhancing biodiversity reduce overall biodiversity loss.