Sheskinmore Nature Reserve
Site Details
Longitude: -8.463635
| Sheskinmore refers to a large area of sand dunes, lake and marsh that lies between Kiltooris and Ballinreavy Strand, north west of Ardara, Co. Donegal. The area is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Wildfowl Sanctuary. The area is easily accessed from the gate at Mullyvea opposite Kiltooris Lough. | Is ceantar mór dumcha, locha agus seascainn é Seascann Mór atá idir Cill Dorais agus Trá Bhaile an Riabhaigh ar thaobh thiar thuaidh d’Ard Ratha, Co. Dhún na nGall. Tá an ceantar ainmnithe mar Cheantar Speisialta Caomhnaithe (SAC), mar Cheantar Cosanta Speisialta (SPA) agus mar Thearmann Éanlaithe. Tá sé furasta dul isteach ann tríd an geata ag Mullach Bheitheach os coinne Loch Chill Dorais. |
HabitatsThe area is mostly a fixed sand dune system, which includes machair grassland, dune slacks, Sheskinmore lough and the surrounding marsh, fen and reedbed. There is some oak and hazel scrub with heath on the drier northern slopes behind the lough and there is also coastal heath on the Carrickalagh headland. Sescenn Mór literally means “big marsh” and the marshy plain contains much of the areas’ interesting flora and fauna. South and west of the flat marshy plain there are sandy machair grasslands which evolve into high undulating sand dunes along Trawmore Strand and Ballinreavy Strand. |
GnáthógaIs córas duimhche seasta an ceantar seo den chuid is mó ina bhfuil talamh féarach, machaire, dumhcha, Loch an tSeascainn Mhóir, machaire moing agus sraith ghiolcach thart air. Tá crainn dharach agus scrobarnach coil maraoin le fraoch ar na fánaí tirime ar an taobh thuaidh den loch agus tá fraoch cósta ar cheann tire Charraig Adhlactha. Ciallaíonn Seascann Mór bogach nó corrach mór agus ta fásra agus ainmhíthe suimiúla le fail ar chuid mhaith den mhachaire corrach seo. Ar an taobh theas agus thiar den mhachaire tá talaimh féir gainimh a éiríonn ansin i ndumhcha droimnigh arda le taobh trá na Trá Móire agus Trá Bhaile an Riabhaigh |
BirdsA visit at any time of year is always interesting for birdlife. During the winter a small flock of Greensland White Fronted Geese feed undisturbed here. Chough and Twite also feed here in Winter. Brent Goose, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye and Golden Plover are other winter visitors. Lapwing, Mallard, Teal, Snipe and Mute Swan are found all year round as are Linnet, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Stonechat and Reed Bunting. Summer visitors include the Grasshopper, Sedge and Willow Warblers and Wheatear, Swallow and Cuckoo. Birds of prey species use this vast open undisturbed site to hunt. |
Ein Is fiú go mór cuairt a thabhairt anseo ag am ar bith den bhliain chun an éanlaith shuimiúil a fheiceáil. I rith an gheimhridgh bíonn scata Géanna le Brollaigh Bhána ón Ghraonlainn a chothú ann. Bionn an Cág Deargchosach agus an Ghleoiseach Shléibhe ann as gheimhreadh. Is cuairteoirí geimhridgh eile iad an Ghé Dhubh, an Eala Ghlórach, an Lacha rua, an Lacha Dhubh, an Feadóg Shléibhe agus Feadóg na Súile Óire. Chítear an Pilibín, an Mallard, an Phraslacha, an Naoscach, an Eala Bhalbh ann I rith nab liana chomh maith leis an Ghleoiseach, an Fhuiseog, an Riabhógmhóna, an Chloch Dearg agus an Ghealóg Dhúcheannach. I rith an tsamhraidh bionn an Dreoilin Teaspaigh, an Chíb, an Ceolaire Sailí, an Chlochrán, an Fhainleog agus an Chuach le feiceáil ann. Úsáideann éin chreiche an láithreán leathan oscaillte seo mar thalamh seilge. |
| Plants The fixed dune and machair are managed to enhance their species richness. Cattle graze extensively during the winter months only. Orchid species include the Marsh Helleborine, Bee Orchid, Frog Orchid and the rare Irish Orchid. There is a succession of colour throughout the summer months in the dunes and on the marsh, from yellows and whites in spring through to the pinks and purples of the late summer. Rarieties recorded in the area include the aquatic slender naiad and pipewort, the tiny petalwort, also quillwort, hoary whitlow grass and many stonewort species. |
Plandaí Riaraítear na dumhcha seasta agus an machaire chun siabhreas na ngnéithe a mhéadu. Bíonn eallach ag iníorgo tréan anseo i rith míonna an gheimhridh amháin. I measc an ngnéithe magairlíne tá Cuacihín Corraigh, Magairlín na mBeach, Magairlín an Ioscáin agus Magairlín Éireannach atá neamhchoitianta. Bíonn athraithe datha trí mhíonna an t-samhraidh sna dumhcha agus ar an machaire ó dhath buí agus bán an earraigh go dathanna bándearga agus corcra dheireadh an t-samhraidh. I measc na ngnéithe neamhchoitianta a rinneadh cuntas orthu sa cheantar seo tá nimfigh uisce, píbín uisce, tursarraing chleite, bosán anagair agus tursarraing chloiche. |
