Cloonee and Inchiquin Loughs, Uragh Wood facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cloonee and Inchiquin Loughs, Uragh Wood
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Uragh Stone Circle with Gleninchaquin Lake and Uragh Wood in the background
Area	1,154 ha
Governing body	National Parks and Wildlife Service

Cloonee and Inchiquin Loughs, Uragh Wood is a very special nature area. It is found in a beautiful valley in Tuosist, County Kerry, Ireland. This place is part of a big European network called Natura 2000. This network aims to protect important natural spots across Europe. The site is famous for its clear, clean lakes, known as loughs, and its unique oak forests. These forests grow close to the ocean.

What Makes This Area Special?

This area is home to two main types of natural environments. First, there are the lowland lakes. These lakes have very clear water and not many nutrients. This makes them perfect for certain kinds of plants and animals. Second, there are the oceanic oak woodlands. These are forests filled with oak trees that thrive near the coast. They grow well in areas that get a lot of rain from the ocean.

A Protected Home for Wildlife

Uragh Wood has been protected as a nature reserve since 1982. This means it is a special place where nature is kept safe. Later, the area was given an even stronger protection. It became a Special Area of Conservation. This protects the wood, the lakes, and all the land around them.

There are four main lakes in this protected area. They are the Salt Lake, Lower Cloonee Lake, Upper Cloonee Lake, and the Gleninchaquin Lake. Each of these lakes adds to the beauty and importance of the site.

Rare Animals Living Here

This special place is also important because it is home to some very rare animals. Two of these are the Kerry Slug and the Lesser Horseshoe Bat. These creatures need specific habitats to survive. Protecting Cloonee and Inchiquin Loughs, Uragh Wood helps make sure these rare animals have a safe place to live and thrive.