Portumna Forest ParkPortumna Forest Park

By Triona ByrneBy Triona Byrne

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Background.Background. The name Portumna comes from the Irish ‘Port Omna’, meaning the The name Portumna comes from the Irish ‘Port Omna’, meaning the

landing place of the oak tree. landing place of the oak tree. Portumna Forest Park is managed by coillte, the Irish forestry board.Portumna Forest Park is managed by coillte, the Irish forestry board. It is situated on the historic demense of the 17It is situated on the historic demense of the 17thth century Portumna castle. century Portumna castle. Portumna forest park was acquired in 1948.Portumna forest park was acquired in 1948. It covers almost 600 hectares (1500 acres)It covers almost 600 hectares (1500 acres)

This is as big as 600 hurling pitches.This is as big as 600 hurling pitches. The Forest Park was formerly owned by the Clanrickarde family. Within The Forest Park was formerly owned by the Clanrickarde family. Within

the park there is an old abbey that dates back to the 15th century. the park there is an old abbey that dates back to the 15th century. The mix of forest, open area, water and islands found in Portumna forest The mix of forest, open area, water and islands found in Portumna forest

park gives a wide choice of habitat to support a great variety of flora and park gives a wide choice of habitat to support a great variety of flora and fauna.fauna.

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Scots pine is the main species of tree in the forest. The park now has one of the largest areas of scots pine in the country

The forest is mainly

The forest is mainly

coniferous but also

coniferous but also contains a wide variety

contains a wide variety

of broadleaved trees.

of broadleaved trees.

Beech trees here

are the oldest of the

planted heritage in

the park, believed

to date from the late

1700’s.

There is both

native trees and

exotic trees to be

found in the forest.

Tree Species

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Types of treesTypes of trees

Scots pineScots pine

Larch Larch

Norway SpruceNorway Spruce

OakOak

EvergreensEvergreens

MaplesMaples

Beeches Beeches

The open canopy of Scots pine encourages an under-storey of native shrubs and grasses

There are open spaces, ponds, streams and the lake shore which makes a unique habitat for a wide variety of woodland flora.

Many wild animals can be found in Portumna forest park.

The fauna include red squirrels and pine martens and several species of bat as well as a long list of birds, butterflies and dragonflies

WildlifeWildlife

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Animals found in Portumna Forest Park

TheHedgehog

The Pine Marten

The Pigmy Shrew

The Stoat

The Rabbit

The Fox

The redSquirrel

The Badger

The Fallow deer

The Bat

Flora and Fauna

Lets have a

closer look at two of the animals!!!

Fallow DeerFallow Deer

Males are known as bucks, Males are known as bucks, females as does, and females as does, and offspring as fawns. offspring as fawns.

The bucks only carry The bucks only carry antlers. Antlers are shed antlers. Antlers are shed each spring (March to April) each spring (March to April) and the new set begins to and the new set begins to grow immediately grow immediately

Fallow deer and their Fallow deer and their grazing are a significant grazing are a significant part of the ecology of the part of the ecology of the park. park.

Fallow deer were introduced Fallow deer were introduced into Ireland by the Normans into Ireland by the Normans and have been part of the and have been part of the forest since the beginningforest since the beginning

Footprint.

Deer are mainly grazers (eat various

grasses). Theywill also eatleaves of

various treesacorns,fruits

and mushrooms All deer generally feed All deer generally feed early in the morning early in the morning and late evening andand late evening and rest during the day.rest during the day.

Pine MartenPine Marten It is a native tree-dweller found in It is a native tree-dweller found in

Portumna Forest Park.Portumna Forest Park. It is probably the most difficult It is probably the most difficult

animal to find in the forest.animal to find in the forest. Up until recently,it was on the verge Up until recently,it was on the verge

of extinction.of extinction. The pine marten is omnivorous.The pine marten is omnivorous. It is one of the few predators able to It is one of the few predators able to

catch red squirrels, which it chases catch red squirrels, which it chases at speed through the treetops, using at speed through the treetops, using its claws and tail for agility and its claws and tail for agility and balance. balance.

Some food is stored in the summer Some food is stored in the summer and autumn for retrieval in the and autumn for retrieval in the winter. winter.

As a mainly nocturnal animal, the As a mainly nocturnal animal, the pine marten forages at night or pine marten forages at night or dusk, and can roam more than 10 dusk, and can roam more than 10 kilometres from its den in search of kilometres from its den in search of food.food.

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In winter they eat rodents,

small birds, insects, frogs.

In summer they eat bird

eggs, caterpillers, blackberries

Their Diet.

Paw Prints!

Portumna CastlePortumna Castle

Portumna forest park is situated on the demense of Portumna forest park is situated on the demense of the 17the 17th th century Portumna Castle.century Portumna Castle.

The CastleThe Castle

Portumna Castle is found on the grounds of Portumna Portumna Castle is found on the grounds of Portumna Forest Park.Forest Park.

It was built It was built prior to 1618 by Richard de Burgo (Burke), prior to 1618 by Richard de Burgo (Burke), the 4th Earl of Clanricarde.the 4th Earl of Clanricarde.

It was the Irish home to the de Burgo family for over 200 It was the Irish home to the de Burgo family for over 200 years until it was destroyed by fire in 1826.years until it was destroyed by fire in 1826.

The castles surrounding woods and parklands were The castles surrounding woods and parklands were taken over in 1948 by the Forestry Service and are now taken over in 1948 by the Forestry Service and are now a wildlife sanctuary.a wildlife sanctuary.

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QuizQuiz

• What trees are the oldest of the planted heritage in the park, believed to date from the late 1700’s? What animal do these prints belong to? What animal do these prints belong to? Who introduced the fallow deer to Ireland?Who introduced the fallow deer to Ireland? How much land does the park cover?How much land does the park cover? What agency manages Portumna forest park?What agency manages Portumna forest park?