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RSPB Aghatirourke

Northern Ireland  >  United Kingdom

Area of extensive upland blanket bog, bordered by limestone grassland to the north and montane heath to the south.

Ajouté* par Terry
Dernière actualisation 27 septembre 2022

Description

RSPB Aghatirourke is a 700 hectare site that is part of the Cuilcagh Mountain World Geopark in County Fermanagh. In spring Alouette des champs, Traquet motteux and Pipit farlouse meadow pipits display across the reserve, and the collapsed cave opposite the Leggacurragh is a great place to spot Coucou gris. Look out for Bécassine des marais along the nature trail and Lagopède d'Écosse on the heather heath, as well as nesting Hirondelle de rivage in the peat banks, and Cincle plongeur hopping around the rocky stream.

In summer birds of prey, including Faucon émerillon, Faucon crécerelle and Busard Saint-Martin can be seen hunting overhead, while Grand Corbeau and Faucon pèlerin nest nearby. You may be lucky enough to spot Pluvier doré that breed at the reserve, although numbers are very scarce.

Autumn and winter are much quieter seasons for birdlife, and conditions can be wet and slippery which makes for difficult walking. The way-marked Hiker’s Trail is unsurfaced and very steep in places with no seating. Access is not allowed off the trail due to the presence of unmarked swallow holes and underlying limestone caves.

Détails

Accès

Take the A4 Sligo Road west of Enniskillen then A32 south, ignore signs for Florencecourt and Marble Arch Caves, look for right turn signposted as 'Gortalughany viewpoint'. Follow this narrowing road to the car park. By bus: There's a bus route from Enniskillen bus station to Swanlinbar. Request to stop at tourist sign for Gortalughany (approximately three miles from reserve gate).

Be aware that the reserve is in an exposed mountain environment where the weather can change rapidly, so access to the summit should only be undertaken by experienced hill walkers. The indicated route on the map is 7 km one way. The first three kilometers are mostly flat before the trail begins a climb that takes you to the summit of Cuilcagh. It gets very steep closer to the top, but there are great panoramic views from there. But anyone who wants to take it easy can only do the first 3 or 4 kilometers and then turn around.

There are no facilities at the site, but free car parking is available at the Gortalughany viewing point, where breath taking views can be enjoyed of the beauty and wilderness of the reserve. Please note, dogs are not allowed in Cuilcagh Mountain Park.

Terrain et Habitat

Landes/bruyères , Prairie

Conditions

Vallonné , Paysage ouvert

Boucle

Non

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Non

Saison idéale pour observer

Printemps , Eté

Meilleure période pour une visite

Eté

Itinéraire

Sentier étroit

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Intense

Accessible via

A pied

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Non

Liens

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

Carte

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