Curraghs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Designations
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| Official name: Ballaugh Curragh | |
| Designated: | 6 September 2006 |
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| Reference #: | 1642 |
The Curraghs (also known as the Ballaugh Curraghs) is a special wetland area in the north-west of the Isle of Man. A wetland is a place where the land is often wet, like a swamp or marsh. This area is full of different kinds of plants and animals, which means it has amazing biodiversity. It's also home to the Curraghs Wildlife Park, which is a zoo and nature reserve built right into the wetlands.
Contents
History of the Curraghs
How the Curraghs Were Formed
Long, long ago, during the last Ice Age, huge sheets of ice covered this area. When the ice melted and moved away, it left a dip in the ground at the bottom of the northern hills. This dip then filled with water, creating the wetlands we see today.
Early Uses of the Land
For many years, people used the Curraghs for different things. Farmers would let their animals graze (eat grass) there. They also grew hay, which was one of the few crops that could grow well in the wet conditions.
The Curraghs were also important for peat. Peat is like a type of soil made from old, decayed plants. It can be dried and used as a fuel to heat homes, similar to wood or coal. People from the nearby village of Kirk Michael used a lot of peat from the Curraghs.
When people stopped cutting peat, the ditches in the area filled up with water. This made the land even wetter, and many bogs formed.
Plans for the Curraghs
In the 1930s, the government of the Isle of Man tried to grow a plant called New Zealand flax in the Curraghs to make money. But this plan didn't work out.
Later, in the 1950s, there was another idea to drain the Curraghs. The goal was to make the land dry enough for farming. However, because the land is 15 meters (about 50 feet) above sea level, it was decided that it would be too expensive to drain all the water. So, the wetlands remained.
Protecting the Area
In 1963, a large part of the Curraghs came under the control of the Manx government. Two years later, in 1965, the Curraghs Wildlife Park opened. It covers about 26 acres (11 hectares).
In 1990, the protection of this government-controlled area was given to Manx National Heritage. This group helps look after important places on the island.
Then, in 2006, a big part of the Curraghs (about 477 acres or 193 hectares) became a special Ramsar site. A Ramsar site is an area recognized by an international group that works to protect important wetlands around the world.
Wildlife of the Curraghs
The Curraghs are a very important place for many different animals and plants.
Birds of the Curraghs
The Curraghs are famous for being home to the second-largest group of hen harriers in Europe during the winter. These are special birds of prey.
Other birds you might see include:
There is even a special type of wren that might only live on the Isle of Man!
Butterflies and Other Animals
The area is also known for its many different kinds of butterflies. The Curraghs Wildlife Park has a special butterfly walk where visitors can see these beautiful insects up close. One interesting butterfly found here is the orange tip.
The Wildlife Park is home to over 100 animals from all over the world, including pelicans, gibbons, otters, and penguins.
You might be surprised to learn that the Ballaugh Curraghs also have a group of wild wallabies living there! These wallabies are said to be the largest wild group in the British Isles. They are descendants of two wallabies that escaped from the wildlife park many years ago. They seem to live in a similar way to hares in the area.
Plants of the Curraghs
The Curraghs are a mix of scrubland, which means areas with small trees and bushes like willow and bog myrtle.
A very common plant here is Sphagnum moss. This moss is responsible for creating a lot of the peat in the area. The peat and the wet ground together create many bogs. As mentioned before, this peat was very useful to people on the island as fuel for their homes.
The Curraghs are also home to six different kinds of orchids, including the beautiful heath spotted orchid.
What Does 'Curragh' Mean?
In the Manx Gaelic language, the word curragh describes the type of willow scrub habitat that is common in the Isle of Man.