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AnimalsRabbits, badgers and foxes are the most common mammals recorded at Sheskinmore. Otter have been seen in the lough. Frog and newt breed in and around the dune slacks and the common lizard breeds on the drier slopes. The protected tiny marsh snail speciesVertigo geyeri is found in the fen habitat west of the lough. The area is also noteworthy for the variety of butterflies and dragonflies that breed here. Marsh fritillary and dingy skipper both breed at Sheskinmore along with 18 other butterfly species. Sheskinmore lough and associated wetlands is the most species rich site in Donegal for dragonflies and damselflies. Fifteen species have been recorded, the most interesting being the Black-tailed Skimmer and the small Blue tip. |
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AinmhitheIs iad coiníní, broic agus sionnaigh na siní is coitianta ar an t-Seascann Mór. Chonacthas dobharchúnna sa loch. Bíonn an frog agus an t-earc luachra ag síolrú thart ar na dumhcha agus an t-earc coitianta ag síolrú ar na fánaí tirime. Faightear seilidí beaga corraigh. Vertigo geyeri atá cosanta sa ghnáthóg moinge taobh thiar den loch.Tá cáil ar an cheantar seo as ucht ilghnéitheachta na bhfeileacán agus na snatháidí móra a shíolraíonn anseo. Bíonn Fritileáin corraigh agus Preabairí modartha ag síolrú ar an SEascann Mór maraon le ocht ngné déag d’fheileacán. Bíonn níos mó gnéithe de shnatháidí móra agus cuileoga daimsil le fail I gceantar Loch an t-Seascainn Mhóir agus na talaimh fliucha thart air ná in áit ar bith eile i gCo. Dhún na nGall. Rinneadh cuntas oifigiúil ar cúig ghné déag díobh agus Snatháid an Eireaball Dhuibh agus Snatháid Bheag an Bhairr Ghoirm ar na cinn is suimiúla. |
ManagementThe property is managed by NPWS to maximise its biodiversity. The area is rich in marsh and dune plants and supports a wide variety of invertebrates and birds. The cereal plot at the Mullyvea entrance was first planted in 2004 to feed finches and buntings during the winter months. Another plot is planned for Sandfield. The site is winter grazed to encourage floral diversity and cow pats are also a source of food for foraging chough. Stocking rates are periodically reviewed and horses may at times be grazed on the site. Various methods have been tried to control bracken. A sluice is in place to control water levels at the lough in order to protect the slender naiad population. In 2007 McGlinchey’s house at Sandfield was fully restored and is now used as a field studies centre. |
BainistíochtRiaraíonn an NPWS an eastát se chun uasmhéid éagsúlacht bheatha a fháil. Is ceantar saibhir é le plandaí seascainn agus dumhcha a chothaíonn éagsúlacht leathan éan agus ainmhíthe gan cnámh droma. Cuireadh arbhar don chéad uair I 2004 ag bealach insteach ag Mullach Bheitheach chun na gealóga a bheathú i rith an gheimhridh.Tá plean do phlota eile arbhair ag Achadh an Ghainimh. Cuirtear eallach ag iníor ar an láitrhreán sa gheimhreadh chun cuidiú leis an éagsúlacht bláthanna agus is foinse bia an cac bó do na cáig dhearg-chosacha. Coinnítear súil ar an stoc ó am go ham agus b’fheider go ligtar do chapaill a bheith ar fhéar anseo chomh maith. Úsáideadh dóigheanna éagsúla chun smacht a chur ar an raithneach. Cuireadh loc-chomhla ann chun leibhéil an uisce a chosaint. I 2007 coíríodh Teach Mhic Loinsigh in Achadh an Ghainimh agus tá sé in úsáid mar ionad staidéir amuigh faoin aer. |
Access & SafetyThere are three signed access points. The main entrance is at the Mullyvea gate opposite Kiltooris Lough. There is access from the east side at both Murveagh and Sandfield of the R261. Walkers should be cautious of grazing animals between October and May and dogs should be kept on a lead and under control at all times. Some of the land within the site is still privately owned so be careful to close gates and not to damage walls or fences. Appropriate walking clothing and a map and compass are recommended. Any damaging activities should be reported to NPWS at Gleanveagh National Park 074 -9137090 or NPWS at Ballinafad, Co. Sligo, 071 9666700 |
Bealach Isteach agus SábháilteachtTá trí bhealach isteach le comharthaí. Tá an príomhbhealach isteach ag geata an Mhullaigh Bheitheach os coinne Loch Chill Dorais. Tá bealach isteach ón taobh thoir ag Muirbheitheach Bheitheach agus Achadh an Ghainimh ón R261. Ba choir do shiúlóirí o bheith cúramach roimh ainmhíthe ar fhéar ó Dheireadh Fómhair go Bealtaine agus ba cheart madaí a choinneáil ar éill agus faoi smacht an t-am uilig. Ná dean dearmad na geataí a dhruid ná dochar a dhéanamh do bhallaí agus do fhálta.Moltar do shiúlóirí éadai foirstineacha a chaítheamh agus léarscáil agus compass a thabhairt leo. Má bhíonn imeachtaí a chuisíonn dochar ba choir fios a chur ar an tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra I nGleann Bheitheach 074-9137090 nó ag Baile an Atha Fada, Co. Shligigh 071- 9666700 |
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