Ballyarr Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballyarr Wood |
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| Type | National |
| Location | near Ramelton, County Donegal |
| Area | 74 acres (29.95 ha) |
| Operated by | National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) |
| Status | Open all year |
Ballyarr Wood is a really cool national nature reserve. It's located near Ramelton in County Donegal, Ireland. This special area covers about 74 acres, which is like 56 football fields! The Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service looks after it. They are part of the government and help protect important natural places.
Discover Ballyarr Wood
Ballyarr Wood became a protected national nature reserve in 1986. This means the Irish government made laws to keep it safe. It's one of the best and biggest natural woodlands in northwest Ireland. A woodland is a forest with lots of trees. This one has many deciduous trees, which are trees that lose their leaves in autumn.
What Makes It Special?
Ballyarr Wood is home to old oak trees. You'll also find holly and hazel trees there. Besides the trees, there are other types of natural areas. These include:
- Scrub (areas with small trees and bushes)
- Wet grassland (grassy areas that are often damp)
- Wet woodland (forests that grow in wet soil)
- Wet heath (open areas with small shrubs that like wet conditions)
This wood is also a Special Area of Conservation. This is a special title given under the EU Habitats Directive. It means the wood is very important for nature in Europe.
Caring for the Wood
People work hard to keep Ballyarr Wood healthy. For example, they stopped farm animals from grazing there. This helps new trees like rowan and oak grow naturally.
In winter, small horses are sometimes brought in. They eat rushes, grasses, and sedges. This helps clear the ground so young tree saplings can grow better. The hazel trees are also coppiced. This means they are cut back to the ground. This helps them grow new, strong shoots. Any trees that are not native to Ireland are also being removed. This helps the natural Irish trees thrive.
Who Lives Here?
Ballyarr Wood is full of amazing wildlife! You might spot badgers, stoats, and foxes. Sometimes, deer visit the wood too.
In the sky, you can see buzzards and ravens. They build their nests high up in the trees. Many other native Irish woodland birds also live and sing in Ballyarr Wood. It's a great place for them to call home.
